"Gold Star Mentality"

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works".  2 Timothy 3:16,17 

When I was a child growing up in church, we would get a little gold star each week beside our name on a list if we could quote our memory verse.  As a child it was exciting to see the gold stars filling up the line.  (That was my reason for memorizing the verse-- to get the gold star.) 

 

Unfortunately, many adult "Christians" still have that same mentality.  They read the Bible with a "gold star" mentality.  They think that just because they did their Bible reading for the day that fulfilled their religious duty and met the "requirements".  But that is not the reason why we read God's Word.

 

We read it in order to grow spiritually-- it is "bread" to our spirit.  We read it to renew our minds-- so that we won't be conformed to this world but have the mind of Christ.  We read it to have spiritual insight and understanding-- so that we may know what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of the Lord.  We read it so that we will be equipped to fight spiritual battles-- it is our weapon.  We read it, and hide it in our hearts, to give us power to resist temptation-- so that we will not sin against God.  We read it so that we might be transformed-- transformed into His image. 

 

The word is not supposed to only be read.  It is supposed to be practiced.  It is supposed to be taken to heart.  Jesus said that the truly wise person would read it and do what it says.  In other words, God gave us His Word in order to teach us how to live.  Therefore, it is meant to be lived out, and applied, in our daily lives.

 

Have a great day.  If you only read the Bible so that you can say you have fulfilled your religious duty for the day you are missing the whole point.  You read it so that you can be transformed on the inside to be more like Jesus.    

"Days Like This"

"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you".  Joel 2:25 

The chorus of an old song says, "Mama said there'd be days like this.  There'll be days like this mama said".  We all have days "like this".  Days when things don't go right.  Days when our bad choices catch up with us.  Days we wish had never happened.  Days of heartache, pain and trouble.  Days when we make mistakes that can't be undone.  Days when we have said and done the wrong thing.  Days that we regret.  But the point is this:  Don't let a "day like this" determine the rest of your life.

 

Many people are letting one "bad day" ruin their whole lives.  They carry the mistake, the guilt, the heartache, the anger, the condemnation, the bitterness, the regret, etc. from that day with them into the next day and the next day and the next day and allow it to ruin their future. 

We can't change the past.  We can't go back and undo some things that happened.  We can't change the consequences, but we can choose to live out the rest of our lives to the fullest regardless and in spite of "that day".  It is a choice.  We can sit down and not move forward, we can wallow in the thing that happened, we can live in it, or we can get up, move on, leave it behind and go on with the business of living. 

 

It is possible.  Turn yourself and "that day" over to the Lord.  He is the One who redeems things.  He is the One who can turn it around for good.  He is the One who can deliver you from the internal wrestling that came as a result of "that day".  He is the One who gives abundant life.  He is the One who gives you hope and a future.  Let Him take "that day" and give you the peace and healing that you need so you can live out the rest of your life fulfilling your destiny.

Have a great day.  We all have "days like this", but don't let them ruin the rest of your life.

 

"It's Two-Sided"

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold".  Job 23:10 

When we go through difficulties/trials, there is more than one thing that is going on.  We have an enemy who is out to destroy us through them, and secondly, we have a God who loves us and is perfecting what concerns us.  Often we only look at one side of the trial-- the side that is trying to destroy us.  But remember, what the enemy means for evil God works together for our good.

 

God will cause what you are going through to bring you up into a higher level of faith.  This stumbling block of the enemy can actually be a steppingstone into a higher realm of faith, trust in the Lord and righteous character.  The Lord can use it to purify you and produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life.  He can also use it to deepen your trust in Him because unless you choose to handle it your own way and in your own strength, you will turn to Him and let Him do a deep work within you and work it for your good. 

 

The verse above comes from the Book of Job.  We are all familiar with Job's life and suffering.  After all that Job went through, did it destroy him?  No.  Was that the intent of the enemy?  Yes.  But what happened instead?  At the end of the trial Job not only was twice as wealthy, received twice what he had lost, fathered more children-- some of the most beautiful daughters in the land-- but he gained a greater spiritual understanding of who God was.  His faith level soared.  He knew the Lord in a more personal and intimate way.  He knew that God was for him, working on his behalf and able to turn even the greatest of trials into a blessing--- naturally and spiritually.

 

Take heart.  If you are going through a difficult time.  If all hell seems like it is coming against you.  If you don't think you can take it any longer.  If you feel like you are going to be consumed by it.  Remember this:  there are two sides to your trial.  Let the trial produce in you a deeper level of faith.  Let it cause you to come up higher in your relationship with the Lord.  The greater One is in you than the one who is hurling these fiery darts at you.  You are destined to win as long as you look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith.

 

Have a great day.  Your trial is like a two-sided coin.  One side is meant to destroy you.  The other side is meant to strengthen you spiritually.  Which side are you going to focus on?

 

Scripture reference:  Psalm 138:8; Job 42:10-17; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:16; James 1:3; Romans 8:28 

"A Rose Garden"

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world".  John 16:33

Years ago, there was a popular country song whose words were:  "I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.  Along with the sunshine, there's got to be a little rain sometimes".  In our relationship with Jesus, He never promised us a "rose garden" type of life.  As we said yesterday, when we come into a relationship with Him, along with that relationship comes tribulation, persecution, self-denial, affliction and suffering.  But if that was all we had to look for, the "worse", it would be a relationship that no one would want to enter into.  

He told us to "count the cost" before entering into it, and in His love for us He let us know just what that cost would be.  He doesn't, won't, never has and never will deceive us by promising us something that it not true.  He warned us of the cost but He didn't leave it there.  While He might not have promised us a "problem free" life, let me tell you what He did promise us.

He promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  He promised to be with us always.  He promised to meet and supply all our need.  He promised to give us strength in weakness; peace in confusion; power to overcome temptation; grace that was sufficient; hope in hopeless situations; freedom; His Word to light our path; His Spirit to guide and comfort us; beauty for ashes; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; faith to remove mountains; healing and deliverance; power over all the powers of the enemy; wisdom to do what is right; enlightened understanding to know what to do; weapons to destroy the enemy; and His unconditional love to sustain us.  No, He didn't promise us that there would be no problems, but He did promise to be with us through each one.  

Have a great day.  Jesus didn't promise us a rose garden.  (We forget that roses have thorns.)  But He did promise that the sweet fragrance of the relationship would outweigh the pain of the thorns. 

"For Better Or Worse"

"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me".  Mark 8:34 

All marriages begin with an exchange of vows: for better or worse; richer or poorer; in sickness and in health, etc.  Every couple who stands before one another making such vows stands there all "starry eyed" and so "in love" that they don't really give a whole lot of thought to what they are saying.  They are so "in love" that when they say those words, they don't fully comprehend the meaning of "worse", "poorer" and "sickness".  Then when "worse" happens and the reality of what it means sets in, they start trying to get out of the marriage.

