""And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:18-19
In the minds of men and women, good men and women there are too many interpretations of the scriptures. Ask a Baptist about being filled with the Spirit and you get a different answer than if you ask someone from a Pentecostal church. Ask a Catholic and you will find a much different view of the Spirit of God than if you ask a modern Non-denominational member. Even inside of any given church body you might find more than one version of what it means to be filled with the Spirit.
I'm not taking sides here, nor did I mention any of these denominations to set them apart as being more wrong or more right than any other. The point is that there are huge differences in philosophy among the churches. It is my point to clear something up about being filled with the Spirit.
The Bible speaks clearly and carefully lays out truths so that you can not only believe it but grasp it also. The Bible is the Word of God and therefore it will be profound, but God knowing our limitations has made it all understandable. The Bible defines the Bible. Truth upon truth is laid out for those who are seeking to be led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the most beautiful thing in all creation. This experience was not meant to be used as a tool for any church to separate one group from another. I've heard one person say to another that they have not been born again if they do not do this or do that. Foolish men and women and church leaders have built rules and regulations around this experience that are not in the Bible. That sounds a little like in the days when Jesus was visiting Jerusalem and met up with the religious folk of the times. I've heard men yell at others as if they were infidels simply because they did not posses a particular gift of the Holy Spirit.
My point is that being filled with the Holy Spirit is, was and will always be a beautiful thing.
It will not be beat into you by those who think they are better than you.
It will not come to you in the form of anything that others say should happen, but you don't sense in your heart.
Being filled with the Spirit of God is gentle and wonderful and gracious.
Being filled with the Spirit of God makes you humble and kind, wise and forgiving, consoling and gentle, patient and loving.
Being filled with the Spirit of God is an inner work that God does to the faithful. It is best seen in the inner man and not by outward signs. It is a work of God that transcends our religious or denominational bents. God chooses the man, woman, teen or child that will represent Him.
Being filled with the Spirit of God is not a game for leaders to play as if they could get a written tally and if everyone in their church possessed a certain gift of the spirit they would be elevated above others.
If anything you will find those who have been filled with the Spirit, speaking to themselves "in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in (their/your) heart to the Lord."
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Daily Devotional April 16 - Personal Therapy
""Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." 1 Timothy 6:17
The key here is that God gives to all liberally and God has designed us to enjoy life. There are many ways that you could advance your joy meter. Be friendly to other people. You might find out that not everyone is like those who have misused you or mistreated you.
Take a walk every day (if you can) and just enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you. That's what it was made for.
Sit back in total silence and let God speak to you. There is no enjoyment quite like hearing the voice of God. (Wait, don't say you can't hear the voice of God. You might have to get away from all the other voices around you for a moment, like; TV, radio, your spouse, the Internet, your ipod or blackberry, but you can hear the voice of God)
Create a hobby or re-start where you left off in that hobby you really enjoyed. Even if time has gotten in the way and years have passed, most of the time you can pick up where you left off. If not, it's time to begin anew.
Give something to someone. That's right, just start giving things away (and I don't mean ripped up and torn things or old junk that barely works; that's not giving) give something of value to someone; maybe a grandson or granddaughter, maybe give something to someone you have never met. Last week I met a young black man at the grocery store. He is a business major at the local college. I sensed that he was a reading young man and he is. I brought him three of my favorite books 2 hardbacks and one soft cover, all in great shape. These were books I had been planning to keep in my collection, but God was tugging on my heart and I gave them away.
Plan a scheduled event for yourself. Do something you really want to do for yourself. I know money is tight, but you can't always use that as an excuse. Maybe you will have to work hard, plan and save, but to just keep making excuses why you can't do it is not good for your soul. Maybe you have worked all your life and you are on a fixed income and it just looks impossible. Maybe it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Pray about it and see the mighty hand of God minister to your personal needs and desires. Of course God wants you to be happy and enjoy life. Who has been telling you differently? They are mistaken. It is not selfish to do something for yourself.
It amazes me at how mixed up Christians are today. I blame the watered down preaching coming from men and women who haven't seen the fun-side of God. So many preachers have been taught by stiff-necked, callous, letter of the law professors that they haven't taken time to build a relationship with God and get to know more of God's perfection, which includes: laughter, joy, peace, enjoyment, fulfillment, enlightenment, happiness, pleasure and fulfillment of desire.
God richly gave us all things to enjoy. Let's get on with it."
The key here is that God gives to all liberally and God has designed us to enjoy life. There are many ways that you could advance your joy meter. Be friendly to other people. You might find out that not everyone is like those who have misused you or mistreated you.
Take a walk every day (if you can) and just enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you. That's what it was made for.
Sit back in total silence and let God speak to you. There is no enjoyment quite like hearing the voice of God. (Wait, don't say you can't hear the voice of God. You might have to get away from all the other voices around you for a moment, like; TV, radio, your spouse, the Internet, your ipod or blackberry, but you can hear the voice of God)
Create a hobby or re-start where you left off in that hobby you really enjoyed. Even if time has gotten in the way and years have passed, most of the time you can pick up where you left off. If not, it's time to begin anew.
Give something to someone. That's right, just start giving things away (and I don't mean ripped up and torn things or old junk that barely works; that's not giving) give something of value to someone; maybe a grandson or granddaughter, maybe give something to someone you have never met. Last week I met a young black man at the grocery store. He is a business major at the local college. I sensed that he was a reading young man and he is. I brought him three of my favorite books 2 hardbacks and one soft cover, all in great shape. These were books I had been planning to keep in my collection, but God was tugging on my heart and I gave them away.
Plan a scheduled event for yourself. Do something you really want to do for yourself. I know money is tight, but you can't always use that as an excuse. Maybe you will have to work hard, plan and save, but to just keep making excuses why you can't do it is not good for your soul. Maybe you have worked all your life and you are on a fixed income and it just looks impossible. Maybe it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Pray about it and see the mighty hand of God minister to your personal needs and desires. Of course God wants you to be happy and enjoy life. Who has been telling you differently? They are mistaken. It is not selfish to do something for yourself.
It amazes me at how mixed up Christians are today. I blame the watered down preaching coming from men and women who haven't seen the fun-side of God. So many preachers have been taught by stiff-necked, callous, letter of the law professors that they haven't taken time to build a relationship with God and get to know more of God's perfection, which includes: laughter, joy, peace, enjoyment, fulfillment, enlightenment, happiness, pleasure and fulfillment of desire.
God richly gave us all things to enjoy. Let's get on with it."
Daily Devotional April 15 - Be Part Of Something Bigger Than Yourself
""And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily." Acts 16:5
Even though in America more churches are closing than opening each year (at this time), there are about 1,500 new church start-ups per year just in America. Of course world-wide the number of new church start-ups is staggering. The point is: In the scriptures much is said about the Church. Here in this verse we see that churches were growing daily. If you are not in a church, (a local congregation where people get together to hear the word of God preached, teach their children and provide many blessings and gifts for all that attend, and they also reach out to those who do not attend and in some cases even support others in other countries) then you are missing out on a phenomenon at least and many daily blessings also.
The reason the Church increased daily in Bible times was no different than today. Men, women, teens and children need fellowship; they need to learn their Bible; they need to socialize with people who have identified themselves with the Lord. Can you be saved and not go to church? Of course. But you can be a millionaire and not spend any of your money also. What's the point? Quit wining about what the church does or doesn't offer and get in there and help to make it a better environment with your presence.
