HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It has finally arrived. It took a whole year to get here. Now that it's here what shall we do with it?
Yes I am talking about 2009, the new year. 2008 is behind us; all the bad/good has become our past. We can't change it. We can only learn from it and continue living.
It is this time of year when many people make New Year's Resolutions. It may be to lose weight, get a better job, stop a bad habit. And each year most of those issues go unresolved. Why? It is easy to lose hope when trying to conquer a difficult task. We are a "now" generation. If we don't see results now then we take a detour and end up elsewhere. Then when the next new year comes around we feel guilty and resolve to change again.
I, myself, am not much for exercising. Maybe it's the pain that comes with it that deters me. I would rather find more exciting ways to keep healthy. Running is top on my list of "hates." Really, have you ever seen a person smiling when they are running? They look miserable and about to fall over. What fun is that?
My Senior year in high school I decided to try out for Track. It involved running. Why would I do something I hated? Maybe I was a crazed teenager. Or maybe it was the fact that everyone told me I couldn't do it and I wanted to prove them wrong.
It was a gruesome time in my life. It was painful and boring. Running around a track over and over just seemed pointless. I was not getting anywhere. I would end where I started. But I did it and I finished the Track season. I was definitely not the best on the team but I was proud to have finished.
Paul, in the book of Acts, speaks of a race that I definitely desire to be a part of; one that I resolve to finish.
Acts 20:22-24 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Our Jerusalem is the new year ahead. We don't know what will happen during 2009. We are bound to run into hardships along the way. There are also many blessings awaiting us.
God has given us a task to finish; a race that has a worthy finishline. It is the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. He does not desire for anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. In Matthew God commands us to go out and spread the gospel. It is not always an easy task but one worth doing.
Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
It is not hard to get off track and become busy with other worldly desires. There are many things that "look" easier to conquer than winning souls for Christ. It is a choice we have to make. Do we press on toward the goal God has set for us or do we veer off the path and fulfill our own desires?
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
While in Track my coach said something that I really didn't grasp until I got older. He said, "When running, don't look to your left or right. Don't look around. Keep your eyes on the track and keep your focus. Looking around will slow you down."
It was true. Whenever I got bored from running that track over and over I would allow my eyes to wander off onto something more interesting. I thought it would help pass the time. Sure, it helped pass the time but it also slowed my time. And in slowing my time I either couldn't finish the race because I was too exhausted, or if I did finish it was after everyone else had finished.
Many things can catch our eyes and cause us to be preoccupied. We then lose our focus on the task at hand. I challenge you to make 2009 a year of fulfilling God's calling--testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Don't wait for the lost to come to you. Go to them. We do not know the day or hour when Jesus will return. When He does return I hope He finds us running the race. I hope I can stand before God and say I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). God Bless and have a Blessed New Year~
Wednesday
A Good Name is Better Than Riches
PROVERBS 22:1
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
When my husband and I first got married we struggled financially like many newlyweds. Neither of us liked being poor. We were born strivers. Our desire was to strive to live better. Yet we weren't the materialistic type either. We didn't necessarily desire a large house or fancy car. Expensive clothes were not our taste. We just desired to live comfortably.
As the years went on and children came on the scene we found ourselves more and more in debt. Government assistance became a necessity. I didn't like it one bit. But for the sake of the kids I gave in. After all, most of our expenses were doctor bills due to having children with rare disorders.
My husband is wonderful. He has learned many trades over the years. That has helped us greatly in the financial world. But it did come at a cost; a cost I am proud to claim.
I remember the first opportunity my husband got that would greatly increase our income. A friend taught him a trade that he would normally need College to learn. This friend also helped get my husband a job in this field. It increased our income by 33%. We were blessed yet we were still struggling to keep food on the table, kids fed and doctor bills paid.
Then came the opportunity to really increase our income. This same friend had moved on to another company that offered a great increase in pay. My husband could get on board if he so desired. But something was awry.
I don't remember the details but I remember my husband having to face a decision that could either prosper us financially or leave us in the rut. In order for my husband to get the position he was in he was going to have to lie. That was unsettling.
I will never forget the statement our friend made. He said, "Sometimes you have to lie to get yourself to the top." That grated against my spirit worse than fingernails on a chalkboard. That was not how we modeled our lives.
My husband chose to decline the position and fully trust that God would make a way for us to be back on top; and this based solely on truth. Did God come through? Yes. Did it happen instantly? No!
We continued to struggle for years. The kids got sicker and the cost of living kept rising. We did not waiver in our faith. We knew that God would provide for us. The Word of God said it. But we were determined to do it His way, not man's.
As we remained faithful to God in our giving and learning to be faithful in our spending, it opened doors for God to bless us. Are we rich? According to whose standards? God has prospered us in more ways than money. Yes we live comfortably, much of the time. The wisdom we have gained over the last 16 years is far worth more than anything this world has to offer.
We chose God's Word over an increase in pay. We chose a good name over silver and gold. For our faithfulness God has poured on His blessings and will continue to do so as we remain faithful.
God wants to bless you too. Remain faithful to Him and His Word and it will open a door of blessing.
Psalm 128:1-2
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
God Bless~
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
When my husband and I first got married we struggled financially like many newlyweds. Neither of us liked being poor. We were born strivers. Our desire was to strive to live better. Yet we weren't the materialistic type either. We didn't necessarily desire a large house or fancy car. Expensive clothes were not our taste. We just desired to live comfortably.
As the years went on and children came on the scene we found ourselves more and more in debt. Government assistance became a necessity. I didn't like it one bit. But for the sake of the kids I gave in. After all, most of our expenses were doctor bills due to having children with rare disorders.
My husband is wonderful. He has learned many trades over the years. That has helped us greatly in the financial world. But it did come at a cost; a cost I am proud to claim.
I remember the first opportunity my husband got that would greatly increase our income. A friend taught him a trade that he would normally need College to learn. This friend also helped get my husband a job in this field. It increased our income by 33%. We were blessed yet we were still struggling to keep food on the table, kids fed and doctor bills paid.
Then came the opportunity to really increase our income. This same friend had moved on to another company that offered a great increase in pay. My husband could get on board if he so desired. But something was awry.
I don't remember the details but I remember my husband having to face a decision that could either prosper us financially or leave us in the rut. In order for my husband to get the position he was in he was going to have to lie. That was unsettling.
I will never forget the statement our friend made. He said, "Sometimes you have to lie to get yourself to the top." That grated against my spirit worse than fingernails on a chalkboard. That was not how we modeled our lives.
My husband chose to decline the position and fully trust that God would make a way for us to be back on top; and this based solely on truth. Did God come through? Yes. Did it happen instantly? No!
We continued to struggle for years. The kids got sicker and the cost of living kept rising. We did not waiver in our faith. We knew that God would provide for us. The Word of God said it. But we were determined to do it His way, not man's.
As we remained faithful to God in our giving and learning to be faithful in our spending, it opened doors for God to bless us. Are we rich? According to whose standards? God has prospered us in more ways than money. Yes we live comfortably, much of the time. The wisdom we have gained over the last 16 years is far worth more than anything this world has to offer.
We chose God's Word over an increase in pay. We chose a good name over silver and gold. For our faithfulness God has poured on His blessings and will continue to do so as we remain faithful.
God wants to bless you too. Remain faithful to Him and His Word and it will open a door of blessing.
Psalm 128:1-2
Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
God Bless~
Tuesday
Deliverance From The Depths
Isn't God awesome! Even in the midst of struggles He is awesome. He knows just what we need at each moment, in each struggle, for each day.
I often wonder how someone can be so powerful as to be able to do that for every person in the world. But He is God. He knows all, sees all, and is everywhere. After all, He did create the universe. And a creator knows all the ins and outs of his creation. He knows what makes it work and what to do if it breaks.
Therefore we have a hope when we find ourselves in the depths of despair. Psalm 34:17-19 says The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all
The Lord does not delight in our suffering just as no good, earthly father delights in seeing his children suffer. Our heavenly Father wants us to prosper, to grow in His likeness. Yes there will be trials. There will be hardships. These help us to grow. But the hope that we have is that God will be alongside us and will pull us out of the pit.What an awesome God!
Here is a wonderful song from David in the Psalms:
Psalm 30:1-5
I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name; For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Praise His name, O people of God. For He is worthy of our praise. God Bless~
I often wonder how someone can be so powerful as to be able to do that for every person in the world. But He is God. He knows all, sees all, and is everywhere. After all, He did create the universe. And a creator knows all the ins and outs of his creation. He knows what makes it work and what to do if it breaks.
Therefore we have a hope when we find ourselves in the depths of despair. Psalm 34:17-19 says The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all
The Lord does not delight in our suffering just as no good, earthly father delights in seeing his children suffer. Our heavenly Father wants us to prosper, to grow in His likeness. Yes there will be trials. There will be hardships. These help us to grow. But the hope that we have is that God will be alongside us and will pull us out of the pit.What an awesome God!
Here is a wonderful song from David in the Psalms:
Psalm 30:1-5
I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his holy name; For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.
Praise His name, O people of God. For He is worthy of our praise. God Bless~
Monday
His Fault, Her Fault, My Fault, Whose Fault? Who Cares?
As I sit here writing I am battling a great war from within. No, it is not a spiritual war. It is more like a stomach virus. My daughter was kind enough to share it with me.
Speaking of viruses. They seem to be running rampant through my house; not all the same strain of virus though. One of our computers has caught one. My daughter, who has a form of Autism, was watching a movie on that computer the other day and the computer virus decided to take over. It shut her movie down and she was not happy. In her innocence and ignorance of computer viruses, she looked up at me and asked, "Did I give the computer my virus?" I assured her she did not.
She later went on to ask if the storm brewing outside was caused by her virus. I am not sure why she felt she was to blame for all that went awry that day but I again assured her she was not at fault.
I have other children who would rather blame everyone else and their dog for things that go awry, especially if they know it is their fault. The comments are something like "It's his fault for running into my fist" or "I yelled at her because she wouldn't clean up my mess." Oh the insanity of parenthood sometimes!
Sadly it is not just children who act like this. I recently had the unfortunate opportunity to sit in a conference room with 5 people who had blamed each other for all that had gone wrong. They did this for so long that they had forgotten who was really to blame and since they didn't want to own up to their own mistakes they decided to blame me. To that I say "Hmmm....I wasn't even there!" Oh the insanity of adulthood!
Blaming others for our own mistakes is wrong. There is no gain in that. The truth always comes out.
What about those who are on the other side and they are the innocent ones being blamed? Although the truth does eventually become known, it may take a while and in the meantime they have to battle for their own integrity.
Job is no stranger to this side of the battlefield. He had three wonderful friends who, once they heard of his plight, sat out to sympathize and comfort him (Job 1:11). Granted, Job's friends were not to blame for his misfortune but the actions of these gentlemen were not going to be that of a godly nature; definitely not of sympathy or comfort.
Job had been tested by satan. Satan wanted to prove to God that Job wasn't as blameless and pure as God had seen him. So Job's livestock and family were taken from him. Then he was inflicted with painful sores on his body. Would all this cause him to curse God?
Then Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar came to the rescue. Their initial intent was to comfort Job. But the circumstances caught their eye and since they couldn't explain the reason for Job's plight, they decided that it must be Job's fault. He must have sinned to cause all this.
They spent hours pouring over Job as to why he was in distress and what he needed to do about it. When Job began his struggles with asking "Why?" Eliphaz attacked him using Job's ministry as a weapon. He told Job that when people came to him feeble or who had stumbled, he strengthened them and encouraged them. And now that Job is inflicted, why did he not take the same advice? (Job 4:5-6)
Bildad pointed out that God does not pervert justice. He said that God only punishes the wicked (Job 8). Therefore Job must have been wicked. Bildad told Job that if he was truly pure and upright then God would rouse himself on Job's behalf.
Zophar was even worse. He called Job a mocker. For truly Job was a sinner and for him to claim otherwise was mockery. Zophar told Job he needed to repent and allow no evil to dwell in his house anymore. Then God would save him. (Job 11).
To all this Job said, "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?"(Job 16:2-3)
Of course it took a while longer for Job's "friends" to shut up. None of their accusations were valid; none were comforting. They only looked at the situation from their perspective. Much of this could have been eliminated if they had prayed for wisdom first. Instead they allowed their tongues to have reign over the situation.
The tongue is a mighty force. It has the power of life and death(Proverbs 18:21). We can bless with it or we can curse with it.
Proverbs 11:12 says A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
Proverbs 15:4 says The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
I encourage you to make an important New Year's Resolution this coming year. Resolve to use your tongue for healing not crushing, for blessing not cursing, for life not death. God Bless~
Speaking of viruses. They seem to be running rampant through my house; not all the same strain of virus though. One of our computers has caught one. My daughter, who has a form of Autism, was watching a movie on that computer the other day and the computer virus decided to take over. It shut her movie down and she was not happy. In her innocence and ignorance of computer viruses, she looked up at me and asked, "Did I give the computer my virus?" I assured her she did not.
She later went on to ask if the storm brewing outside was caused by her virus. I am not sure why she felt she was to blame for all that went awry that day but I again assured her she was not at fault.
I have other children who would rather blame everyone else and their dog for things that go awry, especially if they know it is their fault. The comments are something like "It's his fault for running into my fist" or "I yelled at her because she wouldn't clean up my mess." Oh the insanity of parenthood sometimes!
Sadly it is not just children who act like this. I recently had the unfortunate opportunity to sit in a conference room with 5 people who had blamed each other for all that had gone wrong. They did this for so long that they had forgotten who was really to blame and since they didn't want to own up to their own mistakes they decided to blame me. To that I say "Hmmm....I wasn't even there!" Oh the insanity of adulthood!
Blaming others for our own mistakes is wrong. There is no gain in that. The truth always comes out.
What about those who are on the other side and they are the innocent ones being blamed? Although the truth does eventually become known, it may take a while and in the meantime they have to battle for their own integrity.