 

People often go into a relationship with the Lord the same way.  Like marriage salvation is a covenant, it involves a vow, it is a relationship and it is meant to last our whole lifetime.   Most people enter it for heaven, for blessings, for the peace Jesus gives, for all the "good things" He bestows on them.  But, like marriage, there is a "worse" part of our relationship that will come.  At that point many give up and turn from Him-- they want a "divorce".    

 

They entered into a relationship with Him because they wanted to go to heaven.  They fell in love with Jesus.  They looked forward to the blessings and good times, but He didn't promise all "good times".  He said we would have tribulations.  He said we would have affliction.  He said that by having a relationship with Him, we would be hated by all men.  We would be rejected, mocked, attacked, persecuted, imprisoned and our own families and friends would turn on us. 

 

In any relationship there is a cost that should be counted.  Every relationship will cost us something.  Every relationship won't always be full of the "better"-- even our relationship with the Lord.  When you enter into it with Him, be aware of the cost and realize too that it is worth it.  "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us". (Romans 8:18)

 

Have a great day.  Every relationship will have a "better" and a "worse"-- even our relationship with Jesus.  But don't quit or turn from it.  It is worth it.    

"Filled Already"

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled".  Matthew 5:6

We sing songs in church asking the Lord to "fill us up".  We pray prayers asking the same.  But sometimes what is needed is not a filling, but an emptying. 

A glass, or any vessel, that is already full has no room to be filled with anything else.  Even one that is partially full only has the capacity to hold a little more.  Many times we are asking the Lord to fill us when we are already too full of other things and He is unable to fill us because there is no room.  We must first become empty of whatever else is occupying us in order for Him to fill us.

He does desire to fill us with Himself, His Spirit, His gifts, His blessings, His peace, His grace, His goodness, etc.  But if you are already filled with other things such as anger, hate, malice, bitterness, jealousy, pride, unforgiveness, greed, selfishness, lust, self-centeredness and just full of self in general, there is no room for Him to fill you with anything else.

The first prayer needs to be one of repentance.  Repent for the "wrong" that is filling your vessel/heart.  Ask Him to wash it away.  Ask Him to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.  Ask Him to create in you a clean heart.  Ask Him to purge out the "old leaven".  Ask Him to empty you of anything that is in you that is not of Him.  Once you are empty, then ask Him to fill you up with Him.  After the house has been "swept and cleaned" (so to speak), then get filled up.  Stay filled up with Him and don't allow there to be room for anything else but Him.   

Have a great day.  He fills what is empty, but purges, removes and delivers what is already full to make room for what He desires to fill us with. 

"Eternal Decision"

"...now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation".  2 Corinthians 6:2b

We were having a discussion the other day about the return of the Lord, and rapture of the church.  Some say it will happen before the tribulation, others say during and still others say after.  There are several schools of thought.  One has to be right, He is returning.  We just don’t know when.

So, the point I want to stress is this:  we don’t know when He will come, so be ready.  We don’t know when our time individually on earth will come to an end, so be ready.  We have to be ready at all times because we don’t know when our life will end, one way or another.  We can’t put off making sure it is well with our souls until tomorrow—tomorrow may never come for us. 

I know I have talked about this subject recently, and a lot in the past, but this is the most important decision that you will ever make—or that you will ever neglect to make.  And you can’t afford to neglect it.  Every other decision you make in life is a temporary one.  The decision about who you will marry is important, but marriage is temporary.  It will end one day.  The decision concerning your career is important as well, but it is temporary.  It will end in retirement one day.  The decision you make, or neglect, about your soul is eternal.  It is the only one that will not end.  Therefore, it is too important for you not to give your attention to but instead make that decision today.  Make the decision to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ today. 

Have a great day.  Every decision you make in life is a temporary one, except the decision concerning your soul—it is eternal.  Have you made it yet?   

“All Or Some?”

“For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had”.  Luke 21:4

Jesus was in the temple watching those who were giving their offerings.  He noted that the rich men were giving a little in proportion to the size of their abundant riches.  He also noted that a certain widow woman gave little as well, but her little was all she had.  Jesus said that she had given more than all the others because she gave all. 

This story is about more than giving God our money and offerings.  There is a spiritual parallel here.  It represents what He is looking for.  He is looking for those who will give Him all—all of themselves. 

These men were like most people.  They give to God, they are willing to even give themselves to God, but they are only willing to give Him a little.  They give Him what they want Him to have.  They only give Him part of themselves.  They will not surrender it all to Him.

This widow gave her all, even though in the eyes of man it wasn’t much.  These men gave some of what they had and in the eyes of man it looked like much.  But in the eyes of God, she gave the most.  Jesus was more pleased with what she gave than what they gave.  He isn’t looking for “quantity”.  He is looking for those who will give their entire selves to Him.  She gave from her heart.  The others gave out of duty or pride. 

Which one of these two would describe you?  Are you one who is giving God some but not all?  Are you holding back part of yourself?  Are you giving Him only what you want Him to have of you?  Or are you like the widow and giving all of you to Him?

Have a great day.  God is looking to see if you will give Him all of yourself, or if you will give Him only what you want Him to have reserving the rest for yourself. 

 

 

"By Righteous Deeds?"

"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference".  Romans 3:22

Question-- Is a man righteous because he does righteous deeds or does he do righteous deeds because he is righteous?  

The correct answer is not:  a man is righteous because he does righteous deeds.  Doing righteous acts and good deeds has never, and will never, make anyone righteous.  Just ask the rich young ruler who came to Jesus—he discovered the answer.  All the good things he did didn't save him; they did not make him righteous.  You can also ask the Pharisees; they discovered also that no matter how much of the law they kept it was not enough to become righteous.

The correct answer is:  he does righteous deeds because he is righteous.  It is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.  (Titus 3:5,6) We are made righteous through the shed blood of Jesus at the cross.  Our faith in His atoning work is what saves us and makes us righteous.  Our own righteousness is like filthy rags.  We have none.  We have to come to Christ in faith and repentance and are then made righteous by Him and His work.  We do righteous works and deeds because of the righteousness of Christ that has been applied to our lives.  Our righteous works come out of a heart that has been regenerated and made righteous—not vice versa.

Have a great day.  We are righteous, not because we do righteous deeds, but because of faith in Jesus.   

For further reading:
Galatians 3:11
1 John 2:29; 3:7
Isaiah 64:6

"Look Up"

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh".  Luke 21:28

Jesus had just told His disciples what signs and events would take place before He returned.  Among those were wars, rumors of war, earthquakes, fearful sights, betrayal, imprisonment, distress of nations, they would be hated by all men for His sake and men's hearts failing for fear.  But He ended by saying to them-- "look up". 

Daily we face perplexing situations.  We go through trying times that bring fear and confusion.  We see things happening around us that we don't understand and that cause us to question and wonder.  But in these times Jesus still speaks the same words to us-- "look up".  In other words-- stay focused on Him.  Keep your eyes looking toward Him.  Don't get caught up in what is happening around you.  Don't stare at it too long in disbelief and amazement.  Don't look at what is fearful and confusing but for a moment-- "look up".

