"A Limp"

"A Limp"

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12

For some reason when I read this verse, I get a visual image of Jacob leaning upon his staff. If you remember the story he had an encounter with the Lord and walked with a limp from that day forward. It was during that encounter that Jacob's name was changed from Jacob- meaning deceiver- to Israel- meaning prince.

What a dramatic "transformation". To have God call you a "prince" when you were known as a deceiver. That certainly would have been quiet an experience, one no doubt that could have easily "puffed" him up. He could have become proud and arrogant. That wasn't God's plan for Jacob, so at the same time his name was being changed he received a limp. Though he was now a "prince", he had to depend upon the support of a staff to help him walk-- how humbling.

I think also about the Apostle Paul. He saw things that weren't lawful for men to see. He was taken into places by God and shown things that could have easily puffed him up with pride. But again, that wasn't God's plan for him either. So, thus the "thorn in the flesh". The buffeting he received kept Paul humble.

When God is doing something through your life, when He is giving you revelation and insight, when He is using you in the gifts of the Spirit, when He is doing signs and wonders through you, when He is taking you "from glory to glory", the last thing you need to do is allow yourself to get "puffed up". Guard against spiritual pride-- it will cause you to fall. That isn't God's plan for you either.

We may be being used by God to bring Him glory, but we all walk with a "limp" (the inability to walk without help), thus having to depend upon a "staff" to hold us up. None of us can ever think that we can do it on our own. None of us can ever think that we can walk this walk by ourselves. None of us can ever think that we don't need God's help- we do. The Lord is the "staff" that supports us through our daily journey. Without Him holding us up, we will surely fall.

Have a great day. We all have a "limp"- the need for help and support. The Lord is that "staff/support" that holds us up.

For further reading:
Genesis 32:20-30
2 Corinthians 12:6,7
Proverbs 16:18
Psalm 23:4

"Fruit"

"Fruit"

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Matthew 7:16

So many Christians think it's all about the "power"- power to do miracles, heal the sick, cast out devils, etc. That is part of what we have been commissioned to do, and God has empowered us to do His works through the Holy Spirit. But it is also about our "fruit".

Christians should be identified by their love, by joy, by peace and so on. Jesus didn't say that we would be known as His disciples by the miracles that are performed through our lives. Or by the number of demons that we cast out in His name. Or by how many people are healed as a result of our hands being laid on them. But He did say that they would know that we belong to Him by our fruit. He also said that men would know that we are His disciples if we walk in love toward each other.

Let me ask you this morning-- are you casting out devils yet you are abusive to your spouse? Are you laying hands on the sick and they are recovering, but you are arrogant and full of pride? Are you teaching and preaching the word of God, yet you are mean spirited and treat others badly? Are you doing the work of the Lord but you cuss your children out and you act like a tyrant in your home? Then something is wrong! Don't let the fact that you are doing many wonderful works in Jesus name deceive you into thinking that "all is well". It's not according to the rest of Matthew 7. And the Bible tells us that even the devils can do "signs and wonders".

We are told to be imitators of Christ. That means more than just in the area of works-- the first imitation is in the nature. And His nature is that of love. "Fruit" and "works" should both be evident in the Christian's life. But the works are not the proof of your Christianity, the fruit is.

Have a great day. Even the devil can imitate Christ's works, but he can't imitate His nature- the "fruit".

For further reading:
Matthew 7:16-23; 24:24
John 13:35
2 Thessalonians 2:9
Galatians 5:22-23
Ephesians 5:1-5

"If He Walked In"

"If He Walked In"

"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

I have something to ask you this morning. "If Jesus walked into the room where you were, would you do anything differently?" If He walked in would you change your speech and the language you were using? Would you change the channel on the television? Would you change your clothes? Would you try to hide something that you have in your hand? Or would you continue as you were?

I have a feeling that if Jesus did literally walk into the room where some Christians were, they would start making some immediate changes- such as was described above. I want to leave you with a thought today, and the thought is another question. "Why?" Why would you do anything differently than you are doing now?  We should live as if Jesus were standing beside us all the time- because in reality He is. He is with you wherever you are. He sees everything you do and hears everything you say. I think it is a little amusing, in a sad sort of way, when people that I am around will let a curse word "slip" and then say to me, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that". I understand that they are apologizing to me out of respect for who I am- and I appreciate that. But my reply is always, "You don't have to apologize to me, God heard you". He is the one that we need to be concerned about offending. If we will change what we do and what we say out of respect for an individual, shouldn't we be much more concerned about changing it before God.

A Christian's first priority is to please our loving Heavenly Father- in our actions, attitudes, speech, attire, conduct, etc. If we will strive to do that, we would never have to worry about or change anything we are doing if He really were to walk into the room.

Have a great day. Are you living your life as if Jesus is always standing there watching? The reality is--- He is watching!

For further reading:
Matthew 28:20
Hebrews 4:13
Psalm 139:1-12

"The Donkey"

"The Donkey"

"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." 1 Corinthians 1:26

Years ago while my daughter was cutting my hair, my two year old granddaughter came in the room with some of her toys. She brought in a very beautiful horse figure- she loved horses. Then she brought in a little donkey toy she had- she was telling me how the donkey "goes"; (what sound it makes). Being a grandmother, who is a Christian, naturally I want to try to use any opportunity to instill God's word and teachings in her. So when she brought me the little donkey, I started telling her that the donkey was a very important animal in the Bible. It carried Mary to Bethlehem where she gave birth to Baby Jesus. It also was the only animal in the Bible that ever talked- it warned a wayward prophet not to get out of God's will. A donkey also carried Jesus into Jerusalem just days before He was crucified in what we call the Triumphant Entry.

While I was trying to "teach" her, the Holy Spirit was teaching me. We tend to look at the donkey as the "least" of the animals- they aren't very important. We consider them to be dumb. Certainly there is no comparison between the donkey and its distant "cousin" the mighty Stallion. The horse looks stronger, more beautiful, more impressive. Who would chose a donkey over a horse if they had to choose. Remember the famous words from the Shakespearean play spoken by Richard III, "A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse." It wasn't a donkey that was desired.

