"The Lily Of The Valley"

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys".  Song of Solomon 2:1

This morning's devotional is going to be a little different.  I woke up with an old hymn repeating over and over in my thoughts.  As I sang it and listened to the words a little more intently, it really ministered to me.  I want to share the words of the song with you this morning.  As you read them, and perhaps hear them in your own thoughts and heart, I believe the Lord will use them to bless you as well.  The song is full of so many wonderful truths, hope, encouragement, peace and faith.

"The Lily Of The Valley"

1) I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.

2) He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He’s my strong and mighty tow’r;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His pow’r.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

3) He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where rivers of delight shall ever roll.

Refrain:
He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul. 

"Falling Off The Wagon"

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

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Fall off the wagon"?  It is used to describe someone who resumes an addictive/compulsive behavior that they are trying to control.   Originally it referred only to drinking, but is now used in reference to all sorts of things including drugs, smoking, overeating, etc.  It is possible for Christians to "fall of the wagon", so to speak.  We can go back to an old habit or an old sin we were delivered from if we aren't careful.  How does this happen? 

It happens for several reasons.  We may "look" at something longer than we should.  Like David looked at Bathsheba on the roof top instead of turning away and going back into the house.  The lust of his eyes overcame him.  It can happen if we are thinking about that thing for too long.  Where the "mind goes", the "man follows".  We have to keep our mind renewed in God's Word and think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report. (Philippians 4:8) It can happen if we aren't mortifying our flesh and dying to it daily by submitting to the Lord instead of self.  It can also happen if we refuse to take the way of escape that God provides for us in every temptation.  God always opens a door for us to escape through.  If we don't go through it, we will fall.

Having established the fact that it is possible for a Christian to fall, how it can happen and what we have to do to avoid it, let's move on to what we can do if we do "fall".  The first thing we want to do is condemn ourselves and beat ourselves up about it-- the devil helps us out there too.  But I want you to know there is hope.  It is called mercy and grace.  If we fall, we can get up like the prodigal and go to Father God asking for forgiveness-- He will not turn us away.  We can confess our sins to Him-- He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We can look to our Good Shepherd and ask for forgiveness for not following Him but going our own way-- He will restore our souls. 

Is this where you are today?  Have you fallen?  Have you returned to some sin you were once delivered from?  Are you following your own sinful desires having left off following the Lord?  Get up from where you have fallen and go to Him.  You will find His grace and mercy is there waiting to pick you up and set you back "on the wagon".

Have a great day.  If we "fall off the wagon", the Lord will pick us up and put us back on it if we will go to Him. 
 

"Did You Ask?"

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus".  Philippians 4:19

As soon as my eyes opened this morning, I begin to ask the Lord for help to get up, for Him to watch over my time, for Him to give me strength, for Him to give me a word for this devotional, etc.  I thought to myself-- people sure are "needy".  Our needs range from everything to help getting up on time in the morning to comforting us when we are in grief.  We have physical, emotional, material and spiritual needs.  Some of the needs we have are small.  Some are earth shaking.  Some are for ourselves.  Some are for others in our lives.  Some needs aren't really needs while others are most definitely a need of great importance.

I already know some of the needs I have today before the day even gets started.  I need God's help in every area of my life.  I need protection in travel.  I need wisdom and guidance.  I need His touch on the lives of those who have asked me to pray for them.  I need daily provisions-- food, clothing and shelter.  I need grace.  I need strength.  I need His presence.  And the list goes on.

We have a promise that He will meet and supply all our needs.  He didn't say He would always supply our wants or our fleshly desires.  Some needs He automatically supplies without us asking-- like air to breath.  But for the most part, He supplies our needs as we ask.  "Ye have not, because ye ask not". (James 4:2b)

Do you have a need this morning?  Is there something you need an answer to?  Have you asked God to supply it?  Have you talked about it to other people but not to Him?  Have you assumed He will automatically meet the need without you asking or petitioning Him for it?  He knows what you need-- even before you ask it; even before you know you have the need.  He desires to meet your need.  But often He is waiting until you ask.  So, ask that you might receive. 

Have a great day.  God will meet and supply all your need, but you should ask Him to do it. 

"Fight Another Battle"

"David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee".  1 Samuel 17:37

David fought against a bear, a lion, a giant and the enemies of Israel.  He was always fighting battles.  Just because he had fought against a bear and a lion and won did not mean that his "warring" was over.  Then there came a giant. 

Just because you have fought a spiritual battle or two doesn't mean that you can sit back and rest from battles.  Oh, there will be times of rest (thankfully) to catch our breath and regroup, but there will always be a giant to slay.  There will at some point come another bear or a lion.  Spiritual warfare is an unending part of the Christian life.  The enemy of our soul is always out to steal, kill and destroy us.  Our own flesh is always trying to defeat us.

Just because you fought a battle yesterday, and even won, doesn't mean you may not face another one today.  We can't rest from spiritual warfare.  We have to be ready for it when it comes-- and it will come.  We have to be ready to engage in it at a moment's notice.  We have to continually remember that, as David did, the Lord delivered me and will deliver me and give me the victory over the enemies that war against my soul.

Have a great day.  Just because you won a battle yesterday doesn't mean that you might not have to fight another one today.  Don't get too comfortable and forget about your enemy. 

 

"Go Back Again To The Word"

"Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached".  Luke 7:22

John the Baptist had heard the voice of Father God speak from heaven saying that Jesus was His Beloved Son.  He had the revelation that Jesus was the Messiah.  He proclaimed when asked if he himself was the Christ that he was not.  He is the one who bore witness that Jesus was the Lamb of God.  He baptized Jesus, saw the Spirit descend like a dove upon Him and humbled himself before Jesus as Lord. 

John knew exactly who Jesus was, but when he was cast into prison, when he was threatened, when he faced persecution and death, he questioned what he knew to be the truth.  As a result, he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask Him what he already knew.  How did Jesus answer?  Jesus answered him with the Word.  He reminded John of what the scriptures said. 

We can know the truth but find ourselves in a trying time, in a dark place, in an unpleasant situation, in a time of trial and as a result begin to question what we already know.  Is that where you are?  Has the Lord already spoken to you about a matter but the circumstances around you are "speaking" otherwise?  Is your faith being tested?  The answer for you is the same one Jesus gave John.  Go back to the Word.  Remind yourself of what God has already said to you.  Renew your mind with what you know already to be the truth.  Meditate on that Word and let it get into your heart, spirit and mind and drive away the doubt. 

Have a great day.  When what you already have heard from God is tested, and the enemy is trying to convince you otherwise, go back to God's Word and listen again to what He has said. 
   

