"Vomit"

"As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly."  Proverbs 26:11

This verse is pretty graphic.  It certainly paints a picture-- not a very pleasant one.  We all know what vomit is.  It is matter that has been regurgitated and ejected from the stomach.  For some reason what was eaten, or drank, did not settle well in the stomach and the body took care of it by getting it out.

The bigger picture that the verse is painting is one that shows how repulsive it is for us to continue to go back to the same sins over and over again.  It didn't "agree" with our spirits to begin with, and it won't again.  For you to continue to go back to your "folly" (sin) is degrading to the person God created you to be. 

God has called you to live an abundant life.  Not a life of bondage continually returning to those things that pull you further down and away from Him.  But I have good news, you don't have to be like a fool.  You don't have to keep returning to the same pit of "vomit".  You can live in victory.  You can live in abundance of peace, joy and grace.  How?  Through Jesus.  He overcame the power of sin.  He got the victory over those things that would keep you going back and forth to old sinful habits and practices.  He provides you His power and strength to resist and to stand firm and overcome.  Through Him you are more than a conqueror over those things that would entice you to return to them. 

Don't give in!  Don't go back!  Don't return to those old habits, old ways and old sins!  Don't be like a dog returning to his own vomit.  Be the wise, victorious, overcoming person that you are through Jesus.

Have a great day.  Going back again to those sins that have had you in bondage in the past is like a dog returning to its vomit.  

"Choose Joy"

"....the joy of the Lord is your strength."  Nehemiah 8:10

God has given us a free will to choose how we want to live life.  If you want to live it as a Scrooge, a "sourpuss", disagreeable, complaining, always agitated and aggravated, just downright mean and nasty, then He will let you choose that.  But that isn't His will for your life.  His will is that you have abundant life. 

Abundant life includes a life of joy.  It isn't a life of happiness as some believe.  Happiness is based on what is happening around you.  If things are going well, if everybody likes you, if there are no problems, if you have everything you want, then you are happy.  But when things go wrong, when your world falls apart, when people come against you, when others forsake you, when you are lacking, in need and in want, then you are unhappy.  Happiness is based on the "physical" surroundings. 

Joy on the other hand, is rooted in the "spirit".  It is not governed by what is happening around you.  It is the very nature and character of God.  It is constant.  It remains during the bad times, hardships, times of want and need, when your world looks like it is ending.  Joy is not a "fair weather friend".  It won't abandon you when you are going through difficulties-- unlike happiness which will.  Does that mean you won't experience some pain, or grief, or frustration, or confusion when things are going badly? No, but joy, again unlike happiness, won't let the situation destroy you.      

Do you have the Lord's joy in your life?  You can.  It is a gift.  (Everything we receive from the Lord is a gift-- it is unmerited and unearned.)  It is part of the "abundant life package" that God wants you to have.  But, as with any gift, you are not obligated to receive it.  You choose to receive it or not.  God is not going to force it upon you.  He could, but He won't because of who He is.  He is love.  Love never forces itself; it allows you the right and freedom to choose. 

What is your choice for life?  To be a sad, mean person, complaining and full of self-pity when things go wrong?  Or will you choose to live in God's gift of abundant life and enjoy His sustaining strength that comes through joy even when things are at their worst?

Have a great day.  You have the free will to choose how you want to spend your life.    

For further reading:
John 10:10
Galatians 5:22
1 John 4:8

"Heart Or Mind?"

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."  Psalm 139:14

"That my soul knoweth right well."  The Psalmist knew some things about God on a personal level.  "For I am".  He knew that it was God who had made him.  It was God who formed him in his mother's womb.  He knew that God loved him, cared for him, and had compassion on him.  He knew that God had not made a mistake when He made him.  "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." 

These things that he knew about God, he knew in his inner most being.  "My soul knoweth right well".  He did not just have a "head knowledge" of God.  He didn't have a knowledge based on someone else's testimony of God.  He knew it personally in the deepest recesses of his heart.

Sadly, the majority of people only have a head knowledge, an educated understanding, what they have read in a book or what someone else has told them about God.  "Head knowledge" is never enough.  You have to have a "heart knowledge".  You have to know in your heart.  You have to have a relationship with Him that is deep rooted in your heart. 

Even the devils "believe" that God is who He is.  But their belief does them no good.  It is with the heart that man believes, and that heart belief makes him righteous. 

What do you know about God really isn't the right question.  The question is, "Do you know Him?"  But that too still isn't the right question.  The right question is, "Do you know Him with your heart/soul/innermost being?" 

Have a great day.  Do you know the Lord in your heart or only in your mind?

For further reading:
Romans 10:9,10
James 2:19 

 

"I Won't If"

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"  Jeremiah 17:9

How many times have you given into some besetting sin or habit that you know you should not be doing?  It may not be some "big" thing, but it still makes you feel bad and brings guilt along with it.  Each time you did it you have repented and asked God for forgiveness.  Each time you have told Him, and yourself, that you will never do it again.  But you do it again anyway. 

When this happens and we are confessing it to the Lord, we can't make the statement to Him that we will never do it again.  As much as we may not want to do it, as much as we plan on not doing it again, as much as we may even be sincere in our desire and statement not to do it, we can't say it with total honesty because of our own hearts. 

We may believe we won't do it again because of shear will power and determination not to, but the fact is that our hearts are desperately wicked.  They will deceive us.  They will make us think that we won't but yet we will. 

The only true profession that we can make about this has to include an "if". 

I won't do it again if, I seek first the Kingdom of God.
I won't do it again if, I stay in constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
I won't do it again if, I continue to follow the Lord in each thing I do, each thought, each action.
I won't do it again if, I submit myself continually to Jesus' Lordship over my life.
I won't do it again if, I will be led by the Holy Spirit.
I won't do it again if, I keep my mind renewed with God's Word.
I won't do it again if, I humble myself before the mighty hand of God.
I won't do it again if, I remain in the position of a living sacrifice.
I won't do it again if, I will listen to and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit.
I won't do it again if, I will rest upon His strength and power.

Because of my desperately wicked heart, which is out to destroy me, I can't keep such a vow, no matter how much I desire to, in and of myself.  I have to have the Lord's help.  I have to walk in His grace, strength and power.  It is as I truly realize that I can do all things through Christ and invoke His help that then my vow and desire not to do certain things is fulfilled. 

Have a great day.  I may say I won't do it again, but that is only if I stay close to the Lord and follow Him.   
 

"It's Just A Thing"

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  1 Peter 5:17

 My dad has this saying that he uses when things go wrong, when something breaks down, when something tears up, or a situation arises, and something needs to be repaired.  The saying-- "It's just a thing."

