"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:3-4
To paraphrase: When I look around and see the splendor of what you created and how all of creation serves you in faithfulness, how all of creation bows to you in great regard for your magnificence; how is it that you look upon man with anything except contempt, seeing that we have not been faithful and we have not given you the honor due Your holy name.
Getting to the place where you actually see God by the work of His hands is a station along the way of maturity in the Christian life. To look toward heaven and realize that we are of more worth to God than all creation put together and that all creation was made just for us is also a sign of Christian maturity. These are the kinds of things we find out while walking with God and talking with God along our journey.
Think on these things and let God speak to you through the mighty work of His hands. Think on how beautiful and complete you are because God has carried you through life up to this point and has a purpose that is being fulfilled in your life. Believe it. Get in touch with the purposes that you were created for. Ask, seek and find meaning in the everyday events of your life. Take serious the call from God to be the man or woman for the job. Quit trying to process life without prayer and meditation. Let God speak into your soul and you will see life the way that God says it is. That's important.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Daily Devotional February 27 - Touched By An Angel
"And whiles I was speaking in prayer, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding." Daniel 9:20-22
Touched by an angel. I will venture to say that many of us have been touched by an angel, in a dream, in a vision or in the flesh. Angels are messengers of God sent for specific purposes to advance the kingdom. They get it. The angels that are with God understand God's plan. They are not rebelling anymore. They have all decided to participate in the divine work of investing themselves in the affairs of mankind. Angels have specific duties and their duties include you.
Many Christians have become agnostic concerning the reality of angelic beings, their work among mankind and their place in the lives of Christians. Too many Christians have almost made a mockery of those few who have said to have had an encounter with an angel. Whether someone has had an encounter or not, and whether their have been stories made up about angels, has hardly anything to do with the scriptural truth of their presence among us. Angels are real and they pass between earth and the heavens. They have projects to accomplish and they positively intervene in the affairs of mankind. Many are warring with fallen angels (demons) on your behalf.
Did you notice in the scripture above that Gabriel came forth to give Daniel skill and understanding? Daniel had been serving the Lord for many years and with a deep love of God and a passion to serve God based on his understanding of God through the scriptures and from the verbal truths handed down to him from his forefathers for centuries. It wasn't after Daniel had gone to God and asked for a new Mercedes or after Daniel had shown God how talented he was in making money or after Daniel had decided to dabble with other religious philosophies that the angel visited. No. Daniel could be trusted with the holy things of God. He wasn't in it for himself. He hadn't compromised on the basic truths that have been taught and handed down throughout the centuries. Daniel had no more privilege than you and I to receive a message from a holy angel, but he was faithful to God in his daily actions."
Touched by an angel. I will venture to say that many of us have been touched by an angel, in a dream, in a vision or in the flesh. Angels are messengers of God sent for specific purposes to advance the kingdom. They get it. The angels that are with God understand God's plan. They are not rebelling anymore. They have all decided to participate in the divine work of investing themselves in the affairs of mankind. Angels have specific duties and their duties include you.
Many Christians have become agnostic concerning the reality of angelic beings, their work among mankind and their place in the lives of Christians. Too many Christians have almost made a mockery of those few who have said to have had an encounter with an angel. Whether someone has had an encounter or not, and whether their have been stories made up about angels, has hardly anything to do with the scriptural truth of their presence among us. Angels are real and they pass between earth and the heavens. They have projects to accomplish and they positively intervene in the affairs of mankind. Many are warring with fallen angels (demons) on your behalf.
Did you notice in the scripture above that Gabriel came forth to give Daniel skill and understanding? Daniel had been serving the Lord for many years and with a deep love of God and a passion to serve God based on his understanding of God through the scriptures and from the verbal truths handed down to him from his forefathers for centuries. It wasn't after Daniel had gone to God and asked for a new Mercedes or after Daniel had shown God how talented he was in making money or after Daniel had decided to dabble with other religious philosophies that the angel visited. No. Daniel could be trusted with the holy things of God. He wasn't in it for himself. He hadn't compromised on the basic truths that have been taught and handed down throughout the centuries. Daniel had no more privilege than you and I to receive a message from a holy angel, but he was faithful to God in his daily actions."
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Daily Devotional February 26 - Bucking Against All Creation
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech or language, where their voice is not heard." Psalm 192:3
In the creation of all that is, God put in it (all of it) an imprint of the creator, a signature of sorts making it clear about the source of the creation itself. The only creature that even begins to think about denying the creator and denying who the creator is, is man. Just the fact that man has the ability and/or the audacity to deny God is proof itself of God's incredible creation of man. God made man so that in man's mind he could, is he chose to, deny the material world and the maker of the material world, deny the spiritual realm and the maker of the spiritual realm.
