"Who Are You, Lord?"

"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:4,5

Let's look this morning at the life of Saul (Paul). If ever there was a religious person he was one, and had the credentials to prove it. "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless." (Philippians 3:5,6) Paul served his religion well even defending it to the point of persecuting those who did not follow it. But he didn't know "who" he was following. When he had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (while on his way to fulfill his religious duties), he had to ask Him, "Who are you?"

A person can be regular in their church attendance, serve in different areas of the church, do all those things we consider religious, follow a religious code, be involved in certain religious practices, fulfill their religious duties and still not know who Jesus is? Saul claimed to serve God but he didn't know the One he was serving. "Who are you, Lord? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting."

Are you one of those people this morning? You faithfully attend church; you are involved in all its activities; you support it with your giving, yet that is all it is to you- religious ritual, duty and obligation. Your religious service means nothing if you don't know the one you are serving. Saul didn't know Jesus, therefore, his religious service meant nothing and it was ill-directed. Do you know Jesus? Do you know who He is? Do you have a personal relationship with Him?

Have a great day. It is possible to serve a religious code of ethics- church attendance, giving, etc.- and still not know Jesus.

For further reading:
Acts 8:1-3
Matthew 7:21-23
Mark 7:5,6

"The Good Part"

"But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42

We use the term the "good part" to describe many things. When I would read to my daughter when she was little, she would want me to get to the "good part" of the story. When sharing exciting news with someone, we can hardly wait to tell them the "good part" of our news.

When I think about all that the Lord has done for me, I think about His wonderful grace and mercy. I think about the blessings that He sends my way. I think about His goodness and faithfulness towards me. But that is not what is the "really good part" of my salvation experience. The "good part" is that not only are my sins forgiven and I have eternal life, but I have a relationship with the Lord. That is the "good part" of Christianity.. or should I say, "the best part". Knowing that I am His child and that I can come to Him; knowing that I can walk and talk with Him; knowing that I have the privilege to worship Him; knowing His embrace; having fellowship with Him-- that is the "good part".

He could have just save us then left us to be on our own, but He didn't. He saved us and then brought us into His family and in right relationship with Himself. He didn't put us aside, He made us His children and friends. Again, to me that's the "good part" of this wonderful gift of salvation.

Are you experiencing the "good part"? Do you just live a "saved life" or are you enjoying a personal- one on one relationship with the Lord? Is your salvation just religious experience and ritual, or do you have intimate communion with the Lord each day? Salvation is so wonderful, it is given to us by the grace of God. But, again, the best part of our salvation is that we get to be close to Him.

Have a great day. There are many "parts" to our salvation, but the "best part" is that we get to have a relationship with the Lord.

For further reading:
John 1:12; 15:15
2 Corinthians 5:19

"First Priority"

"And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils." Mark 3:14,15

Doing the work of the Lord may not always be a good thing. Let me explain. When it takes you away from the Lord Himself, it certainly is not the best thing. His first priority, will and plan for your life is to "be with Him". Even ahead of the works. The works that we do in service for the Lord- the ministry, the labors, fulfilling the call He has placed on our lives- is of great importance. Jesus did the work of the Father while He was here on earth and did not neglect it- and neither should we. But the work should always remain secondary and first place should be given to our relationship with God. When I read the verse above, this is the picture that I get. Jesus ordained the twelve (look at the order in which these verses were written), first- "that they should be with him", second, that they might go and do the works of the Kingdom. Besides how can you be effective at doing His work unless you are spending time with Him and seeking Him first. Again, Jesus always made sure that He had time alone with the Father first and then went and did the works.

When it comes to serving the Lord or drawing near into His presence, we are told that drawing into His presence is the better of the two- it's the "good part". (Remember the story of Mary and Martha.) Even Paul, one of the greatest evangelist, said his goal was "to know Him", and he was constantly pressing toward that mark-- knowing Him is the prize of the high calling.

