Devotions - Prayer
We will become paralyzed with fear, negative thoughts without Faith in God, which gives His enabling power to trust and believe boldly on Him.
Isaiah 43:1…. “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.”
” Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see”.
(Hebrews 11:1).
***Faith requires commitment!!!
*Faith enables you to have peace in a trial (Matt 8:23)
*Our faith can help others in need (Matt 9:1-2)
*Faith moves us from self-reliance to God-dependent (Matt 9:18)
*Faith may require action (Matt 9:20)
*A lack of Faith can limit what God wil do (Matt 13:53)
*Faith looks to the future based on the promises of God (Heb 11:1-2)
*Faith has to be tied to God’s word.
*Faith looks at things from God’s point if view.
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ”. Romans 10:17
*The word of Christ is the Gospel; Good News!
*We are called to be ministers of the Gospel, not ministers of the law.
(Matthew 28: 18-20)
When we first came to Faith IN Christ, *We trusted that our sins were forgiven.
*We believed we were accepted, that we could lay down all guilt and fear and
say, “I am saved by faith alone in what Jesus did for me at the cross.”
But Then, as we proceeded in our walk with Jesus, we committed Fresh Acts of
disobedience.
*We were crushed by our sins and quickly lost our vision of the Cross.
1 Timothy 1:19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
*We tried to work out our own righteousness, to win back God’s favor by trying harder, but life then became a nightmarish merry-go-round of sin and
confession, sin and confession.
We sometimes act as if trying harder on our own can save us. We think if we
could just reform this flesh of ours, God would be pleased.
Soon we are constantly working on our old man, to shape him up for a victorious Christian walk.
*Some Christians may say, “I paid a high price for the victory I’ve achieved.
* I went through a lot of pain and suffering.
*I fasted, prayed, and successfully put down all my lusts and sinful desires.
*Is my struggle to obey worth nothing to God?
*Does He consider all my righteousness, all my hard work, as filthy rags?”
Yes!! It is all the flesh and none of it will stand before Him.
*** There is only One righteousness and that is the righteousness of Jesus
Christ!
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish
their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God”
(Romans 10:3).
The only way to get into God’s good grace is to “Admit the Truth”:
“There is no good thing in my flesh, nothing in my good works to merit my salvation. I cannot become righteous through anything I do in my own strength. My righteousness is in Christ alone.”
Paul says of the gift of righteousness:
“Those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will
reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17).
We are accepted in God’s eyes only by faith in Christ and His work: “He made us accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
Do you see how important it is to abide in Jesus, to come to Him quickly
whenever you fail? You must learn to run to Him, crying, “Jesus, I have failed
You! I cannot work this out. No matter what I do, I can never be recognized
before the Father, except as I come to Him in You!”
****7 Actions of Faith:
1) Faith Remembers
2) Faith Gives
3) Faith Seeks God
4) Faith Prepares
5) Faith Obeys
6) Faith Perseveres
7) Faith looks to heaven
James 2:22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.
*True faith produces fruit, is active and alive for all to see as our witness of God’s love and mercy to the world. *Head knowledge on the other hand, is not faith at all and as it increases (without accompanying works) so does the level of conflict in one’s mind and heart.
**God’s word is not meant to be stored and stockpiled in our minds. It is designed and intended to be taken into our spirits through revelation and given OUT in Truth and Love to those in need.
Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Only God’s Love can give us the strength to persevere through the painful trials present in every human life.
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me…”Philippians 4:13
Luke 7:50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
*God forgives sins if you seek Him with all your heart. And with much love!
*The love of God and Jesus is unconditional.
* Faith is a gift of God. When grace is released to you it imparts faith. To impart faith to another, release grace.
No matter what the sin is or how long we have lived in sins bondage, when we come to Jesus asking forgiveness, the greatest words from God are..” your faith has saved you, go in peace”
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 28-10).
Father God, please forgive us for our sins, for we all have sinned against You, and You alone. Take my Fears and lack of faith from me. Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to honest but brutal Truth that we need to remember to honor you through all that happens in our lives. Increase my Faith Daily Lord. Help me see that Faith is Your Gift and It’s not about what we do for Jesus BUT what Jesus has done for us!!!
Thank You JESUS! Amen
Psalms 51:7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. 10 Create in me a clean heart, OGod. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Only when our hearts are ruled by God’s Love are we given the hope that transcends emotion or circumstance.
*”…we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts…”
Romans 5:3-5
*We must absolutely know that Christ has made the ultimate sacrifice that no one could ever make. It is a showing of how good God’s love is because He knew that we couldn’t do anything within ourselves and the only true way to come to the Father is through Jesus.
*Thank you God that tribulations eventually lead to Hope. We must Place your Hope in the Only place it can truly be found; God.
Psalm 102 – Suffering Hope!
*David got down quite a bit, as we see in the psalms regularly. But he always cried out to God when he did…
*This psalm is great comfort for those in distress and that are currently suffering or depressed.
This Psalms provides many truths that we can build our faith on!
1) Our lives are limited and our days are numbered.
*We must focus not on our plans, but those plans of God!
*We should be thinking how we can spread the Truths that we have been shown to the unbelievers so that they may enjoy the gift of eternal life and not perish.
2) The psalmist foreshadows Christ’s return in the rebuilding of Zion and that the world will worship the One true King!
*This should be something we eagerly wait for!
3) God is unchanging! He is the same as yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
*We can Trust Him and place our Hope in Him!
**We will ALL endure suffering and pain in this lifetime, but those moments are Opportunities for Your Faith to grow the most! These moments help us realize our dependence on God!
*God uses times of suffering to get us to focus on Him and let us know that He is capable of handling ALL of our issues!
*We have a mighty God that will return in the form of Jesus and we must continue to pray daily that we will honor the Lord and live the lives that He planned for us!
I encourage you to read Psalm 102 and trust that God is indeed your Deliverer in all troubles! See the Hope!
**Psalms 102 is a picture of a man in deep dejection, loneliness, despair.
*He feels his life is withering away like the evening shadows and there’s so little time left for him. He says, “I’m withering away like grass.” Psalms 102:11.
Have you ever felt like that? And what do you do if you ever feel like that?
*Do what that man did. He looked away from himself, his own situation, he lifted up his eyes to the Lord and he saw the Lord by faith, on His throne, and he realized that the Lord “doesn’t change” with OUR situations and circumstances.
The Lord is always on His throne. He never leaves it or takes a break; He’s always in “Total Control”.
*Psalms 102:12 But you, OLORD, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation.
*And then he realizes that there’s going to come a time of compassion and mercy.
He says in verse 13, “It’s time to show favor to Zion; the appointed time has come.”
Psalms 102:1 LORD, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea!
*Once we understand what Jesus did for us. Depression and the rest cant stand!
***Joy, Peace, Happiness is a natural outflow when you have revelation(Something revealed that was not known) of what Jesus did for you.
**Titus 2:14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
**Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
**Matthew 6: 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
In our trials, it’s easy to focus on our circumstances and lose the big picture. *We need to “Look Up” and not around.
Although the trials seem huge at the time, they are temporary. Keep Moving Forward and Looking Up to Jesus!
Romans 12: 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
So let’s look away from our problems, our distresses, our anxieties. Let’s look, like the psalmist, up to the throne of God, see God there on His throne and realize He’s ready to show mercy.
Jesus knows our frame. He remembers that we are but dust (Ps. 103:14). It is not a sin to doubt, but it becomes sin if we harbor those doubts. We should bring our doubts to the Lord. Let’s allow Him to deal with them.
