Devotions - Prayer
To walk with Christ is to walk in love.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you…”Ephesians 5:1-2
Obedience To The “Heavenly Vision”
Acts 26:19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
What is heaven’s mission “It is to spread the Gospel”
John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Today people are non-stop in their daily lives, but are we really LIVING or EXISTING?
Life with each generation seems to become busier than ever, even with technology where we thought it would accomplish more with less, well, we all know where that has taken us!
If we lose “the heavenly vision” God has given us, we alone are responsible—not God.
We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. We put down the Word of God and that is our start of backsliding.
If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled.
The only way to be obedient to “the heavenly vision” is to give our best for His glory.
Jesus was never to busy.
It is essential that we live and “walk in the light” of God’s vision for us (1 John 1:7).
Personal Ambition and Pride must die.
We learn that we do not live to build up ourselves any longer.
***We live only to be an instrument of the working of Jesus Christ. And we must learn the truth which Jesus taught his own disciples when he was here in the flesh, “Without me you can do nothing…” (John 15:5b).
You can do what? “Nothing!” You may do a lot in the eyes of the world. What you do might be esteemed there.
**But in the eyes of God, without him it is nothing.
Lord, I pray that I will learn the lesson, and that I will be willing to be a person no longer holding onto control of the program myself but quite willing to follow where you lead, and to trust in your life in me to be all that it takes to do all that needs to be done. Amen
Read MoreActs 6, the newfound church had exploded into existence and discovered their first problem: they had a great deal of money!
All of its members were selling their land and possessions to give to the needs of others, but some of the widows in dire circumstances were being overlooked.
The Holy Spirit moved the apostles’ hearts to choose seven men to solve the problem.
That job seems easy enough, doesn’t it? If I were one of the apostles, I would have called for the accountants in the church, the financiers, the treasurers, the bookkeepers – those who had experience with handling and dispersing funds. That would seem the logical choice, wouldn’t it?
But the apostles had different criteria. In Acts 6:3 we find the qualifications: “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.”
Wow! The implication here is that the men who were selected were men devoid of themselves, having been filled with the Holy Spirit.
*They were wise because they were surrendered to God, and because of this, God chose them for the task. Can you guess what happened next?
The matter was settled and the widows were taken care of from that day forth.
God doesn’t need the best-of-the-best to change the world; He can do it all by Himself.-–Yet, in His mercy and love, He has decided to allow us the opportunity to leave a mark on our sphere of influence for His glory.
*So be encouraged, friend; you don’t have to be the best-looking, the smartest, or the most talented person in the world to gain God’s approval.
READ: Acts 6:1-7
Here in this scripture we find that not just anyone was set as a leader, also the choosing of a leader wasn’t based on human standards but by Gods standards.
Amongst all the leaders they chose only the individuals which were the most filled with the Holy Spirit.
Wait!! If there is only one Holy Spirit, how can one have more than the other?
*Well the reason why one has more than the other is based on how far into God is the individuals heart.
*See how can a person that strives everyday to seek God & another that is unstable & can not stay committed be considered equal in the Spirit?
*They cant because the unstable person isn’t sure of who they are or there identity.
So if they are unstable the Holy Spirit can not be in them because they don’t believe.
**But on the other hand the individual that seeks God knows who they are, they know their identity, they will not be knocked over to easily.
**They surrender their entire heart to God, the door to their heart is wide open for the Holy Spirit to come & dwell in them & work thru them! Lets say they had Godly Values. Do we?
That is why they were chosen! So let there be no envy if one is not ordained, for it is not ones duty or time. It is not up to us but up to the Holy Spirit- it is His decision.
Let The Lord lead and guide you in the workplace and at home as a great leader and rely on him. Keep your identity in Jesus. Let Him direct you. Amen
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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
Don’t lose hope. You might be hurting now, but out of every disaster, God can bring a new beginning. Believe in God, and watch Him show His glory in your life.
When you read the story of the death of Lazarus (John 11:1-45), you have to ask the question, “Why did Jesus delay in coming to see Lazarus?”
After all, Jesus had gotten word two days earlier that Lazarus was deathly ill. Why did he wait for two days to go see him? Did he not care?