When a situation like I have described arises, my dad is responsible and takes care of the problem by fixing what he can but does it with the attitude of "it is just a thing".  Meaning that problems in life happen.  Meaning that you shouldn't be so consumed with the problem.  Meaning that it will be all right, don't worry so much about it.

There are many things and problems that arise in our life that we need to basically have this same attitude about--"it's just a thing".  We need to treat those things which are "minor" as "just a thing".  We don't need to turn a "mole hill into a mountain".  We need to stop letting that "thing" cause us so much grief, worry and frustration.  We need to stop letting it steal our joy and rob us of our peace.  We need to stop letting it have so much power over us-- over our attitude, over our emotions, etc.  After all, it is just a thing.  It is a temporary thing that won't last forever.  It is a thing that is subject to failure.  It may even breakdown again, or many times.  It is subject to change. 

You and I need to treat more things in life like they are "just a thing".  You are worrying over something you have no control over.  You are upset with something you can't prevent from happening.  All your worrying and fretting isn't going to change it. You are striving over something that will work itself out eventually anyway.  Loosen up.  Learn to cast your care upon the Lord.  Ask Him to help you to look at things from a proper perspective.  Ask Him to help you see what really is major and merits your attention, and what is "just a thing".

Have a great day.  Stop worrying over something that is "just a thing".

"A Luxury Gift"

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."  Ephesians 2:8

There are two kinds of gifts.  The luxury gift-- a gift that is given for enjoyment.  The provisional gift-- the one that is given to meet a need or practical purpose. 

The Bible says that grace is a gift given to us from God.  Most people look at the gift of grace as a luxury gift.  They see it as something that is to be used for their enjoyment.  It holds no responsibilities with it-- it is there strictly to give them pleasure.  Therefore, they use the gift of grace as a license to do whatever they please.  Grace is not a license-- a luxury gift that is at your disposal to use however you choose.

It is a marvelous gift of provision-- it provides what we need.  It is the provision by which we can be saved based on the merits of someone else.  We can't save ourselves; our good works are never good enough; our own righteousness is unacceptable because it is like filthy rags.  But because of the provision of grace, what Jesus did at the cross can be applied to our lives and make us acceptable. 

Grace is the provision by which we can live life even with a "thorn in the flesh".  It is the provision by which we can resist temptation when it comes our way.  It is the provision that will keep the door closed, and locked, when sin is crouching outside of it.  It is the provision by which we can endure to the end.  It is the provision that will keep us running the race that is set before us.  It is the provision that lifts up our heads and hands when they hang down.  It is the provision that keeps us from being distressed when we are troubled on every side.  It is the provision that gives us peace in the storm, assurance in the trial, strength to run and not be weary, and the ability to walk and not faint. 

Grace is not a luxury item gift to be used at our disposal so that we can fulfill every whim and desire of our flesh.  It is the wonderful gift of provision that God has given to us in order to be able to live an abundant victorious life.

Have a great day.  Grace is not a luxury gift, it is a provision. 

"Overruled"

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

In our verse this morning, Paul was praying for the thorn in his flesh to be removed, but God "overruled" his request and said no. 

When we are going through a trial, a difficulty, a storm, etc. and we pray that the Lord would deliver us out of it, sometimes He does.  But many times He doesn't. 

We may demand that God do it.  We may ask Him to do it, but that doesn't mean He has to.  The Father has the right to overrule the child.  The King has the right to overrule the subject.  He overruled Paul's prayer to remove the thorn in his flesh.  He overruled Joseph's desire to get out of the prison at that particular time.  He overruled Jesus' request to let the cup pass from Him if it was possible. 

When God leaves you in a situation, when He doesn't deliver you out like you want, when He says no, remember this-- He has a plan for your life.  His plan is a good plan.  Not a plan to harm or to hurt you.  When He says no but allows you to walk through it instead, or be tested by it, He is working all things together for your good.  He is protecting you from being destroyed by the enemy. He is positioning you to fulfill your destiny.  He is cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in you.  He is making an avenue so that His power might rest upon you.  He is working in you a far greater weight of glory, and He is transforming you into the image of His Son.

Although you may want Him to answer "yes", if He answers "no", He will be with you and give you everything you need to go through it.  He is working all things together for your good.

Have a great day.  If God says "no" to your request, it is because He has something better in mind for you.

For further reading:
Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:28   

"Jealous Love"

"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."  Exodus 34:14

When we read the scriptures, like the one above, they tell us that our God is a jealous God.  This jealousy is not an "evil" emotion that God possesses.  He is jealous over us with a holy jealousy.  It's a jealousy that is rooted in His deep love for us.  He loves us so deeply, so dearly that He doesn't want to share us with someone else.  That is understandable.  I love my husband so much that I don't want to share him, or his affections, with some other woman.  

The Father's love for us is a jealous love because He knows that if we do go after some other "lover" we will wind up hurt, deceived, abused and broken.  This is what happened in the Book of Hosea.  The prophet's wife, Gomer, went after other lovers and wound up on the auction block to be sold as a slave.  God loves us so much that He doesn't want to see that happen to us-- spiritually speaking.

There is no doubt that He is jealous for us.  But the question I want to ask this morning is, "Are you jealous for Him?"  Does your heart burn with love and desire for Him?  Does it hurt you, does it grieve you, does it sadden your heart when He is not honored?  When He is misrepresented?  When others are stealing His glory for themselves?  When He is blasphemed?  When He is made the blunt of a joke or becomes a by-word?  Are you jealous for Him when He is ridiculed and mocked?  When He is denied? 

If we aren't hurt when He is made fun of, if we aren't saddened when He is cursed, if we aren't grieved when He is rejected, then just how jealous are we for Him?  Just how much do we love Him if our jealousy is measured in proportion to our love for Him.  God's jealousy was exhibited in proportion to how much He loved us through. His demonstration of that love was shown at the cross when He gave as a ransom for our sins His One and Only Son.  He did this because He loved us so much that He didn't want to share us with any other "lover" (sin and its acts) because it would all destroy us and lead us to death.   

Have a great day.  Are you jealous for God?

"A Great Company"

"The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it."  Psalm 68:11

The spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not given as a mandate to just a few chosen persons.  It is a commission that is given to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is given to those who have put their faith and trust in Him as Savior and Lord. 