The Lord’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8). To see His miraculous power in our lives, we must do “whatsoever” He tells us to do regardless of how foolish it may seem.
“The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:25). Today, whatsoever He says unto you, do it!
Prayer is an acknowledgement of our need for God!
*The issue isn’t how much time we spend with God in prayer but Seeking Him and Knowing that He’s there 24/7!
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Cor 3:7
God, thank you for loving me enough to call my name before the creation of the world, thank you for guiding my life in sovereign fashion, and thank you for holding on to me even when I don’t hold on to you. Lord- I need to put You first. Everything else on earth will wear out and fade away. You will be the same forever. Look down upon us, Lord Jesus; and bring us into the glorious liberty of thy children, that we may bless and praise thy name and give You ALL the Glory. May we always look “UP” first! Thank You Jesus. Amen.
*‘I will sing of Your love… I will walk with integrity of heart…’(101:1-2).
“You will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is
light” (Matthew 11:29-30).
I know of only one way to enter into this rest that Jesus is talking about. If
understood and appropriated, this truth will usher you into the most glorious
Peace possible on this side of heaven and end ALL feelings of insecurity.
This foundational truth upon which all others are built is the doctrine of
“Justification by Faith”.
*It is the one doctrine you must understand if you hope to enter into the rest that Jesus offers.
I can only touch on the highlights of the magnificent truth of being justified
by faith. Yet I believe God desires to lead His church further into this divine
truth—to give us a foundational strength that will hold us in the days to
come.
Sadly, when you mention the subject of doctrine, many Christians turn up their
noses. They say, “I don’t want to hear all that deep, heavy stuff. Just
give me Jesus!”
**Yet what they really mean is, “I don’t want to discipline myself or spend the Time to Learn what Jesus did at the cross.”
Too many Christians become emotionally involved with the cross but never really study it.
I have heard many preachers deliver emotional appeals about Jesus and
the cross—about His beatings, the crown of thorns on His head, the spikes
driven into His hands.
The preaching of the cross is about much more than that,however.
It is about the “Victory of the Cross” and what Jesus did for ALL of humankind.
For those who desire to “learn of Him,” who want to understand Jesus’
wonderful work at Calvary, let’ look at this concept of justification by faith a little.
Two things are involved in our justification by the cross of Jesus Christ:
1. First, we have Pardon for ALL our sins. **When Jesus went to the cross, His blood pardoned us from all guilt.
2. Second, we are Accepted by God as righteous in Christ, through faith.
* This means God accepts us on the merits of what Jesus DID on the cross and not because of our works or any good deeds.
*Because of the Cross, God considered everything about Our old flesh-man done away with!!
Paul asked, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”(Romans 6:1) and he continued quickly, “Certainly not!”
I believe Paul was saying,
*Why would any Christian, having been set free from such death, go back and resurrect the corpse?
*Why go back to a life of sin when God wants to take away all guilt and condemnation and give you security and peace?
Now, because of the Cross, you can serve the Lord with joy and gladness and obey Him in a new obligation called LOVE.
*“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies”
(Romans 8:33).
Obedience in the Christian life is being in the Zone(like you hear about sports figures when doing well). When we live a life of Obedience, we begin to experience the Reality of God like never before.
* Wisdom grows in our life.
* Meaning and purpose are accelerated.
*In the early Church, the Hebrews gained wisdom through Obedience. *Later, the Greeks were characterized as gaining wisdom through Reason and Analysis.
**Today, we live in a very Greek-influenced Church. Many Christians determine if they will obey based on whether the Outcome will be beneficial to Them.
Imagine if the early Church had adopted this philosophy!
* No walls would have fallen down at Jericho.
*No Red Sea would have parted.
*No one would have been healed.
*No coins would have been found in the mouth of a fish.
*Reason and analysis would not have led to making the obedient decision.
Trust and obey. Leave the outcome to God.
“So,” you ask, “are we simply to take by faith the righteousness of Jesus?”
Yes, absolutely! That is what the Christian walk is all about—Resting by
Faith in What Jesus accomplished!
Our old man is dead, and the new Man is Jesus. (Eph. 2:1-10).
When we put our faith in Him,
God fully accepts us. He considers us righteous, hidden in the bosom of His
dear Son. So whenever you sin or fail, run quickly to your Lawyer, your
Advocate. Confess your failures to Him, and rest in His righteousness.
You may ask, “Don’t good works have any place in this doctrine?” Of course they do, but on this condition:
** Good works cannot save you, justify you or make you righteous or acceptable to God.
***The ONLY thing that saves you is your faith in what Jesus did!
**What did Jesus do? He saved you, pardoned you and accepted you in the
beloved—sins, failures and all.
God sees YOU now only in Jesus Christ and that is why we must come to our Savior every time we fall. The blood that forgave and cleansed us the first time we came to Jesus is the same blood continues to keep us until He returns.
Along with this security comes a higher obligation of doing all our works in
His strength and power rather than trying to do them on our own. “If by the
Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).
The only way to get into God’s good grace is to admit the truth: “There is
no good thing in my flesh, nothing in my good works to merit my salvation. I
cannot become righteous through anything I do in my own strength. My
righteousness is in Christ alone.” Paul says of the gift of righteousness:
“Those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will
reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17).
The Lord gave His Word to the Jews but they didn’t believe it. Hebrews 4:2 says, “…the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it].”
We have been given God’s words too, in the Bible. If we will speak God’s Word in Faith, we will get the same results that Jesus did here.
Today, don’t limit God to barely meeting your needs. If you have enough, then believe for extra so that you can bless someone else. “Let God be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servants” (Ps. 35:27).
Yield to the Lord’s work in you to bring you into order. When you walk in the Spirit and live in the Spirit, you will come under the rule of divine order, which will produce a great spiritual harvest in your life. Be aware, however, that worldly distractions and other interests will compete with life in the Spirit. You will need to put your priorities in order and maintain kingdom perspective, or you will be drawn away from what is eternally important. Stay connected!
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
Lord, I believe! Thank You for the good news that Jesus Christ is not dead but alive and that He lives within my heart and has the power to break the chains of sin and the bondage of evil in my life.
Help me to be filled with your love this day and give it away to others in building up others with truthful encouraging words from You Jesus. Thank You Jesus for what You have done in my life. Let me now tell others of what You have done for me (my testimony-Romans 12:11).
Thank You Jesus for the Gift of Rest and Peace I have IN YOU this day!!! Lord, with Easter Coming, help us see Your work on the Cross this year in a Deeper Discerning way and then share with others the True Meaning for Your Glory. Amen
You are the only one who can unlock the door of your heart and allow God’s Love to enter in.
* ” So cut away the thick calluses from your heart and stop being so willfully hardheaded.” Deuteronomy 10:16
**YOU ARE JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD!
Picture yourself standing before God’s throne with no excuse, no alibi.
* Satan, your legal adversary, is reading off the list of charges, with times, places, every shameful detail. He makes accusations of pride, prayerlessness,
covetousness, unfaithfulness, and your heart smites you because you have to
admit, “Yes, that’s me. I did it all.”
It looks hopeless for you. You know God’s eyes are too holy to look upon sin,
and His justice demands that you pay for your crimes against His holiness. You
are helpless.
BUT suddenly, here comes JESUS, your Lawyer, your Advocate. He stretches forth His nail-scarred hands and you know something is about to happen.
**JESUS smiles and whispers, “Don’t be afraid; none of these charges will stand. You’re going to walk out of this courtroom free and fully pardoned. When I’m finished, your accuser won’t have ONE charge left against you!”
