"Sudden Storms"

"And there arose a great storm of wind..." Mark 4:37a 

When a line of storms come through our area, there are warnings on all the weather channels that they were coming. We are told to expect them and that we should be prepared to take the necessary steps to be safe. So these storms don't take us unaware.

 

Although we usually have warnings that a storm maybe coming, that is not always the case. Some "storms" hit our lives suddenly without warning. We may be going about our business as usual, enjoying the day, then we get a call that tragedy has struck. Or we get a bad report from a routine medical test. Or we go to work like we have for years and the boss tells us he has to let us go. Some storms we never see coming, they just come upon us without warning. 

 

Those storms may take us by surprise, but they never take the Lord by surprise. He sees them long before they get to you. And not only does He see them, but He already "prepares" for them-- just like we prepare for the storms when the weather announcer warns us. The Lord-- Jehovah-Jireh (God our Provider) -- has seen ahead and made provision for the storms that come upon your lives. He has a more than sufficient supply of grace prepared for you. His goodness and mercy are waiting to follow you through the situation. His strength is ready to be poured out in your weakness. His power is available. His wisdom is there. His own presence will go with you and His comfort will not forsake you.

 

So, you don't have to fear the storm when it comes suddenly upon you. Remember that Jesus is not only with you in the storm, but He has already prepared everything that you need to get through it.

 

Have a great day. There are some storms that we have advance warning about, but then there are others that take us by surprise. But none of them take Jesus by surprise, He sees them coming and makes provision for them for us.

 

For further reading:

Psalm 23:6

2 Corinthians 12:9

Genesis 22:14

"Temples Of Glory"

"So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God." 2 Chronicles 5:14 

How wonderful to have the glory of the Lord come in and fill the house of God in such a dramatic, powerful, and obvious way. There was no doubt that His glory was there filling the house. It was so powerful that the priests could not even stand to minister. I have been in a few services like that- sadly, they are far and few between. How glorious it would be if this happened every time we went to His house. 

 

It is possible. He desires to do so. This was Old Testament and He did it in response to the people's worship and praise. If He did it then under the Old Covenant, how much more does He desire to do it under the New Covenant- after the cross, in the dispensation of grace.

 

Yes, we would love to have this type of manifestation when we assembly together in God's house, but least we forget, His glory resides in every born-again believer. The glory that covered Adam's nakedness was removed when he sinned through disobedience to God's command not to eat of the tree in the garden. But Christ Jesus brought, not only reconciliation of mankind back to the Heavenly Father, but He also restored God's glory upon and in us.

 

So now we are the "house of God"- the temples of the Holy Spirit- who carry God's glory around with us wherever we go. The glory of God that was manifested that day in our verse above, should be manifested in our lives daily. God should be revealed through us. People should see His glory radiating from us through love. They see His glory through His goodness being demonstrated in us. And they see it through His nature and character shining brightly in our lives. 

 

Is His glory being revealed in you? Is it shining forth? Is it so evident that there is no denying that God is in you? Does that "cloud" of loving-kindness, goodness, love, mercy and grace surround your life? You are the vessels that carry the glory of God, don't hide it but let it be seen.

 

Have a great day. We are the temples of God where His glory resides. Is His glory being seen in you?

 

For further reading:

1 Corinthians 3:16

Exodus 33:18,19

John 17:22,23

2 Corinthians 3:18

 

"The Lifter"

"But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." Psalm 3:3 

I have heard it said numerous times that the Lord will not put on you more than you can bear. True the Lord allows us to go through trying times. There are times when He will lead us into the wilderness as well as beside still waters. But we act like everything that comes to us is "put on" us by Him. He is not the One who is guilty of putting afflictions and evil on us-- He is the One who lifts them off of us.

 

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) The Lord is the "Lifter". He doesn't put condemnation on us, He lifts condemnation from us. And likewise, He lifts guilt and shame from us. He lifts our heartaches, our grief, our sorrow, our pain and removes them from us, taking them upon Himself. He lifts our weakness and weariness. He lifts up our hands when they hang down and strengthens our knees when they get feeble. 

 

While the Lord does not put heavy burdens on us and the other feelings we have talked about, He is guilty of "putting" some other things on us. He puts His love on us. He places His strength and might on us when we are weak and feeble. He puts His robe of righteousness on us. He puts forgiveness and freedom in our hearts. He puts peace and joy on us. 