We must keep our eyes fixed/focused on Jesus.  These things are temporary; He is eternal.  These things will make us fearful; He will give us peace.  These things will defeat us; He gives us victory.  These things will pull us down; He will lift us up.  These things will steal, kill and destroy us; He will give us abundant life. 

Whatever you are facing today-- fear, questions, confusion, heartache, hardship, perplexity, don't keep staring at it.  Instead, look up.  That is where you will find your peace, strength and grace to keep walking and living even in a terrible/turbulent time.

Have a great day.  Fearful, confusing and hard things happen to us in life, but don't focus on them-- Look Up!

"Unchanging In Change"

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever".  Hebrews 13:8

 Every time I have to do an update on one of my electronic devises-- phone, computer, etc., the whole format changes. So, it takes me a few minutes to navigate and find my way through it.  Do you ever wonder why it is that someone is always changing something?  Why can't they leave some things like they are?  There's nothing wrong, in my opinion, with the old formats they are constantly changing.  

The world around us is in a constant state of change.  Some change happens automatically-- like the changing of the seasons.  Some changes happen which are controlled by someone thinking that it should be done a certain way.  Some changes we have no control over.  Some changes are good.  Some are not so good.  Some are easy to adjust to; others are more difficult and take more time to get used to.  

Change is not always easy.  Often, change makes life more difficult for us-- especially until we get used to it.  But in this ever-changing world, I am thankful that one thing remains the same--- God is God.  He does not change.  He remains the same.  He is the same today as He was in the past and will be the same tomorrow is He was today. 

The fact that the Lord does not change should bring us great comfort.  I don't have to wonder or worry about Him.  I don't have to hope that He is still the same when I go to Him with my need.  He will be faithful to supply it just like He always has.  Take heart this morning.  Your world may be changing.  It may be a good change, or it may be a not so good change.  But, regardless, God does not change and He will help you through the change.

Have a great day.  Things are always changing around us, but we can trust that the Lord will stay the same. 

"Your Reputation"

"A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold".  Proverbs 22:1

One of my mother-in-law's favorite scriptures (have heard her say it numerous times) is that "a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches".  I was pondering that this morning.  When I die, I wonder what type of reputation I will  leave behind.  What will people remember about me?  Will it be a good memory or a bad one?  Will it honor God or bring reproach upon HIs name?  Will I be remembered for being loving and kind, or the opposite? 

The life that you live now is making a reputation for yourself-- not only when you die and leave this earth and are remembered later.  But also while you are here.  When your name is mentioned to someone will their thoughts of you be good ones or bad ones?  What will be the first thing that comes to their mind? 

You are making a reputation for yourself through every deed you do, word you say, reaction, response and attitude you have.  The verse says that you and I should choose to have a good name-- a good reputation-- even more than we desire to have riches.  Why?  Because your reputation will outlast your riches.  When the riches are gone, when you are gone, when your properties are divided among your remaining heirs and are gone, all that will be left is your reputation. 

Have a great day.  What kind of reputation are you making for yourself?  What will people remember about you when you are gone?  What do they think about you now? 

"A Time To Die"

" A time to be born, and a time to die..."  Ecclesiastes 3:2

In his list of the things that make up life the writer starts with the very basic truth and events of every life-- there is a time to be born and a time to die.  We each have an appointed time within history in which God determines our birth.  Once we are born, death becomes inevitable.  We are born to die.  From the moment we take our first breath, death begins to lay claim to us.  Death will come to all of us.  It is a given.  None of us escape it.  There is a time when we will die.

Are you ready when the time to die comes to you?  Have you made peace with the Lord?  Have you made sure it is well with your soul?  Do you know that when you draw your last breath that you will be present with the Lord?  Or are you unsure?  Do you think you can wait and put it off because you have plenty of time?  You cannot put it off.  You can't wait.  You must be sure and make sure that your soul is safe and secure.  You have to do it today.  Because tomorrow may be too late.

Have a great day.  There is a time to die.  Are you ready when your time comes?  Will it be well with your soul?  

 

"A Way"

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life...".  John 14:6a

In a dream that I had last night-- which I won't elaborate on-- I was looking for a way to get from "point A" to "point B".  As I pondered the dream after I woke up, I realized that we spend most of our lives looking for "a way".  We are always looking for a way around certain situations; a way to make ends meet; a way to solve our problems; a way to get out of debt; a way to fulfill our dreams; a way to achieve our goals; a way to better ourselves; a way to get more money; a way to be delivered from some bondage; a way to save ourselves and so on. 

We spend so much time and energy looking for "a way", but often to no avail.  As long as we are trying to find "a way" on our own, we will keep going around in circles and never find it.  There is only "one way" to find "a way" and "that way" is found in "The Way"-- Jesus. 

He has a way for you to be saved.  He has a way for you to be strengthened when you are weak; healed when you are sick; delivered when you are bound; encouraged when you are down.  He has a way of life that will give you hope and a future; a way that will give you abundant life; a way that will give you eternal life; a way that will give you victory, joy. peace, wisdom, grace and prosperity, 

He makes a way where there seems to be no way.  He has a way mapped out for you.  He has a way for you to fulfill your purpose for living.  And He has a perfect way.  How do we find this way?  We find it first by surrendering our lives to Him.  We receive Him as Savior (when we do that, we find the right way) and follow Him as Lord (when we do that, we will stay on the right way).  In doing so we won't have to look for our own way.  He will be leading the way.

Have a great day.  Are you spending your life looking for "a way"?  Follow Jesus, who is The Way, and you will not have to look any further. 

"A Know It All"

"A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent".  Proverbs 15:5

Have you ever been around people who "knew it all"?  You couldn't tell them anything because they already knew it.  It didn't matter what subject you were talking about, they already knew the answers, and they had already "done it".  The Bible talks a lot about these people-- it calls them fools. 

No one person knows everything about everything.  There is only One who truly knows everything-- God.  We each know in part.  There is something that I may know that you don't know.  And vice versa, there may be something you know that I don't.  I don't know how to play the piano.  Therefore, it would be foolish of me to say I can teach someone else how to play it.  But there are many people who can play it and they then are able to teach it. 

Because we don't know everything, God has placed people in our lives to help us in the areas we lack knowledge.  He has placed teachers in our lives to educate us.  He has given us pastors to instruct us in the Word of God.  He has given us financial counselors to help us in financial matters and use our monies wisely.  He has given us parents to help instruct us in matters of life.  He has given us friends to impart some understanding to us-- provided they are not ungodly friends. 

The point is that we can't and don't know everything-- even if we think we do.  Therefore, we need to be teachable and open to instruction and insight from others.  We especially need to be able to receive instruction and guidance from the Lord and His Word.  God's Word will make the simple-- those who lack knowledge and understanding-- wise.  The disciples were taught by Jesus and the Holy Spirit and when they preached the Word, people were astonished because they knew these men were uneducated fishermen.  The Word of God will make even those who have no understanding wise. 