I am not suggesting that we don't do the work of the Lord, works are a demonstration of our faith, they are part of our calling, they need to be demonstrated to the world and they glorify God. I am just reminding you that He is more important than what you do for Him. Spending time with Him is more important than spending time working for Him. Getting to know Him is more important than serving Him. Jesus came to reconcile us back into right relationship with God. And that was because He loved us so much that He wanted us to be with Him and where He was.

Have a great day. Doing the work of the Lord is good, but spending time with Him is better, and the first priority.

For further reading:
Matthew 6:33
Philippians 3:10;14
2 Corinthians 5:19
John 14:3
Luke 10:38-42

"I Don't Understand It"

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

I hear so many people say that the Bible is hard to understand. Perhaps there is a small amount of validity to that because the words of the Bible are spirit and life. Being spirit they are not understood by the natural man. But I also think people use this as an excuse when it comes to reading and applying the Bible to their lives.

Its words aren't that hard to understand. They can't be because Jesus said that we have to become like children to enter into the kingdom of heaven- children understand the "plain and simple". Since God's word is part of it, it has to be "basic" enough for a child to understand it. For example, what is so hard to understand about the verse above. It seems pretty "cut and dry", "black and white". It tells us that if we have the Son we have life, if we don't have the Son we don't have life. What is hard to understand when it says, "Do not steal, do not commit adultery"? How hard is it to comprehend when it says, "If you say you love God and hate your brother you are a liar"? Or what about, "Don't let the sun go down on your wrath; ask and receive; treat others the way you would want them to treat you; if your enemy is hungry feed him"?

The problem doesn't always lie with the "understanding" of what God's word says, it problem lies with the "doing" of what it says. Understanding that it says not to take revenge is pretty clear, but the ability to practice it may be harder when you have been done wrong. That is where our dependency on God comes in. We need His strength and grace to help us apply the teachings that we do understand.

We don't need to make excuses for not obeying the word of God by saying that we don't understand it. It is understandable and what we don't understand, God will help us to understand if we ask.

Have a great day. God's word is not hard to understand, but doing it is often what's hard.

For further reading:
Romans 12:20
Matthew 18:3
1 Corinthians 2:14
John 6:63

Merry Christmas

Coffee Break 

Merry Christmas to you and yours from our family.  May the Lord bless you abundantly!

"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.  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:7-14

Joy to the world! The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing!!

"No Ordinary Baby"

Merry Christmas from  our family to you and yours.  May the Lord bless you abundantly. Love and blessings in Christ, Lorraine

"No Ordinary Baby"

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14

The baby that was born in a manger that first Christmas morning was no ordinary baby. He was the Word that was there in the beginning. He was the Word that brought the whole universe and this earth into existence when He said, "Let there be". He was the Creator who came down from heaven and clothed Himself with the same "garment" that He clothed us His creation with--flesh, skin..

This was no an ordinary baby. There was nothing about Him that was ordinary. There was nothing about His birth that was ordinary. There was nothing about His whole life that was ordinary. And He did not come for an ordinary purpose. He was on a mission that no one but He could accomplish-- to redeem His creation from their sins.

When you look at the baby in the manger, you are not looking at just another baby. This baby was the Word that was there in the beginning; this baby was the One who spoke everything into existence; this baby existed before the earth did; this baby saw satan fall from heaven as lightening; this baby formed man out of the dust of the earth then breathed the breath of life into him and he became a living soul; this baby has always been and always will be; this baby is the one to whom every knee shall bow and tongue confess that He is Lord; this baby is the soon coming King of kings and Lord of lords; this baby is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the Author and the Finisher, the first and the last; this baby is the victorious Savior of the world; this baby will one day be the Judge of the world and all will stand before Him. Although, He may have looked like any other baby, He was not.  (And He did not and has not remained a baby.)

This Christmas don't treat Him as ordinary. Don't treat this time of celebration as ordinary. Don't treat it like just another holiday that you would celebrate. Don't give more attention to everything but the baby that was born that first Christmas morn. That baby was also a gift that was given for you. (John 3;16). Don't treat the gift as ordinary.