**Best of all, JESUS, your Lawyer tells you He has adopted you as His brother. Then He tells you He is the Son of the Judge so you now belong to the Judge’s family, as well!
But there is still the matter of justice. What about the charges against you?
You listen in absolute wonder as your Advocate pleads your case:
*”Judge, You know that I fulfilled the law, living a sinless life.
*And then I took this person’s place, taking on all the punishment for his crimes.
* Through these nail-scarred hands and My pierced side, blood came forth to blot out ALL of his transgressions.
* All these charges were put on My back and I, JESUS paid the penalty for every one of them.”
Your Advocate then looks at your accuser and says, “Satan, you have no grounds to accuse My child. Each of his sins was placed on Me and I have fully pardoned them ALL.
He is not guilty because his faith in the victory of My sacrifice gives him full pardon. You have no case!”
“NOT GUILTY”!-Yes-“NOT GUILTY”!
As the devil slinks out of God’s court, you can hear the Lord cry out: “Who
shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans
8:33).
*The Lord chose you and will keep you.
* When you turn your heart over to Jesus– He says, “Your debt, created by your sin is paid in full and you need not make any more payments on it! Final Verdict– Not Guilty—Go in Peace”!
We have mistakenly given Satan too much credit. He does not have a limitless number of temptations that he can pull on us.
As 1 Jn. 2:16 says, there are three areas where the devil tempts us:
(1) the lust of the flesh,
(2) the lust of the eyes,
(3) the pride of life.
Jesus’ three temptations correspond to these.
By ascribing to Satan limitless temptations and abilities, we have built up our adversary to be bigger than he is. The truth is, “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.” (I Cor. 10:13).
Satan would like you to think that he is tougher than he really is. One of his greatest weapons is Intimidation, BUT he has been defeated. His teeth have been pulled— Now he can only roar as a lion seeking to devour uninformed souls who don’t know their authority in Christ (1 Pet. 5:8).
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up”. (Gal. 6:9)
You will find yourself glancing back at past things for a moment before moving forward. However, there will be a temptation to relive old rejections and places of isolation and loneliness. **Refuse to allow these memories to cause you to get stuck in oppression or condemnation.
**The past has no power unless you remember so clearly that you put yourself in the same situation again.
*But, the purpose of looking back is to see how far you’ve come and how much you have overcome.
* Rejoice in this opportunity to take stock before taking the next step moving forward. You are an overcomer!
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Since Jesus was the Word of God (Jn. 1:1), anything he would have spoken would have been the Word.
Jesus could have said “scat” and the devil would have had to go, yet He quoted the written Word of God three times. (Matthew 4:1-11).
This gives us great assurance that the written Word of God is sufficient for us. Jesus, in the face of the greatest temptations that Satan had to offer, did not need to say anything that was not already recorded in scripture.
It is likely that when Jesus returns to this earth and destroys His enemies, He will just speak the Word that has already been given in scripture. No wonder Satan tries to keep us from studying and knowing God’s Word.
* Even our good works will hurt us if they keep us from really knowing the scriptures.
God has given us this mighty weapon of His Word! When we speak the Word in faith, hell shakes. Satan and his minions have already experienced what the Word can do. They know its power. We need to know it, too.
1John 4:4 My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.
Knowing God loves us is the only thing that will give us true identity and security in this life.
* “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…” Psalm 73:25
Lord, Thank You for allowing me to dwell In Your Strength, and Your Power, and Your Might. Because your strength is in me I am blessed! (Psalm 84:5). Because YOUR strength in me, I can do all things! Because I have put on Your whole Armour (Faith, Truth, Peace, Righteousness, Salvation, Spirit, The Word), I am able to stand against the attacks of Satan. (Ephesians 6:11-17). For Greater are You that is in me that he that is in the world.
Lord, As I travel on this journey of life, You sometimes send me up mountains and through the valley of weeping. But You also provide comfort while passing through the valley of weeping by making it a well and providing rain as nourishment to restore my soul.(Psalm 84:6) You provide me direction and protection. You show me your goodness. You give me grace,mercy and glory. You promise not to withhold one good thing from me as long as I abide in you, obey you and trust you. (Psalm 84:11-12). These trials along the journey only take me from strength to strength and one day my journey will end at your throne! Praise Your Name! (Psalm 84:7)
AMEN
Grateful heart…may I ever be thankful for my deepening relationship with Him!
God, I want to live with an attitude of gratitude, starting right now! I thank you so much for loving me and for blessing me. Help me see the Positive things in life and to thank You for them.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations”. (Psalm 100:4-5)
Sad? Depressed? Tired? Frustrated.
The LORD JESUS refreshes us in His presence.
The psalmist describes ENTERING INTO HIS PRESENCE with gladness. It takes a deliberate ACTION on our part. We must therefore MOVE FORWARD rather than sit and sulk in the midst of our circumstances.
How important it is for each of us to know the way into God’s presence. How do we enter in His gates? How do we come into His courts?
There’s only one accepted way:
* We enter His gates with thanksgiving; * We enter His courts with praise.
It’s as we come to God with thanksgiving and with praise that we have access.
Sometimes we are tempted to say, “But what do I have to thank God for, what do I have to praise Him for?”
The psalmist gives us three reasons.
1. The Lord is good.
2. His love endures forever.
3. His faithfulness continues through all generations.
These are three reasons why we should always praise and thank God. And notice that none of those reasons ever changes with our situation or our circumstance.
No matter what the circumstance, those three reasons for praising and thanking God always hold good.
Giving thanks begins with understanding the very basic idea that the Lord is good!
*In that goodness he has made us and he guides and directs our steps – He is our shepherd.
So many people today have a wrong picture of God. They see him as judge who is eager to punish anyone for the slightest infraction. God is good – he will punish, but he does not punish now.
God poured out all of his wrath on his Son Jesus who takes our punishment.
That’s why the angels announced at Jesus’ birth there would be peace – not between people but between people and God.
God is good because he has provided a way for us to escape punishment for sin and as a result spend eternity in heaven with Him.
**Jesus declared this task finished as he died on the Cross.
Even in the most difficult circumstances of this life we can praise God for his goodness.
When things are bad we can praise God they are not worse than they are! We can do this knowing of his good and final plan to restore us and creation at the end of time.
Let our worship be focused on God’s goodness and his perfect plan for us.
Psalms 107:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 2 Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
God made us—-not the universe, not pixie dust, nothing but God has created what and who each of us are.
*We are redeemed by the death of His son, made worthy in the eyes of our Lord God, through the blood shed on the Cross, made princes and princesses by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
*We must be joyful in all we do, knowing that we are free from bondage, darkness and misery!
*We are free to do more then survive, we are empowered to Live!!!
So Cheer it up, enjoy this life, enjoy your freedom!
Exhault in the fact that He loves you unconditionally and requires nothing but acknowledgment of being your Lord and Savior!
Remember that He knew you before you were even born, and that He has a plan to prosper you and NOT to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11)!!!
** Give thanks and praise to the Lord your God in this season and don’t let your failings get the best of you. God has already forgotten about them, so why don’t WE?!
****Now that Cheers me up this Day!
Psalms 105:1 Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.
Revelation 12: 11 And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their TESTIMONY. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
Lord, I get so caught up in daily life, work, and my own problems that I forget to thank You for the great things You have done for me and the wonderful promises You have given me. I forget to reflect on Your goodness and perfection and love. Lord, help me to take time to be thankful. Help me to set aside the trials and distractions around me and instead fill my mind and heart with Your goodness. Thank You, Lord!