Job is no stranger to this side of the battlefield. He had three wonderful friends who, once they heard of his plight, sat out to sympathize and comfort him (Job 1:11). Granted, Job's friends were not to blame for his misfortune but the actions of these gentlemen were not going to be that of a godly nature; definitely not of sympathy or comfort.
Job had been tested by satan. Satan wanted to prove to God that Job wasn't as blameless and pure as God had seen him. So Job's livestock and family were taken from him. Then he was inflicted with painful sores on his body. Would all this cause him to curse God?
Then Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar came to the rescue. Their initial intent was to comfort Job. But the circumstances caught their eye and since they couldn't explain the reason for Job's plight, they decided that it must be Job's fault. He must have sinned to cause all this.
They spent hours pouring over Job as to why he was in distress and what he needed to do about it. When Job began his struggles with asking "Why?" Eliphaz attacked him using Job's ministry as a weapon. He told Job that when people came to him feeble or who had stumbled, he strengthened them and encouraged them. And now that Job is inflicted, why did he not take the same advice? (Job 4:5-6)
Bildad pointed out that God does not pervert justice. He said that God only punishes the wicked (Job 8). Therefore Job must have been wicked. Bildad told Job that if he was truly pure and upright then God would rouse himself on Job's behalf.
Zophar was even worse. He called Job a mocker. For truly Job was a sinner and for him to claim otherwise was mockery. Zophar told Job he needed to repent and allow no evil to dwell in his house anymore. Then God would save him. (Job 11).
To all this Job said, "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?"(Job 16:2-3)
Of course it took a while longer for Job's "friends" to shut up. None of their accusations were valid; none were comforting. They only looked at the situation from their perspective. Much of this could have been eliminated if they had prayed for wisdom first. Instead they allowed their tongues to have reign over the situation.
The tongue is a mighty force. It has the power of life and death(Proverbs 18:21). We can bless with it or we can curse with it.
Proverbs 11:12 says A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.
Proverbs 15:4 says The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
I encourage you to make an important New Year's Resolution this coming year. Resolve to use your tongue for healing not crushing, for blessing not cursing, for life not death. God Bless~
Friday
Ushered Into the Presence of the Great
Blessings upon everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful, blessed Christmas and celebrated the birth of Jesus in such a way that would make Him proud.
I had a wonderful Christmas celebration. It was good to gather with family and enjoy each other's company, catch up on each of their lives, and worship the one true King.
It is always nice to give a loved one gifts to show our appreciation of them. But with the economy as it is, it is not always possible to give monetarily. We then have to rely on our imagination to show our appreciation, which can be even more fun. A card, a note, a hug; all of which are avenues for us to pour out our love for others.
Why is it that we feel we must give gifts to those we love? I have some friends that can never let a person leave their house empty-handed. I think they buy extra gifts throughout the year just for these occasions. I have visited on any given day, just to stop by and say hello, and yet I still can't leave without being given a gift. It is just their way of showing they care.
Back in the days when mankind was ruled by kings, no person dared have an audience with the king without presenting him with a gift. It was considered disrespectful. Proverbs 18:16 says A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. Thus the reason for presenting the king a gift; it ushered the giver into his presence.
Just think, being ushered into our Heavenly King's presence! Oh how precious! We should never come to God empty-handed. It is our gifts that usher us into His presence, the presence of the Great!
Wait! We must be careful of the gifts we give. Cain didn't give his best or from his heart and God did not accept his gifts (Genesis 4). And God said we should give with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). We should never give less than our best.
It is in the presence of God that we find peace, receive healing, experience deliverance, gain wisdom. If this is where we receive then shouldn't we be willing to give of our best in order to be ushered into His presence? Besides, He deserves nothing less than our best. He is worthy of all we have to offer and more.
The best gift you can give is yourself. Give God all of you and see what victories you will obtain. God Bless~
I had a wonderful Christmas celebration. It was good to gather with family and enjoy each other's company, catch up on each of their lives, and worship the one true King.
It is always nice to give a loved one gifts to show our appreciation of them. But with the economy as it is, it is not always possible to give monetarily. We then have to rely on our imagination to show our appreciation, which can be even more fun. A card, a note, a hug; all of which are avenues for us to pour out our love for others.
Why is it that we feel we must give gifts to those we love? I have some friends that can never let a person leave their house empty-handed. I think they buy extra gifts throughout the year just for these occasions. I have visited on any given day, just to stop by and say hello, and yet I still can't leave without being given a gift. It is just their way of showing they care.
Back in the days when mankind was ruled by kings, no person dared have an audience with the king without presenting him with a gift. It was considered disrespectful. Proverbs 18:16 says A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. Thus the reason for presenting the king a gift; it ushered the giver into his presence.
Just think, being ushered into our Heavenly King's presence! Oh how precious! We should never come to God empty-handed. It is our gifts that usher us into His presence, the presence of the Great!
Wait! We must be careful of the gifts we give. Cain didn't give his best or from his heart and God did not accept his gifts (Genesis 4). And God said we should give with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). We should never give less than our best.
It is in the presence of God that we find peace, receive healing, experience deliverance, gain wisdom. If this is where we receive then shouldn't we be willing to give of our best in order to be ushered into His presence? Besides, He deserves nothing less than our best. He is worthy of all we have to offer and more.
The best gift you can give is yourself. Give God all of you and see what victories you will obtain. God Bless~
Wednesday
The Unwanted Gift
The ultimate gift given
It is shunned by many
Not satisfying by most
The sacrifice made to give it
It was more than any should bear
Where is the gratitude
The thanks, the appreciation
Has the gift been returned
Maybe boxed up
With all the other unwanted gifts
People are still searching
Sifting through all the gifts
Just to find the ones they want
Never satisfied
Wanting more
What about that gift
That one there
It is the biggest yet
It is better than all those
Why has it been thrown to the side
Look at the giver
He is sad
His heart is broken
He gave his life for that gift
No one wants it
Tears begin falling
He has been shunned
Forgotten, unwanted
Did they not know
The depths he went to give it
Oh wait, He hears his name
What are they saying
He draws closer to hear
They are thanking him
But what for
"Thank you for the food you provided
For the time with family
For safety in our travels
For our jobs
to provide all these gifts"
"You are welcome, but wait!
This other gift
The ultimate gift given
It cost me everything I have
Why don't you want it
"Can anyone hear me
Why aren't you listening
I promise this gift won't break
It will last for eternity
Please take a closer look"
People begin leaving
The party is over
They all seem satisfied
It won't last
Tomorrow they will want more
That one gift they shoved aside
It would have been enough
They would not need any other
It would have saved them
For eternity!
Maybe someone else will want it
He was given many invitations
To several parties in his honor
Maybe they will receive the gift
With gratitude and appreciation
Matthew 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
If all you had was the gift of Salvation, would it be enough? Jesus gave His life to give you an eternal gift. All the gifts accumulating under your Christmas tree are non-eternal gifts. They are nice but they will not last. They will not save. They will not love you as Jesus does.
Jesus has many gifts (promises) to give you. But the gift of salvation...that is more than enough. We shouldn't be begging for anything more.
I pray that you will receive this eternal gift this Christmas season and that you will grow to appreciate the gift and the Giver throughout the year and beyond. Get to know the Giver, which is Jesus. He is awesome. He is mighty. He loves you.
God Bless and Merry Christmas~
It is shunned by many
Not satisfying by most
The sacrifice made to give it
It was more than any should bear
Where is the gratitude
The thanks, the appreciation
Has the gift been returned
Maybe boxed up
With all the other unwanted gifts
People are still searching
Sifting through all the gifts
Just to find the ones they want
Never satisfied
Wanting more
What about that gift
That one there
It is the biggest yet
It is better than all those
Why has it been thrown to the side
Look at the giver
He is sad
His heart is broken
He gave his life for that gift
No one wants it
Tears begin falling
He has been shunned
Forgotten, unwanted
Did they not know
The depths he went to give it
Oh wait, He hears his name
What are they saying
He draws closer to hear
They are thanking him
But what for
"Thank you for the food you provided
For the time with family
For safety in our travels
For our jobs
to provide all these gifts"
"You are welcome, but wait!
This other gift
The ultimate gift given
It cost me everything I have
Why don't you want it
"Can anyone hear me
Why aren't you listening
I promise this gift won't break
It will last for eternity
Please take a closer look"
People begin leaving
The party is over
They all seem satisfied
It won't last
Tomorrow they will want more
That one gift they shoved aside
It would have been enough
They would not need any other
It would have saved them
For eternity!
Maybe someone else will want it
He was given many invitations
To several parties in his honor
Maybe they will receive the gift
With gratitude and appreciation
Matthew 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
If all you had was the gift of Salvation, would it be enough? Jesus gave His life to give you an eternal gift. All the gifts accumulating under your Christmas tree are non-eternal gifts. They are nice but they will not last. They will not save. They will not love you as Jesus does.
Jesus has many gifts (promises) to give you. But the gift of salvation...that is more than enough. We shouldn't be begging for anything more.
I pray that you will receive this eternal gift this Christmas season and that you will grow to appreciate the gift and the Giver throughout the year and beyond. Get to know the Giver, which is Jesus. He is awesome. He is mighty. He loves you.
God Bless and Merry Christmas~
Monday
Suffering Brings Blessing
MATTHEW 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
It's that wonderful time of year again. Celebrations of Christmas and the New Year with friends and family can be quite joyous. Unfortunately not everyone has the same perspective; spending time with family is either painful or not an option. For many it is because of their devotion to Christ.
We don't have to go to another country to be ridiculed or persecuted for our faith. It is as close as visiting with our family, talking to our neighbors, or hanging out in the break room at work. It is our decision to either continue our devotion to Christ no matter the ridicule or set our minds on pleasing mankind and give in to the world's views.
Many people have fallen prey to the mindset of pleasing mankind. They don't like rejection or feeling like the "odd-man-out" so they become like those around them. There is a name for those people: the Chameleon Christian. A chameleon is a lizard that changes its looks to blend in with its surroundings. One reason for this is to protect the lizard from possible prey. According to Wikipedia, recent research has indicated that chameleons may use this blending as a means of communication to attract a mate.
1 Peter 2:11-12 says Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
1 John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him (God) yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
As Christians we are not to blend in with the world. We should look and act different. The world does not live or look like Christ. Yet it is our responsibility to.
Is it hard sometimes? Yes, especially when it is your family who rejects you for your faith. Holidays are the hardest because they are usually focused on family gatherings.
The great news comes from Matthew 19:29. In chapter 19 Peter told Jesus that he and the disciples had left everything to follow Him. Jesus replied by ensuring him and the other disciples that they would be seated on 12 thrones in heaven for their devotion to Him. Then He said that those of us who left our families for His sake will receive a hundred times as much, plus eternal life. What a blessing!
That is just how God is. He blesses His children, especially those who have lost things for His sake. God always replaces everything we have lost or given up with blessings that far outweigh what this world has to offer. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17).
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.(1 Peter 4:14-15) God Bless~
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
It's that wonderful time of year again. Celebrations of Christmas and the New Year with friends and family can be quite joyous. Unfortunately not everyone has the same perspective; spending time with family is either painful or not an option. For many it is because of their devotion to Christ.
We don't have to go to another country to be ridiculed or persecuted for our faith. It is as close as visiting with our family, talking to our neighbors, or hanging out in the break room at work. It is our decision to either continue our devotion to Christ no matter the ridicule or set our minds on pleasing mankind and give in to the world's views.
Many people have fallen prey to the mindset of pleasing mankind. They don't like rejection or feeling like the "odd-man-out" so they become like those around them. There is a name for those people: the Chameleon Christian. A chameleon is a lizard that changes its looks to blend in with its surroundings. One reason for this is to protect the lizard from possible prey. According to Wikipedia, recent research has indicated that chameleons may use this blending as a means of communication to attract a mate.
1 Peter 2:11-12 says Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
1 John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him (God) yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
As Christians we are not to blend in with the world. We should look and act different. The world does not live or look like Christ. Yet it is our responsibility to.
Is it hard sometimes? Yes, especially when it is your family who rejects you for your faith. Holidays are the hardest because they are usually focused on family gatherings.
The great news comes from Matthew 19:29. In chapter 19 Peter told Jesus that he and the disciples had left everything to follow Him. Jesus replied by ensuring him and the other disciples that they would be seated on 12 thrones in heaven for their devotion to Him. Then He said that those of us who left our families for His sake will receive a hundred times as much, plus eternal life. What a blessing!
That is just how God is. He blesses His children, especially those who have lost things for His sake. God always replaces everything we have lost or given up with blessings that far outweigh what this world has to offer. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17).
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.(1 Peter 4:14-15) God Bless~
Friday
What Church Are You? Laodicea?
REVELATION 3:14-22
Revelation 3:15-17
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But you do not realize you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
God did not have anything encouraging to say about Laodicea. He was so angry at them He threatened to spit them out of His mouth. The KJV translates that He will spue them out of His mouth. To spue is to vomit.
What God was so angry about was the fact that Laodicea wanted it all. They wanted the world and all it had to offer and they wanted to live under God's blessings. That is what God meant when he referred to them as lukewarm.
Have you heard the statement of some people "living like heaven on Sunday and living like hell all the rest of the week"? Or the "man who comes to church but has one foot out the door"? It makes God sick! He would rather the Laodiceans/us openly deny Him than confuse everyone around us by only serving God when it is convenient.
If we want to live under God's blessing then we must live under the obedience of God's Word.
Do you know why so many marriages fail today? Because there is not 100% commitment! The option of divorce is always at the back of at least one of their minds. Therefore, they always have one foot out the door.
A marriage will not last long if the spouse is only at home when it's convenient. Their marriage will continue to grow weaker as they fill up their lives with other pleasures. Eventually they will find themselves in divorce court.
WAKE UP! God is desiring a 100% relationship with you. He wants you to Himself. Exodus 20:5 states that God is a jealous God. He doesn't want you running around filling yourself up with worldly pleasures. Those are idols. Exodus 20:4 states You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
If you want to live under God's blessing then you must live under the obedience of God's Word.