"Though Thick And Thin"

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother".  Proverbs 18:24

It is a rare thing to have someone in your life who will stick with you through "thick and thin".  I have been blessed to have a wonderful family that is always there for me no matter what.  I also have been blessed with loving and caring friendships.  Not everyone has that though.  Some people have no one to turn to.  Some have no one to help them.  Some have no one to defend them or come to their aid.  Some feel abandoned in their time of need and unwanted. 

I don't know which group you are in this morning.  You may have someone who will "stick" with you regardless of what you are going through.  You may not have anyone to stand by your side at all.  But whichever group you are in I have some good news.  There is someone who will stick with you when everyone runs out on you.  There is someone who will be with you when others are gone.  There is someone who will come to your aide when all human help is exhausted.  His name is Jesus. 

He sticks closer than a friend, a brother, a spouse, a parent, a confidant, or the most trusted person in your life.  He doesn't leave you when the going gets tough.  He doesn't walk out on you when you fail.  He doesn't turn away from you when you make a mistake.  He doesn't abandon ship when the storm comes.  He doesn't stay away when things in your life are out of control.  He is with you in the fire, in the pit, in the prison, in the lion's den, in the wilderness, in the storm, in the pig pen, in the good times and in the bad times.  All others may leave you, but He never will.  All others may forsake you, but He won't.  All others may turn their backs on you, but He will still be there. 

Have a great day.  Jesus will stick with you through "thick and thin", even if no one else does.  

"Content And Satisfied"

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."  Philippians 4:11,12 

I would like to read this verse to you in the Amplified Bible:  "Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.  I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want."

If ever a person went through hardships it was Paul.  He was beaten on more than one occasion.  He was shipwrecked three times; left for dead; stoned; imprisoned; hungry; thirsty and in perils.  (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) Yet he was "content".  He wasn't vengeful wanting to get back at those who had beaten, stoned or imprisoned him.  He wasn't bitter and angry.  He wasn't fearful.  He didn't accuse God of not taking care of him.  He didn't turn his back on God.  He wasn't anxious, depressed or despondent.  He was content though he was in personal lack and want; in hunger; in dire circumstances; physically hurting; in chains between Roman guards; floating in a sea; etc.  He was actually "satisfied".  He wasn't disturbed by it all or disquieted. 

 

How is that possible?  We might say, "Well, that was Paul.  He was 'Super Christian'.  He was an apostle".   No, Paul was like the rest of us.  But he had learned something that many of us don't learn or don't allow ourselves to learn.  He had learned how to be content.  How had he learned this "contentment"?  By learning who his God was.  (That I might know Him. - Philippians 3:10)

 

He knew that the Lord was his strength.  He knew that no matter what happened to him, the Lord was with him.  He knew that his God was able to do whatever He wanted to do on Paul's behalf.  He had completely surrendered to the will of God for his life.  He knew that Christ was in him and working through him.  He knew that there was nothing that the Lord could not enable him to do, give him grace to go through and strengthen him to endure.  "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]." (verse 13) He knew the Christ that lived in him, and he knew it was the Christ that lived in him that would help him make it through anything.  Do you know that?  That is where the contentment in whatever you face and go through comes. 

 

Have a great day.  Are you content in trying situations?  Do you know how to be satisfied where you are?  Or are you disturbed and disquieted by the trials that are going on around you?    

 

"Leaving A Mark"

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"  Mark 8:36

Recently, I was talking with someone and the conversation turned to us telling each other some of the works we were involved in.  This person has done much volunteer work with several "big" organizations that have helped masses of people.  They made the statement that they felt complete and like they had "left their mark" on society through all the helpful things they have done.

What this person said triggered a thought.  We should be "leaving a mark" for good behind us.  When we leave this earth, we should leave a part of it better than it was before we got involved.  We should be interested in helping others and making life better for mankind and those around us.  I hope to leave a mark for good behind me when I die.  I hope I have made life better for someone else because of the help that I have given them.   

But just leaving a mark here is not enough.  Leaving a mark in history, no matter how good a mark it is, is not good enough.  You can leave a mark that will further a social cause, establish a nation, free people, secure equality for all people groups, leave an invention that will help multitudes, feed thousands of hungry people, leave a legacy of peace or come up with a cure for a deadly disease.  But the greatest mark you should have is not left in this world.  It is not one that you leave behind.  It is one that proceeds you and is waiting for you when you leave this life.

The old timers used to call their signature, or written name, their "mark".  Your name and your mark were the same.  The greatest "mark" you can have is having your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  Leaving a mark here is great... we all should.  But what will it profit you if that is the only mark you have?  It will profit others.  They will benefit by the mark for good that you leave behind.  But you will lose out if you haven't made sure your mark is in the Book.  Is it?

Have a great day.  Leave a mark for good behind you that will benefit mankind when you leave this earth.  But make sure you have a mark that will benefit you when you leave this life-- your name/mark in the Lamb's Book of Life.        

"Talking To God Or With God?"

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God".  Philippians 4:6

We tend to make prayer something we do "to" God.  We look at prayer as a time of talking "to" God about our needs.  Prayer is so much more than that.  It is not just a list that we present to God for Him to answer.  Prayer is communication with God.  We don't talk "to" God, we talk "with" God. 

Prayer is not one sided.  Prayer involves us talking with God.  We make our request known to Him, we bring our needs to Him, we tell Him what is on our mind, but we should always listen to Him and wait for Him to speak to us as well.  We listen to what He wants to say.  We wait for Him to respond.  We listen for His instructions, His direction and what He wants to convey to us.

How do you view prayer?  Is it a list that you talk "to" God about only? Or is it a time when you talk "with" the Lord? Do you tell Him what you want, or do you give Him the opportunity to tell you what He wants?  Prayer is a two-way street-- talking and listening. 

Have a great day.  Do you talk to God or with God?     

"Greater Understanding Of Him "

"And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, 'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'" Mark 4:41

When Jesus rebuked the storm and commanded it to be still, the disciples were amazed and wondered just who this man was.  The answer is-- He was the same one who got in the boat with them to begin with.  The presence of the storm didn't change who He was and had always been.  He was the same miracle working, power demonstrating, demon casting out, healer of the sick that He was before He got into the boat.

What I am trying to say is that the problems we face, the storms that threaten, the demons that rage, the fiery furnace trials, the pit of despair, the den of roaring lion's, the oppression of the enemy, the loss of possessions, the break in relationships, the fear of drowning does not change nor diminish who He is.  He is still God.  He is still Ruler over all the universe.  He is still the Deliverer, the Healer, the Savior. 

He hadn't changed in the boat.  Their revelation of who He was in a greater dimension had changed.  They saw Him in a "new light".  But He was the same Jesus.  He was already the ruler over nature when He got in the boat-- not when He rebuked it.

