"Unconditional Trust"

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3

Do you remember the old hymnal- "Trust And Obey"? Our obedience to God is the greatest proof of our trust in Him. But trust isn't a "fair weather" thing only. Too many of God's children have "conditional" trust. They trust Him as long as the sun is shining, the skies in their world are blue, they have plenty to eat, all the bills are paid, there are no conflicts in their life, and all is at peace.

The real test of trust comes in just the opposite conditions. Do you trust Him when all visible means of support are gone? Do you trust Him to carry you through the storm? Do you trust Him when Pharaoh's army is pursuing? Do you trust Him when the brook is dried up? Do you trust Him when you are standing before the fiery furnace?

It's one thing to trust God when all is well. It's another to trust Him when your world is falling apart. Whatever condition your life is in today, whatever situation you are facing, whatever you are going through- good, bad, or otherwise- are you going to put your trust in the Lord? Is your trust "rooted and grounded" in Him? If it's rooted, if it's grounded, then it's established upon a sure, strong and powerful foundation, and it's a foundation you can put your trust in because it's Jesus, the Solid Rock.

Have a great day. Is your trust in the Lord conditional or unconditional?

"They Are Watching"

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

 

Yesterday I received a call from a friend who had passed by the ministry thrift shop and she told me that someone had left bags of donations at the door.  It was 21 large black trash bags to be exact.  We have asked and asked and even have signs posted asking people not to leave anything when we are closed.  But they continually do it anyway.  I got to thinking about it and that is what has prompted me to write this particular devotion this morning.

 

The person/persons who left those bags I'm sure were adults.  I find it odd that adults are always complaining about the young generation-- how they are rebellious, inconsiderate, unruly and disrespectful.  While we are talking about the younger generation, maybe we should look in the mirror and get the log out of our own eye. 

 

I am sure you have heard many of these sayings-- "Monkey see, monkey do"; "like father, like son"; "little eyes are watching you"; etc.  When we, as adults, don't pay attention to the regulations and guidelines, what are we teaching our children?  When we bend the rules and break the law to suit us, what are we teaching them?  When we act like we are above the law, what are we teaching them?  When we disrespect authority, when we curse our leaders, when we openly mock Jesus and His followers, when we resist those who have the rule over us, when we complain about what we don't want to do, when we have a rebellious attitude concerning the things we don't like, what are we teaching the generation under us?  Is it any wonder they are exhibiting some of the attitudes they are?  They are watching us, listening to us, seeing what we do, and are only-- in most cases-- following suit by following our example.   

 

What kind of example do you want to be?  Do you want to be one that is negative, condemning of others, lawless or rebellious?  Or do you want to be the type of example that will steer those who are watching you in the right direction?  An attitude that points them in a direction that takes them closer to Christ, to being a good citizen, to being respectful of others, to be lawful, who consider others before themselves, who follow the Word of God?  Think about it.

 

Have a great day.  What is the way you conduct your life and your attitude teaching those who are watching you?

 

"Dead Or Alive"

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 6:23

 

This past week we received word that Rev. Billy Graham had passed away.  Since then I have seen quotes of his posted in many places.  One that has stood out was:  "Some day you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God."  Why would he say such a thing?  When a person dies, don't they die?  

 

When mankind sinned through Adam, it brought sin and death into the world.  The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death.  That doesn't only mean physical death but it is talking about spiritual death.  It refers to what happens to us after this physical body dies.  Because of our sins, we are spiritually dead.  Spiritual death is eternal damnation, it is eternal separation from God, it is eternal torment in a place called hell.  This was our destiny.  Everyone's.  No one would escape it.  

 

But because of God's great love for mankind-- even though we rebelled against Him, even though we sinned against Him, and even though we don't deserve His love and mercy-- God provided a way for us to escape spiritual death.  That way was Jesus.  Jesus came to give His life for us so that we could be forgiven of our sins, be reconciled to God, be made a new person on the inside and receive the gift of eternal life.  Accepting Jesus as your Savior and following Him as your Lord delivers you from the wages of sin-- eternal/spiritual death-- and it gives you eternal life.  This is why Rev. Graham could make that statement.  His hope in the life to come-- after death took his physical body-- was in Jesus Christ to give him eternal life-- a home in heaven and in the presence of God eternally, living in a mansion in heaven, never dying again, never touched by sickness, disease or suffering forever.  