In our way of thinking the donkey may not be the most important animal, it may not be the mightiest or the most desirable, but it was the one that God chose many times, even over the horse. We tend to think the same way about people- we classify them. We consider/choose people according to their beauty, their talents, their education, their strength, their position, their status and by their wealth. We are "respecters" of persons. But God isn't. He actually will chose the weak and foolish over the strong and wise. He will use those who we throw away or cast to the side as some of His mightiest servants. He used a little shepherd boy- not the king- to destroy a giant. He used a servant to speak to the leader of an army to obey the words of the prophet. He used the king's cup bearer to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He used a murderer to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage. He used Gideon who was a coward to deliver Israel from the oppression of their enemies. And the list goes on.

God doesn't choose the same way we do. He doesn't place importance and value on people the same way we do either. On the contrary, He chooses what we think is not very important.

Have a great day. You may be feeling like the "donkey" who wishes it was a Stallion. Stop! Because when God is choosing, He will usually pick the donkey.

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 1:25-29
Romans 2:11
2 Kings 5:1-13

"Out Of The Pit"

"Out Of The Pit"

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." Psalm 40:2

My heart is burdened for a young woman that I have known since she was a child. She was brought up in church, she was taught the scriptures, she was given a godly example in her parents, she knows what it means to be a Christian and to follow Christ, yet she chose to go the opposite way. She chose to turn her back on Jesus and live life "her way".

When you make the choice to turn away from God, you bring a lot of grief upon yourself.. and she has. She has been in all kinds of trouble. She's now living in the same place where the prodigal son wound up. She is a beautiful young woman with so much to offer. I know she has a call upon her life but needs to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. Anyway, as I was praying for her, the Lord begin to show me that she is in a "pit". So I began to pray for her deliverance from the pit.

I felt impressed to share this with you this morning because you might have a loved one- perhaps a child, spouse, family member or friend- who is in a "pit". It could be a pit of rebellion- against you or God. It might be a pit of addiction- drugs, alcohol, pornography, immorality, prostitution, etc.. It may be a pit bitterness, hate or unforgiveness. There are many "pits". But regardless of the pit, God is able to reach into it and pull them out!!! He is the rescuer from the pit. It doesn't matter if the pit is filled with water, mud or sewage, or if it is a dry pit. It doesn't matter if it is a pit of our own making or one that someone else or the enemy has dug for us. It doesn't matter how deep or shallow the pit may be. I love what Corrie Ten Boon said, "It doesn't matter how deep the pit is, God is deeper." Some people have dug a pretty "deep pit" for themselves but His hand is not too short that it cannot save-- save them out of it.

If you know someone who is in a pit this morning, don't give up, don't stop praying for them, don't stop trusting God to bring them out-- He can. He has in the past.  He brought Joseph out of a pit.  He brought Jeremiah out of the pit. He brought Benaiah out of the pit and many others. If He did it in the past, He will still do it today- He is still the same.  He brought these men out of literal, physical pits showing us that it matters not what kind of pit it is, He can still deliver a person from it. 

Have a great day. It doesn't matter what kind of pit, who dug it, or how deep it is, God is still able to deliver from the pit.

For further reading:
Psalm 30:3
Isaiah 59:1
1 Chronicles 11:22
Jeremiah 38:6
Genesis 37:23-28

"Spirit Of Truth"

"Spirit Of Truth"

"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John 14:17

It used to be that a man's word was his bond. You used to could trust what you heard on the news as fact. You used to could put stock in what the leaders of our nation said. You use to could believe what people told you was the truth. I keep using the words "used to" because that's the way things "were". It doesn't seem like it is that way now. It is hard to believe what anyone says to you nowadays. It's sometimes hard to separate the real facts from popular opinion,  human preference or an agenda that is being perpetrated. We find this even happening in the church. We don't always hear the "pure gospel". Often, what we hear is a "watered down version"; man's own opinion or interpretation; misquoted and out of context scriptures; fad preaching full of "fluff"; or a mixture of humanistic philosophy and false reasoning. The words of Jesus and the precepts of the Bible have been completely twisted in order to appease the flesh and gain popularity. So who can you believe? How can you know what is the truth and what isn't? How do you know the difference?

Before Jesus was about to face the cross, He told His disciples that He was getting ready to leave and would not be with them any more. But He also said that He would not leave them here alone to try to make it on their own. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to them to take His place and walk along beside them. Jesus referred to the precious Holy Spirit as the "Spirit of Truth". One of His "jobs" would be to not only reveal truth to His disciples (us included), but to lead us into all truth.

Being the Spirit of Truth, He knows not only the truth but also the false- falsehoods, lies, deception and whatever is misleading. So while we can't always decipher and sort out what is true and what isn't, the Holy Spirit can. The Holy Spirit is our guide into truth-- the truth of the scriptures and principles of God's word and the interpretation of what it is saying to us. He is also the one who will reveal truth and error to us in all areas of life so that we know who and what to believe. He did this repeatedly throughout the scriptures- in the Old Testament and the New Testament. So if He did it then, He still does it now- He hasn't changed.

Not sure who or what to believe? Not sure what is right and what is wrong? Not sure what is the truth and what isn't? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the matter to you. While you can't trust everything that everyone says to you, you can without a doubt trust the Holy Spirit to tell you the truth- the whole truth and nothing but the truth- because He is the Spirit of Truth.

Have a great day. If you don't know what is the truth and what isn't, look to the Holy Spirit- the Spirit of Truth- He knows the difference.