 

The Lord doesn't put those things on us that He is accused of, instead He lifts them from us. The only things that He puts on us come under the heading of His goodness. 

 

Have a great day. It is time to stop accusing God of putting heavy burdens, afflictions and grieves on us and start thanking Him for lifting them from us. 

 

For further reading:

Isaiah 40:29; 53:4

Job 4:4

Psalm 103:12; 23:2

Matthew 4:1

"Spiritually Healthy"

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35 

We can look good in physical appearance on the outside but inside have a disease that is destroying our bodies. The only way to tell what is going on inside of us is to have tests run. These tests determine if we are ill, if we have a disease or if we are healthy. So how do we know if we are "healthy" spiritually? Is there some test we can take? Is there something that will reveal it?

 

Actually, there are several tests that show us our spiritual condition. The first test is love. Do we love God with all our heart? Do we love others? A healthy spirit is one that loves God first, others next and self last. It is not selfish, self-centered or self-conceited.

 

Another test is whether we are walking in the Fruit of the Spirit. Do we exhibit joy, peace, gentleness, meekness, temperance, etc? Or are we always fearful, mean, overindulgent, unkind or rude? 

 

Another test deals with our mouths. The things we say give an indication of whether we are spiritually healthy or not. Are our words edifying, exhorting, kind, gracious? Or are they full of criticism, complaining, gossip, ridicule and cursing?

 

Another test is how we walk. Are you walking in the Spirit or the flesh? Do you obey or rebel against God's word? Are you led by Him or by your own desires? Are you walking in your own will or His will-- nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done?

 

Any of these tests will give a good indication of how healthy or ill your spirit man is. These tests are accurate because the Word of God is the rule by which all things are tested, and if we are lining up with His Word then we are spiritually well. If not, then we aren't. But there is hope if we aren't. There is a cure. We can become healthy. The Holy Spirit and God's Word will bring about the health and healing that we need as we begin to submit ourselves to Him and follow His "prescription".

 

Have a great day. How spiritually healthy are you? Perhaps you might need to take some tests to find out. 

 

For further reading:

Galatians 5:16-25

Proverbs 4:20-23

James 3:10

"Get Recharged"

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

This verse is not age specific, it is a promise and result to all who will apply its admonition. It does not promise only the young that their strength will be renewed, it promises it to all. Are you feeling tired, weary, faint? Physically, spiritually or emotionally? There is hope, there is an answer, there is help.

 

I use rechargeable batteries in many of my electronics. From time to time these electronics will stop working. It is because the battery has "run down" and lost its power. Because the life of the electronic comes from the battery, and the battery is rechargeable, I don't have to throw it away. I simply recharge the battery. Put it back into the electronic and it is as good as new. 

 

Our life source is God's Spirit. When we get weak, weary or tired, we need to be recharged. We need to go into our prayer closet and seek the Lord. We need to take time and worship Him in the beauty of His holiness. We need to drink of the well of His word. As we do, we get stronger and stronger. The weakness and fatigue begin to fade, and we are refreshed with His strength and power. 

 

If you are feeling weak and faint, don't keep trying to go on what little bit of strength you have. Don't give up and throw it all away. Go to the source of your life and get alone with Him and pray, praise and meditate on His word until you are infused with fresh strength- His strength that is made perfect in your weakness.

 

Have a great day. Feeling weak and faint? Go to the source of strength and get recharged.

 

For further reading:

Acts 17:28; 3:19

2 Corinthians 12:9

Psalm 118:14

"They're Looking"

"Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king." Daniel 3:24

Why was the king looking into the furnace? Why didn't he just give the order to throw the three men in and leave it at that? After all, when something is thrown into a fire, what do you expect to see? I have a fireplace and I can tell you what we see each and every time we put wood into it-- it is consumed, there is nothing left to look at but ashes.

