Devotions - Prayer
God desires an intimate relationship with you.
“ You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. ” (Exodus 34:14).
A Relationship with God comes before any relationship with man! So for God to be jealous shows us and teaches us that He never intended for us to get caught up in man just because He sent them to us.
*We must watch very carefully who we are putting in front of God because if not– man will become our IDOL!
Yes, it is possible for us to provoke Him to jealousy: “Do we provoke the
Lord to jealousy?” (1 Corinthians 10:22). Paul is asking: “You have testified that you love Him. You’ve even taken His name. Yet, has someone or something else stolen your heart?”
You can say you love Jesus; you can go to church every time the doors are open. But do you seek Him when your time is your own?
*Preachers search their Bibles for sermons.
* Sunday school teachers study it for
lessons.
**But why do we not turn to it for recreational reading, to be refreshed
by our Lord?
**Why don’t we open the Bible to learn of Him, to love Him?
The Bible is Jesus—God’s own Word! It is the full revelation of His heart;
Everything about Him is unmasked in the Scripture. (2 Tim. 3:16).
John 1:1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
I would think that if we truly love
Him, if we expect to spend eternity as His bride, then we would want to learn
everything possible about Him!
Our Lord yearns after us, wanting our time and attention. Yet He sees us
spending all our time on other people and other things and that makes Him
jealous!
The day is coming when His jealousy will “burn” against those who
turn to vain idols (Deuteronomy 29:20). It will burst into flames of judgment!
** One of the worst things that can happen to us, as this account makes clear, is to become caught up in a popular movement.
*False forces arise out of it. That is the whole thrust of this section.
*Mis-emphases easily spring into being—and wrongful attitudes arise readily in a popular movement.
*Popularity, therefore, ought to be watched carefully. And when a movement is popular, as Christianity is popular in many places today, we must be careful that we are listening to the voice and the Spirit of God. The book of Jude covers this well. ( These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. Jude 16).
Some qualifications and marks of the latter-day outpouring of the Spirit:
* A focus on the final harvest of souls.
* A spirit of grace leading to repentance and godliness.
* A spirit of supplication resulting in surrender and an urgency to pray in
the Spirit.
* A yearning for Jesus, and mourning, a brokenness and weeping with godly
sorrow for sin. Only after such dealings of the Spirit will the true blessing
of joy come!
**I will depend on Jesus, for everything!
Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
*God created us for Himself but we sold ourselves into slavery to the devil.
*If we’re only loving in order to change the other person or the circumstances, our motivation is totally wrong. That’s conditional human love, and not God’s Love at all. If selfishness is motivating us, the fruit of our actions will be rotten.
* “Love…does not seek its own…”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
God is jealous for His glory. He cannot share it with false gods. He clearly promised blessings for keeping the covenant and curses for breaking the covenant.
*Serving other gods was the most heinous offense against God and grounds for breaking the covenant. *Despite God sending prophets to warn the people of their transgressions, they always turned to idol worship until the exile of Judah.
** We ALL need to remove idols from our lives. What’s an idol?
Idol– whatever takes priority over our relationship with God.
** These idols may take the form of family, work, volunteering, recreation/sports, tv, cell phones, I-pad, gaming, and even ministry.
**If we don’t set our priorities straight, God will do it for us.
When the final day comes, I know we all want Jesus to take your hand and whisper, “At last we’re together! You have desired Me so. You have given Me the best of your life, your time, your attention. Come, now—let us be one!”
How will you stand before Him on that day? Everything of this world is going to
burn. But what about your intimacy with Him? Will you be able to stand before
Him knowing you shut out the world and cried out that you wanted to know Him?
John 17:3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.
Listen to Jesus in Verse 4″ I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”
“Then I prayed to the God of heaven…” Nehemiah 2:4b
* Let’s allow the power of prayer to revive our spirit and restore our physical and mental vigor. By following Nehemiah’s example we will have the energy needed to defeat the enemy and thrive in the midst of our day to day challenges.
* Seek security by recognizing God as the Source of security.
*”Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me”.(JN 14:6)
Father, thank You for the Truth as it is in Jesus. Lord, through the power of prayer, today’s challenge can be tomorrow’s victory. Forgive me when I make prayer my last resort instead of my first choice. Help me remember the truths You have taught me today. Thank You for prayer and the power I receive when I turn to You. Increase my Personal Relationship with You Jesus.
” Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.” (Jude 24-25). Thank you for loving us so much God that you see us as faultless even when I stumble. Remind me that I can’t become perfect but I can continue to make choices that become more like Christ. God, thank you for salvation and for your Son. Thank You for Your Victory over sin and idols at the Cross. Please help me to serve You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
God’s Love is the only solid foundation upon which human love can be built. If “feelings” have diminished or died within a relationship, only Agape can rekindle the flame.
* “…the things impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27
Is there someone you can share God’s Love with today as a result of your faith, and in spite of your feelings?
* “And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”
Luke 6:32
Satan diverts many people by getting them preoccupied with what others are doing for the Lord. Comparing ourselves with others, whether we come out better or worse, is unwise (2 Cor. 10:12).
We need to be so single-minded following the Lord, that we don’t look to the right or to the left to see what others are doing.
It doesn’t matter if we are doing as much to serve the Lord as someone else.
The question is, are we doing ALL that the Lord wants us to do?