Our times of trials, problems and testing don't change Him.  They change our perspective of Him.  They change our understanding of who He is.  We see Him in a greater way than we saw Him in other situations.  I can remember being sick once and praying for the Lord to touch me--- He had on many occasions.  This time He spoke to my heart and told me that I already knew He was my Healer, this time He wanted to show me something different about Himself-- He wanted to give me another revelation of His greatness.  (And He did.) 

So remember, your circumstances don't change Him.  He is still Who He has always been.  But they change the way you see Him and give you a deeper, clearer revelation of Who this Glorious, Amazing, Wonderful, Almighty God is.

Have a great day.  The Lord is the same all-powerful God during the trials as He was before the trials.  They don't change Him.  They change our understanding of Who He is and broadens it.  

"I Call Him Lord"

"Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost".  1 Corinthians 12:3

I was thinking about a song I haven't heard in a long time.  The chorus says, "And if you can remember ask him what's his name, and if he tells you Jesus just say we're so glad you came.  But tell him you know someone who still calls him Lord, then send him on to me cause that's the man I'm looking' for". 

As I listened to the words, the line that says, "tell Him you know someone who still calls Him Lord", just "jumped" out at me and brought tears to my eyes. 

Does anyone truly call Him "Lord" anymore?  Is He Lord to those who profess to be a Christian?  Is He Lord to those who say they know Him? 

I hear so many people call Him "The Big Guy Upstairs"; their "Homey"; their "Best Bud"; their "Running Buddy"; etc.  Personally, He is my best friend who sticks closer to me than a brother.  He is my Elder Brother.  He is my Confidant.  But He is FIRST my GOD!  He is my Lord!  I still call Him Lord. 

Because He is so personal with us and desires to have a personal intimate relationship with us, calling us His children, we have forgotten the reverence that He is due.  While He is all that to me, He is my Lord.  He is the object of my worship.  He is the Potter and I am the clay-- He can mold and make of me anything He desires.  He commands me.  He gives me my marching orders.  He is the one I submit my will to.  He tells me what to do, not vice versa. 

I praise Him for a close relationship with Him.  I am so thankful that I can approach Him without fear of being "consumed".  I am thankful that He is a God who is near and not far away.  I am so glad I have access to come to Him.  I am so blessed and appreciative to be allowed to be His child.  I am indeed thankful that I can share the deepest secrets of my heart with Him.  But I must never forget that He is first my Lord and not be flippant about that relationship. 

Have a great day.  I still call Jesus Lord!  Because He is!  Do you?   

"The Direction Of Choices"

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live".  Deuteronomy 30:19

Life is made up of choices.  Some are simple and don't affect us much-- such as choosing what to eat for lunch.  Others are major and carry lifelong consequences with them.  I want to start with a question this morning.  "Are the choices you're making bringing you closer to the Lord or taking you further away from Him?".

David made the choice to commit adultery with Bathsheba.  It didn't bring him closer to the Lord.  King Saul made the choice to disobey the words of Samuel the prophet.  His choice didn't bring him closer to God.  Mary made the choice to submit to the will of God to give birth to the Messiah.  That choice brought her closer to the Lord.  Adam made a choice to disobey God, and it took him and all of mankind away from God.

The Bible admonishes us to "acknowledge the Lord in all our ways and He would direct our steps".  We are to seek Him in every decision we make, every choice we make, every direction we go and let Him direct us.  When we do, He will always lead us in not only making the right choice, but in making the choice that will bring us closer to Him at the same time.

Have a great day.  Are the choices you are making bringing you closer to the Lord or taking you further away from Him?  

"Present Not Absent"

"... and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen".  Matthew 28:20b

When we go through difficult and trying times in our lives, we should have a confidence that no matter what it is we are facing the Lord will be with us. I believe He is wanting us more and more as the "evil days" approach to be confident and unshaken in our faith that His presence is with us in every situation. 

The presence of trials does not mean the absence of God.  The presence of pain doesn't mean the absence of God.  The presence of financial want doesn't mean the absence of God.  The presence of grief, the passing of a loved one, a bad physical report, the loss of a job, the rebellion of a child, the attack of an enemy does not mean that God is not present with you. 

He is there in the valley of the shadow of death.  He is there in the fiery furnace.  He is there in the lion's den.  He is there when Pharaoh's army is behind you and a Red Sea in front of you.  He is there in the storm.  He is there when all the demons of hell are waging war against you.  Just because you go through these places and situations does not mean that He is not there.  He is not absent.  He is present.   

Have a great day.  The presence of problems does not mean the absence of God.

"The Simple Answer"

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

When we are burdened down by the cares of this life, by problems or by unpleasant circumstances, we tend to run here, there and everywhere looking for answers.  We often miss our true source of help because the answer to the help we need is too "simple"-- "Come unto Me".

Is going to the Lord the first place you turn to for help or the last?  Do you go to Him after you have exhausted every other avenue of help?  Is He at the top of your list for help or the bottom?  Or is He somewhere in the middle? 

The Psalmist said, "I will look unto the hills from where my help comes.  My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth".  (Psalm 121:2) Hebrews tells us, "The Lord is my helper". (Hebrews 13:6)

The Lord is our helper, not only for the big problems or not only for the small problems.  He is our help for all problems.  Whether the problem is a spiritual one, a physical problem, a financial one or a problem with a relationship.  He is our help, our answer and our guide in every problem we face.   

Have a great day.  Got a problem?  There is an answer.  The answer is so simple we often miss it-- Come unto Me.  

"Don't Wait"

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"  2 Corinthians 6:2

There is one thing I have noticed about human nature-- we tend to put things off until the last minute.  I tend to do it myself.  

Many people treat their eternity the same way.  They are waiting until the "last minute" to get things right with God.  Many are waiting until after they have lived their lives and finished doing all the "fun things" they had planned to do before giving their lives to the Lord.  Some are waiting until their "death bed" to do it.  Some are just waiting with the idea that "one day" they will do it. These people are gambling with the state of their eternal souls. 

We can't think that we have plenty of time to get things right with God.  We are not promised tomorrow.  We are not promised the next breath.  We are not promised we will have a "death bed" opportunity.  We are not promised to live to a "ripe old age".  We only have now.  We only have this moment.  We only have this breath. 

Are you waiting?  Are you holding out until you have done all you want to do?  Are you putting God off until you are ready?  If so, you are taking a big chance.  If so, you are on dangerous ground.  If you are you may wind up falling short of eternity.

Have a great day.  Don't wait until the last minute to get right with God.  You aren't promised to have that last minute. 

"Fallen From Grace"

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace".  Galatians 5:4

"Fallen from grace".  Usually, we say that someone has fallen from grace when they turn from serving Jesus and go back into a lifestyle of sin.  I want us to look at another aspect of what it means to "fall from grace" that may be more accurate.

