"A Special Plan"

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

When my granddaughter was around four years old, I taught her a simple little phrase:  "God has a plan for me, and it's a good plan." (I was always telling her about the Lord.) I would keep repeating it to her and have her repeat it back to me. (I wanted her to learn early in life that God does have a plan and purpose for her.) I did this several times, repeating this same short sentence, and having her repeat it back to me. One day I looked at her and said, "God has a plan for me, and it's a good plan." She repeated it. Then she wanted me to repeat it after her, only she reworded it. She said, "God has a plan for me, and it's a special plan." Talk about "out of the mouth of babes"! I did not correct her, I told her she was very right. He not only has a good plan for her life but it is a special plan. A plan uniquely designed for her. The plan God has for her life is special. He has called her to fulfill it, and her alone.

God has a special plan for your life. One that is unique to you. He has called you for a specific purpose. No one else can do it- just you. God had a special plan for Moses. He had a special plan in mind for Esther. He had a special plan for Peter. He has a special plan for you too. There may be millions and millions of people living on planet earth, but God knows us each one individually and has a special, specific plan designed just for us. I don't know what His "special" plan is for you, but there is one-- you aren't just here to take up space or by accident. So be encouraged and know that He has a plan.

Have a great day. Repeat after me, "God has a plan for me; and it's a good and special plan."

For further reading:
Esther 4:14
Acts 9:15-17
1 Peter 2:9
Romans 4:17

"Taking It For Granted"

"The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16

Yesterday we talked about guarding the "spiritual treasures" that the Lord has given us. One way we do that is by not taking them for granted.

When you think about taking something for granted, it usually deals with the treatment of something- it is ignored, neglected or treated with indifference. This morning I want to talk about another form of taking something for granted which deals with accepting something without question-- namely, taking for granted that we are saved when we may very well not be.

Many people never question whether they are truly saved or not because they are "church goers" or "good people". We take for granted that we are saved because we were raised in a Christian nation, or because we go to church, or because we haven't cheated on our spouse, or because we shook some preacher's hand or joined a particular church. Others take for granted that they are saved because they believe that God is real and does exist.

Religious acts or just being good is not what saves us. The Pharisees were very religious, but Jesus called them the "children of the devil". The rich young ruler was a "good" guy, but he missed out on eternal life. Those who will stand before Jesus one day testifying of all the miraculous works that they did in His name while on earth will be told to depart from Him. (Matthew 7)

If you are taking for granted that you are saved just because of some religious act that you have done or are doing, then you need to check and make sure it is truly right between you and the Lord. You need to make sure you aren't trusting in your own goodness and deeds to save you. Salvation is about receiving the Savior- Jesus Christ- and then following Him the rest of your life. It is not about doing religious things but about having a relationship with the Father, which comes through Jesus Christ the Son. Your eternal well-being is far too serious to take for granted that you are saved because of what you do. It is not about what you do, but who you know. Do you really know Jesus, and does He really know you?

Have a great day. You can't afford to take for granted that you are saved because of some religious acts that you do.

For further reading:
James 2:19
Ephesians 2:8,9
John 8:44
Matthew 7:22,23; 19:16-22

"Guard Your Treasures"

"Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, "There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me." 2 Chronicles 16:2,3

King Asa took the silver and gold out of the treasures of the Lord's house and gave them to the king of Syria as an enticement to get him to help them against the king of Israel. King Asa used these treasures for purposes other than it was intended for them to be used. How are you treating the "treasures of God"?

What are you doing with the treasures God has given you? Those treasures are: your salvation, talents, spiritual gifts, the anointing, your calling, the work of the ministry, communion with Him and His word. These are all precious treasures that should not be taken lightly. We should not be "throwing" them away. We should not be compromising them. We should not be neglecting them or treating them in a careless manner. And we should never take them for granted.

Treasures should be guarded. Are you guarding and protecting these treasures that God has given you? Are you making the best use of them? Are you making sure the enemy doesn't steal them from you, or that you aren't just giving them away, or that you aren't casting them before others to be trampled under foot?
We need to see these wonderful gifts and blessings as precious and treat them with care and gratitude, and use them in the manner in which God intended for them to be used. He had a plan behind giving them to you, so use them to accomplish that plan.

Have a great day. What are you doing with the "treasures" that God has given you?