 

Being the king, he should have just given the order and gone on with the business of ruling, but he didn't, he checked the furnace. He checked the furnace to see what would happen to the men because of the "testimony" they had given-- "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (vv. 16-18)

 

Why? Because they had testified to him about God's saving, delivering power. They had showed unwavering faith to their God even under the threat of death. They did not recant, they did not compromise, they did not cower back in fear, they didn't beg for their lives, they stood firm. The king heard their words and waited to see what would happen. Would their God deliver them? Would He abandon them in the furnace? Was He even real? Were they worshipping a false God?

If you are professing to be a Christian, then you too have a testimony about the Lord that others are seeing through your life. Like the king, your family members, friends, coworkers, fellow students and acquaintances are listening, they are watching, they want to know if what you have is real. They want to know if your God/Jesus is who you say He is.

 

When the king looked into the furnace, he saw Jesus in there with them. "He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (verse 25) So what are they seeing when they look at your life? Do they see Him with you when you are walking through difficulties? Do they see joy and peace when you are in a fiery furnace trial? Do they see Him through the steadfast faith you possess when you are facing persecution or the opportunity to compromise? They are listening, they are watching, and they are waiting to see if He is who you say He is and will do what you say He can do.

 

Have a great day. You are being watched to see if Jesus is who you say He is and can do what you say He can do. 

 

For further reading:

Daniel 3

"Undercover Christianity"

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20 

There seems to be a lot of "undercover" Christians-- "secret" Christians. How is that possible? How is it possible that if you are one, no one knows you are? You can't keep it to yourself. I hear people say that you don't have to go around telling everyone you are a Christian. I agree. But if you are, you can't help but make it known. What's in your heart will come out of your mouth in your speech. You aren't able to keep from talking about the Lord and the wonderful goodness He has bestowed on you. You can't help but share the testimony of how He saved you and changed your life. And you desire to obey His commission to tell others. 

 

Let's say a person is a Christian but they never verbally share their faith in Christ. You still can't be "undercover", people are going to know because of the "fruit" you bear. What fruit are you bearing? Apple trees bear apples, lemon trees bear lemons. Even if a tree is not a fruit bearing tree, you still can identify it by its leaves. There is something that makes it recognizable and separate from the other trees. There is a certain characteristic, attitude and behavior that we as Christians should bear... it is the likeness of Jesus Christ. 

 

The bottom line is-- it is impossible to hide our Christianity if we are a Christian (at least for long). It will come out of our mouth and be evident in our lifestyle. We are the light of the world, you can't hide a light unless you place it under something to deliberately hide it. And if you are a Christian, why would you want to? Why wouldn't we want to share this glorious salvation with others? Why wouldn't we want them to have the opportunity to experience it for themselves? How can we not talk about our precious Lord who we love so much?

 

Have a great day. Are you being an "undercover" Christian, never sharing your faith, hiding your light so that no one can see it? My question is why and how is that possible?

 

For further reading:

Matthew 5:16; 7:17-20

Luke 6:45

Acts 1:8

Isaiah 43:10

"The True Source"

"Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us." Psalm 123:2 

Where are you looking? Who are you looking to? Are you looking to man to meet your need? Are you looking to some person to supply your lack? Are you expecting the arm of flesh to give you your provision? They are only vessels and instruments, and, yes, God does often use them. But our real source, our true helper, our provider is not found on earth, not found in mankind, not found in government, not found in even our own abilities. Our help and provision is found in the Lord Himself. He is the Way and Source behind the means. 

 

If we lose sight of the fact that He is the provider, then if we lose our job we become anxious and fearful. If we lose sight of the fact that He is the one who gives us our strength, then when it fails we become discouraged and depressed. All that we have and all that we receive is given to us by God through His wonderful grace and goodness. Without Him we have nothing and are nothing. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. He daily loads us with benefits. He supplies all our needs. He gives strength to the weak. He gives peace to the confused. He gives wisdom to those who need it. He does not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly before Him. He feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies, and us as well.

 

So stay focused on where your help lies. Don't forget who is the real source of your supply. Remember who the One is that meets your need and keep looking to Him.

 

Have a great day.. Are your eyes looking to men to meet your need? They are just an instrument. Look to the Lord who is the Source.

 

For further reading:

Psalm 68:19; 121:1; 84:11

James 1:17

Philippians 4:13

"Where You Listening?"