The Apostle warns the people that once they had accepted salvation by grace through faith, if they went back to working out their salvation according to the law they had "fallen from grace". 

We are saved by faith in what Jesus did at the cross.  Salvation is the gift of God.  We don't earn it.  We can't work hard enough to obtain it.  It is given by grace.  It is unmerited.  If it is received by grace, then it is also kept by grace.  If we try to keep it any other way, then we have "fallen from grace".  "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?".  (Galatians 3:3)

Grace is not a license; it is a gift.  You can't do enough good works to stay saved-- although we should be doing works which cause our lights to shine and bring glory to our Father in heaven.

You can't be holy enough to stay saved-- although we are to live holy lives.

You can't be religious enough to stay saved-- although we should be tending to what we consider our religious duties:  church attendance, Bible reading, fasting and prayer. 

If you are trying to be saved through your own goodness and works, then you won't receive the gift of eternal life-- it is given by grace. If you are trying to stay saved by your own goodness and works, then you have fallen from grace. It ceases to be about what Jesus did and becomes about what you can do.

Have a great day.  If you are trying to stay saved through your works, you are "fallen from grace". 

"What Do You Know About The Lord?"

"And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?"  Psalm 73:11

When I read this verse, I got a chuckle out of it.  I wanted to say, "It's because He is God".  Of course God knows.  Of course He has knowledge.  He knows everything.  But when you read it in context you see that the ones who asked these questions are the wicked.  What other answer would you expect from them, seeing they don't know God nor have a relationship with Him.

What becomes sad, instead of funny, is when one of His own children doesn't even know Him.  It is sad when they profess to know Him but can't even answer basic questions about Him. 

Just how much do you know about the Lord?  I can say upfront that none of us will know everything there is to know about Him.  If we could, He wouldn't be God.  Although we can't, and won't ever, know all there is to know about Him, He desires that we have a relationship with Him and in that relationship He will show us great and mighty things about Himself that we don't know.  He will also take us into His confidence as He did Abraham.  He will make known His ways to us like He did to Moses.  He will reveal secrets to us the way He did to Daniel.  He will walk with us in such a close manner as He did with Enoch.  He will demonstrate His power through us like He did through Paul. 

So, how content are you in your knowledge of God?  Do you not know Him?  Do you have limited knowledge of Him?  Do you only know "facts and figures" about Him?  Or do you know Him in an intimate and personal way?  Do you have a relationship with Him where He communicates more and more about Himself to you? 

Have a great day.  Just how well do you know the Lord?  How well do you want to know Him?

"God's Power Or His Faithfulness"

"....  great is thy faithfulness".  Lamentations 3:23B

I woke up thinking about the faithfulness of God this morning.  That is my favorite attribute of His.  I have found Him faithful on every occasion, every situation, every day and in every way.  He has always been faithful to do and be all that He has said He would do and be.

Many accuse Him of not being faithful because He didn't do what they thought He was going to do for them.  Or because He didn't deliver them when they thought He would.  Or He "allowed" something bad to happen.  God's faithfulness is not based on His ability to deliver, remove, take care of, eradicate or defeat your circumstance.  That is His power.  His faithfulness is something else.

The Psalmist put it this way, " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me". (Ps. 23:4)  He doesn't always deliver us out of the valley, although He is powerful and can.  He walks with us through the valley-- that's where His faithfulness comes in.  He never leaves us in our time of need, trial or testing. 

Immediate deliverance doesn't prove His faithfulness, just ask Daniel or the three Hebrews.  He didn't deliver Daniel until after a night in the lion's den.  But He faithfully stood with Daniel in that dark hole.  He didn't deliver the Hebrews from the fiery furnace until after their bonds fell off.  But He was with them-- the wicked king even saw Him in the fire. 

God's power is able to deliver us from ever trial, every desert, every valley, every furnace, every situation we find ourselves in.  But if He doesn't deliver you before, if He doesn't deliver you immediately, if He chooses to wait a while, if He chooses that you walk through it, it doesn't mean that He isn't faithful.  You can trust that He is faithful and will faithfully be there with you at the beginning and all the way until the end. 

Have a great day.  Some believe God is only faithful if He delivers them out of their trail.  That isn't faithfulness that is His power on display.  His faithfulness is the fact that He walks with you through the trial, watching over you and never leaving you until the trial is over. 

"God Gives Abundantly"

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly".  Psalm 84:11 

This verse is filled with glorious promises as well as hope. 

 

The Lord God is a sun--- He lights up our path so we can see clearly.  As the sun lights the earth and its arrival pushes back the darkness of night, so He lights our way and drives back the darkness.

 

The Lord God is a shield-- as a shield protects a warrior when in battle, the Lord protects us.  It didn't say He "gives" a shield.  It says He "is" a shield.  That means He Himself protects us.  He steps in between us and the enemy.  He puts Himself out in front of us.

 

The Lord will give grace--  He gives grace. Grace can't be earned. It can't be purchased.  It is a gift freely given to us by Him.  Grace is power and influence in our lives to be able to make it through anything.

 

The Lord gives glory-- glory means honor, abundance, splendor.  God clothes us with His own glory.  He places His honor upon us by exchanging our unrighteousness, which is like filthy rags, with His pure white robes of righteousness.  He gives honor to those who had no honor.  Abundance to those who were in lack.  He gives His own splendor to those who were once rebellious and far away from Him.  This glory came not by our own righteousness but by the righteousness of His Only Begotten Son Jesus.

 

No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly-- "No" good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.  When God says, "No", He means "No".  He will not withhold anything that we need.  He will supply all our need-- spirit, soul and body.  As we walk uprightly before Him, we are in actuality "seeking first His Kingdom" because we are walking in a manner which pleases Him.  As we do, "All these things shall be added unto us". 

 

Don't you agree these are wonder promises of hope and encouragement? He is a good God who loves us so deeply and so dearly.  He wants to bestow His blessings and goodness on us daily and always, and in abundance.

 

Have a great day.  The Lord God is all and gives all that we need. 

 

"Spending Time With Jesus"

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus".  Acts 4:13

"...they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus".  What was it about these disciples that made the people notice and acknowledge that they had been with Jesus?  Was it their ability to heal the sick?  Was it their preaching?  Was it the wisdom in which they answered the questions?  Was it their boldness to share the gospel?  All of the above.  The fact that they had spent time with Jesus was recognizable.  The same should be said of those of us who profess to be Christians.  People should be able to say that we have been with Jesus because of what they see and hear in us.

Sadly, most people don't see Jesus in those who profess to be Christians.  The reason is clear-- they profess to know Him but never spend time with Him.  We all know that whoever you spend the most time with has the greatest influence in your life.  The Bible even tells us to choose our companions carefully because hanging out with the wrong people will corrupt good morals.  Why?  Because of their influence. 

