"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34
The Lord woke me up in the early hours of the morning and placed a song on my heart. The song says, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." I thought it was an odd song for Him to place on my heart. So I sought Him about it. When I did, He began to show me His heart through this song.
The song is talking about literal children, but in the heart of God this song is about all mankind-- regardless of their age. He sees us all like children. He created all people-- all races, nations, kindred and tongues. He loves all people no matter the color of their skin or background.
Through this song the Lord is speaking a warning and a reminder to the body of Christ. The warning is: many are allowing the world to influence their thinking, attitude and heart toward one another. This will bring discord, disunity and disharmony into the body of Christ. The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to stop the Word of God from going forth in the world. He wants to stop the Kingdom of God from advancing. He is using prejudice, bigotry and racism (on all sides) to try to accomplish this. He wants us to be a house divided against itself so that we will not stand.
The reminder is: We are not of the world though we are in the world. We are Kingdom people first before we are anything else. We must keep our minds renewed in God's Word and live it, walk it out, obey it, let it transform us and bring it to the lost and dying. We must remember too that it is by our love one for another that we will be known as His disciples.
The warning and reminder is: Guard your heart. Let only life and love issue from it.
Have a great day. Jesus loves the children (all people) of the world.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
"Powerful Name Of Jesus"
"In my name shall they ..." Mark 16:17a
This morning I want to remind you that there is power in the name of Jesus. We tend to forget that He has been given a name that is above every name and at His name every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
At the name of Jesus demons flee; sickness is healed; strength is renewed; help is summoned; comfort is granted; power is imparted; hope is refreshed; joy is rekindled; salvation is manifested; deliverance is assured; grace is supplied; peace is restored; needs are met; guidance and direction is revealed; eternal life is promised.
I wonder if we have stopped trusting in, believing in, relying upon and calling upon that glorious name. Let His name once again be on your lips. Use the authority that is in that name to fight your battles and to overcome your enemies. Use it to do the work of the Kingdom. Use its authority to fulfill what the Lord has called you to do. Use that name when you pray. Make it a praise once again on your lips. And remember its power. "In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:17,18)
Have a great day. Never forget that there is power and authority in the name of Jesus.
This morning I want to remind you that there is power in the name of Jesus. We tend to forget that He has been given a name that is above every name and at His name every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.
At the name of Jesus demons flee; sickness is healed; strength is renewed; help is summoned; comfort is granted; power is imparted; hope is refreshed; joy is rekindled; salvation is manifested; deliverance is assured; grace is supplied; peace is restored; needs are met; guidance and direction is revealed; eternal life is promised.
I wonder if we have stopped trusting in, believing in, relying upon and calling upon that glorious name. Let His name once again be on your lips. Use the authority that is in that name to fight your battles and to overcome your enemies. Use it to do the work of the Kingdom. Use its authority to fulfill what the Lord has called you to do. Use that name when you pray. Make it a praise once again on your lips. And remember its power. "In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:17,18)
Have a great day. Never forget that there is power and authority in the name of Jesus.
Friday, February 24, 2017
"There Is A Word"
"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:68
We all need a "word" from time to time. We all need a word of direction when faced with a situation. We all need a word of comfort when faced with grief. We all need a word of compassion when feeling rejected and neglected. We all need a word of comfort when feelings of despair surround us. We need words of strength and courage when we are at a weak moment and feeling afraid. We all need a word of hope when feeling that all is hopeless. Some times we need a word of appreciation or affirmation. We can all use a word of understanding-- because we all fail and fall, and none of us are perfect. There are times we need to hear a word of forgiveness when we know we have done wrong.
Life throws much at us and sometimes just a word is all we need to make it better, make it all come together, cause it to make sense, or give us peace. It is amazing what just a simple word can do-- it can make all the difference. Just one word fitly spoken (the right way at the right time) is described in the Bible like "apples of gold in pitchers of silver". One word spoken harshly or inappropriately can bring devastation to a heart.
The word that we need isn't always available to us by other people. No human being has the perfect word to speak to us at the perfect time. We can try, but we still fall short. But Jesus has the perfect word that you need. He has the right word, for the right situation, at the right time. He is The Word. Go to Him and let Him speak the word you need to hear. He knows what word to say before you even need to hear it. And when you do need to hear it, He will speak it to you if you will let Him.
Have a great day. When you need a word because of your situation, Jesus has that word. Let Him speak it to you.
We all need a "word" from time to time. We all need a word of direction when faced with a situation. We all need a word of comfort when faced with grief. We all need a word of compassion when feeling rejected and neglected. We all need a word of comfort when feelings of despair surround us. We need words of strength and courage when we are at a weak moment and feeling afraid. We all need a word of hope when feeling that all is hopeless. Some times we need a word of appreciation or affirmation. We can all use a word of understanding-- because we all fail and fall, and none of us are perfect. There are times we need to hear a word of forgiveness when we know we have done wrong.
Life throws much at us and sometimes just a word is all we need to make it better, make it all come together, cause it to make sense, or give us peace. It is amazing what just a simple word can do-- it can make all the difference. Just one word fitly spoken (the right way at the right time) is described in the Bible like "apples of gold in pitchers of silver". One word spoken harshly or inappropriately can bring devastation to a heart.
The word that we need isn't always available to us by other people. No human being has the perfect word to speak to us at the perfect time. We can try, but we still fall short. But Jesus has the perfect word that you need. He has the right word, for the right situation, at the right time. He is The Word. Go to Him and let Him speak the word you need to hear. He knows what word to say before you even need to hear it. And when you do need to hear it, He will speak it to you if you will let Him.
Have a great day. When you need a word because of your situation, Jesus has that word. Let Him speak it to you.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
"Beginning To End"
"Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." Isaiah 46:10
Have you ever turned to the end of a book and read it because you couldn't wait to see how it would turn out? Human nature tends to want to know the end at the beginning. It is that way when we are going through a dark difficult time. We want to see the outcome first. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. We have to go through it first, then we get to see the end.
When Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus died, all they could see was grief and loneliness. They couldn't see the end-- his resurrection from the dead. When Daniel was in the dark lion's den, all he could see was becoming a meal for the lions. He couldn't see the end-- he couldn't see his deliverance. When the three Hebrews were thrown into the furnace, all they could see was being burned alive. They couldn't see the end-- miraculous deliverance. When Job was facing his dark time, he couldn't see that in the end his captivity would be turned and he would gain an abundance. The same with Joseph while he in the pit and prison. He didn't know it would end in promotion.
When we are in a dark time (trial, problem, testing), all we can see is the present although we long to see the future and how it will turn out in the end. In the lives of the people above the outcome was favorable. But that is not always the case. Things don't always turn out in the end the way we want them to.
Although we can't see anything but the beginning (present) we have to remember that the Lord sees it all. He sees the end from the beginning. He is the Beginning and the End-- the Alpha and Omega; the First and Last. Therefore, we have to commit the dark times-- beginning to end-- into His hands. This is where we have to trust the Lord with the beginning, middle and end of what we are going through-- even a favorable end and not so favorable end.
Have a great day. We can't see the end of our trial, but the Lord can. Therefore, commit the beginning, middle and end to Him.
Have you ever turned to the end of a book and read it because you couldn't wait to see how it would turn out? Human nature tends to want to know the end at the beginning. It is that way when we are going through a dark difficult time. We want to see the outcome first. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. We have to go through it first, then we get to see the end.
When Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus died, all they could see was grief and loneliness. They couldn't see the end-- his resurrection from the dead. When Daniel was in the dark lion's den, all he could see was becoming a meal for the lions. He couldn't see the end-- he couldn't see his deliverance. When the three Hebrews were thrown into the furnace, all they could see was being burned alive. They couldn't see the end-- miraculous deliverance. When Job was facing his dark time, he couldn't see that in the end his captivity would be turned and he would gain an abundance. The same with Joseph while he in the pit and prison. He didn't know it would end in promotion.
When we are in a dark time (trial, problem, testing), all we can see is the present although we long to see the future and how it will turn out in the end. In the lives of the people above the outcome was favorable. But that is not always the case. Things don't always turn out in the end the way we want them to.
Although we can't see anything but the beginning (present) we have to remember that the Lord sees it all. He sees the end from the beginning. He is the Beginning and the End-- the Alpha and Omega; the First and Last. Therefore, we have to commit the dark times-- beginning to end-- into His hands. This is where we have to trust the Lord with the beginning, middle and end of what we are going through-- even a favorable end and not so favorable end.
Have a great day. We can't see the end of our trial, but the Lord can. Therefore, commit the beginning, middle and end to Him.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
"Senses Bring Doubt"
"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:8
When you know you have heard from the Lord on a particular matter, don't get double minded and start wavering. I said, "When you KNOW you have heard from the Lord". I didn't say when you think or assume you have heard from Him but when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt, when the word is like bedrock in your spirit, when you have no doubt you have heard, then don't allow doubt to come in.
When Jesus told Martha that He was going to raise her brother Lazarus back to life, she believed. But when Jesus told them to roll the stone away, she began to waver and doubt because of her sense of "smell". He had been dead for four days so naturally his body would stink. She believed Jesus' words but her natural senses were making her waver.
Again, if you know that you have a true word from the Lord and not just a "hope-so" word, don't let your natural senses convince you otherwise. Don't look at the situation and believe what your eyes tell you. Don't listen to the negative and believe what your ears tell you. Don't let your feelings cause you to believe what they are saying-- it is impossible, it can't happen, it isn't logical, etc. Our faith and hope is in what the Lord said alone, not what our senses say.
Have a great day. Don't let your feelings and natural senses make you believe contrary to what the Lord has truly spoken to you.
When you know you have heard from the Lord on a particular matter, don't get double minded and start wavering. I said, "When you KNOW you have heard from the Lord". I didn't say when you think or assume you have heard from Him but when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt, when the word is like bedrock in your spirit, when you have no doubt you have heard, then don't allow doubt to come in.
When Jesus told Martha that He was going to raise her brother Lazarus back to life, she believed. But when Jesus told them to roll the stone away, she began to waver and doubt because of her sense of "smell". He had been dead for four days so naturally his body would stink. She believed Jesus' words but her natural senses were making her waver.
Again, if you know that you have a true word from the Lord and not just a "hope-so" word, don't let your natural senses convince you otherwise. Don't look at the situation and believe what your eyes tell you. Don't listen to the negative and believe what your ears tell you. Don't let your feelings cause you to believe what they are saying-- it is impossible, it can't happen, it isn't logical, etc. Our faith and hope is in what the Lord said alone, not what our senses say.
Have a great day. Don't let your feelings and natural senses make you believe contrary to what the Lord has truly spoken to you.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
"Revelation In The Problems"
"But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" Matthew 8:27
There is a song that says, "If I never had a problem, I wouldn't know that Jesus could solve them." In our problems, difficulties, trials and tribulations, that is a revelation of who God is that we don't gain any other way.
The disciples were traveling companions of Jesus. They were with Him day and night. They listened to His teachings to the crowds and one on one. They saw the miracles that He did. Yet when they were in a boat in the middle of a storm (a problem) they cried out to Him for fear of drowning. When He calmed the sea, they were in awe and questioned, "Who is this man?".
Jesus spent lots of time at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They were friends. One day Lazarus was sick and the sisters sent word for Jesus to come and heal Him. By the time Jesus arrived Lazarus was dead. Both of the sisters said to Jesus, "If you had been here our brother would not have died." What they were saying was-- now that he is dead it is too late, it is hopeless, You could have done something about it while he was sick but not now. As well as they were acquainted with Jesus, they still didn't know who He was. They knew Him as only the Healer, not the Resurrection and Life.
