Monday, March 31, 2008

"My Responsibility"

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Have you noticed how many action verbs there are in the scriptures? "Press" toward the mark; "study" to show yourself approved; "forget" those things which are behind; "seek" first; "believe" on; "rejoice" in the Lord; "pray" always; etc. The Christian life is one of action- it's not passive. Each of these action verbs calls us to personal accountability. They remind us that we each individually have a responsibility to progress further in our walk and relationship with the Lord.

Please don't misunderstand what I am about to say because we do need each other. The Bible says that we are like the joints of a body that fitly join together and supply to each other. It also tells us to pray for one another, bear one another's burdens, edify each other, exhort and encourage one another. I am thankful that God has given us ministers who help us in our spiritual growth, but they should never take the place of my personal responsibility to "work out my own salvation".

I can't depend on someone else to do it all for me. I have to do some studying myself. I have to learn to cultivate my own relationship with the Lord. I have to gather manna myself. I have to learn to watch and pray. Waiting on someone else to do it for me is not God's intention. When I let someone else do my Christian disciplines for me, I am cheated out of a close intimate relationship with the Lord, I miss receiving a revelation that God's desires to give to me, I become spiritually lazy.

Thank God for those who teach us and help us grow and mature in the Lord because they are a blessing to our lives- they are to mine. But it's not their place to do for me what I am suppose to be doing for myself. They are there to help me- not do it for me.

Have a great day. We each have a personal responsibility to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

Friday, March 28, 2008

"Don't Be Polite"

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" Philippians 2:10

At the recovery center this morning one of the things we talked about was the power in the Name of Jesus. One girl told me that she had told the devil to leave "in the Name of Jesus", but he didn't. I won't go into all the different aspects of her questions and comments, but one of the things she said was that after he didn't leave she said, "I asked you to leave, why aren't you?" This is what I want to address. Like I told her, you don't "ask" the devil to leave, you tell him to. You don't beg him, plead with him, ask him politely... you command him. You "tell" him to get behind you.

If you are a born again child of God, you have been given power over all the powers of the enemy. You have been given power to tread on him. The greater one lives in you. You need to put the enemy in his place-- and not politely. You need to use your God-given authority to resist him and send him on his way. Like I told her also, you have to have faith and you have to persevere. He tries to be stubborn and not leave you- he did this with Jesus in the wilderness when he was tempting Him. But each time the enemy came at Jesus, He resisted him steadfastly. He didn't give up. After Jesus continued, the devil finally left Him.

When we submit ourselves to God, we can resist devil and he will flee. But you may have to resist him several times. You may have to be persistent; you may have to persevere; you may have to hold fast; but nevertheless, you keep on until he leaves.... and he will. Don't be polite with the devil, and don't engage in conversation with him. Follow Jesus' example and remember that Jesus has all authority and power over the devil and He has given you the power to overcome and the authority to overcome in His Name.

Have a great day. Tell the devil to get in his place... and keep doing it.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

"Love In Any Language"

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Some of us were talking after church last night about how different the customs and meanings of words are from country to country. A word or gesture here might mean something harmless and innocent, but in another country it might represent something vulgar or disrespectful. While the meaning of a word may not be the same in every country or culture, there is one word that is universal and it's meaning is the same no matter where you go. That word is love.

Love is love no matter where you are. When we talk about the love of God- the love He has for us that He would give His Son to die for our sins- it means the same for all of us. When we talk about the price that Jesus paid for our sins by dying for us because He loves us, there is nothing lost in the translation. Love is love all over the world, and the love God has for us means the same thing to all of us.

God loves you this morning. Jesus loves you. His love prompted Him to action- He died to show you how much He loves you. Have you received His love today by receiving His gift of salvation? None of us may fully understand the gospel. We might not be able to comprehend the depth of God's love. We may not understand how or why He loves us so much. But one thing we can all understand is that He loves us.

Have a great day. Love means love all over the world... and the love that God has for us means the same also.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

"Just Noise"

"...for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7b

As you know, I go to the nursing home twice a month and conduct a church service. We meet in the dining room. There is a door in the dining room that leads to an outside patio. At the top of the door is some sort of electronic fan/filter. It is suppose to turn on every time the door opens and "suck" the flies and bugs out that come in. Each time it comes on, it makes a very loud noise and does not stop until the door closes. The problem with it is, the door does not fit tightly so the slightest suction on the door and it turns on. Someone has to finally walk over there and pull the door completely shut. Also, it doesn't work very well in doing what it was designed to do.