Seek out wisdom and understanding from God's Word.  Listen to the counsel of those who have knowledge in areas that you don't.  Heed the instructions of those who are wiser in matters that you aren't wise in.  And always be teachable.  Don't be a "know it all".  That is pride and pride will bring you down and expose your ignorance.

Have a great day.  You don't know it all.  Therefore, listen to the Lord who does and the people He has placed in your life to give you counsel. 

Scriptural reference: Psalm 19:7; Acts 4:13

"At The Right Time"

"And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables."  John 2:14,15

Jesus grew up going to the temple.  His parents presented Him at the temple when He was an infant.  When He was twelve years old, His parents found Him in the temple with the doctors asking questions.  Later, after His ministry started, He went into the temple and was given the Book of Isaiah to read.  The Bible tells us it was His custom to go to the temple at the appointed time. 

At a time before His crucifixion, He went into the temple and drove out with a whip those who were turning His house into a den of thieves by their selling of the sacrifices.  We have already established that He went to the temple often, so why didn't He "drive" them out sooner?  Why did He wait until now at the end of His ministry?  Why not take care of them at the beginning of His ministry?  Evidently, they were there before.  Maybe they only showed up at Passover-- but this wasn't His first Passover to go to the temple.  He had seen them there before.  He watched them on more than one occasion.  He walked past them more than once.  The only answer is that God has a planned and perfect time for doing everything He does.

This brings me to my point this morning.  Why doesn't He deal with the "moneychangers"-- those things that are wrong, out of place and out of order-- in our lives sooner?  Why does He allow trials, pain, illness, problems, etc. to continue?  He sees they are there in our lives.  If His eyes are on me, then He knows what I am going through.  So why doesn't He do something about it up front instead of allowing it to continue?  Again, the only answer I have is-- His ways are not our ways; they are perfect; He has a plan and that plan has a perfect timing to it.  We just have to trust that He sees it, knows about it, He is not ignoring it but at the appointed time He will "drive it out". 

Have a great day.  Just because the Lord doesn't do something about the issue/problem doesn't mean that He isn't aware of it.  He has a perfect time for everything. 

Scripture reference:  Luke 2:21-49; Luke 4:16-21

"False Healing"

"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."   Psalm 107:20

Healing can be in many areas-- not just physical.  Sometimes we need our emotions healed.  Sometimes we need healing from past memories.  Sometimes we need healing in our minds because of things we did that we regret now-- or things done to us.  Sometimes our hearts need to be healed because of sorrow, grief, heaviness, cares we carry, burdens we bear, hurts, loss we have suffered, rejections we have faced or trials we have been through.  Sometimes we are just "broken" and need to be fixed-- healed.

Where does this healing come from?  Many look for it in relationships.  They are looking to another person to make them feel whole and healthy.  Others turn to some sort of substance to make them "forget" their pain and problems.  Different people look to different sources.  Some look for affirmation and acceptance to "heal" them.  There is a wide variety to choose from-- entertainment, hobbies, work, money, a career, people pleasing, etc.  

When you have a physical wound, it has to be healed from the inside out.  There is a problem if we are looking for healing to come through people and earthly pursuits. That healing is from the outside in.  Like a physical wound, it looks healed but under the skin it is still a wound-- full of bacteria and germs.  It is still there "festering" out of sight.  It is not healed.  It just isn't as evident--- until later.  

True healing comes through "cleansing" the wound and "dressing" it with the Word of God.  His Word is health and life to our minds, spirits, souls and bodies.  It doesn't just cover up a wound; it starts deep on the inside and heals it from the inside out.  Once it is healed, it is healed-- unlike the wound that has just been covered over.  One day something will happen and cause it to break through to the surface of the "skin", and it will be a worse wound then it was at the beginning. 

If you are suffering a wounded heart, mind or spirit, the remedy for it is God's Word.  It will bring a complete and total healing instead of just "masking" over it.  Let Him heal you.

Have a great day.  The Word of God brings complete and total healing.... anything else will only cover it up.

For further reading:  Proverbs 4:20-22

"Repent To God"

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand".  Matthew 4:17

Repentance is not something that you hear preached often any more.  We think we can just decide to believe or be better people or start going to church and that makes us right with God.  It doesn't.  Jesus' first message was "Repent".  He also said that unless we repent we will perish. 

So, what exactly is repentance if it is necessary for our salvation?  The word repent means:  to change one's mind; heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins; repentance involves a turning with contrition from sin to God.  It means to not only change our minds and go in a different direction but it means we are truly and deeply sorry for and detest our sins to the point where we forsake them. 

Repentance is an act between the individual and God.  It is when God sees that contrite heart that He forgives our sins, washes them away, cleanses us and makes us a brand new person.  People can't do that for us.  Most people think that because they confess something to man, even in sorrow for what they have done, that it is enough.  It isn't-- only God can forgive sins.

King Saul confessed his sin to Samuel and asked him not to expose it before the people.  Judas after his betrayal of Jesus confessed to the priest and tried to give back the money he had received for his betrayal.  Neither one, though very sorry for what they had done, received forgiveness. There was no repentance and they didn't go to God for it. 

Confessing to men is for conscience sake, but it does not take away the stain of the sin.  Confessing to men will not bring reconciliation with God.  Confessing to men will help bring a certain amount of healing but not forgiveness or deliverance. 

Have you turned to God in repentance?  Have you only changed your mind about God and started going to church?  Have you gone to God with a sincere heart confessing that you have sinned against Him?  Do you hate the sin you are in and are willing to turn completely away from it?  Do you see that what you are doing is a sin in God's sight and you are ready to forsake it?  There must be repentance if you are going to get right with God.  Other wise, you are just going through some religious motions and are still the same sinner you were. 

Have a great day.  There must be repentance of sin to God in order for you to have your sins forgiven.     

For further reading:  Luke 13:3,5; Matthew 27:3,4; 1 Samuel 15

"Quench Your Thirst"

"There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High".  Psalm 46:4

Water is the most essential element to life.  We can live without much, but we can't live without water.  Water provides life and refreshment.  It refreshes and rehydrates the body.  It revives what is wilting.  It provides a place for habitation to aquatic life forms.  It is a cleansing agent.  It plays so many roles in our existence and without it we would not survive very long.

There is a spiritual water that many are lacking.  This is why their lives are so dry.  It is why they are weak.  It is why they have no life.  They are neglecting its life-giving power.  The water that I am referring to is Jesus.  He is living water.  The difference in water for the body and water for the spirit is that one you will have to continue to drink because it only satisfies your thirst temporarily.  The other- living water- will take away your thirst once and for all.  This is what He told the woman at the well.  (John 4) 

Today He gives you the same invitation as He did to the woman at the well.  He offered to quench her thirst so that she would never thirst again.  He will do the same for you.  You can receive it freely without cost.  It is already paid for.  "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price". (Isaiah 55:1) Will you come and drink and be satisfied?  There is plenty for everyone.  It is an abundant supply-- a never-ending river.

Have a great day.  Is your soul thirsty?  Jesus is the living water that if you drink of Him, you will never thirst again. 