"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side." Mark 35:4 

Let's read a few more verses from this story. "And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (vv. 37-40)

 

Why were they so fearful? How was it that they had no faith? I believe it is because they did not "listen" and "take to heart" Jesus' words. Had they, their reaction to the storm would have been different. Jesus had said to them when they first set sail for the other side-- "Let us pass over to the other side". He didn't say, "Let's start heading toward the other side and drown on the way". He didn't say, "Let's try to make it to the other side". No, He told them they were going to go to the other side. Had they been listening to what He said, had they remembered His words, when the storm hit the boat, they would not have given into the fear. They would have had peace. They would have stood firm. Perhaps they would have been the ones rebuking the storm and speaking peace into the situation.

 

Storms of life come, we face difficulties, trying times attack us, fear tries to grip us, doubt and worry try to attach themselves to us, but if we will listen, heed and remember the words our Master has spoken to us we will be able to stand and withstand in those times. The word of God is more powerful than anything. It dispels fear and produces faith. It drives back darkness and brings forth light. It speaks to storms instead of succumbing to them. It brings peace and cast out confusion. 

 

Are you struggling in the storm? Are you fearful of "drowning"? What has the Lord said to you? Has He already said you were "going to the other side"? When Jesus rebuked the storm, God's Word spoke-- Jesus is THE WORD. You need to follow Jesus' lead and speak the word that He has given you to the storm and to the fear that is coming against you.

 

Have a great day. We need to listen, heed and remember what the Lord has said to us because it will keep us from fear and produce faith in us when the storms come.

 

For further reading:

Romans 10:17

Psalm 119:130

John 1:1,14

"Just Like We Are?"

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

We have heard it said that God loves us just like we are. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that God loves us in spite of how we are. Have you ever seen something and your opinion of it was-- I love it, I wouldn't change a thing. This is not the same way that God looks at us. If He loves us just like we are then He would leave us just like we are and not change a thing about us.

 

He loves us but He doesn't love "how we are". He loves us even though we are sinners but He does not love our sin nor does He desire to leave us sinners. It was sin that separated us from Him in the first place. Sin didn't stop Him from loving us- nothing separates us from His love- but just because He loves us doesn't mean He "accepts" our sins. No, it has to go. He doesn't like how we are-- rebellious, unkind, cruel, selfish, etc. 

 

His love keeps Him from turning us away when we come to Him in repentance. At that point He begins a process of change in us. He changed us from sinners to righteous. He took us from being children of darkness and made us children of light. He changed us at salvation and made us a new creation. And from that moment on we are in a constant process of change. 

 

God loves us and didn't leave us in sin. God loves us and doesn't leave us like we are. He has a greater plan for us. He is taking us from glory to glory and transforming who we are, or were, along the way. He is changing us to fit into His plan for us. He is changing us according to His purpose for us. He is the Master Potter who is making us into a vessel of His choosing. He is the Refiner who sits over our lives changing us into a pure vessel. He is transforming us to look like His Son Jesus so that we can be a true representation of who He is in the earth. 

 

Have a great day. God doesn't love us just like we are, or else He would never change a thing about us. He loves us in spite of how we are. And His love is always working in our lives to change us into who He has planned for us to be. 

 

For further reading:

2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:21

Jeremiah 29:11

Romans 8:35-39

Isaiah 59:2

Ephesians 5:8

"Riding On A Donkey"

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Zechariah 9:9 

A king riding on a donkey's colt? Shouldn't He have been riding on a white stallion instead? Shouldn't He have come another way? "And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon." (Matthew 21:6,7)

 

Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey's colt. He didn't make it on some grand animal or being carried on a throne by men. He came the way He chose to, according to His own plan and wisdom. We tend to think that the Lord should "show up" in our situation in a certain way. As a matter of fact, we try to tell Him exactly how He should do it. But the way in which He chooses is up to Him, not us. His ways are perfect, and He knows exactly what to do and how to do it. His ways often seem foolish to us. For example, He uses the "foolishness of preaching to save the lost". It may seem foolish but it is the power of God that brings salvation.

 

So whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing, just know that He will show up, He will be there, He will come into your situation, it just may not be in the way that you think He should. He just might come to your rescue riding on a donkey instead of a white horse.

 

Have a great day. The Lord may not show up in your situation as a knight in shining armor riding a white horse, He might show up riding on a donkey. Whichever way He comes is up to Him, not you. 