"The Sacrifice"

"The Sacrifice"

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" Palm 137:4
"By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.'  Hebrews 13:15

One of the definitions for the word sacrifice is: an act of giving up something.  The Bible talks about giving a sacrifice to God.  In the Old Testament it primarily dealt with the offering of some animal to be killed on an altar.  In the New Testament (as in the verse above) it primarily deals with the attitude of the heart.  A sacrifice of praise is talked about.  Praise is an attitude of the heart-- an attitude of gratitude.  

The giving of praise is not always easy, especially when you are in a "strange land".  The whole world is in a "strange land" at the present.  We are in a place that is totally unfamiliar to us.  We are in a place where we have never been before-- dealing with a pandemic, riots, violence, racism, isolation, hatred, abuse of power, anti everything we have stood for, the loss of freedoms, the loss of jobs, the uncertainty about the future of our nation, family and selves, manipulations, and trying to discern truth from lies-- it is all strange to us.  With so much happening around us from day to day, how can we offer the sacrifice of praise?  How can we give anything to God when we are consumed with the state of our world and the fearful events taken place?  

How can we give it is not where our focus should be.  The focus should be on -- just give it!  You have got to give God your praise.  You have got to give it in spite of the storms raging around you, in spite of the bad reports, in spite of the uncertainty, in spite of the fear.  You have to make yourself take the step of faith and give Him a sacrifice of praise.  Take control of your flesh, take your thoughts captive and make them get inline with your spirit-- which is connected to God and wants to reach out in praise to Him.  

If you are going to make it through these "times that try men's souls-- a strange land" you are going to have to praise your way through it.  Sacrifices that are brought to God should be done willingly and cheerfully.  But if you are so oppressed by this "strange land" you have found yourself in and you can't do it freely or cheerfully, just pick up your praise and give it anyway.  Force yourself.  Open your mouth in praise to God even if you don't feel like it.  Once you do, and keep on doing it, you will feel the weight lift, the oppression will subside, the fear will begin to dissipate, and the enemy will begin to flee because God's presence will come near-- He inhabits the praise of His people. (Psalm 22:3)  Don't wait until you feel like praising Him.  Don't wait until things "get better".  Don't wait until you see a change.  Don't wait until you see a glimmer of hope.  You may be bringing it from an attitude of despair but it will soon turn into an attitude of gratitude, victory and strength!!

Have a great day.  Bring a sacrifice of praise to the Lord even in a "strange land". 

"Be Still"

"Be Still"

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10

As I was studying this verse a little closer, I discovered one of the literal meanings was- "leave off (your own attempts) and know". There are some things about God- His power, character and nature- that we cannot know unless we are "still". Another meaning for the word still was "relax, withdraw, let alone".

There are times we have to step back and move out of the way- be still- in order to "know that I am God". There are times when we have no choice but to be still because there is nothing that we can do about the situation and we know it. Like Moses at the Red Sea. He had no choice but to be still- there was nothing that he could do in his own strength and ability to make the sea move out of the way. But then in the times when there is something that we can do about the situation we have to be willing to step back and take ourselves out of the picture. David spent several years running from King Saul, who was out to destroy him. One day David was in a cave and Saul came into the cave unaware that David was there. While in the cave David crept around and without Saul's detection of him cut off the corner of his robe. David had the opportunity to avenge himself. He had the means and ability to kill his enemy. But he didn't. Instead he "stepped back" and left it to the Lord to take care of Saul.

There are many situations that we cannot handle ourselves. Then there are some that we can, as was the case when God said to Moses, "What is in your hand?" But then there come times when, even though we are able to do something about the situation, God says, "Be still, withdraw yourself and let me handle this one." It's in those times where God "shines" and we see His glory revealed in ways we may have never seen otherwise. It's in those times where He alone can get the credit. It's in those times where we discover a little more about who He is and our faith is increased in the process.

Have a great day. Sometimes the real answer that you need is, "Be still"... and when you do, you will... "know that I am God."

For further reading:
1 Samuel 24
Exodus 4:2; 14:13-16
Hebrews 10:30

"Strength In Weakness"

"Strength In Weakness"

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Are you feeling weak? Do you feel faint? Do you feel as if you just aren't going to make it? Do you feel like you are too weak to stand when you need to be strong and stand? Do you feel like you are ready to cave in to the pressures that are surrounding you? Don't give up, don't give in, don't despair you can be strong and rise above the weakness.

The answer is found in the verse above- "wait upon the Lord". Your strength is found in the Lord, not in your own resources or abilities. Weakness is not a sign of defeat, it just reveals the fact that we are utterly dependent upon the Lord and not on self. In our own strength we will always be weak. But when we draw from His strength, we will be refreshed, renewed, get that "second wind", soar higher, run further and keep on going even when the going gets tough.

If you are experiencing weakness today- regardless of what area it is in- go to the Lord, press into His presence and stay there until you receive the strength that you need to rise up and keep on going. He gave us His promise in the verse above that if we will "wait upon Him" we SHALL... not perhaps, not maybe, not hopefully... renew our strength.

Have a great day. The presence of the Lord is energizing, so wait in His presence until your strength is renewed.

For further reading:
Hebrews 11:11
2 Corinthians 12:9
1 Corinthians 1:25
Ephesians 6:10

"It Doesn't Fit"

"It Doesn't Fit"

"And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him." 1 Samuel 17:39

(I believe that there is a particular word for someone in this morning's devotional.) Like Saul tried to dress David with his own armor, many in the body of Christ are also being "dressed" by someone else. They are trying to change you into "their image". They are trying to make you like themselves or into what they think you should be. They are trying to lead you in the direction that they think you should go.

The word from the Lord this morning is "stop trying to fit in". Stop trying to fit in-- to someone else's ministry, anointing, calling, agenda or vision. Stop trying to fit in-- to what I have not called you to. Stop trying to fit in-- to roles that I have not ordained you to be in. Stop trying to fit in-- to places that I have not sent you to.

Too often we will allow someone else to place their own ideas and opinions on us and we will then try to conform to that. We will try to "make it work or fit" when there is no way it can. David could not wear Saul's armor because it was not designed for him. God has not designed someone else's "armor" to fit you. He has designed a plan and purpose that is "well suited" to you.

