APRIL 2019
4/1/19
OBEDIENCE FROM THE HEART
Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:29 (Living Bible) "Oh, that they would always have such a heart for Me, wanting to obey My commandments. Then all would go well with them in the future."
God speaks to us through His Word and instructs us in the ways of righteousness. He tells us to depart from evil and to always do good. He makes His commandments very plain and teaches us through the example of Jesus that it is not just the letter of the law, but also the attitude of the heart that matters. God wants us to serve Him with all of our heart, all of the time. Jesus taught that it is just as bad to have a heart full of lust or murderous thoughts as it is to commit the acts themselves.
I am reminded of a story about a man who was tired of seeing the cars speeding near the school where his child attended. He had the children's welfare and safety in his heart. So he decided to make use of his time each day by conditioning the traffic to drive slower in that vicinity. He simply sat in his car and pointed a hair dryer out of the window. Thinking that the hair dryer was a radar detector, the drivers slowed their vehicles down because they did not want to suffer the consequences of a speeding ticket. After a while, they were conditioned to drive slower, not because they had the protection of the children in their minds, but because of the anticipation that a radar trap may be in the area.
In the scripture above God said, "Oh, that you would always have a heart for Me and want to obey Me." We worship God with our lives through our obedience to Him. God does not want us to obey His commandments only because we think that someone is watching us or that we are on His radar screen. He wants us to always be obedient with our whole heart regardless of the rewards that we may receive or the consequences that await us. God has a plan and a purpose for every Word that He has spoken and He takes great pride when we submit to Him, for His Words bring life.
God spoke to Adam and Eve and told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This was not because He wanted to keep the fruit from them, but because He was seeking to protect them. When they disobeyed and ate the fruit, He was forced to remove the tree of life from their midst and death resulted. We are God's main interest and He is concerned about our lives. Each Word that He speaks directs our future and brings about the destiny that He has planned for our lives. We must make sure that our hearts are toward Him and that we are obeying His commandments so that all will go well for us in our future. +++
4/2/19
HELP WHEN THINGS LOOK HOPELESS
Scripture: Psalms 146:5 "Happy is he that has the God of Jacob for his help; whose hope is in the Lord his God."
Joy comes when we learn to depend upon God in every situation. Have you ever been to the point that you viewed the situation with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness? Your individual strength was too weak and your material resources were too scarce to solve the problem that loomed before you. I have faced many of these situations and I can truly say that when I put things in God's hands and saw Him solve the problem, I was truly amazed and happy because of the help that He gave me.
For example, my son and I were raking the yard one day when I noticed the heavy layer of leaves and pine needles that were caught on the eves of the windows on the second story of my home. I knew that they had been there for the whole season and that if they were not removed soon they could possibly start a leak in the roof. I did not have a ladder long enough for us to be able to clear the roof and could not afford the expense of a professional. So, right there in my yard, I prayed that God would show me what to do or send someone to help me. To my surprise, a few minutes later, a man walked into my cul-de-sac looking for trees that he could trim. I told him that I did not have any trees that needed cutting, but that my roof needed to be cleared. He said he would do it for twenty dollars, which was within my budget, but neither of us had a ladder long enough to reach the roof. However, God always has provisions for His plans. When He answers a prayer, He answers it right! He never sends an answer that He is not able to equip or that will not work. What the Lord authors, He will finish.
The man looked at the house and asked if I had a small ladder. He used my six-foot ladder to get on the roof of the utility room, which was the lowest point of the house. He then raised the ladder up and put it on the roof of the utility room and then he climbed the ladder and made his way all the way to the top of the house. He cleaned the roof, came down, and was gone. God answered my very simple prayer and finished His work in less than thirty minutes from the time I prayed. I was totally amazed. What an awesome God we serve!
We often limit God because we simply do not ask for His help. Other times, we allow fear to hinder and steal our blessing. All the while the man was climbing, the enemy was speaking into my ear concerning the unsafe conditions of the whole situation. Yet, God had sent me a professional man who does this type of work every day. He apparently knew what he was doing and knew how to do it. God also knew what He, Himself, was doing and He knew how to do it. This experience left me with joy, not because the job was done or because I saved money, but because I saw God meet my need in a special way. God was my personal helper when I needed Him and has become my hope for future needs. I can agree with David's words, "Happy is the one who has God for His help." +++
4/3/19
VOICE OF PRAYER
Scripture: Mark 10:48 (NLT) "He only shouted louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
A large crowd followed Jesus and His disciples as they left the city of Jericho. At the same time a blind beggar named Bartimaeus was sitting beside the road that they traveled, and when he heard that Jesus was passing by he began to cry out to Him with a loud voice. He had probably heard the stories about Jesus and how He had healed the sick and done other notable miracles. The crowds tried to hush Bartimaeus, but the more they tried, the louder he got. He was desperate and not the least bit ashamed to make his plea known. He needed mercy and healing and his cries for help caught the attention of Jesus.
Jesus could have just passed Batimaeus by and the people would not have thought too much about it because they had no compassion for this blind man. While they made every attempt to silence this hurting and needy soul, Jesus stood still and commanded Bartimaeus to be brought to Him. Jesus then asked him what he wanted and when the blind man replied that he wanted to see, Jesus declared, "Your faith has made you whole."
