"It Shows Us God"

"Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him".  John 9:3

If there had not been a Red Sea in front of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt, they would have never seen that God is the great way maker-- making a way even where there seems to be none.

If Joshua and the Israelites had not faced the walls of Jericho, they would have never known that what looks impossible for men is possible for God. 

If Daniel had not been thrown into the lion's den, he would not have known that God is the great protector-- able to shut the mouths of lions. 

If the three Hebrews had not been thrown into the fiery furnace, they would never have known the great delivering power of the Lord.

If the disciples had not faced the storm, they would not have seen the mighty power that the Lord has even over nature.

If Lazarus had not died, Mary and Martha would not have seen the power that the Lord has even over death.

The point I am trying to make is this:  without facing some problem, some obstacle, some trial, some difficulty, something that looks like it will destroy you, you will never see the power and glory of God. 

The blind man, because of his blindness, saw the healing power of Jesus.  The lame man, because he was lame, experienced the healing power of the Lord.  Mary Magdalene, because she was demon possessed, saw the delivering power of the Lord. 

It is in facing those hard times that the glory of God can be revealed.  It is like the song says, "If I never had a problem, I wouldn't know that Jesus could solve them".  This is one way all things work together for our good.  The thing that you are going through is an opportunity to see the delivering, healing, overcoming, glorious power of the Most High God.

Have a great day.  It is only when we face trying situations that we see God as we may have never been able to see Him otherwise.   

"He Leaves A Sign"

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

When my grandchildren were little and would come to visit, after they left it was obvious that they had been. Every time they would come and go from my house there was evidence that they leave behind. There were still signs that they had been here-- a scooter in the yard, dirty cereal bowls, toys on the floor, lip prints on the mirror, etc.  

I want to ask you a couple of questions this morning.  If you say that Jesus is in your life (you are a Christian) then that means His presence dwells within you.  Is there any evidence of that?  Is there evidence that He is "in the house"?  As a Christian we should have a daily encounter with the Lord-- it is called our prayer time.  In prayer we meet with Him in a special way.  As we do, He ministers to us, enlightens us, directs us and transforms us.  When you come out of your time of prayer (prayer closet, war room, whatever you call it), is there any evidence in your life that you have been with Jesus?  

His presence always leaves a "sign" behind.  Read the New Testament.  Everywhere Jesus went lives were changed, touched and transformed.  It was obvious that Jesus had been there.  The same should be said of us.  It should be obvious to others that Jesus is with us and has been with us.  There should be some "sign" of His presence.  That sign is a transformed life.  Therefore, there should be some change in our attitude, in our actions and reactions, in our conduct, in our treatment of others, in our love level, and so on.  My grandchildren left signs of their presence.  Why wouldn't Jesus leave signs that He has been with us?   

Have a great day.  Is there any sign in your life that you have been with Jesus?   
 

"Late's Not Always Better"

"(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

I am a little late this morning in getting the devotional out, but "better late than never".  We have all heard that said.  With some things that is true.  It is better to be a little late in sending out the devotional than to not send it out at all.  It is better to show up late to an event than not to show up at all.

But that philosophy isn't accurate all the time.  It doesn't apply to everything.  Your salvation is one of those things that you cannot apply this way of thinking to.  If you wait too late, you will not have salvation.  You will never receive it. 

Some think they can wait until they are at the end of their lives-- after they have done all that they wanted to do and accomplish.  Some think that they can wait until their "death bed"-- many people don't have that opportunity.  Some think that after they leave this life they will get a second chance-- that is false. 

If you don't receive Jesus as your Savior while there is still time.  If you are thinking about waiting.  If you are putting it off.  One day it will be too late.  You will never have it.  Don't be late.  Don't let the end of your life come without having received eternal life.  There is no "better being late" when it comes to your soul.

Have a great day.  Better late than never does not apply to your salvation.  If you wait too late to receive salvation it will be too late and you will never receive it.    
 

"The Lord Helps Us"

"....The Lord is my helper..."  Hebrews 13:6

There are many sayings that we have and think they are scriptural.  One is-- "The Lord helps those who help themselves".  This is not a scripture.  It isn't even true.  The truth is-- "The Lord helps those who can't help themselves". 

None of us are able to "help ourselves".  When it comes to salvation and eternal life, we can't help ourselves.  We can't save ourselves.  We can't work enough.  Do enough good.  Be righteous enough.  It took God sending His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die for our sins that made it possible for us to be saved.

There is no area of accomplishment in our lives that we can take credit for.  It is the Lord who gives us the power to get wealth.  It is the Lord who gives us health and healing.  It is the Lord who gives us wisdom.  It is the Lord who directs our steps-- we don't have that ability.  It is the Lord who gives us strength to continue on when we want to quit and give up.  It is the Lord who goes before us making the crooked paths straight. 

He imparts to us and infuses us with the help that we need when we need it because we are helpless on our own apart from Him.  Only the fool and the wicked would say that they don't need His help and they can do it on their own.  Only the misinformed believe that He will help them as long as they are trying to help themselves.  I for one am thankful that this is not the case.  I need His help because I can't help myself.... and He knows that.

Have a great day.  The Lord helps those who can't help themselves.    

For further reading: 
"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day". (Deuteronomy 8:18)

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

"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps".  (Jeremiah 10:23)

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing". (John 15:5)

"Your Daily Inheritance"

(NOTE:  In the CB entitled- "Rearranged Plans" the scripture reference should have been Exodus 13:17) 

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints".  Ephesians 1:18

The Bible tells us that there is an eternal inheritance laid up for those who are born again and serve the Lord.  But we also get to enjoy the benefits of that inheritance here and now.  This morning when you woke up, you woke up to an inheritance- a spiritual inheritance.  That inheritance includes peace, strength, grace, mercy, benefits, provision, etc.  It is all available to you-- it belongs to you.  The question is, "What are you going to do with your inheritance today?". 

Are you going to use it?  Are you going to hold on to it for another time, or a rainy day?  Are you going to ignore that it is there?  The Lord daily loads us with benefits.  They are there for the asking.  They are there for us to use.  They are there to help meet the needs that we have.  For example, when you face fear today, are you going to "withdraw" peace from your inheritance and get rid of the fear?  Or will you let peace "set in the bank" and allow fear to take over?  If you need strength today, will you make a withdrawal on your inheritance and use the strength that is available for you? 

This inheritance you have is inexhaustible.  It is there for you to use.  It has been provided for and paid for fully by the blood of Jesus.  God doesn't intend for you to let it sit there unused.  It is a gift from the Father to you.  He wants you to "cash it in" and use it in order to walk in abundant life each day.

Have a great day.  Are you withdrawing from your inheritance each time you need it, or are you letting it just sit there?   

For further reading:
"Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ".  Colossians 3:24

"For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God".  Ephesians 5:5

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time".  1 Peter 1:3-5