"Priorities"

"They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them." Matthew 25:3

There has been much teaching as to why the five foolish virgins had no oil in their lamps. I want us to consider another reason this morning- that reason being that they had misplaced priorities. These virgins did not make sure that they had plenty of oil with them before they fell asleep.

Many today are so preoccupied with other things- careers, entertainment, relationships, pleasure, cares of this life, etc.- that they are neglecting the things that are most important. They have misplaced priorities. Our first priority as Christians comes from Matthew 6:33- "But seek ye first the kingdom of God."

I see two reasons why our priorities can be misplaced- 1) we either don't think it is that important or 2) we think we have enough to get by. Both reasons will get you into trouble. Both reasons can put you in the same position the five foolish virgins were in.

You have to make spiritual matters a priority. You have to make your relationship with the Lord Jesus a priority- your first priority. You have to change your priorities if they are misplaced. You have to change them if your priorities are centered around "earthly, worldly" things in order to be ready when He comes. We don't know when the bridegroom might come. We don't know if it will be today, tomorrow, months or years from now, if He might tarry, if He might come at midnight. But if being ready is our number one priority, it won't matter when He comes, we won't be caught off guard and out of oil.

Have a great day. Where are your priorities?

For further reading:
Matthew 25:1-13
Matthew 6:33
Exodus 20:3
Matthew 13:32-33

"Bring It Forth"

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

"She brought forth". Mary brought forth the Son of God that was placed inside her womb by the Holy Spirit. God never intended for her to carry the baby inside of her for the rest of her life. God's intention was for her to bring it into the world. When God places something inside of us, He never intends for us to keep it "locked up" inside of us either. He intends for us to "bring it forth".

When God places His salvation in our lives, we are to share it with others. He never intended for us to "keep it to ourselves". We are to witness to others about the glorious goodness of God in transforming our lives and giving us forgiveness and eternal life. When He places His Holy Spirit within us, we are to "bring it forth" by releasing the Spirit to do His work through us. When He places His joy within us, we aren't to keep it to ourselves, we are to share that joy with others so that they can taste and see how truly wonderful He is. It's this way with any blessing that God sends our way. It's this way with any gift He bestows upon us. He intends for us to "bring it forth" to reach the world for His glory.

The baby that was placed in Mary's womb wasn't for her only-- He was for the world.  He was carried by her but given for others. These wonderful gifts that God has given us are "carried" by us, but for the purpose of reaching others and touching their lives for Christ. Are you keeping the grace that God has bestowed upon you to yourself or are you sharing it with others? Is it "locked up" inside of you so that no one can be touched by it? If so, it's time for you to "bring it forth".

Have a great day. God intends for you to bring forth the gifts that He has given you and share them with others.

For further reading:
Luke 2:17
Isaiah 43:10
Matthew 10:8
Luke 4:18

"Taxing"

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed." Luke 2:1

Have you ever wondered if Mary and Joseph complained about this taxing? Do you think they made comments to each other like: why did it have to come at this time, why do we have to travel so far, why couldn't it have come at another time, why couldn't it have happened after the baby was born? I wondered because this is what we usually do. When things come up in our lives that seem like bad timing or put extra pressure on us, we tend to start complaining about it.

The things we complain about are often the very things that God is using to accomplish His plan in/through us. Even a natural course of events is sometimes God's way of getting us in position- spiritually and physically- for what He is about to do. This was the case in Mary and Joseph's life. This taxing was the avenue that would get them to Bethlehem, to the stable, to the manger where the Savior of the world would be born. His birth could not have occurred anywhere else. God had already said through the prophets where it would be- God doesn't deviate from His word.

This decree caused them to get in the right position for the miracle birth. Sometimes it takes these "decrees" to move us into position, because we don't always listen and do what He says. So when we are tempted to complain over events- even natural ones- that seem to "tax" us by adding more burdens on us, by getting us out of our comfort zone, by causing us to have to make a move, by inconveniencing us, by messing up our schedules, by changing our plans, by apparently bad timing, perhaps we need to remember this story about the birth of our Savior.

Have a great day. God can use natural events, and events imposed by man, as an avenue to get us into position so that He can accomplish His plan and purpose.

For further reading:
Romans 8:28
1 Corinthians 1:27
Genesis 12:10
Ruth 1:1

"The Lord Is Good"

"For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Psalm 100:5

We aren't good. We don't always act good. We don't always do what is good. But you can't say that about the Lord. He is good and He is good all the time. Jesus Himself said that God is the ONLY one who is good. When Moses requested to see God's glory, the Lord's response to him was, "I will make my goodness pass before you." (Exodus 33:19)

As I woke up this morning a song was on my heart- it came from this verse above. I believe the Lord is using the song to remind me that no matter what may happen, no matter what I may encounter, no matter how I am treated, no matter what I face, He is good and I can trust and rest in His goodness to me even in the midst of bad things that come my way.

I believe that this devotional this morning is a reminder to you of the same thing. Bad things happen to us in this life. Bad things happen to even the righteous. We aren't exempt from bad things. But always remember, those "bad" things that come our way aren't from God- He's a good God and He can turn the bad into good.

Have a great day. The Lord is good... period!