Yes, Jesus cared. The Bible says he loved Lazarus. Then why did Jesus delay?
There are times when we pray and God doesn’t come through the way we expect him to come through. The healing doesn’t come. The answers don’t come. We cry, we pray, the tears flow, and we wonder, does God care about me?
Yes, he does! The same one who wept at the grave of Lazarus weeps for you. Jesus tears represent his sympathy to us as our Savior and High Priest.
***And not only that, Jesus went to the cross for you and me. He died for your sins. He’s prepared a place in heaven for you. What more could he have done to show his love and care for you and me?
In God’s own time and His own way, God will make a way when there seems to be no way. Whether you’re well or whether you’re sick… whether the answer comes as we expect it or not.
No matter how long you wait, GOD is never late.
There are 3 reasons God waits:
1. God is glorified.
*John 11:3 -it’s for the glory of God
– you can always pray,”God, be glorified in this.”
2. Faith is fortified.
*John 11: 26- Do you believe?
– God wants to use your trial to lead to more trust in Him.
3. Ministry is multiplied. “Testimonies” for what God has done!
God, My heart is overflowing with the truth and wisdom you have placed there today! And with such massive love and gratitude for Your compassion and love and healing! Thank you for taking the sadness and replacing it with joy! May I glorify you each day above All else. Amen!
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…So that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Romans 6:6
Christian, why would you play with sin?
- Has it not cost you enough already?
- Burnt child, will you play with the fire? What! When you have already been between the jaws of the lion, will you step a second time into his den?
- Have you not had enough of the old serpent? Did he not poison all your veins once, and will you play at the cobra’s den and put your hand in the dragon’s lair a second time?
- Did sin ever yield you real pleasure? Did you find solid satisfaction in it?
- If so, go back to your old drudgery, and wear the chain again, if it delights you. But inasmuch as sin never gave you what it promised to bestow but deluded you with lies, do not be snared by the old fowler: Be free, and let the memory of your enslavement prevent you from entering the net again!
It is contrary to the designs of eternal love, which are all focused on your purity and holiness; therefore do not run counter to the purposes of your Lord. 1 Thess. 4:4-5
Another thought should restrain you from sin. Christians can never sin cheaply; they pay a heavy price for iniquity. Transgression destroys peace of mind, obscures fellowship with Jesus, hinders prayer, brings darkness over the soul; therefore do not be the serf and slave of sin.
There is still a higher argument: Each time you serve sin you are “crucifying once again the Son of God . . . and holding him up to contempt.”(hebrews 6:6)
Can you bear that thought? If you have fallen into any special sin during this day, it may be that your Master has sent this admonition this day to bring you back before you have wandered very far.
Turn to Jesus afresh. He has not forgotten His love for you; His grace is still the same. With weeping and repentance, come to His footstool, and you shall be reunited in His love; you will be set upon a rock again, and your goings shall be established. Because Jesus Loves You-He made You to bring Him Glory and in return we will have PEACE! Amen
Read 1 Thess. 5:16-19 and see God’s will for you!
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I wonder what those ten men, those ten grown sons of Jacob, talked about during that journey from Canaan to Egypt. I have an idea that it might have been the same things we would have talked about had we been in their sandals. I also believe these men were beginning to be broken. Perhaps they spoke of how much they missed their brother, Joseph. With Benjamin now among them, maybe they felt this was a good time to express their sorrow over their past actions and, together, sincerely request God’s power and protection.
I so want to believe that God was starting to melt their hearts before Him! In fact, that’s the beauty of this story as it progresses. We’re led to wonder what exactly they were thinking.
We so desperately want to cut to the chase to see the happy ending, but we must wait. Because there’s always something to learn along the way.
When we’re on our journey from Canaan to Egypt:
- We tend to be negative rather than positive.
- We tend to view life horizontally rather than vertically. We tend to be resistant rather than open to that which is new and unexpected.
- We need some course-correction techniques to break those habits!
Three techniques that will help:
- Recognize and admit your negative mentality. So much of the cure is in the confession. Immediate correction begins with honest admission.