Even those who actively attempt to show the non-existence of God reveal God through their intellectual acumen. Every time they add a building block to the house of atheism or agnosticism, they do so using their creators tools; intelligence, language, reason, scientific fact.
There is nothing created (seen or unseen) that does not scream of being created by a loving, organized, intelligent, faithful and patient creator. All of creation cries out to its creator. Man was the only creature made in the image and likeness of God and therefore the only creature with the capability to deny the existence of God. Don't lose too much sleep over those you know that deny God His rightful place in their lives. They are bucking against all of creation.
In the creation of all that is, God put in it (all of it) an imprint of the creator, a signature of sorts making it clear about the source of the creation itself. The only creature that even begins to think about denying the creator and denying who the creator is, is man. Just the fact that man has the ability and/or the audacity to deny God is proof itself of God's incredible creation of man. God made man so that in man's mind he could, is he chose to, deny the material world and the maker of the material world, deny the spiritual realm and the maker of the spiritual realm.
Even those who actively attempt to show the non-existence of God reveal God through their intellectual acumen. Every time they add a building block to the house of atheism or agnosticism, they do so using their creators tools; intelligence, language, reason, scientific fact.
There is nothing created (seen or unseen) that does not scream of being created by a loving, organized, intelligent, faithful and patient creator. All of creation cries out to its creator. Man was the only creature made in the image and likeness of God and therefore the only creature with the capability to deny the existence of God. Don't lose too much sleep over those you know that deny God His rightful place in their lives. They are bucking against all of creation.
Daily Devotional February 25 - Is Jesus Your Peace?
"For He is our peace, who hath made both one, (the chosen people of Israel and the gentiles) and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" Ephesians 2:14
Is Jesus your peace?
Answer these questions and you will have your answer.
All of the changes that get made to make you more like Christ will come in time. Jesus will walk you through the process at a speed conducive to your nature and He will change you from the inside out by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And Jesus will become your peace. It is here, at this place in time, where Jesus wants you to become like Him. Even if there were only one more day ahead of you and 80 years behind you; one day with Jesus as your peace accounts for more than a lifetime without.
Is Jesus your peace?
Answer these questions and you will have your answer.
- Do you know Jesus in the way that you look to him in more than formal or corporate prayer?
- Do you count on Jesus having a role in your everyday affairs?
- Have you set your goals around Jesus having a say in your direction?
- Do you look to Jesus for your sustenance?
- Do you talk to Jesus and listen carefully for a response?
- Do you follow Jesus in the way you interact with others?
- Do you have a daily interest in the things of God?
- Do you have joy in your heart because you have come to trust Jesus in even your worst circumstances and situations?
- Do you wake up knowing that Jesus is in control and Jesus is totally committed to meeting your needs for the day as well as helping you fulfill the desires of your heart?
- Do you believe every Word from your Bible?
- Do you even want Jesus to be your peace?
All of the changes that get made to make you more like Christ will come in time. Jesus will walk you through the process at a speed conducive to your nature and He will change you from the inside out by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And Jesus will become your peace. It is here, at this place in time, where Jesus wants you to become like Him. Even if there were only one more day ahead of you and 80 years behind you; one day with Jesus as your peace accounts for more than a lifetime without.
Daily Devotional February 24 - Tell Somebody
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." Isaiah 44:6
If you have been saved by the grace of God and if you have met the Savior; if you have put your faith in the person of Jesus Christ, it is because the Holy Spirit has come to reside in your heart. You know there is only God in the person of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You do not need to try to convince others to be faithful to God, but you must bear witness that Jesus is the only Son of God and that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Other religions have different gods. That's OK. God knows all about it. God is not in a fret because many people call on other gods. Do you have it right? Do you know the God of Israel? Do you place 100% of your faith in Jesus? When you get this right, you can stop worrying about all those who believe differently. Our God is about a personal relationship between you and God, period.
Of course we need missionaries and of course they and you are to tell the world about Jesus. But the right way to evangelize is to speak from personal experience about your relationship with God and not to deface or otherwise condemn others who believe differently. If you tell someone about your relationship with God, the Holy Spirit will take it from there.
Foolish and unnecessary arguments with those who believe differently is not the way. Personal testimony is. God gives personal testimony of Himself in this verse of scripture. Maybe we should do the same.
If you have been saved by the grace of God and if you have met the Savior; if you have put your faith in the person of Jesus Christ, it is because the Holy Spirit has come to reside in your heart. You know there is only God in the person of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You do not need to try to convince others to be faithful to God, but you must bear witness that Jesus is the only Son of God and that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Other religions have different gods. That's OK. God knows all about it. God is not in a fret because many people call on other gods. Do you have it right? Do you know the God of Israel? Do you place 100% of your faith in Jesus? When you get this right, you can stop worrying about all those who believe differently. Our God is about a personal relationship between you and God, period.
