"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." John 11:25
I take a break on the weekends from writing the devotional. Many of you get a break from your jobs over the weekend. Schools have a summer, winter and spring break- a time off from classes. But just because I take a break from writing the devotional doesn't mean I take a break from my service and devotion to the Lord. Christianity is not just something that we "do" it's who we are- disciples of Christ, followers of Jesus, children of the Lord.
I don't take a break from Him. He is not just an attachment to my life... He IS my life. "For in him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28a) "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)
You can't call yourself a Christian and have Him as an attachment- something added on. Again, He is your life. He is the air you breath, He is the marrow in your bones, He is the strength in your body, He is the wisdom in your decisions, He is the beating of your heart, He is the blood flowing through your veins. Without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. Before Him we were "dead men walking". We had no life. We are now alive because of Him, but the life we now have is His life in us.
Enjoy your weekend, but don't leave Him out. Enjoy your time off, but don't think that it is time off from Him. Don't just give Him certain days, but give Him all day everyday.
Have a great day. He is your life... you can't take a break away from "life".
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
"Lord Or Words"
"He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." Mark 7:6
I am compelled to address a subject this morning that needs to be addressed in the church but rarely is. We need to lovingly correct people, we need to care about their souls, we need to help shine the light so that they can see the darkness and deception that they are living in, and we should not allow people to believe a lie about their spiritual well being or the state of their soul. Before I start let me say that we are not the "Holy Ghost police", only He can change and convict a heart, but we can speak forth and show forth the truth and not hold back because the truth makes us free. That's my intention in addressing this area.
There is a spiritual deception when you have people who are faithful to church yet are living a sinful life. It really bothers me when someone will stand up in church and begin their greeting by saying, "Giving honor and glory to Jesus who is the Head/Lord of my life". The bothersome part is that this woman has rushed to get to church after being at the casino all night and she is living with a man she is not married to. And to hear the men who say the same yet they are living with a woman who they are not married to, or they were out getting drunk the night before, or they beat their girl friend up on a regular basis. You tell me, why should I be bothered by that. Do you see anything wrong with that picture? Yet, our churches are full of men and women who are living in sin but yet confess that "Jesus is the Lord of their lives". "I don't think so!!!!!"
That conclusion is not my judgment, it's what the word of God says. Listen to the words of Jesus. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) You can't call Jesus Lord if you aren't obeying Him. You can't say He is the Lord of your life if you aren't following His commandments. You can't say He is the Head of your life if you are living in a manner that pleases you instead of Him. You can't say He is your Lord if you are living a sinful lifestyle. Oh, you can "say" it but it's just words. "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16) "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (1 John 5:18)
Have a great day. His Lordship of your life has to go beyond mere words or He has no Lordship in your life.
I am compelled to address a subject this morning that needs to be addressed in the church but rarely is. We need to lovingly correct people, we need to care about their souls, we need to help shine the light so that they can see the darkness and deception that they are living in, and we should not allow people to believe a lie about their spiritual well being or the state of their soul. Before I start let me say that we are not the "Holy Ghost police", only He can change and convict a heart, but we can speak forth and show forth the truth and not hold back because the truth makes us free. That's my intention in addressing this area.
There is a spiritual deception when you have people who are faithful to church yet are living a sinful life. It really bothers me when someone will stand up in church and begin their greeting by saying, "Giving honor and glory to Jesus who is the Head/Lord of my life". The bothersome part is that this woman has rushed to get to church after being at the casino all night and she is living with a man she is not married to. And to hear the men who say the same yet they are living with a woman who they are not married to, or they were out getting drunk the night before, or they beat their girl friend up on a regular basis. You tell me, why should I be bothered by that. Do you see anything wrong with that picture? Yet, our churches are full of men and women who are living in sin but yet confess that "Jesus is the Lord of their lives". "I don't think so!!!!!"