For further reading:
Proverbs 17:8; 20:15
2 Peter 1:4
Matthew 7:6
1 Timothy 4:14

"The Right Attitude"

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

Jesus knew what His purpose for coming to earth was. He knew that He was heading to the cross. In the garden He prayed not for His own will but for the Father's will to be accomplished and then submitted to that will. He knew He would suffer. He knew He would be rejected, mocked, be reproached, bear the sins of the world and be forsaken by His Father while He fulfilled the plan of redeeming mankind. Although He knew what He would endure, He had joy in it. He didn't go to the cross murmuring and complaining. He didn't go begrudgingly. He didn't go with a bad attitude. He went with joy.

When the Father reveals His will to you, what is your attitude while fulfilling it? Do you do it with joy? Do you do it complaining? Do you do it through gritted teeth? Do you do it half-hearted? Many will submit to His will, but with the wrong attitude. They do it on the "outside" but not on the "inside"- their heart isn't in it. God loves a cheerful giver- one who does His will cheerfully and with joy.

No one ever said that doing the will of God would always be easy- as a matter of fact, it very seldom is. But there is a right attitude and a wrong attitude about doing it. Which attitude do you have? Our attitude should be patterned after the attitude of Jesus toward doing the Father's will. Is yours?

Have a great day. Check your attitude when it comes to doing the will of God.

For further reading:
Matthew 26:39
John 4:34
Philippians 2:13,14
2 Corinthians 9:7

"You Are Not Defeated"

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

So many Christians live such defeated lives. They act like they are barely getting by and aren't going to make it. They are living less than the abundant life that Jesus came to give them. They are living without joy, without peace and without victory. They seem to give up so easily when trials come their way. They are constantly whining and complaining about something. They never seem to rise above any situation that they face. They live with a "give up" (defeatist) attitude.

Why is this? I believe one of the reasons is because they forget who lives in them-- the Greater One. The Great and Almighty God, the Creator of the universe lives within every born-again child of God. He is the One who parts seas, who shuts the mouths of lions, who quenches the fire. When He speaks, the power of His word causes demons to tremble, mountains to be removed and what did not exist to come into being. Living within us is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. It's the same Spirit that calls things that are not as though they are. He's the same one who sees the end from the beginning and turns darkness into light- nothing can hide from Him. He and He alone has the titles-- Omnipotent (All-powerful), Omniscient (All-knowing), Omni-present (All-present).

There is never a reason for any true believer to live a defeated life. We aren't defeated. We may feel like it sometimes, the enemy may try to convince us that we are, our own hearts will try to convince us as well that we are, but we aren't. How can we be when the True and Living God abides within us? How can we be when Jesus already won the victory for us? How can we be if God is for us? There is an old hymn entitled- "Victory In Jesus". The title and words came straight from the teachings of the scriptures. We have victory in Jesus! Let me repeat myself-- we HAVE Victory in Jesus!! We aren't heading toward victory, we already have it. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4)

If you are one of the ones that I described earlier, get on your knees and repent for following your feelings and the accusations of the enemy. Ask God to give you the faith to believe in His victory that has been appropriated to your life. Renew your mind with God's word and keep looking to Him, the Author and Finisher of your faith, and not at the circumstances of life. For the Christian there is no defeat, even when it looks like we haven't won, even when it looks like the enemy has defeated us, that is not a true report. Everything, even when it doesn't look like we've come out on top, is a "win win" situation for us because we are going from glory to glory, and victory to victory.

Have a great day. How can the born again child of God live in defeat when the Greater One lives within us!!

For further reading:
John 10:10
Romans 8:11
Genesis 1:3
Psalm 98:1

"Blinkers"

"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" Galatians 5:7

The Christian life is compared to a race- a race to be run and won. It is not over until we cross the finish line, which happens when we leave this earth and arrive at our home in heaven. So, how's your race going? Are you running it and running it well? Or is something hindering you?

There are many things that can hinder us. Distractions try to hinder us. Distractions come in many forms- other people, pressing responsibilities, busyness or fleshly cravings. Our bodies will try to hinder us through the form of sickness and fatigue. Then of course there is the devil who will try to distract us through temptations. Spending time holding grudges, taking revenge, wallowing in bitterness and unforgiveness, these will all hinder us because they have our attention instead of our attention being on the race that is before us.

How do we stay focused and keep our attention on the race that we are running? When a horse is in a race, they put a blinker- which is a type of partial blinder- on it, so that it can concentrate by looking straight ahead, run properly, correct their attitude so they won't veer to the inner rail and to keep them calm if the noise of the crowd makes them nervous. That's our answer-- put a "blinker" on.