The Laodiceans were prosperous; so they thought. In verse 17 they even said that they werich and did not need a thing. God looked deep into their hearts and saw something else. He said they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. They may have been able to fool those around them but no one can fool God. 1Chronicles 28:9 states that the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.
When God spoke of them being poor, blind and naked He was not talking in a literal sense. He was speaking of their spiritual status. He addresses this in verse 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
In God there is salvation, cleansing from sin, and healing; for the Laodiceans and for us. All He asks is for 100% of our hearts. After all, What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36)
If you want to live under God's blessing then you must live under the obedience of God's Word.
God Bless~
Revelation 3:15-17
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But you do not realize you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
God did not have anything encouraging to say about Laodicea. He was so angry at them He threatened to spit them out of His mouth. The KJV translates that He will spue them out of His mouth. To spue is to vomit.
What God was so angry about was the fact that Laodicea wanted it all. They wanted the world and all it had to offer and they wanted to live under God's blessings. That is what God meant when he referred to them as lukewarm.
Have you heard the statement of some people "living like heaven on Sunday and living like hell all the rest of the week"? Or the "man who comes to church but has one foot out the door"? It makes God sick! He would rather the Laodiceans/us openly deny Him than confuse everyone around us by only serving God when it is convenient.
If we want to live under God's blessing then we must live under the obedience of God's Word.
Do you know why so many marriages fail today? Because there is not 100% commitment! The option of divorce is always at the back of at least one of their minds. Therefore, they always have one foot out the door.
A marriage will not last long if the spouse is only at home when it's convenient. Their marriage will continue to grow weaker as they fill up their lives with other pleasures. Eventually they will find themselves in divorce court.
WAKE UP! God is desiring a 100% relationship with you. He wants you to Himself. Exodus 20:5 states that God is a jealous God. He doesn't want you running around filling yourself up with worldly pleasures. Those are idols. Exodus 20:4 states You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
If you want to live under God's blessing then you must live under the obedience of God's Word.
The Laodiceans were prosperous; so they thought. In verse 17 they even said that they werich and did not need a thing. God looked deep into their hearts and saw something else. He said they were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. They may have been able to fool those around them but no one can fool God. 1Chronicles 28:9 states that the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.
When God spoke of them being poor, blind and naked He was not talking in a literal sense. He was speaking of their spiritual status. He addresses this in verse 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
In God there is salvation, cleansing from sin, and healing; for the Laodiceans and for us. All He asks is for 100% of our hearts. After all, What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36)
If you want to live under God's blessing then you must live under the obedience of God's Word.
God Bless~
Thursday
Which Church Are You? Philadelphia?
REVELATION 3:7-13
Revelation 3:7b-8
...What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Life's struggles can be quite overwhelming. You may feel as the church of Philadelphia did; you feel beaten down, have no strength to get up and possibly feel discouraged to the point of surrender to the enemy.
You have kept true to God's Word, faithful to your church, and spreading God's Word every chance you get. Yet you get no break from your struggles. You have been knocked down by Satan; dealt a fatal blow.
I have a saying that I like to remind Satan of periodically, especially during my darkest hours. "Satan may knock me down but he cannot knock me out." He may knock the wind out of me at times and I may need a time to rest and recover but when I get back up he will fear me. He knows the power and authority God has given me over him. He knows that I will have become his worst nightmare.
God told the church of Philadelphia in 3:9 that He will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan come and fall at their feet and acknowledge God's love for them. Oh what a blessing it is to be under our Heavenly Father's covering! Contrary to what Satan would have us believe, we have the victory!
If you are discouraged by the trials that seem to continually flood in and your strength is drained, I have great news! 2 Corinthians 12:9a says And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. When we draw strength from God then Satan hasn't a chance in hell of winning.
Remain faithful to God's Word. Draw strength from Him when you are weak. Persevere! Become Satan's worst nightmare.
God Bless~
Revelation 3:7b-8
...What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Life's struggles can be quite overwhelming. You may feel as the church of Philadelphia did; you feel beaten down, have no strength to get up and possibly feel discouraged to the point of surrender to the enemy.
You have kept true to God's Word, faithful to your church, and spreading God's Word every chance you get. Yet you get no break from your struggles. You have been knocked down by Satan; dealt a fatal blow.
I have a saying that I like to remind Satan of periodically, especially during my darkest hours. "Satan may knock me down but he cannot knock me out." He may knock the wind out of me at times and I may need a time to rest and recover but when I get back up he will fear me. He knows the power and authority God has given me over him. He knows that I will have become his worst nightmare.
God told the church of Philadelphia in 3:9 that He will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan come and fall at their feet and acknowledge God's love for them. Oh what a blessing it is to be under our Heavenly Father's covering! Contrary to what Satan would have us believe, we have the victory!
If you are discouraged by the trials that seem to continually flood in and your strength is drained, I have great news! 2 Corinthians 12:9a says And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. When we draw strength from God then Satan hasn't a chance in hell of winning.
Remain faithful to God's Word. Draw strength from Him when you are weak. Persevere! Become Satan's worst nightmare.
God Bless~
Wednesday
What Church Are You? Sardis?
REVELATION 3:1-6
Revelation 3:1-2,4
...I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
Sardis reminds me of two kinds of people today that would fit well into their church.
1. The person who looks so happy and vibrant on the outside, yet is dying on the inside. They won't show anyone their true selves.
2. The person who goes to church, gets all excited, has the reputation of being super-godly, dances, shouts, etc, yet outside of church they are living like hell.
Both types of people are living a dangerous life and unless they change their course they will soon die spiritually. Contrary to some beliefs God does not look at our lives as a game. He is not sitting up on His throne using humans as game pieces on a board, rolling dice to alter our situations. In fact He gets so angry at people who do not live right inside and outside of church that He gives this threat through one of His angels:
3:2-3 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Sinners are looking for real people who serve a real God. If we put on a false face and live a false life, don't you think the sinners will wonder if we serve a false God?
Wake up! You are being watched, by God and sinners. God Bless~
Revelation 3:1-2,4
...I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.
Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
Sardis reminds me of two kinds of people today that would fit well into their church.
1. The person who looks so happy and vibrant on the outside, yet is dying on the inside. They won't show anyone their true selves.
2. The person who goes to church, gets all excited, has the reputation of being super-godly, dances, shouts, etc, yet outside of church they are living like hell.
Both types of people are living a dangerous life and unless they change their course they will soon die spiritually. Contrary to some beliefs God does not look at our lives as a game. He is not sitting up on His throne using humans as game pieces on a board, rolling dice to alter our situations. In fact He gets so angry at people who do not live right inside and outside of church that He gives this threat through one of His angels:
3:2-3 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Sinners are looking for real people who serve a real God. If we put on a false face and live a false life, don't you think the sinners will wonder if we serve a false God?
Wake up! You are being watched, by God and sinners. God Bless~
Monday
What Church Are You? Thyatira?
REVELATION 2:18-29
Revelation 2:19-20
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel...
Jezebel was a self-proclaimed prophetess who taught that sexual immorality was acceptable and it was ok to eat food sacrificed to animals. Not only did she teach this, it was going on inside the church. Why didn't anyone stop her?
Jezebel's intent was to infiltrate, break down, and take over. If you study Jezebel in the Old Testament you will find that she shed many Prophets' blood.
THERE IS A PARASITE IN THE CHURCH!
Add a little yeast to the dough and it spreads throughout the whole dough. (1 Corinthians 5:6) Meaning, it takes one person to step in and work through the whole church and cause dissension. Jesus warned the disciples of the yeast of the Pharisees and Saducees (Matthew 16). Their teachings were infiltrating and confusing the people.
If Satan can't get to us individually he will do more damage by distorting the teachings of those in authority. We must be on guard, not just in the church but in our personal lives outside the church.
Wordnet describes a parasite as a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage. Jezebel was a parasite. There is one in about every church. And if we get out enough and socialize we will find one at our door every so often.
The American Heritage Science Dictionary describes a parasite as generally harmful to their hosts, although the damage they do ranges widely from minor inconvenience to debilitating or fatal disease.
God said He gave Jezebel time to repent but she was unwilling. Therefore He was ready to pour out His wrath...on her and anyone who associated themselves with her. But to those who remained faithful and did not hold to her teachings he said this: to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you). (2:24)
God will destroy the Jezebels that Satan has placed in our churches and our lives. Are we going to allow these Jezebels to infiltrate us like yeast and get caught in the cross-fire? Or are we going to stop her from infiltrating, breaking down and taking over? Our lives and those in our church are at stake here.
We need to take an active role in making sure that what we are taught and what is taught in our churches is truly the Word of God and none else. God searches each of our hearts and minds (2:23) to ensure we are pure and upholding His Word. If we are found guilty He will repay us according to our deeds (2:23). God Bless~
Revelation 2:19-20
I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel...
Jezebel was a self-proclaimed prophetess who taught that sexual immorality was acceptable and it was ok to eat food sacrificed to animals. Not only did she teach this, it was going on inside the church. Why didn't anyone stop her?
Jezebel's intent was to infiltrate, break down, and take over. If you study Jezebel in the Old Testament you will find that she shed many Prophets' blood.
THERE IS A PARASITE IN THE CHURCH!
Add a little yeast to the dough and it spreads throughout the whole dough. (1 Corinthians 5:6) Meaning, it takes one person to step in and work through the whole church and cause dissension. Jesus warned the disciples of the yeast of the Pharisees and Saducees (Matthew 16). Their teachings were infiltrating and confusing the people.
If Satan can't get to us individually he will do more damage by distorting the teachings of those in authority. We must be on guard, not just in the church but in our personal lives outside the church.
Wordnet describes a parasite as a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage. Jezebel was a parasite. There is one in about every church. And if we get out enough and socialize we will find one at our door every so often.
The American Heritage Science Dictionary describes a parasite as generally harmful to their hosts, although the damage they do ranges widely from minor inconvenience to debilitating or fatal disease.
God said He gave Jezebel time to repent but she was unwilling. Therefore He was ready to pour out His wrath...on her and anyone who associated themselves with her. But to those who remained faithful and did not hold to her teachings he said this: to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you). (2:24)
God will destroy the Jezebels that Satan has placed in our churches and our lives. Are we going to allow these Jezebels to infiltrate us like yeast and get caught in the cross-fire? Or are we going to stop her from infiltrating, breaking down and taking over? Our lives and those in our church are at stake here.
We need to take an active role in making sure that what we are taught and what is taught in our churches is truly the Word of God and none else. God searches each of our hearts and minds (2:23) to ensure we are pure and upholding His Word. If we are found guilty He will repay us according to our deeds (2:23). God Bless~
Sorry
I want to apologize for a missed blog today. Today was one of those "When will it be over" days. Every time I couldn't imagine it getting worse it did.
But God is faithful and if we remain faithful to Him during our trials we will come out of them victorious.
During one of my MANY times of prayer today God spoke to me. He said "If you desire to live under my blessings then you are required to live under the obedience of my Word." I knew He was referring to my tongue at the moment, the hardest thing to tame.
I seriously had to pray my flesh into submission. Did I pass the test with flying colors? Not exactly. I had my weak moments unfortunately. But every time I saw myself failing I would quickly look to God for strength and guidance. I praise God that He is so loving and forgiving.
Tomorrow we will be back on track with the 7 churches study.
I pray you had a blessed day and will have an even better one tomorrow. God Bless~
But God is faithful and if we remain faithful to Him during our trials we will come out of them victorious.
During one of my MANY times of prayer today God spoke to me. He said "If you desire to live under my blessings then you are required to live under the obedience of my Word." I knew He was referring to my tongue at the moment, the hardest thing to tame.
I seriously had to pray my flesh into submission. Did I pass the test with flying colors? Not exactly. I had my weak moments unfortunately. But every time I saw myself failing I would quickly look to God for strength and guidance. I praise God that He is so loving and forgiving.
Tomorrow we will be back on track with the 7 churches study.
I pray you had a blessed day and will have an even better one tomorrow. God Bless~
Friday
What Church Are You? Pergamum?
REVELATION 2:12-17
Revelation 2:13,14,16
You did not renounce your faith in me...Nevertheless, I have a few things against you...Repent therefore! Otherwise I will soon come to you...
When I read this passage I found humor in what God said. In verse 13 He said I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Then further down in that verse God speaks of Antipas who was His faithful servant, but was put to death in that city-where Satan lives.
There must have been some really sinful people in Pergamum for God to deem it as Satan's residence. On down in the passage God mentions some of the sins of Pergamum. They held to the teachings of Balaam, who taught that it was ok to eat food sacrificed to idols and that sexual immorality was acceptable. They even followed the Nicolations' teachings.
Although the church in Pergamum did not renounce their faith in God, they still allowed this sin to continue. It was their responsibility to uphold God's Word and the laws that governed. Instead they continued in their own relationship with God and ignored their surroundings.
God's threats are not idle. He follows through. When he threatened to come down and fight them himself I am sure it shook the church.
It wasn't the whole church of Pergamum that was in disobedience; only some. But it doesn't take but a little sin to taint something sacred. The church is supposed to be pure and sacred. Bringing false teachings into it defiles God's holy temple.
A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough (Galatians 5:9).
God didn't address the letter to the false teachers. No, He reprimanded those who remained faithful in their service to God because they were allowing such sin to take place. I assume they just turned their head away as if it wasn't happening.
God told them to repent, otherwise He was going to come down and do their job and reprimand the false teachers himself. God won't stand for such sin in His temple. Nor will He in the temple that He resides-US! We must have a pure heart before God.
Now look closely. God did not reprimand the church of Pergamum for not reprimanding unbelievers. It was inside the church-those who professed to know Him. This is what God has to say about how we should deal with believers who are following or leading false teachings and sinning:
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
If there is sin in the camp, in God's temple, we can no longer turn away as if it isn't happening. God will not stand for it. And if He has to come down to deal with it Himself, He won't neglect reprimanding us while He is here.