 

Have you received Jesus Christ as your Savior?  Are you still facing the wages of sin when you die?  Do you know you will have eternal life?  Can you say the same thing he did?  Do you know that you will never face spiritual death but have eternal life in heaven?  "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

Have a great day.  When you know Jesus as Savior, when you die, you aren't dead.

    

"Brick Wall"

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

Have you ever come up against a "brick wall"? You're going down the road of life then all of a sudden, almost out of no where, you run into an obstacle. Your path is completely blocked- you can't go forward, there is no way around it, it's just there. What do you do? Do you sit down and just stare at it? Do you turn around and go back? One of the two is usually the course that we take. Neither of them are the course of action we should take- one keeps you stuck in the present and the other pulls you back to the past. We are suppose to be advancing forward.

There is another course of action that we can take. It's called praise, speaking to the mountain, putting your trust in God. As you look to Him instead of at the brick wall- praising Him, seeking His guidance, stepping forward in faith and confidence in His ability to cause you to keep going forward no matter what arises, something is going to happen to that wall. You will see it either move aside to let you by, see it vanish away, find a door of passage through it, or you will discover loose bricks that can be removed one by one until the way is clear.

Don't sit there and stare at it. Don't be discouraged by it and turn back. Seek the Lord about it, listen to what He says, let Him show you what to do, then obey Him. The Israelites came to a "brick wall", it was called the Red Sea. Moses acknowledged the Lord and waited to hear from Him, God showed him the course of action to take and it was moved out of their way. The same thing with the walls of Jericho. Joshua sought the Lord for the course of action and the walls came tumbling down.

Have a great day. Seek God concerning the course of action you need to take so that you can keep moving forward.

"How To Handle Problems"

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

A while back I read a little sign that was hanging on an office wall- I have also received it as an email (you probably have too). I want to share it with you this morning. It said, "Good morning, this is God. I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help... so have a good day." I thought it was a good reminder. When problems arise... not if... when... because they do arise, and more frequently than we wish, we tend to try to handle them ourselves. Even if we go to God with them, it's not long before we find our hands on them trying to solve the problem, trying to manipulate the situation, trying to make something happen. The end result of our "help" usually only makes matters worse. Abraham and Sarah tried to help God and got an Ishmael.

Are you trying to "help" God? Are you trying to tell Him how to solve the problem? Are you trying to take matters into your own hands? Are you trying to make something happen? Are you pushing God aside and trying to figure it out on your own? Or are you letting Him handle the problem- the whole problem- His way, according to His wisdom and plan, in His own time? Are you going to let go and take your hands off and trust Him to handle it? I would have a terrible problem if I had to figure out how to create a day. But He solved the "problem" of how to create it... because it was no problem for Him at all. "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." (Luke 18:27) Let the fact that today is here be a reminder to you that He is well able to handle anything on His own and does not need your help. If He does need it... like my parents used to tell me... "if I need your help, I'll ask for it".

Have a great day. He doesn't need your help, if He does He'll ask for it, so take your hands off or you are going to wind up giving Him more than one problem to solve.

"Part Ways"

"Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left."  Genesis 13:9

 

Abram and Lot were dwelling together.  They both had riches.  They both had flocks and herds.  They both had servants who watched over those herds.  One day there was a conflict and strife arose between the herdsmen of Lot and the herdsmen of Abraham.  The solution to the strife was for them to part company.  Lot went in one direction and Abram went in another.  

 

Let me move away from what is happening here in this story in the natural and give you a spiritual lesson.  The name Lot means to wrap closely, envelope. The root meaning of Abram's name means to be strong or protect.  So, the spiritual lesson for us is this: 

 

1)  When we are surrendered to the will of the Lord and His purposes for our lives, there will come conflict.  Often conflict comes from "within" as much as it is from "without".  The conflict between Abram and Lot happened from within, not from without from some enemy of theirs.  Our conflicts are often within our own selves.  Our flesh still wants to rebel against the spirit and our hearts will try to destroy us because at the core they are deceitfully wicked. 