Of course we need missionaries and of course they and you are to tell the world about Jesus. But the right way to evangelize is to speak from personal experience about your relationship with God and not to deface or otherwise condemn others who believe differently. If you tell someone about your relationship with God, the Holy Spirit will take it from there.
Foolish and unnecessary arguments with those who believe differently is not the way. Personal testimony is. God gives personal testimony of Himself in this verse of scripture. Maybe we should do the same.
Daily Devotional February 23 - You Have Been Duped
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5
If you have been living under the auspices of God rejecting you because of..., ??? you have been duped. God foresees the future of every person and does not start what He does not finish. Unlike you and I, who are very capable of starting something and then getting side-tracked and not completing it or changing our mind about it, God does not do this. What God starts, God finishes. Has God begun a good work in you? Are you being tugged on to turn your eyes toward heaven more often than ever before? God knows all about your current situation. God is going to take you across the finish line, even while you are sleeping.
It is a shame to the gospel that so many preachers have taught us that God simply calls you and then you are on your own to somehow meet up to His standards or you don't qualify anymore. That's man's insecurities speaking. You are kept by the power of God through faith, not by other mechanisms/theologies/philosophies with unnecessary requirements, unsubstantiated mandates and unreliable results. You are kept by God to fulfill what God spoke about you and nothing can stand in the way and prevent you from crossing the finish line.
If you have been living under the auspices of God rejecting you because of..., ??? you have been duped. God foresees the future of every person and does not start what He does not finish. Unlike you and I, who are very capable of starting something and then getting side-tracked and not completing it or changing our mind about it, God does not do this. What God starts, God finishes. Has God begun a good work in you? Are you being tugged on to turn your eyes toward heaven more often than ever before? God knows all about your current situation. God is going to take you across the finish line, even while you are sleeping.
It is a shame to the gospel that so many preachers have taught us that God simply calls you and then you are on your own to somehow meet up to His standards or you don't qualify anymore. That's man's insecurities speaking. You are kept by the power of God through faith, not by other mechanisms/theologies/philosophies with unnecessary requirements, unsubstantiated mandates and unreliable results. You are kept by God to fulfill what God spoke about you and nothing can stand in the way and prevent you from crossing the finish line.
Daily Devotional February 22 - Help In Time Of Need
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
Jesus is doing the knocking on the door to your mind and your heart. He is calling out to you right now. Jesus has something to say to you and you need to hear it. But you have got to let Him in. With all the din of modernity, you really need the door open to hear what God is saying to you. This door is not a physical door. It is the door to allow for Holy Spirit intervention in your mind. If you are closed off to listening and responding to the Word of God or the voice of God you will not hear what God is saying to you. Remember, God does not yell at you. God will speak to you in a small still voice. God will not barge into your mind and re-arrange your thinking. You must invite Him in and make a place for Him.
Open the door and allow Jesus in. He will sup with you. I am so excited about this verse. Jesus wants to sup with me. You only invite your friends over to your house for dinner. Jesus wants to come and dine with you. Do you make this easy for God? Have you set a place in your heart for the entrance and company of the Holy Spirit? If you have a closed door with a lock on it and a small peep hole to see out, that's not very inviting for a Holy God that has given you life and everything in it. There's no question that Jesus is knocking. Open the door. Go ahead. Just close your eyes and say something like this:
Jesus, come in and sup with me. I'm sorry I am so unavailable. I'm sorry I've kept you outside of my intimate place. Please come in and sup with me. You are welcome in my heart and my soul, for this day and this hour. I want to hear what you have for me.
Jesus is doing the knocking on the door to your mind and your heart. He is calling out to you right now. Jesus has something to say to you and you need to hear it. But you have got to let Him in. With all the din of modernity, you really need the door open to hear what God is saying to you. This door is not a physical door. It is the door to allow for Holy Spirit intervention in your mind. If you are closed off to listening and responding to the Word of God or the voice of God you will not hear what God is saying to you. Remember, God does not yell at you. God will speak to you in a small still voice. God will not barge into your mind and re-arrange your thinking. You must invite Him in and make a place for Him.
Open the door and allow Jesus in. He will sup with you. I am so excited about this verse. Jesus wants to sup with me. You only invite your friends over to your house for dinner. Jesus wants to come and dine with you. Do you make this easy for God? Have you set a place in your heart for the entrance and company of the Holy Spirit? If you have a closed door with a lock on it and a small peep hole to see out, that's not very inviting for a Holy God that has given you life and everything in it. There's no question that Jesus is knocking. Open the door. Go ahead. Just close your eyes and say something like this:
Jesus, come in and sup with me. I'm sorry I am so unavailable. I'm sorry I've kept you outside of my intimate place. Please come in and sup with me. You are welcome in my heart and my soul, for this day and this hour. I want to hear what you have for me.
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