That conclusion is not my judgment, it's what the word of God says. Listen to the words of Jesus. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) You can't call Jesus Lord if you aren't obeying Him. You can't say He is the Lord of your life if you aren't following His commandments. You can't say He is the Head of your life if you are living in a manner that pleases you instead of Him. You can't say He is your Lord if you are living a sinful lifestyle. Oh, you can "say" it but it's just words. "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1:16) "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." (1 John 5:18)
Have a great day. His Lordship of your life has to go beyond mere words or He has no Lordship in your life.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
"Free Prisoners"
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound." Isaiah 61:1
Many people around the world are being held behind bars in prisons this morning. Some are there because they are guilty of a crime, some are serving time for crimes they didn't commit, some are there for preaching the gospel or taking a moral stand. Did you know that there are more people who are on the outside of prison bars that are prisoners than there are behind bars?
There are more ways to be in a prison than behind literal bars. Many people are walking around as "free prisoners". They are being held in a prison of sin. Some are in prisons of addiction- addiction to drugs, alcohol, porn, cigarettes, food, pleasure, lusts and immorality. There are people who daily sit in prisons of fear. Some of those prisoners have not left their homes in years, some are afraid to speak up for fear they will be ridiculed, some are afraid to get out of their comfort zones, some are afraid of failure so they never make a step to achieve anything. Some people are held in emotional prisons- they battle guilt, shame, condemnation, low self worth, confusion, rejection, always seeking someone's approval, etc. Some are imprisoned in their bodies because of an illness. Some are being held prisoner by other people's will- they are abused, manipulated, belittled, aren't allowed to think for them selves. These are just a few of the prisons that people are in this morning- there are many more.
Perhaps you are in a prison this morning, such as was named above. If you are, I have good news! There is complete and total liberation from the prison chains that bind you. Jesus Christ came to set the captive free and open the prison door to them who are bound. It doesn't matter what prison it is, He can open them all. He has the key that fits and unlocks each one- He is the key.
Have a great day. The Key (Jesus) is standing before you waiting to unlock your prison door.
Many people around the world are being held behind bars in prisons this morning. Some are there because they are guilty of a crime, some are serving time for crimes they didn't commit, some are there for preaching the gospel or taking a moral stand. Did you know that there are more people who are on the outside of prison bars that are prisoners than there are behind bars?
There are more ways to be in a prison than behind literal bars. Many people are walking around as "free prisoners". They are being held in a prison of sin. Some are in prisons of addiction- addiction to drugs, alcohol, porn, cigarettes, food, pleasure, lusts and immorality. There are people who daily sit in prisons of fear. Some of those prisoners have not left their homes in years, some are afraid to speak up for fear they will be ridiculed, some are afraid to get out of their comfort zones, some are afraid of failure so they never make a step to achieve anything. Some people are held in emotional prisons- they battle guilt, shame, condemnation, low self worth, confusion, rejection, always seeking someone's approval, etc. Some are imprisoned in their bodies because of an illness. Some are being held prisoner by other people's will- they are abused, manipulated, belittled, aren't allowed to think for them selves. These are just a few of the prisons that people are in this morning- there are many more.
Perhaps you are in a prison this morning, such as was named above. If you are, I have good news! There is complete and total liberation from the prison chains that bind you. Jesus Christ came to set the captive free and open the prison door to them who are bound. It doesn't matter what prison it is, He can open them all. He has the key that fits and unlocks each one- He is the key.
Have a great day. The Key (Jesus) is standing before you waiting to unlock your prison door.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
"Share With Them All"
"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16
Recently, and again yesterday, we talked about sharing the knowledge of God's word with others. Many of you wrote me and shared with me about what the Lord has done in your life, what He has showed you in His word, and some of the experiences that you have had with Him. Actually, this happens to me all the time. I get lots of emails from you precious ones sharing these very things-- I love it! I get so excited to see how God is moving in your lives and to hear some of the things that He has revealed to you. I am truly encouraged by it.
Let me just say to you that share with me, "Thank you". Too often we "hold back" from sharing with "certain" people because of their "position". We "think" that there is nothing that we can say to them because they are so much "smarter" than we are, they know so much more of the word than we do, they have "arrived". Let me just expose the enemy's lie this morning. I don't care who they are- pastor, teacher, apostle, etc., none of us have arrived or know it all. We are all ever learning and ever growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all need encouragement- from the pulpit to the pew.
I know people who can quote most of the Bible to you, who can preach down the stars, who have been serving the Lord longer than I have been born, but they too need encouraging in the word. So don't be intimidated, don't listen to the enemy, don't look at others as "too high" to share with, don't look at yourself as "lower"- we are all the body of Christ, each one joined to the other, each one supplies to the other, each one needs the other, none of us can say that we don't need the other--- without the other we are lacking.