Have a great day. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) --- No ordinary baby.

For further reading:
John 1:1-3
Genesis 1:1-3, 26,27
Isaiah 9:6
Luke 1:26-31

"Just Stand"

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

Some times the only course of action you can take is to "just stand". When you have said all that can be said, when you have done all that you can do, when you have prayed all you know to pray, when you have fasted, when you have bound and loosened every thing that you are aware of, then you have reached the place where you have to "just stand".

At that point all you can do is just stand- stand on God's faithfulness, stand on His promises. When we know He has truly spoken to us, but we don't see any evidence or hope of the fulfillment of His word, we have to just stand. God is faithful. He is not a man that He should lie. He remains faithful even when we aren't. His word will not pass away. It will not return to Him empty. It will accomplish what He sends it to do.

Have you reached that place? There seems to be nothing else you can do? Then "just stand". Stand in faith on God's promises. Rest in Him. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.

Have a great day. When you have done all you can do, then "just stand".

For further reading:
2 Timothy 2:13
Exodus 14:13
Hebrews 10:23

"In The Appointed Place"

"In The Appointed Place"

"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem." 2 Samuel 11:1

David was the king, he was suppose to be out in the battle with his men, but instead he was at home in his palace in Jerusalem.  While he was at the palace, he walked out on his roof and saw Bathsheba bathing.  She was beautiful and he sent for her.  If you remember the story, Bathsheba got pregnant and David had her husband killed trying to hide his sin.  

David was not in his appointed place.  He should have been in the battle.  Instead he was at ease in his home.  Because he was not where he should have been, he put himself in a position to be tempted and ultimately sin.  

There is a lesson and a warning for us in this account.  We all have a God-appointed position.  We have been appointed to do battle (spiritual battle).  God didn't call us to be "at ease in Zion".  He didn't call us to set comfortably on our couches doing nothing.  He called us to be in the trenches fighting spiritual warfare.  He called us to pull down strongholds, to fight the good fight of faith, to violently take the kingdom by force, to bind principalities, to loosen power from on high, to tread on serpents and be victorious over all the powers of the enemy.  

Are you in your appointed place?  Are you on the battlefield?  If not, you are setting yourself up to be tempted and heading for a fall.  Being in the battle will put you in the place where you should be and it will not give the enemy a chance to tempt you and cause you to fall.

Have a great day.  Get in the trenches and get off your comfortable beds of ease.  

"Spiritual Activity"

"Spiritual Activity"

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."  Luke 2:13,14

At the first coming of the Lord Jesus to earth as a babe in the manger, there was a lot of activity taking place in the spirit realm.  Angels were being dispatched, the Holy Spirit was moving, demonic forces were at work. Before Jesus' second coming there will be a lot of activity taking place in the spirit realm as well.  We are at that time in history.  The stage is being set for the return of Christ.  Therefore, there is a lot of activity happening now in the spirit realm. 

If you think what is happening now is about the Democrats and the Republicans, you are mistaken.  If you think it is only about the election, you are mistaken.  If you think it is about a virus and a vaccine, you are mistaken there as well.  There is a spiritual battle that is taking place behind what we see happening in the natural realm.  It is not about flesh and blood, or personalities. It is about good verses evil, wickedness verses righteousness.  It is about a devil who knows his time is short and is at work trying to deceive and destroy all he can.  It is about prophecy being fulfilled.  It is about a bride that is being prepared for the return of her King/Groom.  It is about separating the sheep from the goats and the wheat from the tares.  