- Force a vertical focus until it begins to flow freely. I have never seen a habit just lie down, surrender, and die; we have to make a conscious effort if we hope to break longstanding habits. If you are negative today, chances are very good that when you wake up tomorrow morning you’re still going to be negative. Force a vertical focus. Look to Jesus!
- Stay open to a new idea for at least five minutes. Don’t try it for an entire day; you might panic. Just take on your day five minutes at a time. When something new, something unexpected, confronts you, don’t respond with an immediate “Nope! Never!” Wait five minutes. Hold off. Tolerate the possibility for five minutes. You will be surprised at the benefit of remaining open. Every sin starts with a lie.
I’ve not seen a habit just lie down and die. It takes conscious effort to break it. But we do fight From Victory, not For Victory. (1JN 4:4) Jesus had Victory over all at the Cross for you and I. We must Choose Him as our Lord and Savior! Amen
“For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.” – Malachi 3:2b
The Lord has a specific manner of preparing His people for useful service.
*God desires to turn His children from rough, hard-edged stones into gems of gold and silver.
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years” (Malachi 3:3-4).
The refiner’s fire can only accomplish its purposes when the heat is turned up to extraordinary temperatures. It breaks down the metal in order for it to become moldable and shapeable.
*Only when the temperatures reach this level can the work be fully accomplished.
***So it is in our lives.
Why does God allow impossible situations in our lives? And how to deal with it?
When you pass through the fire it will not burn you.
Problems come because of the anointing of the Lord and it is attracted to you. If you find your self in problems it’s because God is preparing for something great.
Until the Lord completes His refining process, the offerings we make are not made in righteousness and cannot be acceptable.
Thank God that Jesus is our righteousness and that there is no righteousness apart from Him.
Still, the Lord continues to purge all that is not of His righteousness out of our lives.
*This comes through trials that bring each of us to the end of ourselves in order that He may only reflect that which is Himself.
When God takes you through the refiner’s fire, be encouraged because it is His overriding commitment to turn you from a rough, hard-edged stone to a precious metal.
He will do this through certain events in your relationships, and other circumstances in your life. Our job is to avoid trying to blow out the fire.
2 Chro 20:15 says the battle is not ours but the Lords, vs 17 says you will not need to fight in the battle but stand firm, hold your position and see the Lords salvation work, do not be afraid nor dismayed the Lord will be with you. Vs 20 says believe in the Lord your God and you will be established.
Lord, Continue to refine me each and everyday. Help me to never be comfortable or stagnant! Amen
See Psalms 139:23-24 for an additional prayer
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We must not only be “hearers” of God’s Word, but “doers” also.
When God brings someone to mind, be sure to follow through with whatever He tells you to do for that person.
“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead…”James 2:17
Believer, Become What You Are
Romans 12:1–2, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Believer, you died and the new you is alive, and you are God’s. *The whole of our Christian life is learning to become — by God’s Spirit — what we already are in Christ.
*These verses show us how this newness in us comes to life in our everyday choices.
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
The key to success or failure lies in doing things at the word of Jesus.
Peter said, “at thy word I will let down the net.” God’s words always get results.
Luke 5:5, “And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
Serve the Lord with gladness!
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
God hears our cries, and He answers our prayers so that He will receive all the glory as we grow together in His Word and journey toward living “so that” lives.
Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing the cry of my heart. Thank You for answering that cry because You are faithful to Your Word. Help me hear and obey so that You will receive all glory and honor and praise as I reach out to others in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read More“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15
The enemy of our souls has a very specific strategy to destroy relationships.
Whether these relationships are in business, marriage, or friendships, the strategy is the same.
A conflict arises, judgments are made, and feelings are hurt.
What happens next is the defining point of whether the enemy gains a foothold, or the grace of God covers the wrong.
When a root of bitterness is allowed to be planted and grown(Time does not heal all wounds!), it not only affects that person, but it also affects all others who are involved.
Root of bitterness is like a cancer (A root is a part of a tree that cannot be seen, and it will have small roots springing from it).
** Breaking Satan’s foothold requires at least one person to press into God’s grace.
*It cannot happen when either party “feels” like it, for none of us will ever feel like forgiving.
*None of us feel like talking when we have been hurt.
*Our natural response is to withdraw or lash out at the offending party.