* We have to move forward and set priorities and focus on them in and out of season.
I encourage everyone to take the closing days of the year to plan how you are going to read the Bible in the new year. Don’t leave it to chance. One of the main reasons we don’t read God’s word is that we don’t plan to. Take a step of faith and daily put time on your schedule for your Savior, King, Lord, friend, King, Counselor….
“A Vision without Action is a Delusion”
God’s love is electric, and when we allow Him to love through us, we become “supercharged” with the radiance of His Life. We heal as we help others out wit our testimony.
* “And it came about when…he was coming down from the mountain… Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.”Exodus 34:29
Paul’s identity was not based upon himself, but upon the person of Jesus Christ. Each and every day we must remind ourselves: It’s not I…but Christ.
** “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20
“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him.”.1 Corinthians 7:17a
1 Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
*** You’ll be strengthened by your dependence on Him—whether trials or a flood of blessing comes.
*It’s actually when life gets rough and rugged that the sweetness of God’s faithfulness makes itself real in your heart. As you walk through those storms in complete reliance on His strength, your trust in His character becomes part of who you are and strengthens from within.
Compassion for self and others is the evidence of God’s Love.
***”But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion…and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he…took care of him.” Luke 10:33-34
Each of us is called to relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
* We are called BY Him, TO Him, and FOR Him.
*Once we enter that relationship with Christ, we are called into the physical expression of that relationship.
*This is where our vocations are manifested as a result, not as an end in themselves.
Additionally, there are examples of special callings in the Bible in which individuals have a direct communication from God to do a specific task for Him. Moses, Paul, Peter, and many others had direct communication about what God was calling them to do.
Not everyone receives this “special” calling. This is not to say God is not personal with each of us. Some have had extraordinary supernatural encounters with God that led to their calling being specific to a task ordered by God.
***ALL of us have been called to follow Christ and live our lives in Obedience to Him. Trust the words of Scripture. They are Truth and Alive today for you and me.
* Many of us have a sense to go in one direction or another based on our life experiences and giftedness. This, too, is God’s calling.
*Calling goes beyond our work and includes our Relationships to others: our spouse, our children, our neighbors — and our co-workers. We must remember this in order that our “work calling” does not become elevated at the expense of the other important aspects of our lives. This is an accurate approach to the gospel in which God made ALL of LIFE equally important.
Therefore, the next time someone says, “I was called into the ministry” or “I am in full-time Christian work,” stop him or her and tell him or her WE ARE ALL in full-time Christian work. There is no secular and religious in the economy of God.
I have a dear friend who often says, “I am a servant of the living God masquerading as a cop.” So, too, are we first a servant of the living God.
Fruit is something we can easily see. The evidence of Godly fruit is not found in word, deed, talent, success or accomplishment, but rather in the humble qualities of:
* “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23
When we think of the works that Jesus did, we think of love, compassion, mercy, giving of ourselves, caring, selflessness, healing and teaching.
* Jesus did these things on a daily basis, with people He came in contact with as a normal part of His day, and usually in ways that were not exceptional or highly dramatic.
I believe we all have different callings and different interests, BUT each of us as followers of Christ can be daily living in the love of God and doing the works that Jesus did, through faith.
Paul wrote to the Philippians, “In
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians
2:3b). Paul doesn’t say not to esteem yourself, your vision or your life
mission. But he does say others also have vision, purpose and a mission. If you will esteem them, you will not just be helping them but also strengthening them in their calling—and perhaps affecting many lives.
Think about the power of Paul’s statement. Imagine what might happen if every Christian radically obeyed this truth. We would all have deep, world-impacting interests in others—and none of us would be immersed in our individual goals. We in Unity would be moving forward for God’s Glory.
The whole body of Christ would be so other-centered we would empower one another in our many varied callings.
If each of us is looking only to interests of our own making, our testimony
will be limited at best. BUT if we all are looking in love to build up others,
every God-ordained mission will have more than ample support to be
accomplished.
John 17:20 I’m praying not only for them But also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. 21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind-Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
**Right here, in this verse, Jesus prayed for YOU.
*He prayed for all those who would believe in him through the apostles message. That is you and me 2000 years later. And what does he pray for, that we would be ONE. That there would be UNITY among his followers. Because then the world would believe God sent Jesus. Do we have any more important task than this?
Thank You Jesus for each one of our giftings to bring Unity to the Body for Your Glory and our Joy! Lord direct and speak to everyone to take the closing days of the year to move forward and plan how we are going to read the Bible each day in the new year and take time to Listen to Your Voice speaking through Holy Scripture. And once we hear–we put into Action for the good of the entire Body for Your Glory.
Amen
Any leader who is not secure in God will be insecure in their leadership actions.
Even though surrounded by great corruption, we must daily choose to walk in faith, hope, and love.
*”Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report…think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
If you could see the extent of destruction that is set in motion when you speak against one another, you would learn to hold your tongue. However, this is not a matter of words but of the condition of your heart and your willingness to say things about someone else that you would not want spoken about yourself.
You will be held accountable for every word that you speak, so be careful what you say.
*Matthew 12:36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi” (Matt 2:16-17).
Any leader who is not secure in God will be insecure in their leadership actions.
King Herod was such a leader. He Feared the Loss of Power and had to control every aspect of the people he was ruling.