Some of the new start-ups are incredible. Some of the mega-churches are growing because they are feeding the sheep. Some of the local denominational churches that have been there for 100 years are doing a great work. Find what's right in them, not what's wrong. Get in a new start up and suffer with the saints. Support your local pastor. Bless him financially and then even more. The mentality that you should starve your pastor is of the devil. If your pastor is not getting paid a handsome sum, provided excellent housing and then showered with gifts, you are not doing your part. Even if your pastor is just not that great, lift him or her up and make them great. The devil is in charge of: tear-the-pastor-down-and-keep-him-down-so-you-don't-have-to-pay-him/her-well-syndrome.
Here is some benefits of going to a church instead of staying home and trying to act as is you were more spiritual or advanced than those that go to church.
You will meet some great people
You will have the opportunity to reach out to others to help them
You will get help yourself when you need it
You will sense the presence of God and find more truths inside of yourself that if you try to do it alone
You will be building up (not tearing down) the kingdom of God
You will receive revelation, visions, special impartations to you inside your soul. Do with them as you please, but you cannot be in a sanctuary and not receive from God, unless you are the one that is spiritually dead.
You will receive blessings from others around you, many.
You will be strengthened in your faith.
You will (if you go to a contemporary service) probably hear the best live music anywhere.
You will hear more Bible and read more Bible than if you try to wing it alone.
You will see how other people are coping with life and it will advance your consoling perspective in life.
There are so many more. Be a part of what God is doing. God designed the church and to be in the will of God you will have to let your guard down a little and swallow some pride.
You may have been hurt in the past by church members. So what? People are always going to let you down, but that's no reason to abandon the work of God.
You might not life the pastor. So what? It's not about liking anybody. Is that your litmus test whether you are going to learn from someone? If it is you have been duped. You have been learning form writers, philosophers, TV personalities and many others in whom you have never even met. You probably wouldn't like some of them either.
You might feel that the church you were going to is too dry. Then go to another church. Go to a start-up, go to a mega-church or go to another denomination, but go.
What you need that only a church can provide and what you can offer that no one else can is the only reason you really need to become a part of a congregation.
Even though in America more churches are closing than opening each year (at this time), there are about 1,500 new church start-ups per year just in America. Of course world-wide the number of new church start-ups is staggering. The point is: In the scriptures much is said about the Church. Here in this verse we see that churches were growing daily. If you are not in a church, (a local congregation where people get together to hear the word of God preached, teach their children and provide many blessings and gifts for all that attend, and they also reach out to those who do not attend and in some cases even support others in other countries) then you are missing out on a phenomenon at least and many daily blessings also.
The reason the Church increased daily in Bible times was no different than today. Men, women, teens and children need fellowship; they need to learn their Bible; they need to socialize with people who have identified themselves with the Lord. Can you be saved and not go to church? Of course. But you can be a millionaire and not spend any of your money also. What's the point? Quit wining about what the church does or doesn't offer and get in there and help to make it a better environment with your presence.
Some of the new start-ups are incredible. Some of the mega-churches are growing because they are feeding the sheep. Some of the local denominational churches that have been there for 100 years are doing a great work. Find what's right in them, not what's wrong. Get in a new start up and suffer with the saints. Support your local pastor. Bless him financially and then even more. The mentality that you should starve your pastor is of the devil. If your pastor is not getting paid a handsome sum, provided excellent housing and then showered with gifts, you are not doing your part. Even if your pastor is just not that great, lift him or her up and make them great. The devil is in charge of: tear-the-pastor-down-and-keep-him-down-so-you-don't-have-to-pay-him/her-well-syndrome.
Here is some benefits of going to a church instead of staying home and trying to act as is you were more spiritual or advanced than those that go to church.
You will meet some great people
You will have the opportunity to reach out to others to help them
You will get help yourself when you need it
You will sense the presence of God and find more truths inside of yourself that if you try to do it alone
You will be building up (not tearing down) the kingdom of God
You will receive revelation, visions, special impartations to you inside your soul. Do with them as you please, but you cannot be in a sanctuary and not receive from God, unless you are the one that is spiritually dead.
You will receive blessings from others around you, many.
You will be strengthened in your faith.
You will (if you go to a contemporary service) probably hear the best live music anywhere.
You will hear more Bible and read more Bible than if you try to wing it alone.
You will see how other people are coping with life and it will advance your consoling perspective in life.
There are so many more. Be a part of what God is doing. God designed the church and to be in the will of God you will have to let your guard down a little and swallow some pride.
You may have been hurt in the past by church members. So what? People are always going to let you down, but that's no reason to abandon the work of God.
You might not life the pastor. So what? It's not about liking anybody. Is that your litmus test whether you are going to learn from someone? If it is you have been duped. You have been learning form writers, philosophers, TV personalities and many others in whom you have never even met. You probably wouldn't like some of them either.
You might feel that the church you were going to is too dry. Then go to another church. Go to a start-up, go to a mega-church or go to another denomination, but go.
What you need that only a church can provide and what you can offer that no one else can is the only reason you really need to become a part of a congregation.
Daily Devotional April 14 - Christians Have Troubles Too
""Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;" 2 Corinthians 11:24-26
I hate to be the one to break the news, but as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, along with the many blessings and benefits, you will have troubles, and not a few. Natural disasters are one thing that all of us can tolerate, because we know that nature takes no captives. We expect nature to deal a heavy blow at times. We understand that nature can be harsh and unforgiving and can come to any of us unknowingly. I think we all agree that the troubles that come with nature are not person specific.
But when your own friends, those that have sat beside you in church, those who have eaten with you and maybe even watched your children; when they become a Judas, it is devastating. When those that you trusted with privy information and those who you relied upon, that you lent your trust to for a season, when they lie about you and steal from you, it is very difficult to understand and sometimes it takes us a long time to get over it. Paul was abused, misused, beaten, lied about, accused falsely and suffered great emotional pain and loss of integrity because those in whom he trusted became turncoats.
I hope you have never experienced the pain of a fellow church member, so-called Christian, deliberately taking advantage of you and trying to destroy you. I have. There are some people that want what you have so badly they will do anything to get it. There are some people that when they really get just how much you love the Lord, they fall to pieces and set out to do wicked things against you. Jesus brings out the best and the worst in people. Those who love the Lord, the best. Those who love themselves more, the worst. Paul was simply trying to tell people what he saw with his own eyes and experienced in his own heart. It was his life-long friends and co-workers in the synagogue that did most of the terrible things to him. But along the way he made enemies also. Along the way when you serve the Lord you are likely to make some enemies.
I just want to encourage you. What others do to you isn't of much consequence in the big picture. God will have his way. What others took from you , God will return multiplied. What others said about you will come back on them, not because God will have to do anything about it, it is part of the consequence of reaping what you sow. What others did to you that caused you to lose ground, and maybe even lose faith in yourself for a time will be renewed like the wings of eagles. Look up to God and thank him that you are worthy to suffer.
I am not saying that there is any pleasure in suffering. I am saying that if you continue in the Lord, God will have his way with you at least as long as others have had their way with you. That's something to look forward to.
I hate to be the one to break the news, but as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, along with the many blessings and benefits, you will have troubles, and not a few. Natural disasters are one thing that all of us can tolerate, because we know that nature takes no captives. We expect nature to deal a heavy blow at times. We understand that nature can be harsh and unforgiving and can come to any of us unknowingly. I think we all agree that the troubles that come with nature are not person specific.
But when your own friends, those that have sat beside you in church, those who have eaten with you and maybe even watched your children; when they become a Judas, it is devastating. When those that you trusted with privy information and those who you relied upon, that you lent your trust to for a season, when they lie about you and steal from you, it is very difficult to understand and sometimes it takes us a long time to get over it. Paul was abused, misused, beaten, lied about, accused falsely and suffered great emotional pain and loss of integrity because those in whom he trusted became turncoats.