We need to cover our "eyes" with the Word of God. God's Word will keep us focused on the race that is before us as we look to it. It will help us concentrate on spiritual things as we keep our minds renewed in it. It will help us to run properly by keeping us on the straight and narrow racetrack, instead of looking to the left or to the right. It will be the light in front of our feet to show us which direction to go. God's word will correct our attitude as we follow its teaching so we don't veer off the track and stay in the race. When the distractions come- the ones we talked about already and the ones we haven't- God's Word will give us peace so that we can continue on.

As we run the race that is set before us hindrances will come, but as we let God's Word keep us focused we will continue to run it and run it well.

Have a great day. God's Word is like a "blinker" that will help us stay focused on the race that we are running.

For further reading:
Hebrews 12:2
Deuteronomy 6:1-8
Psalm 119:105; 165
Proverbs 4:26,27

"I Can Do All Things"

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

What does the word "all" not include? The word "all" is "all" inclusive. In this verse comes the assurance that we can do all things regardless of what they are. But the source of this ability comes through Christ. For with Him nothing is impossible. Therefore, for us who are in Him, who look to Him, who follow Him, who put their trust and faith in Him, whatever we are called upon to do we can do it.

Does that mean I can live a godly and holy life? Does that mean I can resist temptation and stand firm when it comes? Does that mean I can deny my flesh the lusts it craves and yield to the Spirit's leadership? Does that mean that I can walk victorious over besetting sin? Do "all" things include the ability to let my light shine even in the darkest situation, to be bold when needed, to stand strong in adversity, to cease from anger, to forsake bitterness, to forgive those who have wronged me, to love my enemies, to do good to those who have despitefully used me?

"All things" means whatever you face, whatever you are called upon to do, whatever battle that arises to fight, whatever act you have to perform-- you can do it. You can do it because your life is hidden in Christ. It is He who gives you the wisdom to perform the task, who puts the answer in your mouth, who gives you grace, who directs your steps, who pours His love into your heart, who perfects His strength in you, and who puts His power (the same power that raised Jesus from the dead) in you. "Nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20) as long as you put your faith and trust in Christ and remember that He is the source of your strength and the giver of your ability to do all things.

Have a great day. When it says you can do "all" things through Christ-- it includes "all" things.

For further reading:
Ephesians 6:10
Romans 8:11
Psalm 118:14
2 Corinthians 12:9

"No Reason To Fear"

"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1

"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee." The word that keeps going over and over in my thoughts is-- fear not. You have no reason to fear because He has redeemed you. That means that He has paid the price that it took for you to be released. Released from what? Released from eternal judgment- the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Released from the power of sin- sin has no more dominion over you. He also released you from the stronghold of fear. Fear cannot torment you any longer. The ransom price that was paid was paid at the cross through the shedding of the blood of God's own Son Jesus.

The old hymns used to talk about the power in the blood and the power in the cross. There is power in both. That power releases us from fear, oppression, emotional instability, confusion and weakness.

"Fear not: I have called thee by thy name." You have no reason to fear because God knows who you are, where you are and what you are going through. He knows you personally- by name. He knows everything there is to know about you. He knows you better than you know yourself. If He knows you, then that means He is aware of you and everything that touches your life, so you don't have to fear- He is there.

"Fear not: thou art mine." You have no reason to fear because you belong to God. You are His child and He knows how to take good care of you. Since you belong to Him, He will not forsake you or abandon you. He will not leave you to take care of yourself. He is a good Father who cares about His children and never neglects them.

So, again, you have no reason to fear: because He has redeemed/released you from the power of fear; because He knows you by name so He is personally involved in your life and knows what is going on; because You are His child and He loves you and will take care of you.

Have a great day. You have no reason to fear-- because He has redeemed you, knows you by name and you are His.

For further reading:
Isaiah 43:2; 41:13
Deuteronomy 31:6,8
Romans 6:14

"Let God Arise"

"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him." Psalm 68:1

There is no enemy that can stand against God. When He arises, they are scattered. The enemy that is warring against you cannot stand against Him either. It is defeated.

As I was thinking about this, I wondered- what causes God to arise. Our praise causes Him to arise. He takes note of our praise and worship. He, the Bible says, will actually inhabit our praises. When He smells the sweet aroma of our sacrifice of praise, He arises. Our faith also causes Him to arise. It is faith that pleases Him. It is faith that He takes notice of.

When you praise the Lord, even in the presence of your enemy, God will arise, and the enemy will flee. When you hold fast your profession of faith, God will arise and the enemy of doubt, fear, unbelief and confusion will flee. So keep praising Him and keep holding on to your unwavering faith in Him. He will arise. He will move on your behalf.