But you may say, "I am not a preacher.  God hasn't called me to be a missionary.  I can't teach a Bible study."  This may be true because there are certain gifts and callings that God places on every individual.  The scripture even asks, "Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?"  The answer here is, "No".  The scriptures also describe the believers as members of a body.  The physical body consists of many parts.  Not just one.  We aren't just a bunch of eyes, or ears, or toes, etc.  So is the body of Christ.  Not all of us are eyes.  Not all of us are hands.  Not all of us are pastors, or prophets, or teachers, etc.  But that doesn't mean that you don't have a part in fulfilling the commission. 

The commission was "go ye".  Ye means you.  You is whoever you are.  What has Jesus done in your life?  Then publish it.  The word publish means:  to bear news, bear tidings, publish, preach, show forth; to gladden with good news; to announce (salvation) as good news.  What has He delivered you from?  Then tell the good news.  What has He saved you from?  Then announce it to others.  What change has He made in your life?  Then share the good news. 

We have a word that others need to hear.  We have a word of hope in hopeless times.  We have a word of peace in confusing times.  We have a word of encouragement in discouraging times.  We have the answer to all the questions.  We have a light in darkness.  We have good news to share.  If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and He has saved you and changed your life, then you are part of this great company that is to share it with the world.  If we all shared it, our world would receive the hope, help and answers that it is looking for.

Have a great day.  There is a great company of people who are to share the message of good news with the world.  Are you part of that company?  Then are you sharing it?     

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Mark 16:15

"Accepting And Denying"

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."  2 Corinthians 5:14,15

When we receive Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, there is an "accepting" that takes place.  We accept the fact that we are sinners.  We accept the fact that there is an eternal punishment that awaits us because of our sins.  We accept the fact that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves from that punishment.  We accept the fact that Jesus came, died and rose again to save us from our sins and take our punishment.  We accept the fact that faith in what He did is the only way to receive forgiveness and eternal life. 

There is also a "denying" that takes place.  We then deny ourselves.  We no longer rule our own lives.  We don't live the way we want to live.  We don't follow our own fleshly lustful desires.  We aren't the head of our own lives anymore.  We surrender our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and then follow Him-- His will, His plan, and His desire for our lives. 

This is where many people have an issue.  They want to be the "lord" of their own lives.  They want to do what they want to do.  They don't want to have to deny their own agenda.  They don't want someone else telling them what they can and can't do.  They want to be their own "boss". 

Salvation and Christianity just doesn't work like that.  You can't have Jesus as Lord and yourself as Lord.  The two of you can't govern your life at the same time.  You can't serve Him and your flesh.  You can't follow Him and self both just as you can't be hot and cold at the same time. 

Is it too selfish of a request, is it too demanding, is it too unreasonable for the One who gave His life for you to ask you to give your life to Him?  He was beaten for you.  He was punished for you.  He was mocked for you.  He DIED for you!  If He died for you and purchased you from eternal punishment with the price of His own blood, it is only reasonable that you "should not henceforth live for yourself, but for the One Who died for you." 

Have a great day.  Jesus died for you.  It is only reasonable that you should live for Him. 

 

"The Sign Of Deception"

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you."  Matthew 24:3,4

When the disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming (return), the first sign He listed was deception.  Then He went a step further in defining the deception.  "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."  The first sign would be spiritual deception. 

Aren't we seeing this already?  Spiritual deception is abounding throughout the world and even in the church.  It comes through the teaching that many and all ways lead to God.  It is all right to believe what you want to believe as long as you are not hurting anyone.  Just be good and that is good enough.  Good works, or even having good intentions, will save you.  There is no heaven and there is no hell, it is all a state of mind.  Humanism, philosophy, enlightenment, education, reincarnation, etc.  These are only a few of the teachings that are being propagated.     

Spiritual deception was the first weapon the devil used on mankind, and it will be one of the last.  Therefore, we must heed the warning of Jesus that we are not deceived.  If it were possible even the very elect would be deceived.  How do we keep from being deceived? 

In order to keep from being deceived, be like the wise man who built his house upon the rock.  Jesus is often called the Rock.  Build your life upon Him.  He told Peter that upon this rock He would build His church.  That rock was the revelation of who Jesus is-- the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Know what you believe about Him according to the teaching of the Bible, hold firm to the truth about who Jesus is and don't be persuaded otherwise.   Know His Word.  Don't believe everything you hear, or see, no matter who it comes through, but try the spirits.  Search the scriptures for yourself.  Don't depend on someone else to tell you what they say.  Stay close to the Holy Spirit-- He is the revealer of truth and will warn you when deception comes. 

If you will know Jesus, know the truth about who He is, know His word, stay rooted and grounded in it, listen to the voice of His Spirit, then you will stand when the floods of deception, error and false doctrine come.  If you don't, you will be like the foolish man and you will be swept away by the flood of false religious deception.   

Have a great day.  The best way to keep from being deceived is by knowing the truth.

For further reading:
Genesis 3:1,5
Mark 13:22
Matthew 7:24-27; 16:18
1 John 4:1
John 5:39

"Zacchaeus"

"And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.  And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature." Luke 19:2,3

As children we learned the story of Zacchaeus who "climbed up in the Sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see".  We learned that he did this because he was a "wee little man"-- he was little of statue. 

Allow me a little license here to give my opinion about Zacchaeus.  The Bible tells us a few things about him.  It says that he was a little man.  He says that he was a tax collector.  It says he was rich.  I believe that because of his size he felt intimidated and inferior.  He was probably the blunt of many "short" jokes.  He was probably made fun of and laughed at.  He may have been bullied and picked on.  Being a tax collector made him feel powerful.  Being rich made him feel superior.  His position gave him pride.  It probably made him arrogant.  He was no longer the laughingstock but had the "last laugh" because he had the authority to legally take money from the people, however much he chose to take, and could punish those who did not comply. His word was law.  He "worked" for the Roman government so that meant he was a "big fish in a big pond".  In short (no pun intended), he thought his position and possessions would give him value, prestige, riches, a comfortable life and honor-- it would make him "somebody". 

But one day he heard Jesus was coming.  Zacchaeus swallowed his pride and climbed up a tree so he could see Jesus when He passed by.  One of the lessons we learn from this story of Zacchaeus is that our worth and our value (that which makes us "somebody") is not in what we possess, in who we are, in our reputation, in our popularity, in our accolades, or in our position.  I believe he learned this lesson himself.  He was made fun of by the people because of his statue.  He was hated by the people because of his position as a tax collector.  People will never make us feel as special and as valued as we really are.  Our positions and riches will never give us that security either.  But Jesus loved and accepted him.  Jesus is who made Zacchaeus somebody.  Jesus is who makes us somebody. 

Have a great day.  Your worth and value is not measured by any external thing you possess or title you hold, but by the fact that Jesus loves you. 