The reason I said all that is because this door reminds me of some Christians-- they make a lot of noise but don't function the way God intends for them to. You know who they are-- they say they are Christians, but act like the devil. They are always trying to tell you how to live, but never live it themselves. They are like the Pharisees. The Pharisees always had something to say-- there was no shortage of words with them, but their actions spoke contrary. They preached it but they didn't practice it. They talked it but they didn't walk it.

Am I describing you this morning? Do you "talk the talk" but don't "walk the walk"? Are you a Christian in profession only? Does your lifestyle testify to what you say you are. Do your actions line up with your words? If not, then you need to repent and ask God to make you into a person that lives what you say.

Personally, I think they should unplug, or remove altogether, this device at the nursing home because it doesn't do any good. It's just irritating, annoying and distracting. Christians who are like this bear these same characteristics-- annoying, irritating, distracting from the true nature of who God is, and cause the message of the gospel to be hindered. We don't want to be like that.

Have a great day. Are you functioning the way a Christian should or are you just a lot of noise?

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

"Winds"

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." Acts 2:2

I believe that- spiritually speaking- there are different seasons and times that we go through. I also believe that what we see happening in the natural often reflects what is happening in the spirit realm. I believe that God uses natural things to speak to us about spiritual things. For example, March is a windy month. It is also the month that is the doorway to spring. Spring represents a new beginning, life, fresh start.

The other morning I was outside sitting on my porch and the wind was blowing so strongly. As I was thanking God for the wind- in everything give thanks- the Spirit began to speak to me. What He spoke to me came in the form of a prayer. I believe that He lead me to pray this prayer because it is a new season and the winds of March were "prophetic" concerning the time we are living in. This morning I would like to ask you to join in this prayer with me because we need the Lord to send the "wind" into this "new season"- we need the wind of God to bring in a "new thing" into our hearts and His church.

Pray that the Lord would send forth the wind of His Spirit to blow upon us that would so radically change our lives like He did on the Day of Pentecost. Pray for the wind of revival to blow in our hearts. Pray for winds of refreshing to blow away the fatigue and weariness. Pray that the Lord will send a strong wind to blow back to "seas" that are barriers between us and our promised land. Send the wind into Your church, Lord, that would blow out discord, disunity, pride, deception, dead religious practices, the teachings that we have adopted from the world, hypocrisy, impurity, and immorality. Blow upon the programs and agenda of men in your house and let the breath of your Spirit breath new life- resurrection life- into us. Pray for the wind to blow away the chaff so that the "wheat" alone remains. Send forth Your mighty wind that is powerful into your church once again- a wind that is so powerful that nothing that isn't like You, Lord, can stand.

Have a great day. As you are praying this, the Lord will increase your prayer and show you other areas that the "wind" of His Spirit needs to blow upon in your life.

Monday, March 24, 2008

"What Church Are You?"

"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1:3

Concerning the seven churches in Asia that were addressed in the Book of Revelation, there are a couple of schools of thought- some believe that they represent seven successive phases of the church; some believe that they coexist at the same time. It's not my desire to get into a theological debate this morning concerning these churches but I do want to look at them from an additional perspective.

The church of Ephesus had lost their first love. Pergamos tolerated immorality, idolatry and heresies. The church of Thyatira allowed deception, idolatry, immorality. The church of Sardis was self deceived- they thought they were alive but they were dead. Laodicea was lukewarm.

Regardless of what you believe these churches represent, I believe we can take it a step further. It has been said that "we are the church". The church is not a "building"- that's just a place where the "real church" meets together. So if "I'm the church" and these letters were written to the church- I should take personal heed to what the Lord is saying here and ask myself some questions and search my heart to see if this is the state of my life.

You and I have to ask ourselves, "Have I lost my first love? Am I allowing immorality or idolatry in my life? Do I think that I am alive but I am deceived and am really dead? Have I become lukewarm in my desire for the things of God- for God Himself? Do I tolerate those things that He hates? Am I putting more emphasis on material things than on spiritual things?" After answering these questions, did you see a resemblance between you and them? If so, then there is only one thing to do-- repent. Repent and return to your first love. Repent and lay aside immorality and idolatry. Repent and get on fire again. Repent.