Church, if you stay focused on the things you see and hear-- through the news media, through the medical profession, through politicians, through misguided leaders, through evil men and women-- you are going to miss the truth of what is actually going on.  You are not going to be prepared for what lies ahead.  You are not going to engage in the battle that is raging in the heavenlies.  The Bible says the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.  The body of Christ is an army.  An army that is suppose to be fighting battles.  Battles are being waged in the spirit realm. Hell has unleashed an army that is going about deceiving, manipulating, destroying, lying, spewing out threats, intimidating, cheating, promoting fear, bringing division, killing and inciting rebellion.  Are we, church, going to sit idly by and do nothing?  Are we going to continue to focus on the natural realm?  We need to fall on our faces and repent for judging everything by appearance.  We need to repent for not doing what we are called to do.  We need to repent for not understanding the times in which we are living. We need to pick up our weapon of prayer and begin to intercede like never before.  We need to pray that the scales would fall from our eyes so that we can see the truth.  We need to pray for discernment and wisdom.  We need to pray to have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying.  Ask the Lord to allow you to see into the spirit realm.  You will see that it is a very busy place.  Therefore, we need to get busy and seek the Lord and be led by Him in engaging in the battle.  

Have a great day.  Stop staying focused on what you see and hear in the natural, and pray to have eyes and ears that will see and hear into the spirit realm.   

"Pray And Trust"

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6

Often the advice we give to others, or is given to us, when they are going through a situation is- just pray about it. That is not bad advice, we should pray. We need to acknowledge God as our source of help and bring Him into our situation- we can't solve our own problem, or do it on our own, we need Him. We need His counsel, His strength, His wisdom, His answer.

Recently, I was talking with someone who has been going through a very trying time and I keep telling that person to pray about it-- ask God to guide you and intervene on your behalf. After I got off the phone with that person, having repeated to them again this same advice, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "Prayer and trust are not the same thing." Anyone can pray but it doesn't mean that there is trust (faith) behind their prayer. We need to pray, but just praying about it is not enough- we must trust Him to answer. It's one thing to "pray" to God for the answer, it is another thing to "trust" God for the answer. Prayer has to be coupled with faith.

We need to pray. We need to talk to God about our need. We need to ask Him to send the needed provision. But we also need to trust Him to do so. When you pray, are you also trusting Him to answer? Or are you praying in hopes that He will do something on your behalf in answer to your prayer?

Have a great day. When you are praying about God sending provision to meet your need, are you just praying or are you trusting Him to do it?

For further reading:
Hebrews 11:1; 4:2
Mark 11:24
John 16:24
Matthew 7:7

"The Parade"

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15

Normally, during the holidays there are lots of parades-- Thanksgiving parades, Christmas parades. Some parades are simple, some are more elaborate, some feature the floats, others feature bands and some have a variety of attractions.  

There was a "parade" that was held a couple of thousand years ago that had no elaborate floats, no bands, no cars, no horses, no singing, yet there has never been one to top it. It was the parade of parades and it only had two participants.

This parade was the one that the Father organized. It had a theme. Its theme was Jesus' victory over satan. It was held in the courts of heaven, before all the spirit world- angels, principalities, demons, and all other powers. Each time I read the verse above, that is the picture that comes to mind-- Jesus leading satan by a rope around his neck, parading His victory over him for all to see.

This morning, may I remind you that Jesus is the Victor, satan is the loser! Jesus defeated him and had a parade to prove it. So don't let the devil make you think that he has won and that he is more powerful. Jesus won! He is All-Powerful. He got the victory and He got it on the devil's own playing field. So you should be having a "parade" of your own now. A parade of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus. A parade to remind the devil that he is defeated and has no power over your life any longer because of Jesus' victory!

Have a great day. Jesus defeated the devil and then had a parade to prove it.

For further reading;
Psalm 98:1
1 John 3:8
Ephesians 1:22
Matthew 28:18
2 Corinthians 2:14

"Redeem The Time"

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16

Am I the only one who is finding it hard to believe that it is the middle of December already? We are gearing up for Christmas and it seems like we just celebrated Christmas! Where did the year go?! The days keeping moving along faster and faster. Time seems to be accelerated- it is the end of the week before you know it. Time certainly waits for no one.