I hope you have never experienced the pain of a fellow church member, so-called Christian, deliberately taking advantage of you and trying to destroy you. I have. There are some people that want what you have so badly they will do anything to get it. There are some people that when they really get just how much you love the Lord, they fall to pieces and set out to do wicked things against you. Jesus brings out the best and the worst in people. Those who love the Lord, the best. Those who love themselves more, the worst. Paul was simply trying to tell people what he saw with his own eyes and experienced in his own heart. It was his life-long friends and co-workers in the synagogue that did most of the terrible things to him. But along the way he made enemies also. Along the way when you serve the Lord you are likely to make some enemies.
I just want to encourage you. What others do to you isn't of much consequence in the big picture. God will have his way. What others took from you , God will return multiplied. What others said about you will come back on them, not because God will have to do anything about it, it is part of the consequence of reaping what you sow. What others did to you that caused you to lose ground, and maybe even lose faith in yourself for a time will be renewed like the wings of eagles. Look up to God and thank him that you are worthy to suffer.
I am not saying that there is any pleasure in suffering. I am saying that if you continue in the Lord, God will have his way with you at least as long as others have had their way with you. That's something to look forward to.
Friday, April 13, 2018
Daily Devotional April 13 - Knowing The Bible Is Power
""Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." Matthew 22:29
Jesus was talking to the Sadducces, one of the Jewish religious sects of the times. They were having a discussion about who the wife would be with in heaven if she married seven times and all of her husbands died. The key point that I want to make is that we are in error when we don't know the scriptures and trust in the power of God. Half of the battles that we have with our fellow Christians, and others, is that sometimes neither one of us has the scriptural knowledge to adjudicate a decision or a judgement.
Jesus says, "ye do err, not knowing the scriptures." Well if the religious sect of the times didn't know the scriptures, what makes us think we can know the scriptures? The religious sect of the times were caught up deep into the letter of the law and that law had been altered to add many man made rules and regulations that were not part of God's clear teaching. When you make up laws of your own, you cannot expect them to have the power of a law of God, and they don't.
Today you and I are free to receive the law of grace and to abide in those laws and live them out through faith. We can see what God intended and then live it because the Holy Spirit indwells the believer. We can know the scriptures and the power of God because God is in us. We cannot blame God because a group of people built a religion unto themselves. We can do the same thing today. Many denominations make rules for themselves that have nothing to do with faith or following the doctrines of the Bible. The rules in themselves are of no great consequence, but trusting in the rules of the Church can steer us from the spirit of the laws that God gave to us. More times than not the trouble with church splits can be traced to church rules, not God laws.
Today people are willing to argue about a point, whether denominationally motivated or not, without having the biblical knowledge to make a sensible, godly argument. I believe the Word of God and if there is a clear issue and someone wants to argue with me and does not know the Word of God, I decline. Just as when unbelievers, atheist and agnostics want to argue about the power of God and they deny or talk down the power of God, I also decline. Because I know the scriptures are true and the power of God is real.
Jesus was talking to the Sadducces, one of the Jewish religious sects of the times. They were having a discussion about who the wife would be with in heaven if she married seven times and all of her husbands died. The key point that I want to make is that we are in error when we don't know the scriptures and trust in the power of God. Half of the battles that we have with our fellow Christians, and others, is that sometimes neither one of us has the scriptural knowledge to adjudicate a decision or a judgement.
Jesus says, "ye do err, not knowing the scriptures." Well if the religious sect of the times didn't know the scriptures, what makes us think we can know the scriptures? The religious sect of the times were caught up deep into the letter of the law and that law had been altered to add many man made rules and regulations that were not part of God's clear teaching. When you make up laws of your own, you cannot expect them to have the power of a law of God, and they don't.
Today you and I are free to receive the law of grace and to abide in those laws and live them out through faith. We can see what God intended and then live it because the Holy Spirit indwells the believer. We can know the scriptures and the power of God because God is in us. We cannot blame God because a group of people built a religion unto themselves. We can do the same thing today. Many denominations make rules for themselves that have nothing to do with faith or following the doctrines of the Bible. The rules in themselves are of no great consequence, but trusting in the rules of the Church can steer us from the spirit of the laws that God gave to us. More times than not the trouble with church splits can be traced to church rules, not God laws.
Today people are willing to argue about a point, whether denominationally motivated or not, without having the biblical knowledge to make a sensible, godly argument. I believe the Word of God and if there is a clear issue and someone wants to argue with me and does not know the Word of God, I decline. Just as when unbelievers, atheist and agnostics want to argue about the power of God and they deny or talk down the power of God, I also decline. Because I know the scriptures are true and the power of God is real.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Daily Devotional April 12 - Quit Defending False Religions
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" Timothy 2:5
If you haven't come to grips that Jesus is the only way into a right relationship with God, I pray you will think about it and just give God a chance to explain Himself. God does that in the Bible. God explains the beginning of it all, the pathway from where you were to where you are and where you are headed.
Isn't it sad that so many people are looking frantically in all directions except the one that holds the key to life. Children are indoctrinated into all kinds of religions and cults that steer them away from the one true God and the only mediator between God and man. I'll go along with you, in that, many really are ignorant of the truth and even the existence of Christ. Many simply turn a blind eye to what they see in creation that directs them to believe the intangible based upon the perfection and science of the tangible. But most of all, it is rebellion that has trapped so many from seeing the truth.
Rebellion is well funded by the ego. Millions of men and women, teens and children have heard the call from the Holy Spirit, they have felt the tug on their heart to come to Jesus and they have seen the mighty hand of God at work in this incredible creation, but they can't break away and admit that they have been duped. It is real hard to do, especially if your entire family believes something else.
Some of the major religions of the world don't allow for a person to find themselves, so to speak; they have rules about Jesus, strict rules forbidding them to even contemplate the name; they have hidden all the literature that might inspire someone to come to a knowledge of the truth and they spend countless hours making it miserable for anyone who even begins to think for themselves.
Next time you are thinking about defending those who believe in false religions, think about what they are doing:
Does that sound like something to tout about?
Christianity is the only religion with a living Savior, Jesus the Christ. Jesus is the Savior to all men and women, teens and children, of every race, every nation, every religion. Remember what Apostle John said, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." Just because they don't receive Him doesn't mean that He has not revealed Himself and invited them.
If you haven't come to grips that Jesus is the only way into a right relationship with God, I pray you will think about it and just give God a chance to explain Himself. God does that in the Bible. God explains the beginning of it all, the pathway from where you were to where you are and where you are headed.
Isn't it sad that so many people are looking frantically in all directions except the one that holds the key to life. Children are indoctrinated into all kinds of religions and cults that steer them away from the one true God and the only mediator between God and man. I'll go along with you, in that, many really are ignorant of the truth and even the existence of Christ. Many simply turn a blind eye to what they see in creation that directs them to believe the intangible based upon the perfection and science of the tangible. But most of all, it is rebellion that has trapped so many from seeing the truth.
Rebellion is well funded by the ego. Millions of men and women, teens and children have heard the call from the Holy Spirit, they have felt the tug on their heart to come to Jesus and they have seen the mighty hand of God at work in this incredible creation, but they can't break away and admit that they have been duped. It is real hard to do, especially if your entire family believes something else.
Some of the major religions of the world don't allow for a person to find themselves, so to speak; they have rules about Jesus, strict rules forbidding them to even contemplate the name; they have hidden all the literature that might inspire someone to come to a knowledge of the truth and they spend countless hours making it miserable for anyone who even begins to think for themselves.