 

2)  The conflict is against flesh and spirit.  Lot's name meant to wrap closely or to envelope.  Any besetting sins that are in us will try to envelope us and close us in in order to hold us in bondage.  They will try to take over and destroy the spiritual.  These besetting sins may be anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, adultery, hurt, and so on. 

 

3) Abrams name means to be strong or protect.  When these "conflicts" in our souls are happening, (the flesh and the spirit warring against each other) we will have to "part ways" with them.  We will have to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might and protect our spirit.  We have to lay aside every weight of sin that would so easily beset us and not allow them to stay.  We do that through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Do you feel an inward struggle going on?  Is there a conflict between your flesh and the Spirit?  Are you feeling "closed in" by a besetting sin?  Then it is time to part ways.  It is time to take authority and stop trying to co-habitat with it.  There is not room enough in your life for both to rule.  Send it away in the name and authority of Jesus.

 

Have a great day.  There will always be a conflict between flesh and spirit.  But it is time to send the lusts of your flesh on its way.  Part company with it.   

 

"Just You"

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."  Jeremiah 29:13

 

When you read the Bible, you will notice that most of whom the Lord addresses is in the in second person.  He isn't always addressing the masses, the crowds or the whole group.  He addresses you and me personally.  The Lord is an "individual" God.  While He cares about the masses and the whole world, He cares about each and every individual. 

 

Jesus told the story of a shepherd who left the ninety-nine and went to look for the one sheep that was lost.  On the cross He spoke directly to the thief beside Him and told him that "he" would be with Him that day in paradise.  He addressed Zacheaus personally when He saw him in the tree.  He went to the tomb to raise one man, Lazarus, from the dead.  He stopped the pressing crowd to address one frail woman who had touched the hem of His garment.  He answered Nicodemus' questions.  He went to Jairus' house to heal his daughter.  He sat down at a well to minister one woman.  The Bible is full of personal, one on one, encounters that individuals had with Jesus.       

 

He came to give His life for the whole world, but then tells us that "whosoever" (any individual) comes to Him He will receive and not cast out.  He cares about each and every one of us.  He cares about you.  He loves you.  He is there for you.  He knows what you are going through.  He is with you.  He will make a way for you.  He will provide for you.  You are important to Him.  You have heard it said that if you were the only one who needed Jesus to die for them, He still would have come.  This is true because He loves YOU just that much.

 

Have a great day.  God loves and cares for each individual as much as He does for the multitudes of people.    

"Unbelief And A Troubled Heart"

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."  John 14:1

 

There is much in this life that can cause our hearts to be troubled.  We face pain, illness, bad reports, injustices, problems, hurt, sorrow and the list goes on.  I could name even more specific things that happen in life to cause us to be troubled, but there is one root cause to all our troubles.  There is one thing in particular that will cause our hearts to be troubled.  It is found in the next section of the verse-- "ye believe in God". 

 

It is a lack of belief in the Lord that is the root cause of a troubled heart.  Many of you would probably say, "I believe in God".  I am sure you do.  What I am talking about is your lack of belief that in your troubles He will help you and make a way.  A troubled heart comes when we don't believe, or stop believing, that the Lord is with us in our situation.  It comes when we worry about what we are going to do.  It comes when we start looking at our circumstances instead of looking at Him.  It comes when we don't believe that He is with us, that He cares, that He will make a way, that He will open a door, that He will provide the need, and so on.

 

If we truly believed that the Lord is with us, He is in control, He will make a way and He will help us, then our hearts would not be troubled, anxious, worried or afraid.  Our hearts would be full of trust and faith.  Where you find trust and faith you will find peace. 

 

Have a great day.  When we stop believing the Lord and trusting Him in our situation, our hearts will become troubled.   

"But Either Have Faith Or Unbelief"

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."  Proverbs 18:21 

 

The other day in one of the devotionals I said that the word "but" is a faith word.  But it can also be a negative word depending on which you choose.  I heard a minister years ago say, "You can 'but' yourself into unbelief".  It is up to you how you will use that word. 