When Herod heard about Jesus’ coming birth, his Insecurity became out of control and led to making life-threatening decisions for those in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
***Such an Insecure Leader has deep-seated Control issues rooted in the fear of loss of power, money and prestige. *This also led to Lying to protect his kingdom.
When the wise men told Herod about the coming Messiah, Herod told them he wanted to know when He was born in order to worship him. He had no such plans. He wanted to kill him.
Herod told the wise men to report back to him when the child was born. The wise men were divinely warned not to return to Jerusalem and report back to Herod. When Herod discovered this, he became furious and issued the edict to kill every child under two years old in Bethlehem and the surrounding districts.
***Whenever a leader has deep-seated control issues rooted in fear, their actions surface repeatedly when placed under stress.
* Arguments, manipulation of others, and confrontation with subordinates usually follows.
***However, a leader who has yielded his LIFE and his WORK to God can relinquish outcomes to the Lord and let God change things that may go astray.
** A secure leader realizes God is the source of His power and leadership and he does not need to fear others who may demonstrate leadership qualities. ***Instead, they are able to affirm them for the sake of the organization.
Pray that God makes you a leader who is secure in your position given by God.
Today for example–Competition has penetrated the Church so much that many churches and Christian organizations approach ministry like a sports event. They view their mission as a business that seeks to gain market share among Christians – donors, members, influence – all under the name of God. I am sure God looks down at us and asks, “Whatever happened to John 17:23?” Sometimes we must remind our fellow servants that we are all on the “Same Team”! We should be seeking to impact the Kingdom of God, not increase our own market share.
When Jesus made this statement about unity in John 17:23, it represented the key to bringing salvation to many. He was saying that when His Body is unified, the non-Christian would be able to see who Jesus really is – the Son of God.
Are you contributing to unity in the Body of Christ? Or are you contributing to a spirit of competition?
Ask God where you can be an instrument of unity in His Body.
God’s kind of love is not envious or jealous because it doesn’t seek it’s own, but seeks the welfare of others. Envy is an indication of self-centeredness.
The Apostle Paul had some opponents who were just like many people who sow strife today. They are against everything and critical of the way those in authority(Leaders) handle things.
They make big statements about what they would do if they were the leader, but it’s all talk. They haven’t proven themselves successful in managing even the smallest things, yet they want to be put in charge of big things, just based on their talk.
This is not the system of advancement that Jesus advocates (Mt. 25:21; Lk. 16:11-12; 19:17).
The Scripture speaks in numerous passages about “our light and momentary troubles that are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
When that day breaks, the one thing for which we will be infinitely thankful, the one thing above all others that will thrill us and cheer us and cause us to glory, is the fact that out of all the created universe, WE were chosen to be the ones who bore the name of God in the hour of danger and affliction, problem and trial.
There is no higher honor than that.
This is a time to re-evaluate. There are things that are best left behind and other things that should be restored. There are still other things that need more care and attention then you have previously given. Your circumstances will dictate what you need to take a look at and what requires your interest. This process might take some time, so don’t be hasty in your judgments or choices. Be moved by the Holy Spirit inspired word, the Bible. Let the Spirit speak to you and your decisions will be sound.
*Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
Our Father, help me with my leadership skills to do your Will and not man’s. I do count it indeed a mighty privilege to bear reproach for Your name’s sake. I know that the day is coming when that will be my chief joy. Thank you Jesus for choosing us simple ones to Share Your Truth to a hurting world which so desperately needs YOU! Thank you Jesus for loving us so so much that you bore the Cross for each and every person no matter what their past may be. Thank you Jesus for Your Patience with me. All Glory and Honor to You Jesus! Amen
Read MoreWhen you focus on serving others, your need is often met through God’s supernatural law of serving.
*God has called each of us to live for a cause greater than ourselves.
Authentic hospitality can only flow through a surrendured heart filled with
God’s Agape Love. Bless and surprise someone with the simplicity of random love, kindness and hospitality today! **”Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”1 Peter 4:9
Another version says ” Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay”.
Be devoted to ONE ANOTHER – give yourself to hospitality. Hospitality isn’t what would first come to mind under moments of extreme trial. But it makes absolute sense.
*We need God and we need each other! We need to guard our relationship with God when under pressure and our relationship with others.
Its at such times that a strain can be placed on our relationship with God and others. Love others by overlooking disagreements, avoiding negative talk or gossip, control your tongue under pressure, by being hospitable, live in each other’s worlds – giving and receiving the warmth of friendship. Building the most powerful bonds of strength over the fellowship at the table.
Verse 10 goes on to say: ” God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Out of this relationship and context SERVE ONE ANOTHER with whatever gift God has given you – speaking, giving, helping. Ministry flows out of relationship. This will guard you against many pressures. Context is extremely important to our ministry.
*Ministry is not simply the delivering of a gift.
** Ministry is the context in which we SERVE that gift.
* The gift is explosive in an environment of love and acceptance.
These bonds will defeat all obstacles and opposition. Love is more powerful than all.
James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
*These friendships develop when we get honest about who we are and what is happening in our lives. They develop when we share our hurts, reveal our feelings, confess our failures, disclose our doubts, admit our fears, acknowledge our weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer.
*It’s only as we become open about our lives that we experience authentic fellowship.
The world thinks intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light.