God you are so good Lord. This is an area that I want to do more of. Positive thinking, gracious living,, and just being thankful for every opportunity that you have given me. My prayer Lord is that you continue to work on me that I may be a better example to others. Lord I give you all of the honor and all of the praise in Jesus name, Amen.
Let’s Never Walk away from the opportunity to follow Jesus!!!!
You are the only one who can unlock the door of your heart and allow God’s Love to enter in.
* “Circumcise then your heart, and stiffen your neck no more.”
Deuteronomy 10:16.
*Circumcision-Cleansing-
*It looks like God is the sculptor. But it also looks like we are the sculptors!
*Deuteronomy 10:16- Circumcise your own hearts!
*Deuteronomy 30:6- God does the cutting!
*A massive issue in light of Israel trying to figure out their identity as they are moving into God’s promises and into the land. As the plot unfolds, God IS the architect on what life should look like.
*God wants a people set apart (a distinctive of circumcision), God wants a people who are Clean (a result of circumcision).
*God will work in and through us as we work out our own Salvation.
God’s Love for us is the same yesterday, today and forever.
* “…you who have been borne by Me from birth, and have been carried from the womb; even to your old age, I shall be the same, and even to your graying years…I shall carry you…”Isaiah 46:3-4
When we allow Jesus to be lord of ALL—when we cast ALL our cares upon Him,
fully trusting in His Word and resting in His love—our appearance should
undergo a deep change.
A quiet calm should begin to radiate from our countenance.
Scripture gives us many examples of this: When Hannah laid down her burden,
“. . . her face was no longer sad” (1 Samuel 1:18).
When Stephen stood before hostile, angry men in the Sanhedrin, [they] “. . .
saw his face as the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). Stephen stood among unbelievers with the shine of Jesus Christ and the difference was clear to all!
I am convinced that we have a duty to let our countenance speak of God’s
faithfulness in our lives. But the problem is, our facial features and body
language often say just the opposite!
Many believers’ faces say, “My God
has failed me! He doesn’t care for me anymore. I have to carry all my burdens
and problems alone because God doesn’t come through for me!”
***You may not consciously say such things to yourself but they will show on your face.
God’s Word say’s that what you are going through is not new. Someone else has been exactly where you are:
***“My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted. . . . I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. . . . I am so
troubled that I cannot speak. . . . Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He
be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed? . .
. And I said, ‘This is my anguish’” (Psalm 77:2-10).
Yet the psalmist eventually comes out of his trouble with his happy countenance
restored. Why? It is because, he says, “I cried out to God with my voice . . .
in the day of my trouble I sought the Lord” (Psalm 77:1-2).
**Lift up your eyes and look beyond the visible to the realities of God.
**Live in the full dimensions of life, as God intended life to be.
**Life can never be explained entirely in terms of the natural. We are left impoverished and despairing if all we have to depend on is our natural resources, natural power.
But God is rich in grace, rich in power, rich in inward strength and sympathy.
1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
We don’t have anything to offer God that He doesn’t already have. God wants YOU and me. And by asking us to give of our time and money or desires, He is really asking us to give Ourselves.
Many people have walked away from God sad, like the rich young ruler because all they could think about was what they would have to “Give Up”.
Mark 10:21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
ALL, yes ALL of our achievements and possessions are nothing compared to what God offers us in exchange.
*Stick with God. Don’t just walk away!
*Wouldn’t it be a shame to live your life for Jesus only to be told before His Throne that YOU disqualified Yourself because You held on to something so tight that it interfered with You having a genuine relationship with Jesus?
We a need to do an inventory of those things we count “too important” to let go of and that be the thing that keeps us out of eternity with Jesus.
Let’s Never Walk away from the opportunity to follow Jesus.
Lord, thank you for reminding me what it means to be a Christian – someone who has given Total Control over his/her life to Jesus, the Lord and King of the Universe(All In). Forgive me for thinking that it is okay to live another day without coming before you in the morning to acknowledge your Lordship by totally surrendering to you and depending on your power to carry out another day’s task. Lord, forgive me for thinking that I can obey you on my own. Help me not to be fooled like the rich young ruler who thought he could earn God’s favor by obeying your commands on his own strength. Lord help me each day to take the step of faith and Respond to Your gentle call. Help me to Desire to know You More and to seek You ALL the days of my life. Amen
Read MoreIf we continue to strive for excellence and integrity in our own lives, then we can only be setting a positive example for those around us.
*God wants our heart–not vain, empty ritual. He wants us to have an authentic Relationship with Him.
*The Primary purpose of Jesus’ coming to this earth was not forgiveness of sins, BUT to Give US Eternal Life which is a quality of Life, the life of God imparted to those who believe on Jesus Christ.
*Sin separated us from God so Jesus dealt with sin. However, His payment for sin was just a step toward His ultimate purpose of reconciling man to God. (See John 3:16).
*Eternal Life is not imparted knowledge, but the reality of God in our lives through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
*We may know all about Him with our minds, and yet miss the personal knowledge of His presence in our LIVES.
* God wants us to place HIM at the
centre of all we do and all we are!
***”The gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
Acts 19:32 Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there.
*Here is a great example of human nature. A small disturbance breaks out and quickly becomes a riot. Much of the city is in an uproar and this verse tells us they don’t even know what’s going on.
How often do people jump on a political band wagon or even take sides in the church without even knowing what the issue is?
They simply follow the crowd, mindlessly doing whatever seems easy, cool, popular, profitable.
* How many innocent lives have suffered?
*How many wrong decisions have been made?
“Half-hearted commitments can end in disaster”.
I’ve seen it happen over the
years, in areas of life ranging from sports to marriage, from friendships to
business.
* All of us, at one time or another, have probably been hurt by others who
have made half-hearted commitments.
Why is it important to walk in wholehearted, simple commitment to Jesus?
*Because the things we DO as Christians can easily become the focus of our faith.
*It is all too easy to end up committed to a Christian program or denomination rather than being Committed to Christ.
Listen to Amos. 5: 21 from the Message Bible—- “I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. 22 I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. 23 I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
*Programs and churches can let people down.
**Jesus never does!!!!!
Waiting on JESUS gives me the quiet confidence of His Presence upholding me moment by moment.
” But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint”. (Isaiah 40:31)
*When an Eagle watches a storm approaching, he waits until it strikes. Then he faces it, spreads his wings, and rises upward through it.
* As storms hit your and my life, our wing power takes us through the storm and lifts us above it.
*This strength comes from waiting upon the Lord. The word “wait” means here “habitually Trusting”.
It’s all too easy to commit to following the Rules of Christianity rather
than being committed to Christ.
* Following rules can become sterile and confining.
**Following Jesus is about “Relationship” not rules.
**Following Jesus brings Truth, Love, Freedom and life!!!
It doesn’t matter how many people you’ve led to the Lord, how many Scriptures you’ve memorized or how many Bible studies you’ve taught; if you’re not fully convinced God loves you…there’s something missing.
* “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” Ephesians 4:14-15
I’m not saying that you should neglect your commitments to your church, but
what I am saying is that your Commitment to Christ should be the Drive for your life-long commitment to God!
*** When you become wholeheartedly committed to Christ, all other
commitments you’ve made, become Enhanced and Noticeable.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,…..
The number one thing that sets Christianity apart from religion is We have Jesus Himself living in our hearts. Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.
Knowing God loves us is the only thing that will give us true identity and security in this life.
** “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…”Psalm 73:25
Father God, thank you so much for Your faithfulness. You never disown me, I am yours always. Father you know my heart and I pray that my heart will desire You more than anything. Thank you for being my shelter and my strength because I am so very weak. You use me when I am at my most useless. Thank You, Jesus for being the One Who understands and sympathizes with us in every Circumstance we experience. Thank you for allowing me to be Yours. Thank You for Your Full Commitment to each one of us. “To Know You IS ETERNAL LIFE”. (JN 17:3). Amen.