In light of that fact, what should we be doing with our time? A man once told me that "time is the stuff that life is made up of". How true. And once it is gone it is gone, never to be regained again. We can't call back the years, the days or even the last minute. That being the case, we need to make a practice of redeeming the time that we have.

To redeem the time basically means to use our time wisely and buy up every moment that we have. As the saying goes, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." When we as Christians think about redeeming the time, we shouldn't be thinking only of the moment and what is done in this life. We should think in terms of eternity. This life will pass, but there is an eternity that awaits all of us. And what we do now has a bearing on eternity. Therefore, not only do we need to "buy it up" but also invest it wisely- in such a way were we will reap eternal benefits.

Are you redeeming the time or wasting it? Are you squandering it on things that are valueless? Do you let the hours pass through your fingers by using them on selfish, self-centered gain and entertainment? Are you taking advantage of the time by doing something that will bring eternal benefits? Are you using your time to honor and glorify God- the One who gives you time? Examine your life and see just how much time you spend on things that only waste it and on the things that are productive- especially eternally productive.

Have a great day. Redeem the time by buying up every opportunity to invest in eternity.

For further reading:
Colossians 4:5
Amos 9:13
Matthew 6:19,20
Romans 12:11
Proverbs 18:9

"What Are You Seeking?"

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

We have gotten it backward in Christianity. We spend our time seeking and pursuing the blessings and prosperity. The Bible never tells 

us to chase blessings-- it says that the blessings will chase us. It never tells us to pursue prosperity or success. It tells us one thing- seek 

God's kingdom and His righteousness. 

When we seek God's kingdom and His righteousness, then the blessings, the provisions, success and true prosperity automatically come into our life. Let me give you another scripture. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Joshua 1:8) How do we become successful? Is it by pursuing success? Is it by chasing after it? Do we become prosperous by being determined to become prosperous? That's not what this verse says. You don't chase success and prosperity in order to become successful and prosperous-- you keep God's law! You keep it in your mouth, you meditate on it day and night, you observe to do all that is written in it (you obey it). When you do this--- THEN--- you will make your way prosperous and have good success. (This is the same 

thing as seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.)

The verse above said to seek God FIRST- not last, not behind seeking blessings, not behind pursuing prosperity... but first. When you do this all the things that you need, all the blessings that God has for you, real success and true prosperity will be a by product. 

If you are pursuing and seeking anything above God, then you will never reach the place of being successful. If you are seeking after these things, then you have your priorities all wrong. You need to get them in line and in the proper order--- behind God, not in front of Him. 

Have a great day. When we get things in the proper order, everything else will fall into place. 

"Show It"

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8

In a children's song that we used to sing when I was going up, there is a line that says, "If you're saved and you know it, then your life will surely show it".

Even as a child I was taught that what I do and say should match. Nowadays, we don't seem to put much emphasis on that anymore. In most Christian circles the emphasis is on the "profession" instead of the "lifestyle". The Bible preaches that the emphasis should be on the lifestyle. The Bible talks about holy living, shunning evil, presenting your body as a living sacrifice, being the temple of the Spirit, denying self, imitating the Father, and so on.

"If you're saved and you know it, then your life will surely show it". I just wonder when I hear people say that they are a Christian but they live like the devil. Where is holiness? Where is righteous living? Where is morality? Where is integrity? They curse, they cheat, they commit adultery, they are involved in sinful habits, they are hardhearted and unforgiving.

"If you're saved and you know it, then your life will surely show it". If you are truly saved then there should be no doubt in the minds of those who know you. (And not just because you say you are saved.) If you are truly saved there will be evidence in your lifestyle to attest to that fact. If you are truly saved it will be reflected in what you do. Your whole nature is different. Your attitude will change. Your speech will reflect it. Your likes and dislikes will not be the same. You have been translated from darkness to light. There is a different way of living when you live in the light then there was when you lived in the dark.

Have a great day. "If you're saved and you know it, then your life will surely show it".