"Only True Foundation"

"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ".  1 Corinthians 3:11

A lot of people are trying to lay a spiritual and eternal foundation under their lives which is no foundation at all-- it is only sand.  You cannot build anything- in the natural or in the spirit- on sand.  It will shift.  It will move.  It will fail. 

What foundation are you trying to lay in order to have eternal life?  The rich young ruler tried to make his foundation riches.  He laid a foundation of money, but it fail.  The Pharisees tried to lay a foundation on the Law.  They thought if they kept every "jot and tittle" they would have a solid foundation spiritually.  But it failed as well.  

Many today are trying to lay a spiritual/eternal foundation based on the keeping of religious deeds and practices.  Some are trying to lay a foundation on goodness-- if they are good enough the foundation will be strong and support them.  Some are trying to build a foundation based on knowledge. They think that the more they know about the Bible and spiritual matters they will have a good foundation upon which to stand.

None of these things will work.  You can't build your life, your hope or your eternal security on but one foundation-- the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the only true and sure foundation.  He is the only Rock-- firm and solid-- that can support our lives and our eternity. 

Have a great day.  If you are trying to lay your own foundation you will surely fail and fall.  You have to build on the foundation that is already laid-- Jesus Christ. 
 

"Who Knows Who?"

"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

The disciples had spent much time with Jesus.  Daily they watched Him heal the crowds of their various illnesses.  They had seen Him raise the dead and cast out demons.  They had heard His teachings.  They had received revelation from Him.  Peter even professed that He was the Son of God.  But now they wondered "who He was" after seeing Him demonstrate power over the raging sea.  Evidently, they knew Him, but they didn't really know Him.  They knew who He was, but they didn't really know who He was.

When all is said and done, when we come to the very end, when eternity comes, when we stand in the Judgment, it won't matter if we knew Him, it won't matter how much we think we knew Him, it won't matter how much we knew about Him, it won't matter what we saw Him do and heard preached about Him.  The only thing that will matter is whether He knows you are not.  You can say you know Him, but does He know you.  "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity". (Matthew 7:23)

The disciples asked a good question, but they needed to seek to find out the answer.  Once they found the answer (He is the Son of God- the Savior of the world), they then needed to ask another question-- since He is the Son of God, does He know me?  You may think you know Him.  You may think you know a lot about Him.  You may think you know all there is to know about Him.  But the most important thing you need to be finding out is-- does He know you? 

Have a great day.  It isn't whether you know Jesus, it is whether He knows you that matters.  
 

"Renovation"

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God".  Romans 12:2

The verse above says to renew our minds.  We often think that means to just think about the Word of God.  It does but it means so much more than that.  The word for renew also means renovate. 

When something is being renovated, there is a process that takes place.  The old is being removed and the new is replacing it.  In renewing our minds, we have to renovate them-- tear out and replace.

If I were renovating my kitchen, I would not pull out all the cabinets and just leave it like that-- I have only started the renovation process.  I have to replace the old torn out cabinets with new ones, or my kitchen would remain empty and uncompleted.

Jesus talked about this principle-- when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man and walks around in the dry places then decides to go back to the house he came out of and finds it empty, he goes and gets seven other spirits and inhabits it again. (Matthew 12) How could he do that?  The house was empty.  Nothing had been put back in it.  The renovation was not complete.

You can't just get rid of the "bad" and not replace it with the "good".  You can't just "not think" worldly thoughts.  You have to replace them with "godly" thoughts.  It has to be "renovated"-- restored to a good condition; renewed; revived.  You do this first by surrendering your life to the Lord.  Then you have to "cast down imaginations" (your old way of thinking).  Next, you have to replace those thoughts with God's Word.  The verse says to be transformed.  Isn't that what a renovation does?  I watch those home improvement shows on television and when they renovate a room or a house, the appearance is totally transformed-- it doesn't even look the same. 

We have to be renovated until we no longer look the same because we have been transformed.  This happens as we take out the old and replace it with the new.  In other words, we have to die to self and let the Lord live through us.

Have a great day.  Are you being renovated? 

"Hiding The Word"

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  Psalm 119:11

Occasionally, I will "hide" money in my wallet.  I put it in an inconspicuous place and then "forget" about it-- I hide it from myself, so I won't be tempted to spend it.  That way when I have an emergency and need it, I will have a few dollars on hand.  (I know other people who do the same.)

The verse above says that we should do the same with the Word of God.  We should "hide" it.  God's word needs to be hid in our hearts, not so that we will not use it, but so that when we need it it will be there.  It has been a relief to remember I had those few dollars stuck back (hid) when I found myself in a situation where I needed them.  They saved me a lot of embarrassment, got me out of what could have been a bad situation, and came to my rescue.  Had they not been "hid" in my wallet, the outcome of the situation would have been different.

If the word of God is not hidden in our hearts, when we need it in order to make it through a situation-- or an emergency-- we are facing, we won't have it.  We won't have an answer to face the problem with.  We won't have the wisdom, grace, peace and everything else the word provides for us when we need it.  In short, we won't have what we need when the need arises and won't know what to do about it either.

Have a great day.  Don't just read the word of God, hide the Word of God in your heart so that when you need it, it will be there to help you.  

"Limitations On God"

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died".  John 11:21

Martha believed Jesus could heal her brother while he was alive but wasn't able to do anything after he died.  She put limitations on Jesus.  We do the same thing.  We believe Jesus can do this but not that.  We believe He can heal this disease but not that disease.  We believe He can work in this situation but not in that one.  We believe He can handle the little problems but not the big ones.  We believe He can multiply what is already there but can't provide when there is nothing to work with. 

Why do we put limitations on the Lord?  The main reason is because we don't really know who He is.  We have placed Him on the same level of just another man.  We look at Him like we look at everyone else and each other.  We think about Him the way we think about everyone else.  We think He is a mere mortal.  We think He is limited in what He can do.  We don't really believe that He is God who can do the impossible.  We don't really believe He is all powerful.  If we did, what might we be doing differently? 

Would we go to Him as the first resort instead of the last one like we usually do?  Would we believe Him for greater things?  Would our faith be stronger?  The truth is that He is God!  He is not a mortal, or another man.  He has always been and will always be.  He has no beginning and no end.  He is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.  He is Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omni-present.  At His name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.  At the sound of His voice demons tremble and flee.  By His word all things were created-- visible and invisible.  All power and authority in heaven and earth belongs to Him.  He speaks and the winds obey.  He speaks and the fire is quenched.  He speaks and the mountains are brought low.  He speaks and the sea rolls back.  All of nature-- fire, sea, wind-- knows how powerful He is.  Why don't we? 

Have a great day.  The Lord is not like us.  He is the Creator; we are the creation.  So, stop limiting Him and making Him like everyone else.       

"Revive Us Again"

"O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy".  Habakkuk 3:2

We talk about revival.  We pray for revival.  We see the need for revival.  But we miss the object to whom revival is directed.  Revival is not for the world.  It is for the church/body of Christ.  The word revive means:  to restore to life, regain life, give new strength or energy to.  The world is dead in trespasses and sins.  They must first be "born-again" and receive life.  The church, however, has already received life- it is made up of the "living".  Therefore, you can only revive (restore life) what once was alive but is now either dead or dying. 