In the disciple's storm they had a revelation of Jesus that they had never had before. In the death of Lazarus Mary and Martha had a revelation of Jesus that they had never had before. In your problems and trials there is a revelation of Jesus awaiting you that you have never had before. So be on the look out for it. You will see Him in a new way. You will have a revelation of Him. You will see Him as you have not seen Him. And when you do, it will bring a whole new level of trust, faith and encouragement in Him.
Have a great day. There is a revelation of who Jesus is awaiting you in your problems.
There is a song that says, "If I never had a problem, I wouldn't know that Jesus could solve them." In our problems, difficulties, trials and tribulations, that is a revelation of who God is that we don't gain any other way.
The disciples were traveling companions of Jesus. They were with Him day and night. They listened to His teachings to the crowds and one on one. They saw the miracles that He did. Yet when they were in a boat in the middle of a storm (a problem) they cried out to Him for fear of drowning. When He calmed the sea, they were in awe and questioned, "Who is this man?".
Jesus spent lots of time at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They were friends. One day Lazarus was sick and the sisters sent word for Jesus to come and heal Him. By the time Jesus arrived Lazarus was dead. Both of the sisters said to Jesus, "If you had been here our brother would not have died." What they were saying was-- now that he is dead it is too late, it is hopeless, You could have done something about it while he was sick but not now. As well as they were acquainted with Jesus, they still didn't know who He was. They knew Him as only the Healer, not the Resurrection and Life.
In the disciple's storm they had a revelation of Jesus that they had never had before. In the death of Lazarus Mary and Martha had a revelation of Jesus that they had never had before. In your problems and trials there is a revelation of Jesus awaiting you that you have never had before. So be on the look out for it. You will see Him in a new way. You will have a revelation of Him. You will see Him as you have not seen Him. And when you do, it will bring a whole new level of trust, faith and encouragement in Him.
Have a great day. There is a revelation of who Jesus is awaiting you in your problems.
Monday, February 20, 2017
"The Present God"
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14
When the Lord spoke to Moses to go back to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let His people go, Moses asked the Lord who should he says sent him. The Lord told him to tell them that I AM THAT I AM sent you. The Lord didn't say - I WAS THAT I WAS BUT AM NO LONGER. He didn't say -- I WILL BE BUT AM NOT YET. He said I AM-- not past or future, but present.
He is a present, right now God. He is your healer, now. He is your deliverer, now. He is your Savior, now. He is your peace, now. He is your way maker, your strength, your comfort, your righteousness, your guide, now. It is time you start proclaiming and professing who He is now. It is time you start proclaiming who He is over your circumstances and situations. Start professing today that He is your healer, if you need healing. Start professing that He is your peace, if you need peace. Don't wait until your situation becomes past to say He was-- say it now as well as then. Don't keep professing it somewhere out in the future, profess it now and know that though you may not see it until the future, He is it now.
Have a great day. God is the God of now. He is the God of the present. He is I AM.
When the Lord spoke to Moses to go back to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let His people go, Moses asked the Lord who should he says sent him. The Lord told him to tell them that I AM THAT I AM sent you. The Lord didn't say - I WAS THAT I WAS BUT AM NO LONGER. He didn't say -- I WILL BE BUT AM NOT YET. He said I AM-- not past or future, but present.
He is a present, right now God. He is your healer, now. He is your deliverer, now. He is your Savior, now. He is your peace, now. He is your way maker, your strength, your comfort, your righteousness, your guide, now. It is time you start proclaiming and professing who He is now. It is time you start proclaiming who He is over your circumstances and situations. Start professing today that He is your healer, if you need healing. Start professing that He is your peace, if you need peace. Don't wait until your situation becomes past to say He was-- say it now as well as then. Don't keep professing it somewhere out in the future, profess it now and know that though you may not see it until the future, He is it now.
Have a great day. God is the God of now. He is the God of the present. He is I AM.
Friday, February 17, 2017
"Converted"
"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:32
You have to wonder about people who say they are Christians but live a lifestyle that is contrary to Biblical teachings. You see it on social media a lot. One of their post will be all about the Lord and the next post will be full of profanity and words of hatred and bitterness. Why don't their actions line up? Why doesn't the lifestyle line up with the profession?
I believe the main reason is that they haven't really been converted. Every person in the Bible who came to Jesus and followed Him had a conversion experience. The prodigal son was converted. When the story about him opened, he was a selfish, self-centered, rebellious son full of hatred. At the end of the story, after his conversion, we see that he was completely different. He was repentant and humble. Zacchaeus the tax collector was a "legal" thief. He took whatever taxes he wanted and kept what wasn't given to the government for himself. After his conversion, he told Jesus he would pay back to the people four times whatever he had taken wrongfully.
So was does conversion mean? It means to change; to turn to or back to-- in the Hebrew it meant to return to love and obedience to God. Conversion is not just turning over a new leaf. It is not joining a church. It is not becoming a good person. It isn't just changing your mind. It isn't simply believing in Jesus. Even the demons believe who Jesus is and tremble. Peter even professed correctly that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the Living God. But he still had to be converted.
Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader, he had to be born again. When we are born again, we become a new person. In short, we are converted. Conversion involves repentance. Repentance brings about in our lives a born again experience. Being born again makes us new. When we are new, we are converted and begin to love and follow the Lord.
I am not talking about a conversion to the church, some religious program or some denomination. I am talking about being converted into a relationship with the Living God through His Son Jesus Christ. Before his conversion, the prodigal son only had a "biological" relationship with his father. After his conversion, he had a love relationship with him. That is what true conversion does-- changes us and brings us into a love relationship with the Heavenly Father.
Have a great day. Have you been converted?
Thursday, February 16, 2017
"Be Courageous"
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
"Be courageous". When the Lord gave this word to Joshua, he was getting ready to take the Israelites into the land of Canaan. They had wondered around in the wilderness for forty years. Now they were making the transition from wilderness, with no permanent housing, no crops to tend, dependency on the Lord for even their daily food, they had no battle training, no commerce, etc., into their own land, cities and homes. They were now on the threshold of a new season and new place in their lives.