 

If you are continually saying-- but I can't do it; but it will never change; but you just don't know what they did to me; but you didn't hear the doctor's report; but there is no hope; etc.-- then you have chosen to use it in a negative way.  All that will be produced is unbelief and things will not change.  Please don't misunderstand, I am not talking about denying what you are going through as though it doesn't exist or isn't real.  Remember, when we talked about this subject the other day, we said that David admitted there was a problem but he didn't stop there.  He brought faith into the equation.  Even Jesus told His disciples concerning Lazarus that he was dead.  But Jesus didn't stop there either.  He went on to tell His disciples that Lazarus was dead "but" they were going to wake him up.

 

As I said the other day, I choose to use the word "but" as a faith word.  In English the word "but" is used as a conjunction-- it connects two clauses or sentences together.  Choose to let "but" connect your situation to your faith instead of letting it connect it to unbelief.  It is either-- things may be bad, but they are going to get worse.  Or, it is--- things may be bad, but my God will work it out for good. 

 

Have a great day.  You can either connect your situation to faith or unbelief.

"A Day Of Love"

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."  1 John 4:7,8

 

Today we are celebrating Valentine's Day.  It is suppose to be a day when we give expressions of love to others.  I wonder why we are so prone to wait until special occasions to show acts of kindness, love, thanksgiving and gift giving.  Every day is an opportunity for us to bless others.  We seem to wait until Christmas to give gifts.  We wait until Thanksgiving to show gratitude.  We wait until Valentine's Day to show love.  As a Christian each day should be "Christmas".  Daily I should celebrate the great gift of God that was given to me through the birth of His Son Jesus.  Each day should be "Thanksgiving".  Daily I should rejoice and give thanks for all  the wonderful blessings He loads me with.  Each day should be "Valentine's Day".  Daily I should show love.

 

When I say each day should be Valentine's Day, I am not referring to the pagan origins within the holiday, the false Roman god of love cupid, flowers and candy.  I am referring to walking in love.  You should never miss an opportunity to tell someone you love them.  Don't assume they know-- tell them.  But love is more than just words.  Love is an action verb.  It is something you should be showing as well.  God not only told us that He loved us, but He showed us.  He demonstrated His love for us even while we were still sinners by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins.  Don't just tell people you love them.  Show them you love them.  

 

Let me take the meaning of love a step further.  Love is not just a word we say.  It is not just an action we do.  It is a person.  God is love.  If you want to know what true love is, look at the Lord.  He is love. He is unconditional love.  He loved us while we were sinners and unlovable.  He continues to love us even when we make a mistake, miss the mark, walk in disobedience and rebellion, kick against Him, turn away from Him and sin against Him, He still loves us.  Nothing can separate us from His love.  

 

So, having said that, if you are a Christian and have received the love of God and the grace of God which comes through the forgiveness of your sins through faith in His Son Jesus, then you need to be extending His love to others.  Tell people you love them.  Show people you love them.  Tell people that the Lord loves them.  

 

Have a great day.  Every day is an opportunity to extend the love of God to others.     

"But I Will Remember The Lord"

"All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them."  Psalm 118:10

 

The thing I like most about David was the fact that he didn't deny his situation, he called it as it was but he didn't stay focused on it.  If you look at many of the Psalms he would state the fact that he was in distress, persecuted, pursued by enemies, overwhelmed, faced fear and was discouraged but he didn't stop, stay or get stuck there.  He would always add a "but"--  but I will destroy them in the name of the Lord; but the Lord will help me; but the Lord will not turn me over to my enemies; but the Lord stood with me; but the Lord is my strength; etc.  

 

David's faith was evident during even the most trying times.  He didn't forget God when he was going through a difficulty.  He always remember the Lord no matter what he faced.  He knew that it would take the Lord to see him through.  He knew it would take the Lord to fight his battles and make him victorious.  He knew that not only would it take the intervention of the Lord but that the Lord would intervene and move on his behalf.  Perhaps this is why David was a man after God's own heart.  He didn't let his situation override his trust and faith in the Lord.  