Allow God to direct your life. Allow Him to do with you what He desires. Find and fulfill His plan, not what everyone else or even you think it should be. Don't worry that it doesn't look like what you think it should. The norm when going out to battle was to be dressed in armor. David went out to the battlefield with only a sling shot and some stones. But he was victorious where the king and army had not been. Why? Because he let God do the "dressing".

Have a great day. Stop trying to fit in to what others are trying to put on you. Only what God places on you will fit.

For further reading:
1 Samuel 17

"Missing Altars"

"Missing Altars"

"And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." Revelation 8:3

Altars have always been important structures/places in all religions throughout history. They were used as places to offer sacrifices. I don't know how many religions still set up altars and actually offer real sacrifices upon them, but perhaps some still do. In Christianity altars aren't used for offering animal sacrifices but they are used as places where prayers are made offering our lives as living sacrifices to God.

This morning I want to ask a question, "Where are the altars?" Over the last several years there has been an alarming rate at the number of missing altars- missing in our churches, missing from our homes, missing from our personal lives. I can remember having time at the altars during every church service. It didn't matter if you had a "need" that you needed to pray about or not, you still went to the altar- the whole church would often make their way to the altars. At the altar lives were changed, prayers were answered, people were touched by the power of God, cleansing of heart, soul and mind took place, joy was restored, bodies were healed, burdens were undone.

Today altars in the church have been removed and replaced. Replaced with "walking the aisle". Replaced with "repeat a prayer pews". Replaced with prayer lines mostly wanting and waiting for someone to do your praying for you. I submit to you that this is one of the reasons why the church appears to be so weak, confused and compromising. You may disagree, but there has to be times of contrition and sacrifice; there have to be times of pouring out your heart and soul to God. And the altar is the place to do just that. Sure one could do their praying at home (and should pray there as well), but sadly, few homes have an altar- and why would they when it is evident in the church that altars aren't important. But there is something powerful about praying at the altar with other believers in God's house.

Revivals are birthed around the altar. Every great movement of God started around an altar. Our salvation was paid for at an altar- the cross. There are some things that can only occur at an altar. In the Book of Revelation we are told that there is even an altar in heaven. So there must be something special and significant about an altar that we have seemed to miss.

Altars are not just physical structures that sit in the front of the church. But the missing physical structure is just symbolic that the true altar of prayer and sacrifice is missing. Is it missing in your life? Do you have an altar- a place where you meet with God on a regular basis and present yourself to Him as a living sacrifice? If not, then you need to restore the missing altar.

Have a great day. If the altar is missing in your life, it needs to be restored.

For further reading:
Revelation 6:9
Romans 12:1

"Good News"

"Good News"

"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

This morning I heard something that I considered to be good news.  I was thanking the Lord for waking up and hearing something good for a change-- seems like everything you hear lately is doom and gloom, despair, fear, lies, deceit, manipulation, hatred, violence and confusion.  Immediately, the Lord rebuked me for what I said.  He spoke to me and said, "You wake up to good news every morning."  (Of course He was right-- He's God.)  

Every morning I wake up to the good news that is found in His Word-- precious promises that He has made to me.  His promises are good news.  His Word is good news.  It is full of hope and peace, grace and freedom.  It is full of healing and strength.  It's good news to know that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me.  It's good news that no weapon formed against me shall prosper and that my God shall supply all my need.  It's good news that nothing can separate me from the love of God.  It's good news that His mercy endures forever.  It's good news that He gives strength to the weak.  And so on and so on.  

So, if you are like me and tired of hearing so much bad news, so many lies, such unbelief, fighting and fear mongering, and you long for some good news for a change, remember this-- the world may never tell you any good news, it may never give you a word of hope, but that doesn't mean there isn't any good news.  There is and it is found in God's Word.  He has a good word for you every day.  That is what you need to be listening to.

Have a great day.  God's Word is full of good news to us. 

"Rejoicing Faith"

"Rejoicing Faith"

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

Did you notice that in this verse there is no provision made to do anything other than rejoice each day? There isn't a footnote tagged on it, there wasn't a "with the exception of" clause added to it, there wasn't allowance or room made to do otherwise. The verse doesn't tell us to rejoice as long as everything is going well; or as long as things are going the way we planned or hoped; as long as nothing bad happens today; as long as no problems arise. It just says, "I will rejoice and be glad".

Is the verse telling us that we won't experience bad things, difficulties, pain or grief? Does it mean that we won't get bad reports, or find ourselves in battles under the attack of the enemy? No, it doesn't. Because the scriptures teach us otherwise. They teach that bad things, trials and tribulations come to the just and unjust, and the righteous face afflictions. Why then didn't the verse make allowances to be sad, downcast and complaining during the bad times? Simply because-- the just shall live by faith.

We walk by faith not by sight. What we see, what we hear and what we feel isn't the "final authority". For example, I may lose my job but am I going to stop rejoicing and get worried, sad, depressed and fearful? No. Why? Because that wasn't a bad thing that happened to me? No, but because the just live by faith-- faith in God who is my provider; faith that He will meet and supply all my need; faith that if God feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies daily, He will certainly take care of me because I am of much more value to Him than a sparrow.  Living by faith means that we know that somehow, some way, the Lord will work all things together for our good. Living by faith means I have confident assurance that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me but will be with me always- He is not a "fair weather" friend who leaves me when the going gets tough.

There was no provision made in the verse above because there has already been a provision made that will keep your head up and joy in your heart when things aren't always "well". That provision is faith. Absolute trust, confidence and dependency on God. The situations that we face don't change God. He is still the same loving, caring Heavenly Father and provider that He has always been. Therefore, I can rejoice in that unchanging knowledge even in changing situations of life.

Have a great day. There is no provision made for us to be cast down when bad times come because we are to be living by faith in God all the time.