We do not know the day or hour when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36). We must be prepared. He is coming back for a spotless bride. There can't be sin defiling His temple, whether it be our church or ourselves.
I encourage you to do a spiritual walk through the temple. If there be anything defiling it get rid of it. God Bless~
Revelation 2:13,14,16
You did not renounce your faith in me...Nevertheless, I have a few things against you...Repent therefore! Otherwise I will soon come to you...
When I read this passage I found humor in what God said. In verse 13 He said I know where you live-where Satan has his throne. Then further down in that verse God speaks of Antipas who was His faithful servant, but was put to death in that city-where Satan lives.
There must have been some really sinful people in Pergamum for God to deem it as Satan's residence. On down in the passage God mentions some of the sins of Pergamum. They held to the teachings of Balaam, who taught that it was ok to eat food sacrificed to idols and that sexual immorality was acceptable. They even followed the Nicolations' teachings.
Although the church in Pergamum did not renounce their faith in God, they still allowed this sin to continue. It was their responsibility to uphold God's Word and the laws that governed. Instead they continued in their own relationship with God and ignored their surroundings.
God's threats are not idle. He follows through. When he threatened to come down and fight them himself I am sure it shook the church.
It wasn't the whole church of Pergamum that was in disobedience; only some. But it doesn't take but a little sin to taint something sacred. The church is supposed to be pure and sacred. Bringing false teachings into it defiles God's holy temple.
A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough (Galatians 5:9).
God didn't address the letter to the false teachers. No, He reprimanded those who remained faithful in their service to God because they were allowing such sin to take place. I assume they just turned their head away as if it wasn't happening.
God told them to repent, otherwise He was going to come down and do their job and reprimand the false teachers himself. God won't stand for such sin in His temple. Nor will He in the temple that He resides-US! We must have a pure heart before God.
Now look closely. God did not reprimand the church of Pergamum for not reprimanding unbelievers. It was inside the church-those who professed to know Him. This is what God has to say about how we should deal with believers who are following or leading false teachings and sinning:
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
If there is sin in the camp, in God's temple, we can no longer turn away as if it isn't happening. God will not stand for it. And if He has to come down to deal with it Himself, He won't neglect reprimanding us while He is here.
We do not know the day or hour when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36). We must be prepared. He is coming back for a spotless bride. There can't be sin defiling His temple, whether it be our church or ourselves.
I encourage you to do a spiritual walk through the temple. If there be anything defiling it get rid of it. God Bless~
Thursday
What Church Are You? Smyrna?
REVELATION 2:8-11
Revelation 2:9-10
I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich!...Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...Be faithful, even to the point of death...
You do the work of the Lord, you are faithful to your ministry and to your relationship with God, you offer up a sacrifice of praise to God regularly; all the while your finances are being attacked, your health is bad, your loved ones are ridiculing you for your faith, people you do and don't know are falsely accusing you. All you can do is sit with your mouth dropped in astonishment wondering what went wrong.
When we have the opportunity to minister to someone we can be tempted to tell them that if they get saved God will fix everything; all will be fine. Yes, God can and will fix everything but the problem is that we give a false sense of invisibility. Meaning we steer them to think they are invisible to trials and tribulation after a commitment to Christ. Then when trials come they are left wondering what they missed. Worse, they begin to question God's faithfulness.
How many of us have felt the same let-down after being faithful to God and then find ourselves in a heated predicament? For example, you tithe regularly. You may even give offerings above your tithe. Yet, you are poor. You struggle to just put food on the table for your family. Malachi 3:10 says Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Or, you faithfully do the work of the Lord, either in church or in outreach. You are honest, forthcoming, and have a pure heart. Then out of nowhere you are falsely accused of: dipping your hand in the church money, ministering for selfish purposes, spreading false gossip. Proverbs 3:33 says The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
Why then are we attacked so heavily if we are faithful? In Revelation 2:10 God says Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days...
The devil is not going to sit back and allow God's children to be blessed without trying to intervene. As long as he roams this earth he will continually try to wreak havoc in our lives. That is why God gives us weapons to fight against the devil. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world. God gives us the Armor of God to combat the devil when he rears his ugly head(Ephesians 6:10-18).
In Revelation 2 God said he knows our afflictions and poverty - yet we are rich! How is that possible? The devil does not void God's promises. He only tries to delay them. When we use the Armor of God to combat him we get the victory and the promises come flooding in. God also said that if we remain faithful, even to the point of death, He will give us the crown of life.
Don't let trials and persecution to sway you from your faithfulness to God. In the end you win! God Bless~
Revelation 2:9-10
I know your afflictions and your poverty-yet you are rich!...Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...Be faithful, even to the point of death...
You do the work of the Lord, you are faithful to your ministry and to your relationship with God, you offer up a sacrifice of praise to God regularly; all the while your finances are being attacked, your health is bad, your loved ones are ridiculing you for your faith, people you do and don't know are falsely accusing you. All you can do is sit with your mouth dropped in astonishment wondering what went wrong.
When we have the opportunity to minister to someone we can be tempted to tell them that if they get saved God will fix everything; all will be fine. Yes, God can and will fix everything but the problem is that we give a false sense of invisibility. Meaning we steer them to think they are invisible to trials and tribulation after a commitment to Christ. Then when trials come they are left wondering what they missed. Worse, they begin to question God's faithfulness.
How many of us have felt the same let-down after being faithful to God and then find ourselves in a heated predicament? For example, you tithe regularly. You may even give offerings above your tithe. Yet, you are poor. You struggle to just put food on the table for your family. Malachi 3:10 says Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
Or, you faithfully do the work of the Lord, either in church or in outreach. You are honest, forthcoming, and have a pure heart. Then out of nowhere you are falsely accused of: dipping your hand in the church money, ministering for selfish purposes, spreading false gossip. Proverbs 3:33 says The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
Why then are we attacked so heavily if we are faithful? In Revelation 2:10 God says Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days...
The devil is not going to sit back and allow God's children to be blessed without trying to intervene. As long as he roams this earth he will continually try to wreak havoc in our lives. That is why God gives us weapons to fight against the devil. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world. God gives us the Armor of God to combat the devil when he rears his ugly head(Ephesians 6:10-18).
In Revelation 2 God said he knows our afflictions and poverty - yet we are rich! How is that possible? The devil does not void God's promises. He only tries to delay them. When we use the Armor of God to combat him we get the victory and the promises come flooding in. God also said that if we remain faithful, even to the point of death, He will give us the crown of life.
Don't let trials and persecution to sway you from your faithfulness to God. In the end you win! God Bless~
Wednesday
What Church Are You? Ephesus?
REVELATION 2:1-7
Revelation 2:2,4
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance...Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love...
For the next week we are going to study the seven churches in the province of Asia that are mentioned in the book of Revelation. Much can be learned from these churches when we weigh them against our own lives.
WHAT CHURCH ARE YOU? EPHESUS?
The church in Ephesus was dedicated to truth. They went to extreme measures to expose false teachers. In turn they had to endure persecution and hardship. They never grew weary in the work of the ministry.
The problem was that they were so "busy" ministering that they lost their focus, the reason for their ministry; the God behind their ministry. Verse 4 said they had forsaken their first love. They had done so well and then fell into sin.
It is our responsibility to use our talents and gifts to minister. It is our responsibility to "be the church," but at what cost? Ministry does not get us into heaven. A true relationship with God is what separates us from the world and unites us with Him.
It is easy for any minister to busy him/herself in the work of the ministry and neglect their own relationship with God. A minister is anyone who does the work of the Kingdom of God; whether it be a Pastor, Sunday School teacher, witness to your neighbor or co-worker, etc.
Here is a way to measure your ministry against your relationship with God:
-If your ministry position takes first place, putting your personal time with God second, then your position has become a job not a ministry.
-If you are giving into your ministry more energy than you are in your personal time with God, then your position has become a hindrance not a ministry.
-If you find yourself dreading your responsibilities in the ministry then you have forsaken your first love.
If we neglect our personal relationship with God, even if it is because we are ministering, we will be a target for sin. We will become the very thing we stand against.
Do you remember the season in your life when you were most in love with God? The emotions you felt, the desire to be alone with Him, the excitement you had in praising Him; He longs for that again. He desires the long talks; the times you would pour over His Word just to get to know Him. He longs to hear the adoration you once sang out to Him.
He appreciates your hard work in the ministry; the sacrifices you have made. But what He desires more is a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of our lips confessing His name. He still wants us to do good and share with others but with balance. For with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16)
Let us rejoin our First Love and remind Him how much we love Him. God Bless~
Revelation 2:2,4
I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance...Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love...
For the next week we are going to study the seven churches in the province of Asia that are mentioned in the book of Revelation. Much can be learned from these churches when we weigh them against our own lives.
WHAT CHURCH ARE YOU? EPHESUS?
The church in Ephesus was dedicated to truth. They went to extreme measures to expose false teachers. In turn they had to endure persecution and hardship. They never grew weary in the work of the ministry.
The problem was that they were so "busy" ministering that they lost their focus, the reason for their ministry; the God behind their ministry. Verse 4 said they had forsaken their first love. They had done so well and then fell into sin.
It is our responsibility to use our talents and gifts to minister. It is our responsibility to "be the church," but at what cost? Ministry does not get us into heaven. A true relationship with God is what separates us from the world and unites us with Him.
It is easy for any minister to busy him/herself in the work of the ministry and neglect their own relationship with God. A minister is anyone who does the work of the Kingdom of God; whether it be a Pastor, Sunday School teacher, witness to your neighbor or co-worker, etc.
Here is a way to measure your ministry against your relationship with God:
-If your ministry position takes first place, putting your personal time with God second, then your position has become a job not a ministry.
-If you are giving into your ministry more energy than you are in your personal time with God, then your position has become a hindrance not a ministry.
-If you find yourself dreading your responsibilities in the ministry then you have forsaken your first love.
If we neglect our personal relationship with God, even if it is because we are ministering, we will be a target for sin. We will become the very thing we stand against.
Do you remember the season in your life when you were most in love with God? The emotions you felt, the desire to be alone with Him, the excitement you had in praising Him; He longs for that again. He desires the long talks; the times you would pour over His Word just to get to know Him. He longs to hear the adoration you once sang out to Him.
He appreciates your hard work in the ministry; the sacrifices you have made. But what He desires more is a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of our lips confessing His name. He still wants us to do good and share with others but with balance. For with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-16)
Let us rejoin our First Love and remind Him how much we love Him. God Bless~
Tuesday
Fresh Wisdom is Blasting the Nation and Beyond
Greetings in the Lord! Today I want to give a more personal devotional. I thought I would update you on what God is doing through this site. It is always encouraging to know that God is working through us.
Since Fresh Wisdom began in September it has reached 25 countries and has generated hits from over 300 people. Praise God! Although technology can be troublesome at times to our spirit-man it can also break down distance barriers so we can spread the Gospel to people across the world.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with your always, to the very end of the age.
The Internet puts a new enlightenment to that scripture. With it we can reach the nations. We can teach without having met them. Although my first choice would be to minister face to face, I do bask in the fact that I am not limited to my surroundings. I have learned to have a healthy balance of both.
I love outreach ministry. I like being right on the battlefield; meeting people on their turf. Jesus didn't spend the majority of His time in the synagogues. He walked the streets. He drew crowds and taught wherever He could. He was ridiculed for eating with sinners instead of dining with other believers. His response was "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."(Matthew 9:12-13)
Every Christian has the responsibility of outreach ministry. What is outreach ministry? It is "reaching out to minister" to those we come in contact with. It is not a ministry that only select few are called to do. It is the responsibility of every believer in Christ. Technology today gives us more avenues to reach out to those who are lost. Therefore the only excuse we can give for not obeying God's Word is that we just don't want to.
The Internet is full of information; so much that it is a trap to many. The pornography, violence, access to drugs, cyber-bullying, etc.; it can be accessed at the click of a mouse. The Internet is a ripe field waiting to be harvested as is our neighborhood.
I am excited about what God is doing, in my neighborhood and through this ministry. My prayer is that many lives will be changed and that God will continue to open doors of ministry.
I do apologize for the recent busy changes on the site. We had some technical difficulties with the template and then was trying to settle some advertising into the page. I encourage you to check out the site and see what links there are now. They will change periodically.
May God bless you and direct you as you take on the challenge of outreach.
Since Fresh Wisdom began in September it has reached 25 countries and has generated hits from over 300 people. Praise God! Although technology can be troublesome at times to our spirit-man it can also break down distance barriers so we can spread the Gospel to people across the world.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with your always, to the very end of the age.
The Internet puts a new enlightenment to that scripture. With it we can reach the nations. We can teach without having met them. Although my first choice would be to minister face to face, I do bask in the fact that I am not limited to my surroundings. I have learned to have a healthy balance of both.
I love outreach ministry. I like being right on the battlefield; meeting people on their turf. Jesus didn't spend the majority of His time in the synagogues. He walked the streets. He drew crowds and taught wherever He could. He was ridiculed for eating with sinners instead of dining with other believers. His response was "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."(Matthew 9:12-13)
Every Christian has the responsibility of outreach ministry. What is outreach ministry? It is "reaching out to minister" to those we come in contact with. It is not a ministry that only select few are called to do. It is the responsibility of every believer in Christ. Technology today gives us more avenues to reach out to those who are lost. Therefore the only excuse we can give for not obeying God's Word is that we just don't want to.
The Internet is full of information; so much that it is a trap to many. The pornography, violence, access to drugs, cyber-bullying, etc.; it can be accessed at the click of a mouse. The Internet is a ripe field waiting to be harvested as is our neighborhood.
I am excited about what God is doing, in my neighborhood and through this ministry. My prayer is that many lives will be changed and that God will continue to open doors of ministry.