 

It is faith that pleases the Lord.  It is faith that He will be looking for when He returns.  Is your faith like David's?  Do you acknowledge the problem and leave it at that?  Do you get stuck in the situation you are going through and can't see any hope?  Do you stay focused on it?  Do you remember the Lord in your trials?  Do you remember and declare in faith the Lord's help, strength, grace and provision that is there for and with you?  Don't just focus on the problem, bring a "but" into it.  "But" is a faith word and when you are acknowledging your problem you also need to remember the "but"-- But God is bigger and will make a way.

 

Have a great day.  When acknowledging your problem, don't stop there, remember this--- but the Lord.    

"Obey, Don't Harden Your Heart"

"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."  Hebrews 3:15

 

We say we want to hear from the Lord.  We want Him to talk to us.  We want to know what His will is.  We want to hear His voice giving us guidance, direction, instruction and reassurance.  But do we really?  The test of knowing whether we really do or not is what we do with it when He does.  When He speaks, do we listen?  I am sure we do.  But listening is not the true test, and it is not the problem.  The real question is... do we obey? 

 

When I was growing up and my parents would tell me something to do, I would hear their voice, I would hear their words, I would hear what they said, there was no misunderstanding about what they said, there was no confusion, but I didn't always do what they said.  The problem was not in what they said or my ability to comprehend what they said, the problem was in my obedience or lack of obedience to what they said. 

When my parents told me what to do and I didn't, I didn't get away with my disobedience or rebellion.  I did it, but I faced the consequences of my disobedience and delayed compliance.  The consequence was usually some punishment.  The punishment prompted me to do what I should and obey. 

 

The Lord speaks to us and gives us commands and we can either obey or disobey.  If we obey it goes well with us.  If we don't, it doesn't.  If we choose to disobey, we will face the consequences.  We will face the chastening of the Lord.  If you have been disobedient to what the Lord has spoken to you, then don't harden your heart and continue in rebellion.  Humble yourself and repent.  If you are under the chastening of the Lord because of your disobedience, don't lose heart.  Remember this-- whom the Lord loves, He chastens-- corrects and punishes.  He does this not to destroy you or because He is mad at you.  He does it for your benefit-- "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way" (Hebrews 12:11)-- and out of love.  So let it prompt you to obedience and do what He tells you to do.

 

Have a great day.  Listen to what the Lord is telling you and don't harden your heart.   

"Negative/Positive"

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Hebrews 11:1

 

Life happens to us.  Sadly, not everything in life is good.  There are bad things that we encounter.  There are a lot of "negative" things that we go through.  There are times when the situations we encounter seem so bad that the only thing you can see is negative.  There are situations we face that only bring us a negative report.  All you can see or hear is negative, negative, negative.  The situation shows you nothing positive. 

 

But in each situation that promises you nothing positive only negative, there is still a positive.  There is always a positive.  There is always a word of hope even when you can see nothing positive in the natural-- only negative.  The positive is found in the word and promises of God.  The only place you will find the positive is by looking through faith.  Faith comes through God's word.   

 

Let me show you what I mean.  The negative is a bad report of sickness.  The positive is God's word of healing-- by His stripes we are healed.  The negative may be a lack due to a job loss or some other reason.  The positive is God's word of provision-- my God shall supply all my need.  The negative may be the death of a loved one.  The positive is God's word of comfort-- He is touched by the feeling of my infirmity; He bore my sorrows and grieves.  The negative may be a broken relationship.  The positive is God's word/promise of His loving presence-- He will never leave me nor forsake me through all men may; He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  In any other negative situation the positive is-- all things work together for the good;  the Lord is with me; the Lord is my helper; the Lord will make a way; the Lord will guide me; etc.   

 

Negative situations are a part of this life.  But don't get stuck in them.  There has to be a positive to counteract it.  If not, we would lose heart, give up, get depressed, surrender to our emotions and the attacks of the enemy and we would despise living.  There is a positive to counteract it-- it is God's word.  When life is only giving you negatives, you have to bring God's positive word into the situation.  His word may or may not change the negative situation but it will give us renewed hope, peace, strength and comfort to go through the negative victoriously.

 

Have a great day.  When life hands you only negatives, God's word is the positive to counteract them. 

