True Affections

Colossians 3: 2 (KJV)

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Did you realize, that more and more people are more focused on family tradition and gatherings at Christmas, than they are focused on worshipping Jesus?

Did you notice that the word…. “affection” is singular?

Our affections must be set on eternal things—not on external, worldly things.

For some folks, Jesus just isn’t convenient at Christmas.

We often schedule our parties  and festivities around what works for everyone’s schedule—not around worshipping Jesus.

But God’s Word tells us that He must be first in our life.

Then all of our other affections will fall into place.

What are your affections centered on this Christmas?

When we choose to set them on Jesus, that may offend the people hosting the party—but Jesus will be honored and revered.

What might happen to our Christmas, if we actually made Jesus first?

What if Jesus became more important, than the presents and eat and peel shrimp and punch?

My true affection, is on things above…..Jesus is the first, in all my loves…..

Earthy things, will one day fade away…..But my full surrender, is here to stay…..

Merry Christmas!

A Gentle Whisper

1 Kings 19: 11 – 12

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire, came a gentle whisper…….

It’s snowing and blowing pretty good right now.

Many area businesses are already closed—and so are most of the schools.

The children must be almost delirious for not having to go to school—and the parents will be quite delirious by the end of the day!

When one watches the splendor and might of God in the driving snow—we need to remember, that He’s not in the storm.

We’re reminded of God in the storm—but He’s really only in the still small gentle whisper.

When’s the last time you heard God speak to you in the gentle whisper?

When’s the last time you were quiet long enough, to hear His still small voice?

Maybe today, instead of worrying about whether or not we have enough supply in the house to get through this storm—we should  focus on the One who is our supply?

God speaks to His children every day.

Find a place quiet enough, to listen for Him to speak—that is if your fortunate enough to stay at home today.

If not, find a quiet place anyway—there’s no telling what you might hear Him say……….

Hope does not dissappoint

Romans 5: 5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Have you ever been disappointed?

The problem with disappointment is, it can affect how we view God.

Paul told the church at Rome, that hope does not disappoint us, because He has implanted His love into our hearts.

Some folks though, see God as an extension of people who are short on commitment.

God is not like that at all. He is faithful beyond compare.

You can be encouraged today, knowing that your destiny rests fully on the faithfulness of God.

That does not mean however, that we bear no responsibility.

It means that while we are growing in our faith, God’s faithfulness protects us.

When you begin to understand the faithfulness of God, you can rise above past events that left you disappointed.

We can take His promises seriously, and we can put our lives—our future, and our past, firmly in His hands.

The character of God, stand behind His many promises.

He fully intends to fulfill His very Word.

God gave us a vow, that He takes very seriously.

He said….. “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

Even when our faith is weak, we can take great comfort in knowing, that He alone is faithful………

The One True Expert

1 Corinthians 1: 19

For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

We seem to be living during a time, when someone always has an expert answer for everything.

You’d think we’d have a better life in this mixed up world than we do, with all the so called experts there are out there today.

The One who is the true expert, is not very often consulted anymore.

Do you realize that there is a time coming—when God is going to destroy and frustrate the wise, and the so called…. “know it all’s”?

Are you frustrated these days?

If you answered yes, well be sure of this—you’re not alone.

Vince Lombardi once said….. “It’s not whether or not you get knocked down that matters, it’s whether you get up again!”

You may be in a situation like that right now. Maybe what happened in Connecticut has you down?

When you find yourself down, let HIM, pick you up!

God is not going to frustrate, those who look to Him for all the answers.

It is how we react to the trials of our lives, that shapes who we become as individuals and believers.

How are you going to react today, to the downward trends of society?

Don’t be frustrated, but maybe instead we need to look to the One, who brings great peace…………….  

Expectations

Matthew 11: 3

"Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"

 

Do you expect God to do what He says He’s going to do?

John the Baptist had some doubts, when he was nearing the end of His life.

 

Maybe you have some doubts about God today?

Maybe there’s some things that are happening in your life, that just can’t be explained.

Just remember this; God’s Word can and will bring about the mighty wonders He promised He would do.

 

His Word is the only thing we can count in, in this day of trial and indecision and heartache.

Is that really how you feel?

 

Hebrews 11: 6 says….. “And without faith it is impossible to please God”

God expects His people to have unshakable faith, especially in shakeable times.

The enemy will always attempt to distort God’s Word, to mean something God never meant it to mean.

 

The Bible is actually two thirds prophecy.

God has made predictions, that so far have 100% come true. I don’t expect Him to ever be wrong.

 

Is that how you see God? Do you expect Him to carry out His plan to perfection?

He can be trusted today, when nothing else, or no one else, in this world can……….