Have a great day. When God arises, the enemies are scattered.

For further reading:
Hebrews 10:23
Psalm 41:2; 3:7: 34:1; 23:5

"Yoke Free"

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"... be not entangled again" indicates that you once were entangled by something but then had freedom from it. The warning here is to not get entangled in it again. Who the Son sets free is free indeed, but you have to continue to walk in that freedom. There is no doubt that He freed you, but what are you doing with that freedom.

The enemy has no new tricks in his bag to use against you. He is not a creator. He has to use the same weapons against us over and over again. This is why you keep getting tried in the same area even when you have been freed in that area. He wants to entangle you again with the same thing/things that you once were in bondage to.

The devil should realize that you aren't in bondage to that any more so you don't have to give in. The question isn't whether he knows it or not, but do you know it? Do you know that you have been set free completely? Do you know that you do not have to yield to and succumb to that old yoke of bondage? When Jesus set you free, He destroyed that yoke, He didn't just remove it. He broke it into a million pieces so that it could not be re-glued and put back together again. That yoke is broken but the enemy wants to fashion a new one that looks like the old one in order to put you in bondage again.

Are you under attack, are you being tempted to go back to some things that you have been set free from? The enemy is trying to put a yoke on you again. Do not let him. Do not give in to him. Do not stand still in his presence and allow him to take "measurements" for another yoke. Stand fast in the freedom that Christ has given you.

Have a great day. There is no reason for you to be entangled again in bondage. Jesus set you free, stand fast in that freedom.

For further reading:
John 8:36
Isaiah 10:27
Matthew 10:30

"Opossums"

"And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand." Joshua 10:19

If you know anything about a opossum, when it feels threatened or under attack by a predator, its defense is to "play dead". It will drop where it is standing and act as if it is dead. You can poke it, push on it, try to arouse it but it doesn't move. Sometimes it is very hard to know if it really is dead or not. Just about the time you finally decide it's dead, it gets up and runs away.

Too many Christians are acting like opossums. When the enemy comes, they "play dead". What I mean by that is they won't face the enemy, they try to ignore him, they act like he isn't there, they roll over and do nothing. Acting like a opossum is not God's chosen action for us. He never told us to ignore the enemy or act as if we are unaware that he is there. He told us to "fight the good fight of faith". He has called us to face the enemy and use the weapons we have been given to defeat his attacks.

We don't have to cow down to the enemy, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We have been given power over all his powers. We are more than conquerors through Christ- who has already won the victory for us. We aren't to ever "play dead" in the face of the enemy, we are to pursue and defeat him. When facing Goliath, the armies of Israel "played dead"- they tried to ignore him in hopes that he would go away. Of course he didn't. Ignoring the enemy doesn't make him go away. The only way to deal with him is by "fighting" him. David went out to fight Goliath and the enemy was defeated.

How are you responding to the attacks of the devil, your enemy? Are you trying to ignore him? Are you "playing dead" hoping he will leave you alone? Or are you standing up and facing him full of the strength and power of the Lord? Facing him, not ignoring him, is how you defeat him. When a opossum plays dead, its attacker will leave it alone and go away. If you roll over and play dead when the devil is attacking, he won't leave you alone, he will continue to taunt you until you stand up to him.

Have a great day. We don't fight the devil by rolling over and playing dead.

For further reading:
1 John 4:4
Ephesians 6
Romans 8:37
Luke 10:19
2 Corinthians 10:4

"Enjoy The Word"

"Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors." Psalm 119:24

The word delight here means: delight, enjoyment, and it also refers to an object of delight. The Psalmist was saying that he enjoyed God's testimonies- His precepts, His word, His commands. Does this describe you? Do you enjoy God's word? Do you enjoy reading it? Or is it something you have to force yourself to do? Is reading it something that you will get around to when you get around to it? Is it something you do when you can find the time, or do you make time for reading it?

Do you enjoy learning new things about the Lord from His word? Do you enjoy digging out its promises? Do you enjoy hearing God speak through His word? Or is it just black words on white paper to you? Is it something you do so that you can feel good because you have done your "religious" duty by reading it today?

Do you enjoy patterning your life by it as it counsels you through the situations of life? Do you delight in allowing it to transform your way of thinking, your outlook on life, your attitude, your emotions and the way you respond to situations? Do you enjoy seeing what the Lord will show you on a personal level as you read it?