This is a mighty story about a humanly impossible situation in the life of an ordinary man. The blind man had no hope in the people about him or in the religious leaders of the synagogue, but he had hope in Jesus. He knew that Jesus was the Healer so he cried to Him with a loud voice. When his voice of faith was not heard, he cried louder. He did not care what others thought of him because he recognized that this was his moment of opportunity and he was desperate for a touch from the healing hands of Jesus.
God is always looking for believers who will trust in Him for their needs to be met because He wants to be God in their lives just like He was for the blind man. There was no way that the blind man could heal himself. It took a miracle from God. Likewise, there is no way that we can help ourselves. If we can do it, it is not faith. If we can make it happen, it is not a miracle. God wants to do the impossible in your life so that He may be glorified in the Earth. You cannot allow adversity to quench your faith or the doubts of others to silence your voice. God is waiting to answer your prayers like He did for blind Bartimaeus but you must call out to Him and when opposition presents itself, you must cry even louder. If you have a need now is the time to arise and allow your voice of faith to be heard by the Master. +++
4/4/19
SECRETS ARE REVEALED
Scripture: Daniel 2:28 "There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets ..."
Daniel was taken captive as a youth and brought to Babylon. He spent the rest of his life there as a governmental official and as a prophet of God. Daniel may not have wanted to be in captivity in a strange land, but he did not allow his emotions and own desires to dictate his behavior. Instead, he walked in integrity and wisdom and allowed God to work in his life in a mighty way. God honored Daniel and revealed His secrets to him and also gave him the solutions to the king's problems.
There was a spirit of excellence in Daniel and throughout all of his days he remained faithful and uncompromising before God. He purposed that he would not defile himself with the king's food. Then when a decree went out that no one was to petition any God except the king, Daniel did not compromise but continued to pray and commune with God. Daniel never tried to hide in secret or pray silently. Instead, three times a day, he knelt and made his prayers to God. He prayed before an open window where everyone could see even though he knew that this act would cause him much trouble. Because of Daniel's commitment to prayer, he was put into a den with the lions, but God delivered him.
Daniel knew that prayer was an essential ingredient of life for it is there that answers come and secrets are revealed. We need to be more like Daniel in our prayer life. But sadly, many times our lives are too full and too busy. We cannot find the time to pray, much less pray three times a day. The result is that we complicate our lives and frustrate our emotions by not allowing God the time to reveal His solutions to us.
You may be hurting right now and in a valley of confusion concerning the many questions that you have in your mind. Your life may be spinning out of control as you face desperate situations. Yet, be encouraged for there is one thing that you can know for sure and that is that the same God that Daniel served is with you. It does not matter if you need direction, confirmation about a decision, financial help, or the answer to any other mystery. God has the answer. The Lord wants you to seek Him out. He wants to listen to you and hear all about your problems. Then, He wants you to listen to what He has to say about your situation, for Isaiah 11:2 says that the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, and counsel are upon the Lord. God is a God that reveals secrets and He wants to reveal His answers and solutions to you but you must be ready and listen as He gently whispers to you. +++
4/5/19
THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S
Scripture: II Chronicles 20:15 "Thus says the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed ... for the battle is not yours, but God's."
Have you ever made these statements to God?
1) God, would you look at what is happening to me?
2) I am not strong enough to do anything about my situation.
3) Even if I were strong enough, God, I do not know what to do.
These words were part of Jehoshaphat's prayer to God in II Chronicles 20:10-12 when the enemy came against him. When fear gripped his heart, he set himself to seek the Lord. As he prayed to God, he said, "The enemy came to cast us out of Your possession, which You have given us to inherit."
How many times do you find yourself in the same situation where it seems that the devil is trying to take away the very thing that God gave to you? He does his very best to get you out of the will of God and to disinherit you from God's promises for your life. You recognize it as an attack from the enemy, but everything seems to be totally out of your hands. Your battle may be in the area of your health, finances, or relationships, but like Jehoshaphat, you have no might to fight this battle. What do you do? The answer comes in Jehoshaphat's example to us. He said to the Lord, "We have no might to stand against this great multitude. Neither do we know what to do. BUT, OUR EYES ARE UPON YOU." His answer was to keep his eyes on God. As the people of Judah stood before God, the Spirit of the Lord came to answer their prayer. The answer was, "Do not be afraid or dismayed, the battle is not yours, but God's."
I was once in a very difficult situation and felt that I needed to take some action and do something. Anything would have been better than just waiting for God to move. In my desperation, I talked with my son, and he told me to recall the last thing that God spoke to me about the situation. He said, "If God has not said anything else about it, then just remain still and wait until He gives further instructions." These few words imparted a wealth of wisdom into my soul that I have never forgotten. The army never goes into battle until the commander speaks, no matter how ready or anxious the soldiers may be. You must remember that God is your commander and chief. Wait upon Him. If you will keep your eyes on Him in the midst of the battle, He will lead and direct you. Do not worry if you do not have the strength to fight because the battle belongs to the Lord! +++
4/8/19
PURIFIED BY FIRE
Scripture: Proverbs 17:3 "The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts."
Just as silver and gold are purified by fire, so the Lord purifies the hearts of men by fiery trials. Do you ever face seemingly unusual and strange situations? For no reason at all everyone seems to be coming against you, or perhaps you find yourself facing financial problems or unusual attacks in your health. Peter said, "Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is come to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you" (I Peter 4:12). These things are not strange. God is taking you through these trials to try your heart and develop your character. So be encouraged, knowing that even in adverse circumstances, God is still in control. The reason God is allowing these fires and tests is because He believes that you are well able to pass them. As you go through these tests, you can be assured that God is sitting on His throne and watching over you constantly. Malachi 3:3 says, "God sits as a refiner and purifier of silver; and He shall purify ... and purge them as gold and silver." The Lord is the refiner, and He knows what the final result should be.