For further reading:
Psalm 34:19
Matthew 5:45; 6:25-29
Habakkuk 2:4
Romans 1:17; 8:28
Galatians 3:11
Hebrews 10:38; 13:5
Philippians 4:19

"Water To Wine"

"Water To Wine"

"Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim." John 2:7

When Jesus puts His hand on something, there is a change that takes place- water becomes wine as at the marriage in Cana. When Jesus is involved, nothing stays the same. The ordinary is changed into the extraordinary. What is weak becomes strong. What is natural becomes supernatural.

When He touches our lives, the same happens. There is a change that takes place in us- or should. We can no longer be the same. We have gone from death to life, from sinner to saint, from outcasts to accepted, from darkness to light.

If Jesus has touched your life there should be something different about you- water and wine are two completely different substances. The purpose of wine at the wedding was to give the guests something to drink- it wasn't intended to sit in a cellar somewhere. There is a purpose for the change and transformation that Jesus desires to do in our lives-- and that change is not always about us. It is about others. It's about others being able to "see" and "taste" something from our lives that will make them sit up on take notice. "When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom. And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." (Verses 9,10) And when they take notice, it will be Jesus that they see.

We are like those empty clay pots- vessels that hold something and are intended to be filled. Without Jesus we are empty vessels, with Him we are vessels full of water, when we receive the Holy Spirit, we are vessels holding wine. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose." (Acts 2:1-4,13,15) These "vessels of water"- those in the Upper Room- were changed into vessels holding wine- the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is so that we, Jesus' disciples, can receive power to be His "witnesses" to others and help bring about the transformation process in us. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

What do others "taste" from your life? Are they tasting something that will make them take note of Jesus?

Have a great day. Are you an empty vessel? A vessel holding water? A vessel holding wine?

For further reading:
John 2:1-11
2 Corinthians 5:17
Acts 2

"A Second Chance"

"A Second Chance"

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23

I have had a magnet on my refrigerator for years that says, "Thank You, Lord, for granting me this new day in my life, especially since I messed up yesterday so badly." Do you ever feel like that? Do you ever feel like you really made a "mess" of your life yesterday? Do you feel like you "blew it"? Do you wish yesterday had never happened? Do you wish you could wake up and discover that yesterday was only a dream- it wasn't real? Do you wish you could go back and relive yesterday and change some things?

Sure you do. We all have days that we wish had never happened. We all have days that if we could do them over we would do them differently and not make the same mistakes. The reality of it though is that we can't. There are no "time capsules" like there are in the movies that we can get in and travel back in time. Yesterday is yesterday and there is no changing it.

But having said all that, today is a new day and there is something that we can do to stop yesterday from consuming our today and directing our tomorrows. It's called- God's mercy. God's mercies are new every morning. What that means to me is that I have been given a second chance. I have been given another opportunity to "get it right" today. I have been given a new day to do it differently. Today is a clean slate- that's what's awaiting me each morning.

Maybe you did "mess up" yesterday. Maybe you did "blow it". Maybe things did not go according to plans. Maybe you did fail. Maybe you should have done things differently. But you have to let yesterday go- it's past, it's behind you, you can't change it. But today is a new day- a second chance- take it, take advantage of it, thank God for it, and get it right this time.

Have a great day. Yesterday is in the past, today you have been given a second chance.

For further reading:
Psalm 118:24; 103:11,12
Micah 7:19

"Encroaching On The Light"

"Encroaching On The Light"

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." Matthew 5:15

As I was trimming back one of the azaleas in my yard I discovered a solar light hid up in it that I had forgotten was there. The azalea had grown over the light covering it completely from view. I had forgotten it was there because I had not seen its light shining for sometime. As I cut the bush back I thought about how we tend to allow things to encroach upon our "lights" until they are either dim or don't shine at all.

I had placed a brick border around the azalea as a boundary line for the bush but had not done a very good job of keeping it trimmed back, therefore, it went past the boundary line and consumed the solar light. God's word sets the boundary lines in our lives. When we do not practice and apply the Word, follow its principles, or obey it, the boundaries are not enforced. For example, when temptation comes and we don't look for the way of escape but rather yield to it, then sin begins to grow and will increase until it consumes our lights. When we don't resist the devil's attacks but succumb to them, then discouragement, depression, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc. will continue to grow until the light in us is covered. When we place other things ahead of God, instead of "having no other gods before Him", then there is no source of power getting to us to keep the light shining.

I can't stop the bush from growing, unless I completely cut it down, but I can keep it under control. There are many things that come into our lives that we can't stop from happening, but we do have control over whether they cover our lights or not. What is encroaching upon your light this morning? What is causing it to be hid under a basket? Is it a besetting sin? Is it pain or hurt that has not been dealt with? Is it unforgiveness that has not been confessed and forsaken? Are you bitter or discouraged? Have you allowed your blessings to turn to pride and arrogance? What is it?

If your light is hidden from clear and plain view, then you need to do the same thing that I did to that azalea- get out the garden shears and start cutting. In your case, get out the word of God and act upon it to "cut back" the encroaching "darkness". Make it your boundary line again by following it and applying it to every situation in life. And do it on a daily basis to keep it from happening again. God's word will keep those things that try to cover and put out your light in check and back where they belong.

Have a great day. Is your light shining? How brightly? Or is something encroaching upon it to hide it from view?

For further reading:
Matthew 5:14-16; 6:22-24
1 Corinthians 10:13
James 4:7
Exodus 20:3
Hebrews 4:12

"Where Is My Church?"

"Where Is My Church?"

Before you start reading, I will warn you that it is going to be lengthy, and it is not an easy nor comfortable message.  As I was in prayer this morning, the Lord began to speak to me.  I am sharing it with you because it is a message to the Body of Christ. 