 

"It's The Thief"

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  John 10:10

 

The thief cometh and he comes for one purpose-- to steal, to kill and destroy.  What are some of the ways he does this?  He does it through discouragement.  He will try to make you think-- "what's the use?; "it isn't going to happen, it never does"; "you should just give up".  He does it through accusations and condemnation-- "you know you messed up"; "you knew better but did it anyway"; "you call yourself a Christian, Christians don't do that".  He does it through lies-- "God is mad at you"; "He won't forgive you"; "there is no hope for you"; "do you really think God loves you?"; "what you did made God stop loving you"; "you will never recover from this".  He does it through fear-- "you have gone too far this time"; "you are hopeless"; "God has turned His back on you and forsaken you".

 

This is how he operates to fulfill his purpose of death and destruction.  Don't fall for it.  Don't believe him.  Don't receive what he is "dishing out".  Don't receive what he says.  The Bible says that we aren't ignorant of his devices.  Don't be ignorant but recognize that it is the thief.  Stand against his devices-- his accusations, condemnations, lies and fearful words.  Don't believe him, believe God.  The Lord's word is the only one you have to receive.  His words aren't accusations, condemnation, lies or promote fear.  His words are truth and they bring life-- abundant life.   

 

Have a great day.  When the thief comes, recognize him and don't fall for his devices.       

"If They Would Cooperate"

"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."  2 Thessalonians 3:13

 

Things in life would go a lot smoother and be easier if everything cooperated.  For instance, I have been sitting at this computer for a while.  Each time I would start to "write" the devotional, the program would stop and restart.  It did this several times.  There are many days I would post the devotional earlier if all this technology would cooperate-- but it doesn't. 

 

When things like this happen in life, when things don't go smoothly, when they don't go as planned, when they are not cooperating, when they are being a hindrance, slowing you down and getting in the way of what you are trying to accomplish, what do you do?  Do you just quit and give up?  Do you get angry, aggravated and mad?  Do you start throwing things?  Do you walk away and not finish what you set out to do?  Or do you persevere?  Do you keep trying?  Do you keep working with it?  Do you ask the Lord for grace to finish what you started?  Do you become determined not to let it defeat you?  Just how do you respond and react?   The fact is not everything is "smooth sailing".  There are many things that will stop you or set you back.  But the way you handle it will depend on whether you finish the task and gain the victory, or give up and accept defeat.  Which will you do?  Which will you be?  I am not going to let set backs or interruptions stop me.  I intend to "keep on keeping on".  Had I not, you would not have this devotion today.

 

Have a great day.  The tasks that we attempt to do do not always cooperate, but we have to keep at it and not give up.     

"Let It Shine"

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

 

The primary light that this verse is referring to is the presence of Jesus in your life.  But Jesus has placed so much more in your life in addition to Himself.  Therefore, you are to let His light shine and everything else He has placed in you shine.  By doing so your Heavenly Father will be glorified. 

 

What has He given you?  Let it shine!  Has He given you a gift? Let it shine.  Has He given you a talent?  Let it shine.  What has He enabled you with the ability to do?  Let it shine.  If you have the gift of creativity-- let it shine.  If you have the gift of organization-- let it shine.  If you have the gift of encouraging others-- let it shine.  If you can sew, can do carpentry, play an instrument, paint, cut hair, etc., whatever it is you have been given that you can do, let it shine through you.  The scripture says-- that they may see your good works. 

 

Whatever good work it is, even if it is one that is done through your own hands-- let it shine; let them see it.  We tend to think that this verse is only talking about "spiritual" things.  It is talking about all things.  I don't want to be too lengthy or I would talk about Joseph, Daniel and others in the Bible who did their everyday tasks and used the abilities, gifts and wisdom that God had given them and touched the lives of heathen rulers and nations.  All because they let "it"-- the thing that God had given them-- shine.  Whatever God has given you, do it as unto Him.  Do it in a way that honors Him.  Do it with excellence.  Just do it and you will be letting it shine.  You will be letting His gifts, talents, abilities and impartations shine to this world and He will get the glory. 

 

Have a great day.  Let it shine! 

"Chameleon"

"But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."  Matthew 5:37

 

There is a lizard that fascinates me.  It is called a Chameleon.  What makes it so fascinating is its ability to change colors in order to adapt to its surroundings.  While this is a good thing for the chameleon, it is not a good thing for people.  I know people that I would identify as "chameleons".