If you spend time with Jesus, it will be evident.  You won't have to go around telling people you do, they will know it.  But this doesn't happen "haphazardly".  It doesn't happen by spending time with Him only when you are in trouble or have a problem you need Him to solve.  This happens by spending time with Him day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.  It happens by keeping the fellowship with Him open all time.  It happens by constant communion with Him.  Spending time with Him is not something you can take or leave.  Spending time with Him is not negotiable-- or shouldn't be.  Spending time with Him is our lifeline and it is what causes people to believe what we profess about our relationship with Him.

Have a great day.  People will take note that you have been with Jesus, but only if you are spending time with Him.    

"Choose To Fight Or Not"

"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 10:7

When I am going through a spiritual, mental or emotional battle, and fear is coming against, worry is trying to take hold of me, bitterness and self-pity are wanting to control my thoughts, I have a choice.  I can either choose to give into it, or I can choose to war against it.  I either succumb to it, or I go to war against it.

To every battle there is an outcome.  It is either one of victory or defeat.  If we choose to do nothing-- not fight-- then we will surely be defeated and brought under the control of whatever is warring against us.  If we choose to fight, we will be victorious and overcome it. 

I know how it is to do nothing and let it defeat me.  When my emotions are being fought against and I do nothing, I wind up in a "mess".  All I want to do is cry, be left alone, run and hide, get defensive or get even.  That is not life, that is defeat.  Jesus came to give us abundant life.  He has provided all things for us that pertain to life.  Through His own victory at the cross He has given us the victory over every enemy that comes against us.

From experience also, I know that if I will make the choice to fight then this will not last.  My emotions will be brought into check.  My mind will regain peace.  Joy will begin to flood my heart.  I find that the more and more I choose to fight against it, then I spend less and less time being dominated by it-- the battle time gets shorter. 

Sometimes we don't "feel" like fighting.  Sometimes we want to "enjoy" the self-pity, anger, etc.  Sometimes we want to "stew" in it.  But that is dangerous.  It is like sitting in a chair with a ticking time bomb in your lap.  It will eventually explode.  Then you will really have a problem.  We have to make the choice to get past our feelings. We have to make the step of faith to come out of it.  We do that by drawing near to God.  We do it by calling upon Him for help.  We listen to the voice of Holy Spirit.  We renew our minds with the Word of God.  In doing so, we are fighting a good warfare.  We are fighting one that we are already guaranteed to win.

Have a great day.  When you are in a spiritual battle, you can either choose to fight and win or give in and let it conquer you.   

"Loaded With Benefits"

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah".  Psalm 68:19

Even before I got out of bed this morning, I was aware of many benefits and blessings that the Lord has already sent my way.  For instance- I woke up.  I have a roof over my head.  I have my husband lying beside me.  My house is warm.  I have all my senses working properly.  I am healthy.  I am not laying on a bed of affliction.  I have my right mind, etc.  But should I have woken up this morning without any of these things, I would still be loaded with benefits and blessings,

According to the dictionary, a benefit is an advantage or profit gained from something.  Many employers give their employees benefits.  It comes with the job automatically.  But there are others that are bonuses and are earned for a job well done.  Serving the Lord, loving Him and living your life for Him-- in His service and building His Kingdom-- has tremendous benefits.  The Lord's benefits are given to us automatically.  There are some that are conditional, but for the most part we don't have to earn them, they are given by grace.  

You may not could have named some of the benefits that I did this morning, but He still loads you with benefits none the less.  The real benefits are not tangible.  They are not physical.  They are not material or financial.  The greatest benefit is eternal life.  Another benefit is having access to go to the Lord in prayer asking for your need to be met.  Some other benefits are peace, strength, grace, wisdom, joy, love, direction, power and faith to name a few.

When you look around and think there aren't any/many benefits to serving the Lord, think again.  When you look at what you don't have and feel like He hasn't given you any benefits, look again.  They are there.  You have been loaded with them.

Have a great day.  The benefits you receive from serving and loving the Lord will load you down.    

"Imprisoned Heart"

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" Proverbs 4:23

Yesterday we talked about having a united heart-- undivided to fear the Lord.  This morning, I feel impressed to talk about our hearts again. 

 

There are so many things that vie for our hearts.  Fleshly desires want to captivate them.  Some people want to steal them.  Mammon wants our hearts.  The devil wants to destroy our hearts.  So, we not only have to protect them from those things that would try to take them away from us, but we have to be on guard for those things that would want to hold them captive and make our hearts its prisoner.

Some of the things we have to be on guard for that want to take our hearts prisoner and hold them hostage are bitterness, unforgiveness, self-pity, anger, resentment, condemnation, false religion, guilt, jealousy, hate, envy, malice, etc. (plus many more I haven't named).

If these aren't dealt with, they will hold your heart in a prison as long as you allow them to.  They will not only hold it prisoner but turn it into something that it wasn't intended to be and unrecognizable-- stone. 

There is only one sure way to keep your heart.  Give up claim to it.  Turn it over to the Lord and let Him take full possession of it.  Does this mean that these things won't come again to try to reclaim it?  No, but it is much easier to keep from giving in when you realize it doesn't belong to you anymore.  So, when these things come to take your heart prisoner again, simply put out a sign that says, "This heart does not belong to me anymore.  You will have to go to the owner-- Jesus".

Have a great day.  There are so many things that want to destroy, possess and imprison our hearts.  But when we give up ownership of our hearts to Jesus, they can't. 

"Unite My Heart"

"Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name".  Psalm 86:11

"... unite my heart to fear thy name".   I have prayed this more times than I can count.  It is because our hearts tend to be swayed and persuaded easily.  We tend to want to follow the crowd.  We gravitate to the things that appeal to our flesh.  We want to go in the direction of whatever is the latest fad or most popular thing in the world around us.  Our affections seem to shift constantly.  I was telling a friend the other day-- in the area of home décor-- that my taste changes pretty regularly.  One day I like the rustic décor.  Next week I may be leaning toward something more contemporary.  This is something we seem to do in all areas of life.  We go from one desire to another. 

If we aren't careful the same thing will happen in our relationship with the Lord.  We will be pulled between Him and what our flesh wants.  We will be pulled toward what is "vogue" at the moment.  We will be pulled toward the opinion of others.  We will be pulled to mammon, material blessings, self-desire and the lusts of our flesh. 

Do you feel yourself drifting away from the Lord? Are you being pulled between Him and other things?  Are worldly things consuming your thoughts, time, energy and finances?  Do other things have priority over Him in your life?  Then you should be praying this prayer as well.  Unite my heart-- that is-- bring all the areas in my heart into agreement.  Make all the areas of my heart place You first and on the throne.  Help me not to have a divided heart but instead love and fear You with all my heart.