"He's Still Faithful"

"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."  2 Timothy 2:13

The word for faithful here is defined:  of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties; that can be relied on.

The scriptures tell us that God is faithful.  He is even called Faithful.  He is faithful to do what He says He will do.  He is faithful to keep His promises.  He has always been faithful, and He will always be faithful. 

The faithfulness of God is not based, or contingent, upon our faithfulness.  God's faithfulness is based on His own nature and character.  His faithfulness is based on who He is, not on what we do.

Even if we are unfaithful, it does not change God's faithfulness.  Even if we don't believe His Word, it does not change His faithfulness.  Even if we don't obey His commands, it doesn't change His faithfulness.  Even if we don't appropriate His promises, it doesn't change His faithfulness.  Even if we rebel against Him and go our own way, it doesn't change His faithfulness.  Even if we accuse Him of being unfaithful, it does not change His faithfulness.  Even if we deny Him, it does not change His faithfulness.

He is a faithful.  He will do what He says.  If He says He will bless the righteous, He will bless the righteous.  If He says He will punish the wicked, He will punish them.  If He says He will be with you, He will be with you.  If He says He will meet your need, He will meet it.  If He says He chastens those He loves, He chastens them.  He is faithful to do what He says He will do even if you don't believe in Him.  He is God and cannot deny Himself.

If you are wrestling with believing that He is faithful, then stop.  He is... period!  What you do or don't do, what you believe or don't believe doesn't change His faithfulness.  He is going to be faithful to what He says even if you aren't faithful to Him or to believe Him.    

Have a great day.  God's faithfulness is not based on your faithfulness; it is based on His nature.   

"Different Kind Of Need"

"The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name."  Psalm 89:12

God created the north and the south, the east and the west.  How far can you travel in the direction of north and you no longer be going north?  How far can you travel south and are no longer traveling south?  What about east and west?  If you start traveling toward the east and continue, will you automatically be heading in a different direction?  Or will you continue to be traveling east?  If you start at one point on the map and from there head east, you can travel the whole globe and still never change directions.  Unless you turn around you will always be heading east.  There is no dividing line that says, "now you are traveling west".  This works the same regardless of which direction you go-- north, south, east or west.   

My point is this-- God created all points on the compass and no matter where and which direction you go, you will never come to the end of the creation of God.  That is why the Psalmist said, "The earth and all its fullness is the Lord's". 

He created the high mountains, the small mountains, the hills, the valleys, the rivers, the streams, the continents to the east and the ones to the west.  He created the continents to the north and to the south.  He created the poles.  He created the islands.  Everywhere you look, everywhere you go, God has created it. 

This amazing God who created direction, land mass, different terrains, is the same God who loves you and is able to create anything that you need.  He doesn't just create one thing or one kind of a thing, He creates a variety of each thing.  It says to me that whatever my need is, even if it is something that is "special" or "out of the ordinary" He is well able to meet that need.  He is well able to meet your need today.

Have a great day.  It doesn't matter how "unusual" your need may be, God can still meet it.

"He Cheerfully Gives"

"The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them."  Psalm 89:11 

The heavens are the Lord's.  The earth is the Lord's.  The world and all that is in it are His also.  Every tree, every blade of grass, every bird, every star, every drop of water, every breath of air, etc.  Why is it then that we act like it "belongs" to us?  We act like it is all ours. 

 

When we have the attitude that it is ours, and forget whose it really is, we tend to hoard it and get stingy with what "we" have.  There is a reason why the Lord said that He loves a "cheerful giver".  It is because He Himself is a cheerful giver.  He so graciously gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness.  He so freely gives us everything we need out of His vast storehouse, wealth and creation.  He loads us with benefits from His own possessions.  He doesn't deal with us with a tight fist and make us have to "pry" it all from His clutches.  He deals with us with an open hand. 

 

How do you treat that which God allows you to have?  Do you remember who it actually belongs to?  Are you a cheerful giver?  Are you a giver at all? 

 

What do you need this morning?  What are you lacking in?  Whatever it is, God has it.  He owns it.  And He is ready and willing to share it with you.  And He does not deal with a slack hand.  This is why the verse says that He will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  He will-- because it all belongs to Him.  He will supply-- because He isn't stingy with what He has.  According to His riches-- because He has everything and more than enough.  In glory-- because He supplies supernaturally according to what He has and not just what we need.  By Christ Jesus-- because He already gave the best He had, His Son, for us; won't He also give us freely everything else we need.

 

Have a great day.  The Lord owns it all and He freely gives us what we need from His vast supply.    

 

For further reading:

2 Corinthians 9:7  

Philippians 4:19

"Troops And Walls"

"For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall."  Psalm 18:29  

When I read this verse, my thoughts wonder to movies that I have seen.  The movies where there is a castle and two opposing armies.  One army is trying to get to the castle and take possession of it and the other army is trying to defend it and stop them.  You have all seen these scenes portrayed. 

 

Between the one army and their takeover of the castle are many opponents and obstacles.  Each one has to be fought and defeated.  Often life is like that.  In order to receive "possession" of what the Lord has provided for us; we have to fight battles.  There are "armies" to defeat and "walls" to scale.  Those armies may be such things as fear, bitterness, anger, greed, past mistakes, condemnation, pride and so on.  Sometimes we have to scale the wall of discouragement, regrets, opinions of others, weariness or shame.  They all try to stand in the way of us receiving the "prize". 

 

Unlike the battles that have been fought throughout history and on the movies, we already know the outcome of the battles we face.  We win!  There is no reason for us to be defeated because 1) Jesus has already won the victory for us; 2) we don't fight them alone-- God is with us.  "By God I can run through a troop, by God I can leap over a wall."  I can go through the strongest troop and not only scale the highest wall but leap over it. 

 

Are you facing a troop of enemies today?  Are you standing before a high wall?  Does it look like the odds are against you?  Does it look impossible?  Does it look like you won't win this one?  Take heart and go forth through it in the Lord and the power of His might. 

 

Have a great day.  The strongest opponents and greatest obstacles can't stop us from being victorious because the Lord gives us the victory. 

"Talking Face To Face"

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven."  Exodus 20:22

The Lord literally talked with His people from heaven.  He talked with His people from the mountain.  The inhabitants of the surrounding lands knew that their God talked with them face to face.  He talked to Moses face to face as one does to a friend.  How amazing is that!

He does talk to us, if we are listening.  He has always desired to talk with His people.  In the very beginning He talked with Adam each day.  He hasn't changed His mind or His desire to communicate with us.  When He spoke with Moses, Abraham, Noah, King David, Gideon, etc. it was under the Old Covenant.  How much more will He speak to us under the New Covenant-- which is called a better covenant. 