Read MoreNEED A FACE LIFT?
*What to do about the blues?
*The POWER OF GOD is available Today!
” He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength”. Isaiah 40:29
*The very presence of Christ in your heart has a direct impact on your face!
David boldly declared, “For I shall yet praise Him, the help [health] of my
countenance” (Psalm 42:11).
*And he repeats the same statement in Psalm 43:5.
In the original Hebrew, the proper rendering of both these verses is, “God is the salvation of my face!”
I believe David is saying something important here. You see, your Face is a
billboard that advertises what’s going on in your heart.
*All the joy or turmoil that’s inside you is reflected in your countenance.
****When I speak of countenance, I am talking about facial expression, body language, tone of voice.
*Where do we go when we are depressed or discouraged, we come to God because we have nowhere else to go.
People do not quench the inner thirst of the Heart. Only God can do this.
God allows circumstances to come that create a longing in our Hearts for HIM!
God has great confidence in you to place you where you are this season in life. We get God’s Best when we leave the choices in life with Jesus—He does know the Future.
*This psalm(42:11) reminds us to put our faith in God, even when we aren’t “feeling it.” Regardless of where we are at in our walk, God is the same yesterday as he is today.
Let our Faith not be dictated by mood or merely emotion, but a consistent high level of inspired faith that goes beyond bad days.
*May we let God give us a NEW SONG of PRAISE today whatever our circumstances may be! (PS. 40:3)
I thank God for His great salvation—for redeeming our soul, our spirit, even
our body. But many of us need to get our faces saved! We need a Holy Ghost
face-lift—because our faces are giving the wrong message to the world!
Why such a change of countenance? “A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and
the sternness of his face is changed”. (Ecclesiastes 8:1).
I take “wisdom” in this verse to mean Jesus Christ. Indeed, the very
presence of Christ in your heart has a direct impact on your face! It affects
your walk, your talk, the very tone of your voice.
God often causes delays in our lives that we cannot understand. Sometimes it seems our obedience is not getting rewarded. Jesus said He learned obedience through the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). Imagine that – Jesus having to learn obedience. What does that say for you and me?
Sometimes God’s delays are simply because He wants more glory in the situation, more recognition, more Christ-likeness in you and me through greater patience and obedience. Faint not, for the promise may yet come.
Encourage yourself. Rise up and establish yourself in faith that the Lord will bring you through every situation that has the potential of bringing you down in discouragement. Ask, and He will give you wisdom and show you what must be done. Jesus will strengthen you in your weakest moment. Jesus is with you, and Jesus will not forsake you. Put your entire trust in Jesus to rescue you from even the most dire of situations and lift you up to new heights. Do not be afraid!
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Lord, I want to want you more than anyone and anything else. Draw me to you and show me that you are all I need. Today Lord, I look to You and keep my focus off the storms and the distractions so that You may receive the praise and the glory and that I may walk in confidence and faith believing and knowing that today will be a great one, because it is in Your hands for Your Glory! Help me Lord not to stop at the blessings and experiences, so I don’t miss You Jesus the BLESSER. Lord, with You at the wheel, I know I can finish YOUR course for me with joy. “There is NONE upon earth that I desire but THEE”.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Amen
God’s Love is faithful to the absolute. He will never leave you or forsake you.
* “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE:
Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
God’s Love is one-sided. God doesn’t say, “I’ll love you if you’ll love Me”. Instead He promises, “I’ll love you no matter what”!
* “…neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
What a statement! If we just believed this, how different our lives would be!
From birth we are trained to know our limitations. You can’t have this. Don’t touch that. Don’t put things in your mouth. You can’t touch the fire. On and on the list goes.
As we grow up, it’s actually a sign of maturity to recognize our limitations and learn to live within them. There are limits to everything. It’s a fact of life.
**BUT God has no limits. When we enter into the realm of the supernatural, we have to take off all the limits. We have to Renew our minds(Ro. 12:1-3) with the Truth that God is not like us. God can do anything!!!
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
*The power that God is using to work in and through us is the same power that was used to raise Christ from the dead! It’s not that we need more of Gods power to accomplish His will, we simply need to be surrendered and yielded to the power that’s already there.
We have an awesome God whose power is so great that we can’t even comprehend it. He created the universe and it didn’t even tax His ability. Yet many times we find ourselves wondering if our situation is too hard for the Lord. We can’t see how even God can pull us through.
*Philippians 1 :29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
*When we go through hardship, we always feel that it’s been inflicted on us. We won’t think it’s been granted to us.
*Think of it as—We are building bridges from earth to heaven. There will be difficulties and challenges. Are we going to face it or run away from it?
1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
*We have to arm ourselves to suffer. So that we can sail through the difficult times.
The Lord said to Jeremiah, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:27) The answer is a resounding NO! The only thing that limits God is our unbelief.
Deuteronomy 7:1-26:
*Very powerful! This scripture shows us how powerful God is, shows that he brought victory to our lives.. God chose you and I cause we were literally nothing..God made us something, something victorious, a child of the mighty God that is from ever lasting to ever lasting! Praise God!
Today, let’s honor God by believing that nothing is too difficult for Him.
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
*Jesus faced the greatest Goliath of all, our sin and failure.
*The Cross tells us that God is Faithful even in our failure.
*God has made us to be conquers. More then that He has made us to love and worship Him. God wants us to trust in Him and love others like He loves us.
God chose You—–His Masterpiece!
Nothing in this world or under the world can separate us from the love of God.
*Faith gives us the assurance we can’t see.
*He never stops loving you. He is absolutely committed to you.
God I praise you for the love…your perfect love you have for us….it truly casts out all fear….I will accept God’s unconditional love for me even though I have done stupid things in the past in which I think that I shouldn’t deserve His love. Yes Lord-Thank You for loving me unconditionally. Nothing can separate me from You. I have tripped up many times and yet You still love me. That is amazing and I thank You for Your Grace. Lord, may I not always take the path of least resistance, may I take the path that brings you the most glory. If suffering comes because of my obedience, may I count it a privilege. Father, thank You that You are for me and not against me, that in You I have a future and a hope! I long to bring glory and honor to Your name, Jesus, and You said that when I bear much fruit then I would do so. Lord, teach me and help me enter in to all that You have for me, and let my life be an encouragement to those who need Hope for a brighter day. I recognize that it is only by faith in Your great name that I can ever fulfill Your destiny for my life. I will trust in You Lord! Amen.
Read More*God can and will Reverse, Restore, Revive and Renew.
Don’t give up on the God who’s never given up on you! Life is hard– God is still God— Don’t give up!
*Out of struggle comes strength; out of strength comes discipline; out of discipline comes integrity; out of integrity comes inheritance.
*Know that your heavenly Father is looking down the road for you.
Job 42:1 “Then Job replied to the LORD: ‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’
verse 5 …My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning…
*As convinced as Job was, we must realize that God spoke and it came into being. God is the creator and we, the created.
*Therefore God has the final say in all things especially those things which we have no understanding of.
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Sometimes I don’t fully trust God has prepared good things. For me, for family, for friends, for others.
*I’m not sure He can redeem the pain, recover what’s lost, heal all that’s broken. Can He truly fit the pieces of this past year into a hopeful future?
Right now, circumstances suggest otherwise. And if I rely on what circumstances currently imply, I’m apt to believe the answer is no, the Lord is not able.