Have a great day.  Is your heart divided between the Lord and other things?  Pray for a heart that is united to fear His name. 

"Getting The Right Help"

"Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul".  Psalm 86:4

When I have a plumbing problem, I call a plumber-- not a doctor.  When I have an electrical issue, I call an electrician-- not an accountant.  When I have a legal matter to attend to, I call an attorney-- not a chef.  I call the "right" person for the job.  In the verse above the Psalmist knew where to go when he needed an answer to a problem, strength in weakness, help in trouble, guidance in confusion, etc.  He went to the "right" source.  He went to the Lord. 

I want to encourage you this morning, if you are wrestling with a problem, if you need an answer, the Lord majors in problem solving.  He knows your answer.... He even knows your question before you know your own question.  Look to Him.  Seek Him.  He will speak to you and let you know the course to take.  He may speak to you through His written Word, by His Spirit, through other people, or through a supernatural revelation.  So go to Him instead of those who can't answer your question or solve your problem.

Have a great day.  When you are in need, your need won't be met if you are going to the wrong source.  You have to go to the right place for help.  

 

"Comparing God To Man"

"O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.  But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth".  Psalm 86:14,15

Men/people won't always be kind and good to you.  They will rise up against you.  They will talk about you.  They will try to hurt you.  They will plot against you.  They will try to take advantage of you.  They may attack you-- your character, your possessions or even physically.  There are some who are out to do you harm.  They will mistreat you and abuse you.  The Psalmist learned that very well.  But he also learned something else.

He learned that while men were violent, uncaring and destructive, God was a good God who was full of compassion and mercy.  He learned that God would not treat him in such a way.  He knew he could always count on God to treat him fairly, even when he would fall or fail. 

I am thankful that God is not like man.  You don't have to wonder or worry about Him.  When people hate me, I know He still loves me.  When all forsake me, I know that He is still with me.  When there are those who try to do me harm, I know that He will only do good to me.  When there are those who are against me, I know He is for me.

So many people become "anti-God" because they equate Him to people.  They equate Him to an abusive father, to an unfaithful spouse, to a violent person they know, to the Christian who is a hypocrite, and so on.  But He is NOT at all like us.  He is not at all like any person we would dare to compare Him to-- good or bad.  He is God-- not man.  He is the Creator-- not the creation.  He is love-- not emotions running wild. 

Have you defined Him, acquainted Him with or looked at Him like you do some person?  Then you are seeing Him incorrectly.  He is in a "class" all by Himself.

Have a great day.  You can't compare God to men and get a true picture of who He is.   
 

"True Adversaries"

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive".  Genesis 50:20

Joseph said that his brothers thought- and did- evil against him.  He didn't say the devil did it.  We often say the devil is the one that does evil things against us.  True, he comes to steal, kill and destroy.  He plots and devises schemes.  He looks for opportunities to convince and inspire men to be the instrument to carry out his plans against us.  But the devil is not always behind every evil thing that is done against us.  The Bible says that the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked.  We do have real, flesh and blood enemies.  The wicked plot against the just.  Men do evil when their hearts are evil.  The heart of man has to be regenerated by the power of the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said for us to "love our enemies".  We know He wasn't talking about loving Satan.  He was talking about loving those who are against us; those whom the wickedness in their hearts is compelling them to act in a harmful manner against us.  So, Joseph was correct when he said his brothers acted in an evil way against him.

Even though we have real flesh and blood enemies, take note.... if God be for you, who can be against you?  Although the brothers hated Joseph, although they plotted against him, although they did an evil thing to him, God was still with Joseph.  He did not let them succeed in their evil plan.  They wanted to kill him.  God made sure they didn't.  God watched over Joseph.  God delivered Joseph from their desires.  God preserved Joseph.

This is a lesson and encouragement to us.  The devil is out to destroy us, and he will use any means he can-- material things, dark places, addictions, sickness, even family, friends and good people.  But also remember that there are wicked people who are out to destroy us.  But never forget that if you are in God's hands, then what they mean for evil, God will work out for good and the evil that they intended to do to you will not prosper.

Have a great day.  You do have adversaries, the devil and wicked people.  But God is for you and their weapons will not prosper against you.  

"Deliverance In Darkness"

"And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord".  Exodus 14:10

The children of Israel had just left Egypt and were heading into the land that the Lord had promised to give them.  They ran upon an obstacle-- the Red Sea.  If that wasn't enough, they looked behind them and there was Pharaoh and his army pursuing after them.  Talk about being in an impossible situation.  Talk about looking hopeless.  They thought they were either going to drown or be destroyed by the sword.  There was no escape.  Or so they thought.

God made a way.  God delivered them.  God came to their rescue.  God gave them a miracle.  God saved them.  He not only removed the sea that was standing before them, but He also destroyed the army that was pressing in behind them. 

You may feel like your situation is so dark that there is no light anywhere.  You may feel as if what you are going through is going to consume you and take your life.  You may feel like there is no hope, no way, no deliverance.  Listen to the word that the Lord wants to speak to you this morning.  It is the same word He gave to the Israelites.  (Exodus 14:13) "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord".  He fulfilled it to them; He will do the same for you.  This darkness will pass.  He will overcome it on your behalf, and you will be doing what they did afterwards-- singing songs of praise to God for His mighty protection, salvation and deliverance! "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea". (Exodus 15:1)

Have a great day.  It may look dark now, but God will bring deliverance.   

"Filled For A Purpose"

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth".  Acts 1:8

When Jesus left the earth, He promised that He would send the Comforter to be with us-- the Holy Spirit.  He told us what the Sprit would do in our lives and why we needed Him.  He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit.  Receiving Him endowed them with power.  That power was two-fold.  It was an empowerment to live the Christian life and be transformed into the image of Christ.  The second was to be empowered to be a witness for Jesus and the Kingdom of God. 

My question to those of us who say we are "Sprit-filled" is-- why are we Spirit-filled if we aren't going to be led by Him to reach the world for Jesus?

Many people stop with the first reason-- the more personal one.  They are allowing the Spirit to do a work in them, but they are not allowing Him to move through them to reach others for Christ. 

We have been empowered to be able to witness to others.  He desires to work through us to reach the lost for Christ.  He has given us gifts of the Spirit that will show the world that He is real, powerful and worthy of being served.  He has empowered us to lay hands on the sick and see them recover.  He has anointed us by His Spirit to do miracles, signs and wonders so that Jesus is exalted before men.  The Spirit's work in our lives is in order to convince the world and convict the sinner of who Jesus is.  So, my question again is-- Why aren't we letting Him move through us?  Why are we "keeping Him in a box"?  Why are we confining Him to one role only?