How does He talk to us?  In various ways.  He speaks through natural things and creation.  He speaks through other people.  But mostly He speaks through His Son.  "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1,2)  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)  This verse is speaking of Jesus-- He is the Word.  A friend recently pointed out that there was no Bible when John 1:1 was written.  Therefore, He speaks to us Himself.  Because He is the Word, when we do read the Bible, He is speaking to us.  But the main way He desires to speak to us is personally "face to face".  He does this by His Holy Spirit.  His Spirit communicates to us His will, His plans, His desire, and so on. 

Do you want to hear from Him?  He wants and desires to speak to you.  Enter into a personal relationship with Him.  Cultivate a relationship with His Spirit.  Set your heart to commune with Him.  Set your heart to love Him.  Learn His voice by spending time alone with Him.  Listen to what He is saying, don't ignore and don't neglect it. 

Have a great day.  The Lord desires to speak to you "face to face". 

For further reading:
Romans 1:20 
Exodus 33:11
Deuteronomy 5:4; 34:10
Numbers 14:14

"Praising A Good God"

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."  Psalm 118:29

Sometimes it seems hard to praise the Lord and give thanks when so much devastation is going on around you.  When the world seems to be spinning out of control.  When evil appears to be winning.  When you are suffering the loss of many things.  When you hear one bad report after another.  When chaos and confusion are everywhere.  When those you trust betray you.  When those you respect take advantage of you.  When people seem bent on causing trouble.  When the skies continue to stay dark and you see no ray of sunshine.  When all hope seems lost.  

Granted things may be bad, but it doesn't change the fact that the Lord is good.  And because God is good, we do have a reason to praise and give thanks.  When Job got the report that he had lost everything, he went out and worshipped.  He didn't worship the tragedy.  He didn't worship because bad had happened.  He worshipped God.  He set His praise on God.  He knew that regardless of the bad that was happening, God was still good.

Nothing changes the goodness of God-- not even a bad situation, a bad report, bad people, or bad news.  God is still good!  He has always been good and will always continue to be good.  You may not think you can find anything to be thankful for because your world may be falling apart in front of your very eyes.  But if you want to see something good, look to God and you will find plenty enough to give thanks for. 

Have a great day.  The fact that God is good is more than enough reason to give thanks.

For further reading:
Job 1:20

 

"You're Not Forsaken"

"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"  Matthew 27:46

This morning the Lord reminded me of a particular time when my granddaughter was little and spent the night with me. (I know He reminded me because He wants to encourage you through this.)  That night, as always, I gave her a bath before she went to bed. On the side of the tub there were small toys lined up for her to play with.  Among them were a fish, a horse, a pig, a cow, a lamb, etc.  One by one she placed the toys in the tub with her.  She put them all in the water except the lamb.  She left it on the side of the tub.  I said to her, after a while of playing, "Poor little lonely lamb.  He is alone all by himself."  At that moment the Holy Spirit spoke to me. 

Jesus was the Lamb of God who came to take away our sins.  When He hung on the cross, He hung there alone.  He was left by Himself.  His disciples had abandoned Him.  The Heavenly Father had forsaken Him and turned His back on Him.  He faced His most trying time alone.  He faced the enemy by Himself.  He faced the torment, the persecution, the pain, the rejection by Himself.  No one was there holding His hand.  No one was comforting Him.  No one was reaching out and embracing Him.  No one gave Him a shoulder to cry on.  No one held Him in their arms.  He was totally alone. 

While on the cross, Jesus defeated sin.  He gave us freedom from the power of sin.  He reconciled our relationship back to the Father.  He made a way of forgiveness so that we could have eternal life.  But He did so much more for us as well.  He was forsaken so that we would never have to be.  In His "aloneness" He made the provision that we would never have to be alone.  When we walk through dark places, trying times, raging storms, temptations of life, the attacks of the enemy, persecution, trials, times of grief and anguish, we are never alone.  Man may not be there with us.  People may abandon us.  Friends and family may forsake us, but we can rest assured that the Heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us.  He placed that on Jesus so that we never have to experience it.  Because of what Jesus went through for us, we never have to ask the question, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  Because He never will.

Have a great day.  Jesus was forsaken so that you and I never have to be. 

"The Underdogs"

"The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people."  Deuteronomy 7:7

A pastor once told me that I was always for the "underdog".  By the way he said it, I wasn't sure if he meant it as a compliment or a criticism.  I personally took it as a compliment.  Why?  Because Jesus was for the "underdog".  When He walked the earth, He went to those who society had made outcasts.  He went to those who were belittled by the religious crowd.  He went to the lowly, the uneducated, the poor, the down cast, the down and out, those who had been forgotten, rejected and ignored.

Jesus was the Champion of the "underdog".  He rebuked the Pharisees for condemning the woman caught in the act of adultery.  He told the disciples and all who were in the room to leave the woman who was anointing His feet alone, though she had a reputation.  He told the disciples that a memorial would be remembered for the widow who gave her last money.  He touched and healed the lepers.  He held the children in His arms, after the disciples tried to send them away. 

The whole reason Jesus came to earth was to reach the "underdog".  Because we all were under dogs.  We were all wretched and lost in trespasses and sin.  We were helpless to save ourselves.  We needed a champion to come and plead our case because we were powerless to do it for ourselves.  Jesus was not just the champion of those whose lives He touched while He was on earth.  He is today the Champion of our salvation.  He is the Victor.  He defeated sin which had robbed us and made us inferior.  He restored us back to a place of acceptance, a place of power, a place of honor.  He has made us victorious through Himself.  We are no longer underdogs, but heirs of God, kings and priests unto our God.  We are now the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, the first and not the last!  I don't know about you, but I am thankful that Jesus did not ignore and forget about the underdog... because I was one of them.

Have a great day.  Jesus is for the underdog. 

 

"Legalistic Or Holy?"

"Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord."  Isaiah 52:11

When I was growing up, I understood that being a Christian meant that there were certain things I did not do.  I did not drink.  I did not smoke.  I did not do drugs.  I did not cuss.  I dressed modestly.  I didn't "shack up" and live with someone that I was not married to.  It meant there were certain places I did not go.  I did not go hang out at the bars.  I did not go spend my money at the casinos.  I did not hang out with thugs.  I did not watch indecent movies.   

Now days I see everything that I named, plus more, in the lives of those who profess to be Christians.  "These things ought not be." (James 3:10)  But they have become an accepted lifestyle and the norm.  To say anything about, or against, this behavior is to be accused of "judging" or being "legalistic".  I want to clarify this morning that it is neither. 