When faced with the new, when leaving the old, when moving forward from the familiar to the unknown, when having to get out of your comfort zone, when you are leaving one place and going to a place you have never been before, when faced with uncertainties, and in their case faced with giants, how can you be courageous? How can you face it without fear?
The answer lies not within ourselves but it lies within the fact that "for the Lord thy God will be with you wherever you go". Your courage doesn't come from your own self. It doesn't come from your strength or ability. It doesn't come through some seer force of will. It doesn't come from mustering up the courageous. We can't pick ourselves up by the "boot straps" and gain courage. We can't talk ourselves into courage. We can't "visualize" or "think enough positive thoughts" to aquire that much courage. Our courage comes from the presence of the Lord. It is His courage that is imparted to us. It is His strength that is made perfect in our weakness. It is His strong right arm that we lean on.
Are you facing a situation that involves courage? Courage as a single parent to provide and take care of your children? Courage to sit beside the bed of a loved one who is dying? Courage to go on with life after losing a spouse? Courage to go to another job interview, especially after being turned down time and time again? Courage to face a conflict in your home? Courage to step out into the ministry the Lord has called you to? Whatever you are facing-- be courageous. Be strong. You can do it because the Lord has promised to be with you. His presence will give you all the courage you need.
Have a great day. Be courageous. The Lord is with you and will impart His courage into you.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
"Words Of Joy"
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16
What is your relationship with the written Word of God? How do you feel about it? What do you think about it? Is it something that you have a casual relationship with-- one that isn't committed. Do you feel as though it is something you can take or leave? Do you read it only when you feel like it, or have a question about something, or need an answer? Does it have little importance to you? Is reading it part of your daily life and routine, or is it an occasional thought to pick it up? Is it something that you crave and want to read and study more and more? Do you love it? Do you live by it? Does it empower you? Is it transforming you? Just how do you feel about the Word of God?
We have talked many times in the past about how important the Word of God is to our lives. It is health to our flesh. Its words are the words of life. It is the avenue through which faith is produced in our hearts. It is our offensive weapon against the attacks of the enemy-- satan. Hearing its preaching is what saves us. And without its knowledge we will perish.
Today we discovered another treasure of great price about God's Word. The prophet said that God's Word was joy and rejoicing to his heart. He found great peace and joy in it.
Do you need this peace and joy? Are you sad? Are you downcast? Do you feel like you have nothing to live for? Is sorrow engulfing you? Do you feel tired, used and abused? Do you feel like you can't go on? Have you lost your joy? Is your heart always in a state of morning, confusion, anger or despair? Then get into God's Word and find out what it says. "Eat" it like the prophet did. It will take your sad heart and make it a glad heart. It will clear up the confusion and give you peace. It will comfort you in sorrow. It will cause your discouraged heart to rejoice. It will make you feel alive again because its words are sweet and bring joy to your heart.
Have a great day. God's Word will make our hearts rejoice and give us joy.
What is your relationship with the written Word of God? How do you feel about it? What do you think about it? Is it something that you have a casual relationship with-- one that isn't committed. Do you feel as though it is something you can take or leave? Do you read it only when you feel like it, or have a question about something, or need an answer? Does it have little importance to you? Is reading it part of your daily life and routine, or is it an occasional thought to pick it up? Is it something that you crave and want to read and study more and more? Do you love it? Do you live by it? Does it empower you? Is it transforming you? Just how do you feel about the Word of God?
We have talked many times in the past about how important the Word of God is to our lives. It is health to our flesh. Its words are the words of life. It is the avenue through which faith is produced in our hearts. It is our offensive weapon against the attacks of the enemy-- satan. Hearing its preaching is what saves us. And without its knowledge we will perish.
Today we discovered another treasure of great price about God's Word. The prophet said that God's Word was joy and rejoicing to his heart. He found great peace and joy in it.
Do you need this peace and joy? Are you sad? Are you downcast? Do you feel like you have nothing to live for? Is sorrow engulfing you? Do you feel tired, used and abused? Do you feel like you can't go on? Have you lost your joy? Is your heart always in a state of morning, confusion, anger or despair? Then get into God's Word and find out what it says. "Eat" it like the prophet did. It will take your sad heart and make it a glad heart. It will clear up the confusion and give you peace. It will comfort you in sorrow. It will cause your discouraged heart to rejoice. It will make you feel alive again because its words are sweet and bring joy to your heart.
Have a great day. God's Word will make our hearts rejoice and give us joy.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
"Jesus Never Fails"
"And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8
When I got out of bed this morning, a song came to my mind. It is one I have not heard in years. Let me "sing" it for you: "I will trust in, rely upon and lean on Jesus. There's strength and there's power in His Dear Name. I will trust in, rely upon and lean on Jesus. He never fails. He never fails. He's always the same."
I believe someone needed to be reminded of this this morning. What or who are you trusting in? Are you relying on the arm of flesh to meet your need? Are you looking to some talent, ability or your own intellect to make a way for you? Are you leaning on Jesus, or on your own understanding? Are you trying to solve the matter yourself?
Your strength, power and ability is limited-- so is everyone and everything else you are trusting in and looking to for an answer. But His power and strength is unlimited. He is the Omnipotent God-- that means "All-Powerful". He has no weakness. There is power in His name. His name is so powerful that at just the mention of it, every knee will one day bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. The proclaiming of His name causes demons to flee, blind eyes to open, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, the mute to talk, the dead to come back to life. At His name-- the power that is in His name-- the storms cease, the fire is quenched, the mountains are removed, the high places are brought low and the low places are made high. At the mention of His name peace and joy is restored, strength is renewed and hope is rekindled.
He never fails. People will fail, finances will fail, health will fail, job security will fail, the economy may fail, your mind may fail you, your talents can fail, your education can fail you, but Jesus will never fail in what He sets out to do in your life and for you. Jesus will never fail you. He will never walk out on you. He will never fall short of what you need.
So this morning, will you trust in, rely upon and lean on Jesus-- the One who never fails.