We tend to use darkness to hide our hurts, faults, fears, failures, and flaws. **But in God’s light, we can bring them all out into the open and admit who we really are.
**This is the way we grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy.
The law of sowing and reaping comes into play in this Kingdom principle. “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love.” (Hos 10:12). “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor 9:6-9)
“LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Ps 16:5-6).
We don’t serve others to GET!
However, when you do serve others, there is a Kingdom principle that works on your behalf as fruit of your service. Is there someone you need to serve this Holiday Season?
Galatians 6:2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
* You have to KNOW who you are and WHOSE you belong to.
* Be that someone others can count on. * Be the one who displays Christ. The one who works behind the scenes and dose not need a pat on the back.
* One who Loves enough to risk relationships for the sake of Truth.
* One who displays the character and spirit of Christ in the best of times, the worst of times.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love.
I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. — Galatians 2:20
*These words mean the breaking of my independence with my own hand and surrendering to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus.
*It means breaking the husk of my individual independence of God into oneness with Himself, not for my own ideas, but for Absolute Loyalty to Jesus.
*I must be broken from my self-realization, and immediately that point is reached, the reality of the supernatural identification takes place at once, and the witness of the Spirit of God is unmistakable – “I have been crucified with Christ.” (Now a Bond-Servant of Jesus).
Lord Jesus, I don’t think I know who I am. I KNOW who I am. I am Yours!! Lord You have and are defining me. Continue to shape and mold me. I want to be a Server/giver. A Server/ giver of all things especially YOU. May I be a spiritual life source to those around me. ” May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Romans 15:5-6).
In Jesus name, AMEN.
We love others by being real and genuine with them. If we are being transparent with God (on the inside), He will enable us to be real and genuine with others (on the outside).
* “…in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.”
2 Corinthians 1:12
Freedom and Boundaries
“Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?'” – Genesis 3:1.
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries:
*Freedom to manage what He has entrusted to us.
*Boundaries to protect us from evil.
***The boundaries in the Garden of Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam.
** Man got into trouble when he questioned those boundaries.
God had provided everything he would need for life. He also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves creatively through our work.
Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our life.
When ever you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of responsibility. Life is the SAME in-Marriage, Kids, Family, Friends.
**You need to know where those limits are and stay within them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God’s authority.
Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God’s will for His life.
It was God’s will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the temptation. God was showing His Son that “man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries. *Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward God.
**Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life.
***These are meant to enhance your life, not hinder it!!!
* We are who we are– through the thoughts we have.
* Take your thoughts captive – know your Bible.
** Thoughts » habits » circumstance**
* When was the last time you thought about what your thinking about?
* Peace comes by fixing our thoughts
1) You can change your thoughts.
2) Fix your thoughts on what is true, pure and noble.
3) Think about things that are worthy of praise.
* Don’t doubt your purpose here and now!
* Choose a few promises and speak them over your life for 2012.
* God doesn’t do it for us, we have to use our faith and take Action.
* Think big, dream big for 2012
* Bring your thoughts under the obedience of God.
You Are so so Worthy. You are God’s Masterpiece. Let go and let God. Let God have the strongholds that are holding you back from being ALL that God has intended.
*A stronghold is an area where we are held in bondage, any part of our lives where satan has imprisoned us.
* As long as we believe things that are not true, we will remain imprisoned by those strongholds.
*The Word of God is the weapon that sets us free from the strongholds.
***Effective Weapons: preaching, teaching, books, tapes, seminars, small Bible study groups, private studies, prayer, and praise.
***Praise helps us keep our mind on God, His power, and the good things that are happening in our lives.
***Prayer reflects a Relationship with God and shows that we depend on Him.
*Jesus promised to always be with us (Matthew 28:20). We can win with our weapons because they are spiritual weapons.
Examples of strongholds are “God doesn’t love me”, “His promises don’t apply to me”, “He could never forgive me for what I did”, “I don’t have to change because God made me that way”, “I don’t have to forgive because what that person did to me was unforgivable”, “God doesn’t work that way anymore”, “I’m un-worthy”, I’m the black Sheep of the family”, and “I can’t share the gospel because…” To mention a few.
The enemy will try anything to separate us from God and keep us from fulfilling our destiny in Him. That is why we need to put our spiritual armor on every day. *We need to be in His word and spend quiet time listening to His voice. Set up Boundries in your life that allows you the TIME to spend with Jesus-LISTENING
AGAIN: We need to be in His word and spend quiet time listening to His voice.
* We have to be humble and open to correction.
When our strongholds are broken down, we can glorify God more freely and openly. We are set FREE!
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made YOU alive with Christ, for he forgave ALL our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
(Colossians 2:13-15)
We need to be honest with each other in sharing our shortcomings as well as our victories. When we are real and transparent with others, we give them the freedom to “remove their masks” in our presence and for us To Heal!
“It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19
Do you have a proper understanding of who you are? Do you understand that it is God who has given you the ability to work and achieve? He is the source of ALL good things. Ask God today if your life models this belief.
The Lord has never had anyone who was qualified working for Him. It’s by God’s grace that He uses any of us.