I started my prayer burdened because of the lack of faith and the amount of fear and unbelief that I am seeing in the Body of Christ, or at least in those who profess to be Christians.  I am no ones judge.  I have just gone through a situation that tested my faith and pushed me into a newer, deeper level of trust than I have ever exercised before.  I have to confess that it showed me just how little faith I really have.  (It is one thing to have faith in the sunshine when all is well, and another to step out in obedient faith when things are dark and chaos is all around.)  My heart was exposed so that I could see it for myself and I have had to repent.  So, I understand where many are coming from and why the "fear" is taking them over. 

Then after I repented the Lord spoke this to me:  For years the body of Christ has asked the question, "Where is the God of Elijah?" (2 Kings 2:14)  Where is the God who parted the sea?  Who healed the sick and raise the dead?  Who did great and mighty miracles for all to see?  Where is He?  Why aren't we seeing miracles, signs and wonders?  We have been crying out to see the same things that the Prophet Elijah saw and did, and the double portion that the Prophet Elisha saw and had.  Elisha asked this question of God and waited for God to answer.  God answered by parting the Jordan River.  

Now God is the One Who is asking a question, "Where is My Church?"  (The church of the Lord Jesus Christ.)  Where are those who have been empowered to be My witnesses?  Where are those who will do greater works?  Where are those who have been delegated power and authority over all the powers of the enemy?  Where are those who know Me and are to do exploits?  Where are those who love not their lives unto death?  Where are those who show forth the praises of their God?  Where are those who tread on serpents and scorpions?  Where are those who have been given the keys of the Kingdom?  Where are those who shine as lights in a dark world?  Where are those who have the authority to bind and loose in heaven and earth?  Where are the righteous who are bold as a lion?  Where are those who do not fear the face of man? Where are they?

He showed me where they/we are through the story of David and Goliath.  (Read it for yourself- 1 Samuel 17)  Church this is where we are.  There are three characters in this story-- the Israelite army, David and Goliath.  Goliath came out daily to the Israelites and taunted them.  Church the enemy is "in our face".  The enemy is coming out daily against us with its threats just like Goliath came out and taunted the Israelites.  The pandemic, evil politicians, riots, bullies, wicked organizations, Socialism, Marxism and Communism, division and fear are coming against us.  Where are we?  Hiding like the Israelite army was.  This is the answer that God sees when He ask the question, "Where is My church?"  He sees us hiding, trying to stay out of sight, talking about the situation only, cowing down in fear, being intimidated, not making a move, being passive and hoping for some miraculous rescue or escape. 

Church it is time to decide if you are going to be like the Israelite army or like the third character-- David.  David was not passive.  He did not hide in fear.  He wasn't intimidated though the giant was bigger.  He was bold.  He had complete faith and trust in God.  He would not let this giant blaspheme his God.  He was fearless.  He did not back down.  He had faith in God's ability to bring down this giant. 

The Bible says that the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.  It doesn't say we sit back on feathery beds of ease and hope for the best.  I am NOT advocating violence-- please hear me.  I am NOT telling you to pick up a weapon and use it.  (Our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of even strongholds.)  Our weapons are spiritual weapons because our battle is a spiritual battle.  I am not telling you to go beat people up, it's not that kind of violence the Bible is talking about.  (We don't fight against flesh and blood (people), but principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness.) Jesus Himself said that if you live by the sword you will die by the sword.  What I am saying is that we need to be like David, he drew near to the giant-- he didn't wait for him to draw near.  He went out and met Goliath.  He didn't stand on the sidelines watching like the army did.  It's time we stop hiding in fear and cowing down when the battle is in front of us.  It's time to stop being wishy-washy, lukewarm or compromised.  It's time to stand up for the Lord and on His side.  If you are a Christian, the Greater One lives in you.  The worse that can happen is that you die--  if you're right with God that is your passage way into your eternal home.  Plus the Bible tells us not to fear him who can destroy only the body but He who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  We are in a battle just like David, the Israelite army and Goliath.  We keep saying we are in a battle to protect our country and freedoms (we are), but we are in a greater battle.  We are in a battle for the eternal souls of mankind.  If we keep cowing down, if we keep hiding in fear, souls will be lost-- they will remain prisoners of the devil and sin.  Hell will get fuller and fuller enlarging its mouth with the eternal souls of people.  Church, stop being fearful.  We are suppose to be crucified with Christ, taking up our crosses daily.  We have lost our Holy Ghost backbone and it's time to repent and get it back!!  Get out in the battle.  Get in the trenches.  Pray and pray and pray, then put action and faith behind your prayers--- stand boldly and proclaim the gospel.  Reach the prisoners.  Reach the wicked.  Reach your family.  Reach your friends.  Reach your co-workers.  Reach the strangers.  Reach people and don't let anything/anyone stop you. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.  The end time harvest will never be gathered if we are too afraid of getting into the harvest field-- afraid of a virus, afraid of rioters, afraid of unjust laws, afraid of the words, opinions and actions of men.  Jesus wasn't afraid, and He lives in us.  The disciples weren't afraid, and they turned their world upside down-- even in persecution, may I add.  Be fearless.  Remember the Lord is with you.  He will strengthen you.  He has empowered you by His Spirit.  He will fight for you.  David didn't go out and fight the giant in his own strength and might, he went out in the Name of the Lord.  The Name that is above all other names.  Are you going to be like the Israelite army-- they were called by the name "army" but didn't act like it?  We are called Christians but are we acting like it?  Are you going to be like David-- strong in the Lord and the power of His might and fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord like the waters that cover the sea?  How will you answer the question that God is asking, "Where is My church?".

The Israelite army was distracted by the giant's size, his threats, intimidation and fear.  They were distracted from their identity-- they were the Israelite (God's chosen people) army (soldiers).  They were distracted from God's identity-- the Almighty, Ruler, Creator, All Powerful God, the One who promised victory and fought the battles for them.  Are we being distracted by fear, threats, bullying and intimidation from our identity-- children of the Most High God, more than conquerors?  Are we being distracted from remembering the identity of God (Who He is)-- the One who is still in control and able to work all things together for the good?  