Have a great day. Jesus will never fail, nor will He ever fail you.
Monday, February 13, 2017
"Bad Brings Good"
“And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
The verse doesn’t say that all things
are good. And it doesn’t say that all
things will wind up being good in the end.
It says that all things work together for good. One of the greatest ways that all things work
together for good is when it changes us.
Recently, a situation had come to my
attention. It was not a good situation. It was a really bad one. As a result it sent me to my knees. It caused me to get serious about prayer and
intercession. It got me out of my
comfort zone and place of complacency. It
caused me to seek God— I mean really seek God.
This is how all things work together for
the good. Sadly, it isn’t until something
bad happens in our lives, or some problem arises, or our world starts crashing
down around us that we will get up and get serious about prayer or seeking
God.
This happened with the early
church. They were being used by the
Lord. Thousands were being saved. They were enjoying fellowship with each other—going
from house to house and breaking bread.
They had their own little “community” and were enjoying it. But then persecution arose and caused them to
scatter from Jerusalem and go into other parts of the world. “And at that time
there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and
they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria.”
(Acts 81) This scattering caused them to
be in a position to fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus had commanded them
to do. Had there not been persecution (a
really big problem) they would have continued to stay where they were and lived
their comfortable lifestyle and not fulfilled their calling. The persecution wasn’t good, but it worked
out for the good—the good of the gospel and the opportunity to reach the lost
for Christ.
Is your problem sending you to your
knees? Is it getting you refocused on
what is truly important? Is it taking
away your comfort and “at ease attitude” and causing you to get serious about
spiritual matters? Then it is working
for your good.
Have a great day. If a problem causes you to seek God and stop
being spiritually lazy, then it has worked together for your good.
Friday, February 10, 2017
"Not Just The Need, But More"
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
Not only is there a wonderful promise of provision in this verse, but there is also a revelation of God's power, grace and goodness.
He promises to supply all our need. Whatever we need, He will supply it-- spirit, soul or body. What more could we ask for? But there is more. He didn't stop with only letting us know He will supply it. He let us know to what degree He would supply it.
He supplies our need, not just according to the size of our need, but according to the size of the riches that He possesses. He doesn't just give us a handful, or one kernel, or one drop of what we need, but He gives it good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. The problem is that we expect Him to supply just enough or barely enough to get by with. We are talking about a limitless God-- He owns it all; He has it all; if He doesn't He will create more. We have to expect Him to meet the need and meet it according to His ability and resources.
Let me show you what this looks like. Remember the man at the gate beautiful? He was a cripple and could not walk. He sat at the gate begging for alms. When Peter and John came by, he asked for his need to be met-- some money. He expected to receive something-- money. But what he got was his need met according to God's riches in glory. He received healing, instead of money. What he had was a need, but what he got was his need supplied according to the size of God's riches and resource-- not money but healing, which was much better, so he could go make his own money and not have to beg any more.
Do you have a need, child of God? He promised to meet that need. But you have to be like that man at the gate-- ask God to supply your need and expect to receive it. But watch Him meet it in a greater way than you can imagine.
Have a great day. God meets our need, but not according to the size of what we have need of, but according to what He has in His vast storehouse to meet it with.
Not only is there a wonderful promise of provision in this verse, but there is also a revelation of God's power, grace and goodness.
He promises to supply all our need. Whatever we need, He will supply it-- spirit, soul or body. What more could we ask for? But there is more. He didn't stop with only letting us know He will supply it. He let us know to what degree He would supply it.
He supplies our need, not just according to the size of our need, but according to the size of the riches that He possesses. He doesn't just give us a handful, or one kernel, or one drop of what we need, but He gives it good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over. The problem is that we expect Him to supply just enough or barely enough to get by with. We are talking about a limitless God-- He owns it all; He has it all; if He doesn't He will create more. We have to expect Him to meet the need and meet it according to His ability and resources.
Let me show you what this looks like. Remember the man at the gate beautiful? He was a cripple and could not walk. He sat at the gate begging for alms. When Peter and John came by, he asked for his need to be met-- some money. He expected to receive something-- money. But what he got was his need met according to God's riches in glory. He received healing, instead of money. What he had was a need, but what he got was his need supplied according to the size of God's riches and resource-- not money but healing, which was much better, so he could go make his own money and not have to beg any more.
Do you have a need, child of God? He promised to meet that need. But you have to be like that man at the gate-- ask God to supply your need and expect to receive it. But watch Him meet it in a greater way than you can imagine.
Have a great day. God meets our need, but not according to the size of what we have need of, but according to what He has in His vast storehouse to meet it with.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
"Spiritually Healthy"
"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4
Yesterday we said that the Word of God is like bread-- it is our spiritual bread. It is sustenance for our spirit. We must "eat" the Word of God (through reading it, memorizing it, meditating on it and hiding it in our hearts) daily if we are going to be spiritually healthy.
If you don't "eat" the Word daily you become spiritually malnutritioned. This is the reason why so many are weak in faith. Why they are accepting of false doctrine and false teaching. This is why many can't discern good from evil and right from wrong. This is also why they don't know what the will of God is. This is the reason that many fall into error. This is also the reason why there are so many who are in bondages in the Body of Christ. They don't know the Truth that sets them free because they aren't reading the Word of God.
The Word of God will keep you from error and false teaching-- because it is Truth and will show you the truth. The Word of God is the avenue through which faith is produced in our lives. The Word of God discerns for us what is good and evil and leaves no questions about it. The Word of God reveals the will of God-- it is found throughout its pages. The Word of God will set you free-- free from bondages-- and keep you free. (It is all found in the Word of God.)
Are you spiritually healthy? Are you spiritually malnourished? Do you have a hard time distinguishing right from wrong? Are you weak or lacking in faith? Do you struggle with knowing the will of God? I have one more question for you-- Are you spending time in God's Word? If not, there is your answer and reason why.
Have a great day. In order to be spiritually healthy you can't neglect the Word of God.