Oh, but we are under grace, you may say.  Yes, but grace is not a license to sin.  And grace is more than unmerited favor.  It is also God's divine influence upon the heart.  If He has no influence in your life-- what you do, what you wear, where you go, how you live, or your attitude-- then your salvation is doubtful.  We are saved by grace through faith.  When grace is appropriated to our lives, though it is unearned and not "worked for", it is to be "worked out".  That means we walk in and live in that Divine influence of God that is now in our lives.

I am not talking about legalism I am talking about holiness.  "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15,16)  Holy lives are a reflection of the Father and evidence of His work of transformation taking place in us.  When He saves us, He doesn't leave us like we are.  He changes us.  Continuing in the things we have always done, indulging in the same fleshly desires we have always fulfilled, living the same old lifestyle we have always led shows no evidence of any transformation taking place in us.  "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) Does your life reflect God's grace and holiness? 

Have a great day.  What does your lifestyle say about you?  Does it line up with your profession of being a Christian?

For further reading:
Ephesians 5:1-6; 2:8,9

"Keep Your Word"

"Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."  John 13:38

During the Last Supper Jesus begins to tell His disciples that He would be leaving them and that where He was going they could not come.  Peter spoke up and said, "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake." (verse 37) Our opening scripture is Jesus' reply to his question. 

How many times have we done the same thing as Peter?  How many times have we made a "vow", so to speak, that we would follow Him all the days of our lives?  How many times have we told Him that if He will just do this or that for us that we will live for Him?  How many promises have we made to Him?  How many "deals" have we tried to work out with Him?  The real question is not how many, but how many have we actually kept. 

It is easy when we are in need to make these kinds of statements.  But what about when the emergency/problem/need is over?  It is easy to make them when He is blessing us abundantly.  But what about when it is put to the test?  Peter's profession to be willing to lay down his life for Jesus was put to the test.  He failed it-- he denied Jesus three times when the very thing he professed he would do, lay down his life, looked like it might become a reality.  

Peter made the profession because he thought he could really do it.  He made it in the "heat of the moment".  He made it out of pride.  Have you made some profession or vow to the Lord but when it came to fulfilling it, you recanted, or was afraid to do it?  The Bible says that it is better not to make a vow to God than to make it and not keep it.  Jesus knew Peter wouldn't keep it, but He loved him anyway.  After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter and Peter did actually lay down his life for Jesus.  It is time for you to keep your vow to Him as well.

Have a great day.  Have you told the Lord you would do something but haven't kept your word to Him? 

For further reading:
Ecclesiastes 5:4,5  

"Hold Fast To God's Word"

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)."  Hebrews 10:23

Where does the profession of our faith come from?  It comes from God's Word.  "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)  How did we come to believe what we believe about Jesus Christ the Son of God?  Through the preaching of God's Word.  How did we receive eternal life?  By responding to what we heard when we heard the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Lord uses the foolishness of preaching (His Word) to save the lost.  He uses His Word to guide and instruct us through our journey of life.  He uses His Word to enlighten our pathway so that we can see clearly how to walk through life.  He uses His Word to convict and convince us of sin.  He uses His Word to give us hope, joy, peace and strength.  His Word is such a vital part of our Christian life.  So vital that we can't afford to neglect it.  So vital that we can't live without it.  It is food to our spirits.  It is life and health to our flesh. 

The enemy knows how "important" the Word of God is in bringing the lost to Christ, in the saving of a person's soul, in establishing us in our spiritual growth, in equipping us in how to face life's problems and situations, in revealing God the Father's will in our lives and in keeping us from falling.  Therefore, He tries to steal the Word from us.  How?  By twisting it to mean what we want it to mean.  By watering it down.  By deceiving us into believing that we don't really need it.  By lying to us and telling us that it is not relevant for today and it is out dated.  By mixing it with man's philosophies, humanistic wisdom, cultural traditions, old wives-tales, misguided interpretation and by deceiving us into believing there are no absolutes. 

Because of this, we must hold fast to God's Word and don't waver from it no matter what society tells us about it, no matter what the consensus of the world is, no matter what anyone else tells us or teaches including misguided churches, or even an angel.  We have to hold fast our profession of God's Word.  His Words are life and eternal life to us.       

Have a great day.  Hold fast to the truth of God's Word no matter what anyone else says about it.

For further reading:
2 Timothy 1:13; 3:15
Romans 10:14

 

"Established In My Heart?"

"Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear."  Psalm 119:38

The word establish in the dictionary means:  set up (an organization, system, or set of rules) on a firm or permanent basis.  The word established means:  having been in existence for a long time and therefore recognized and generally accepted.

God's word has been set up/established from the beginning.  It is permanent and to be recognized and accepted as the truth.  Its instructions, its councils, its commands have always been accepted as the absolute truth-- because it is.  Nations were formed on its principals.  Businesses were governed by its precepts.  Lives have been forever changed by the peace it gives.  Hope has been restored because of its promises.  Dreams have been accomplished because of its guidance.  Nations have fallen because they refused to be governed by it.  Lives have resulted in ruin because they ignored it.  

God's word has been established forever-- from the beginning until the end.  Yet, sadly, now days it is being put in question.  It is being rejected.  It is being mocked.  It is being ignored.  Even in the church it is being watered down, compromised, reinterpreted, and rejected as the first and final authority.  It is being replaced by philosophy; by educated wisdom; by humanistic thinking.  Do we really think we know better?  Do we really think we can build our lives, our homes, our businesses, our nations, upon our own wisdom and council?   

Only a house that is built upon a firm foundation can stand the test of time and the elements.  Only a life that is built upon a firm foundation can stand and withstand life in general.  "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matthew 7:24,25)

While the world is degrading the word of God, while the church is compromising it, and while multitudes are ignoring it, you and I must individually live by it, let it govern our actions and attitudes, and have its truths firmly established in our hearts. 

Have a great day.  God's word is forever established.  Is it established in your heart?

"Greater Righteousness"

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:20

The righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was dependent upon their works, deeds and religious intellect.  It was a self-righteousness.  Jesus tells His disciples, and us, that unless our righteousness exceeds theirs, we will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.  How can ours exceed theirs?  We are all born with the same righteousness-- or rather lack of.  Our righteousness is as "filthy rags".  So was theirs.  We are all in the same boat with the scribes and Pharisees.  All our righteousness is "filthy" no matter how many good deeds we do or religious acts we perform. 

The only way our righteousness can exceed this "self-righteousness" of the scribes and Pharisees is by our righteousness being transformed.  The only way it can be transformed is through Jesus Christ.  In order for our righteousness to exceed this filthy righteousness we must be a partaker of Jesus Christ's righteousness.  We must have His righteousness applied to our lives.  "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21) This happens when we receive Him as our Savior.