When you were "born-again" (brought to life), the Lord began a good work in you.  Through the course of time, because of situations you have gone through, because of neglect, whatever the reason, that work that He started in you, those works that He once did through you, have been "dying"-- they are not as evident as they once were. 

I believe He is asking you today-- What do you want revived in your life?  What work do you want revived?  Perhaps you need the joy of your salvation revived.  Maybe it is a gift of the Spirit that hasn't operated in your life in a while.  It could be that you need a hunger and thirst for the Word of God to be revived in your life.  Maybe you aren't as spiritually discerning as you were once and you need it revived.  It could be your faith needs to be revived.  Whatever it is, ask the Lord to revive it.  He is desiring to finish what He begun in you.  He is desiring that you walk in abundant and full spiritual life.  He is desiring that you-- in every and all areas-- come back to life (be revived).

Have a great day.  The Lord wants to revive you and revive what He once begun in you. 

John 5:4; Philippians 1:6

"Spiritual Starvation"

"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God".  Matthew 4:4

When I have gone for periods of time without eating, I feel weak in my body.  I need nutrition which comes from food in order to sustain it and make it strong and healthy.  It's the same spiritually.  In order for me to be spiritually strong and fit, I need spiritual food.  What is the spiritual food that I need?  It is the Word of God.  It is like bread; it is sustenance to my spirit.

Are you feeling weak spiritually?  Does your faith feel weak?  Are you having a hard time spiritually?  Do you feel as though you have no spiritual energy?  Are you having a hard time fighting spiritual battles?  Are you having a hard time discerning spiritual matters?  Has your spiritual eyesight and understanding become dim?  Are you at a loss as to what to do in certain situations that require guidance from the Word of God?  If you have been answering "yes" to these questions, then I have another question for you.  "When was the last time you ate?".  When was the last time you picked up the Bible and read it?  When was the last time you meditated and pondered on it or rehearsed its verses?  If you aren't reading and studying it, then you may be suffering from spiritual malnutrition.  If you have spiritual malnutrition not only will you not know what to do, but you will be in danger of spiritual starvation. 

But there is a remedy.  It is called-- eating.  Start "eating" God's Word.  Take it into your spirit daily-- several times a day.  Start filling your heart with it.  And the weakness you are experiencing in your faith will begin to disappear and you will also begin to get stronger.  "So, then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". (Romans 10:17)

Have a great day.  Are you feeling weak spiritually?  It could be because you are starving from not eating on God's Word. 

"Will With Conditions"

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven".  Mathew 6:10

"Thy will be done".  How many times have we prayed that?  But what are we really praying when we do?  What we usually pray is full of conditions.  "Thy will be done... if". 

We want His will if it doesn't cost us anything.  If it doesn't take us out of our comfort zone.  If it fits into our plans.  If it is part of our agenda.  If it is what we want.  If there is no test or trial attached to it.  If it lines up with our own will.  If we don't have to give up anything. 

"Thy will be done" means exactly what it says-- His will be done.  There are no conditions.  There is no argument.  There is no question about it.  The most perfect example of the meaning of this verse is found in Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He knew the will of God would cost Him, would bring Him pain, shame, beating and crucifixion.  He knew it would cost Him His life, but He made no bargains and set no conditions on it.  He simply submitted to it.  He removed His own will out of the way and obeyed the will of the Father.

The next time you are praying, "Thy will be done", check yourself and see if you truly mean "Thy" or "mine"?  Pay attention to see if you are placing conditions on it.  Or are you without question submitting to His will and without trying to bargain with Him no matter what the price of obedience?   Do you truly want His will and nothing but His will? 

Have a great day.  "Thy will be done", means just that. 

"The Warning Signs"

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth". Revelation 3:16

We live in a world of "signs".  Each indicates the state or level of something else.  For example, contractions for a pregnant woman are a sign that indicates the baby is soon to arrive.  A red light on appliances indicate that the power is turned on.  A "check engine" light in your automobile indicates that you need to have it checked for a problem.

If we have signs in the natural realm that give us an indication of something else, then we also have signs in the spiritual realm that serve as indicators as well.  These "spiritual signs" indicate our spiritual condition.  They let us know that we are in danger of becoming lukewarm in our relationship with the Lord.  Being lukewarm doesn't just happen overnight.  It is a process, and during that process there are signs that are trying to get our attention and warn us.

What are those signs?  The first sign is in our prayer life.  Our prayer times become less and less.  It begins to be "on the go" instead of "in the closet".  We once prayed when we first got up in the morning and we prayed about everything.  Now our prayer comes when we can "squeeze" it in, and we no longer pray for instruction in our situations-- we try to figure them out ourselves.

Bible study, or lack of it, is another indicator.  Watching television, playing sports, being entertained, etc., have become more desirable than sitting down and reading our Bibles.  That is a sure sign that indicates we are growing lukewarm. 

Lack of prayer and Bible reading are the first two signs.  There are others.  The lack of these are warning signs.  They indicate to us that our spiritual life is getting in need of attention.  These signs are not to condemn us and hold us to a strict set of rules and regulations.  They are there to warn us, help us and show us that we need to make some changes before it is too late. 

Are you experiencing either of these signs in your own life?  Is your prayer time getting less and less?  Are you reading your Bible and studying it like you once did?  Can you hardly wait to talk to the Lord in prayer?  Are these still the things you love to do?  If not, you should not ignore the "warning signs".  You need to heed them because they are telling you something.

Have a great day.  Don't ignore the warning signs. 

"Today Not Tomorrow"

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it".  Psalm 118:24

"This is the day".  It doesn't say tomorrow is the day, but it says this is the day that the Lord has made.  Of course, we know that every day is made by the Lord, but this is the day He has made for and given us now.

We talk a lot about not living in the past.  But we also need to talk about not living in the future.  So many people miss what the Lord wants to do for them and in them because they are looking at tomorrow-- the future.  We seem to be more concerned about what is to come than enjoying what is now. 

When we are children, we can't wait to grow up.  We can't wait to get our driver's license.  We can't wait to graduate.  We can't wait to get married.  We can't wait to start having a family.  We can't wait to start our career.  We can't wait to retire.  We are always living in the future.  Well, the Bible has as much to say about living in the future as it does about living in the past.  It tells us not to take thought (don't be anxious or troubled) about either.  That doesn't mean that we shouldn't make plans or occupy.  It means that we shouldn't be so preoccupied with it that we miss out on what we have now. 

God has a plan for you today.  He has a purpose for you to fulfill today.  He has a blessing for you today.  He has an assignment for you today.  He has good gifts He wants to bestow on you today.  He has a work for you to accomplish today.  He has a calling for you today.  But you will miss it if you are always looking to tomorrow or some other day far out in the future.  Now is the time.  Be content today and live today to the fullest.  One day our future will become our past-- sooner than we think and when we look back, we will see how much we have missed out on by not enjoying each day.