Yesterday we said that the Word of God is like bread-- it is our spiritual bread. It is sustenance for our spirit. We must "eat" the Word of God (through reading it, memorizing it, meditating on it and hiding it in our hearts) daily if we are going to be spiritually healthy.
If you don't "eat" the Word daily you become spiritually malnutritioned. This is the reason why so many are weak in faith. Why they are accepting of false doctrine and false teaching. This is why many can't discern good from evil and right from wrong. This is also why they don't know what the will of God is. This is the reason that many fall into error. This is also the reason why there are so many who are in bondages in the Body of Christ. They don't know the Truth that sets them free because they aren't reading the Word of God.
The Word of God will keep you from error and false teaching-- because it is Truth and will show you the truth. The Word of God is the avenue through which faith is produced in our lives. The Word of God discerns for us what is good and evil and leaves no questions about it. The Word of God reveals the will of God-- it is found throughout its pages. The Word of God will set you free-- free from bondages-- and keep you free. (It is all found in the Word of God.)
Are you spiritually healthy? Are you spiritually malnourished? Do you have a hard time distinguishing right from wrong? Are you weak or lacking in faith? Do you struggle with knowing the will of God? I have one more question for you-- Are you spending time in God's Word? If not, there is your answer and reason why.
Have a great day. In order to be spiritually healthy you can't neglect the Word of God.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
"Not Just Bread"
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
A few days ago we talked about how that Jesus did not intend for the Lord's Prayer to be just something that we memorized and can quote or recite. It was given to us as a model prayer and as a prayer to be applied to our lives in our relationship with the Lord. That prayer is so rich and says more than what we read on the surface.
Take the part that says, "Give us this day our daily bread." When we think about the Lord supplying our daily bread, we usually think about Him giving us food for the day. But it goes much deeper than that.
The Bible says that "healing is the children's bread". Jesus broke the bread and gave it to His disciples and told them to eat it because it represented His body that was broken for them. The Word is also symbolized as bread. Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life.
So, when we pray the Lord's prayer-- give us this day our daily bread-- we are asking the Lord to provide our daily food so that our bodies can be nourished. We are asking Him to give us healing today so that our bodies will be healthy and we can do what He has called us to do. We are asking for the Word to strengthen our spirit man so that we can live in victory. And we are asking to partake of a deeper relationship with Jesus daily. As I pray the Lord's prayer in my own life, I am now asking for my daily food, physically and spiritually to be provided.
Have a great day. Give me my daily bread-- physically and spiritually.
Scripture References:
Matthew 15:21-28; 4:4
John 6:51; John 1:1,14
1 Corinthians 11:24
A few days ago we talked about how that Jesus did not intend for the Lord's Prayer to be just something that we memorized and can quote or recite. It was given to us as a model prayer and as a prayer to be applied to our lives in our relationship with the Lord. That prayer is so rich and says more than what we read on the surface.
Take the part that says, "Give us this day our daily bread." When we think about the Lord supplying our daily bread, we usually think about Him giving us food for the day. But it goes much deeper than that.
The Bible says that "healing is the children's bread". Jesus broke the bread and gave it to His disciples and told them to eat it because it represented His body that was broken for them. The Word is also symbolized as bread. Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life.
So, when we pray the Lord's prayer-- give us this day our daily bread-- we are asking the Lord to provide our daily food so that our bodies can be nourished. We are asking Him to give us healing today so that our bodies will be healthy and we can do what He has called us to do. We are asking for the Word to strengthen our spirit man so that we can live in victory. And we are asking to partake of a deeper relationship with Jesus daily. As I pray the Lord's prayer in my own life, I am now asking for my daily food, physically and spiritually to be provided.
Have a great day. Give me my daily bread-- physically and spiritually.
Scripture References:
Matthew 15:21-28; 4:4
John 6:51; John 1:1,14
1 Corinthians 11:24
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
"The Mingled Word"
"The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Matthew 8:8
"But speak the word only". What is the result when we speak the Word of God? It brings health, healing, life, soundness, hope, peace, joy, comfort, help, enlightenment, grace, strength, wholeness, etc. The problem nowadays is that you don't hear much of the "Word" being spoken.
Instead of the Word we hear everything but-- even in many of the pulpits. The Word of God is being watered down with compromise. It is being mixed with personal interpretation and religious philosophies. It has been mingled with humanistic wisdom, public opinion, emotions and feelings. Its meaning is being made to fit and conform to the situation instead of the situation conforming to it.
The Word of God is powerful. By it the worlds were framed and brought into existence. The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword. The Word of God is the only spiritual offensive weapon we have. It is eternal-- heaven and earth will pass away but it will not. When it is spoken from the Father, it will not return empty-- it will accomplish what it is sent to do.
Therefore, we cannot add to it or take away from it. The devil did at the beginning in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve heeded his words and yielded to it instead of God's Word, it brought spiritual separation from God and death. When we listen to the compromise and the mingled Word, it will bring the same thing to us. He tried to do this in his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus did not heed or yield to it. Instead Jesus fought him with the Word of God. As a result, it brought victory over the devil. When we don't add to or take away from God's Word, it will bring the same victory to us. It will bring the abundant life to us that the Lord desires for us to have. It brought healing to the Centurion's servant.
Have a great day. Speak the Word, not the Word that is mingled with everything else.
"But speak the word only". What is the result when we speak the Word of God? It brings health, healing, life, soundness, hope, peace, joy, comfort, help, enlightenment, grace, strength, wholeness, etc. The problem nowadays is that you don't hear much of the "Word" being spoken.
Instead of the Word we hear everything but-- even in many of the pulpits. The Word of God is being watered down with compromise. It is being mixed with personal interpretation and religious philosophies. It has been mingled with humanistic wisdom, public opinion, emotions and feelings. Its meaning is being made to fit and conform to the situation instead of the situation conforming to it.
The Word of God is powerful. By it the worlds were framed and brought into existence. The Word of God is sharper than a two-edged sword. The Word of God is the only spiritual offensive weapon we have. It is eternal-- heaven and earth will pass away but it will not. When it is spoken from the Father, it will not return empty-- it will accomplish what it is sent to do.