Purifying and purging gold or silver is a long tedious process that turns an unusable ore into precious metal. The ore is heated until all the impurities and dross rise to the top. The refiner then removes these impurities, and once the impurities are taken away, the ore is heated again. As this process is repeated again and again, the refiner sits by the fire watching. He is careful never to leave the ore to itself while it is on the fire. He keeps the fire at the right temperature for the impurities to separate from the gold and silver and never allows the fire to become so hot that it ruins the metal. He sits there constantly maintaining the temperature, watching the melt down, and removing the dross. Time after time, the fire is heated to greater degrees, and the impurities are removed until the refiner is able to get the results that he is attempting to achieve. He is waiting until he can see his own reflection in the liquid metal. When this occurs, the refining process is complete. The gold or silver is pure and fit for use.
So it is with your life. Psalms 66:10 says, "God has proved us and tried us as silver is tried." God allows seemingly strange fiery trails to come your way for the purpose of purifying your heart so that His reflection is revealed in you right in the midst of the fire and test. When this is accomplished and the Lord can see Himself in you, He then deems you to be a pure vessel that is fit for the Master's use. +++
4/9/19
BE HOLY
Scripture: I Peter 1:16 "Be holy, for I am holy."
Be holy. Two simple words that make us accountable to God for our thoughts, attitudes, and deeds. Yet regardless of how hard we may work at it, how could we ever live up to the holiness of God? There is not a day that goes by that we do not have to draw upon the grace and mercy of God, who is ever faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Without God, we would be hopeless in our quest for holiness.
Even the Apostle Paul struggled. He declared that the good things that he wanted to do, he did not do, and the evil things that he did not want to do, he did (Romans 7:19). He also said, "I have not attained, but I press toward the mark." He may not have been holy in every thought and action, but his eyes were focused on the Lord and his heart was headed in that direction. This is same path of holiness that you and I are required to be on. God will grant us grace, but not as a license to sin. He expects us to discipline our thinking and be obedient children. We may not always do everything right but our eyes must be looking into God’s eyes and our heart facing His heart. Our wills must be in line with His will and our spirit must be holy even though our flesh is weak.
Many times our lives are like a ship that is on a journey across a vast ocean. The storms come and we get thrown off course by the winds of adversity. Our faith may be challenged as we encounter all sorts of difficulties. Yet, we must understand that even though we may stray off course to the left or to the right, we are still on the journey. Our eyes are on the compass and our trust is in a small arrow that points out the direction. Regardless of what happens along the way, we are still making our way across the ocean. We can follow the path through the depths of the water the best we know how and believe that we will eventually reach our destination. So it is with holiness. We must understand that even though we may not be there yet, we are on our way. +++
4/10/19
BE STILL
Scripture: Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalms forty-six is a psalm of trust and thanksgiving to God who is our refuge and our strength. This psalm declares again and again that God's presence is always there to help us in times of trouble. It does not matter if the Earth is destroyed, the waters are troubled, or the mountains shake and are thrown into the sea, God will still be with us. In the midst of all the turmoil that surrounds us, God speaks to us and says, "Be still." In other words He says, "Cease from your actions. Stop trying to fix the problems that are too big for you to handle. I am with you no matter what." Hebrews 13:5-6 says, "He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper."
Remember when you were a child with a splinter in your foot? No action could be taken to remove it until you stopped kicking and screaming. Your mother knew that you were in pain but she would just wait until you settled down before trying to fix your problem. When you put your faith and trust in her, she was able to gently remove the splinter and resolve your problem. Usually the procedure was quick and not so painful as you had imagined. So it is with God's work in our life. In His sight, your greatest problem is no bigger than a small splinter. While you are running around in a panic, God is sitting on His throne waiting for you to settle down and quietly trust in Him. He is well able to remedy every situation. Your strength is to sit still (Isaiah 30:7).
Emergencies always cause anxieties that make us think that immediate action is necessary. But God says, "Even though everything in your life appears to be like the mountains falling into the sea and the earth disappearing, do not panic." When you encounter overwhelming situations and adversities, step aside from everything and quietly look at God. Take notice that He is still in control. Focus your attention on Him and know that "He is God." There is something about knowing that brings strength to your spirit. God is waiting to speak, but His voice demands that your soul be silent. Let the silence inside of you reach out to Him for help. His still small voice will remove all doubt and fear. Just "be still, come to know that His presence is with you, and know that He is God." +++
4/11/19
ABUNDANT LIFE
Scripture: Luke 12:15 "A man's life doesn't consist in the abundance of the things which he possesses."
What is abundant life? Jesus said that you cannot measure the quality of life by the quantity of your possessions, for an abundant life comes only through a relationship with Him. In John 10:10, Jesus said that He came that we might have and enjoy life. To experience this abundant life we have to separate ourselves from the mindset of the world. Our view often becomes distorted as we view the lives of the rich and famous. We see their incredible homes and possessions and hear of their enormous wealth. For those of us who live modest lifestyles, it is too much to comprehend. Every detail of their life becomes intriguing as we assume their possessions mirror their happiness. We forget what Jesus said.