Have a great day.  Why are you Spirit-filled if you are not going to let the Spirit do through you the thing that He has filled you for?

"Real Peace"

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."  Psalm 119:165

When we feel stressed out, tried, weary, overwhelmed by life, we will go to great lengths and take all kinds of measures to try to regain and restore that peace.  We will spend money on all sorts of remedies.  We will go to the doctor and get a prescription to calm our "nerves".  We will take a nap.  We will get a drink.  We will take a trip.  We will engage in some sort of entertaining activity.  We will go for a long walk.  We will try to get away from reality for a while.  If we think it will help, we will do it.  But we will neglect to do the one thing that will ensure that peace---- Go to God's word.  We will totally neglect it or use it as a last resort.   

For some reason we don't think that His word is what we really need.  Evidently, we don't think that it is as powerful as the other things we are willing to try.  If we did, we would go to it.  If we did, we would take the time to read it.  If we did, we would sit down with it and "bathe" our heart, mind and emotions in it and let it wash away all the mental clutter, confusion, frustration, anxiety, worry and emotional fatigue. 

Before you totally neglect His word and put all your hope in some other alternative, that only brings temporary relief, remember this:  His word is life.  His word is peace.  His word brings hope.  His word is trustworthy.  His word is powerful.  His word is Him.  It is His very breath, heart, love, grace and will.  He is the Living Word.  He is the Prince of Peace.  He is the glory and the lifter of your head.  He is Grace; therefore, He gives grace over every trying thing that wants to steal your peace. 

Do you want real peace?  Do you want just momentary peace?  Do you want just some peace?  Or do you want great and sustaining peace?  Remember, great peace comes as you love His word and loving it means you read it, study it, embrace it, hide it in your heart and do it. 

Have a great day.  Do you want peace?  Real peace?  Then you will find it in God's word.   
 

"Storms Have Purpose"

"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?"  Mark 4:38

Storms in life are a given.  They are unavoidable.  We have to go through them sometimes.  Remember, Jesus sent His disciples out to sea knowing a storm was coming. 

Storms do three things: 
1)  They test our reactions.  They test what we are made of.  They expose what is inside of us.  The disciples reacted in fear, doubt and unbelief.  The storm exposed the fear that was hidden in their hearts.  It exposed their lack of faith in Jesus and His word.  They had heard Him preach and teach.  They had seen Him heal the sick and cast out devils.  He had already told them that would do the same in His name.  But then the storm came and they were tested.  Their hearts were tested, not just their intellect. 

2)  Storms also reveal our trust in the Lord.  The disciples got in the storm and didn't trust His word-- His word that they were going to the other side; not that they were going to drown in the sea.  They didn't trust His presence that was with them to keep them safe.  They didn't trust His love for them.  Instead, they believed He didn't care.  They trusted Him enough to get in the boat but not enough to keep them safe in the boat.  Sound familiar?  We trust Him until it gets rough.      

3)  Storms give us a revelation of who Jesus really is.  "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:41)  Again, they had seen the miracles He had performed.  They had seen the devils bow down and submit to His authority.  They had heard Him teach with an anointing and authority that the other teachers of the day did not have.  But when they saw His power demonstrated in the storm they marveled and became afraid because they realized this was no ordinary man. 

Are you in a storm?  You may have to "ride it out".  It may not go away quickly.  But let the storm cause you to take inventory and see what is in you.  Let it take you into a whole new level of trust in the Lord.  Let it give you a fresh revelation of Who Jesus is, and through that revelation give you peace to weather the storm and go through it to the other side.  It is possible when you realize exactly Who is in the storm with you.

Have a great day.  Storms serve a purpose in our lives.  Therefore, sometimes we just have to go through them.   
 

"Follow The Instructions"

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye".  Psalm 32:8

I don't care how old you are, how well educated you are or how much you think you know, we all need instructions from time to time.  Practically everything we purchase or have to assemble come with instructions.  When we try to get information concerning a service we have, get through to our doctor, check on our banking, we have to follow the instructions given to us by the automated menu.  Those instructions are meant to help us. 

This world is full of instructions to help us navigate through it.  By the same token in order for us to be successful in our spiritual life God has given us instructions as well.  If we heed and follow those instructions, we will do well.  We will be victorious, we will walk in abundant life, we will run the race with the strength and endurance that we need.  But on the other hand, if we neglect to heed and follow the Lord's instructions we will struggle, we will fall short, we will not be successful, we will miss out.  It won't be God's fault.  We can't blame Him.  He has given us the instructions that we need to make it through whatever situation we are facing.  If we don't follow them, it will be our fault when things go poorly.   

I know people who try to assemble something without ever reading the instructions-- perhaps you are one of them.  When they think they can do it without the instructions, they mess up.  They have left over parts.  The thing is lopsided.  It isn't sturdy.  It has to be redone.  The same principle applies in dealing with the spiritual life.  If you are wondering why things aren't working out.  If you are wondering why you aren't victorious.  If you are wondering why things are always going wrong and never seems to get any better.  Perhaps it is because you are trying to do it without reading the instructions and following what the Creator says to do.

Have a great day.  You can't make it through life or have a successful spiritual life without reading, heeding and following the Lord's instructions.  
 

"Keep Your Bags Packed"

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh".

We are looking for the Lord's return.  By the signs of the time, it won't be long.  But also, because He hasn't return yet many are getting careless and have stopped planning for and watching for His return.  They are busy with the cares of this life.  They are consumed with the pleasures of this world.  They are taking care of the flesh and natural man and are neglecting the spiritual one.  They have stopped looking for Him to come because they have heard so much that says it will be soon but don't see the evidence of it.  They protest that they have heard it for so long, but it has not happened so why believe and watch for it.  According to the Bible, this is another sign that His return is soon to come. (2 Peter 3:4)

The key to this verse is "be ready".  It doesn't say to get ready then forget about it.  It doesn't say to only think about getting ready.  Since we don't know when His return will be, we are to get ready and stay ready.  In times past when a woman was pregnant you never heard much about their labor being induced.  We all just went to have the baby when the pains hit us, and the baby was ready to come on its own.  Therefore, the closer it got to our due date we would make preparation and have our "hospital/baby" bag packed and ready to go.  Once we packed it, we didn't unpack it.  It stayed packed and ready to go with us at all times because we had no idea when it might be time to go to the hospital.  That time could come during the day or the middle of the night.  It didn't matter, that bag stayed packed and in an easily accessible place. 

In this same way, we have to make sure our "bags" are packed and we are ready to go regardless of when the time of Christ's return takes place.  If we are ready, we have nothing to worry about.  If we are watching, if we are looking, if we are living in expectation of His return, we have nothing to worry about, we will be prepared for that time regardless of when it comes. 