After asking so many questions this morning, I still want to ask one more that will sum them all up--- just how do you feel about God's word-- is it your delight and enjoyment? The one who delights in it will be victorious, will walk in wholeness, will enjoy peace and have a sound mind. The person who delights in it will always have clear direction as they navigate through life because they will always have His word to guide them. The person who enjoys God's word will remain close to God because they will enjoy Him-- He is the Word.

Have a great day. How do you feel about the Word of God?

For further reading:
John 1:1
Psalm 119:11;105;165
Philippians 4:6-8

"Being Negative"

"Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him." John 11:16

Why is it that we tend to gravitate to the negative? When something happens, we seem to lean more toward the "bad" instead of the possibility of the "good". For example, when there is an ailment in our body, we automatically start thinking the worse. We tend to "borrow" trouble.

When Jesus told His disciples that He was going to Judaea to raise Lazarus from the dead, their first thought was, "The Jews tried to stone you when you were there before and you want to go there now?" (v.8) Of course they went with Him but under the belief that they were going to die there with Him. (v. 16) All they could see was a negative outcome.

Is there something going on in your life? Are you facing an illness? Do you have a rebellious child? Are things getting slow at work and there is talk of a lay off in your department? Are your thoughts those of fear, hopelessness, despair? True enough bad things happen around us and to us, but for the Christian these should not be our first thoughts or reactions. We serve a God of hope. The situation may give the appearance that it is bad. Attacking thoughts may come that say it is bad. But we should not gravitate or lean in that direction-- a defeated direction. We are people of faith. We should lean toward the Lord and His promises. We should cast down worry, fear and anxiety and wait upon the Lord.

The disciples already had their "funeral" planned before they even started on their journey to Lazarus. Does that describe you? The outcome was not at all what they expected. Even though the people had sought to kill Jesus before, He was still in control of the whole situation. You may be feeling that it is hopeless and the report will be bad. But remember that Jesus is still in control and regardless of how it may appear all things work together for the good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Don't be like the disciples and give up before you even start.

Have a great day. Do you tend to gravitate to the negative?

For further reading:
John 11:1-44
Romans 8:28
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:8

"Excusing The Flesh"

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

Many people use this verse as their reason, or rather their excuse, for giving into their flesh. They excuse sin, doing the wrong thing, immoral behavior, bad attitudes and selfishness as something that they just can't help because "the flesh is weak". In other words- they have no control over it.

This verse isn't an excuse or a license to sin it is a warning. It warns that there will be a battle between the spirit- which wants to do the right thing, wants to serve God and wants to be obedient to His commands; and the flesh- which wants to have its own way and do what it wants to do.

This verse also gives the reason why we seem to be more prone to give into our flesh-- it is weak. But it doesn't just leave us with a warning and an explanation of why the struggle between spirit and flesh, it also gives us the answer for overcoming the flesh and to walking in the spirit-- "watch and pray".

"Watch". Now that you know the flesh is weak, be aware and on guard for the temptations that your flesh seems to so easily gravitate towards.

"Pray". Prayer keeps us keenly alert to recognize the temptations when they come. It also strengthens our spirit so that we can overcome the desire to give into our flesh.

Stop excusing the behavior of your flesh. You do not have to give in to it and follow its ways. It may be weak, but you do not have to yield to it. Yield to the spirit and it will always overcome the flesh.

Have a great day. Just because your flesh is weak and prone to sin, you cannot excuse its behavior, you overcome it by yielding to the spirit.

For further reading:
Mark 14:38
Romans 8:12

"Standing Alone"

"And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." 2 Kings 6:16,17

During the times when we know that we have heard from the Lord on a matter, or He has given us a promise that we are standing on, or we are endeavoring to carry out a plan He is directing us to fulfill, we will often stand alone. We may not find anyone who will stand with us, who will be in agreement or who will support us. On the contrary, it may seem as if there are more standing against us. They don't share the same vision, they don't believe you have heard from God, they are negative concerning the situation. When you share it with them, they don't support you but oppose and discourage you instead. It is during those times when you feel alone.

Take heart this morning, you are not alone. Like the servant of Elisha we can't see past what we see in the natural. But what we see with our natural eyes is not always a true indication of the way things actually are. There are more that are with you than you see at the moment. When you have truly heard from God, the host of heaven is standing with you.

The bottom line is that no matter how much opposition you may encounter or how alone you may feel... if God is for you then you have a majority standing with you- He makes up the majority all by Himself.

Have a great day. If God is standing with us, we are never standing alone.