I do apologize for the recent busy changes on the site. We had some technical difficulties with the template and then was trying to settle some advertising into the page. I encourage you to check out the site and see what links there are now. They will change periodically.
May God bless you and direct you as you take on the challenge of outreach.
Monday
God is Moving!
JOEL 2:28-30
...I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth...
I am excited about what God is doing. He is moving powerfully across this nation; setting the captives free, healing the sick, saving the lost, delivering the oppressed, meeting the needs of His children. Hallelujah!
You may be thinking "Is she living on the same earth I am? Because what I see is an economy failing, people dying and many more falling away from God." That is just what Satan only wants you to see. If he can divert your attention away from God and onto the ills of the world then you will not see the pit he has constructed for you and you could fall right in. Without God there is no hope in the pit; only death.
Despite what you see: God is moving, He is winning, and He is fulfilling His Word. To only believe what our own eyes see is believing a false picture that Satan has schemed up in order for us to not truly see that he is failing. Just think, who of us does not mind letting others see when we fail? We hate it. Our natural instinct is to hide our mistakes; to mask the truth. We put up a false scenario to the outside world to make them think they see a victorious life, when in reality we are miserable and losing the battle.
Satan is the father of lies, the master of hiding the truth. He will continue it until the day Jesus returns and sends him down to the pit. We need to know that and be ready.
Instead of looking through Satan's eyes we need to see things how God sees them. Look around you. God is moving. Spend time with a sinner, with someone who is hurting and wanting set free. Allow God to use you to lead that person to freedom. Spend time ministering to those in need, to those who are hurting. Allow God to use you. Then watch His power at work.
Don't get discouraged and think it's too overwhelming; that there is no reason to keep trying. God is pouring out His Spirit on all who desire it. He has the victory. We win!
...I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth...
I am excited about what God is doing. He is moving powerfully across this nation; setting the captives free, healing the sick, saving the lost, delivering the oppressed, meeting the needs of His children. Hallelujah!
You may be thinking "Is she living on the same earth I am? Because what I see is an economy failing, people dying and many more falling away from God." That is just what Satan only wants you to see. If he can divert your attention away from God and onto the ills of the world then you will not see the pit he has constructed for you and you could fall right in. Without God there is no hope in the pit; only death.
Despite what you see: God is moving, He is winning, and He is fulfilling His Word. To only believe what our own eyes see is believing a false picture that Satan has schemed up in order for us to not truly see that he is failing. Just think, who of us does not mind letting others see when we fail? We hate it. Our natural instinct is to hide our mistakes; to mask the truth. We put up a false scenario to the outside world to make them think they see a victorious life, when in reality we are miserable and losing the battle.
Satan is the father of lies, the master of hiding the truth. He will continue it until the day Jesus returns and sends him down to the pit. We need to know that and be ready.
Instead of looking through Satan's eyes we need to see things how God sees them. Look around you. God is moving. Spend time with a sinner, with someone who is hurting and wanting set free. Allow God to use you to lead that person to freedom. Spend time ministering to those in need, to those who are hurting. Allow God to use you. Then watch His power at work.
Don't get discouraged and think it's too overwhelming; that there is no reason to keep trying. God is pouring out His Spirit on all who desire it. He has the victory. We win!
Friday
IT COMES WITH BENEFITS
PROVERBS 2
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13 who leave the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.
16 It will save you also from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18 For her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
Wisdom is more powerful than any earthly possession. With wisdom we gain knowledge, power, possessions, strength, guidance, etc. Without wisdom we are just fools; fools have no place in heaven.
We get caught up in busy work so we can gain wealth and we forget the most important aspect in life that we need--wisdom. Solomon knew the importance of wisdom. God told him he could have anything he asked for. God would have made him the richest man in the kingdom if Solomon asked for it. Solomon knew that but instead he asked for wisdom--the most powerful tool in the kingdom. God was pleased with Solomon's request and gave him both wisdom and wealth. (1 Kings 3)
We must desire wisdom with that same compassion. Reread Proverbs 2 and find the benefits that come with having wisdom. They far outweigh anything this world can offer. Matthew 6:33 says: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. That is exactly what Solomon did; look at his benefits.
Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
God Bless~
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse,
13 who leave the straight paths
to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
and who are devious in their ways.
16 It will save you also from the adulteress,
from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18 For her house leads down to death
and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men
and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
Wisdom is more powerful than any earthly possession. With wisdom we gain knowledge, power, possessions, strength, guidance, etc. Without wisdom we are just fools; fools have no place in heaven.
We get caught up in busy work so we can gain wealth and we forget the most important aspect in life that we need--wisdom. Solomon knew the importance of wisdom. God told him he could have anything he asked for. God would have made him the richest man in the kingdom if Solomon asked for it. Solomon knew that but instead he asked for wisdom--the most powerful tool in the kingdom. God was pleased with Solomon's request and gave him both wisdom and wealth. (1 Kings 3)
We must desire wisdom with that same compassion. Reread Proverbs 2 and find the benefits that come with having wisdom. They far outweigh anything this world can offer. Matthew 6:33 says: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. That is exactly what Solomon did; look at his benefits.
Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
God Bless~
Thursday
Willing Obedience Part 2
1 CHRONICLES 28 & 29
(29:14-17) But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
After David disclosed his shocking news to Solomon and the assembly, he then looked to the assembly and told them that Solomon was young and inexperienced. He said the task at hand was great because the work was for God not man (29:1).
David continued by expressing the importance of their hand in this, their willing hand. He gave the example of his giving; not to boast but to encourage them to do it as well. Besides David's giving of his time and using the country's alloted money toward the building and decorating of the temple, he then went on to express his willingness to go above and beyond and give of his own personal possessions. (29:3-4) After that he said "Now who is willing to consecrate himself to the Lord today?" (29:5)
To consecrate is to "give entirely to a specific person, place or cause; to render holy by means of religous rites." (WordNet) So what David was asking them was: Are you willing to completely focus on the task at hand, not allowing the worldly issues to get in the way; and are you willing to set yourselves apart from worldly sins (be holy) in order to build this Temple which must be made with pure sinless hands?
Shockingly the assembly gave; not only gave but gave willingly. The Israelite people rejoiced at the willing responses of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (29:9)
David was so excited that he praised God right their in the assembly meeting. After his praise time he then got a bit serious and utilized this time to teach the assembly during his prayer. He knew that in and of themselves they weren't anyone special to build as extravagant a Temple as they were. It was God who had provided them the means to do it because everything was His anyway. David said "We have given you only what comes from your hand." (29:14) David also expressed that the reason it went about that way was because God was testing their integrity and willingness to give. They could have kept their possessions God had given them. Yet they chose to give back to God in order to build a Temple in honor of Him.
We have a responsibility to uphold. As Christians it is our duty to use what talents we have and possessions we own to the glory of God and to the furthering of His kingdom. We should not be leaving it up to our Pastor to do the work for us. Everything we own belongs to God: our time, money, possessions, talents. It was God who gave it to us but He is letting us decide what we are going to do with it. He wants to know if we have a willing heart for His work.
Time-- If a member of your church is ill do you call the pastor to go minister to that person or do you take on the responsibility and go yourself? If a sinner comes to the altar for salvation do you leave it up to the pastor to disciple that person or do you take the time to teach them? Are you making yourself available to the pastor for anything he may need?
Talents-- Are you praising God with the talents He gave you? Do you sing with your band but not with the worship team? Are you leaving it up to someone else to teach a Sunday School class? Are you great at plumbing and electricity but would rather have the church spend extra money to hire a professional to fix what is needed instead of you doing it for free? Do you hold any responsibilities in the church?
Possessions & Money-- Are you tithing all the time? Do you go above that and buy things the church needs without expecting reimbursement? Have you asked the Pastor what is needed in the church?
There is much work to be done in building the Kingdom of God. We all must work together to accomplish it. If we leave it to one man to do it he will eventually burn out. As wise and powerful as Solomon was, even he and his father knew he couldn't do it alone.
And now the bigger question: Who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord? We can give of our time, talent and possessions but if we aren't living a godly and holy life then our work is not pure. David could not lead the Israelites in building the Temple because he had shed blood on his hands.(28:3) God wants us to set ourselves apart from the world, that is: not do as they do. Sin should no longer be an option for us. Our focus should be on building God's Kingdom not on what the world desires.
You may think "Wow, God exects too much from us." Does He really? One, He is worthy of all He expects. Look at what He has done for us and given us. It is all His anyway. Two, all that we do is for the building of God's Kingdom. If we don't do our part we may be a part in someone not making it to heaven. That is an eternity in hell.
I encourage you to get more involved in the building of God's Kingdom. If you don't know what you can do to help ask your Pastor. He would rejoice in your willingness to help. God Bless~
(29:14-17) But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
After David disclosed his shocking news to Solomon and the assembly, he then looked to the assembly and told them that Solomon was young and inexperienced. He said the task at hand was great because the work was for God not man (29:1).
David continued by expressing the importance of their hand in this, their willing hand. He gave the example of his giving; not to boast but to encourage them to do it as well. Besides David's giving of his time and using the country's alloted money toward the building and decorating of the temple, he then went on to express his willingness to go above and beyond and give of his own personal possessions. (29:3-4) After that he said "Now who is willing to consecrate himself to the Lord today?" (29:5)
To consecrate is to "give entirely to a specific person, place or cause; to render holy by means of religous rites." (WordNet) So what David was asking them was: Are you willing to completely focus on the task at hand, not allowing the worldly issues to get in the way; and are you willing to set yourselves apart from worldly sins (be holy) in order to build this Temple which must be made with pure sinless hands?
Shockingly the assembly gave; not only gave but gave willingly. The Israelite people rejoiced at the willing responses of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (29:9)
David was so excited that he praised God right their in the assembly meeting. After his praise time he then got a bit serious and utilized this time to teach the assembly during his prayer. He knew that in and of themselves they weren't anyone special to build as extravagant a Temple as they were. It was God who had provided them the means to do it because everything was His anyway. David said "We have given you only what comes from your hand." (29:14) David also expressed that the reason it went about that way was because God was testing their integrity and willingness to give. They could have kept their possessions God had given them. Yet they chose to give back to God in order to build a Temple in honor of Him.
We have a responsibility to uphold. As Christians it is our duty to use what talents we have and possessions we own to the glory of God and to the furthering of His kingdom. We should not be leaving it up to our Pastor to do the work for us. Everything we own belongs to God: our time, money, possessions, talents. It was God who gave it to us but He is letting us decide what we are going to do with it. He wants to know if we have a willing heart for His work.
Time-- If a member of your church is ill do you call the pastor to go minister to that person or do you take on the responsibility and go yourself? If a sinner comes to the altar for salvation do you leave it up to the pastor to disciple that person or do you take the time to teach them? Are you making yourself available to the pastor for anything he may need?
Talents-- Are you praising God with the talents He gave you? Do you sing with your band but not with the worship team? Are you leaving it up to someone else to teach a Sunday School class? Are you great at plumbing and electricity but would rather have the church spend extra money to hire a professional to fix what is needed instead of you doing it for free? Do you hold any responsibilities in the church?
Possessions & Money-- Are you tithing all the time? Do you go above that and buy things the church needs without expecting reimbursement? Have you asked the Pastor what is needed in the church?
There is much work to be done in building the Kingdom of God. We all must work together to accomplish it. If we leave it to one man to do it he will eventually burn out. As wise and powerful as Solomon was, even he and his father knew he couldn't do it alone.
And now the bigger question: Who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord? We can give of our time, talent and possessions but if we aren't living a godly and holy life then our work is not pure. David could not lead the Israelites in building the Temple because he had shed blood on his hands.(28:3) God wants us to set ourselves apart from the world, that is: not do as they do. Sin should no longer be an option for us. Our focus should be on building God's Kingdom not on what the world desires.
You may think "Wow, God exects too much from us." Does He really? One, He is worthy of all He expects. Look at what He has done for us and given us. It is all His anyway. Two, all that we do is for the building of God's Kingdom. If we don't do our part we may be a part in someone not making it to heaven. That is an eternity in hell.
I encourage you to get more involved in the building of God's Kingdom. If you don't know what you can do to help ask your Pastor. He would rejoice in your willingness to help. God Bless~
Wednesday
Willing Obedience Part 1
1 CHRONICLES 28 & 29
(29:14-17) But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
David had it in mind to build a Temple for God in Israel during his reign. God instead chose David to be the messenger and then turn the reign over to Solomon and allow him to build it.
David went before the assembly and spoke what God had told him and he told the assembly to be careful to follow all of God's commands in helping build this Temple. He then turned to Solomon and told him to serve God wholeheartedly and with a willing mind because "the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts" (28:9).
God had given David the complete blueprint of this Temple, even the instructions on decorating it. David then turned it all over to Solomon. Solomon must have looked overwhelmed because after David gave him the instructions, David then told Solomon to be strong and courageous and not be afraid or discouraged. He told Solomon that God would not fail nor forsake him and he would not be doing it alone because every willing man skilled in any craft would help build it; they would obey every command (28:11-21).
Let's linger here for a moment. First, David thought he knew what he was supposed to do: reign as King over Israel and build a Temple for God. I wonder how he felt when God said no and gave the position to his son. Although it doesn't say in scripture, David's actions speak volumes. He didn't hesitate; he quickly went before the assembly and Solomon and turned it over to them. What obedience!
Then Solomon suddenly inherits a kingdom and has an instant responsibility to build a Temple for God. What an overwhelming moment to one day be the King's son and the next to be the King, and not only rule Israel but to have a huge responsibility of building a Temple for God.
What is awesome is that both David and Solomon immediately obeyed God's direction and jumped right in to their responsibilities. There was no complaining or lingering. They just obeyed; with a willing heart they obeyed God.
Sometimes God asks us to do things that we may see as impossible or overwhelming. He says He will be with us and will not forsake us during that season. We need to obey, and with a willing heart.