**Anyone who claims to be used of God because of his great holiness is either deceived or a deceiver.
*** It’s our faith in the grace of God that allows His Love to flow through us.
Be free of all bondage and keep your heart pure before the Lord. Then, you will be able to discern spiritually. However, anything that creates darkness in your soul will cause you to dump down in the flesh and will cloud your spiritual perceptions. Be on guard, for this is a time when seductions to choose flesh over Spirit are rampant. Obtain and maintain purity.
**Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Let’s Bring Back Jesus this Christmas!!
“A Vision without Action is only a Delusion”. Moving Forward!
Most people have forgotten what the meaning of Christmas really is. It’s a time to celebrate something very important— the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ— that’s right the “Star” of the show!!! Not santa claus, shopping, material gifts,Parties without Jesus etc.
*If we ALL make room for Jesus this Season with family and friends— who knows what could come from our circumstances!
*We all sin, Christians and non-Christians, but what we do after sinning is what matters.
Psalms 51: 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
* No matter who you are, God can use you.
* No matter what problems you face, God is with you.
*No matter what He promises, God can do.
An Angel spoke to Mary in Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.” And Mary’s response: ” “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Lord, I pray today you renew my heart so that I can live in your perfect will and take Time each day to Listen to You. I want a clean heart, free of doubt. Help me to bring Jesus Back to the CENTER of Christmas and every day of my life. *Help me to trust You and put Your Boundries up in All roles of my Life.
I know The key to that is to spend time feeding my hunger…by getting full on Your Perfect Word…Knowing that Your promises are not made by man. In Your time Lord, Your Promises will manifest and come to fruition. Help me Meditate on Your Word daily…all through my day…in my thoughts and my actions… My faith and dependency upon the Lord relies on the intimate time that I share with You Lord. In these times, I must converse…I must talk AND listen! I must hear AND follow…
Thank you for this day to have the opportunity to Glorify You Jesus! Amen
* Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self.
Hebrews 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
When life tumbles in, leaving us mystified, are we allowing God to plant Hope, Love, Freedom and Faith in our minds and hearts? Do we humbly recognize his inscrutable wisdom?
If we are faithful to do our part, God will always be faithful to do His!
* “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”James 4:8
But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. – Job 36:15
*God’s ways are not our ways.
* His preparation of His warriors seems cruel and hurtful at times.
*God’s ways are much higher than ours. **Trust the God of the universe that He CAN orchestrate the events of your life when they seem the darkest.
What shall I say? Father, save me, from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name. — John 12:27-29
My attitude as a saint to sorrow and difficulty is Not to ask that they may be prevented, but to ask that I may Preserve the self God created me to be through every fire of sorrow.
*** Our Lord received Himself in the fire of sorrow, He was saved not from the hour, but OUT of the hour.
*Lord I ask that you help us learn to pray to grow nearer to you. To hear your voice and follow your will. Lord I ask too that you show us your good and perfect plans. Father thank you for your love and your unending promises and grace.
We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to receive ourselves in its fires.
* If we try and evade sorrow, refuse to lay our account with it, we are foolish. *Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life; it is no use saying sorrow ought not to be.
**Sin and sorrow and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them.
*Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness, but it does not always make a man better.
* Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self.
* If a man has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, he has no time for you. *If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes–I, and not another (Job 19:25-27a).
This is one of the great words of faith in the Old Testament,of the resurrection of the body found in the Word of God.
Slowly, through the anguish and gloom of this man’s heart, born out of the passion and the pathos that he feels, comes the dawning realization that God is working out a great and mighty Purpose, and that one of these days God Himself (Job has never failed to see God’s great majesty and power) shall be visibly present before people.
*God is working out a purpose!!!
“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Ps 13:1-2).
When David wrote his psalms he was honest about what he was feeling. However, David never stayed in the place of despair. He often ended his psalms like this one.
*** “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (Ps 13:5-6).
David chooses to focus on what God HAS DONE for him, not what He has not done.
*David’s situation did not change from verse 1 to verse 5, but his Perspective and Attitude changed. He was wrestling with God’s timing, plan, attention…but ultimately David trusts in God’s love and remembers God’s favor and faithfulness to him.
*If you are waiting for a breakthrough with God, be honest with Him about your hopes, concerns and dreams.Pray!
* However, also affirm your Faith and Trust in Him to accomplish HIS Purposes through your life.
In times of despair, it is harder to hold on than to give up. BUt if we give up on the LORD, we give in to a life of DESPAIR.
God forgive me for NOT consistently praising Your name. You are great and worthy to be praised for all that You have done and will do.
Thank You, Lord, that You have sent Jesus to be my Redeemer, and I can trust that You are working out Your purposes even through my current sufferings. Help me to accept what You have in store for me and move forward as the sphere in which I am to live to the glory of God.
Father, thank You for the encouragement I receive from Your Perfect Word in the Bible through the Holy Spirit. Help me to take heart in what trials and sufferings I may be going through and know that You will bring me through.
I thank you God for always being so great to me. Even in my times of heartache and suffering you were there to lean on. I will Never forget how kind You have been to me and how great You are today. To God be the Glory. Forever and Ever. Amen
1 Peter 2: 20…But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Read MoreThe way to strength is to discover
“the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
The apostle Paul was one of the most mature Christians who ever lived, yet he wasn’t ashamed of his human frailties.
Paul knew God loved him no matter what, and He understood that confessing his weakness was essential to walking in God’s Strength.
** “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses…for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:10
We need to be honest with each other in sharing our shortcomings as well as our victories.