Next time you are thinking about defending those who believe in false religions, think about what they are doing:
- Denying God His place in their lives
- Denying their own people the right to think freely and come to a decision on their own
- Purposely making it difficult to even consider another way
- Hiding literature and documents that could inspire
- Lying about Christians and what they stand for
- Instilling fear into the hearts of the people
- Training their people to hate
- Treating women with disdain
- Plotting the destruction of others unlike themselves
- In some cases putting them in jail or even killing them
Does that sound like something to tout about?
Christianity is the only religion with a living Savior, Jesus the Christ. Jesus is the Savior to all men and women, teens and children, of every race, every nation, every religion. Remember what Apostle John said, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." Just because they don't receive Him doesn't mean that He has not revealed Himself and invited them.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Daily Devotional April 11 - Co-creating With God
"Then He took the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished." Luke 18:31
Jesus makes a statement that should rock you foundation if there is any doubt in your mind that the written scriptures, (our Bible) is the very Word of God. If Jesus recognized and trusted the accuracy of the prophetic word, don't you think you ought to as well? In this statement Jesus was confident that whatever was written about Him and His mission on the earth in His earthly body,would come to pass, just as it was written. Jesus knew because Jesus acknowledged and permitted every word that was penned by the prophets to be entered for permanent record of the events for all times.
Maybe you don't believe that. All I can say is that what was prophesied about Jesus came to pass and what was prophesied in the scriptures about the nature of man is validated by our experiences and every word spoken concerning things to come has been accomplished or will come to pass in due time.
I can only trust the Bible for my prophetic word and I do. There are many wonderful things about to happen in your life. I hope you can believe for them. They will come to pass because your loving creator spoke them and wrote them down and you are the benefactor. Part of the equation is to believe it, because the way God made things requires that you apply your faith to bring to pass what God spoke into existence, that co-creating, that's God-thinking.
Jesus makes a statement that should rock you foundation if there is any doubt in your mind that the written scriptures, (our Bible) is the very Word of God. If Jesus recognized and trusted the accuracy of the prophetic word, don't you think you ought to as well? In this statement Jesus was confident that whatever was written about Him and His mission on the earth in His earthly body,would come to pass, just as it was written. Jesus knew because Jesus acknowledged and permitted every word that was penned by the prophets to be entered for permanent record of the events for all times.
Maybe you don't believe that. All I can say is that what was prophesied about Jesus came to pass and what was prophesied in the scriptures about the nature of man is validated by our experiences and every word spoken concerning things to come has been accomplished or will come to pass in due time.
I can only trust the Bible for my prophetic word and I do. There are many wonderful things about to happen in your life. I hope you can believe for them. They will come to pass because your loving creator spoke them and wrote them down and you are the benefactor. Part of the equation is to believe it, because the way God made things requires that you apply your faith to bring to pass what God spoke into existence, that co-creating, that's God-thinking.
Daily Devotional April 10 - Excuses Do Not Provide Results
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:1-2
You cannot separate your business life, your personal life and your lifestyle from your spiritual life.
The days of saying, "I don't mix business with Christianity" are over.
The days of saying, "I don't believe their is any harm in playing my violent, carnal, and filthy mouthed video games" is over.
The days of saying, "I've learned to balance my spiritual life with my worldly life" is over.
The days of saying, "I don't believe that living with someone prior to marriage" is over.
The days of saying, "If I want to do something ungodly that is my business" is over.
The days of, "If the sin I choose doesn't hurt anyone else" is over.
The days of, "If I choose to do drugs, that's my business" is over.
The days of, "I raise my kids to be free thinkers and to choose any religion they like" is over.
The days of, "I don't need to go to church, I'll just have church at home with myself" is over.
Presenting your bodies 'a living sacrifice" isn't doing anything you want, any where you want with anyone you want. Of course there is freedom in Christ and we are to live free and be satisfied and happy and full of the goodness life. But Christianity has always been about moral uprightness, doing the right thing even if it hurts, making the right decisions even if they go against the tide, choosing a godly lifestyle even if it requires a little sacrifice. If your compass isn't set on being "transformed by the renewing of your mind" then what direction are you in?
There are two paths in this life. The broad path where there is much company and many people willing to keep you on this path so that they can exploit you and make money with you and keep you from a life with God. And there is the narrow path and few there are that find it. It's not God's fault that so many people have chosen the lesser life. No, it's not anybodies fault except our own. Later in life you begin to notice that all along you could have chosen to do things God's way.
Why not do it now? The Bible says "be not conformed to this world." God wants you to enjoy it and use it to your benefit and for the benefit of others, not for the world to use you. You aren't going to be happy with what the world makes of you if you let it continue to drive you. I can say without any reservation that you will be happy, very happy with what you ultimately become if you let God drive you. They are "worlds" apart.
You cannot separate your business life, your personal life and your lifestyle from your spiritual life.
The days of saying, "I don't mix business with Christianity" are over.
The days of saying, "I don't believe their is any harm in playing my violent, carnal, and filthy mouthed video games" is over.
The days of saying, "I've learned to balance my spiritual life with my worldly life" is over.
The days of saying, "I don't believe that living with someone prior to marriage" is over.
The days of saying, "If I want to do something ungodly that is my business" is over.
The days of, "If the sin I choose doesn't hurt anyone else" is over.
The days of, "If I choose to do drugs, that's my business" is over.
The days of, "I raise my kids to be free thinkers and to choose any religion they like" is over.
The days of, "I don't need to go to church, I'll just have church at home with myself" is over.
Presenting your bodies 'a living sacrifice" isn't doing anything you want, any where you want with anyone you want. Of course there is freedom in Christ and we are to live free and be satisfied and happy and full of the goodness life. But Christianity has always been about moral uprightness, doing the right thing even if it hurts, making the right decisions even if they go against the tide, choosing a godly lifestyle even if it requires a little sacrifice. If your compass isn't set on being "transformed by the renewing of your mind" then what direction are you in?
There are two paths in this life. The broad path where there is much company and many people willing to keep you on this path so that they can exploit you and make money with you and keep you from a life with God. And there is the narrow path and few there are that find it. It's not God's fault that so many people have chosen the lesser life. No, it's not anybodies fault except our own. Later in life you begin to notice that all along you could have chosen to do things God's way.
Why not do it now? The Bible says "be not conformed to this world." God wants you to enjoy it and use it to your benefit and for the benefit of others, not for the world to use you. You aren't going to be happy with what the world makes of you if you let it continue to drive you. I can say without any reservation that you will be happy, very happy with what you ultimately become if you let God drive you. They are "worlds" apart.
Daily Devotional April 9 - Jesus As Friend
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you." John 15:15
Are you completely sold out to being the friend of God. Of course I said God. "For all things that I heard of My Father I have made known unto you." The Father said, 'it's time to let them know their true place in life, a friend of God.' This is not a very popular concept, because so many pastors today either want you to be afraid of God (leverage) or to think of God as a magical genie, (emotional relationship), but 'friend' hits deep into the soul of what God had/has in mind for man.
It has always been like this from the beginning. We were created in the image and likeness of God and within that image and likeness is all the components needed to secure a deep and loving friendship. God designed you to be His friend, to talk to, to commune with, to laugh with, to go through troubles with, to suffer with, to be encouraged with, to encourage others with, to find your place in life, to help others find their place in life, to advise you and so that you can advise others, to comfort you and give you the wherewithal to comfort others, to go through all of life with God as your friend and your God.
The Father told the Son (Jesus) to call us friends. If that's not assurance that you can bank on, nothing is. Next time someone asks you about God, can you say that He is your friend? Go ahead
just say God is my friend. I am a friend of God. I am God's friend. Can I mention that God is also friendly. There is no friend like Jesus. Do I need say more?