Does your righteousness "exceed" that of the scribes and Pharisees?  Is it greater?  Is it great enough to cause you to be able to enter into the Kingdom of heaven?  If it's your own, it won't be.  Yours is filthy, therefore, it is unacceptable to God.  Nothing "filthy" will enter into His Kingdom.  But God has provided a righteousness that exceeds all our righteousness.  It is provided through Jesus Christ and is available to all who will receive it.

Have a great day.  Whose righteousness do you have?  The same as the scribes and Pharisees?  Or the righteousness of Jesus? 

For further reading:
Romans 3:22
Isaiah 64:6

 

"God's The First"

"Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last."  Isaiah 48:12

Three times in scriptures the Lord reminds us that He is "the first" and "the last".  In the verse above He says to "hearken" to Him.  In other words, He is telling those He is addressing -- His called people (that would include the nation of Israel and spiritual Israel, those of us who were "grafted in") -- to listen and pay attention to what He is saying. 

So, what is He saying?  One thing He is saying is a revelation of who He is.  He is the first and He is also the last.  That means He was there at the beginning and will be there at the end.  He was there before the worlds were even framed by His word.  He was there at the beginning when He spoke it all into existence.  He was there before you and I had our beginning.  He was there at our beginning-- when we were conceived in our mother's womb (as He told the prophet Jeremiah).  He was there at the beginning of your new birth-- when you received His Son Jesus as your Savior. 

It also means He is the first and only God.  He was God before men ever devised their idols and false gods.  He was the first before we rebelled against Him and started serving self.  He was already God before we started worshipping the creation as God instead of worshipping God. 

Being the "first" (before anything else and the first and only God) means He sees down the portals of time and space, even before it came into being, and knows what is going to happen.  This is good news for us on a personal level.  It means that He saw into my life and knew what it would be.  It means He sees into my life and knows what is going on, even before it happens.  It means that since He already knows, He already makes provision for anything that comes into my life.  Him being God means that He has the power and ability to take care of whatever happens in my life.  He is God; therefore, He is powerful, He is provider, He is healer, He is deliverer, He is redeemer, He is everything and has everything that I need-- and that you need. 

What do you need this morning?  What are you going through?  He already knows it and already saw it because He is the first.  He saw the need first, even before you did.  He already has your answer and your provision because He is God.

Have a great day.  God is the first!

"He's Looking At You"

"Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,  Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!"  Psalm 113:5,6

 Loosely translated this verse means-- God sits high, but He looks low!  This God who is so highly exalted above anyone and anything else, keeps His eye on the things that are in heaven and that are down here on earth.  When you consider the heavens, the work of His fingers, the moon and the stars, which He has ordained; what is man, that He is even mindful of us? He has made us lower than the angels.  Yet He did not create us then leave us on our own.  He didn't create us then sit back in His "easy chair" somewhere and like some child playing with a toy-- "wind us up and let us go" moving around on our own.  He is always there.  He is always watching over us.  He is still ruling from on high.  He is still very active in the affairs of men.  He is very mindful of us.

You may feel as if He has left you, neglected you or forgotten you.  You may feel abandoned by Him.  You may feel like He doesn't care about you.  You may feel like He has left you to yourself and doesn't know where you are or what you are going through.  Your feelings are not telling you the truth.  He does care.  He is with you.  He is watching over you.... always.  

Have a great day.  Although God sits high, He still looks down low to watch over you.   

For further reading:
Psalm 8:3-5

 

"I Know A Secret"

"For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."  1 Corinthians 14:2

The word for mysteries here means- hidden secrets, hidden things not obvious to the understanding, the hidden purposes and secret counsel of God.  How amazing is it that God desires to reveal His secrets to us.  It is amazing because His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours.  It is amazing because He knows the names of each and every star-- all trillions times trillions times trillions of them.  It is amazing because He sees each and every sparrow when it falls, measures the universe in the width of His hand, knows the numbers of hairs on each person's head, and yet He would let man made from dust in on His secrets.

"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." (Matthew 13:11) This privilege and honor is not given to everyone.  It is not because God does not want to share them with us all.  It is given to those-- like His disciples-- who spend time with Him.  Who are with Him twenty-four seven.  It is given to those who will sit at His feet and listen to His words.  It is given to those who follow Him everywhere He goes and leads, and obeys what He tells them to do.  It is given to those like Moses who will come apart to listen.  And to those who will draw near to Him to observe and hear.  "And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." (Exodus 3:3)

"He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel." (Psalm 103:7) Even among those who profess to know Him most only know His "acts".  They see what He is doing but they don't understand it.  They don't know "what?" or "why?" God is doing what He is doing.  Will we know "everything" about the workings of God?  No.  We only know in part now while on earth.  But there is a whole lot more that God desires to show us and make us privy to if we would have a heart that desires to know Him in a deeper way and listen to what He is saying.  There is no good thing that He withholds from those who walk uprightly... including His secrets.

Have a great day.  God desires to reveal His secrets to you.   

For further reading:
Isaiah 55:9; 40:12
Psalm 84:11; 147:4 
1 Corinthians 13:9,12

"The Highest Call"

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 3:14

There is a prize that is laid up for those who receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  We should be "pressing" toward it.  Those who faithfully run, and finish, this race of life staying connected to Him will receive it when they stand before Him. 

There is also a high calling that we are to be "pressing" toward.  That high calling is not some lofty position that we hold in church.  It is not some great ministry that we might aspire to.  It is not some religious vocation.  There is a call to service that the Lord places on all of us, but this "high calling" is far more valuable and greater than any religious title or work that we might be called to do.  It is much more important.  It is also the one that is most taken for granted.

What is this "high calling"?  It is the same as the "prize".  It is Jesus Himself.  Our highest call is to come into a place of intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a call to "know Him".  It is a call to come and sit at His feet and love on Him.  It is a call to become one with Him.  It is a call to love Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind.  When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus didn't say it was to do some "work"-- don't kill, don't steal, feed the poor, don't lie, don't mistreat people, give tithes, sing in a choir.  He said the greatest was to "love God with everything that is in you".  This is our "high calling".  Everything else we do stems from it and is a by-product of it. 

On the day when we stand before Jesus, it won't be about the works we did.  Many will profess that they did great and miraculous works in His name, but He will tell them to depart because He did not know them.  Knowing Him is the greatest work-- it is our high calling.  Have you made it yours?

Have a great day.  Our highest calling is to know the Lord in an intimate and deep personal way.    