**When we are real and transparent with others, we give them the freedom to “remove their masks” in our presence.
“It is better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Proverbs 16:19
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).
The first thing you have to do when things start falling apart, Paul says, is to be strong yourself in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; that is a fundamental principle of helping anybody.
*You can only pass on to others what you yourself have received.
* Head knowledge is of no value. If you merely pass on a knowledge of the truth—TEACHING people the various doctrines of Christianity—you have done nothing to help them at all.
* Unless they can see that that TRUTH has Changed You and Made You different.
*That you speak out of the experience of having been Altered by the TRUTH you believe, you will never do anything to help someone else stand in the hour of danger.
***If you want to strengthen others, Paul’s advice is to start with Yourself.
That which strengthens is grace. A peculiar thing about grace is it is never available to strong people.
That is what makes grace difficult for us to get hold of it sometimes.
We are continually assaulted today with a barrage of propaganda teaching us that the way to be strong is to develop some quality about ourselves, some hidden power, some reserve of personality, some right that we need to demand.
** But if you believe the Bible, these teachings are the way to be weak—and that is what proves to be the case.
God’s grace alone is strong enough to handle the pressures of a fallen world, but the only way you can lay hold of the grace of God is to acknowledge that you are so weak you do not have anything else that will hold you.
Many today are unable to be strong and don’t stand in the day of pressure, although they give great testimony about how they are going to follow Christ and stand for Him.
In the moment of pressure, however, they go down almost instantly. They have bought the lie of the world that if they just make up their mind, that if by their will or their effort they display their tremendous natural gifts, or if they develop some power to ride over the rights of others, they can stand.
** But Paul’s word is that the way to strength is to discover
****“the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
*Grace is a free gift Grace is everything for nothing when we don’t deserve anything.
*Grace pays my debt mercy forgives my debt.
***What should my response be to grace?
*Recognize the debt of my sin.
*Demonstrate my new life in Christ.
*Live a godly life.
Recognize your own weakness and then accept God’s promise to work with you and through you in your weakness to make it strong.
That is how it works.
Christians should continually be learning to say,
“I can’t live up to this demand. I can’t do this thing that is asked of me. But He can; therefore I can.”
Take the action based upon the expectation that God is in you, and He will enable you to do what you otherwise cannot do.
That is authentic Christianity. It is supernatural. Natural strength is its greatest enemy. When we learn that, we can be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
You live in times of great evil and adversity. Your only place of escape is in the Lord. You must come and hide yourself in Truth and Righteousness so that the enemy cannot touch you and nothing can dissuade you from His purposes and your life in Him. This is a deliberate commitment and takes effort to maintain, but Jesus will give you the help and strength you need. Don’t get caught up in the issues of life and worldly concerns; keep eternal focus.
* Psalms 27:5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
Lord, I confess my weakness. I ask that You fill me with your strength to face the things You have put before me each and every Hour. In ALL things help me to point to you Jesus. Let my identity be in You! Amen
Read MoreTemptation Our Own Evil Desire!
Paul’s identity was not based upon himself, but upon the person of Jesus Christ. Each and every day we must remind ourselves: It’s not I…BUT Christ.
** “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20
God created and designed us with a desire and the ability to desire but when the enemy tainted it, the original design that God created to glorify Him became our own stumbling block to growth! The Bible says:
“But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust,passions).”. (James 1:14).
God is not tempting us but it is ourselves that tempts ourselves, we draw ourselves away from God’s purpose and will because of our own perverted desires.
Yes the enemy can lure us BUT we will not be enticed if we don’t allow him to entice us.
For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. (Hebrews 2:18 )
Jesus Himself was tempted in EVERY WAY— because He was full of the Spirit, Jesus didn’t succumb to His carnal desires! Let’s be like Him, always full of the Holy Spirit having divine empowerment from God to withstand temptation!
*Matthew 26:41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
*We may be able to understand entering into temptation as succumbing to its power. BUT We don’t fall until we give in to it.
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9).
Paul is telling us how, in every age, this subtle peril lays hold of our hearts. *First it comes in the form of simple temptation.
* Open a magazine, and there is a picture of a gorgeous automobile. It makes you drool to look at it.
That is temptation, and that is what we are up against. It creates in us a hunger to have what others have.
It is amazing how easily we can convince ourselves that we, like everybody else, have a right to things.
*But that is not the worst. There is another stage. Paul says that those who want to be rich “fall into a… trap.” Notice where the emphasis is: It is on the Desire to be rich.
It is the love of money, not money, that is the root of all evil.
We hear all the time that money is the root of all evil, but it is not.
* Money is a very necessary commodity in life; it is impossible to get along without using money in one form or another.
It is “the love of money” that the Scripture is talking about, the desire to have more and more of it, the craving for riches, the constant planning of how to get another buck.
You say, “What is a young man with a family supposed to do? Isn’t he supposed to try to provide for them?” Yes, he is, but what is his objective? Is it to earn money, OR is it to be a good, faithful worker, using his gifts and abilities to the Fullest Degree for the Glory of God in the scene in which he is placed?
That is something the world never thinks about.
Paul says that when you fall into temptation and give way to this lust for more things, you create a trap for yourself.