For further reading:
Romans 8:31
Psalm 118:6
Matthew 28:20

"Calling Or Assuming? - Part 2"

"And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies." (1 Samuel 4:3)

Yesterday we talked about the fact that we do more "assuming" that we know what the will and plan of God is than we do seeking Him to know for sure. When we assume we know what He wants instead of seeking Him to find out, we often find ourselves making the wrong decisions.

When the Israelites went to battle against the Philistines, they did not seek the Lord, they assumed that just because they took the Ark of the Covenant into battle that the Lord would be with them and give them the victory. This was not the case. They were defeated, the priests were killed, the Ark was captured and the glory departed.

When we move out of assumption, instead of true direction from the Lord, we will wind up in trouble. There will be consequences that we will face. I have seen this happen so many times concerning relationships. A couple will get married and in no time the marriage is in trouble. They are fighting and ready for divorce. They are left wondering, "What happened? I 'prayed' about it." Did you really pray? Pray seeking God's answer? Or assume that this was God's will because you wanted it so badly? I have seen the same thing happen with business endeavors. Often we will move out of assumption because it looked like such a good deal, it was just what we had been praying for, it seemed like the right thing to do, or the opportunity came around. This is why we are told to "try the spirits". Test it to see if it really is God. Pray until you hear the answer and then pray some more to make sure what you heard was correct. Put out the "fleece" if you have to.

I have heard preachers put down on Gideon for putting out a "fleece" before God. They say that he didn't have any faith- he should have just believed God. Well, I never read that God put him down or got angry at him about it. If it takes doing that to make sure that we know, that we know that we have heard from God, then we should do it because the price of not knowing for sure and moving under assumption is often too great to pay.

Have a great day. There are consequences to moving by assumption instead of knowing for sure that you heard from God.

For further reading:
1 Samuel 4
1 John 4:1
2 Chronicles 26:5
Judges 6:37-39

"Calling Or Assuming?"

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3

What a wonderful promise-- "Call on me and I will answer you". When you call, the Lord answers. The questions is-- are you calling? Are you seeking the Lord? Are you praying to Him for guidance? Are you asking Him to reveal to you what you don't know? Often we don't call, we assume. We assume we know what God's will is. We assume that we know what He wants us to do. We assume that we are going in the direction He has planned for us to go.

We are guilty of doing the same things the Israelites did when they were in battle against the Philistines. "And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies." (1 Samuel 4:3)

They did not seek the Lord about the battle. They did not enquire of Him about what they should do. They did not acknowledge Him concerning strategies or the outcome. They assumed that if they took the Ark of the Covenant into battle (the represented presence of God) that it would go well for them and they would automatically win. Of course, we know this was not the case. They were defeated, the priests were killed and the ark was captured by the Philistines.

You cannot assume that just because God answered a certain way before that He will answer the same way again. You cannot assume that just because it was His will to do it in one situation that it will be His will in this one. You cannot assume that because He moved one way in the past He will move that same way now. You cannot assume that you know what He wants you to do in this situation if you have not called upon Him. Our beloved Jesus never assumed. He sought the Father about each situation He faced. He knew exactly what to do because He heard from the Father for each one. If Jesus had to call upon the Father for direction and to know His will in every situation, what makes us think that we don't need to?

Have a great day. There is a difference between asking God for the answer and assuming you know what His answer is.

For further reading:
John 5:19,30
James 4:2
Proverbs 3:5,6

"The Precepts"

"Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness." Psalm 119:40

The dictionary defines the word precept as: a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct. The Psalmist says here that he longs after the Lord's precepts. Why? Because he knows that in the precepts (the word) of the Lord there is life, heath, healing, guidance, strength, peace and joy. He knows that without His precepts he will never make it. They are a lamp into his feet and a light unto his path. He knew that he could not lean to his own understanding in any situation in life and trust that he has his own answer. He had to have God's word.

Most today, even in the church, think we have our own answers. We think we are wise enough, educated enough, rich enough that we don't need God's precepts. We have our philosophies to see us through. We have our opinions to guide us. We have our feelings to navigate us through life's situations.

When we lean to our own understanding, when we think we are smart enough to solve our own problems, when we think that the word of God is outdated and not relevant to today's problems, we are sadly mistaken. We will never out-grow our need for the word. With all our technology, with all our knowledge, with all our resources, we are still not wiser than God and His word!!

God's word is a gift to us. He knows we will never make it without its precepts. What are you doing with this gift? Do you neglect it? Do you treat it lightly? Do you place your own opinion or the counsel of others above it? Do you think that you have it under control and therefore don't need it? Or are you like the Psalmist-- longing after God's word because you know you will never make it through this journey of life without it?