Jesus taught that what you have or do not have does not define life. The tangible is not a gage of God's blessings, nor is it a guarantee of an abundant life. Money and possessions are no substitute for true wealth and prosperity. You cannot accumulate enough money to purchase eternal life and peace for your soul. It comes to you as a free gift just like the other most precious things on this earth such as love, family, friendship, health, and happiness. These are the things that make for an abundant life.
Jesus could turn water into wine and multiply bread and fish. Yet, regardless of His power, He lived a very simple life and was not caught up with material things. Jesus had no earthly home or possessions and in death He had to be laid in a borrowed tomb for a few days. But He experienced an abundant life because His life consisted of doing the will of His Father. Peter also did not possess the wealth of this world, for he spoke to the lame man and said, "Silver and gold have I none." However, because of the abundant life of God that resided inside of him, Peter was able to impart healing in the Name of Jesus Christ to the man.
Like Peter and like Jesus, your possessions may be meager. You may never have very much silver and gold, but you have something far more valuable. You have access to the abundant life that Jesus offers, which is a life that does not consist of things, but consists of the Lord and all that He is. +++
4/12/19
FACING GIANTS
Scripture: Numbers 14:24 "But My servant, Caleb, because he has another spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land into which he went; and his descendants shall possess it."
Numbers 13:22 tells of three physical giants that the children of Israel would have to face before they could possess the land that God had promised them. Their names were Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, but these giants were not the real problem. The main issue with the Israelites were the thoughts in their own minds and the unbelief in their own hearts. When they focused on these inner giants rather than the promises of God, they allowed themselves to become discouraged. They begin to see themselves as grasshoppers in relation to the size of the actual giants that were in the land.
Just as the Israelites faced giants, there will be giants that you must overcome to be able to do the will of God and fulfill His purposes. Caleb overcame because "he had another spirit within him and followed God fully." Likewise, it is the Spirit of God that will enable you to rise up and defeat the giants that come against you. Caleb made three statements of faith that enabled him to overcome the inner and physical giants of his life.
First, Caleb said, "Let us go up at once." He rejected the temptation to procrastinate. He made a mental decision to do something right then. The Bible says faith is NOW. If it is not now faith, it is not faith at all. If it is future, it is hope. Stop and think of plans that you have made that were never fulfilled because you did not start them "at once." Procrastination is a giant in your life that will steal God's promise for your future.
Second, Caleb said, "Let us possess it." He was ready to take physical action in order to possess the land that God had promised. He knew that he had a responsibility in receiving the promise. You must also rise up and fight the battle that is between you and the promise that God has given you. You must possess it. Faith requires action, for faith without works is dead.
Finally Caleb said, "We are well able to overcome it." He had faith in God's Word and trusted who God was. He believed that they could do what God had told them to do. God had told them to be of good courage and take the land. Caleb's faith was in the same God who had delivered them from Egypt by many signs and miracles. He felt certain that God was able to perform His Word and fulfill His promise. To possess your promise, you must be of good courage and show this same kind of faith and trust in God.
God hears your words! Caleb made these three statements of faith in the ears of God and the people. In this same story in Numbers 14:28 God says, "As truly as I live, as you have spoken in My ears, so will I do to you." Words have power! Except for Joshua and Caleb, all of Israel who were over the age of twenty died in the wilderness because of their unbelief and faithless words. Joshua and Caleb were spared and were able to enter the Promised Land because they had another spirit. They possessed faith and spoke words into God's ear that caused Him to respond to them. Do you want to achieve what God has promised? If so, determine today that you will make these same statements of faith that Caleb made to go forward, possess, and overcome so that you can receive God's promise for your life. +++
4/15/19
NEW LIFE
Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:12 "The flowers appear on the earth ..."
King Solomon, who was the wisest and wealthiest man of his day, wrote these simple words. Even with the vast knowledge and wisdom that he had concerning the complicated things of life, he was still moved by the simple but miraculous works of God. He took time in his writings to acknowledge the miracle of the new life of the season, for he wrote, "The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the Earth." Solomon knew that regardless of his own wisdom, he did not have enough knowledge or ability to create a flower on his own. Neither could his vast riches grow them. They came only by the hand of the Creator of Heaven and Earth and the seeds that He provided and gave life to.
Spring is my favorite time of the year because when it comes it covers the earth with new life. It is always so amazing to watch God's marvelous handwork in action as the season appears. It truly fulfills its name for everything that has been dormant for a season springs up with new life. The things that once looked dead begin to come alive and in a matter of weeks the leaves on the trees and the grass in the fields turn a rich green. The atmosphere that was filled with the cold gray of winter changes into warmth and the vibrant colors of spring appear. The earth resurrects itself into the new life that God ordained for it. This has happened century after century in obedience to the voice of the Father God who spoke to all of the life on the Earth and told it to bring forth after its kind.
God spoke this scripture to me at a very special time in my life. It was a season when I thought all hope was gone. I was in a valley of utter despair and could not see my way out of the darkness. Yet several years later, I am a witness that God can cause "the flowers to appear" again. He changed my darkness into light and caused the roses to share their fragrance with me again. He made the rains to cease and commanded the sun to shine. In the midst of a cold dormant season, He surrounded me with His love and caused new life to spring up within me. I look back now at that terrible season in my life and wonder why it was so hard for me to believe for deliverance from it because God is always so faithful.