 

For further reading:

Isaiah 55:8,9

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

"Fallen Vessels"

"But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." Mark 16:7 

Stop beating yourself up. But you don't know what I did. You don't know how I messed up. You don't know how I failed the Lord. Does all this sound familiar? I have heard it from countless numbers of people-- I have said it myself, perhaps you have too. We all make mistakes, we all fail, we all have moments of weakness when we give into a temptation and do the wrong thing. We are on a journey to perfection/maturity but we haven't arrived yet. 

 

When we come to Christ and He becomes our Savior and Lord, we start on a journey of spiritual growth. A small child learning to walk or develop his "legs" to stand often falls, we too may fall down. But we don't stay there. We get up. We ask for forgiveness. We accept His grace and we go on and continue until we finish our course and the race/journey that is set before us. 

 

You may be a "fallen vessel". You may have missed it. You may have, like Peter, even denied your Lord. But like Peter, Jesus wants you to come to Him. He told Peter he would deny Him three times- and Peter did. But after His resurrection He sent word for Peter to come and see Him. Jesus completely forgave Peter, restored him, filled him with His Spirit and used him mightily to preach the gospel. 

 

You haven't fallen so far, you haven't been so bad, you haven't messed up to the point where He will not restore you as well if you desire for Him to. After all, we were all fallen vessels because of Adam- all have sinned- and He was willing to provide us with forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration and eternal life. The Bible is full of "fallen vessels"- people who failed and who missed it, yet the grace and love of God put them back on their feet when they failed and used them in mighty ways for His glory. He wants to do the same for you today and will if you will but ask Him to.

 

Have a great day. Stop beating yourself up because you failed the Lord, He wants to forgive you and set you back upon your feet. 

 

For further reading:

1 John 1:9

Psalm 37:24

Mark 16:1-7

John 18:27; 21:15-18

"Fallen, Fallen"

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Psalm 37:24 

Mankind fell in Adam as far as he could fall. He fell as low and as far away from God as he could. "All have sinned and come (fallen) short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) Yet, we had not fallen so far that we were past the reach of God's ability to save us. "The hand of the Lord is not short that it cannot save". (Isaiah 59:1) He reached us though His Son Jesus when He died on the cross. 

 

God did not even spare His One and Only Son, but freely gave Him up as the ransom for our sins. He put the punishment of our sins upon Him. He was bruised, beaten, mocked, ridiculed and crucified for us. He took our place. He bore the judgment that we rightfully deserved in order to reach us and pull us out of the pit of sin and death.

 

If God went to such great lengths to save us while we were yet sinners, dying in trespasses in sin, had the penalty of death upon us, enemies of His, rebels fighting against Him, why would you think that He would not forgive you now when you fall or make a mistake. Why would you think that He would be done with you because you fell into temptation and committed a sin in a moment of weakness? 

 

David committed adultery and tried to hide it through murder and God forgave him and did not take the kingdom from him. Moses killed an Egyptian in anger but God still raised him up to lead His people out of Egypt. If these fell and were restored and used by God, why would you think that God would not do the same for you? These men lived in the time of the Old Testament and God lifted them up when they were cast down. Today there is a New Testament, a better Covenant, that we have through Jesus. If God would do it for them then, how much more will He do it for us now because of Jesus.

 

Have you fallen? Have you sinned? Are you cast down? Don't stay there. The Lord is reaching out His hand of mercy, grace and forgiveness. Grab hold of it, confess what you did from a repentant heart, receive His forgiveness and go forth free from guilt and condemnation.

 

Have a great day. If God reached down to you when you were a sinner and had fallen as far as you could fall, why wouldn't He reach down to you now that you belong to Him when you make a mistake and lift you up.

 

For further reading:

Romans 8:1,32; 6:23; 5:8

Isaiah 53

"His Name Is"

"...and his name shall be called Wonderful..."  

The word "wonder" in this verse means: extraordinary, hard to understand thing. This verse is specifically talking about Jesus. He is extraordinary. He is beyond our ability to fully understand-- who can understand all there is to know about God but God. He is so vast even His name Wonderful encompasses some of that vastness and gives a little more understanding to just how extraordinary He is.

 

W - He is the Way.