Therefore, we cannot add to it or take away from it. The devil did at the beginning in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve heeded his words and yielded to it instead of God's Word, it brought spiritual separation from God and death. When we listen to the compromise and the mingled Word, it will bring the same thing to us. He tried to do this in his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus did not heed or yield to it. Instead Jesus fought him with the Word of God. As a result, it brought victory over the devil. When we don't add to or take away from God's Word, it will bring the same victory to us. It will bring the abundant life to us that the Lord desires for us to have. It brought healing to the Centurion's servant.
Have a great day. Speak the Word, not the Word that is mingled with everything else.
Monday, February 6, 2017
"His Will Be Done?"
"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10
When Jesus taught His disciples what we call the Lord's Prayer, He didn't do it so that they would have something else to memorize. It was a pattern of how they should pray. And not only pray it like a memory verse, but He intended for them to be a "doer" of what they were praying. For example the part that says: "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done." He intended for them, and us, to live out His will in our lives, not just quote some words.
When we say, "Thy will be done", do we really mean it? Do we want His will done in our lives? Do we want to walk in His divine will as we go through life? Or does it just sound "nice" or "spiritual" to say it?
Many would say that they truly want His will. But what if His will speaks to you and says to sell all you have and give it to the poor? What if His will says to fast for forty days? What if His will says to change jobs? Or quit your job and take care of your aging parents? What if His will desires to send you to the mission field overseas? What if it takes you out of your comfort zone (which it does more times than not)? What if His will tells you to witness to the clerk who is checking you out at the grocery store?
It is easy to say, "Thy will be done" when you don't think it will make any demands on you. And when it is something you don't mind doing. Are you willing to be obedient should His will really mean "His will be done"? Or are those just words you are reciting?
Have a great day. Thy will be done means- Thy will be done.
When Jesus taught His disciples what we call the Lord's Prayer, He didn't do it so that they would have something else to memorize. It was a pattern of how they should pray. And not only pray it like a memory verse, but He intended for them to be a "doer" of what they were praying. For example the part that says: "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done." He intended for them, and us, to live out His will in our lives, not just quote some words.
When we say, "Thy will be done", do we really mean it? Do we want His will done in our lives? Do we want to walk in His divine will as we go through life? Or does it just sound "nice" or "spiritual" to say it?
Many would say that they truly want His will. But what if His will speaks to you and says to sell all you have and give it to the poor? What if His will says to fast for forty days? What if His will says to change jobs? Or quit your job and take care of your aging parents? What if His will desires to send you to the mission field overseas? What if it takes you out of your comfort zone (which it does more times than not)? What if His will tells you to witness to the clerk who is checking you out at the grocery store?
It is easy to say, "Thy will be done" when you don't think it will make any demands on you. And when it is something you don't mind doing. Are you willing to be obedient should His will really mean "His will be done"? Or are those just words you are reciting?
Have a great day. Thy will be done means- Thy will be done.
Friday, February 3, 2017
"A Matter Of Thinking"
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
"Be not conformed to this world". What does it mean and how are we conformed to the world? It means your way of thinking. Your thinking forms your attitude and behavior. Before you came to Christ and were born again, you had a worldly mindset-- you were conformed to the world. Now that you have received Jesus Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord, you have to develop a Godly/Kingdom mindset. You have to take on the "mind of Christ". In short, your thinking has to be like His, which in turn will transform your life.
How do we stop being conformed to the world and its way of thinking, its behavior, its attitude? By renewing our minds with God's Word. His Word lets us know what is good in the sight of God, what is acceptable to Him and what His will is concerning our attitude.
The world's way of thinking is contrary to God's ways. The world says do unto others the way they have done unto you. God's way of thinking says to do to others the way you want them to do to you. The world says hold on to grudges. God says to forgive. The world seeks vengeance for wrongs done. God says that vengeance belongs to Him. The world says hate wins. God says love wins. The world says flaunt and demand your rights. God says deny yourself.
The Bible says that before we came to Christ we were not only living in darkness but we were darkness-- our hearts, souls, spirits and minds were darkened by our fallen, evil, sinful nature and way of thinking. But now that we are children of light and are the light of the world, we have to change our way of thinking so that our behavior will line up with who we are-- children of God. And that through our right thinking, attitude and behavior, the world will see Christ in us and desire to have Him in their lives as well. "For you were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)
Have a great day. Before Jesus came into your life, you were in the world--- you thought like and acted like the world. Now, you have to keep your mind renewed and think and act like Him.
"Be not conformed to this world". What does it mean and how are we conformed to the world? It means your way of thinking. Your thinking forms your attitude and behavior. Before you came to Christ and were born again, you had a worldly mindset-- you were conformed to the world. Now that you have received Jesus Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord, you have to develop a Godly/Kingdom mindset. You have to take on the "mind of Christ". In short, your thinking has to be like His, which in turn will transform your life.
How do we stop being conformed to the world and its way of thinking, its behavior, its attitude? By renewing our minds with God's Word. His Word lets us know what is good in the sight of God, what is acceptable to Him and what His will is concerning our attitude.
The world's way of thinking is contrary to God's ways. The world says do unto others the way they have done unto you. God's way of thinking says to do to others the way you want them to do to you. The world says hold on to grudges. God says to forgive. The world seeks vengeance for wrongs done. God says that vengeance belongs to Him. The world says hate wins. God says love wins. The world says flaunt and demand your rights. God says deny yourself.