 

What do I mean by that?  These are people who change their opinions or behavior according to their situation.  They will say one thing to you and something totally the opposite to someone else.  They will tell you to your face what they think you want to hear but talk about you behind your back.  They will make you think that they believe the same thing you do when they are talking to you.  But when they are talking with someone else they will go along with them. They agree with you when talking to you.  But disagree with you when talking with others.  If it will win them "votes" or "popularity" they will change their minds and words just like a chameleon changes its colors.  They will go along with you and everyone else even if your opinions and views are different.  You never know where they stand or where you stand with them. 

 

God forbid that any of us who call ourselves Christians are "chameleons".  Our yes should be yes and our no should mean no.  We should not be double-minded.  We should know what we believe, what we stand for, have our minds made up and stick to it-- no matter who we are with.  (Unless the Holy Spirit shows us otherwise.)  We should never just go along with whoever we are talking with at the time.  I am being polite when I call these people chameleons.  Jesus used a stronger word.  He calls them hypocrites. 

 

I hope this doesn't describe you this morning.  If it does, ask the Lord to help you, forgive you and deliver you.  We all have the desire to be liked and accepted.  And we tend to think that if we go along with other people, believe like they do and agree with them that they will like us.  That is not always the case.  We may very well be selling ourselves out instead.  Let what you believe and what you say remain the same no matter who you are talking to.

 

Have a great day.  Are you a chameleon?

"Obedient To All"

"For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things."  2 Corinthians 2:9

 

The apostle wrote to the Corinthians to find out the proof of their testimony of Christ.  A lot of people say they are Christians but their actions and attitude don't line up with their profession.  He wrote to see if they were being obedient to the scriptures and his teachings.  In short, were they being a doer of the Word. 

 

If you are a Christian, there will be proof to that fact.  There will be obedience to the scriptures.  There will be evidence that will back up your profession.  Paul wanted to know if they were living in obedience.  Where they forgiving one another their trespasses?  Where they walking in the Spirit?  Where they humbling themselves before the Lord?  Where they going the second mile, turning the other cheek, blessing those that curse them, praying for those who use them, laying aside every weight of sin?  Where they running the race set before them with patience?  Where they bearing the fruit of the Spirit?  Where they laying aside immorality, fornication and indecency?  Where they being peacemakers or stirring up trouble and strife instead?  Where their lives producing righteousness and holiness?

 

This morning, are you living according to your profession?  Are the scriptures your "rule of conduct"?  Are you walking in obedience to them?  Or are you picking and choosing to do what you want to do? Are you obedient in all things?  If not, then what area are you disobedient in?  Ask the Lord and His Holy Spirit to help you. 

 

Have a great day.  Are you living in obedience to God's Word?

"Used In The Small Ways"

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."  Acts 10:38

 

How many times have you prayed, "Lord, use me."?  How many times have you wondered if He was, or why He wasn't?  When we pray for the Lord to use us, we have our own idea of what that looks like.  We think it means that He will use us to preach, be a missionary, pastor a church, stand in a pulpit, conduct crusades and so on.  But many times the Lord uses us and we aren't even aware of it. 

 

Jesus went about doing good.  We are to go about doing good.  That good may be giving a cup of cold water in His name.  It may be speaking a word of encouragement to someone who is weary.  It may come in the form of a prayer to someone who is in need.  It may be visiting a sick person or baking a cake for someone who is home bound.  It could be to provide a meal for a new mother, or offer to keep her children while she runs errands.  Being used by the Lord may look like giving someone a ride to church, paying a utility bill, providing a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a card to someone who is hurting, and so on.  Just go around doing good.   

 

Whatever good you find to do, do it with all your might.  Do it as unto the Lord.  Do it in a way that will glorify the Lord.  You will be surprised that He is using you more than you think He is.  Don't limit Him, or yourself, by thinking that He can only use you in "big" ways and if He isn't, then He isn't using you... not true.  "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:35,36,40)

 

Have a great day.  There are so many ways the Lord uses us.  Don't neglect the "little" acts of goodness and kindness... He uses you through them.