*You have to have a forgiving heart before you can be at peace with yourself.
1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
It is only obedience that allows God’s grace to cover the wrongs incurred.
*This grace prevents the parties from becoming victims who will seek compensation for their pain.
Even Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered. Hebrews 5:8.
The next time you are hurt by someone, realize the gravity of the crossroads where you find yourself.
**Choose grace(Humility releases grace) instead of bitterness. Then you will be free to move past the hurt, and a root of bitterness will not be given opportunity to grow.
Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Dear LORD, I choose to let the struggles of life make me better and not bitter. I forgive those who have hurt me, and refuse to hold a grudge. I will look for the good in every difficult situation and think the best of others. I know that a bitter heart produces bitter fruit, and I refuse to allow my heart to get caught in that trap. Now, Lord, help me accomplish what I have just confessed. In Jesus name, amen.
‘So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15).
Living a Balanced life is evidence of a Spirit-led life.
*Seek God and He will answer you. He will set you free from all your fears.
*If we hold to Jesus’ teachings, we are his disciples and will know the truth which will set us free.
People work long hours for many reasons which can lead to significant problems in our lives.
One reason people over work is that they often think they must work longer hours to keep up with their workload.
*This is often the surface reason people give to the question of working long hours.
Like any compulsive behavior, there is usually something beneath this behavior.
As a former workaholic myself, I can tell you the root of overworking is often:
1). A fear of loss!
2). A need for self-acceptance created by performance.
We are looking to gain self-esteem needs from our performance instead of being secure in our position in Christ.
*Romans 8: 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
So, in order to avoid work becoming an idol and a compulsive behavior, we must maintain a “Balance” that provides time to spend quality time with the Lord, our families and fellow believers.
Be reminded that “NO” is an anointed word, and you don’t have to apologize for using it as often as is necessary. The enemy will accuse you of being heartless and will send a hefty dose of guilt and condemnation your way, but this attack is a seduction.
* It is designed to lure you into countering a haughty spirit with haughtiness and control with a power struggle when “NO” is sufficient.
*Saying NO, doesn’t have to be a fight, just stand your ground and maintain good boundaries.
James 5:12 And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don’t add words like “I swear to God” to your own words. Don’t show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can’t be used against you. Amen
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Only God’s Love can disarm the emotional bombs of generational hatred and vengeance that keep igniting all over the world.
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.” Proverbs 10:12
“That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies…” Joshua 7:12
*It matters not how strong you are.
* It matters not whether you have the greatest resources and talent.
*It matters not if you have the best plans and procedures.
*It will all fail if you have a break in your armor.
This is the message God told Joshua when he attempted to go against a small army at Ai, which was the Israelites’ second battle in the Promised Land.
Sometimes we try to figure out why we are not successful in an endeavor.
*We look at all aspects of our performance to see what went wrong.
Sin makes our armor vulnerable to attack from Satan, who then gains permission from God to attack us in the area where we have failed to uphold righteousness(moral orderliness).
*If we break down in moral purity, satan comes in and establishes a stronghold.
*If we give place to bitterness and unforgiveness, we will break fellowship with God and others.
*If we become money-focused, we will fall into greed and deception.
****It is a vicious cycle.
Examine your armor today (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Verse 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
- Watch your thoughts; they become words.
- Watch your words; they become actions.
- Watch your actions; they become habits.
- Watch your habits; they become character.
- Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
#3 from the 8 truths to master life.
I sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to show me what I need to do and empower me to follow through in obedience.
Result: I am released from my need to control everything.
I am “Free.”
*The reason for this is that I now trust God, Who knows all, and He has promised those who are meek, that they will inherit the earth. Faith in God has freed one from the burden of trying to push, manipulate or force, in order to get one’s way.
Read–Jeremiah 9:23,24.
Lord help me to develop the same Character you have which is found in Matthew 5:3-12. Give me discernment this day to understand the Beatitudes a lot more this week. Amen
Read MoreJesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
But the fact is, many of us Christians do have troubled hearts and we live in fear.
Jesus also said in the same verse, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.”
Yet few believers can honestly say they enjoy constant peace of mind.