Have a great day. Does your life bear a resemblance to any of these churches? If so, repent.

Friday, March 21, 2008

"I Thirst"

"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." John 19:28

This may be my own personal belief, but I believe that Jesus was thirsting for something more than just water to wet his tongue. Yes, I am sure He was thirsty in his body from dehydration. But I find it hard to believe that in the last moment of His life He was thinking about His physical need-- He never did before. Everything we ever saw Jesus do was geared to the spirit- He walked in self denial. Besides, He knew all things were accomplished and the next words He would speak would be, "It is finished". He knew that drinking something would do Him no good at that point- His next breath was to be His last.

To be thirsty also speaks of having a longing or strong desire for something. This word in the Greek is also figurative of eagerly longing for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened. What was the one thing that Jesus eagerly longed for? What was His whole reason for coming to earth? Why did He die on the cross? Because He had a great longing and desire to see us with Him in His kingdom. It's even recorded that He looked past the suffering of the cross with joy- that joy was seeing you and me in His kingdom because of the price that He was about to pay.

I tend to believe that Jesus was thirsting (longing) to see the fruit of His labor. He was longing to begin to see us enter into His kingdom. He thirsted- He was ready with great excitement to see the souls begin coming into His kingdom for the first time.

If you don't know Him as Savior, if you haven't received Him as the Lord of your life, if you haven't accepted what He did at the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, then He is still thirsty. He is thirsty for you! He longs for you to come to Him. He longs to give you eternal life. He longs to forgive your sins. He longs to write your name in His book of life. He longs to start preparing a mansion for you. He longs to lavish His love on you and have a deep personal relationship with you.

Have a great day. Is He still "thirsty" for you?

Thursday, March 20, 2008

"In Oder"

"In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live." Isaiah 38:1

The Lord told Hezekiah to get his house in order. Of course, God was talking about him getting the affairs of his life in order because he was going to die. I was thinking about "getting your house in order" this evening. When the Lord speaks that word to our hearts, it may mean the same thing it meant for Hezekiah-- your life is coming to an end here on earth. But it also might mean that God wants you to get your "heart house" in order.

When you look up the word "order" in the dictionary, there are more than fifty meanings of the word. I want to look at a few of those meaning in regard to our heart houses needing to be "in order".

Order- an arrangement of elements; the disposition of things following one after another; succession or sequence. Example- the alphabet recited in order starts with A, B, C, etc. Is your live in order as for as putting things in the right succession? This would mean putting the things that are of more importance in first place in our lives. Example- God, others, self; God's will, my will.

Another definition of order deals with something being "in order"- in order means that it is in proper working condition. Is your spiritual life in proper working condition, or is it "out of order"? Is it "broken"? You know, are your spiritual ears able to hear what the Spirit of God is saying? Is your discernment keen? Are you sensitive to the wooing of the Spirit?

Daily we need to make sure that our heart houses are in order-- our priorities are correct and where they should be (in order of importance), and our "spiritual faculties" are working properly (we are walking in the spirit).

Have a great day. Is your house in order or out of order?

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

"John's Response - Part 2"

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." Revelation 1:1

Yesterday we talked about John on the Isle of Patmos and how he did not get angry with God and turn his back on Him because of all the things he suffered for His sake. Instead, he remained faithful and loyal to Jesus. This morning I want to look at John again and point out what John would have missed if he had done what most do when they find themselves in situations that they feel God should have gotten them out of but didn't.

He would have missed seeing the "unfolding of the ages". He saw the end of the ages before it has happened. He saw the Lord returning with ten thousands upon ten thousands of His saints in glorious victory! He saw the devil defeated once and for all. He saw the new heaven and new earth. He saw the host of heaven, and the city New Jerusalem.

He would have missed fulfilling his destiny. Jesus had prophesied that John would "see His return". (John 21:22,23) And although the gift and call of God is without repentance, John could have walked away from it in his anger and forfeited God's calling. How sad to have missed his purpose after all he had gone through.