O - He is Omnipotent

N - He is the Name above all names

D - He is the Door

E - He is Eternal

R - He is the Ruler

F - He is Faithful

U - He is the Unlimited One

L - He is Love

 

Jesus is Wonderful, extraordinary, above and beyond what we can comprehend. But He desires to make Himself known to us, therefore, He gives us His name and in His name we not only gain a little more understanding of who He is, but we also discover that He truly is extraordinary.

 

Have a great day.  His name is Wonderful-- and in His name we discover just how extraordinary He is. 

 

For further reading:

Philippians 2:9

Psalm 124:8

Proverbs 18:10

 

"He Is The King"

"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." Revelation 19:16 

When we think about Jesus, we mostly think about Jesus the man. The one who came and walked the earth, who humbled Himself and lived among us as one of us. We see Him as the crucified one hanging on a cross, the miracle worker, the Savior of the world. We think about Him as the one who is with us always as our friend and confidant. When we go before Him in prayer and petition, and when we call upon His name, even then this is the image we have of Him.

 

May I remind you that though He became a man and took away our sins, and though He is a friend who sticks close to us, and while we can share a relationship with Him, He is a King. And not just another king but the King of kings. He is seated at the right hand of Majesty on High. He occupies the throne in Heaven. He is clothed in majesty and wears a crown. He holds a mighty scepter. He has a vesture that says, "King of kings and Lord of lords". 

 

Angels bow before Him. He is held in awe and revered. He is glorified. One day every knee will bow before Him and confess that He is Lord. It won't be the God-man Jesus we are bowing before; it will be the God-King Jesus.

 

We need to stop seeing Him only in His humanity and see Him in His Deity. And when we approach Him, approach Him as the King who has all dominion, all authority, and all power. He makes all the final decisions, pronounces judgment, gives decrees and does what He wills. He rules and reigns over all the universe and His ruling stands forever. This is the One we are approaching in prayer and worship.

 

Have a great day. He was Jesus the God-man when He walked the earth, now He is seated on the throne of Heaven as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

For further reading:

Hebrews 1:3; 8:1

Revelation 3:21; 17:14

Psalm 24:7-10

Matthew 28:18

Romans 14:11

2 Timothy 4:1

Luke 1:33

 

"Fuel For The Tongue"

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:5 

It has often been said that our tongue is our biggest problem and if we can learn to control it we would be a lot better off. True, the tongue is an unruly member and what it says has the potential to get us into a lot of trouble, but our tongue is not the root of the problem. Our problem lies within our thoughts. The tongue is only an instrument that repeats what it "hears"-- hears from our thoughts/mind.

 

Bitterness doesn't start in the tongue; it starts in the thoughts. Anger doesn't start in the tongue; it starts in our thoughts. Every word, whether it edifies or tears down, starts in our thoughts. Our thoughts get into our heart and out of the abundance of our hearts the mouth speaks. If the thoughts aren't in our mind, then they will never come out of our mouth. Our tongue has no mind of its own. 

 

So how do we keep our "tongues" from getting us in trouble? When I have weeds in my garden, I don't just clip them down I pull up the roots that feed those weeds. I have to do the same thing where my tongue is concerned so that those "weeds" of critical, hurtful, selfish and mean words aren't being "fed". Although there is discipline involved in choosing what to say and what to refrain from saying, we don't just keep our mouths shut, we work on the source-- the mind/thoughts. So, the key is to "capture the thoughts and renew the mind". 

 

Capturing our thoughts and renewing our mind is a one step process. They are both done through God's word. As I capture them with His word, I am also renewing my mind with His word at the same time. His word takes care of both at once. But it is not a one-time thing. Our thoughts have to be captured and our minds renewed daily and also every time an untrue, dishonest, unjust, impure and unlovely thought crosses our minds. 

 

The Bible says that no man can "tame the tongue and it is full of deadly poison", but God came tame it. He can tame it though His word as we capture the thoughts and renew our mind through that word. That is the only "antidote" for the tongue's "deadly poison" getting us into trouble.

 

Have a great day. Our tongue is not our biggest problem, what fuels it is. 