*** By that, he means that your possessions will soon begin to possess you. Everyone who has had any success in obtaining some of the things they desire soon discovers this, because their possessions demand that they take care of them.
Possessions also change your relationship with others. You discover that people are treating you differently because you have something that is a symbol of prestige or status.
People no longer treat you for WHO you are; they are treating you for WHAT you have, so you become suspicious of your friends and your friendships.
All these complications occur when the love of money starts to possess you. That is the trap involved.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.(James 1:12-15).
What the Lord has started in you, He will also continue and complete. That is not to say that your success will be automatic; we have to cooperate with what God is wanting to do in our lives. Our faithfulness may always be suspect, but God’s faithfulness is never in question. It is always God’s will to continue and complete the good work He began in us.
In your most recent personal course of corrections– refuse to give into temptation or get discouraged when you don’t see immediate answers or solutions. You are on the right track, when you are Trusting Jesus and following His Leading. Just keep moving forward with patience and obeying the Lord’s voice and His leading. You will see that “Divine Purpose” is being accomplished. You are God’s Masterpiece!!!
*Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Rise up in faith to know that no weapon formed against you will prosper. It doesn’t matter what the enemy brings against you, YOU belong to the Lord. You will have to take a stand and resist his maneuvers, but the Lord has already given you the power to defeat him soundly. Refuse to allow his tactics to overwhelm you or bring discouragement. It is the Lord’s will that you obtain and maintain the victory. Read 1John 4:4 We fight From Victory-not For Victory.
**Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
Look forward, finally, and hope for the coming of the Lord. Your best things are yet to come. The second coming of Christ will soon be here. The time of temptation will soon be past and gone. The judgment and reward of the saints shall soon make amends for everything. REST in the HOPE of that day. Work, watch, and look forward–one thing, at any rate, that day will make abundantly clear. It will show that there was never an hour in our lives in which we had our hearts too thoroughly focused on Christ.
*How do you avoid temptation – “pray”
The Lord’s Prayer says:
*And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13)
*Prayer reflects the condition of the heart. Prayer is a reflection of the intimate relationship between Father and His children. When we hold the WORD of our Father in our hearts we do not have to speak for Him to hear us.
*Make your temptations a constant focus of prayer.
Thank You, Lord, for the practicality of these words. May they help me correct my viewpoints and resist the badgering, bloated misconceptions of the world around me. Thank you for coming to me and helping me not to fall into temptation. You know my weaknesses and I will come to you for your strength to get through the time of trial. Please remind me to continually pray all day so I will walk in the Spirit and listen to You. I love you with an everlasting heart. Amen.
*Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. *Revelation 3:10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.
*Hebrews 5: 7 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. 8 Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
This scripture reminds us how great our Lord is. That as the Son of God he lived a perfect life and died for our sins. What a great God we have. Now when we pray we should first and foremost bring Glory to God our Father. We should then pray for others. THANK YOU JESUS-WE ARE SO honored to have a high priest that has been through ALL the temptations that we have to face!
Read MoreCircumstances in life are never perfect. If we wait until they are we will never do anything but wait.
Hebrews 2:18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Jesus understands every situation we face here on earth, because He went though it. This brings compassion for us when He goes to the Father for OUR sins, this should also bring a deep love for our pray life, because we know where talking to someone who understands us—-Our FATHER!
His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” – Matthew 25:21
**Testing allows one to discover how well a product is made when placed under extreme stress.
Increasing the pulling pressure between two objects reveals the amount of tension that can be withstood in a chain link. Eventually, the “choking” point occurs.
In sports, we ascertain the “choking” point for athletes by putting them into a pressure situation. At what point will the athlete lose concentration and collapse under the pressure?
It is under these stressful times that we discover how well we have been trained to withstand the pressure and make right decisions regardless of outside influences.
*** We fail under pressure usually because we reach a point where our ability to focus on execution yields to concern about outcome.
*This WORRY about outcome forces us to lose our concentration.
* The FEAR of Failure begins to rule our emotions and actions, which ultimately results in our failure.
* What we fear has come upon us. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
In life, we see giving in to pressure in the form of compulsive behavior, withdrawal, anger, abuse, moral failure, and dishonesty, to name just a few manifestations.
Jesus never yielded to pressure. He never made decisions based on outcome.
* Jesus always made the right decision. *Jesus always performed the same no matter what the circumstance.
* JESUS lived a life based on absolutes, not circumstances.
Jesus never gave in to “situational ethics.”
As God entrusts us with more and more responsibility, He brings more and more pressures into our lives to “test the product,” to make sure that He can give even more responsibility to us.
* This process helps us see where we are in our Maturity and determines our level of future Responsibility.
Are you a product that can withstand the product test? Will you perform as the Maker designed no matter what outside pressures come?
*Know that you cannot perform well unless you are continually in Relationship with and Obedient to the ONE who made you.
*Trust the product developer today. He has made you to perform well under pressure.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
The Prophet Isaiah, in the scripture referenced spoke prophetically about the “Stone” which the Lord God would lay in Zion, I want you to observe the way this “stone” is described.
* First he refers to it as “a tried stone”; secondly, he calls it “a precious corner stone,” and then thirdly, he refers to it as “a sure foundation”.
**Being a “tried stone” means it’s been tested and proven; then as “a precious corner stone” it means it’s the most important stone in the building; while as a “sure foundation”, it means you can stake your life on it.