Part 2 of tomorrow's devotion will dig a little deeper into the building of the Temple. It's about to get exciting so come back. God Bless~
(29:14-17) But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
David had it in mind to build a Temple for God in Israel during his reign. God instead chose David to be the messenger and then turn the reign over to Solomon and allow him to build it.
David went before the assembly and spoke what God had told him and he told the assembly to be careful to follow all of God's commands in helping build this Temple. He then turned to Solomon and told him to serve God wholeheartedly and with a willing mind because "the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts" (28:9).
God had given David the complete blueprint of this Temple, even the instructions on decorating it. David then turned it all over to Solomon. Solomon must have looked overwhelmed because after David gave him the instructions, David then told Solomon to be strong and courageous and not be afraid or discouraged. He told Solomon that God would not fail nor forsake him and he would not be doing it alone because every willing man skilled in any craft would help build it; they would obey every command (28:11-21).
Let's linger here for a moment. First, David thought he knew what he was supposed to do: reign as King over Israel and build a Temple for God. I wonder how he felt when God said no and gave the position to his son. Although it doesn't say in scripture, David's actions speak volumes. He didn't hesitate; he quickly went before the assembly and Solomon and turned it over to them. What obedience!
Then Solomon suddenly inherits a kingdom and has an instant responsibility to build a Temple for God. What an overwhelming moment to one day be the King's son and the next to be the King, and not only rule Israel but to have a huge responsibility of building a Temple for God.
What is awesome is that both David and Solomon immediately obeyed God's direction and jumped right in to their responsibilities. There was no complaining or lingering. They just obeyed; with a willing heart they obeyed God.
Sometimes God asks us to do things that we may see as impossible or overwhelming. He says He will be with us and will not forsake us during that season. We need to obey, and with a willing heart.
Part 2 of tomorrow's devotion will dig a little deeper into the building of the Temple. It's about to get exciting so come back. God Bless~
Tuesday
Worthless Wealth
PROVERBS 11:4-7
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blamless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
"Give me this...I want that...Let's go there..." We probably hear those statements more in Nov/Dec than most other months due to the holidays. Everywhere we turn there are ads enticing us and our children to want, buy, and go. And if we don't buy, give, and go we feel this sense of extreme guilt because it seems everyone around us gets it and goes wherever.
So what do we do? We work overtime, take extra jobs, and stress until we get and go whatever/wherever. We become trapped by our desires. All the while neglecting our quality and quantity time with God and our family. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath because when the wicked man dies his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
We have lost perspective due to the overwhelming temptations that demand we buy or we become less than our neighbor. I choose to stand on the fact that "who I am is not based on what I own!" I believe Peter said it best in Acts 3:6 "Then Peter said, 'Silver and Gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk'." The lame beggar wanted money. He could not work due to his illness. Peter was not rich but he did give something more valuable: time, prayer and healing.
Don't fall into the trap that you have to constantly accumulate unnecesarry goods, therefore working yourself to death just to keep up. After all, the very goods you choose to die for will perish with this earth; only your soul can be saved. God Bless~
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blamless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
"Give me this...I want that...Let's go there..." We probably hear those statements more in Nov/Dec than most other months due to the holidays. Everywhere we turn there are ads enticing us and our children to want, buy, and go. And if we don't buy, give, and go we feel this sense of extreme guilt because it seems everyone around us gets it and goes wherever.
So what do we do? We work overtime, take extra jobs, and stress until we get and go whatever/wherever. We become trapped by our desires. All the while neglecting our quality and quantity time with God and our family. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath because when the wicked man dies his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
We have lost perspective due to the overwhelming temptations that demand we buy or we become less than our neighbor. I choose to stand on the fact that "who I am is not based on what I own!" I believe Peter said it best in Acts 3:6 "Then Peter said, 'Silver and Gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk'." The lame beggar wanted money. He could not work due to his illness. Peter was not rich but he did give something more valuable: time, prayer and healing.
Don't fall into the trap that you have to constantly accumulate unnecesarry goods, therefore working yourself to death just to keep up. After all, the very goods you choose to die for will perish with this earth; only your soul can be saved. God Bless~
Monday
The Way Out
1 CORINTHIANS 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
We have our weaknesses, the areas in our life that cause us to question our own faithfulness to God. They are temptations that may not be as tempting to others but definitely pull at our sinful nature and win more often than not.
Jesus too was tempted. He was out in the desert having not eaten in 40 days. Satan was on His heals tempting with food and power. How did Jesus respond? He came against Satan with the Word of God, knowing it would shut him up. Satan cannot argue with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).
Until we stop breathing we will be tempted on a regular basis. Sin is inviting. If it weren't we would not be so eager to let our flesh take control. And since sin will continue to linger at our doorstep we need to take steps to divert ourselves to another path, the path of righteousness.
You have probably heard the passage "he will not tempt you beyond what you can bear." And if you are like me, you have probably questioned God in His understanding of what you can actually bear. There are some temptations that have such a strong hold on people they see no other way but to give in.
The problem is we want God to take the temptation from us instead of looking for the way out that God has promised. He said He would always provide a way out. It is our job to seek out that other path. Each time we conquer a temptation our spirit-man becomes stronger and our sinful man becomes weaker. John 3:30 says He must increase but I must decrease.
How did Jesus conquer temptation? He was prepared. He knew the scripture and used it against Satan when temptation was thrown at Him. The Word of God is not there for us to just memorize. We need to apply it to our lives. We need to use it to combat the enemy. How do we combat enemies? With a weapon. What is our weapon? The Bible-our sword.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
The holidays are coming, which can bring on stronger temptations for some people. The temptation to overspend, overeat, or overreact can become overwhelming. And if you give in to them you will reap what you sow.
Get into the Word of God. Learn it. Use it to find the "way out" God is giving you to defeat temptation. God Bless~
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
We have our weaknesses, the areas in our life that cause us to question our own faithfulness to God. They are temptations that may not be as tempting to others but definitely pull at our sinful nature and win more often than not.
Jesus too was tempted. He was out in the desert having not eaten in 40 days. Satan was on His heals tempting with food and power. How did Jesus respond? He came against Satan with the Word of God, knowing it would shut him up. Satan cannot argue with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).
Until we stop breathing we will be tempted on a regular basis. Sin is inviting. If it weren't we would not be so eager to let our flesh take control. And since sin will continue to linger at our doorstep we need to take steps to divert ourselves to another path, the path of righteousness.
You have probably heard the passage "he will not tempt you beyond what you can bear." And if you are like me, you have probably questioned God in His understanding of what you can actually bear. There are some temptations that have such a strong hold on people they see no other way but to give in.
The problem is we want God to take the temptation from us instead of looking for the way out that God has promised. He said He would always provide a way out. It is our job to seek out that other path. Each time we conquer a temptation our spirit-man becomes stronger and our sinful man becomes weaker. John 3:30 says He must increase but I must decrease.
How did Jesus conquer temptation? He was prepared. He knew the scripture and used it against Satan when temptation was thrown at Him. The Word of God is not there for us to just memorize. We need to apply it to our lives. We need to use it to combat the enemy. How do we combat enemies? With a weapon. What is our weapon? The Bible-our sword.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
The holidays are coming, which can bring on stronger temptations for some people. The temptation to overspend, overeat, or overreact can become overwhelming. And if you give in to them you will reap what you sow.
Get into the Word of God. Learn it. Use it to find the "way out" God is giving you to defeat temptation. God Bless~
Friday
The 'Who Am I?' Game
Those of you who have children now and those who were once a child may remember the game of "Who Am I?" Someone gives a riddle and you have to guess who or what they are talking about. I thought we would play that game today.
WHO AM I?
The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;
before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.
I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
Then I was the craftsman at his side, I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. Who Am I?
To be established from eternity by God must mean this was a very important person. To be considered the craftsman at God's side while creating the earth! Wow! Did you know there was such a person at God's side before the creation of the world?
Are you ready for the answer? Proverbs 8 will reveal the answer. After you read it I pray you realize the importance of it. Don't just skim the chapter. Read the whole thing carefully. And be Blessed today~
WHO AM I?
The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;
before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.
I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
Then I was the craftsman at his side, I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.
Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. Who Am I?
To be established from eternity by God must mean this was a very important person. To be considered the craftsman at God's side while creating the earth! Wow! Did you know there was such a person at God's side before the creation of the world?
Are you ready for the answer? Proverbs 8 will reveal the answer. After you read it I pray you realize the importance of it. Don't just skim the chapter. Read the whole thing carefully. And be Blessed today~
Thursday
Peace In The Valley
Recently I found myself in the midst of "a whole-lotta-demands." My attention was being demanded of from every direction. As the day bore on the situations escalated, as did my stress. At that point I wanted so much to retreat into a cave and not come out until all demands had been met- by someone else.
I had the distinct pleasure of being able to call a friend and, after much boo-hooing (crying) she was able to minister to me. I told her I just wanted to run and hide for a while. She of course said I couldn't do that. And she reminded me that God was in control and the devil likes to try to get us to give up right before the victory.
The next morning when I awoke a song came to mind, one I hadn't heard since I was a child, "Peace in the Valley." All day that song rang in my ears. I finally downloaded the song and listened to it. Although the song refers to the valley as heaven, God says we can have peace in our valleys now.
Romans 5:1 says Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) We have peace. That means we can experience it now. Ephesians 2:14 says that Jesus himself is our peace.
This does not mean we won't have trials. In fact, we need trials. They produce perseverance, character and hope in us. But the peace we can experience during these trials is understanding who God is, knowing His power, and believing He will take care of His children. It is also knowing that the trials only last for a season.
Philippians 4:7 says And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
Have you ever talked with someone who was going through a horrendous trial yet they were at complete peace in the situation? You may have thought to yourself "there is no way I could withstand that." Yet we can! It's a peace that only God can give.
Although my situations did not disappear, instead escalated even more, I did find peace. I found an assurance that God would not allow me to walk this path alone. He reminded me of His promises and I chose to stand on those instead of wallowing in my valley. Oh sure, it's hard. Because where there are valleys there are mountains. But those mountains are meant to be climbed. There is victory at the top!
In the valley? Draw peace from God to endure the valley. Draw strength from God to climb that mountain. God Bless~
I had the distinct pleasure of being able to call a friend and, after much boo-hooing (crying) she was able to minister to me. I told her I just wanted to run and hide for a while. She of course said I couldn't do that. And she reminded me that God was in control and the devil likes to try to get us to give up right before the victory.
The next morning when I awoke a song came to mind, one I hadn't heard since I was a child, "Peace in the Valley." All day that song rang in my ears. I finally downloaded the song and listened to it. Although the song refers to the valley as heaven, God says we can have peace in our valleys now.
Romans 5:1 says Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) We have peace. That means we can experience it now. Ephesians 2:14 says that Jesus himself is our peace.
This does not mean we won't have trials. In fact, we need trials. They produce perseverance, character and hope in us. But the peace we can experience during these trials is understanding who God is, knowing His power, and believing He will take care of His children. It is also knowing that the trials only last for a season.
Philippians 4:7 says And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
Have you ever talked with someone who was going through a horrendous trial yet they were at complete peace in the situation? You may have thought to yourself "there is no way I could withstand that." Yet we can! It's a peace that only God can give.
Although my situations did not disappear, instead escalated even more, I did find peace. I found an assurance that God would not allow me to walk this path alone. He reminded me of His promises and I chose to stand on those instead of wallowing in my valley. Oh sure, it's hard. Because where there are valleys there are mountains. But those mountains are meant to be climbed. There is victory at the top!
In the valley? Draw peace from God to endure the valley. Draw strength from God to climb that mountain. God Bless~
Tuesday
There Is Peace In His Presence
Lately I have found myself starving for solitude. With all the chaos going on around me I feel like I am on a carousel trying to watch everything going on but not being able to focus due to the constant moving. And it doesn't help that I am just going in circles, never landing anywhere. Let me off already!
I desire to be alone with God, to sit at His feet in quietness and enjoy His presence. I find peace there. I find strength there. It is there that I can refocus and regain my purpose.
So why am I hardly there, in solitude? Because Satan knows that if we can get alone in quiet we will be able to recharge and refocus. And if he knows he can reach us through busyness and preoccupation he won't hesitate.
We have to realize we aren't superman. We need to make a concious effort to regularly get away in solitude and seek God's face.
Psalm 42:3,5 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way...I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
God wants us to seek shelter in him. He says further in Psalm 91 that because we love Him he will rescue and protect us and when we call on His name He will answer. Not only that but He also says He will be WITH us in trouble. God doesn't hide when things get hairy. He surrounds us with His love and walks with us in the midst. Praise God!
I am glad I can find rest and safety in God; I can find peace in His presence. It is refreshing and when I am there at His feet I know I am loved. I know He is my Father. God Bless~
I desire to be alone with God, to sit at His feet in quietness and enjoy His presence. I find peace there. I find strength there. It is there that I can refocus and regain my purpose.
So why am I hardly there, in solitude? Because Satan knows that if we can get alone in quiet we will be able to recharge and refocus. And if he knows he can reach us through busyness and preoccupation he won't hesitate.
We have to realize we aren't superman. We need to make a concious effort to regularly get away in solitude and seek God's face.
Psalm 42:3,5 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way...I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.
Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.
God wants us to seek shelter in him. He says further in Psalm 91 that because we love Him he will rescue and protect us and when we call on His name He will answer. Not only that but He also says He will be WITH us in trouble. God doesn't hide when things get hairy. He surrounds us with His love and walks with us in the midst. Praise God!
I am glad I can find rest and safety in God; I can find peace in His presence. It is refreshing and when I am there at His feet I know I am loved. I know He is my Father. God Bless~
They Lifted His Hands For The Victory
EXODUS 17:9-16
Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword...
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord..."
Wow! Life can sure get really tough at times. So tough that we can find ourselves too weak to stand; too weak to lift our hands unto the Lord. Oh, we don't lack the faith in what God can/will do. But we lack the strength to stand on our own.