Are you completely sold out to being the friend of God. Of course I said God. "For all things that I heard of My Father I have made known unto you." The Father said, 'it's time to let them know their true place in life, a friend of God.' This is not a very popular concept, because so many pastors today either want you to be afraid of God (leverage) or to think of God as a magical genie, (emotional relationship), but 'friend' hits deep into the soul of what God had/has in mind for man.
It has always been like this from the beginning. We were created in the image and likeness of God and within that image and likeness is all the components needed to secure a deep and loving friendship. God designed you to be His friend, to talk to, to commune with, to laugh with, to go through troubles with, to suffer with, to be encouraged with, to encourage others with, to find your place in life, to help others find their place in life, to advise you and so that you can advise others, to comfort you and give you the wherewithal to comfort others, to go through all of life with God as your friend and your God.
The Father told the Son (Jesus) to call us friends. If that's not assurance that you can bank on, nothing is. Next time someone asks you about God, can you say that He is your friend? Go ahead
just say God is my friend. I am a friend of God. I am God's friend. Can I mention that God is also friendly. There is no friend like Jesus. Do I need say more?
Daily Devotional April 8 - Do You Believe Without Seeing?
""But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be with you. Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:24-29
The unbelieving world has already seen Jesus, just like Thomas; they have already been a recipient of God's prevenient grace; they have already seen the mighty works of the hand of God and in their own lives they have received countless blessings because of the prayers and intercessions of others. But, just like with Thomas, it is not enough. They want more proof. I've heard it all:
One thoughtful moment spent in cogitating on creation, the birth of a child, a rose, the mountains, our rivers, a glance into the stars, and a thoughtful counting of the many blessings that have come your way is all the proof anyone should need.
Jesus said, "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." The atheist, the agnostic, and those who have been conditioned to believe in another god; all are fighting their own inner unction that God placed in them to seek and find the One true God. Thomas believed once he saw the hand prints and the spear mark, but not everyone believed.
There were many that walked right along side of Jesus and ate with Him and sat under His teaching and yet held onto their religious dogma or in some cases irreligious hedonism. Either way, coming to Jesus is through faith and does not require sight, nor does it require that you or someone else perform a miracle, nor does it require that Jesus walk on water again to prove Himself.
The best proof you can offer anyone is your personal testimony of your own faith. Does your personal testimony include , "My Lord and my God?"
The unbelieving world has already seen Jesus, just like Thomas; they have already been a recipient of God's prevenient grace; they have already seen the mighty works of the hand of God and in their own lives they have received countless blessings because of the prayers and intercessions of others. But, just like with Thomas, it is not enough. They want more proof. I've heard it all:
- If Jesus was real, why do young people die before their time?
- If Jesus was real, he could put a stop to all the pain and suffering of the world?
- If Jesus was real why did he let this or that happen?
- If I saw a miracle I would believe.
- If Jesus was to come and talk to me personally I would believe.
- If Jesus was to give me this or that I would believe.
One thoughtful moment spent in cogitating on creation, the birth of a child, a rose, the mountains, our rivers, a glance into the stars, and a thoughtful counting of the many blessings that have come your way is all the proof anyone should need.
Jesus said, "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." The atheist, the agnostic, and those who have been conditioned to believe in another god; all are fighting their own inner unction that God placed in them to seek and find the One true God. Thomas believed once he saw the hand prints and the spear mark, but not everyone believed.
There were many that walked right along side of Jesus and ate with Him and sat under His teaching and yet held onto their religious dogma or in some cases irreligious hedonism. Either way, coming to Jesus is through faith and does not require sight, nor does it require that you or someone else perform a miracle, nor does it require that Jesus walk on water again to prove Himself.
The best proof you can offer anyone is your personal testimony of your own faith. Does your personal testimony include , "My Lord and my God?"
Daily Devotional April 7 - Is Your Faith convenient Faith?
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4
Just for a moment put aside what you think you want in life, put aside wanting a certain amount of wealth, put aside thinking the world owes you something, put aside any propensity of wanting something that you know is not of God, even put aside wanting to be healed, just for a moment.
What overcomes the world is our faith. In other words knowing who God is by faith overcomes the world. Faith is the victory. Receiving money or getting back territory that was stolen, or even being healed is not the victory. These are blessings, benefits to the child of God. I know from experience and fear that many people today don't think about God or even care to get to know God personally, they just want what God offers.
Most people can push their faith forward enough to believe for something. I would even venture to say that many Christians today have what I call "convenient faith." Convenient faith is faith that looks to God as a magical genie of sorts and convenient faith seeks after things and also seeks to go around certain events instead of through them. Convenient faith doesn't understand that going through the fire with God is far better than skirting around it without God.
Those who only seek God for something miss the truth of what faith is all about. Faith is for you to get to know God. Faith is the eyes that can see God. Faith is the power to pray for others with expectation. Faith is the deliverer from any and all substances that have plagued us. Faith is the proof of all that is holy and supernatural. Faith is the tangible hope for the intangible gift. Faith is the victory. Faith is the victory. Faith is the victory.
Try using your faith to get into the presence of God for the sake of getting in the presence of God; not for any reason other than to know Him better; not to ask for anything; not to explain yourself and your current situation; not to try to have an experience that you can hold over everyones head as if by going into the presence of God makes you better than someone else.
No, try using your faith to get into the presence of God because you want a relationship with the only God of the universe. It's a pretty good reason in itself."
Just for a moment put aside what you think you want in life, put aside wanting a certain amount of wealth, put aside thinking the world owes you something, put aside any propensity of wanting something that you know is not of God, even put aside wanting to be healed, just for a moment.
What overcomes the world is our faith. In other words knowing who God is by faith overcomes the world. Faith is the victory. Receiving money or getting back territory that was stolen, or even being healed is not the victory. These are blessings, benefits to the child of God. I know from experience and fear that many people today don't think about God or even care to get to know God personally, they just want what God offers.
Most people can push their faith forward enough to believe for something. I would even venture to say that many Christians today have what I call "convenient faith." Convenient faith is faith that looks to God as a magical genie of sorts and convenient faith seeks after things and also seeks to go around certain events instead of through them. Convenient faith doesn't understand that going through the fire with God is far better than skirting around it without God.
Those who only seek God for something miss the truth of what faith is all about. Faith is for you to get to know God. Faith is the eyes that can see God. Faith is the power to pray for others with expectation. Faith is the deliverer from any and all substances that have plagued us. Faith is the proof of all that is holy and supernatural. Faith is the tangible hope for the intangible gift. Faith is the victory. Faith is the victory. Faith is the victory.
Try using your faith to get into the presence of God for the sake of getting in the presence of God; not for any reason other than to know Him better; not to ask for anything; not to explain yourself and your current situation; not to try to have an experience that you can hold over everyones head as if by going into the presence of God makes you better than someone else.
No, try using your faith to get into the presence of God because you want a relationship with the only God of the universe. It's a pretty good reason in itself."
Friday, April 6, 2018
Daily Devotional April 6 - What Do You See When You Look Around?
"Oh LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." Psalm 104:24
The psalmist must have had a deep understanding of God to pen these words and all of Psalm 104. It would do you well to take time to get to know God in this way. I know from my own experience that it is easy to get caught up in the day to day, worldly pursuits and not take the time to see and grasp all that has been made for us. I was on a mountain cliff last night overlooking a long view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was breathtaking. It was overwhelming. I felt close to nature in a good way, but I sensed that we have not done well in working with nature to accomplish our human goals.