He would have missed the glorious revelation of Jesus that he received. He never would have seen Jesus in such an awesome way. If you'll remember, John was among the disciples that Jesus took to the Mount of Transfiguration. On that mountain he saw Jesus in His glory as few have ever seen. Yet it was on the Isle of Patmos that he saw Jesus in such a way that was more awesome that anything he had experienced before. This appearance of Jesus caused him to fall prostrate. John was also the disciple that had laid his head on Jesus' bosom and was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. But this revelation was, in comparison, beyond anything he'd ever seen of Jesus.

When we turn our backs on the Lord, there is more to lose than there is to gain. We would miss so much that God has planned for us... not to mention a personal relationship with the Savior and eternal life. Is it really worth it?

Have a great day. When we turn our backs on God, we will definitely miss out and be the losers.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

"John's Response And Mine"

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

In reading the Book of Revelation, have you ever just stopped in the first chapter to look at John- the one who received the revelation? "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet." (Rev. 1:9,10) He was in exile on an island that was a place for prisoners. He was there because he preached the gospel. According to church tradition, they tried to kill John by boiling him in oil. He didn't die so they sentenced him to a life of exile. So here he is, in exile, away from family and friends, away from his church and other Christians to encourage him, in a body racked with pain from third degree burns, an apostle innocent of any crimes. How much is that for one man to endure!

What I wanted you to notice about John was that he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day". After all he had gone through for Christ's sake, he was still honoring the Lord's day. He was still seeking the Lord, acknowledging Him, praying to Him, giving Him praise, worshipping in the spirit. How unlike most of us is that? If what John had gone through had happened to us, most of us would have turned our backs on God. Most of us would have gotten angry at God. Most of us would have cursed God for letting such a thing happen to us instead of continuing to give Him our devotion like John did.

I am sure none of us have ever gone through the sufferings for the Savior that John did-- although, many of us have gone through some horrific situations-- but if we did, would our response to God be the same as his? Would we be able to say, "Though He slay me yet I trust Him." Would we still be found honoring the Lord? Would we still be found in church at service time? Would we still sing songs of praise and adoration to Him? Would we still have a desire to glorify Him? Would we still press into His presence until we reached His throne? Would He still be the desire of our hearts and the love of our life? Just what would our response be??

Have a great day. How do you feel about God when you go through difficulties?

Monday, March 17, 2008

"Escapism"

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

How do you handle your times in the valley or in the wilderness? How do you handle situations that you don't particularly like to be in? Most of us complain about it or pray for a way out it. I was thinking about that very thing this morning. There is a certain situation I had been praying that God would change, then this morning He spoke to me and said why didn't I pray that He would show me how to "go through it".

We need to learn to be content where we are instead of seeking a route of escape. Whether we like it or not, there are some things we must go through. The valleys are needful in our lives. The wilderness does play a part. Even prisons, captivity, persecutions all can play a role in God's purpose and scheme of things. The backside of the dessert was a valuable place for Moses. The prison was a stepping stone to the palace for Joseph. Being presented before a heathen king was a set up for Esther.

Too often we pray for a way out of the very place that we must go through in order to get us to where God wants to take us. His plan for you may take you to the valley. It took Jesus into the wilderness (Matthew 4), and the cross. If we would begin to pray that the Lord would show us how to go through it instead of how to escape out of it, we would benefit from it in the long run. We need to learn to be content instead of always wanting a way out just because it doesn't "suit" us. His grace is sufficient to see us through. This place that we are so eager to escape may be what brings us to the threshold of our destiny.

Have a great day. Instead of complaining and trying to escape where you are, pray the Lord will show you "how" to go through it.

Friday, March 14, 2008

"Belief In Hell"

"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom." Luke 16:23

A friend and I were talking about someone she had heard make the statement that they don't believe that hell is real. You probably don't think that this statement is too shocking- we hear it from the world all the time. But this statement wasn't made by someone in the "world", it was made by someone who professes to be a Christian.

Let me set the record straight this morning- you cannot call yourself a Christian and not believe in hell. First, the Bible tells us that there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. If you are a Christian, that means you believe the Bible-- every word of it. If the Bible teaches that there is a hell, then there is a hell. Secondly, the word Christian means one who is a disciple/follower of Christ. A person becomes a Christian by putting their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ- His atoning work at the cross, His shed blood for the remission of their sins, His saving power. If there is no hell, then you don't need a savior to save you from it. If there is no hell, then what did Jesus die for? Even if you say you believe that He died to save you from your sins, then why? If there is no hell, then what difference would it make if you have sin in your life or not--- if there is no place of eternal punishment?