Have a great day. How are you treating God's word?

For further reading:
Psalm 119:105; 16; 103
John 6:63
Jeremiah 10:23

"Move Mountain"

"Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?" Psalm 114:6

In context the verse above is talking about the Lord bringing His people out of Egypt. This verse is a metaphor describing the fact that nothing could stand in His way or stand against Him. The mountains, which seem immoveable, moved out of the way. The hills that had been in the same place since the beginning of time, stepped aside to let them through. Pharaoh was not able to stop Him and His plan. His army was powerless against Him. The gods of Egypt were unable to stop Him.

This is good news for us. How so? Because we aren't talking about the God of the "past" only. He is the God of the present. We are talking about a God who has not changed. He is still the same- He is still as able to do today what He did back then. Today He is just as powerful. Today He is still unstoppable. Nothing has ever been able to stand against Him and nothing ever will.

These mountains and hills represent the obstacles and hindrances that we face. What are the obstacles that are standing in your way from reaching the promises of the Lord? Is there a mountain? Are there any hills that are blocking the path? Is there a sea before you? Is there an army breathing down your back? Is there a furnace raging? Lions roaring? Does the situation look impossible? Be encouraged this morning, they may be standing in your way, but they aren't standing in God's way. They submit to Him, they bow at His presence, all the earth fears the Lord including mountains and hills-- hindrances and obstacles.

No matter how big the mountain you may be facing today is, it is not too big for the Lord. It is not too powerful for Him. So be encouraged and say to this mountain, "Be removed and cast into the sea".

Have a great day. There is nothing that can stand against God.

For further reading:
Psalm 114; 97:5
Matthew 21:21
Jeremiah 32:17

"Jesus Knew"

"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?" John 18:4

Don't think for one moment that what happened to Jesus at the crucifixion was a surprise to Him. He knew what was coming. He knew He would be rejected, beaten, mocked, spit upon and crucified. He never cried out to His Father, "Wait, I didn't know I was going to have to go through all this." He knew. Yet He went through with it. He laid His life down. Those who were part of the deed- the ones who came and arrested Him, the ones who turned Him over to be crucified, those who beat Him, the ones who denied Him- did not force Him into something He could not get out of. Never think for one minute that Jesus wasn't in full control of the situation-- "Don't you know that I can ask My Father to send angels and take Me out of this? You could have no power against me if it wasn't given to you from the Father. No man takes My life, I lay it down." (John 19:11; Matthew 26:53; John 10:18)

Yes, He knew what was coming. He knew in Gethsemane. This is why His sweat was drops of blood. He willingly suffered all things so that we could have eternal life. His desire for us was greater than the pain that He had to endure for this to happen. No greater love was there than this. It was for those who continue to run from Him, who continue to reject Him, who constantly neglect Him, and who will not surrender your life to Him.

Why wouldn't you trust your life into the hands of someone like this? Someone who willing gave up His life for you. Who loved you more than anyone else has. Who proved His love for you. Who suffered, was tortured, endured pain beyond description and willingly subjected Himself to it-- just to be with you.

Have a great day. Jesus knew what He would suffer at the cross, but He did it anyway because He loves you.

For further reading:
Hebrews 12:2
Luke 22:44
John 3:16,17; 15:3
Romans 5:8

"You're Being Watched"

"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth." 3 John 1:3

John was hearing wonderful testimonies about Gaius. He was hearing from others how he loved the brethren, showed them hospitality, was faithful and lived the truth. This lets us know that others are watching our lives. They are noticing what we do even when we aren't aware of it. In Gaius' case they had only good to say about him, because he was living by the truth-- God's word.

What are they noticing about your life? Are they seeing faithfulness? Love for all? Are they seeing your good works which glorify your Father in heaven? Do you have a good name among them-- it is greater than riches? Or do they see hypocrisy? They hear you say one thing but see you do another. Do they see someone who is selfish and self-centered; uncaring, hard-hearted, cruel? Do they see someone who is trustworthy or dishonest? Someone who can be counted on or someone who will let you down? Just what do they see from your life? They are looking.

Whether you believe it or not, you are being "watched' and what they see influences them. We are all an influence on someone- either a good influence or a bad one. The only sure way to be, and know you are being, a good influence is by following Christ. When we pattern our lives after Him, when we seek to follow His will for our lives, when we determine to live the way His Word tells us to live, when we walk in the Spirit, when we surrender to His Lordship, then we are becoming the influence we should be in this world and before all who see us. When we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, all these things will be added unto us-- including the ability to be a good influence.