Even though I don't have the answers to how to stop our foolish pillaging of nature I do recognize its greatness. I see the wisdom of God built into nature. I know that God has made them all. I see the wisdom of it. I know the earth is full of His riches. I am so thankful that I have come to this place in my life where my surroundings have meaning. I hope you are not so caught up with what you are doing that you don't give any time to recognizing the glory of God in the many wonders that God made. I no this is a small thing, but the psalmists wrote about the mighty wonders of God's creation quite a lot and God allowed it to become our guidebook to life. Maybe there is more to connecting to the natural elements than we have previously acknowledged.
The earth is full of His riches. How wondrous are His creations and worthy of our acknowledgement. There's beauty at every turn. Look for it, find it and thank God for it.
The psalmist must have had a deep understanding of God to pen these words and all of Psalm 104. It would do you well to take time to get to know God in this way. I know from my own experience that it is easy to get caught up in the day to day, worldly pursuits and not take the time to see and grasp all that has been made for us. I was on a mountain cliff last night overlooking a long view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was breathtaking. It was overwhelming. I felt close to nature in a good way, but I sensed that we have not done well in working with nature to accomplish our human goals.
Even though I don't have the answers to how to stop our foolish pillaging of nature I do recognize its greatness. I see the wisdom of God built into nature. I know that God has made them all. I see the wisdom of it. I know the earth is full of His riches. I am so thankful that I have come to this place in my life where my surroundings have meaning. I hope you are not so caught up with what you are doing that you don't give any time to recognizing the glory of God in the many wonders that God made. I no this is a small thing, but the psalmists wrote about the mighty wonders of God's creation quite a lot and God allowed it to become our guidebook to life. Maybe there is more to connecting to the natural elements than we have previously acknowledged.
The earth is full of His riches. How wondrous are His creations and worthy of our acknowledgement. There's beauty at every turn. Look for it, find it and thank God for it.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Daily Devotional April 5 - Is There something To Being Considerate To The Earth?
""And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15
God created everything there is that is common to us, the earth, moon, stars, universe, galaxies, plants, animals, light, water and all that is. Just after Adam was created, God placed Adam in the garden that God had made and God instructed Adam to dress it and to keep it. I think that since this was the very first recorded command given to Adam we should give special attention to it. There are many similarities between all of the Bible characters and ourselves and many of the lifestyles, problems, solutions and concerns parallel our experience today.
When I read "to dress it and to keep it" I realized this was an intent of God that mankind should have the responsibility over the functions of dressing and keeping the earth, our home. It seems right and sensible. It makes me think that maybe we haven't done a very good job at it and maybe we are callous to the earth we live in. Don't get the wrong idea, this is not an endorsement of more regulation or government control over the environment. This is more of a personal call to individuals to look at the scriptures and see what God had in mind for us before we corrupt it into something else, going in a direction that is not God sanctioned.
To dress the earth means to adorn it, work it and keep it beautiful and maintained, dress it and make it look pretty. Be careful with it and use good sense in its use, but also to see it as a beautiful creation worthy of our respect and concern. God made a garden and put man in it and we should do what we can to make a garden out of what we have, not just in the physical sense, but in all areas of our life; a dressed and kept garden of our children, a dressed and kept garden of our work, a dressed and kept garden of our relationship with our spouse, a dressed and kept garden with our neighbors, a dressed and kept garden with God. Dressed means adorned and respected. I'll bet you and I can think of times, even recently, when we weren't very careful with our gardens."
God created everything there is that is common to us, the earth, moon, stars, universe, galaxies, plants, animals, light, water and all that is. Just after Adam was created, God placed Adam in the garden that God had made and God instructed Adam to dress it and to keep it. I think that since this was the very first recorded command given to Adam we should give special attention to it. There are many similarities between all of the Bible characters and ourselves and many of the lifestyles, problems, solutions and concerns parallel our experience today.
When I read "to dress it and to keep it" I realized this was an intent of God that mankind should have the responsibility over the functions of dressing and keeping the earth, our home. It seems right and sensible. It makes me think that maybe we haven't done a very good job at it and maybe we are callous to the earth we live in. Don't get the wrong idea, this is not an endorsement of more regulation or government control over the environment. This is more of a personal call to individuals to look at the scriptures and see what God had in mind for us before we corrupt it into something else, going in a direction that is not God sanctioned.
To dress the earth means to adorn it, work it and keep it beautiful and maintained, dress it and make it look pretty. Be careful with it and use good sense in its use, but also to see it as a beautiful creation worthy of our respect and concern. God made a garden and put man in it and we should do what we can to make a garden out of what we have, not just in the physical sense, but in all areas of our life; a dressed and kept garden of our children, a dressed and kept garden of our work, a dressed and kept garden of our relationship with our spouse, a dressed and kept garden with our neighbors, a dressed and kept garden with God. Dressed means adorned and respected. I'll bet you and I can think of times, even recently, when we weren't very careful with our gardens."
Daily Devotional April 4 - Just How big Is God to You?
"This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that His testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:24-25
It is a good thing to trust the stories in the Bible that you have read, and it is a good thing to apply what you have read in order to receive the power that is in the written word. Within scripture are contained all the necessary components to provide for your salvation, sanctification and secure eternal life as well as instruction for living a godly life every day until you die.
But as you draw conclusions, don't forget that what is written in scripture was never meant to be all that happened or all that was consequential. No way. God cannot be fully disclosed in the pages of a book nor in volumes of books even if the volumes of books were to fill the entire world.
Every moment in time God is intertwining the prayers of one with the needs of another, the giving of one with the destitution of another, the solace of one with the loss of another, the riches of one with the poverty of another, the strength of one with the weakness of another, the courage of one with the cowardice of another, the godliness of one with the unrighteousness of another, the happiness of one with the sadness of another, the birth of a new vision of one with the loss of everything with another, the kindness of one with the meanness of another, the gentleness of one with the anger of another, the laughter of one with the crying of another, the stedfastness of one with the brokenness of another.
If all that Jesus ever did for you was what He has already done, it would be more than you can imagine and more than you deserve. What Jesus has already done for us cannot be done by anybody else nor could it be understood or revealed in our finite minds. What Jesus has in mind for you for the rest of your days, if written in books, would also take up more space than the world provides. When you think of what Jesus has done for you, how many volumes does it make?
It is a good thing to trust the stories in the Bible that you have read, and it is a good thing to apply what you have read in order to receive the power that is in the written word. Within scripture are contained all the necessary components to provide for your salvation, sanctification and secure eternal life as well as instruction for living a godly life every day until you die.
But as you draw conclusions, don't forget that what is written in scripture was never meant to be all that happened or all that was consequential. No way. God cannot be fully disclosed in the pages of a book nor in volumes of books even if the volumes of books were to fill the entire world.
Every moment in time God is intertwining the prayers of one with the needs of another, the giving of one with the destitution of another, the solace of one with the loss of another, the riches of one with the poverty of another, the strength of one with the weakness of another, the courage of one with the cowardice of another, the godliness of one with the unrighteousness of another, the happiness of one with the sadness of another, the birth of a new vision of one with the loss of everything with another, the kindness of one with the meanness of another, the gentleness of one with the anger of another, the laughter of one with the crying of another, the stedfastness of one with the brokenness of another.
If all that Jesus ever did for you was what He has already done, it would be more than you can imagine and more than you deserve. What Jesus has already done for us cannot be done by anybody else nor could it be understood or revealed in our finite minds. What Jesus has in mind for you for the rest of your days, if written in books, would also take up more space than the world provides. When you think of what Jesus has done for you, how many volumes does it make?
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Daily Devotional April 3 - Let God Work It Out
"And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;" 1 Samuel 12:20
Today I want to speak to everyone who is still involved in some way with things that are blatantly ungodly or irresponsible. Your trapped by your circumstances and you've made some verifiable bad choices. You might even be getting deeper in the pit of despair or trouble than you ever imagined. Maybe other than this nemesis in your life everything is going relatively smooth, (you think). But the truth is that if you are involved in something inappropriate or blatantly ungodly, you are negatively affecting your future and those around you. There will not be a good outcome unless you quickly disengage.