For further reading:
Matthew 7:16-20
1 Peter 1:16
Ephesians 4:24; 5:1
2 Corinthians 7:1
1 Thessalonians 4:7

"Stolen Crown - Part 2"

"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Revelation 3:11

"That no man take thy crown." Yesterday we addressed this warning not to let any man take (steal) our crown. We said there were two main ways that our crown could be "stolen" from us. The first we talked about was through hurt and offense. Many have turned away from the Lord because of something that someone else did to them and they are blaming God for it.

This morning I want to talk about the second way. Our crown can be taken from us through deception. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1) The devil is a master deceiver- he was a deceiver at the very beginning in the Garden of Eden and he still will be at the end; the Book of Revelation tells us that. He comes to us with lies that are wrapped up in beautiful packages. Those lies appeal to the flesh- they tell us what we want to hear. They sound like the answer, they sound like the truth, they seem to "make sense" but they are a mixture of what is true and what is false. Therefore, it makes the whole thing false. "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." (Galatians 5:9)

Beware of what you hear. It may sound right, but does it line up with God's word. Does scripture back it up? Just because it is a popular teaching, just because it is taught by well known respected people, just because everyone else is teaching it, just because it is the newest thing coming down the pike, doesn't mean that it is the truth. In the Book of Acts it is recorded that when Paul was in Thyatira that a young lady followed them proclaiming that they were sent from the most high God to show them the way of salvation. That sounded good, that was their mission, but the young lady was demon possessed and being influenced by demons. Am I saying that everything we hear is false or inspired by demons? Of course not, but I am saying that it doesn't matter how good or how popular the teaching sounds, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is the truth or that it is from God.

We have been given strict warnings in the scriptures, especially concerning the last days, to be on guard and not be deceived. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3,4) If ever there was a time when this was true it is now. So many don't know what they believe, or why they believe what they believe, or they believe anything and everything. That is detrimental to our spiritual well being. It can steal our crown of life.

How do we keep that from happening? Jesus said that when we know the truth it will set us free - free from deception. And what is this truth that will set us free? "Thy word is truth".

Have a great day. Don't let anyone steal your crown of life by deceiving you into believing that what is false is the truth.

For further reading:
Acts 16:16-18
2 Timothy 4:1-4
John 8:32; 7:17
Matthew 24:24

"Stolen Crown- Part 1"

"Stolen Crown- Part 1"

"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Revelation 3:11

"That no man take thy crown". What is this crown that He is talking about? It is the eternal blessedness that will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ- who have endured to the end, who have fought the good fight and finished the race; it is the reward of righteousness. Literally, it is the "crown of life".

Can it be taken from us? Evidently, or He would not have issued us this warning. Since it is possible and we are warned to protect it, just how can our crown be "stolen"? There are two main ways that I want to talk about. I will cover one this morning and the other in the morning.

We know that the thief is the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. He is ultimately behind the scheme to steal our crowns. The word for "man" here- "let no man"- is translated: nobody, no one, nothing, not anything. So the warning is not to let anything or anyone take your crown- including those people who satan uses to try to do it.

The first way I want to talk about this morning is through hurt and offense. I have seen people who were on fire for the Lord, active in their church, witnessing for Christ, following His teachings and example, turn from God and have nothing more to do with Him because someone in the church said something or did something to them. These people may have talked bad about them, they may have rejected them, they may have been hypocritical in front of them, they may have turned their back on them in their time of need and as a result this person got offended, got their feelings hurt, got angry and no longer attends church or follows the Lord. The have become bitter, resentful, pious and unforgiving. But sadly, they are "taking it out on God" as if He was the one who did it to them. They are blaming Him for what someone else did. They are taking it out on Him by not attending His house any more, by not following His commands, by living in unforgiveness and by no longer worshipping Him.