It is time to pray up, step up, speak up and stand up for the sake of the lost, for the sake of the Kingdom and for our own sake.      

References:
1 Samuel 17
2 Kings 2:14
Matthew 11:12
2 Corinthians 10:4
Habakkuk 2:14
Isaiah 5:14
Luke 10:19
Ephesians 6:10
Philippians 2:9
1 John 4:4

"Near The Brokenhearted"

"Near The Brokenhearted"

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18

Who hasn't ever suffered a broken heart? We all have at one time or other in our lives. Our hearts have been broken because of the passing of a loved one. Our children have a tendency to break our hearts. A spouse can do it by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. When we look at the condition of those who are suffering, it can break our hearts. We can even make a bad choice that winds up causing us heartache in the end.

Because a broken heart is something that cannot be seen with the naked eye, many people suffer privately from broken hearts and no one knows it. Perhaps you are suffering from a broken heart this morning. If you are, you are not alone. Your suffering may be hid from others, but it is not hid from the Lord. He sees your broken heart. He sees the pain. He sees the turmoil. And when we say He sees it, He isn't seeing it from a distance. He sees it up-close. "The Lord is nigh (near) unto them that are of a broken heart." One version puts it this way, "If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there."

Why did He give us the verse above? To let us know that when we are suffering, when we are hurting, when we are "dying" on the inside, when we ache with pain that isn't detectable with the human eye, but is very real nevertheless, He is right there beside us. He is with you this morning. He is right there. Let Him comfort you. Let Him heal you. Let Him mend and bind up your broken heart. Give the pain to Him. Give the hurt to Him. And remember that you are not alone.

Have a great day. The Lord sees your broken heart and is right there beside you.

For further reading:
Isaiah 61:1
Psalm 147:3

"Headship"

"Headship"

"Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all." 1 Chronicles 29:11

"Thou art exalted as head above all." Most versions read, "Head over all". Being head over all means headship. The dictionary defines 'headship' as: the position of head or chief; chief authority; leadership; supremacy.

Where does the Lord, according to the verse above, have the headship? Is it just in the Christian nations? Is it just in the church? Is it just in ministries? Is it just in the Christians? His headship is to be "over all". Is it recognized and accepted everywhere? The answer, of course, is no. It is understandable when it is not accepted in the nations' governments, or secular places of business, entertainment or educational facilities. But when His headship is not accepted in the church, there is something wrong.

Jesus is the Head of the Church... or should be. Are we pushing Him out of this position by our programs? Are we pushing Him out by embracing our own philosophies? Are we pushing Him out by leaning to our own understanding of how this "organization" should be run? Are we pushing Him out by compromising and watering down His word? Are we pushing Him out by our obedience to man over Him?

Let me take it a step further. Jesus is the Head of each individual believer.... or should be. I have to ask you the same thing. Are you pushing Him out of His rightful position as Head of your life by making your own plans, following your own agenda, directing your own steps, by not acknowledging Him in your decisions? Are you taking the place of "headship" in your own life by sitting in the "driver's seat" and making Him the passenger? In the order of things in your life, who is the servant- you or Him? Do you obey and follow His instructions and commands, or live as if He is the "errand boy" who is there to fulfill all your wants and desires? Are you proceeding with your plans or His plans? (The answer to these questions help you determine who is the Head of your life.)

The fact is, we are all going to have a "head" that takes the leadership role of our lives. That head is either going to be ourselves or the Lord. If we take the headship role of our own lives, we will die- plan and simple. If we try to take "co-headship" of our lives with the Lord we wind up with a life of chaos and confusion and will still die. If He takes the headship role in our lives we will live and are truly identified as His children.

Have a great day. Having a "head" is not an option-- someone or something will be it.  Who has the "headship" of your life?

For further reading:
Ephesians 1:22; 5:23
Matthew 16:24

"Behind Bars"

"Behind Bars"

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Isaiah 61:1

"Opening of the prison to them that are bound." There is more than one kind of prisoner. There are those who are literally, physically sitting behind bars. Then there are those who are sitting behind bars that cannot be seen with the naked eye. When we think about those prisoners, we usually think about people who are prisoners of sin- they have not yet received salvation. We also think about those who are bound by some sort of addiction. But there are others who are also prisoners and bound by things that aren't so obvious.

There are people, even Christians, who are sitting in prisons of fear- fear of rejection, fear of peoples' opinions, fear of failure, fear of success. Then there are others who are sitting in prisons of chaos and confusion. They have no direction. They don't know what to do. They have no peace and are living in turmoil. Turmoil brought on by others. Turmoil brought on by unwise decisions. Confusion because they try to live according to their own understanding and guidance. There are also people who are sitting in prisons of bitterness and unforgiveness. They can't let go of what someone did to them or said about them. They keep rehearsing and rehearsing the thing that was done or said and won't stop dwelling on it. You will also find those who are in prisons of hurt and pain. They were wounded by someone's words or actions and they are still grieving over it.

The difference between these prisoners and those who are sitting behind steel bars is the fact that those who aren't behind the literal bars often don't realize that they are in a prison because they can't "see" it. Are you one of those people? Are you limited in your ability to "move forward"? Are you wondering why you can't make any progress in your life? Do you wonder why you seem to reach only certain levels but can go no further? Perhaps it's because of those "prison bars" that you can't see? Being in prison always limits and confines you to a certain area. It restricts you and refrains you from going very far.

A prisoner who sits behind metal bars has to wait until he has served his time to be released-- some will never be released because they are serving a life sentence. But those who are sitting behind the bars that aren't seen have already been set free and can leave anytime they are ready. Jesus unlocked ALL the prison doors when He died on the cross and said, "It is finished". That means you are sitting behind an unlocked door. You are still sitting behind bars that have opened. Jesus already set you free. You have no reason to still be sitting in the prison. Today you can walk out of the prison. How? Confess anything you need to confess before the Lord and accept by faith His freedom.