The Bible says that before we came to Christ we were not only living in darkness but we were darkness-- our hearts, souls, spirits and minds were darkened by our fallen, evil, sinful nature and way of thinking. But now that we are children of light and are the light of the world, we have to change our way of thinking so that our behavior will line up with who we are-- children of God. And that through our right thinking, attitude and behavior, the world will see Christ in us and desire to have Him in their lives as well. "For you were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)
Have a great day. Before Jesus came into your life, you were in the world--- you thought like and acted like the world. Now, you have to keep your mind renewed and think and act like Him.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
"Broken"
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." Luke 4:18
As many of you know my mother-in-law went to be with the Lord this past year. We have begun to clean out her home. Among her belongings we have found many figurines that have been glued back together. Evidently, these pieces had some sentimental value or held an important place in her life. For some reason she tried to save them instead of discard them. Perhaps it was a gift from a family member or friend and she cherished it. It looks like over the course of time she had tried to salvage many of them. We got amused at the number of repaired figurines we found-- it has almost become a joke for us-- but at the same time it has become a fond memory of our mother.
While looking at the repaired figurines we noticed that some were very evident that they had been glued back together and others were hard to detect-- you had to examine them very closely. As we were laughing about it, the Lord spoke to my heart that this is what He does with our lives when they are broken.
We are all precious and valuable to Him. There is not one of us that He wants to discard-- no matter how broken we are. It is His desire to "put us back together again". He specializes in restoring what is broken. When He "glues" us back together, He does it so completely that there is no evidence that we were once broken. He does such an amazing job that we look brand new.
Are you broken this morning? Are you heartbroken? Broken in any area of life? Are you broken in mind, spirit or body? Are you broken over loss? Broken because of grief? Broken because your life took a different direction than you thought it would? Have you been broken by other people, wrong choices or sin? There is hope for you. God loves you and does not want to throw you on the "trash pile". He wants to restore you. He wants to bind up your brokenness. He wants to repair you. He wants to make you better than new again-- and He knows how.
Have a great day. The Lord specializes in restoring what is broken, and makes it brand new.
As many of you know my mother-in-law went to be with the Lord this past year. We have begun to clean out her home. Among her belongings we have found many figurines that have been glued back together. Evidently, these pieces had some sentimental value or held an important place in her life. For some reason she tried to save them instead of discard them. Perhaps it was a gift from a family member or friend and she cherished it. It looks like over the course of time she had tried to salvage many of them. We got amused at the number of repaired figurines we found-- it has almost become a joke for us-- but at the same time it has become a fond memory of our mother.
While looking at the repaired figurines we noticed that some were very evident that they had been glued back together and others were hard to detect-- you had to examine them very closely. As we were laughing about it, the Lord spoke to my heart that this is what He does with our lives when they are broken.
We are all precious and valuable to Him. There is not one of us that He wants to discard-- no matter how broken we are. It is His desire to "put us back together again". He specializes in restoring what is broken. When He "glues" us back together, He does it so completely that there is no evidence that we were once broken. He does such an amazing job that we look brand new.
Are you broken this morning? Are you heartbroken? Broken in any area of life? Are you broken in mind, spirit or body? Are you broken over loss? Broken because of grief? Broken because your life took a different direction than you thought it would? Have you been broken by other people, wrong choices or sin? There is hope for you. God loves you and does not want to throw you on the "trash pile". He wants to restore you. He wants to bind up your brokenness. He wants to repair you. He wants to make you better than new again-- and He knows how.
Have a great day. The Lord specializes in restoring what is broken, and makes it brand new.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
"Wasted?"
"There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?" Matthew 26:7,8
"WASTE?!" I am the one who finds myself getting indignant when I read that the disciples thought it was a waste for her to pour this ointment-- no matter how costly-- on Jesus. How could they have thought that it was wasted on Him? Perhaps there were many reasons why they drew this conclusion. One reason I thought of was-- they didn't understand who He really was.
This story took place at the end of Jesus' ministry on earth. That meant they had been with Him for approximately three years. And even after spending those years-- day in and day out-- with Him they still didn't realize who He was. When He rebuked the winds and waves on the sea, they were in awe and wondered who He was that the winds and waves obey Him. I think they were still unconvinced of who He was when they accused the woman of "wasting" the ointment on Jesus.
I believe this is why many today won't surrender their lives to Jesus-- they aren't convinced that He is who He is. If you believe that He is God, that He is the One who created you to begin with, that He loves you so much that He died for you, that He loves you with an everlasting love, that He is the giver of life, that He can give you hope and a future, that He will be with you always and never leave you, that He is able to keep you, that He is the All-powerful, All-knowing, All-present God, then you can have assurance that placing your life in His hands is not a waste of your life.
Whatever you give to Jesus-- yourself, your possessions, your talents, your abilities, your family, your relationships, etc.-- isn't being wasted. You are giving it to God. And God knows how to keep what is committed/given to Him. And He knows how to give it back much better than you gave it to Him to begin with.
Have a great day. You are never wasting what you give to Jesus.
"WASTE?!" I am the one who finds myself getting indignant when I read that the disciples thought it was a waste for her to pour this ointment-- no matter how costly-- on Jesus. How could they have thought that it was wasted on Him? Perhaps there were many reasons why they drew this conclusion. One reason I thought of was-- they didn't understand who He really was.
This story took place at the end of Jesus' ministry on earth. That meant they had been with Him for approximately three years. And even after spending those years-- day in and day out-- with Him they still didn't realize who He was. When He rebuked the winds and waves on the sea, they were in awe and wondered who He was that the winds and waves obey Him. I think they were still unconvinced of who He was when they accused the woman of "wasting" the ointment on Jesus.
I believe this is why many today won't surrender their lives to Jesus-- they aren't convinced that He is who He is. If you believe that He is God, that He is the One who created you to begin with, that He loves you so much that He died for you, that He loves you with an everlasting love, that He is the giver of life, that He can give you hope and a future, that He will be with you always and never leave you, that He is able to keep you, that He is the All-powerful, All-knowing, All-present God, then you can have assurance that placing your life in His hands is not a waste of your life.
Whatever you give to Jesus-- yourself, your possessions, your talents, your abilities, your family, your relationships, etc.-- isn't being wasted. You are giving it to God. And God knows how to keep what is committed/given to Him. And He knows how to give it back much better than you gave it to Him to begin with.
Have a great day. You are never wasting what you give to Jesus.
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