Have a great day. We all need to be encouraged--- no matter the position.
Recently, and again yesterday, we talked about sharing the knowledge of God's word with others. Many of you wrote me and shared with me about what the Lord has done in your life, what He has showed you in His word, and some of the experiences that you have had with Him. Actually, this happens to me all the time. I get lots of emails from you precious ones sharing these very things-- I love it! I get so excited to see how God is moving in your lives and to hear some of the things that He has revealed to you. I am truly encouraged by it.
Let me just say to you that share with me, "Thank you". Too often we "hold back" from sharing with "certain" people because of their "position". We "think" that there is nothing that we can say to them because they are so much "smarter" than we are, they know so much more of the word than we do, they have "arrived". Let me just expose the enemy's lie this morning. I don't care who they are- pastor, teacher, apostle, etc., none of us have arrived or know it all. We are all ever learning and ever growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We all need encouragement- from the pulpit to the pew.
I know people who can quote most of the Bible to you, who can preach down the stars, who have been serving the Lord longer than I have been born, but they too need encouraging in the word. So don't be intimidated, don't listen to the enemy, don't look at others as "too high" to share with, don't look at yourself as "lower"- we are all the body of Christ, each one joined to the other, each one supplies to the other, each one needs the other, none of us can say that we don't need the other--- without the other we are lacking.
Have a great day. We all need to be encouraged--- no matter the position.
Monday, March 2, 2009
"Share What You Know"
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2
One day last week we talked about how important knowledge is. I used the example of a virus threat that popped up on my daughter's computer. Well, it popped up on mine the other evening. It came so fast and unexpected- it took me totally by surprise. Once I saw it I could see why she was confused and thought it was a virus protection program. Had I not already had prior knowledge about it, had I not known how it appears, had I not known the name of the program it operates under, I might have made the mistake of downloading it.
Sometimes our knowledge can come through other people's experiences. Often God will use others to teach us so that we will avoid pitfalls that are awaiting us. That's one reason why He gives us teachers, pastors, etc. When God blesses us with the knowledge of His word, we can't keep it to ourselves. Once we have been through some trial, some devastating event, a time of grief or heartache, we should comfort others with the same consolation that we received. "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Cor. 1:4) In other words-- tell me how you made it through it.
If you have been blessed with the knowledge of how God has delivered you, how the enemy tried to get a foot hold in your life, how you overcame through faith in God's word, what you learned by applying the scriptures to your situation, and so on, don't just keep it to yourself, share it with someone. You may be the very one to either keep a brother or sister from falling into a pit or you may be the one that has the rope to pull them out. We are all working together to help one another obtain the prize and reach the goal, and what we each know can help do that.
Have a great day. Do you have some knowledge that will help someone along the way and navigate through this life?
One day last week we talked about how important knowledge is. I used the example of a virus threat that popped up on my daughter's computer. Well, it popped up on mine the other evening. It came so fast and unexpected- it took me totally by surprise. Once I saw it I could see why she was confused and thought it was a virus protection program. Had I not already had prior knowledge about it, had I not known how it appears, had I not known the name of the program it operates under, I might have made the mistake of downloading it.
Sometimes our knowledge can come through other people's experiences. Often God will use others to teach us so that we will avoid pitfalls that are awaiting us. That's one reason why He gives us teachers, pastors, etc. When God blesses us with the knowledge of His word, we can't keep it to ourselves. Once we have been through some trial, some devastating event, a time of grief or heartache, we should comfort others with the same consolation that we received. "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (2 Cor. 1:4) In other words-- tell me how you made it through it.
If you have been blessed with the knowledge of how God has delivered you, how the enemy tried to get a foot hold in your life, how you overcame through faith in God's word, what you learned by applying the scriptures to your situation, and so on, don't just keep it to yourself, share it with someone. You may be the very one to either keep a brother or sister from falling into a pit or you may be the one that has the rope to pull them out. We are all working together to help one another obtain the prize and reach the goal, and what we each know can help do that.
Have a great day. Do you have some knowledge that will help someone along the way and navigate through this life?
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