 

"A Foolish Weapon"

" And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever."  2 Chronicles 20:21

I wish I had time to expound on this whole chapter because there are so many rich verses in it. (Take the time to read it when you have an opportunity.)  The Israelites were facing a great battle against many enemies.  The king prayed to the Lord and sought His help and counsel.  The Lord promised to be with them, to fight the battle for them and to give them victory. 

The one thing I want to talk about this morning is how the battle was fought.  It wasn't fought with swords and spears.  It wasn't fought with guns and bullets.  It wasn't fought with knifes or hand to hand combat.  It was fought with the oddest thing-- praise!    

The Lord said He would fight our battles as well.  But His weapons aren't our weapons-- they are more powerful, and they seem foolish.  Who would stand before an enemy with only the praises of God in their mouth and no weapon in their hand?  Yet, this is what Israel did and won the battle.  "And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten." (verse 22)

Your praise may seem like a foolish weapon, but it is a powerful one.  It confuses the enemy.  When you are facing a battle- or going through some difficulty- he does not expect you to be praising and worshiping God.  He expects you to complain, grumble, speak negatively, get angry, etc. but not praise.  Praise is so contrary to our human reactions.  It is contrary to our nature.  But praise is God's nature in us, and it is faith at work.  When Job worshipped God after his tremendous trial, the devil was put to confusion, he was proven wrong, and his accusations against Job were put to silence for a season.     

If you want to rest assure that you win your battles, then first seek the Lord for guidance.  Then let the high praises of your awesome, wonderful, mighty, God who has already won the victory for you be in your mouth.

Have a great day.  Praise may be a foolish thing to do when the enemy is attacking you, but it is a powerful thing to do!

"The Diary"

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name."  Malachi 3:16

I have been blessed with some amazing friends who love the Lord dearly and enjoy talking about Him.  When we are together, He is the subject of our conversations.  But for the most part it is hard to find "Christians" who really want to talk about Him.  They want to talk about everything else and very seldom does He even come up in conversation.  Why is this?  Talk to me about Jesus!  I want to talk about Him.  The world needs to hear us talk about Him.

There is no worthier subject than Jesus.  We waste our breath on so many other topics or subjects.  We certainly don't mind talking about our problems.  We don't mind talking about the trials that are going on in our lives.  We don't mind talking about other people.  We talk about everything from the weather to politics, but not Him.  He should be the grand theme of our conversations with each other.

I remember when I first turned my life over to the Lord and He became my Savior.  I went to visit a friend.  I wanted to share Jesus with her.  All I wanted to do was tell her about Him.  She kept changing the subject.  Finally, I told her that I could talk about anything that she wanted to talk about, but I would rather talk about Him-- Who He is and what He has done.  So, we talked about Him, and she surrendered her life to Him that night.  The world- the lost- need us for us to talk about Him.  They don't need us to keep our mouths shut.  They need to hear this good news.  They need to know there is hope and help.  But how will they hear if we never talk about Him.

The verse above tells us that those who fear and love the Lord talk often about Him.  When was the last time He was the topic of your conversation?  When was the last time you just wanted to talk about Him?  It also says that when we do talk about Him to each other, He records it in His book of remembrance.  In today's language that would mean-- God keeps a "diary".  Each time you talk about Him, He records it in His diary and reads it over and over again.  (How cool is that !!!)    

Have a great day.  Is Jesus the theme of your conversation?  If He is, God is keeping a "diary" of every time you talk about Him.

"A Chain Reaction"

"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped."  Job 1:20

Job had just gotten word that he lost all ten of his children.  He also lost all his possessions which included seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred donkeys.  The Bible says that he was the greatest of all the men in the east.  But in a matter of hours he lost everything.  And what did he do?  He worshipped the Lord.  What an "odd" thing for Job to do! 

Job wasn't worshipping God because of his tragedy, he was worshipping God in spite of it.  When we worship/praise the Lord in spite of the bad that it happening in our lives it starts a "chain reaction".  When you get a bad report, as did Job, you first have to make a choice-- are you going to grumble, complain, get angry, get fearful, etc.- or are you going to make a step of faith and worship/praise the Lord.

When things go wrong, praise isn't always automatic.  Sometimes it is a "step of faith".  We don't feel like praising God, but faith needs to override our feelings and praise Him anyway.  When we make that first step of faith it starts the chain reaction.  From there your step of faith becomes a "sacrifice of praise"-- something you are bringing to God.  Then your praise ushers in the presence of God-- He inhabits the praises of His people.  Once He comes in and inhabits, everything that He is also comes in too.  When it comes, He then releases everything you need to make it through the difficulty that hit your life to begin with- whether it is strength, grace, help, wisdom, peace, etc.  It comes into your heart, mind and situation.

So, to sum it up-- when something "bad" happens, take a step of faith.  It will become a "sacrifice".  When God sees the sacrifice, it will cause His presence to draw near.  When He draws near, everything you need to make it through it will be available to you.  On the flip side of that, there will be a "chain reaction" that takes place also if you don't praise the Lord in spite of what you are going through.  You will start complaining, which will lead to fear, which will lead to unbelief, which will lead to confusion, which will lead to depression, which will lead to thoughts of giving up.... and etc. etc. etc.

Have a great day.  Your praise will start a chain reaction. 

"Many Ways To God"

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  John 14:6

The world says that there are many ways that lead to God.  It says that it doesn't matter what your religious belief is, it will lead you to God-- they all lead to God.  Though we don't like to think that we share this same belief in Christianity, I am concerned that we really have adopted this same way of thinking.  Let me explain what I mean.

While we don't believe that you can get to God through Mohammad, through Buddha, through following the teachings of some prophet, or through some idealistic philosophy, we seem to think that we can get to God by doing some religious duty.

We seem to believe that if we join a church membership roll, if we are baptized in water, if we teach a Bible class, if we give offerings to the church, if we abstain from sexual immorality, if we give aims to the poor, and if we are good and treat others good then we will get to God.

This is the same thinking that the world has-- there are many ways to God.  Ours is just more subtle and it involves doing "Christian influenced" religious acts more than following some person or teaching like those who are following different religious beliefs.

Many roads/ways do not lead to God.  All roads/ways do not lead to God.  There is only One Way that leads to God the Father and His name is JESUS.  He alone is the way.  Following some great teacher or prophet won't get you there.  Doing religious deeds won't get you there. Faith and trust and following Jesus is the only way that will get you there.  He is the Door-- the way to enter in.  If you try to go through any other way you are like a thief and won't get in.  You must go through the door-- Jesus.

Have a great day.  Many ways don't lead to God, including religious church activity.