For further reading:
Romans 8:28
Psalm 27:13
Psalm 33:5
Mark 10:18
Psalm 73:1

"Today Not Tomorrow"

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

"This is the day that the Lord has made"--- today. He has not made tomorrow yet- tomorrow isn't here. Therefore, we are not to take thought for tomorrow. We are not to borrow trouble from tomorrow. We are not to worry about tomorrow. We are not to wonder about tomorrow. We are not to be fearful, anxious or upset about what may happen tomorrow because tomorrow doesn't exist yet. When you think about it, tomorrow never comes because when it gets here--- it will be TODAY!

Are you worrying about tomorrow? Are you concerned about what it may hold? If so, then you are allowing today to be stolen from you. Live today; enjoy today; make the most of today; be productive today; work on doing what you can do today while you have it because none of us are promised tomorrow.

Rejoice and be glad today. Put your trust and confidence in God today. Commit today to Him. Look to Him today. Cast your cares upon Him today. Remember tomorrow doesn't exist yet so leave it in the future. And remember also that when/if tomorrow does come that God will be as faithful then as He is today.

Have a great day. God has not made tomorrow yet, but He has given you today... so rejoice and be glad in it.

For further reading:
Matthew 6:25-31
1 Peter 5:7
Matthew 6:33

"From Glory To Glory"

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18

In order for something to be transformed from one thing to another, there is a process that must take place. The process isn't always an easy one, neither is it always pleasant either. Before carbon can become a diamond it has to be put under pressure. Before batter can become a cake it has to bake in the oven. Before sand can become glass it has to go through the fire. Before clay can become a vessel it has to be shaped through pounding and spinning and then placed in an oven.

The same principle applies spiritually. If there is going to be a change in us- a change into the image of Christ our Lord- we are going to have to go through a process as well. It doesn't just automatically happen. It happens as we are put under pressure. It happens as we fellowship with Christ's suffering. It happens as our faith is tried by fire. It happens through times of difficulty and weakness. It happens through the battles we face. It happens through times of persecution and trouble (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).

There is no "magic formula" and there is no easy road or short cut to being changed into His image. We like to hear about the "from glory to glory" part, but we don't like to hear that this glory part comes through "crucifixion"-- it did for Jesus. (John 17:1)

If you are going through something- the fire, trials, suffering for righteousness' sake, pressure, etc.- don't be discouraged. Remember this- all things are working together for your good. The good in this, though you may not feel like it or see it, is that it is part of the transformation process and once it is complete, it will have helped to change you so that you look a little more like Jesus.

Have a great day. Change always involves a process, and that process is not always easy, pain free or pleasant, but it is well worth it in the end.

For further reading:
James 1:2-4
Psalm 105:17-19
Job 23:10
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Philippians 3:10
Romans 8:28

"Savior Or Example"

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17

In skimming over an article that I want to read, a sentence grabbed my attention. It said that through our teaching and preaching we have minimized Jesus to just a "good example" instead of the "Savior". True, He left us an example to follow- how to have victory over sin, how to commune with the Father, how to live in obedience, and how to live by faith in this world. But just being our example was not His plan or the purpose for which He came. He came to redeem mankind from their sins. He came to die so that we might live. He came to be the Door to salvation. He told Pilate as he stood before him awaiting crucifixion that what He was about to face was the whole reason why He came.

We are getting ready to celebrate Christmas-- the birth of our "SAVIOR", not our example. If we forget that He is the Savior then we have no reason to celebrate- Christmas becomes to us the same thing that it is to the world... just a holiday. If we forget that He is the Savior, we have no reason to follow His example of good deeds and good works because without salvation the example means nothing. Following His good deeds doesn't save you. Accepting Him as Savior because you are a sinner and can't save yourself does save you. After He becomes Savior then you strive to follow the example that He left by walking in His footsteps.

If this babe that was born in a manger, if this Jesus who died on the cross is just an example to you of how you should live but He is not your Savior, then you are still lost in sin and are making Him just another religious avenue in hopes of saving yourself. Making Him your example won't save you... making Him your Savior will.  After you make Him your Savior, then make Him your example to follow.

Have a great day. Jesus did not come just to be an example of how we should live, He came to be our Savior.

For further reading:
John 18:37
1 Peter 2:21-25
Matthew 1:20,21
John 3:16
Acts 16:31
Revelation 1:5,6

"Black Friday"

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

This past weekend were the Black Friday sales. I quit going to them years ago because the crowds are so large, you had to park blocks away from the stores, you had to stand in long lines and you had to get up very early in order to get there before the sale items are gone.  A friend of mine who went was telling me that this is exactly what she went through. She said she got up at 2:30 a.m. that morning to go and shopped until 7:00 p.m. that evening.

As I was listening to her, my mind immediately wondered, "Would we be willing to go through all this for Jesus?" When was the last time we woke up so early just to spend time with Him? When was the last time we went through any sort of inconvenience to get into His presence? Isn't it amazing that we will make room for and make sacrifices for the things we really want to do, but when it comes to Him it is more than we are willing to do. Most aren't willing to make even the slightest effort to study their Bible, pray or commune with Him. (What is wrong with this picture?)

Which describes you? One who makes room, makes sacrifices, goes the second mile, puts forth the effort and gets out of your comfort zone for Jesus? Or for everything else but Him? If you are one who will do it for the latter and not for Jesus, then there is something terribly out of order in your life and it needs to be corrected.

Have a great day. Is Jesus on your list of priorities? Is He on your list of things that you are willing to make adjustments and sacrifices for? Is He at the top of that list?

For Further Reading:
Psalm 96:4
Isaiah 29:13
Psalm 73:28
Amos 5:4