Have a great day.  Don't miss out on enjoying today because you are preoccupied with tomorrow. 

"Call For An Answer"

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

There is an amazing two-fold promise in this verse:  I will answer you; I will show you great and mighty things that you don't know.  Do you want the Lord to give you answers?  Do you want Him to show you great things?  Do you want Him to give you revelation into things that you need understanding about?  He tells you how to get it-- call unto Me. 

The problem with us is that we want the promise without the condition.  We want what God has for us but we don't want to do what it takes to get it.  We want the benefits but we don't want to pay the price.  In the case of this verse, we want these promises but we are more willing to do everything else than we are to simply "call on Him".

We are willing to run here and there.  We are willing to seek out someone who will help us.  We will go to great lengths to try to find our own solution.  We will pay high prices to get some sort of understanding or aid.  But we won't, or don't, call on the Lord.  Why?

Why won't we just "break down" and call upon Him and ask Him for what we need?  We each have our own reasons.  Some may feel unworthy.  Some may feel condemnation and guilt.  Some may have too much pride to call upon Him-- they think they can do it themselves.  Some don't believe He really loves and cares about them.  Others just aren't willing to take the time.  And the lists of reasons goes on. 

If you are in need and you are wanting some answers and you are wanting God to show you some great and mighty things, then call on Him.  Yes, it is as simple as that.  Stop making it hard and complicated.  He knows how we are so He made it easy for us-- just simply "call on Me".

Have a great day.  If you will call on Him, He will answer you.  

"Your Last Day"

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment".  Hebrews 9:27

If you knew this was your last day on earth and that you were going to die today, how would you live it?  If you had the ability, the funds and the health to do anything you wanted to do, what would you do?  Most would answer that question by naming a list of activities that they wanted to do, dreams they wanted to fulfill, places they wanted to go and people they wanted to spend it with. 

The truth is that each day we live could be our last one.  We have no promise of tomorrow.  So while we are answering that question with a "bucket list", most neglect the most important thing they should do-- make sure it is well with their eternal soul. 

The truth is that each day we live could be our last one, but we don't like thinking about that.  We think we are going to live forever.  We don't think about death until we get old and gray headed.  In reality, today might very well be your last day-- it might be mine.  We don't know.  Death is certain but its timing isn't.  We don't always have the luxury of knowing when our time here is up.  So, while we are busy making plans on how to spend our lives, we should be making plans on where we will spend eternity.  That is more important than fulfilling dreams of great accomplishments, etc. 

This life is short.  This life is temporary.  This life will come to an end-- often, sooner than later.  What comes after this life is long.  It is eternal.  It has no end.  So why do we focus so much on this temporary life and neglect the eternal one?  Once the temporary is over and the eternal begins, it is too late to do anything about it.  It is too late to get it right.  It is too late to change your mind.  It is too late.  You can't go back and redo it.  You can't go back and change it.  So, back to the question I asked you originally.  How would you spend today if you knew it was your last day?  Hopefully, your answer would be that you would spend it making sure it was well with you eternally.

Have a great day.  If this was your last day on earth, are you ready for the eternal one that is coming after it?   

"Hell's Real"

"And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom".  Luke 16:23

Several years ago, I was watching a game show and one of the questions was:  If you went to hell, name something that you wish you had taken with you.  Some of the answers were:  water, ice, air conditioner, spouse, booze, books, a bathing suit and computer.  It concerned me that people have such a misconception of hell.  It is no wonder, we are not taught about hell any longer.  When was the last time you heard a sermon on hell?  No one wants to preach about it anymore.  They want to preach about good things and what people want to hear.  If we don't tell people there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, we do them a grave, and eternal, injustice. 

Hell is very real.  It does exist.  There is not a party going on there.  There is no Wi-Fi there.  You don't eat or drink in hell.  You don't socialize.  On the contrary, it is a place of torment beyond your wildest imagination.  It is a place where darkness is dense, the flames of fire are not quenched, the worms that gnaw at you do not die, demons make sport of you, fear encapsulates you, the stench of burning and rotting flesh is always present, it is totally void and absent of peace, there is no sleep and you are totally isolated from anyone else.  It is nothing but eternal torment.

I know this is not a pretty picture.  It is because there is nothing about hell that is pretty.  You might not believe in it.  You might have your own definition of it.  You might think it is a concept and not a real literal place.  But unless you believe what the Bible says about it, you are wrong in your belief and when you die you will face the reality of it.

Jesus warned us about hell while He was on earth.  Why would He warn us if it was not real, if it was only a fairy tale or a figment of the imagination?  Why would He be willing to die, and die such a horrible death, to save you from the eternal torment of hell if it were not real?  Why would He die to make a way for you so you would not have to go there?  The answer is because it is real and He loves you so much that He does not want you to go there.  But the choice is up to you.

Have a great day.  Hell is real and it is a place of eternal torment whether you believe that or not. 
 

Praise Or Complain?

"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".  2 Chronicles 20:22

Praise is powerful when it is offered to God.  The Bible tells us that He inhabits the praise of His people.  It tells us that battles are won through praise-- as was the case of the battle recorded above.  Praise is a garment that covers us.  So why don't we do more praising?  Why do we use our mouths to complain, criticize, murmur and curse God and others?  It seems like we use our tongues to do everything but praise the Lord. 

When was the last time you praised the Lord in spite of the situation?  When was the last time you were quicker to complain about it than you were to offer God praise?  We can always find something negative to use our tongues for.  We complain because it is too hot, but when it turns cold, we complain because it is cold.  Why can't we just praise Him for giving us seasons and not complain about it?  Praise shows gratitude and complaining shows the lack of gratitude.

As we have already talked about, if we would learn to be praisers instead of complainers, things would be a lot different in our lives.  We would see changes-- often in the situation, but most definitely in us.  Praise will change us because it will change our perspective because it will change our focus.  Our focus will be on the Lord instead of the situation.  And when it is on the Lord, we will see things differently.

Have a great day.  Are you a praiser or complainer?    

"He Is Still There"

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

I woke up this morning with a song playing in my thoughts-- here is the chorus:  "Jesus will still be there, His love will never change sure as the steady rain.  Jesus will still be there when no one else is true, He'll still be loving you. When it looks like you've lost it all and you haven't got a prayer, Jesus will still be there."

Perhaps you are going through a trying time.  Maybe it's the biggest thing you have ever faced in your entire life.  Perhaps you are trying to get past a broken relationship.  Maybe you are in a place of despair because things didn't turn out in your life the way you thought they would.  You may be wondering how you got where you are.  You could be hurting emotionally this morning.  The pain in your life over a loss seems more than you can bear.  You are in a place of confusion and just don't understand the situation you are facing.  Maybe your health is failing.  Maybe you feel forsaken and neglected and like no one cares about you and you are all alone.   