That’s who Jesus is; He’s the only true foundation upon which you should build your life. (Read Luke 6:47-49).
It matters the foundation upon which your life is built. The Bible says, “For other foundation can no man lay that that is laid, which is Jesus Christ”(1 Corinthians 3:11).
Jesus is the true and firm foundation. Make Him the foundation of your success today by employing the principles of His Word in ALL your dealings and roles in your life. That way, when contrary winds blow against you, you’ll remain standing because you’re founded upon the Rock, Christ Jesus! In the face of adversity and testing you’ll be unshakeable because on Christ, the Solid Rock, you stand.
Rise up and receive the strength that is found in the Lord. He has indeed undergirded you; The Lord is your refuge and your place of safety. Come to Him in faith and obtain all that you need. The Lord is for you and not against you, and He will give you wisdom and direction in every circumstance and every testing. Be strong and of good courage. Stop trying to lead your life. Trust in Gods will, and let it reign in your life. TRUST & OBEY!
Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Let Christ, the Solid Rock, be the foundation and anchor of your life! Be a doer of His Word, for that’s how to build your life on the solid rock. That’s what will keep you standing when all else fails. That’s what will keep you on the path of success and prosperity all your life.
Dear Father, you’ve taken me out of the miry clay, and planted my feet firmly upon the rock, Christ Jesus. Now I know that I’ll remain unshakeable even when the storms of life blow against me, for I’ve been securely planted on the true foundation – Jesus Christ the Rock. Thus, no situation can overwhelm me in this life because I’m not just a hearer but a doer of your Word. Lord help me to Trust in YOU at ALL times, with ALL my heart. In ALL circumstances, disappointment and Testing. Help me when I’m weary and everything seems to be going wrong. Help me utter these four words “I trust you, Jesus” and By doing so, I release matters into Your control and I can fall into the security of Your everlasting arms. Help me Search for YOU as for a hidden treasure and trust Your word that YOU, Lord will be found in and through all testings I go through. Amen
Read MoreMay “The fruit of the Spirit” be bountiful and overflow in your life as an offering & sweet fragrance to Jesus as you Refresh others with His Agape Love.
*** “I…entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:2-3
What is Missionary work?
Acts 1:8 says we receive the Holy Spirit so we may bear effective witness to those who need salvation. People are Waiting for the Good News!!!
*The purpose of the church is to worship and witness. Some will go and some will send, but ALL are called to the work of spreading the gospel.
We can love one another by sharing each other’s burdens. We have a lot of talkers in the Body of Christ, but what we need are more believers willing to Listen and Pray. LISTEN! Takes Time!
To make time to listen take Love!
* “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16
Paul and Barnabas set the standard for the Church’s Mission Work when they obeyed God’s call to go forth.
*The local body of believers—those left behind to share Christ with neighbors and friends—equipped the men for their journey. They did so for the same reasons that apply today:
1. The spiritual condition of mankind. Romans 1:21–32 describes this sinful world. Unchecked sin leads people down a slippery slope toward a depraved conscience and, ultimately, a darkened mind that cannot perceive what is right. Every unbelieving person is sliding on that treacherous path.
2. God’s spiritual provision.
The Father responded to mankind’s plight with grace: He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to save the world. On the cross, Christ bore the sin of every person—living, no longer alive, and yet to be born. The offer of salvation is for all; God’s grace is blind to race, creed, and color (Romans 10:12). Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven their sin, and they will spend eternity with the Lord.
3. The commission from Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 says we receive the Holy Spirit so we may bear effective witness to those who need salvation. Notice that we don’t simply begin at home and work steadily outward.
People everywhere are waiting for the Good News. The word is to be carried far and fast.
The purpose of the church is to worship and witness. Some will go and some will send, but all are called to the work of spreading the gospel. This is not a suggestion; it is a command (Matthew 28:19). Believers living in God’s will are all to be involved in missionary work.
Matthew 28: 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So often we are encouraged to bring people to church. Yet, we see no examples of where Jesus brought people into the synagogue to get them saved or healed. The miracles happened more often in the workplace because that was where Jesus could be found.
Jesus had less response and found more resistance in the synagogue than in the workplace.
Jesus took the gospel to and modeled the gospel in the workplace. That is where the power of God was manifested.
This is not to say we should not bring people to church, only that our priority should be to “bring the Church into the workplace”, NOT bring the workplace into the church.
Paul understood this when he said, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power” (1 Corinthians 2:4).
Paul understood that it wasn’t words that impacted people; it was the power of God manifested through him.
Resist the temptation to settle into religious complacency–that place where you are satisfied with what you already know.
The Lord has more to teach you. Let the Lord lead you on an adventure of fresh excitement in obtaining a greater measure of spiritual reality and a closer relationship with Him.
Don’t get stuck in a rut; keep seeking; keep moving forward.
* Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Lord help me to remember why we are doing what we are doing. Why am I a Christian? Thank You Jesus that I am here to be Christ’s servant, doing everything that You ask of me to the best of the ability You have Given to me. Help me see that by doing this I receive my individual reward, which = salvation. This is my vision, my focus for my individual journey as well as sharing this great message of Salvation with others for Your Glory and our Eternity!
To be Your servant is an act of obedience and needs action. Help us speak of Jesus and not be ashamed! ” Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. Amen
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