As Christians we have to believe the whole word of God-- the good parts and the not so good parts. If we don't why would we call ourselves Christians? The Christian belief is that we need a savior, that savior is Jesus. Because of what He did for us at the cross we have assurance that we will not spend eternity in a place of punishment-- that place is hell.

Have a great day. It is impossible to be a Christian and not believe what the Bible teaches-- it teaches that there is a hell.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

"Married Or Not?"

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17

I was talking with someone a couple of months ago that I haven't seen in quite awhile. They were catching me up on their lives- their children and grandchildren. They told me that one of their sons was living with a girl but they weren't married. This friend wasn't happy about the situation because he is a Christian and knows it's not right. But then he said something to me that I have heard from many other Christians on this subject. He said,"They know it's not right; they might as well go ahead and get married because in the eyes of God they already are married."

This Bible doesn't say that. The Bible says it's adultery or fornication. If God considers you married if you live together as husband and wife but aren't, then why does He address the subject of adultery in the Bible? If it automatically makes you married in His sight, then what is adultery? Let's look at what Jesus had to say about this. When Jesus met the woman at the well, part of their conversation was about her "marital status". Jesus told her to go get her husband and her reply was that she did not have a husband. Listen to what Jesus then said to her. "The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly." (John 4:17,18) Jesus told her that the man she was living with- in the kind of relationship that is reserved for husbands and wives-- was not her husband. So according to God- who Jesus is- He does not consider them married.

This morning I felt the Lord wanted me to clear this up. What my friend said to me is wrong, yet many Christian people believe this same way- I grew up thinking this was true also. The Bible tells us that God's people perish for lack of knowledge. It also tells us that the truth will make us free and that it's the job of the enemy to deceive us so that we won't believe the truth but believe a lie instead. Therefore, we must know the truth. His word is truth and in it we will find out what He has to say on this or any other subject.

Have a great day. Always go to the word of God and find out what the truth is on any and all subjects.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

"Keeping Promises"

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Numbers 23:19

Here in the United States we are getting ready for elections in our government. All the candidates are making promises as to what they are going to do if elected. The promises they are making sound good- lower taxes, health care for everyone, better education. But the reality of it is, that while they sound good and convincing, they can't keep those promises- there are too many factors involved.

I want to remind you this morning not to put your hope in man, in programs, in government-- "in the arm of flesh". They don't and can't keep their promises. They aren't your source. They can't make your life better. They can't meet your need. There is only one true source of hope. There is only one who cannot fail. There is only one who meets our needs. There is only one who makes and KEEPS His promises--- the Lord God! "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." (Psalm 118:8,9) "And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." (Romans 4:21) "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" (Hebrews 10:23)

I know the Lord raises up leaders and pulls them down according to His purposes, but His plan and purpose was never for us to become dependent upon them, make them our hope, or put our trust and confidence in them. That is a place in our lives that is reserved only for Him.

Have a great day. Man's promises sound wonderful, but they can't keep them--- only God can.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

"He Restores"

"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3

I was sharing with the folks at the recovery center last week about how God is the Restorer. He restores those things that the enemy steals from us- abundant life, health, relationships, our sanity, our joy, etc. One of the ladies told me that she was really blessed to hear that because she never knew that. She had never heard the message that the Lord is a God of restoration.

It's the job of the enemy to keep us ignorant to the truth. He doesn't want us to know about the Lord's blessings, His provision, His healing, His power and so on. He will try to blind us to the truth. He will lie to us and deceive us by telling us that it's not for us, it's not for today, God doesn't really mean what He says, you aren't worthy-- lie after lie after lie. He doesn't want you to know what God's promises are- much less receive them for yourself. Just like my sweet little friend at the recovery center- he made sure she never knew about the work of restoration because she needs it's so badly. The devil stole so much from her through drug and alcohol abuse then he lied to her and told her that what she lost because of her addiction is gone forever. (He tries to conceal the truth to take away our hope.)