Have a great day. Why are you still sitting behind a prison door that has already been opened? .

For further reading:
Luke 4:18-21
John 8:36
Galatians 5:1
Romans 8:21

"Foreign Language"

"Foreign Language"

"When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language." Psalm 114:1

When the Israelites were living in Egypt, they were living among people who did not speak the same language as they spoke. For the Christian this world is a "foreign land". It is not our home. We are just living here temporarily until we go home to be with our Heavenly Father. While we are here we are living among people who speak a "strange" language- a language that we do not speak, a language that should be "foreign" to us.

What is this foreign language? One of the definitions in the dictionary for "foreign" is: strange or unfamiliar. In other words, in context with what I am saying this morning, the language of the world should be unfamiliar to the Christian. It should not be a language that we speak.

I want to talk about our "language" this morning as Christians. It should not be the same as the world's language. What is the language of the world? What should the language of the Christian be? The language of the world is a language of profanity. Cursing (using cuss words) for most comes naturally. They curse about everything. The language of the Christian should not include profanity. "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:16) "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." (James 3:10) Instead our language is a language that speaks blessings. "Bless them that curse you." (Luke 6:28a)

The language of the world is one of covetousness. They are always wanting more and never satisfied. The Christian should not have covetousness in his/her vocabulary. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)

The world speaks a language of lies and flattery.  The Christian should speak truth- whether it is popular or not. "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." (Ephesians 4:15,25)

Fear, doubt and unbelief are also the languages of the world. The Christian's words should be words of faith. "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach." (Romans 10:8) "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done." (Matthew 21:21)

There are many more languages that the world speaks that I don't have time to list. But the Christian language is different and should be different than the world. I am not talking about the terminology that we use, I am talking about the words we say. Our language is a language of praise, thanksgiving, faith, blessings, edification, truth and should be well seasoned with grace and love.

When Peter sat around the fire the night he betrayed Jesus, he was accused of being a disciple of Jesus because of his speech- his speech gave him away. Does your speech give you away this morning as a follower of Jesus? Is it foreign to the language/speech of the world? Or does it identify you more with the world than it does with being a Christian? "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile." (1 Peter 3:10) "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it." (Ephesians 4:29- Amplified Bible)

Have a great day. What language do you speak?

For further reading:
1 Timothy 6:6,20
Philippians 4:11
Ephesians 5:2-4
2 Corinthians 12:20
Colossians 4:5
Matthew 26:73

"Running Or Following?

"Running Or Following?

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

The Lord's desire is that we follow Him. His requirement for those who put their trust and faith in Him as Savior is that we follow Him. When He chose His disciples, His words to them were, "Follow Me". His desire, message, plan and requirement for us today has not changed. It is the same- "Follow Me".

I have a question for you, "How can you follow Him and run from Him at the same time?" You can't. It is impossible to follow someone and run from them also. To follow them means you are going in the same direction they are going and moving toward them. Running from them means you are going in the opposite direction and away from them.

We think that only sinners run from God. We think that only those who are not saved and born again are the ones who are running from God. We tend to think that those who aren't His children by faith in Jesus Christ are the only ones who are running from Him. That isn't necessarily true. When we are "running" from the will of God, we are not following Him. When we are "running" from obedience to His commandments, we are not following Him. When we are "running" from His plan for our lives, we are not following Him. Jonah was God's prophet yet he stopped following God when he ran from God's plan for him to go and preach in Nineveh. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was faced with the decision to follow God or run from Him. "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39)

As I said earlier, you can't follow someone and run from them at the same time. It is just not possible. So this morning, are you following the Lord or running from Him? Are you following Him in loving obedience, in surrender, in self denial? Are you following His will and purpose for your life? Or are you running from Him by following your own dreams and plans? Are you running by putting your own desires above Him? You can't do both.

Have a great day. Are you a follower who is following?

for further reading:
Matthew 8:22; 9:9; 19:21
John 1:43; 10:27; 21:19
Jonah 1:1-3
1 Samuel 15:11

"Following To The Cross"

"Following To The Cross"

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, they each left something behind in order to do so. Peter left his fishing nets. James and John left their father. Matthew left his position as tax collector. They followed Him for three years. They followed the miracles. They followed His teachings. They followed with the crowds. They followed Him into the cities, by the seashore and through the desert. But when they got to the cross- to the place of crucifixion- they didn't follow Him. Instead they turned and fled. "And they all forsook him, and fled." (Mark 14:50)

Jesus' whole life on earth was headed in one direction- to the cross. He was on a journey from the manger to Calvary. When He invited the disciples to follow Him, He knew He was going to the cross and as long as they followed Him they would wind up there too.

Many today are like the disciples- they follow Jesus' miracles, they follow His blessings, they follow Him for what He can do for them and give them. And like those original disciples, they too stop following at the cross.

Most Christians, like the disciples, don't realize that Jesus is leading them "to the cross" and the place of crucifixion- although He told us that when we chose to follow Him. "Take up your cross." There is only one thing that you can do with a cross once it is taken up if you are truly following Jesus- die on it!

This death on the "cross" doesn't necessarily mean literally- as in the death of a martyr, although it might. But the cross is a place of crucifixion of self. It is the place where our flesh dies-- dies to self will, dies to the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, our agendas, self-centeredness, selfishness, etc. Every one who is following in the steps of Jesus is heading in the same direction He was headed. Every follower of Jesus is being led to the place of the cross in his or her own individual life. The goal He has planned for us is the cross- not so that we can be the Savior of the world as He was. But so that our flesh can die and His life can be manifested through us. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Have a great day. Many follow Jesus' miracles and blessings, but they stop following at the cross. How far and to where will you follow Him?

For further reading:
Matthew 4:19-21; 9:9; 10:38
John 18:37
2 Corinthians 4:10,11