It is these times God wants us to draw strength from our friends as Moses drew strength from Aaron and Hur. Moses knew that in order for them to win the battle he had to raise his hands toward God and keep them there until the battle was won. But, he grew tired. The battle was long and in his own strength he could not stand alone.
Aaron and Hur came up next to him and shared the burden of the battle. The burden was not Moses keeping his hands raised toward God. It was the length of the battle. As Aaron and Hur poured strength into Moses the battle weakened until it was lost and Joshua and his men claimed the victory.
When the battles do come, and they will come, raise your hands toward God in praise and prayer. Praise is what brings the walls down and prayer is what walks you through.
And when you become weary in your battles don't see it as a lack of faith in God. See it as the lack of strength to stand alone. Allow God to send people to share your burdens and to pour strength into you so you can withstand the long battle and claim the victory that is promised you.
One of my hardest battles is allowing others to stand beside me to help hold my arms up. Pride gets in the way and I then find myself weakening. As I let my arms slip I notice the enemy overpowering me. But it's when I allow others to stand along side me to share in the burden, that I see the enemy weaken and my victory coming. God Bless~
Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."
So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword...
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord..."
Wow! Life can sure get really tough at times. So tough that we can find ourselves too weak to stand; too weak to lift our hands unto the Lord. Oh, we don't lack the faith in what God can/will do. But we lack the strength to stand on our own.
It is these times God wants us to draw strength from our friends as Moses drew strength from Aaron and Hur. Moses knew that in order for them to win the battle he had to raise his hands toward God and keep them there until the battle was won. But, he grew tired. The battle was long and in his own strength he could not stand alone.
Aaron and Hur came up next to him and shared the burden of the battle. The burden was not Moses keeping his hands raised toward God. It was the length of the battle. As Aaron and Hur poured strength into Moses the battle weakened until it was lost and Joshua and his men claimed the victory.
When the battles do come, and they will come, raise your hands toward God in praise and prayer. Praise is what brings the walls down and prayer is what walks you through.
And when you become weary in your battles don't see it as a lack of faith in God. See it as the lack of strength to stand alone. Allow God to send people to share your burdens and to pour strength into you so you can withstand the long battle and claim the victory that is promised you.
One of my hardest battles is allowing others to stand beside me to help hold my arms up. Pride gets in the way and I then find myself weakening. As I let my arms slip I notice the enemy overpowering me. But it's when I allow others to stand along side me to share in the burden, that I see the enemy weaken and my victory coming. God Bless~
Monday
Prayer For God's Broken
Oh precious Lord! Your people are in anguish. Their hearts are broken. Their tears are flooding the earth. Their cries deafen the farthest ear. Their eyes are failing them. They can no longer see You in the midst of their storm. Their hope that Jesus will soon return is fading.
The economy is unstable. Many are unsure of the recent election of our nation's President. Global Warming has given them concern. Health problems are rising. The wicked are increasing in number and power. What should I tell them?
The Father reaches down and whispers, "Tell them this: My eyes are on you and My ears are attentive to your cry (Psalm 34:15). As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)
"When You cry out I will deliver you from all your troubles, I will be near to your broken heart and I will save you who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:17-18). I will deliver you in times of trouble, sustain you on your sickbed and restore you from your illness." (Psalm 41:1,3)
"Do not put your hope in man, doctor, or job. If you will put your hope in me I will renew your strength, you will not grow weary, nor will you faint (Isaiah 40:31). Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; about your body or what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air. I feed them. Are you not more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26)
"I was not surprised by the election, for I have established those in authority. Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. If you rebel against them then you are rebelling against what I have instituted and judgement will come upon you." (Romans 13:1-2)
"Until the day of my appearing I will lift you out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; I will set your feet on a rock and give you a firm place to stand. I will put a new song in your mouth, a hymn of praise to your God." (Psalm 40:1-3)
"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. I will make you a pillar in my temple; never again to leave it. (Revelation 3:11-12) Behold, I am coming soon!" (Revelation 22:7)
"Until then, throw off everything that hinders and the sin that has entangled you. Run this race with perseverance. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Yes, Father. I will do as you say. I will give them the Word of God. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer, my cry, my plea. Amen!
The economy is unstable. Many are unsure of the recent election of our nation's President. Global Warming has given them concern. Health problems are rising. The wicked are increasing in number and power. What should I tell them?
The Father reaches down and whispers, "Tell them this: My eyes are on you and My ears are attentive to your cry (Psalm 34:15). As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)
"When You cry out I will deliver you from all your troubles, I will be near to your broken heart and I will save you who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:17-18). I will deliver you in times of trouble, sustain you on your sickbed and restore you from your illness." (Psalm 41:1,3)
"Do not put your hope in man, doctor, or job. If you will put your hope in me I will renew your strength, you will not grow weary, nor will you faint (Isaiah 40:31). Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; about your body or what you will wear. Look at the birds of the air. I feed them. Are you not more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26)
"I was not surprised by the election, for I have established those in authority. Everyone must submit to the governing authorities. If you rebel against them then you are rebelling against what I have instituted and judgement will come upon you." (Romans 13:1-2)
"Until the day of my appearing I will lift you out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; I will set your feet on a rock and give you a firm place to stand. I will put a new song in your mouth, a hymn of praise to your God." (Psalm 40:1-3)
"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. I will make you a pillar in my temple; never again to leave it. (Revelation 3:11-12) Behold, I am coming soon!" (Revelation 22:7)
"Until then, throw off everything that hinders and the sin that has entangled you. Run this race with perseverance. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Yes, Father. I will do as you say. I will give them the Word of God. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer, my cry, my plea. Amen!
Friday
It's Only Friday, But Sunday Is On The Way!
It's only Friday and I long to be at church. I long for the Worship and Word. Although I daily spend much time in the Word and listening to Worship music, it is like snacking all week and longing for the Sunday buffet. It's mouth-watering just to think about it. And of course, who wants to eat alone? The fellowship is the topping on the cake.
God delights in our love to be with Him and His children. He delights in our love for His Word and our desire to Worship Him. John 4:23-24 says "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth."
My favorite book and chapter in the whole bible is Psalm 119. It is the longest chapter in the bible and filled with such delight in learning God's Word. Verse 35 says "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."
Verse 108 says "Accept, oh Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws." God wants us to willingly delight in praising Him and learning how to obey Him. What good is it if we come to church, go through the motions of service, and all the while wishing we were somewhere else? Where are the "true worshippers", those who delight in praising His name; those who delight in filling up with the Word?
For He is worthy of all our praise. He is worthy of all our time. Let's get excited about Sunday! Let's get excited about God!
God Bless~
God delights in our love to be with Him and His children. He delights in our love for His Word and our desire to Worship Him. John 4:23-24 says "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth."
My favorite book and chapter in the whole bible is Psalm 119. It is the longest chapter in the bible and filled with such delight in learning God's Word. Verse 35 says "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight."
Verse 108 says "Accept, oh Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws." God wants us to willingly delight in praising Him and learning how to obey Him. What good is it if we come to church, go through the motions of service, and all the while wishing we were somewhere else? Where are the "true worshippers", those who delight in praising His name; those who delight in filling up with the Word?
For He is worthy of all our praise. He is worthy of all our time. Let's get excited about Sunday! Let's get excited about God!
God Bless~
Thursday
Share, Don't Quarrel
2 TIMOTHY 2:23-24/ TITUS 3:9-11
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguements, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because they are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
The author of Ecclesiastes said "there is a time for everything" and he goes on to list such things as crying, laughing, tearing, mending, etc. And there is. It is probably not a proper time to laugh during a funeral or cry when your best friend is sharing a joke. But there is something we should never stop doing. That is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost.
The exciting news is that with the economy unstable, a new president coming into office, healthcare coverage unsure, we should have an ample amount of opportunity to share hope and faith to a lost and dying world. We should never run out of anything to talk about that God can't be brought up in the subject. The world needs us. They are looking for answers. We have them!
Forewarning! We can easily become entangled in a discussion that its only purpose is to cause dissension and be unproductive. If you have done any witnessing you have probably come accross such a situation. The person will have the "teenage" attitude that says "I am always right. I know more than you." With such people God warns to share the truth, not argue, then move on.
If Satan can get us preoccupied with a person who clearly doesn't want to know the truth then we will have wasted our time and missed the opportunity to share God's Word with a person who needs and wants to hear it.
Share the Gospel. Don't argue. God can defend Himself. Then pray for the person and allow God to finish the work. God Bless~
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguements, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because they are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
The author of Ecclesiastes said "there is a time for everything" and he goes on to list such things as crying, laughing, tearing, mending, etc. And there is. It is probably not a proper time to laugh during a funeral or cry when your best friend is sharing a joke. But there is something we should never stop doing. That is sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost.
The exciting news is that with the economy unstable, a new president coming into office, healthcare coverage unsure, we should have an ample amount of opportunity to share hope and faith to a lost and dying world. We should never run out of anything to talk about that God can't be brought up in the subject. The world needs us. They are looking for answers. We have them!
Forewarning! We can easily become entangled in a discussion that its only purpose is to cause dissension and be unproductive. If you have done any witnessing you have probably come accross such a situation. The person will have the "teenage" attitude that says "I am always right. I know more than you." With such people God warns to share the truth, not argue, then move on.
If Satan can get us preoccupied with a person who clearly doesn't want to know the truth then we will have wasted our time and missed the opportunity to share God's Word with a person who needs and wants to hear it.
Share the Gospel. Don't argue. God can defend Himself. Then pray for the person and allow God to finish the work. God Bless~
Wednesday
Cry Out To God!
PSALMS 4:1,3,8
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Oh the days that bear great burden! Our cries can be heard from the highest mountain; our anguish sparks our energy to press toward God and cry out. Our wailing could be perceived as whining and complaining, self-defeat. Yet, we know to whom we cry out and for what purpose. David in the Psalms had his days of despair, days of wailing before God. Psalms 5: 2 says Listen for my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
Our cries to God in our hour of need have purpose. God wants us to cry out to him. He is our Father. Our Father wants to share our pain. He wants to hold us in His loving arms.
The difference between whining and complaining and crying out to God is the purpose and end result. When we whine and complain we do nothing more than that. There is no follow-through to change the situation. We just want to be heard.
Crying out to God is deep travail. Travail means to labor in pain knowing that in the end you will reap something precious and beautiful. Most women will tell you that what kept them from going insane during the child birth process was knowing that after the travail the result would be a precious and beautiful baby. So it is when we lay before God travailing over a situation that has caused so much pain.
Sometimes we have to pray a situation through before we see the precious gift. I once heard a Pastor say something so profound that it has stuck with me for 20 years. He said when you are laying before God praying don't get up when you are through praying but get up when you have prayed through. We are a society that thrives on shoving everything into a day that we can. Therefore the important issues of the day do not get the proper attention needed. Sometimes a quick prayer isn't enough. We need to take time to lay before God and pray it through. It is in those times that God reveals things to us that we could not have seen if we hadn't taken the time.
How hard do we work to be able to buy that new house or new car? If our first job isn't giving enough to be able to purchase it then we add on another, and yet another. We move heaven and earth to buy that one thing. Yet, when trouble finds us and we find ourselves lying on our backs we tend to do one of two things. We either complain about it and do nothing or we say a quick prayer thinking that was all the attention necessary. Then we get mad at God for not meeting that need. All the while He just wants to spend some time with us so He can reveal some secrets, so He can see how bad we really want what we have asked for.
We are contending with a real enemy. Satan will not quietly sit back and allow God to give us everything we want and need. He will do everything he can to steal it before we get it. If we work 2 or 3 jobs just to allow a thief to steal our money before we can purchase our desires we would never accomplish our goal. We would just work ourselves to death. Yet how many of us would allow that process to continue? Work, be robbed. Work, be robbed. No, we would travail, fight for what is ours.
Let's put that same energy, even more so, into getting the promises God has laid before us. You need a financial blessing? Travail. You need healing? Travail. You need delivered? Travail. How bad do you want it? God Bless~
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Oh the days that bear great burden! Our cries can be heard from the highest mountain; our anguish sparks our energy to press toward God and cry out. Our wailing could be perceived as whining and complaining, self-defeat. Yet, we know to whom we cry out and for what purpose. David in the Psalms had his days of despair, days of wailing before God. Psalms 5: 2 says Listen for my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
Our cries to God in our hour of need have purpose. God wants us to cry out to him. He is our Father. Our Father wants to share our pain. He wants to hold us in His loving arms.
The difference between whining and complaining and crying out to God is the purpose and end result. When we whine and complain we do nothing more than that. There is no follow-through to change the situation. We just want to be heard.
Crying out to God is deep travail. Travail means to labor in pain knowing that in the end you will reap something precious and beautiful. Most women will tell you that what kept them from going insane during the child birth process was knowing that after the travail the result would be a precious and beautiful baby. So it is when we lay before God travailing over a situation that has caused so much pain.
Sometimes we have to pray a situation through before we see the precious gift. I once heard a Pastor say something so profound that it has stuck with me for 20 years. He said when you are laying before God praying don't get up when you are through praying but get up when you have prayed through. We are a society that thrives on shoving everything into a day that we can. Therefore the important issues of the day do not get the proper attention needed. Sometimes a quick prayer isn't enough. We need to take time to lay before God and pray it through. It is in those times that God reveals things to us that we could not have seen if we hadn't taken the time.
How hard do we work to be able to buy that new house or new car? If our first job isn't giving enough to be able to purchase it then we add on another, and yet another. We move heaven and earth to buy that one thing. Yet, when trouble finds us and we find ourselves lying on our backs we tend to do one of two things. We either complain about it and do nothing or we say a quick prayer thinking that was all the attention necessary. Then we get mad at God for not meeting that need. All the while He just wants to spend some time with us so He can reveal some secrets, so He can see how bad we really want what we have asked for.