How to guard against our crown being taken from us? "And this know, that if the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through." (Luke 12:39) First, don't be ignorant- know that offenses are going to come and the enemy is out to destroy you anyway he can. Second, when he does come, realize that it is him and not the person. Thirdly, since we have the responsibility to not allow our crown to be taken, go to God immediately with the offense (don't let it linger), submit the hurt to Him, ask for His strength and grace to "turn the other cheek" (or do whatever is needed), forgive that person, use your spiritual weapons to fight the real enemy behind it.

Are you that person that I am talking about? If so, then you need to return to the Lord. Please don't keep staying away from Him because of what someone else did. Go to Him and ask Him to restore you to fellowship with Him and the body of Christ. Repent for holding on to a grudge, anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. Ask for His forgiveness so that you can be forgiven as well. The bottom line is do whatever you have to do to make it right with God so that your crown of life is not taken from you. Nothing else matters, and nothing else is more important.

Have a great day. Don't let any one take your crown because of hurt or offense.

For further reading:
Matthew 10:22; 6:14,15
Ephesians 6:12,13
2 Timothy 4:7,8
1 Timothy 6:12
John 10:10

"Selective Hearing"

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 11:15

Have you ever heard the term "selective hearing"? There are several men that I know who have selective hearing... if you don't believe me, just ask their wives. They have earned this title because they seem to hear only what they want to hear. Actually, men aren't the only ones who do that, they just seem to be better at it.

I wonder if we don't all have selective hearing when it comes to listening to God. We tend to pick and choose what we want to hear from Him and what we don't. We are "all ears" when He tells us good things and what we want to hear. We listen attentively when He speaks blessings and prosperity to us. But when He tells us something we don't want to hear, when His words tell us to deny ourselves or His answer to our question is either "no" or "wait", we stop listening.

Husbands may get away with selective hearing when it comes to listening to their wives. Wives may get away with it when it comes to listening to their husbands. We all may get away with it when it comes to listening to others, but when it comes to listening to God it won't work. It is always in our best interest, regardless of whether we want to hear what He is saying or not, to listen attentively to Him. Listening to all He has to say is imperative to our spiritual well being, to our relationship with Him and our very life.

We may pick and choose who we want and don't want to listen to, we may pick and choose what we want and don't want to hear, but when it comes to listening to the Lord, we really don't have a choice.. we must hear what He says.

Have a great day. We cannot afford to have selective hearing when it comes to hearing what the Lord is saying.

For further reading:
Exodus 15:26
Proverbs 4:20
Jeremiah 17:23
1 Corinthians 14:21

"Heavy Laden"

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Are you heavy laden this morning? Are you carry a burden? Are you loaded down with cares? Do you feel like you are being buried alive by the weight that you are under? Then I want to bring you a message of hope this morning.

You don't have to continue to carry that heavy burden. You have an invitation from Jesus to bring it to Him. And not only did He give you an invitation to bring it to Him, He also gave you the opportunity to make an exchange. You can exchange your heavy one for His light one.

But there is a condition-- you have to make the choice to come to Him with it. You have to make the choice to receive His light one in place of your heavy one. There is no need for you to carry around that burden any longer. He invites and is waiting for you to come to Him and let Him take it, give you rest, and replace it with His light one which is love, joy and peace.

Have a great day. Are you tired of carrying around that heavy burden? Jesus invites you to bring it to Him.

For further reading:
Matthew 11:28-30
1 Peter 5:7
John 14:27

"God Has A Plan"

"Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." Genesis 45:5

Are you going through a situation this morning that you can't figure out? Are you wondering how you are going to make it? Are you fearful of the outcome? Do things look hopeless? Are you wondering how you are going to get out of it? Be encouraged this morning. You may not understand it, you may not have it under control, you may not be able to figure it all out, but you don't have to-- God has a plan.