But in this time (that you either brought on yourself or others pushed on to you) you need your heavenly Father. You need what God has to offer. Now is not the time to say, (God wouldn't approve of me or what I am doing so there is no use to go to Him.) It's just not true. In this predicament you need God just as much as when all is well. And you can turn to Him. You can call out to Jesus. You can expect God to move on your behalf straightway. You can talk to God and tell Him your troubles and the difficulty associated with removing yourself from the situation. If you continue to try to fix this on your own (the way you got into it in the first place) you will fail.
I'm with Samuel. Right now, today, in your current condition, don't turn your back on God. God didn't do this to you, but God can and will move on your behalf to work out the details so that you can move forward. "Turn not aside." You cannot hide from God, but you can (because of free will) deny God access to help you through it. Change your mind and let God work it out with you.
Today I want to speak to everyone who is still involved in some way with things that are blatantly ungodly or irresponsible. Your trapped by your circumstances and you've made some verifiable bad choices. You might even be getting deeper in the pit of despair or trouble than you ever imagined. Maybe other than this nemesis in your life everything is going relatively smooth, (you think). But the truth is that if you are involved in something inappropriate or blatantly ungodly, you are negatively affecting your future and those around you. There will not be a good outcome unless you quickly disengage.
But in this time (that you either brought on yourself or others pushed on to you) you need your heavenly Father. You need what God has to offer. Now is not the time to say, (God wouldn't approve of me or what I am doing so there is no use to go to Him.) It's just not true. In this predicament you need God just as much as when all is well. And you can turn to Him. You can call out to Jesus. You can expect God to move on your behalf straightway. You can talk to God and tell Him your troubles and the difficulty associated with removing yourself from the situation. If you continue to try to fix this on your own (the way you got into it in the first place) you will fail.
I'm with Samuel. Right now, today, in your current condition, don't turn your back on God. God didn't do this to you, but God can and will move on your behalf to work out the details so that you can move forward. "Turn not aside." You cannot hide from God, but you can (because of free will) deny God access to help you through it. Change your mind and let God work it out with you.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Daily Devotional April 2 - Whose Vocabulary Do You Follow, Your Flesh Or Your Spirit?
"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." Proverbs 13:3
Look, you think you are a good person and overall you are, but don't disregard the words of wisdom from Solomon. If you are mouthy and have a difficult time expressing your wishes unless you yell or say some demeaning thing, think about the consequences of your actions. The words you speak and the intonation of those words has a lot to say about you as a person.
This is something you can rectify. You have within you power over your own mouth. Do you want to yield to your baser instincts or rise to newer and higher thinking? What you think and what you speak have a great deal to do with who you are and where you are today. But even if you like the way things are and even if it doesn't bother you if you speak abruptly or disrespectfully to your children or your spouse, you might not like the long-term results of such actions.
Your spouse, children and friends were made by God to hear in their hearing every good and worthy word you can muster up. They were designed to respond to the sounds of the indwelling Holy Spirits voice being uttered through a willing vessel. They were designed to be built up and encouraged by the words you speak and the thoughts you think. I know I don't want to be responsible speaking trash into the hearts and minds of those I love.
This is a war between the spirit and the flesh. Your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak. Your spirit seeks and desires the higher things of God, while you flesh seeks the baser things, the lesser things and ultimately death. Your spirit has within it the vocabulary of God, while your flesh has within it a very limited and sometimes degrading lexicon. Yes this will require some energy and some hard work and some sacrifice, but doesn't everything of value cost something?
Look, you think you are a good person and overall you are, but don't disregard the words of wisdom from Solomon. If you are mouthy and have a difficult time expressing your wishes unless you yell or say some demeaning thing, think about the consequences of your actions. The words you speak and the intonation of those words has a lot to say about you as a person.
This is something you can rectify. You have within you power over your own mouth. Do you want to yield to your baser instincts or rise to newer and higher thinking? What you think and what you speak have a great deal to do with who you are and where you are today. But even if you like the way things are and even if it doesn't bother you if you speak abruptly or disrespectfully to your children or your spouse, you might not like the long-term results of such actions.
Your spouse, children and friends were made by God to hear in their hearing every good and worthy word you can muster up. They were designed to respond to the sounds of the indwelling Holy Spirits voice being uttered through a willing vessel. They were designed to be built up and encouraged by the words you speak and the thoughts you think. I know I don't want to be responsible speaking trash into the hearts and minds of those I love.
This is a war between the spirit and the flesh. Your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak. Your spirit seeks and desires the higher things of God, while you flesh seeks the baser things, the lesser things and ultimately death. Your spirit has within it the vocabulary of God, while your flesh has within it a very limited and sometimes degrading lexicon. Yes this will require some energy and some hard work and some sacrifice, but doesn't everything of value cost something?
Daily Devotional April 1 - You shall Be Filled
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6
Oh the depths and riches of a relationship with God. Do you hunger and thirst for this kind of relationship with God? If you do God says you will be filled. Try to believe it long enough for God to reveal Himself through your circumstance and fill you up.
- Filled with what?
- Filled with the understanding of how God operates in the lives of mankind.
- Filled with the internal enlightenment that with God even a morsel is more than having it all without God.
- Filled with the knowledge of the Holy.
- Filled with courage to go through it (whatever 'it' is that is heavy on your soul) as God carefully leads you into that next place.
- Filled with strength to fight against the strong urges to go back to the familiar, go back to the common, go back to those things that once owned you, go back to the things that were or are killing you; strength to break away from any and all substances/things/people that are keeping you from being at peace with God.
- Filled with the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; God within us.
- Filled with humility, the kind that isn't afraid to do something for someone and not get credit.
- Filled with reverence for the Holy things of God.
- Filled with prayer that speaks out requests from the heart, prayers that reflect an understanding that God is a God of miracles, not a genie in a bottle.
- Filled with worship, seeking opportunities to get alone with God on the mountaintop, or somewhere quiet and worshipping God for His Allness, and seeking opportunities to gather together with others and worship God with depth and reverence.
- Filled with love, looking for opportunities to give to others, finding ways to make you spouse happy, (even if things aren't the way you want them to be), looking for ways to say yes to your kids. Filled with love means you have to give something up for someone else to receive something, like giving up a few seconds in front of the TV when your spouse or children asks a question. Filled with love means being available when you are the 'closest person' to a need and God calls you to go and fill it. It might be inconvenient.
Oh the depths and riches of a relationship with God. Do you hunger and thirst for this kind of relationship with God? If you do God says you will be filled. Try to believe it long enough for God to reveal Himself through your circumstance and fill you up.
Daily Devotional March 31 - Get In Line With God-thinking
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
You can tell if you have been justified by faith, you are at peace with God. What does it mean to be at peace with God? Most of all it means that in your thinking you are not seeing God as an adversary watching you closely to see if you are messing up. It means that when you think of God you think high and lofty thoughts. You think that God is working things out for you. You think that since God has gone before you, you know that even in the circumstance you are in right now (yes, I mean even the unfair situation you are in) God is in full knowledge of and God is working out the passageway through it right now. I said passageway through it because God-thinking requires you to go through it with God, not around it, over it or under it.
Being at peace with God means that when you think of God you think that God knew what He was doing when He set it all in motion and you are completely convinced that God knows what He is doing right now, in your life and those across the world. Being at peace with God is knowing in your knower that when you go into the presence of God that all that is Holy and perfect awaits you there. You understand that you go into the presence of God with expectations of being changed into a clearer image of God's Son than you were before. You know that being at peace with God is understanding that the moments at hand are for using toward your desired end and that fighting God avails no benefit.