This morning God has wonderful promises with your name on them. The enemy doesn't want you to know what they are and he doesn't want you to receive them. But they are for you. You are God's child. He has promised to restore to you everything the locust, the cankerworm, the palmer worm and the caterpillar has destroyed. He has made a covenant of healing with you. He has promised to meet all your need. He said He would restore your soul when you are weary, give you peace that passes understanding, joy that is your strength, restore your zeal, renew your love for Him, quench your thirst and fill your hunger. Don't listen to the lies of the enemy. God will restore that which you have lost-- He knows where to find it and how to give it back to you.. or give you better.

Have a great day. God is the restorer!

Monday, March 10, 2008

"Paths"

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Throughout our lifetime we find ourselves walking down many different paths. Sometimes it's the path of happiness and joy. At other times it's a path of pain, suffering or sorrow. There are also paths of confusion and paths that lead us to a cross roads in life where we have to make decisions. There is the path of promotion and the path of demotion. There are paths of broken relationships and restored relationships. Sometimes the paths we walk down are unfamiliar- we've never gone that way before. Sometimes the paths are repeated paths-- like the path around the same mountain that the Israelites took for years.

Each one of us is on a path today. The path you are on may not be a pleasant one, it may be full of pain, it may be testing your faith, it may be pushing you to your limits. It may be a path in the wilderness that is full of temptations. This morning I want to remind you that it doesn't matter what path you are on, you are not on it alone. "For thou art with me". If your path leads you through the fire, through the flood, through the desert, through the valley of the shadow of death... you are not alone. You have a promise from your heavenly Father-- "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20b) "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5b) So take heart... you are not alone. And there is no one better to have walking along this path with you than the Lord.
Have a great day. Jesus will walk with you no matter what path you are on.

Friday, March 7, 2008

"By My Obedience"

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Romans 5:19

This morning as I was praying, the Lord spoke something to my heart that I need to share with you. He let me know that other people are counting on our obedience. When I am obedient to do what the Lord tells me to do, I benefit from it, but so do others. Let me show you what I mean. Noah's obedience in building the ark saved him, but it also saved his family. Moses' obedience to strike the rock brought forth water so that the people could drink and not die of thirst. Jesus' obedience to the Father brought healing, deliverance, hope and freedom to those He came in contact with. And the ultimate example of this principal is Jesus' obedience in going to Calvary. This act of obedience brought the opportunity for every person to receive salvation so that they would not perish but have everlasting life.

If our obedience benefits others as well as ourselves, then the opposite is true also. Achan's disobedience in taking of the spoil at Jericho brought defeat to the armies of Israel and death to his family. David's disobedience in numbering the people caused many thousands to be killed. Adam's disobedience brought sin and death upon all mankind.

It is said that no man liveth unto himself. Our actions have an effect on someone-- whether directly or indirectly, whether for the good or for the bad. Who is being effected by your obedience or disobedience? When we think about it on those terms, then there is a lot more "riding" on our obedience then we think. Obedience keeps us in right relationship with God. It also will bring about something that will minister to someone else when we fulfill our obedience. Through our obedience lives can be changed, bodies can be healed, the captive can be set free, the weak can be strengthened, the hungry fed and the thirsty satisfied. When you are tempted to disobey, stop and think about what the outcome might be for someone else whose life could have been touched through your act of obedience.

Have a great day. They are counting on your obedience.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

"Tomorrow"

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34

Don't misinterpret this verse and think that we are not suppose to think about tomorrow at all. We are told to occupy until He comes-- raise our families, do our work, live life. If I am planning on taking a trip tomorrow, I have to "think" about the trip ahead of time and make sure that I have my clothes washed and ironed and packed for the trip. If a student has a test tomorrow, they have to make sure they have studied and are prepared to pass the test. If a business man has a presentation to make next week, he needs to be working today to make sure he is ready to present it when the time comes.