When the Israelites were hemmed in between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, they didn't know what they were going to do but God had a plan. He planned to open up the sea, bring them through safety and destroy their enemy at the same time. When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, he didn't know what the outcome was going to be, but God had a plan. He planned to shut the lions' mouths and protect him. When the three Hebrews were thrown into the fiery furnace, God had a plan. He planned to be with them in the fire and keep the flame from kindling upon them. When Paul was cast into prison, God still had a plan. A plan to give Paul revelation and insight about Himself to share with us through His written word. When Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, God had a plan. His plan was to save the nation of Israel. When mankind fell in the Garden of Eden and brought sin and death into the world- God had a plan. His plan was to send a Savior- His own Son.

Whatever you may be going through this morning don't worry, don't fret, don't be anxious or fearful because while you may not understand it all or see anything good--- God has a plan. His plan may be to reveal who He is to you in a greater way than ever before. It may be to work out His likeness in you. His plan may be to use what you are going through as a testimony to someone else. Who knows what His plan may be- His ways are not our ways and neither are His thoughts our thoughts. But know this-- things don't just happen, our trials are not in vain and when they come- God has a plan. And His plan is to "work all things together for your good".

Have a great day. When you don't understand it, when you can't figure it out, when you don't know what you are going to do, just remember-- God has a plan so don't worry... just simply trust Him.  

For further reading:
Isaiah 55:8,9
Romans 8:28

"Do It Now"

"Do It Now"

"Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." Matthew 4:7

Lately I have been talking about how our thoughts and emotions are connected. The other week I shared a personal experience with you of how the enemy tried to attack me and use my thoughts to manipulate my emotions. I also shared how I overcame and got victory- which was by immediately doing something about those thoughts.

The key to victory over the attack of the enemy, over temptation, over thoughts that pull us down is to take care of and deal with it immediately. You can not just ignore the devil. You can't try to sweep the temptation under the rug an expect it to go away. You can't pretend that it isn't there. You can't try to just "stop up your ears". You have to do something about it and the sooner the better.

Jesus never ignored the devil. He dealt with him each and every time he came to tempt Him. In the wilderness Jesus dealt with him in each of the three temptations. When the devil tried to use Peter to keep Jesus from going to the cross, He dealt with it right then and there. Through His example we learn that we must too.

Are you ignoring the enemy? Are you just turning your back on him hoping he will go away? Or are you dealing with him through prayer and through your spiritual weapons? You have been given everything you need to be victorious over him. So don't ignore him, face him, use your authority over him. And remember that through Christ you are more than a conqueror.

Have a great day. When you are in the temptation, that is the time to deal with it.

For further reading:
Matthew 16:23
Romans 8:37
Matthew 4:1-11

Doing What You Hear

Doing What You Hear

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22

Thank you all for your prayers for my husband during his surgery.  The whole ordeal was a longer process than we had anticipated.  It truly was a trying time.  It still isn't behind us yet.  The recovery and after care that he needs consumes the biggest portion of our time each day and will due to the medicines he has to be given for several weeks.  But hopefully, I will be able to resume sending out the devotional again daily. 

Have you ever noticed how when you teach/preach a particular message, or even hear one, you seem to find yourself in a position where you are "living it".  That's how it has been with this whole ordeal concerning his surgery.  The last message I sent out was concerning our thoughts and how they will manipulate our emotions.  Well, I can promise you that our hospital stay certainly was an emotional roller coaster because of all we had to deal with. 

It's one thing to preach/teach/hear a word, it is another to walk it out and apply it to your life.  But if we are going to live a victorious life, if we are going to stay strong, if we are going to hold fast to our confidence in the Lord, if we are going to stay in peace, then we have to do what James said-- be doers of the word and not hearers only.  Real peace, joy, strength, wisdom, faith, victory come from applying and walking in the word that we hear.  When we don't, the circumstances we face will discourage us, they will steal our joy, they will rob us of our peace, we will feel helpless and defeated, we will be in confusion, we will respond in wrong ways and make wrong decisions based on our emotions instead of the truth of God's Word. 

So when you hear a word, take that word to heart, hide it in your heart. It is like "ammo" in your spiritual weapons so that when the trial arises, and it will, you will already be prepared and know how to handle it.

Have a great day.  Heed the word you hear and apply it.