*BUT circumstances tell Tales that are prone to change in a moment.
And the truth of the matter is: God never changes. His power to give a future and hope never change. His Word never changes. So when life weaves stories of doubt and hopelessness in God’s authority over circumstances, I reread accounts of His faithfulness and redemption. I refer back to the Truth…
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the lord’s purpose that prevails.
All the while Job’s family, home, crops and health demolished…God was preparing to give him double of what was killed, stolen, lost and damaged.
The time Joseph was a slave and prisoner…God was planning for him to be second in command over Egypt.
When Ruth was a homeless, barren widow…God was creating a home in Boaz’s heart for her to be a wife, and mother, and great, great, great-grandmother to His Son.
As Lazarus was bound in grave clothes…God was forming the breath that’d give him new life.
The moment David laid down in adultery…God was laying the groundwork for him to rise up in repentance.
Every time Saul crucified Christians…God saw Paul preaching the crucified Christ.
With each strike that Sarai beat Hagar with…God saw Sarah beating her jealousy, pride and doubt with the birth of Isaac.
When Esther was an orphaned girl shaking in fear for her life…God made a way for His daughter to shake a kingdom and save His people.
As Rahab welcomed men into the shelter of her bed…God saw her sheltering the spies on her roof.
When Peter lost faith and denied Christ…God saw him bringing many to faith as he proclaimed Christ.
As Moses killed an Egyptian with his hands…God saw him chiseling the Ten Commandments with those same hands.
At the time Mary saw Jesus die…God saw Jesus resurrected and seated on His heavenly throne!
No matter what the dire, dreary circumstances, God turned each into a hopeful future.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Our key verses in Job 42 assures us, none of His plans can be thwarted. Despite what is happening in life, these stories of redemption and hope speak the truth.
And Job 42:12 reminds us that the blessings Job lists in Chapter 29 are just table scraps compared to the riches and blessings God lays on Job in his latter years.
*You know you are healed, when you can Thank God for the pains of the Past!
I submit, not for blessings sake alone, but for the sake of the knowledge of God, when God walks with you through trials and struggles so that you might KNOW Jesus better than you ever could have imagined. Repent for what you thought you knew of God and were wrong about, and then rejoice in what you now know about God.
Can’t wait for Heaven when no veil remains, and I can finally say with Job, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you! And the blessings of eternity will far surpass anything I call riches here in this life.
*God can and will Reverse, Restore, Revive and Renew.
*God sees beyond the present troubles and is sparking a fire to light up the future with Hope.
As we begin this New Year, let’s be on the lookout for His plans to come to pass. And trust Him that He can take any circumstance and use it for our good and His glory.
*Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
What was Jobs final destiny?
* Job was walking out his destiny– Job didn’t stop at the roadblocks.
Dear Lord, I’m so grateful You not only see my future, but You’ve planned it. Thank You for Your faithfulness last year. And for recording these stories of lives You turned dreary pasts into hopeful futures. I ask that You do the same for all our circumstances this New Year please-for Your Glory and our joy . In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read MoreGod’s Love is the most powerful force in all the universe.
* “Flood waters can’t drown love, torrents of rain can’t put it out. Love can’t be bought, love can’t be sold-it’s not to be found in the marketplace.”
Song of Solomon 8:7
*There is no escaping true love. For if you know love, it can never be extinguished.
*God is Love. So by Loving others we are showing them God.
God’s Love is a freeing love. It allows us to release the other person from our own demands and expectations.
* “…freely you have received, freely give.”Matthew 10:8
Maturity in Christ is not knowing a bunch of Scriptures or going to church regularly. It’s simply knowing how, moment by moment, to continually abide in God’s Love.
* “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:35
* We show love in the things we do and in the way we treat each other. If we in the church don’t show the love of GOD to ourselves then what example do we show the worldly people?
*I want my love for Christ to be reflected in the way I love others, especially people who are difficult to love.
*So many people see love as ‘just a feeling,’ but it’s so much more than that. True love shows itself in Action.
*Love is something that can be seen.
The moment we invite Him to take control of our lives, God comes into our hearts. And God Himself is Love.
* “God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”1 John 4:16
1 John 4: 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
The 4 Loves:
The natural human loves inspired by friendship (phileo), family (storge), or romance (eros), are awesome blessings from our Creator, but Agape is the only love essential to human survival. Only God’s Divine Love can give us the identity and purpose we need to live life to the fullest.
* “If I have not [God’s] Love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
The whole Bible is summed up by the word “love”.
*” The whole point of what we’re urging is simply love-love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.” (1 Timothy 1:5)
*Love from a pure heart has no expectations or ulterior motives. It is not living for yourself.
The meaning of life lies in relationship. First and foremost is our relationship with God, and then our relationship with each other.
* “We love, because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. – Proverbs 27:2
*In our business and personal life, our positioning among those who will know us should be a by-product of our life and service, not an end itself.
*What is your “position” today among your peers?
Do not be afraid! The Lord is at work in your life to bring you to your appointed destiny in maturity. Even when you get off track, you can trust the Lord to bring you back. Set your Heart to pursue Him, and set your Will to never on purpose go back to the world. You did not choose the Lord; He chose you to establish His kingdom(God’s way of doing things) where you are on the earth. Establish His kingdom in your heart, in your relationships, where you live, where you work and where you worship. That is the Lord’s will and purpose for you and me.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you -.
*Your Testimony!!!
*When we connect who we are with what we do then we are true witnesses.
* I need to always remember whatever I do and wherever I go– I represent God. *My life ought to reflect Him so that others will see Jesus for who he is (not a misrepresentation by showing them my sinful nature) and so they will come to know Jesus personally.
Father, continue to teach me and remind me this very truth. So often I allow my sinful nature to control me and to show up to others. I do not want to misrepresent you–help me mature in You. My desire is that all would see You for who You are Jesus and fall in love with You. Amen
Read MoreOur Identity in Christ!
Who am I? If someone were to come up to me and ask me this, I would probably answer by giving the person my name. Pressed further, I would probably tell the person my occupation, or where I’m from, or that I’m a husband and father. Much of our identity is built on such factors.
But when John the Baptist is asked who he is, he responds by speaking of his PURPOSE.
*John says that he is the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the path of the Lord.
* John’s identity is based on his calling from God, to be a missionary and evangelist and to lead people to Christ.
We are all called to that same purpose; there are no passive Christians, we are ALL called to be His disciples and followers, to proclaim the good news of Jesus and to declare His holiness to all we meet. THAT is our true identity!!!
Philippians 2:4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
John 1:23, “He said, I [am] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.”
*John knew who he was and what he was called to do. This was one of the keys to his success.
*John knew God’s plan and purpose for his life from the beginning and he spent his entire life preparing for it.
God has a plan for your life just as surely as he did for John the Baptist.
*It is not enough to simply “do your own thing” and then ask God’s blessing upon it. Once you know you are doing God’s will, you never have to ask for God’s blessing.
The Lord created you with a purpose in mind. Your talents and abilities were given you to fulfill His purpose. Although you may find limited success using these talents for your own uses, you will never find your true potential until they are directed by and for the Lord.
The good news is that God wants to reveal His perfect plan for your life to you more than you want to know it. You can rest assured that if you ask for knowledge of His plan for your life, you will receive.
Mt. 7:7“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you..
When we understand Gods love for us & His plan for us then we can begin to realize the doors that He wants open for us. But we will only realize these things when we are constantly communicating & listening to Him.
Don’t stress out trying to make things happen on your own (as I try so many times, & fail). Give it all to God as you pray. Let’s pray & seek Him with all out hearts.