 

For further reading:

James 3:2-12

Matthew 12:34

Philippians 4:8

"With Them And Us"

"My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?" Psalm 42:3 

It seems as though most of the Coffee Break devotionals for the past several weeks have a recurring theme-- the presence of the Lord being with us. I personally believe that He is trying to remind us that regardless of what we face- and we do face many different kinds of situations while living here on earth- He will always be with us. 

 

He has shown us over and over again in the scriptures how He was with His people in good times and bad times, in times of peace and times of war, in times of plenty and times of lack, in times of prosperity and times of poverty. He has been with them in the storms, in the fire, in the lion's den, in the wilderness, on the mountain top, in the pit, in the prison, in the palace, and in the valley. In every place He has always made provision for His people by sending water from a rock, manna from heaven, stones for a sling shot to bring down a giant, a raven to feed a prophet, a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day to lead the way, an opened sea and an ark. 

 

In each example and in every situation the Lord was with His people, sending provisions and making a way for all their needs. It mattered not where they were or what they needed He was always there working on their behalf. He didn't shut His ears to their cries, He didn't close His eyes to their needs, He didn't turn His back on them, He didn't leave them or abandon them. 

 

These examples were given for our benefit, they reveal not only who God is but how He interacts with His people. They show us and remind us of the faithfulness of God and how trustworthy He is so that we too can place our hope and trust in Him that He will never leave us nor forsake us and that He will meet all our needs, make a way and work on our behalf. Be encouraged by that as you face the trials of life that tempt you to say- "Where are you God?". Just rest assured that He is right there.

 

Have a great day. The Lord has not changed- He is still right there, He is still hearing, answering, watching over and meeting your need. 

 

For further reading:

Romans 15:4

1 Corinthians 10:11

Malachi 3:6

Joshua 1:5

"The Real Proof"

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:19

Yesterday we talked about looking for some spectacular, supernatural sign as proof of God's presence. This morning I want to talk about what the real proof is. The real proof is God's word. He was with the prophet because He said He would be, not because He tore the mountains in half, or manifested an earthquake or any other great sign. 

 

God's word is His proof to us today also. He may not be showing us some visible, physical, supernatural evidence but we have His word on the matter. His word is His promise. His word is His "bond". He is not a man, He does not lie. What He says is pure truth and only truth. 

 

I may not see Him, I may not see any visible sign that He is there, I may not see any great miracle, I may not see anything at all that gives me any hope or assurance that He is there, but I don't have to have that because I have His word. His word is all we need, it is enough because it is not the word of just anyone, it is the word of God Himself.

 

Have a great day. Our evidence is God's word. It is so just because He said it.

 

For further reading:

Matthew 28:6

Numbers 23:19

John 17:17

"The Sign Of His Presence"

"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:." 1 Kings 19:11

The scripture said that the Lord was not in the wind or in the earthquake, it did not say that He wasn't there. He was there. "And, behold, the Lord passed by." He was with the prophet. He was watching his every move. He was listening to his complaint. He had not left him. 

 

We tend to look for God in big, supernatural ways. When He doesn't show up or move like we think He should, or want Him to, we think that He is not there or that He has left us. God doesn't always, although at times He does, show up in grandeur ways, but He is there nevertheless.

 

Just because you may not be seeing God's presence in some "spectacular" way; just because He isn't moving heaven and earth; just because He isn't shouting loudly; just because He isn't "rending" the mountains does not mean that His presence is not there with you. It is. His presence was with Elijah at Mt. Carmel when He was displaying His power by sending fire down from heaven to consume a wet sacrifice. And His presence was with Elijah at the cave in a small, still voice. 

 

So don't put your faith in some supernatural manifestation as an indication that God's presence is with you, God's presence is with you when you see nothing, feel nothing or even hear nothing. 

 

Have a great day. God's presence does not always show up in some big, supernatural manifestation, but it is there nevertheless.

 

For further reading:

1 Kings 18,19

Matthew 28:20

"Evidence Of His Presence"

"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve." Acts 27:22,23

 

There are those who think that just because God is with them nothing bad should ever happen in their lives. They say that if He is there then why did this bad thing happen. The presence of bad things, loss, tribulation, testing, pain, etc. is not because of the absence of God. He is present even when difficulties come, when hardship grips you, and when you are in the midst of trial and storm. 