I do not know where you might be today or how bad you may be hurting inside. We all have our own battles that we must wage and valleys that we must go through. I may meet you on the street or in a church service and not recognize that your heart is full of pain. You have hidden your disappointments so well in the deepest chambers of your heart that I cannot see them. Yet, I want you to know that regardless of how deep you have hidden your pain, God sees and God knows.
The Lord understands just how bad things are in your life, but He also looks beneath the sod and sees the dormant flowers that are hidden in the darkness. He is aware of the good and beautiful things of your life that you have forgotten about or possibly did not even know existed. In His time, He will call them forth. He will bring new life to your soul and cause the flowers of your heart to bloom again. Even in your worst trial, the Spirit of God within you will be like an oasis of living water, and He will refresh you and keep you together for the moment that He has ordained. The Lord has a beautiful season prepared for you, so trust in Him. For regardless of how cold, how dark, or how discouraging the terrible season has been, when God speaks His Word nothing and no one will be able to keep the flowers from appearing in your life. +++
4/16/19
DELIGHT TO DO GOD'S WILL
Scripture: Psalms 40:8 "I delight to do Thy will, O my God."
We often pray the phrase that is in the Lord's Prayer that says, "Thy will be done," but we rarely think about the consequences that may happen when this prayer is answered. We tend to forget that life and death is in the power of the tongue and that our words set things into motion. It is very easy to declare our total surrender to the will of God because we love God and truly want His will to be accomplished in our life. Yet, when things begin to change and we find that God's will is much different that our own will, it is another story. It is hard to put everything into God's hand and allow Him full control, for even though our spirit is willing our flesh is very weak.
Jesus came to Earth to do the will of the Father (Hebrews 10:7). God's will for Jesus was that Jesus leave the splendor and glory of Heaven and come to Earth to redeem man from sin. Jesus' venture was not just a journey to Earth but a life that was destined for humility and sacrifice. He would face every temptation known to man; yet, He would live a life that remained holy and free of all sin. He would be ridiculed, mocked, rejected, despised, spit upon, brutally beaten, and then hung on a cross in shame to die, not for His own transgressions but for yours and mine. In the course of events, He would be in so much agony that He would sweat great drops of blood. Yet He still submitted and committed Himself to do the Father's will, saying, "Not My will, but Thine be done."
Jesus delighted in doing the will of God because He knew that through His obedience, He would destroy the works of the devil. Completing the will of God meant that Jesus would be able to deliver men out of the kingdom of darkness and translate them into the kingdom of light. God's will meant that Jesus would heal the sick and raise the dead. He would cause the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and the lame to walk. He would turn water into wine, calm the raging seas, and feed the thousands because it was God's will that His Son, Jesus, would work miracles. God's will was that Jesus would preach and teach the Word of God to a multitude of people and that His life would leave such a powerful witness that nearly 2000 years later, people would still be calling upon His Name to be delivered.
Yielding to God's will may not always be easy, but it is always the best thing to do. His ways are so much higher than our ways. The safest place to be is in the perfect will of God, for you know that no matter what happens, God is in control. He is sitting in Heaven and He is managing your life. You cannot lose because while Satan is sifting you as wheat, Jesus is there at the right hand of Father interceding for you. You can be sure that all things will work together for good because you are in the will of God. You should delight in fulfilling God's will for your life, for when you are in His will, you are not just in His plan, you are in His hands. +++
4/17/19
THE CROSS OF LOVE
Scripture: Philippians 2:8 "He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
Some two thousand years ago there was a cross placed on a hill called Mount Calvary. There were two other crosses on the hill that day, but only one cross stands out in the portals of time and speaks an everlasting message of hope and redemption. This one cross held a man who had done no wrong. In fact, this man was the only one that has ever lived on this earth who was judged to be without sin. When the people were crying out their desire to crucify this man, Pontius Pilate said, "I find no fault in Him". And God, Himself, had no accusing words against this man. In fact, God declared "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
The community knew the man on the cross as a carpenter and the son of a carpenter whose name was Joseph. This same man, Jesus, was their Rabbi and teacher. He was with them daily in the temple, explaining the scriptures to them. Jesus had healed many of the people who now watched Him as He hung on the cross that day. Their thoughts may have gone back to the time that they saw Him cause the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the lame to walk, or the demonic man to be delivered. This man had multiplied the food to satisfy their hunger and had turned water into wine. Jesus had performed other mighty miracles in their midst and even spoke peace to the storm and calmed the raging seas. He had brought their dead back to life again. He then freely gave His life on the cross to pay the price for the sins of all mankind, including you and me. This man named Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and the precious Son of the Living God.
Why did Jesus set His face to go to Jerusalem knowing that He was destined to be crucified when He could have run the other direction? Why didn't He give in to the cries of people and call ten thousand angels to deliver Him from the pain and suffering as He hung on the cross? The reasons are simple but profound. He chose to endure the cross and its shame because of His great love for us and because of His humble obedience to His Father. He came to do the will of God and make a way for us. He was willing and determined to lay down His life for us and through His sacrifice, our sins were washed away. The ordinances and laws that were against us were blotted out as they were nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). The purpose of this cross, which was stained with Jesus’ incorruptible blood, was the price of our eternal redemption and gives us entrance into the gates of Heaven. To many, the preaching of the gospel of this cross is foolishness but to those of us who believe and are saved, it is the power of God (I Corinthians 1:18).