We are contending with a real enemy. Satan will not quietly sit back and allow God to give us everything we want and need. He will do everything he can to steal it before we get it. If we work 2 or 3 jobs just to allow a thief to steal our money before we can purchase our desires we would never accomplish our goal. We would just work ourselves to death. Yet how many of us would allow that process to continue? Work, be robbed. Work, be robbed. No, we would travail, fight for what is ours.
Let's put that same energy, even more so, into getting the promises God has laid before us. You need a financial blessing? Travail. You need healing? Travail. You need delivered? Travail. How bad do you want it? God Bless~
Tuesday
False Prophets Leading The Churches
2 Peter 2:17-22
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity-for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
There is danger in leading someone down the wrong path. The only direction this path leads to is eternal hell and damnation. What concerns me is that it is some of our Church leaders that are leading the way. But let us not think it strange because God warned this would happen in the last days.
I have had the unfortunate opportunity to grow up with a brother who was gay. I found out later that my former youth minister was gay. I lived with a roommate in college who I found out later was gay. In the last church my husband and I pastored I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to minister to three wonderful ladies who also lived the gay lifestyle. These were all wonderful people that God had created, but had fallen prey to a sin that had such a hold on them.
My concerns are the many "churches" that are springing up and promoting this sin as a way of life, and more so that God is okay with it. The people that want out of this sin are looking for a way out and as they are looking, these false prophets are nabbing them, promising them freedom-all the while being slaves themselves to the same sin.
Peter makes it clear that these are false prophets. Read the whole chapter of 2 and it will be put into perspective. Peter said it would have been better for them if they had not known the truth than to know it and go back to their sin.
Most of us don't like being told we are wrong, more so that we are going to hell. We like to hear all the good things people see in us. Therefore, Satan knows this and has tricked some of our leaders into believing that we should not judge and just let everyone be who they are, sin and all. That is not biblical! Are we going to have alcoholic churches next? How about Pedophilia churches? After all, they have chosen that lifestyle also. Where do we draw the line?
The line is the Word of God! We have got to get back to the basics of Christianity and stop this nonsense of adding to the Word of God to fit our lifestyles. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Galatians 5 says we need to live by the Spirit and not satisfy our sinful nature. For if we do we will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says it clearly: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor the idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor theives nor greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindelers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The awesome blessing is in verse 11 of 1 Corinthians 6. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Hallelujah! When you take a shower and wash off all the dirt of the day you are refreshed and clean. It is only when you dive back in to the dirt that you become dirty again and no longer clean. Therefore, when we walk away from our sin God washes us clean from it. We are supposed to stay clear of that sin, not return to it like a dog returns to his vomit. Otherwise we are again tainted and dirty.
Don't just assume your Pastor is preaching the truth, the pure Word of God. When you sit under his ministry, take notes. Then when you get home study the Word of God to make sure that what the Pastor taught is truly the Word of God. There are false Pastors popping up everywhere. They are not preaching the true Word of God. We must be attentive.
Shall we say then that we are better off not going to church and just learning on our own? NO! The bible states not to forsake the gathering together of other believers. Shall we stop breathing the air because in some parts of the world it is polluted? NO! We would die from lack of oxygen. To every real there is a counterfeit. Satan cannot create anything. He only taints what God has created in order to trap us. We just have to be on guard, filled with God's Word and armed with the Armor of God (Ephesians 6) to battle Satan's schemes. We need to take a stand and not allow these false prophets to pervert the Word of God and lead us or our loved ones down the wrong path.
We don't know when Christ is coming back. Yet we see the end times playing out right before our eyes. Let's not take a chance that it could be many years from now and sit back and do nothing. It could cost us our neighbor's eternal soul. God Bless~
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity-for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."
There is danger in leading someone down the wrong path. The only direction this path leads to is eternal hell and damnation. What concerns me is that it is some of our Church leaders that are leading the way. But let us not think it strange because God warned this would happen in the last days.
I have had the unfortunate opportunity to grow up with a brother who was gay. I found out later that my former youth minister was gay. I lived with a roommate in college who I found out later was gay. In the last church my husband and I pastored I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to minister to three wonderful ladies who also lived the gay lifestyle. These were all wonderful people that God had created, but had fallen prey to a sin that had such a hold on them.
My concerns are the many "churches" that are springing up and promoting this sin as a way of life, and more so that God is okay with it. The people that want out of this sin are looking for a way out and as they are looking, these false prophets are nabbing them, promising them freedom-all the while being slaves themselves to the same sin.
Peter makes it clear that these are false prophets. Read the whole chapter of 2 and it will be put into perspective. Peter said it would have been better for them if they had not known the truth than to know it and go back to their sin.
Most of us don't like being told we are wrong, more so that we are going to hell. We like to hear all the good things people see in us. Therefore, Satan knows this and has tricked some of our leaders into believing that we should not judge and just let everyone be who they are, sin and all. That is not biblical! Are we going to have alcoholic churches next? How about Pedophilia churches? After all, they have chosen that lifestyle also. Where do we draw the line?
The line is the Word of God! We have got to get back to the basics of Christianity and stop this nonsense of adding to the Word of God to fit our lifestyles. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Galatians 5 says we need to live by the Spirit and not satisfy our sinful nature. For if we do we will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says it clearly: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor the idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor theives nor greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindelers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The awesome blessing is in verse 11 of 1 Corinthians 6. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Hallelujah! When you take a shower and wash off all the dirt of the day you are refreshed and clean. It is only when you dive back in to the dirt that you become dirty again and no longer clean. Therefore, when we walk away from our sin God washes us clean from it. We are supposed to stay clear of that sin, not return to it like a dog returns to his vomit. Otherwise we are again tainted and dirty.
Don't just assume your Pastor is preaching the truth, the pure Word of God. When you sit under his ministry, take notes. Then when you get home study the Word of God to make sure that what the Pastor taught is truly the Word of God. There are false Pastors popping up everywhere. They are not preaching the true Word of God. We must be attentive.
Shall we say then that we are better off not going to church and just learning on our own? NO! The bible states not to forsake the gathering together of other believers. Shall we stop breathing the air because in some parts of the world it is polluted? NO! We would die from lack of oxygen. To every real there is a counterfeit. Satan cannot create anything. He only taints what God has created in order to trap us. We just have to be on guard, filled with God's Word and armed with the Armor of God (Ephesians 6) to battle Satan's schemes. We need to take a stand and not allow these false prophets to pervert the Word of God and lead us or our loved ones down the wrong path.
We don't know when Christ is coming back. Yet we see the end times playing out right before our eyes. Let's not take a chance that it could be many years from now and sit back and do nothing. It could cost us our neighbor's eternal soul. God Bless~
Monday
Can Anyone See Her?
I know a woman who is faithful to God and to her church. She tithes regularly, tries to mingle with others, even does outreach outside the body of Christ. She would give her last dollar if someone needed it. She would rearrange her day if it meant helping someone in need.
She smiles often and tries to give encouragement to others who are hurting. She puts her needs second to everyone else. Oh, she isn't perfect. She has her flaws like anyone else. But that doesn't stop her from reaching out.
So what is wrong with this woman? What do others see that she can't? She talks of how she recently attended church and the rows of seats were mostly filled except hers. She was all alone in a room full of people. She couldn't understand why others would only look at her from afar. Was she not dressed properly? Did she not have enough money to "fit in"? Had they heard rumors about her that she didn't know of?
Her pastor's sermon that day was about the woman at the well who was an outcast to her own people. And how Jesus crossed those barriers to minister to her in spite of what others thought, even his own disciples. The pastor even made mention of how just the week before a new person came to visit church and was sitting alone. He said that during worship service he saw one of the church members walk over and invite this person to sit with them.
This woman said it was an awesome service anyway. God moved throughout the church and individuals got ministered to. Even she found herself at the alter. Praise God that He still moves and remains faithful in spite of our silly actions.
But how long will this woman continue going there? How long will she allow herself to be alienated before the pain becomes intolerable? How long before she throws her hands up and says, "I give up"? All she wants is relationships, to be loved. She is hurting and just wants someone to talk to. Is there anyone out there that will answer her plea?
How many churches get so busy that they don't see those who are hurting right there in the midst of them? It is our job to reach outside the church to minister to the lost, no doubt. It is also our job to take care of our own. Otherwise we are just bringing them in just to watch them fall away again, this time in worse shape.
John 4:1-19
She smiles often and tries to give encouragement to others who are hurting. She puts her needs second to everyone else. Oh, she isn't perfect. She has her flaws like anyone else. But that doesn't stop her from reaching out.
So what is wrong with this woman? What do others see that she can't? She talks of how she recently attended church and the rows of seats were mostly filled except hers. She was all alone in a room full of people. She couldn't understand why others would only look at her from afar. Was she not dressed properly? Did she not have enough money to "fit in"? Had they heard rumors about her that she didn't know of?
Her pastor's sermon that day was about the woman at the well who was an outcast to her own people. And how Jesus crossed those barriers to minister to her in spite of what others thought, even his own disciples. The pastor even made mention of how just the week before a new person came to visit church and was sitting alone. He said that during worship service he saw one of the church members walk over and invite this person to sit with them.
This woman said it was an awesome service anyway. God moved throughout the church and individuals got ministered to. Even she found herself at the alter. Praise God that He still moves and remains faithful in spite of our silly actions.
But how long will this woman continue going there? How long will she allow herself to be alienated before the pain becomes intolerable? How long before she throws her hands up and says, "I give up"? All she wants is relationships, to be loved. She is hurting and just wants someone to talk to. Is there anyone out there that will answer her plea?
How many churches get so busy that they don't see those who are hurting right there in the midst of them? It is our job to reach outside the church to minister to the lost, no doubt. It is also our job to take care of our own. Otherwise we are just bringing them in just to watch them fall away again, this time in worse shape.
John 4:1-19
Friday
Tempted To Waver?
2Peter 3:10-15a
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…
What is this world coming to? AN END! It is true. It does not take much listening to the TV to know that these days are becoming more of a challenge to live, even more so to live a godly life. What used to be sin is becoming acceptable to the world and unfortunately it has spilled over into the church. Since when did God hand us the power to decide what is acceptable or not? Last I checked He is still on the throne and will continue to stand by His Word.
It is becoming more and more difficult to take a stand on what we believe when everyone around us is accusing us of alienating others and being judgmental. The tables are turned and we are being looked upon as the sinners, the rebellious ones who are far from godly. It may even cause us to question our beliefs. “Are we really in the wrong? Should we accept all ways of life? After all, we are supposed to love others like Christ has loved us, right?”
Yes, we are to love our enemies and those of the brethren. BUT, nowhere in the bible does it say we are to accept sin as “a way of life.” We are to uphold God’s Word and minister to all who need it. Now is NOT the time to waver in our beliefs. Peter says that since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? He said we ought to live holy and godly lives.
We don’t know when Christ is coming back. It could be any moment. It could be years from now. Why take the chance of wavering? Why risk our neighbor’s salvation by waiting to talk to them? There is an urgency, the urgency to live holy and to preach the Gospel. Let’s do it! God Bless~
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…
What is this world coming to? AN END! It is true. It does not take much listening to the TV to know that these days are becoming more of a challenge to live, even more so to live a godly life. What used to be sin is becoming acceptable to the world and unfortunately it has spilled over into the church. Since when did God hand us the power to decide what is acceptable or not? Last I checked He is still on the throne and will continue to stand by His Word.
It is becoming more and more difficult to take a stand on what we believe when everyone around us is accusing us of alienating others and being judgmental. The tables are turned and we are being looked upon as the sinners, the rebellious ones who are far from godly. It may even cause us to question our beliefs. “Are we really in the wrong? Should we accept all ways of life? After all, we are supposed to love others like Christ has loved us, right?”
Yes, we are to love our enemies and those of the brethren. BUT, nowhere in the bible does it say we are to accept sin as “a way of life.” We are to uphold God’s Word and minister to all who need it. Now is NOT the time to waver in our beliefs. Peter says that since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? He said we ought to live holy and godly lives.
We don’t know when Christ is coming back. It could be any moment. It could be years from now. Why take the chance of wavering? Why risk our neighbor’s salvation by waiting to talk to them? There is an urgency, the urgency to live holy and to preach the Gospel. Let’s do it! God Bless~
Monday
Daughter of Sarah
1Peter 3:5-6
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
If you will take time to look back in Genesis you will not find a perfect woman in Sarah but you will find one that was definitely blessed by God. Sarah had prayed for something that seemed so far reached that when God promised it to her she laughed. God had promised to Abraham that he would have as many descendants as there were stars in the sky, yet Sarah was barren.
Genesis 17:15-16 says: God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of people will come from her."
Wow! What a promise! It was a long-awaited promise fulfilled. Yet, God did not hold back. It was not done in the time Sarah and Abraham wanted but it was done in God's time.
We all have things we have prayed about that God has promised us. It can get frustrating if we don't see it in the time alloted. We can get bitter at God thinking He has forgotten about us. His promises are Yes, and Amen. The exciting part is that God said we are Sarah's daughters. That means we are under the same blessing.
Let us live as daughters of Sarah and stand believing God will fulfill what He has promised,in His time. God bless~
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
If you will take time to look back in Genesis you will not find a perfect woman in Sarah but you will find one that was definitely blessed by God. Sarah had prayed for something that seemed so far reached that when God promised it to her she laughed. God had promised to Abraham that he would have as many descendants as there were stars in the sky, yet Sarah was barren.
Genesis 17:15-16 says: God also said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of people will come from her."
Wow! What a promise! It was a long-awaited promise fulfilled. Yet, God did not hold back. It was not done in the time Sarah and Abraham wanted but it was done in God's time.
We all have things we have prayed about that God has promised us. It can get frustrating if we don't see it in the time alloted. We can get bitter at God thinking He has forgotten about us. His promises are Yes, and Amen. The exciting part is that God said we are Sarah's daughters. That means we are under the same blessing.
Let us live as daughters of Sarah and stand believing God will fulfill what He has promised,in His time. God bless~
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Listen to this beautiful song- We Worship You In The Spirit -- Shekinah Glory Ministries