Have a great day. What do they say about you, based on what they see?

For further reading:
Matthew 6:33; 5:16
Proverbs 22:1; 27:2
Ecclesiastes 7:1
3 John 1:1-6

"Fruitful At Every Age"

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing." Psalm 92:14

The word I want to share this morning is mostly for those who are older in life- although it is applicable to any of us. From time to time we all tend to feel that there is nothing we can do for the Lord- we feel unworthy and incapable. The enemy of our soul, the devil, does a good job of "magnifying" these feelings through his accusations against us. He does this to all of us and he never gives up. He doesn't quit just because we get older- he comes against us at every stage and season of live.

Actually, it seems like he hits those who are in the "Senior Season" of their lives harder. He tells them that their time is past, their best days are behind them, their life is over, they are too old, too weak and have no future left.

This is not true. "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age". That is the plan of God. If you are still breathing, God still has a plan for you to be fruitful in His Kingdom. The thought that God may not be finished with you yet often tends to bring one of two responses.

1) The "Laugh of Unbelief". When God told Sarah that she was going to conceive a child in her old age, she laughed. She thought that was funny-- doesn't God know I am too old; doesn't He know I can't produce anything; He is going to take my life after it is over and place life back into it. She laughed at the thought that God could still do something through her now that she was old.

2) The "I Can't; I Give Up" attitude. Naomi went back home to Bethlehem and told the people to no longer call her Naomi, but Mira-- bitter. She gave up and became embittered at the fact that she had nothing and it was too late for her. She was empty with nothing left to give.

Neither of these two should ever be the response of a child of God. He has a plan for your life- your whole life, down to your last breath. A plan to give you "hope and a future". That plan is "Sing, O barren". (Isaiah 54:1)

In her old age Sarah brought forth the promise of God; the father of a nation; the one who would be a type and shadow of Christ.
In her old age Naomi nursed her future generations in Obed; she became the great, great grandmother of King David through whom the Messiah would come.
In her old age Elizabeth brought forth the one who would lead the way for the Messiah- John the Baptist.

I realize that we are talking about the Lord opening the physical wombs in these women who were past childbearing age, but we have a "spiritual womb" that never dies, it is alive as long as we are alive. If you are still here, if you have breath in your body, there is still something that the Lord has for you to "deliver" into the Kingdom. There is still something left for you to "nurture". There is still something that He wants you to "produce". "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age". To bring forth fruit means to be fruitful; to be fruitful means to be un-barren.

Have a great day. The plan of God is not age specific as long as you are breathing God has a plan to make you fruitful.

For further reading:
Jeremiah 29:11
Genesis 18:12; 21:2
Ruth 1:20; 4:16,17
Psalm 92:13-15; 71:8,9
Luke 1:36

"Born Again"

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5

Nicodemus and Jesus had a conversation about the Kingdom of God and eternal life. Jesus made the criteria for entering in very clear to Nicodemus-- you must be born again. Jesus didn't tell him you must join the church, you must become a church member, you must be baptized, you must be religious, you must do this or that work. He told him you have to be "born into the Kingdom" through the process of the new birth- you don't just work hard enough to get in.

When I was growing up, my sister, brother and I had friends and cousins that would come to our house. It didn't matter how often them came, how many times they sat around our table and ate, it didn't matter how many nights they stayed there or how long they stayed, it didn't matter that they felt at home and didn't want to leave, they were not a member of our family. They never would be unless my parents adopted them.

Just because you go to God's house doesn't make you His child any more than the friends that came to our house made them my daddy's child. Sadly, we think it does. Nicodemus thought this way and Jesus scolded, and corrected, him about it. Nicodemus was religious, was in church all the time, and he was a teacher/leader in church. (Jesus even repeated it twice for him.)

I think it needs to be repeated for us again today. We need to be told again that we must be born again if we want to enter into God's Kingdom and have the gift of eternal life. To try to enter into His Kingdom and become a member of His family any other way than through "The Way"- new birth which comes through faith in Jesus Christ- is not possible. You will never be good enough or do enough good works or religious deeds, and you will be considered a thief trying to jump over the fence and break in.

To enter in you have to be born in-- are you? Or are you just religious? Are you just a "church goer"? Are you a part of God's family or just part of a religious organization? A member of a local church but not a member of the family of God?

Have a great day. To live in God's house for eternity, you have to be born into His family.

For further reading:
John 3:1-17
Ephesians 2:8,9
Titus 3:5
Galatians 2:16
John 10:1; 14:6