 

Paul was in a ship in a storm being tossed to and fro in fear of losing his life. Daniel was in a lion's den facing man-eating hungry lions. The three Hebrews were in a furnace heated seven times hotter. David stood before a giant who was much stronger than he was. The presence of the storm, the lions, the fire, and the giant was not an indication of the absence of God. Instead it was a testimony to His presence. 

 

Even though the ship was destroyed Paul was saved. Even though the lions roared Daniel came out without even a scratch. Even though the furnace was so hot that it killed the ones who threw the Hebrews in it, they came out of it and didn't even smell like smoke. Even though the giant was bigger, stronger, and more skilled in fighting than David was, David killed him and made a trophy out of his head. Though each one went through trying situations, they each experienced victory. Why is that? Because the presence of the Lord had not abandoned them, He was with them each one through it all. 

 

Remember this-- bad situations are not an indication that God is not there. We will all face trials, hardships and times that try our souls-- Jesus Himself said that in this world we would have tribulation-- but rest assured that the Lord is with you standing beside you and walking with you through it. 

 

Have a great day. The presence of bad situations is not an indication of the absence of God. The fact that the situation has not destroyed you is a testimony to His presence. 

 

For further reading:

John 15:33

Psalm 34:19; 23:4

 

"New Year's Goal"

"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." Psalm 27:8 

As we have entered into a new year many are making resolutions, setting new goals, reevaluating their lives and developing plans to make some changes. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact we should judge ourselves to see where we are, what we are doing and if our lives are being productive. But as we are doing that we need to consider-- are our goals and changes focused on the eternal or the temporary.

 

Are we just focused on "self-improvement"? Are we focused on achieving some material gain? Are we focused on things that are good but have no eternal value? For example, almost everyone, at the beginning of the year, has a goal to get in better shape physically. That is good, we need to, I plan on doing better in this area myself- after all, our bodies are the temple of the Lord. But the Bible says that "bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things". (1 Timothy 4:8) Don't neglect to take care of your body but make it the "little" not the "major" part of your focus- spiritual things should be your primary focus and goal (godliness has more profit to it).

 

If we truly want to be successful, productive and make the most out of our lives, we must set a goal to achieve greater spiritual depths. And having said that, let me go one step further and say that it is not just about being focused on some "spiritual thing" like reading the Bible through in a year, doing more ministry, doing more for God, stepping into God's destiny, no, it is about being focused on God Himself. HE should be our goal. He should be the mark that we are pressing toward. Seeking Him, setting our affections on Him, drawing closer to Him, getting to know Him in more intimate ways should be our "new year's" commitment and goal. I am not saying that we should not strive to do those things, but knowing Him should be our first goal. Seeking Him produces the greatest profit- in the here and now and in eternity. It also puts you in a position for those "physical" and "temporary" things to get in line and in their proper place in your life, and will cause you to be more productive in them because as you "seek HIM first" all these things will be added unto you.

 

Have a great day. Our New Year's goal should be God Himself. 

 

For further reading:

Matthew 6:33

Philippians 3:10

Psalm 119:10; 24:6

"Thou Art The Same"

"But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." Psalm 102:27 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, prosperous, God filled New Year. None of us know what to expect from this year. We don't know what the future holds. Perhaps it will be your best year yet, or your worst, there are no guarantees. But regardless, there will be one thing you can count on-- the Lord. 

 

You can rest assured that this year He will be just as faithful as He has always been. He will be just as loving, compassionate, gracious, caring, and forgiving as He has been in the past. He does not change. He will be the same this year as He was last year and the year before and the year before that one. 

 

He will still be the shade upon your right hand. He will still be a present help in time of trouble. He will still answer when you call. He will still command His blessings upon you. He will still be with you. He will still guide you when you acknowledge Him. He will still meet all your need. His goodness will still be there for you.

 

So, remember in the days ahead that while bad things may happen, the unexpected may come, the blessings may seem to cease, His presence may seem far away, circumstances may change and uncertainty may stare you in the face, of this one thing you can be certain-- God will always be who He is and He will never change. Therefore, you can go into and throughout this New Year with peace in your heart.

 

Have a great day. Things change but God will stay the same. 

 

For further reading:

Hebrews 13:8

Proverbs 3:5,6

Psalm 23:4