This cross should stand tall in our hearts today as we remember what it represents. It was not just the flesh of a man that was nailed to the cross that day, but Jesus' love for us that has no measure. Jesus loves each of us so much that He gave His all so that we could receive His all and live with Him in eternity. We celebrate His work on the cross and His resurrection. +++
4/18/19
I AM
Scripture: Exodus 3:14 "I AM THAT I AM"
God spoke these words to Moses when He sent Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. God told Moses that He would be everything that Moses needed Him to be so that he could bring the people out of bondage and into the Promised land. When God said, "I AM," He was saying, "I AM the God of Now." He did not say, "I used to be," or "I will be," but He used the present tense. Whatever you need, "I AM there for you."
Under the new covenant, Jesus told us that He would always be with us and that He would never leave us or forsake us. He is everything that we need in order to be delivered out of the bondage that we are in. He is there to help us be able to receive the promises of God for our life. In the gospel of John, Jesus made some specific "I AM" statements about Himself. May His declarations of who He is be a blessing to you this Easter season. Jesus said:
"I AM the Bread of Life." (John 6:48) - Verse fifty-one says, "I am the
living bread which came down from heaven ... I will give my flesh for the
life of the world." If we receive this bread from heaven, He will satisfy
our spirits and we will never hunger or thirst.
"I AM the Light of the World." (John 8:12) - "He that follows me shall
not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life." I John 1:6-7 tells
us, "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we
lie, and do not (walk in) the truth: we are to walk in the Light as He is
in the Light."
"I AM the Door of the Sheep." (John 10:7) - If we enter the kingdom
through Jesus we will be saved. If we try to get in through another door,
we are a thief and a robber.
"I AM the Good Shepherd." (John 10:11) - The Good Shepherd gives His
life for the sheep and they have a personal relationship with each other.
Jesus knows His sheep, and the sheep recognize His voice (verse 27).
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11:25) - When we receive
Jesus, we receive resurrection life. We will live eternally and never die.
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6) - There is no way
to enter the presence of God except through Jesus. It is only through His
Name that we can even pray. He is our access to God.
"I AM the True Vine." (John 15:1:1) - Jesus tells us in John 15:5 that
He is the vine and we are the branches. If we want to bear fruit we must
abide in Him for without Him we can do nothing. +++
4/19/19
JESUS’ DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION
Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6 “The angel answered …Fear not: For I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.”
Following Obituary Copied: Author Unknown
Please see my note at the end.
My note: Please remember that even though Jesus experienced death on the cross, His life did not come to an end. For on the third day, He arose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. May you realize all that His death, burial, and resurrection made possible for you. And may you be blessed as you celebrate the resurrected life of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, who offers you eternal life in His presence. +++
4/22/19
PLEASING GOD
Scripture: Hebrews 11:5 "Enoch had this testimony, that He pleased God."
There are not many words in the scriptures concerning this man, Enoch, but I think all of us would love to have his wonderful testimony and know that we pleased God like he did. What are the secrets to pleasing God? Verse six answers that question. It says, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." It goes on to say that we must believe that "God is" and that "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
As we look at Enoch, we find these attributes. He had a strong conviction that "God is." He was in God's presence on a daily basis, and when you are in the presence of someone on that scale, you know they exist. Genesis 5:24 says that Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." One of the Hebrew meanings of this word 'walked' is "to be conversant." God and Enoch had conversation with each other as they walked. When you walk with someone, you talk with them and they talk with you. You see the same things they do and you experience the same things they experience as you walk together down the same path. You walk at the same pace and breath the same air.
Because Enoch walked with God, He understood the character of God and was personally concerned for God's interest. And because he knew God as He is, Enoch developed a concern for holiness and an indignation against unrighteousness. In faith, he boldly prophesied against those who were speaking out against God. Jude 14 and 15 records the prophecy that Enoch gave concerning the ungodly, their ungodly deeds, and their ungodly speeches.
Enoch also had confidence that God would do the things that He promised. He believed that God was a "rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Enoch was very consistent, for Genesis 5:22 says, "Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years." He was diligent in his walk with God for three centuries. I am sure he must have faced difficulties and discouragement during that time. There may have been days that he did not want to walk with God. But he kept his faith because he knew that "God is" and that "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Consistency received its reward and one day God translated him. I heard a minister tell this story on a human level. He said that every day that Enoch walked with God he went further and further. One day God and Enoch were out walking, and God told Enoch, "We are closer to My house than yours. Come home with Me."
As we walk with the Lord, we must strive to have these same attributes in our life that Enoch had so that we can obtain the testimony that we please the Lord. We must have the simple faith that believes that "God is" and that "God rewards" as we diligently seek Him. Then, one glorious day while we are walking and talking with the Lord, He will speak to us and say, "We are closer to My house than yours, come home with Me. +++
4/23/19
WHEN I FALL, I SHALL ARISE
Scripture: Micah 7:8 "When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me."
This scripture speaks hope to our heart when we are in distress or darkness. It deals with the times when we cannot help ourselves and with the situations that we cannot do anything about. There are times in our lives when we make mistakes and fall. It may be in our finances, relationships, or bad decisions in other areas. We simply make an error in judgment and create massive problems for ourselves. We then find ourselves suffering the consequences of that error. Yet, like a physical fall, we can get back up. It may be a struggle, but we can remedy the situation if we turn to God, get His wisdom, and follow His directions. If our fall has caused great injury in our lives, it may require a season of healing, but if we are determined, we can make it through the difficult situation and rise above it.