*For many, peace comes and goes, leaving them worried, restless and battered by stress.
Here is what Zacharias prophesied of the coming Messiah:
“That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life” (Luke 1:74-75).
Beloved, Jesus came to this earth and died for sinful man so that we could walk with God without fear, enjoying His peace all the days of our lives.
No fear, just peace of mind and heart for all of our days!
*This includes good and bad days, days of suffering, turmoil, testing and uncertainty.
No matter what comes our way, we are to enjoy peace at all times.
Zacharias added these words about Jesus: “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (verse 79). He was saying that Jesus would guide all His children into the path of peace, not into restlessness, emptiness or fear.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. At His birth the angels sang, “Peace on earth!” His gospel is called the gospel of peace and He promised of Himself, “In Me ye [shall] have peace” (John 16:33).
Peace is what the gospel is all about. “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:36).
In this world we will face tribulation, persecution and fiery trials—”without were fightings, within were fears,” according to Paul (2 Corinthians 7:5).
We will be tempted, we will suffer for the sake of Christ, and the winds of adversity will try to topple the house of faith we build on the Rock of our salvation—Jesus—but we will walk in peace because of Him.
God has a plan, for good times and bad. We need to have faith in Him and relinquish control. God’s plan for us is perfect. Enjoy the good, and examine the bad in prayer. But praise the Lord in all times, for He is in control of it all.
********Eccl. 7:14 Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
John 16:33 I have told you these things so that “in me” you may have peace. In this world you will have much trouble, but be of GOOD CHEER for I have overcome the world!!
Praise God! Amen
The Will of God for me is: 1 Thessalonians 4: 3 God wants you to be holy and completely free from sexual immorality.
“Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you (1 Thessalonians 4:8).
*This is a command that we should abstain from fornication (any sexual relationship outside of marriage).
That could be homosexuality, an emotional affair, cheating on a spouse, sex before marriage, or any sexual act performed by or with a person to whom you are not married.
In other words, if you are not married (marriage between a man and a woman only) to that person, then you do not have any form of sexual relationship with them!
Watching or looking at pornography is included in fornication because the Bible says if you have done this in your heart (or mind) then it is just as sinful as doing it in the flesh.
Let the light of God’s truth shine in you to expose the darkest recesses of your being.
There are still things hidden that must be revealed for the purpose of setting us completely free.
Righteousness(moral orderliness) must be restored before your own light can shine unhindered by the darkness of carnal living. Set your heart on purity.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
****Set your personal boundaries.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.
Through the atonement of Jesus, we have been delivered from sickness, poverty and demonic control, as well as sin, in this present life. To the degree we believe that, we will begin to experience the physical benefits of our salvation in the “rough now and now,” not just in the “sweet by and by.”
Our salvation is not just “pie in the sky,” but it is victory in this present life.
John 17:3 And eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
* The sin of fallen man is this: Man seeks the benefits of God while fleeing from God Himself. We are, by nature, fugitives.
*We need to get to –KNOW HIM.!
Lord, help me draw more of You and set some personal boundaries. Help me to keep the Eternal Perspective in my heart mind and soul to overcome these temptations of the world. Help me make the Right Choices for Your Glory and my Joy! Amen
We fight From Victory—Not For Victory. (see 1JN 4:4)
Read MoreThe Book of Proverbs Are For Work, Life and Living
The writers of proverbs want the readers to:
internalize God’s truth. OR: get God’s Word in your heart.
Below are thoughts on books 5, 6 & 7 of Proverbs.
Proverbs 5 – Watch Out for . . . . . . . Look forward to . . . . !
- Watch out for sex without love. Proverbs 5:1-14
- Look forward to true love in God’s ways. Proverbs 5:15-23
This is a very abbreviated statement of the Song of Solomon
Don’t wait to see what happens. Prepare for temptation by deciding NOW how you will act when you face it. (11-13)
Strategy For Effective Living
Begins with … God’s Wisdom ….. Respecting and appreciating who God is; reverence and awe toward God.
Requires … Moral Application …. Trusting in God and his Word; allowing his Word to speak to us personally; being willing to obey
Requires … Practical Application …. Acting on God’s direction daily
Results in … Effective living …. Experiencing what God does with our obedience
Proverbs 6 – Get up and get going – BUT – Watch out!