The word "thought" means- anxious, worry, fretful. We are told not to "worry" about tomorrow. Don't be fretful, or fearful, don't worry when there is no food in the cabinets today about what you are going to eat tomorrow. Don't be anxious about what may come your way tomorrow because of where you are today.
Sandwiched between verse 31- "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?"-- and verse 34 is the key to not being worried or anxious-- "(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

When you are tempted to be anxious about tomorrow, remember that you have a heavenly Father who is watching over you. Remember that He loves you and will take care of you. Remember that He already sees tomorrow and makes provision for it. Also, don't seek after your needs-- seek Him. Make seeking Him your priority. Put Him first- first in your time, in your work, in your home, in your thoughts, in your heart, in all you do. There is something you have to do about tomorrow: don't worry or be anxious, remember that God sees tomorrow, just keep your heart set on seeking Him, and give Him first place in your life.
Have a great day. Don't worry about tomorrow- remember God and seek Him above everything else.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

"You Are Unique"

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14

This morning I want to remind you of your uniqueness. You are unlike any other person on earth. You have been hand designed by God Himself, and He designed you without a duplicate. You are one of a kind. Your fingerprint is unique- it belongs to only you. No one else has your DNA. No one else's eye has your signature on it.

If God took the time to make sure that the details of who you are were solely yours, if He designed you and threw away the pattern so that there would never be another you, if He made you a unique individual, then that means He deeply cares about you. It also means that He has a plan for your life. When He created Esther, He gave her a beauty and grace unlike any other woman that would set her apart because of His plan for her-- to be chosen queen and save His people.

This morning you may be feeling unloved, worthless, with no special qualities, you may be feeling "plain Jane", you may feel like you fade into the crowd and are invisible. But don't let the enemy do that to you. Don't let Him rob you of the unique person God created in you. Don't let him make you think too lowly of yourself. There is a saying, "I know I am somebody, because God doesn't make junk." Don't let the enemy make you feel like you are "junk"- useless and not good for anything. That's a lie, you have been fearfully and wonderfully made and God loves you very much. He has a plan that only you can fulfill. You are somebody; somebody special in the eyes of God; somebody precious and loved by Him.

Have a great day. You are a unique individual created by God who has a special plan in mind for you.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

"Come Alive"

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12

As I set down to write this morning, I started hearing a chorus that we use to sing years ago playing over and over in my thoughts. We haven't sang it in years but I feel impressed to share it with you this morning. It goes, "I will serve Thee, because I love Thee. You have given life to me. I was nothing before you found me. You have given life to me. Heartache, broken pieces, ruined lives are why you died on Calvary. You're touch is what I long for. You have given life to me."
Before we come to Christ, we are "walking dead men"- there is no life in us. We have breath in our bodies and blood in our veins which constitutes physical life but we can still be dead because we are a spirit being inside a natural body, and having life in your spirit is what constitutes real life.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." (John 11:25) "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:10)

We are all born spiritually dead. We all need to come alive. We all can receive life. Going from death to life is not a hard thing-- it's a miraculous thing. It's a gift that has been freely given to us. It's a gift that has been purchased for us. Have you received this gift of life? If not, here's how- "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24 ) If you have received it, are you telling someone else that needs it about it so that they might receive it and come alive?

Have a great day. Without Christ we are dead in trespasses and sins, but He died to give us life. Are you alive?

Monday, March 3, 2008

"Mirror, Mirror"

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." James 1:25

When I look into a mirror, it shows me the blemishes, wrinkles, imperfections or dirt that I have on my face. The word of God is like a mirror. When I look into it, it shows me what I really look like. It shows me the "spiritual" imperfections. It shows me how wicked my own heart is. It shows me my rebellion. It shows me the "wrinkles" of pride, selfishness, unforgiveness. But unlike the mirror hanging on my wall, not only does God's word show me what I look like, it also shows me how to correct it. It gives me the solution to correcting my "appearance".

When I apply the word of God to my life, it's a cleansing agent to clean away the dirt of sin. "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." (Ephesians 5:26) It clears up the blemishes, it removes the wrinkles, it takes care of the imperfections. God is so wonderful-- He shows us our problem and He also gives us our solution, and they are both found in His word.

When you look into the word and see these spiritual blemishes, don't just turn away from the mirror and forget about it. Do something about it. Search the scriptures to find out how to correct it. If I go to my mirror and see that I have a big black smudge across my cheek, I am not going to walk away and do nothing about removing it. I am going to get soap and water or some sort of cleanser and wash it until it's removed. Why aren't we more concerned about making sure our spiritual appearance is perfect too. After all, it's more important.

Have a great. We need to look in the mirror of God's word everyday, and then do something about what we see.