God will show you His good, acceptable and perfect will. Don’t be afraid-let nothing hold you Back. Let God have you live as He has planned for you. Let GO and LET God! “FAITH”
Rom. 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you THINK. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
*We can make a difference in our own lives and others by allowing Jesus to give us a renewed mind, so that we act in His will and not ours.
The lesson here is to learn daily and complete dependence on God. Use your gifts and abilities through the power of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him daily for direction and wisdom. His ways won’t always line up with conventional wisdom.
When we open our minds to God’s will and make a Choice to stop going along in our Routines and Habits of the world, thinking WE know what’s Best and get out of our earthly thinking and comfort Zone- we open up the pathway for real transformation of our mind and our life and start to engage in others and get off of SELF.
Putting on the word of God and being renewed by the spirit are what makes a person beautiful, not simply the outer beauty as the world focus on. True outer beauty comes from being beautiful on the Inside first, knowing who you are IN Christ.
This new life in Christ will be good! He wants us to have his absolute best in our life. We will be content when we are living out our purpose– God’s plan for our life!
*God has equipped us with the Holy Spirit.
*We have been equipped with the abundant life..we can have life to the fullest…we have been equipped to be a part of something that is alive…the Body of Christ.
*We have been equipped to go do what we have been called to do.
*To build up the Body of Christ…he has given each of us something that when used in harmony with each other, great things happen within the Body of Christ.
I can be very gifted or spiritually minded, but if I don’t have love, I am nothing. We have been gifted for God’s glory. These gifts are not for us alone –But for others in the Body. WE ALL HAVE A GIFT to be used to Build UP and encourage the Body. (Eph. 4:11-13).
*Be kind and serve each other in love. *Be open and serve with an open heart.
Let us all search and find our Identity as John did: John’s identity, which is based on his calling from God, to be a missionary and evangelist and to lead people to Christ. “Great Commission”.(Matt. 28:19-20).
Lord, I pray that when next someone asks me who I am, that I would have the boldness and honesty to declare that I am a follower of Jesus Christ, who was saved by grace. Lord, be with me and not let negative thoughts come inside me- so help me God. Lord, thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for each one of us. Thank you for revealing your plan when we open our mind, accept you in our hearts, and turn from the superficial customs of this world and the lifestyle people live while in it. Lord, Let me choose my thoughts wisely and focus them on you today. As I focus on you and your amazing love for me and blessings in my life, transform me and renew my mind, knowing that a renewed mind includes helping others. Show me your plan for my life. Keep me in your will and purpose because I know it is divine! Thank you Lord Amen
Read MoreWhen we feel the weight of the world resting on our shoulders, we can just go to the Lord. In Him, we will find all the rest and peace we need.
*Jesus promises His peace to all those who come to Him in trusting faith.
Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).
I have the tendency to cling to my problems searching for a solution. If I give them to God I will be free of the stress, find peace, and I know that God had the perfect solution.
A true yoke is designed to divide the load between two animals. One of those animals is the leader and the other follows the lead. God might be saying here ” you have been carrying your burdens by your self for a long time, put on my yoke and share your burdens with me.” And indeed God’s way and God’s perspective are always best and ease our lonely burden.(“learn of Me”)
Another part of the Goodness of God as we see here is His REST. He wants us to take the things that weigh us down, bring them to Him, give them to Him, and in return give us the peace to know that He’s in control of those things… thus allowing us to rest. (“learn of Me”)
Christ tells us very plainly: “Do not attempt to take on a walk with Me
until you are at rest in your soul!”
If you do not have this wonderful confidence in what the Word of God says Jesus did for you, His yoke will not be easy or light. On the contrary, you will spend your time striving in the flesh to please God. You will go from hot to cold, living with unnecessary guilt and shame.
*I find myself saying fairly often that God’s not moved by our sense of urgency He’s moved by our Faith in Him & His Word.
God’s not impressed when we strive for things He’s already blessed us with…and finally He’s also insulted by us trying to work so hard for something that’s free. (“learn of Me”)
The body of Christ is exhausted because we are so convinced that getting God to move on our behalf is like a dentist trying to pull a stubborn tooth.
None of us are resting in the Goodness of God because we are trying so hard to earn it.
I believe the key to this verse lies in the words “learn of me.” Jesus is
speaking here of the discipline of learning who He is and what He accomplished on the CROSS.
Jesus is saying, “You must have a knowledge of what I have done for you.
* When we’re striving for His Goodness.. we are working for something that’s available for free.
Then, once your soul is at rest, you can take on My yoke. So, learn of
Me!”
We do not want this kind of discipline. We want to take the easy way! We are
like school children on the playground at recess who do not want to go back into the classroom.
Perhaps today you say, “I’m reading my Bible now and praying a little each day.
I’m trying hard to do better!” This is all good, but I assure you that these
things will not keep you through the coming storm.
*It is not enough to try hard, to make promises to God, to strive to be better. *Nor is it enough to say, “I’m more diligent than before.”
**No, it is all about going after a revelation of what Jesus did for you at the cross!
God’s yoke is that we follow his purpose for our lives, and when we do that, things work out a whole lot better. *When we go our own way in life, we hit one brick wall after another. In a sense, God says, “Put on my purpose, my plan for your life.”
* Jesus did not come to give you a burden but a blessing.
Enter the realm of the Spirit and ask what you will in faith. Do not hesitate or come with doubt or double-mindedness. Come expecting an answer, for Jesus will surely hear and answer your requests according to His purposes. Come to the Lord with purity of heart and exercise your childlike faith.
* James 1:2-8 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Give yourself a break today, and stop working so hard. Instead read Matthew 11:28-30 again.
I’m going to issue a challenge today…take just one thing that’s weighing you down, give it to God (and leave it in His hands by faith trusting Him to take care of that thing that’s weighing you down), and see if you don’t feel a little lighter. (“learn of Me”)
*There’s an old saying that if you don’t enjoy the peace & rest of God…you can return to your misery.
***Matt. 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me….We have all had teachers, from elementary school thru college, and even mentors later in life. But here, we read that the God of this universe, the God who gives us breath to live this day, wants to be our teacher! That’s astounding! That is profound! The question is, will we listen? Are we willing to be taught by Him? Are we in his word on a daily basis so as to learn from Him?
You know you are healed when you can thank God for the pain and suffering of the Past. Then we can Move Forward in Life for God’s purposes not ours!
Something should cry out in all of us: Jesus, Your Word says I can live in
total rest, peace and security. I don’t have to strive in my flesh or be tossed
about by guilt or fear. You have set before me the promise of a life at rest,
but I don’t have that rest. Oh, Lord, I want Your rest with everything that’s
in me. Teach me by Your Spirit—I want to learn of You. Lord teach me to cast all my burdens on You. Let me take up Your cross and find true fulfillment and peace as I continue to Move Forward Trusting in YOU! In Jesus Name, Amen
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.(1John 4:7-10).
God’s Love is unconditional. In spite of what someone does or how wrongly they respond, His Love keeps on coming.
* “I have loved you with and everlasting love…”Jeremiah 31:3
The 4 Love’s we have!
The natural human loves inspired by friendship (phileo), family (storge), or romance (eros), are awesome blessings from our Creator, BUT Agape is the only love essential to human survival. Only God’s Divine Love can give us the Identity and Purpose we need to live life to the fullest. That’s Agape Love!
* “If I have not (God’s) Love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
Only as we seek to learn about God’s unconditional Love (Agape) will we begin to comprehend how vastly it differs from human love.
* “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 55:8
God’s supernatural Love is not affected by the other person’s response, nor is it dependent upon circumstances.