- These verses are not a plea against generosity, but against overextending one’s financial resources and acting in irresponsible ways that could lead to poverty. Need a balance between generosity and good stewardship.(1-5)
- That which God hates! Proverbs 6:16-35
Things God Hates
- Violent People……………………Proverbs 3:31-32
- Haughtiness, lying, murdering, scheming, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, stirring up discord 6:16-19
- Those who are untruthful……………………12:22
- The sacrifice of the wicked…………………15:8
- The way of the wicked………………………15:9
- Evil plans……………………………………15:26
- Those who are proud………………………..16:15
- Those who judge unjustly…………………..17:15
Proverbs 7 – The seductive nature of seduction. (Lust a warning sign of danger ahead)
- There is no new temptation! (Romans 12:2-renew the mind)
- Know: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – 2 Timothy 2:22
God has given us His Truth to experience His Blessing in life.
“ I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.” (Colossians 2:2) AMEN
Read MoreScripture touches all areas of our life, including this battle with how we use technology. Our Time!
In his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks about his own battle with sin.
*He expressed a frustration to which we can all relate, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15).
*We are all sinners. “There is no one righteous, not one” (Romans 3:10).
As long as we live in this world, we ALL will battle against our sinful nature. But Paul points us to the source of our help, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24–25).
Many of us may realize the pull that technology has on us and feel the weight of our guilt because of the wasted time each day.
But like Paul says, Jesus is our rescuer.
*Jesus came to redeem us from each and every sin, including the squandering away our time(busy-ness) on the iPhone, facebook etc etc. (See John 17:3)
*His perfect life has become ours.
*His sacrificial death paid our debt in full.
Every time we fail and stumble in this battle against sin, we need to return to the gospel over and over again to let the Holy Spirit speak to us. It is a Choice we have to make. Each time we put the Bible down it is our first step to backsliding in our sin.
**How else are we going to renew our mind if not by the Word of Scripture? Where else do we find Truth?
The cross stands there for us, not as a one-time source for forgiveness and assurance of eternal salvation, but also as a source of grace for each moment of our days.
And as we turn from our sin in repentance, we can respond in thanksgiving to our gracious God because though we are more sinful than we ever thought, we are also more loved and more forgiven than we will ever know.
You know it and I know it, there are more important things in our life than what our computers and phones and online platforms have to offer.
As we seek to redeem our time for eternity, we must rest in the grace of Christ and cling to this promise: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Lord Jesus, help me to Balance the time You have given me on earth to Glorify You and not myself. Thank You for Your perfect Grace to save a sinner as myself. Amen
Read MoreJesus was first and foremost a “servant”, and God has called each one of us to follow His example.
“Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:9-10
The world is shouting to us, “You can show us a miracle!
* It isn’t the Red Sea opening up that impresses us.
* It’s not seeing the blind given sight or the lame healed.
** It’s that you can look at the darkest hour of your life, a situation that’s hopeless to all human reasoning, and yet smile with joy, singing praises to God.
**That’s the miracle we want to see.”
Mark 6:52, “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.”
Most of the time, we think of a person with a hard heart as being someone who is in terrible rebellion to God.
*While it is true that a rebellious person does have a hardened heart, in this instance, the Word is referring to the disciples’ hearts being hardened.
The word “hardened” as used here, means “to make calloused, unyielding or cold in spirit, or insensitive to.”
The disciples were not God haters, but rather they had become so sensitive to the natural world and its limitations that they were overwhelmed to see Jesus supersede these laws.
*Therefore, they had a hardened heart.
If they had kept in mind the miracle they had just seen Jesus perform (the feeding of the five thousand), then they wouldn’t have been amazed to see Jesus walking on the water toward them.
Many of us are more sensitive to fear and doubt than we are to the truths of God’s Word.
This is because we have thought more on things that minister fear and doubt.
When our hearts are hardened we don’t realize the goodness of God and how powerful He is.
Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Jesus, You are the only Way, Truth and Life. So I ask, “what “truth” is being suppressed”? Yes- Reality, as defined by God. Thank You Jesus. Amen