Are you "packed and ready" to go when He returns?  Were you "packed" but have unpacked a few things?  Have you stopped watching and waiting for His return?  Have you neglected the fact that He will return again--- it could be today?  Are you ready?  And are you staying ready?  If not, get ready and don't let anything hinder you from staying ready.... for in the time when you think not, He will return.  Let Him find you ready.

Have a great day.  Are your "bags packed" and ready to go should the Lord return today?
 

"Able To See Spiritually"

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

There are several things about this story that I notice.  One is that it is a comfort.  How comforting to know that even when we don't see it with the natural eyes God is right there with us and has His heavenly host encamped around us.  The other thing is something that amazes me. It amazes me that this Old Testament prophet who is still under the Law, who is under the old covenant, who has the Spirit only upon him was able to see so clearly into the spiritual realm.  He did not have the kingdom residing in him.  He did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling him at all times.  Yet he saw so clearly.

The thing that amazes me most is that we now have the Holy Spirit abiding in us.  We have the kingdom of God within us.  We are heirs of the new covenant, a better covenant.  We are not under the Law but under Grace.  So, why can't we see into the spiritual realm?  Why is it we aren't more discerning?  Why are we blind to spiritual things?  Why are we more like the servant who didn't see, than the prophet who did?

I believe it comes down to how much we "walk" in the spirit.  How much attention do you give to spiritual things?  How worldly and materially minded are you?  How God focused are you?  Are you seeking the Kingdom of God?  Do you desire to see past this natural realm and into the things of God?  This servant walked after the "natural" life.  He lived only in what he saw with the natural eye.  The prophet lived the "spiritual" life.  He lived in what God saw-- from God's perspective. 

Which of these two defines you?  Are you content with walking after the natural course of things?  Are you desirous to see great and mighty things?  Are you wanting what is on the surface or to go deeper?  Do you want to continually walk by sight?  Or do you want to live by faith?  The choice is yours.  The ability and possibility have been given to you by the Lord.  It is all a matter of how much you desire it and are willing to press in to receive it.  The scripture says that if we are willing and obedient we will eat the good of the land. (Isaiah 1:19)  If you are willing and obedient to do what you need to do-- seek, press, pray, draw near, study, move, get out of your comfort zone, trust the Lord, lay aside what hinders you-- then you too will "eat the good of the spiritual land" by having a deeper spiritual understanding of spiritual things. 

Have a great day.  Are you desirous to see spiritual things?  Or are you content to see only with the natural eyes?   

 

"Be Prosperous"

"And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper".  2 Chronicles 26:5

When we think of the word prosperous, we think primarily in monetary terms.  There are so many more ways of being prosperous than just financially or economically.  John wrote, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 1:2) This prosperity had to do with being successful in your journey and along the way. 

There is a sure way to have prosperity in our lives.  It is found in the verse above.  "As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper".  Prosperity comes, not as we go and do things on our own, or lean to our own understanding, or set our own course or own course of action.  It comes as we seek the Lord continually asking for His guidance, direction and wisdom.  Then it comes as we obey and follow His direction and instructions.  

Have a great day.  May you have a prosperous life. But true prosperity comes as you seek the Lord in all your ways and allow Him to guide you.  
  

"Not Too Old"

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

How many times have you heard someone say, "It is too late for me.  I am too old."?  Perhaps you have said it yourself.  We tend to think that when we get older, we are too old for the Lord to use us, to fulfill dreams, to be of any service or value. 

When we look through the scriptures, we see that the Lord has used many young people to do His work and accomplish His plan. He crowned Josiah to be king over Israel when he was only eight years old.  He chose a young virgin to give birth to His Son Jesus.  He used a young Timothy to pastor a church.  He anointed David to be king of Israel when he was still a young shepherd boy.  But God is not a respecter of persons.  He looks for willing hearts and yielded vessels regardless of age, gender, education, position, financial status, etc. 

God used Moses to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage at the age of eighty until he was one hundred and twenty years old.  Caleb fought a battle and took possession of a mountain that was promised to him when he was between eighty and ninety years old.  Elizabeth was old and pass the childbearing age when she gave birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.  Sarah gave birth to the son of promise when she was around ninety years of age.  These are only a few that the Bible tells us about. 

The point this morning is this-- you are never too old for the Lord to use you to accomplish the task that He has called you to.  You are never too old to not fulfill His plan for your life.  It is never too late.  Age doesn't matter to the Lord.  He chooses young and old alike.  Stop letting the devil convince you that you are too old.  Stop letting other people intimidate you and make you think that your best days are past and you are of no use.  Stop letting society label you as too old and unable.  Don't let the weakness of your own body determine God's plan for you.  It is God's calling, it is God's plan, it is God's work, it is God's will and He can call and equip whoever He chooses to do it. 

Have a great day.  It is not too late.  You are not too old to do what God has planned for and designed you to do.     

"Protect Valuable Things"

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..."  John 10:10a

We all decide for ourselves what is valuable and the things we treasure most.  For some it is money.  For others it is a family heirloom or some other material object.  For some a relationship, family or friends are what is most valuable.  At any rate, the things that we think are the most valuable, we aren't careless with.  We take care of them and take care to make sure they are safe and secure.  To take care of our valuable possessions we purchase safes, rent a deposit box or have a secret hiding place for them.  But what about the things that are truly valuable?  What do we do to secure them and make sure they aren't stolen from us?

I am talking about eternal things.  I am talking about the things that deal with your soul.  Those things are peace, joy, holiness, godliness, contentment, love, etc.  What are you doing to ensure that the thief doesn't steal them from you?  What are you doing to ensure that the circumstances and cares of this life aren't robbing them from you?  The first thing you have to do is decide just how valuable they really are to you.  If they are, then you have to decide to protect them.  That means you can't be careless or casual with them.  You have to guard them.  

How do we do that?  You can't put peace in a vault.  You can't place joy in a lock box.  No, but you can still protect it.  The way you protect them is through the Word of God.  Keep your mind renewed in God's Word.  That way when the enemy comes to steal it you will recognize him and have the weapon to fight him with.  Keep on the full armor of God.  Wear it always and the enemy will have a hard time "penetrating" through it to get to your treasure.  Keep your heart and mind fixed and stayed on spiritual things-- things above.  Stay full of the Holy Spirit, who will make you aware when the enemy is sneaking around trying to steal.  And He will give you the needed strategy to defeat him. 

The bottom line is you have to decide how truly valuable these spiritual things-- these gifts from God-- are to you.  Then you have to decide to protect them.  Then you have to do whatever it takes to make sure they are protected and not allow anything to steal them from you.

Have a great day.  Just how valuable are spiritual things in your life?  If they are, are you doing everything necessary to insure they are protected?