There are other times in our lives when we have no control over the circumstances and no resources to help ourselves. We are in a place of spiritual darkness and cannot find our way out. It seems as though the enemy took a brush of black paint and covered the canvas of our heart. Inwardly we cannot locate ourselves and outwardly we cannot find direction. We sit in darkness and are unable to see any light. Depression, oppression, and discouragement make their presence known because we have no answers and feel hopeless to help ourselves. In this place of darkness, we come to understand that we cannot create light and we realize that we must turn to the Lord, for He is the source of light. We must depend upon Him for deliverance, and allow Him to do the entire work.
It does not matter which place you find yourself in today. You may have taken a hard fall or may be sitting in darkness. You may have gone through a season of loss and be dealing with a spirit of hopelessness. Wherever you are, you must be determined to find your way out. The Lord is your answer and He is your hope. God is merciful and full of grace. He will give you the strength to rise above the difficulty and He will shine His light in your darkness. You will be amazed at His deliverance, for nothing is too hard for the Lord. All you have to do is to call upon Him, for He cares for you. There is no burden that He will not bear for you regardless of how it came about in your life. Decide today to take Micah's words for yourself and boldly declare, "When I fall, I shall arise and when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me." +++
4/24/19
THE BURDEN OF THE LORD
Scripture: Jeremiah 23:33 "What is the burden of the Lord?"
Jeremiah was called the "weeping prophet" because he was very sensitive and sympathetic by nature. Yet, this meek man was chosen by God to deliver a strong message of judgment against sin. Jeremiah was a man who received the burden from the Lord because he spent time with the Lord. Those who heard his continual message of judgment could not handle his sobering words, so in mockery they posed the question, "What is the burden or heavy word from the Lord today?"
Burdens only come with familiarity and information. You can never understand someone's burden without being in their presence, listening to their words, and coming to know their needs. You will have no burden for the people whom you have never met or whose needs you have never heard of. Recently, we have come to share the burdens and to empathize with many people who have suffered losses in war and other tragedies. As we have been made aware of their losses, our hearts have ached and our spirits have become heavy because of their tremendous burdens. We have witnessed the endless hours and energy of those who have put their own lives in extreme jeopardy to protect us. They have shed their blood, experienced some area of personal sacrifice, and some have even given their lives.
This is also how it works in God's kingdom. When we go to God in prayer, we take our burdens to Him. We unload all of our problems as the scriptures teach us to do because we know that God cares for us. Yet too often, we do not make this a sharing relationship. In the midst of our petitions and requests for our own needs, we fail to sit silently in God's presence until He makes His desires known to us. Seldom, if ever, do we stop and ask God to share His burdens with us. Our main interest is in ourselves, and many times we are far too busy with our own agendas to get a clear vision of God's burden.
If those about us were to ask us the same question that was asked of Jeremiah, "What is the burden of the Lord today," we would have no answers. For God's burden is revealed only as we receive information, and He only shares that information with those who spend time in His presence. True revelation of God's desires will be imparted only as we linger with Him and listen intently to His Words. The closer we get to the Lord, the more He will share His heart and the more He will trust us with His concerns. As God shares with us, we will begin to discern His will and the heart of His Spirit. When we receive knowledge of Him and begin to know Him in His fullness we will then understand His burden. When we begin to understand the burden of the Lord, it will demand sacrifice on our part and force us to be selfless and to take action to fulfill His will. +++
4/25/19
SECRET PLACE
Scripture: Psalms 91:1-2 "He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust."
Psalms 91 gives us many promises of protection and deliverance. It tells us not to fear because God will deliver us from the snares, pestilence, and plagues of this life. It also speaks of the authority that we have to tread upon the evil that comes against our lives. This Psalm sounds like a great insurance policy listing all of the benefits. But just as any insurance company requires you to sign on the dotted line and pay your premium before you are eligible to receive the benefits, so it is with the benefits of this Psalm. All of the promises stated depend upon whether or not you do the things listed in the first two verses. First, you must dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and second, you must put your trust in God who is your refuge and fortress.
What is the secret place? Psalms 31:19-20 says that those that fear and trust the Lord will be hidden in the "secret of His presence." The secret place of the Most High is simply His presence. When you are in someone's presence, you are in their shadow and close enough for them to handle any situation that comes against you. God wants to keep you just as close to Him as you would keep your own children in the public or places of danger. You make sure they are next to you or in your shadow so that you can protect them from every danger. Your children's safety is your main interest and God's concern for you is the same.
Dwelling in a place means that you spend most of your time there. It is a place where you keep your things and store your treasures. When you dwell in God's presence, you spend time with Him, eating His Word, and communing with Him. As you dwell in His presence, you begin to complete the terms of this Psalm and you show God that He is your treasure. You begin to nourish yourself with the concepts of who God really is. As you come to know and recognize Him as the self-existent and eternal Jehovah, He becomes your refuge, your fortress, and your hope in all danger. As you begin to set your love upon Him and place your total confidence and trust in Him, verse 14-16 declares that He will complete the terms of His contract. He will be with you in trouble and He will deliver you. He will honor you and satisfy you with long life. He will show you His salvation. These are tremendous benefits. You are God's child and He loves you, so trust Him and take time to find the secret of His presence. +++
4/26/19
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
Scripture: Esther 4:14 "... you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion."