Being at peace with God is sublime. It is undefinable. It can only be learned from being in the presence of God. Once you recognize that God is on your side and that all of creation was designed for you and that every possible scenario was worked out for you before the earth was even made, you should find time to make it right with God and get in line with His thinking, God-thinking.
You can tell if you have been justified by faith, you are at peace with God. What does it mean to be at peace with God? Most of all it means that in your thinking you are not seeing God as an adversary watching you closely to see if you are messing up. It means that when you think of God you think high and lofty thoughts. You think that God is working things out for you. You think that since God has gone before you, you know that even in the circumstance you are in right now (yes, I mean even the unfair situation you are in) God is in full knowledge of and God is working out the passageway through it right now. I said passageway through it because God-thinking requires you to go through it with God, not around it, over it or under it.
Being at peace with God means that when you think of God you think that God knew what He was doing when He set it all in motion and you are completely convinced that God knows what He is doing right now, in your life and those across the world. Being at peace with God is knowing in your knower that when you go into the presence of God that all that is Holy and perfect awaits you there. You understand that you go into the presence of God with expectations of being changed into a clearer image of God's Son than you were before. You know that being at peace with God is understanding that the moments at hand are for using toward your desired end and that fighting God avails no benefit.
Being at peace with God is sublime. It is undefinable. It can only be learned from being in the presence of God. Once you recognize that God is on your side and that all of creation was designed for you and that every possible scenario was worked out for you before the earth was even made, you should find time to make it right with God and get in line with His thinking, God-thinking.
Daily Devotional March 30 - Jesus Is The Light
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12
Do you believe it? What Jesus is claiming is that many others will come along with great teaching, they might even be prophets or visionaries. They will have pure speech and a fine mind. They will teach what they know from the wisdom they have obtained in their fine finite mind. They might even teach truths that men should live by. They might even teach profound truths and they might direct the people to do good and be at peace with one another. But they are not The Light. That's what makes Jesus different. Jesus is the Light. Jesus doesn't just understand what's going on in the universe. Jesus made it. Jesus walked and lived on earth just like other prophets; Mohammad, Buddha, Vishnu and others, but Mohammad, Buddha, Vishnu and the others did not create the universe.
Jesus came down from the heavens, the others did not. Jesus is alive, the others are not. Jesus is God who came to us, the others are not. Others may have some light, but Jesus is the Light. Any wisdom that others purport to have obtained, they obtained from Jesus. Jesus is the source, the others received from the source.
The others can teach about the Light, but only Jesus is the Light. Others can teach you a great many things, but only Jesus can grant you eternal life. I'm not afraid to learn from others across the world, the great and respected writers, philosophers and prophets, and I gleam from them whatever light they possess, but to look to them as if they were the Light would be foolish, and not profitable and not true. Why not learn from all those who went before us the way it was meant to be, 'Men and women striving for excellence passing on their beliefs from their journey.' But they are not the Light, just a small reflection, if any, of the Light. Jesus is the Light.
Do you believe it? What Jesus is claiming is that many others will come along with great teaching, they might even be prophets or visionaries. They will have pure speech and a fine mind. They will teach what they know from the wisdom they have obtained in their fine finite mind. They might even teach truths that men should live by. They might even teach profound truths and they might direct the people to do good and be at peace with one another. But they are not The Light. That's what makes Jesus different. Jesus is the Light. Jesus doesn't just understand what's going on in the universe. Jesus made it. Jesus walked and lived on earth just like other prophets; Mohammad, Buddha, Vishnu and others, but Mohammad, Buddha, Vishnu and the others did not create the universe.
Jesus came down from the heavens, the others did not. Jesus is alive, the others are not. Jesus is God who came to us, the others are not. Others may have some light, but Jesus is the Light. Any wisdom that others purport to have obtained, they obtained from Jesus. Jesus is the source, the others received from the source.
The others can teach about the Light, but only Jesus is the Light. Others can teach you a great many things, but only Jesus can grant you eternal life. I'm not afraid to learn from others across the world, the great and respected writers, philosophers and prophets, and I gleam from them whatever light they possess, but to look to them as if they were the Light would be foolish, and not profitable and not true. Why not learn from all those who went before us the way it was meant to be, 'Men and women striving for excellence passing on their beliefs from their journey.' But they are not the Light, just a small reflection, if any, of the Light. Jesus is the Light.
Daily Devotional March 29 - Quit Playing With God's Word
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:8
I'm not going to make the argument that whatever you ask for you will get or wherever you seek you shall find what you are looking for nor that if you knock anywhere the door you need to go through will open. That's not the letter of the text nor is it the spirit of the text. But, I will say this.
There is much in life that you do not have because you did not ask, at the right time; not too soon where there is much disappointment, not too late where the unprepared live, but right on time, in time with God's perfect plan for your life.
There are many answers that you might be seeking for and have not found, because you have chosen to seek in the wrong places. You might even be seeking God, wondering why He doesn't just appear to you and straighten everything out. You have to seek in the right place to find the right answer/gift/God.
There are many times when you knocked and the door was opened but it was the wrong door, and you were let in, but that is not the door God is talking about.
"For every one that asketh receiveth:" asking of God what are the true blessings of life, asking of God which way to go, (before you turn) asking of God what to do next, (before you do it) asking of God about starting your new business, (before you start it).
"For every one that seeketh findeth:" seeking out what God designed to work for you (instead of going out on your own, blind, due to pride and ego), seeking out which way to turn (before setting off on your journey) seeking the voice of God (while on the journey, not just after you have messed it all up).
"To him that knocketh it shall be opened:" knocking on God doors, (not just any door) knocking on doors enter into holy places, (not unholy places) knocking on doors that have righteous opportunities, (not doors where those inside make their money without respect or regard to others).
Of course God is not going to give you anything you ask for, seek for, or knock on. God is the Father of lights and only answers His children with the truth, and only gives His children God/good things, and only opens doors that lead to right living. If it were any other way, would you not ask , seek or find what you are truly looking for.
I'm not going to make the argument that whatever you ask for you will get or wherever you seek you shall find what you are looking for nor that if you knock anywhere the door you need to go through will open. That's not the letter of the text nor is it the spirit of the text. But, I will say this.
There is much in life that you do not have because you did not ask, at the right time; not too soon where there is much disappointment, not too late where the unprepared live, but right on time, in time with God's perfect plan for your life.
There are many answers that you might be seeking for and have not found, because you have chosen to seek in the wrong places. You might even be seeking God, wondering why He doesn't just appear to you and straighten everything out. You have to seek in the right place to find the right answer/gift/God.
There are many times when you knocked and the door was opened but it was the wrong door, and you were let in, but that is not the door God is talking about.
"For every one that asketh receiveth:" asking of God what are the true blessings of life, asking of God which way to go, (before you turn) asking of God what to do next, (before you do it) asking of God about starting your new business, (before you start it).
"For every one that seeketh findeth:" seeking out what God designed to work for you (instead of going out on your own, blind, due to pride and ego), seeking out which way to turn (before setting off on your journey) seeking the voice of God (while on the journey, not just after you have messed it all up).
"To him that knocketh it shall be opened:" knocking on God doors, (not just any door) knocking on doors enter into holy places, (not unholy places) knocking on doors that have righteous opportunities, (not doors where those inside make their money without respect or regard to others).
Of course God is not going to give you anything you ask for, seek for, or knock on. God is the Father of lights and only answers His children with the truth, and only gives His children God/good things, and only opens doors that lead to right living. If it were any other way, would you not ask , seek or find what you are truly looking for.
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