*”If you love someone [with God’s Love] you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. God’s love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (Living Bible)
Even when you can’t love the nasty neighbor down the street…God can.
* “…for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
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
We cannot learn techniques or methods to love like God. Only God is Love, and we cannot learn to be what only God is.
* “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”John 15:5
Maturity in Christ is not knowing a bunch of Scriptures or going to church regularly. It’s simply knowing how, moment by moment, to continually abide in God’s Love.
*”By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”John 13:35
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
Here is how the Bible describes God’s Love:
* “God’s Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. God’s love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (Living Bible)
Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these is God’s Agape Love!
* “Let love be your highest goal.”
1 Corinthians 14:1
The Lord doesn’t choose the way man chooses. Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).
Agape is the divine “glue” that can bind us all together.
* “And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”
Colossians 3:14
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
God’s love is electric, and when we allow Him to love through us, we become “supercharged” with the radiance of His Life.
* “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
Love is not a choice. It is a commandment.
* “Now as to the love of the brethren…you yourselves are taught by God to love one another…”
1 Thessalonians 4:9
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
It’s extremely important not to judge a person by what they say or do. God is the only One who truly knows the human heart, so He is the only righteous judge.
* “…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
Let’s be brave enough to share our own experiences of being downcast and wounded. Don’t be afraid. God commands us to love, and anytime we love…we become vulnerable.
* “…so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”2 Corinthians 1:4
Imagine what the Church would be like if every believer chose to follow Christ’s simple command:
* “And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.”
Luke 6:31
God’s kind of love is not self-serving or self-seeking. Agape love will cause a person to lay down his life for another (Jn. 15:13), because he has literally forgotten himself.
Many times when heros are asked why they put themselves in jeopardy to save someone else, they reply that they didn’t even think about themselves. All they thought of was the danger to the other person. That’s God’s kind of love.
God’s type of love involves emotions many times, but it is not an emotion. It is an ACT of the will.
We can choose to love even when we don’t feel like it and we can always conduct ourselves in a godly manner, when we feel God’s kind of love. God’s kind of love is a choice.
God’s kind of love is also the antidote to selfishness and pride. We cannot conquer self by focusing on self.
* The only way to win over self is to fall in love with God more than with ourself. It is in discovering God’s love that we lose self love.
Jesus didn’t feel some emotional sensation when He chose to die for us, but that was the greatest demonstration of God’s kind of love that the world has ever seen. He made a choice in spite of His emotions. Because He was consumed with God’s love, He acted properly, even when His emotions didn’t agree.
Jesus is the ultimate example of God’s kind of love.
As Jesus leads and guides you today, ask Him to show you someone who needs an extra special blessing that you can fulfill.
* “And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 23:12
The moment we invite Him to take control of our lives, God comes into our hearts. And God Himself is Love.
* “God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”1 John 4:16
John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him….
* Christ didn’t come to make you feel guilty but to save you because He loves you!!
-Romans 1:16- I am not ashamed of the gospel because it the power of salvation to all who believe.
Psalms 109:26 Help me, OLORD my God! Save me because of your unfailing love.
1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
Today’s focus has been all about Love. My desire is for God to remove everything that does not please Him and replace it with more of His Love. We can not give love away to others till our own personal cup is full and overflowing with God’s Love in us!
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus into this earth so that I can be free. Thank You for opening the door to eternal life. I accept the sacrifice Jesus paid on that Cross so that I can be free. Come into my heart. I confess that You are my Lord and Savior in Jesus’ name. Amen.
May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.( Eph. 6:24)
*You know you are healed, when you can Thank God for the pains of the Past!
…”Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:50).
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 30:17)
God’s Love is dependent only upon God, who is eternally faithful, trustworthy and reliable.
* “For I, the Lord, do not change…”
Malachi 3:6
May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).
When was the last time you sat and wrote out a plan and revisited your vision? (Read Habakkuk 2:1-3).
The Enemy focuses us on what we can’t do instead of focusing us on what we CAN do.
Time heals nothing.
** It is what YOU DO with the TIME that matters.
*****You know you are healed, when you can Thank God for the pains of the Past! God is so patient with us and keeps His promises. (2 Peter 3:9).
Proverbs 1:33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Don’t wait until the time is just right to take the first step toward achieving your goals.
**The time will never be just right. Make the resolution to start where you are now and go for what matters most in your life as you stive to move forward. Where you end up one year from now IS up to YOU!
We have explosive power inside of us. It’s time to revert back to the power inside of you for excitement in your life. (John 15:9-15 Joy is available).
Act like who you are. YOU are the child of a king. You are His Masterpiece! It’s a matter of time to come out of the pits, bushes, or wherever you are and fight. Fight the good fight of faith. We are God’s workmanship. We are his pottery.
Allow Jesus to mold us. We were created for good works so its time to dream big. Be excited about your future. God has plans for you for His Glory! (Jer. 29:11).
2 Peter 1:4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
The meaning of life lies in relationship!!
*First and foremost is our relationship with God,
* and then our relationship with each other.
*We each have these relationships, most likely one more than the other, But let’s get a Balance of the Two for God’s Glory!
* “We love, because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
When we come to KNOW the Lord we will begin to see that He wants us to truly love our neighbor just as we love ourselves.
Mark 12:29 Jesus answered, “The most important is: ‘Listen, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Here is how the Bible describes God’s Love:
* “God’s Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. God’s love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (Living Bible)
The 4 Love’s we have!
The natural human loves inspired by friendship (phileo), family (storge), or romance (eros), are awesome blessings from our Creator, BUT Agape is the only love essential to human survival. Only God’s Divine Love can give us the Identity and Purpose we need to live life to the fullest.
* “If I have not (God’s) Love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
* What Jesus did do was to tell them the true way to greatness.
**“It is NOT by seeking to be first,” He said.
**It is by a willingness to be last.
** It is not by getting people to serve you; it is by becoming a servant of all.
There are two kinds of ambition. There is the ambition to be approved and applauded by people, and the ambition to be approved and applauded by God.
There are those who want to gain fame and attention and influence and power. The measurement of the ambition to be great before people is always “How many serve me? How much power do I exercise over others? How wide is the extent of my influence?”
* Who of us has not suffered many times from this desire to be known, to be admired, to be considered great?
But Jesus points out that true greatness is never found there. The measure of true greatness is:
***How many do I serve? How many can I help?” This is the mark of greatness in the eyes of God.
Christianity is a radical faith! It is exactly the opposite of the natural instincts of the heart.
Our natural inclinations will get us deeper and deeper into trouble. Though we may achieve a form of greatness in the eyes of people, it will turn into cobwebs and ashes in our hands.
Lord, Teach me the meaning of Your words in the depths of my heart. Help me to strive for that greatness that will shine throughout eternity. Help us Lord this day to see ones in need, be it loneliness, depression, fear, cancer, unforgiveness, guilt or shame and come along side them and show them Your Love. Help us be examples to show that, Christianity does not produce a changed life but an exchanged life. Like Jesus, grow in your wisdom and understanding of who we now are in Christ.
We know we are healed, when we can Thank God for the pains of the Past! Lord, help us share Our Testimony of what You, Jesus have done for US.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation; the old is gone, the New has come!
Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Romans 12:13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Come Holy Spirit Come!!! Amen
***Jan. 24 at Christ Church at 7PM will be an informational meeting to kick off our NEW Moving Forward Group. Come for a great night of testimonials of “what God is doing in and through individuals.
**Revelation Bible study starting Jan 26. Go to web address below and go to calendar-scroll down to Thurs. And open “Community Wide Bible Study”.