God did not choose Moses, Joseph, Elijah, or any of the other great men of the Bible to live in this dark hour of human history. He chose you for this time and this season. Your life is not a dress rehearsal - it is the real play. God has set you on the stage of life in a particular place at a particular time to do a work for Him. He has ordained you and equipped you for the occasion that you now face with your family, friends, career, and ministry. It is up to you to fulfill the Lord’s divine purposes.
In Luke 9:62, Jesus indicated that if you put your hand to the plow and go forward, you will be fit for the kingdom of God. If you focus on what is behind you, you are will not be fit. In other words, when you focus on going forward you will be someone that God can use in His kingdom. Jesus did not give other options for you to consider. You are to take up your cross and follow Him daily. It is easy to follow God when you first start out. With fresh energy in the cool of the morning, plowing does not seem to be so hard. Later in the day, however, when the sun's rays begin to beam, your muscles begin to ache, and the sweat begins to pour from your brow, you may start to wonder if the harvest is worth the effort. When you look back to what could have been while you are trying to plow God's field, it indicates that you have questions about God's directions for your life, and your hesitation to obey His commands reflects your lack of trust in His wisdom.
You must choose not to look back. The most limiting thing in life is a firm choice. It means that you refuse to allow current circumstances to sway your faith and manipulate you. Look at the account of the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:24. He said, "None of these things move me." Paul was called to the Kingdom to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was not going to allow afflictions, persecutions, jail sentences, or even death itself to deter him from God's call. He made a determination not only to finish his course, but to finish it with joy. His main interest was the will of God, not his own welfare. Paul possessed an attitude of consecration that caused him to press towards the mark of the high calling of Christ Jesus. For this reason, he never looked back.
Like the Apostle Paul, God has a plan and purpose for your life. You are called to God's kingdom for such a time as this to experience the very occasion that you now face. You alone will decide your destiny. Will you trust God with all of your heart, put your hand to the plow, go forward, and not look back? +++
4/29/19
WORKING WITH GOD
Scripture: Joshua 5:6 "The Israelites traveled forty years in the wilderness, until all the warriors who came out of Egypt, perished, not having listened to the voice of the Lord."
A journey that started out so promising for the Israelites ended in defeat simply because of unbelief. It should have taken less than two weeks for God's people to make their way across the desert into the Promised Land, but instead their journey lasted forty years and they perished along the way. Throughout the journey they murmured and complained. And even though they had lived in cruel bondage in Egypt, they continued to look back. They even voiced their desire to return to the evil they had been delivered from. God rained down manna from Heaven upon them for forty years and provided water from a rock to quench their thirst, yet they still longed for the leeks and garlic that they had left behind. Somehow in their memory they imagined that the conditions of the past had been better than they actually were. Because they could not give up or resolve the past, they failed to receive God's promise for their future.
How many journeys do we fail to complete? Our hopes and plans perish in the middle of our dreams because we give up along the way. Our unbelief outweighs our faith and we fail to work with God by following His plan to the end. The desert places get too dry even though God is there providing water from the Rock, Christ Jesus. The den is too dark and scary even though we can see that God has shut the mouths of the lions for us. The fire is too hot even though we can feel the Lord standing with us and shielding us from the flames. And the storms are too fierce even though we know that we are secure because He is in the boat with us.
In life's journey we tend to repeat the things that we do not resolve. Like the Israelites, many times we wander back and forth through the wilderness of unforgiveness, disappointments, bitterness, and emotional hurts. If the wounds of the past are not resolved, every time that God pours Himself into us His goodness will flow out through the open wounds of our heart. We cannot hold God’s goodness in because we cannot believe in ourselves. God loves us and does not want us wandering around in a wilderness of emotional pain for forty years. He wants to take us from that bondage and bring us into a new and glorious place that He has prepared for us. To get a grip on the things that God has planned for us, we must work with Him and move forward in faith, resolve the old issues, and let go of the past. No matter where we are in life, there is a new level and a higher place. Let us determine to listen to God and work with Him so that we do not perish in the wilderness of defeat. +++
4/30/19
HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER
Scripture: Psalms 136:1 "O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever."
Twenty-five verses follow this first one, each ending with the same refrain, "His mercy endures forever." The psalmist was making a very strong point that God's mercy, love, and kindness never end. He speaks of the God of all gods, who by His own wisdom made the heavens and the earth. God then created the sun to rule the day, and the moon and stars to rule the night. Yet, this same God who has done such great wonders and mighty works still extends His mercy and compassion to mankind. The psalmist said, "God remembers us in our low estate" (verse 23).
This psalm makes mention of the mighty deliverance of Israel from Pharaoh and the bondage of Egypt. Verse twenty-four declares that we also have been redeemed from our enemies because of God's great mercy. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Great is Thy faithfulness ... God's compassion never fails and His mercies are new every morning." This means each and every morning, our gracious God has a new batch of mercies prepared that He is ready to extend to us because He knows that we will need them to make it through the day. This scripture continues to say that it is only because of the Lord's mercies and unfailing compassion that we are not consumed.
On days that you feel that you have utterly failed the test, your speech has not ministered grace to the hearer, and your own transgressions have exceeded those who have transgressed against you, remember that God's mercy still endures forever. His mercy does not stop with your failure and He is not waiting there to consume you with His wrath. God has already extended His mercy to you. All you must do is receive it and give Him thanks. Repeat the refrain, "God's mercy endures forever," twenty-six times like the psalmist did and let the reality of these words minister to you. As you cope with the challenges of your day, you will discover that you really do have a good and faithful God whose mercies endure forever. +++
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