I want to encourage you this morning with the truth that is in the words of that song.  When things look hopeless, when you feel like you have lost everything, when you feel confused, abandoned, like a failure, like no one loves you, like life is more than you can bear, take heart and look up.  Jesus is still there.  He hasn't left you.  You are not alone.  You may have neglected Him.  You may have placed Him at the end of your situation.  You may have given Him the back seat of your life.  You may have even turned your back on Him.  But, He is still there.  He hasn't left or abandoned you.  He doesn't change.  His love for you doesn't change.  He still loves you. 

Acknowledge Him.  Call upon Him.  Invite Him in-- or back in, whatever the case may be.  He is still there and will answer your cry and call.  He still loves you.

Have a great day.  Jesus will still be there.   

"The Couch Or The Table?"

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen".  2 Peter 3:18

I had a dream before I woke up this morning.  In the dream there were a dozen or more women in a house.  We were all in the same room and were getting ready to leave.  A few of us ladies were on one side of the room sitting on the crouch, and the rest of the ladies were on the other side of the room sitting around a table.  Before we started to leave and go our separate ways, I felt a "word" stirring in my heart that I needed to share with the ladies.  The ladies on the couch were waiting to hear it while I was looking up the scripture.  The ladies at the table were also busy looking up scriptures.  I asked if everyone was ready to hear it and the ladies at the table said they needed a little longer.  After waiting on them, they finished and started asking me about angels.  They also presented me with a notebook that had pages of information they had researched about angels.  That was the end of the dream.

After I woke up the Lord gave me understanding of the dream-- this is it:  There were more ladies sitting around the table than there were at the couch.  They were concentrated and focused on angels and getting information about them.  The word the Lord laid on my heart in the dream was- "joy to the world, the Lord has come".  In the dream He gave me the whole "sermon" about His coming and the joy that was attached to it because of the salvation that was now made available to mankind.  The ladies at the table didn't care about that.  They wanted to know about angels.     

 

The point of the dream is that more people are interested in spiritual things and the things of God than they are about God Himself.  They are more interested in learning about angels than they are in learning about Jesus.  They are more interested in the blessings He gives than in Him.  They are more concerned with being religious than having a relationship.  They are more focused on the creation than on the Creator.  They want the gifts He gives more than they want Him.  They want to know about God but don't want to know God.    

 

This may have been a dream, but it is a sad reality.  So now a question, "Which group are you in?".  Are you among the few at the couch who want to know and know about Jesus?  Or with the many around the table trying to figure out kingdom things without focusing on the One who is King of the Kingdom?

 

Have a great day.  Are you one of those who wants to know about spiritual things only, or about God Himself?

 

"Looking In All The Wrong Places"

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".  Matthew 6:19-21

There was a secular song that was written years ago that talked about looking for love in all the wrong places.  Humans tend to do that with all matters of the heart.  We look for love, for peace, for joy, for contentment, for security, for acceptance, and so on in all the wrong places. 

We look for love and acceptance in other people.  We look for security in jobs, organizations and the government.  We look for joy through perfect situations.  We look for peace in our finances and the things we possess.  But those are the wrong places to look and have true and lasting confidence in.  Why?  Because they are temporary.  Relationships can come and go.  People can fall "out" of love as easily as we can fall "in" love.  Our financial status can change overnight-- we could lose our job, the company can go under, the economy can collapse.  The material possessions we have acquired can be gone with one natural disaster, a house fire or even a decline in health.

You can't put your hope in temporary things because they are temporary.  They are affected by present conditions, and they only last a short while.  They are here today and gone tomorrow.  They are easily subject to change.  Therefore, if you want true and lasting love, peace, joy, contentment, and so forth, you need to seek out an eternal source.  That source would be Jesus.  He gives us the true riches our hearts long for.  He is eternal and He gives us eternal riches.  Riches that moths and rust can't destroy and thieves can't steal.  They are not subject to change, to the economy, to time, or to any other condition that would cause them to cease or lose their value.  They are eternal.

Have a great day.  Are you looking to temporary things to give you the satisfaction that only the eternal will give?     

"Weapons To Defeat"

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord".  Isaiah 54:17

I woke up with this verse on my mind.  It says that no weapon formed against us will prosper.  In order for there to be weapons that won't prosper, there have to be weapons formed.  Why do we think that there won't be any weapons formed against us or that we are exempt from facing those weapons?

There are weapons, and they are mainly formed against those of us who profess to be followers of Christ and are following Him wholeheartedly.  There will always be weapons formed against us because we have an adversary who is out to destroy us.  Why is he out to destroy us?  Because we love God and he hates God.  Therefore, he is attacking that which is most precious to God in order to "get at" God. 

Also, it is because Jesus has given us power and authority over the adversary.  We are supposed to be defeating him, his plan, his schemes and his devises.  It is sad that our enemy knows just how powerful we are through Jesus Christ and what a threat we are to him and his work and we don't.  That is why he forms and "shoots" his weapons at us-- to stop us from messing up his plans to steal, kill and destroy.

The Bible say that the kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force.  The weapons he forms against us are meant to stop us from going forward in the Lord and defeating him.  Are we letting him defeat us?  Are we giving in?  Are we drawing back under the attacks?  Or are we standing strong and firm and defeating him through the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority that Jesus has given us to defeat him?  Are we walking in the victory we already have over him through Jesus?

Have a great day.  Are you giving into defeat by the enemy's weapons?  Or are you defeating him through the power you have been given by Jesus?

"But To Unbelief"

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever".  Hebrews 13:8

Yesterday we talked about how Jesus is the same as He has always been.  We said He was still the healer, deliverer, Savior, etc.  I didn't give a commentary to explain some things because what we needed to focus on, meditate on and renew our minds with was who He is-- His character and attributes.  This morning I want to add that I didn't give a commentary because it is so easy for us to "but" our way into unbelief and question His character. 

For example, we tend to focus more on this-- but why didn't He heal me if He is the healer; but why isn't everyone saved if He is Savior; but why aren't all people delivered if He is the deliverer?

There are some "whys?" that we will never have the answer for-- some we will.  Our focus should not be on what comes after the "but"-- but why wasn't he healed, why did she die, why wasn't my prayer answered, why doesn't He care?  Our focus should be on Who He is, not what He hasn't done.

When we focus on what wasn't done, and we continue to focus on it, it opens up a door to anger, frustration, bitterness, distrust and even depression.  Our adversary the devil will use this as a weapon against us and take us into a deep dark pit of unbelief and even get us to turn our backs on God.  This is why it is so important that we stay focused and renew our minds with who God is and even if you feel He let you down, He didn't do what you wanted Him to do, He didn't do what He can do, you can say along with Job, "Though He slay me, yet I trust Him".  What He does or doesn't do is not as important as who He is.  Trials will come and go in our lives as long as we live.  They won't always turn out the way we want them to.  But in each one we have to have an anchor for our soul.  We have to have a firm foundation to stand upon on.  We have to maintain our faith and trust in Him.  That is why you can't throw away your confidence just because He didn't "do it" this time.

Have a great day.  Don't focus on the "but why", focus on the unchanging character of the Lord.