Faithful Completion

Philippians 1: 6

…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I hope you realize, that there is an enemy that tries to defeat us at any given time of the day.

The enemies name is…. “self doubt”, and I think everyone getting this devotion today, knows precisely what I’m talking about.

The voice inside of us says…… “You’ll never be able to do that”—“You know you’re not smart enough”

It could be an area of your life, that you’ve been at for a very long time, and then the voice repeats itself over and over…..

“ You know you just don’t have the strength to carry on”—“You know you’re never going to make it”—“You know you just don’t have what it takes”

St. Paul says on the other hand though, that when we are doing the will of God, that…..HE WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION!

I don’t know about you, but I just love those seven words J

The good thing about this verse, is that we don’t have to doubt our own abilities—we don’t even have to look to our own abilities.

The One who started the good work, is the One who is faithful to bring it to completion.

I personally think we need to give God more credit than we do. I personally think we need to listen to His voice, more than we do.

Be confident today, that the thing or things that God is trying to work out in your life, He will take it to full completion.

That’s a sure fire way, to silence that insistent voice of doubt!

“Gracious God, today I need your help like never before. The list of things I have to do today seems long and a little on the difficult side.

Would you be my strength today? Would you provide everything that I need today? Accomplish in me, Your perfect, and constant will.

Silence the voice that says I can’t—and reassure me with Your voice, that says I can! In Jesus name I pray…..Amen!”

Expect the unexpected!

Isaiah 64: 3

For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

What are your expectations these days?

Sometimes, when life deals with us a bit harshly, we think that this is the best things could ever get.

We at times, even begin to expect or anticipate the trouble that seemingly comes our way.

As for going through the seasons of life, I’m not sure I’m as prepared as I could be.

The older I get, the more I’m learning to expect the unexpected!

Just be sure of this my friends; Nothing in the world slips past our Heavenly Father.

Nothing comes as a surprise, and He leaves no stone unturned, or no need unfulfilled when it comes to His children.

When you don’t know what to expect, take great comfort in the great expectations of God.

Maybe during this season of Christmas, you need to learn again, the simple truth of God’s unending love?

One thing we know we can expect, is His limitless grace, that comes without measure.

God is always about doing things that we do not expect.

I love it when the WOW of God factor shows up—it happened for me two different times yesterday.

What are you expecting today?

Maybe something awesome, is going to happen today for you, from God?

Maybe we need to learn to expect the unexpected with our God?

Maybe today, your mountains are going to tremble—and when God makes the mountains tremble, it always a good thing……….

A call to prayer and fasting

 Isaiah 58: 6

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”

Today is a blessed day, as some of us join together, for a time of prayer & fasting.

For one day we come together, and this lesson in discipline, will certainly bring about change in the Heavenly realms.

Fasting is a conscious, intentional, deliberate decision to abstain for a short time, from the pleasures of this world.

Jesus, before He started His earthly ministry, fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.

He set the standard and raised the bar very high, and yet we should follow His extreme example.

His time of prayer and fasting set the tone for the power that came into His ministry.

Did you ever stop to wonder, what might happen to your ministry, if you got to the end of yourself?

Cornelius during the 9^th hour, of his four day fast, had a man stand before him in bright clothing. (Acts 10:30)

That’s just one of the many things that could happen, if we surrendered ourselves, to the things of God.

Ezra 8:23

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

From the OT and all the way through the NT, we see people praying & fasting, and we also see God display His power into their lives.

That’s the kind of testimony we could have, if we just flat our surrendered.

Maybe there’s someone out there, relaying on us, to have the chains of injustice untied, and be set free from oppression?

Maybe that will happen for them—and just maybe they’ll experience, a real Mayberry Miracle.

Maybe some of that happening, depends upon how deep we want to go, with this exercise of faith?

Half Heartedness

Matthew 8: 19

Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.

True surrender to God, is such a hard and humble thing to do.

It is admitting that we, by our very nature are weak, and that God is eternally strong.

It is the physical setting aside our fleshly desires, and then running after what the Lord has in mind for us.

I often have to ask myself….. “Will I really follow Jesus, wherever He wants me to go?”

Jesus is asking us to forgo the fake, counterfeit things of this world, and then seek the genuine gems of His very character.

He never settles for half a heart. He is an intimate and jealous God, who desires our full attention.

When our attention is on Him, and on His will, the blessings from Heaven continually flow.

Maybe this morning, as you begin this new week, you just need to tell Him….. “I am so very weak, but you are so very strong—and I need you.”

It could be that the blessings are not flowing, because we’re approaching God with a half of heart.

Give it all to Him today…………….

No Compromise allowed!

Proverbs 25: 25 (NLT)

If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

Compromise always starts with a series of small steps in a downward direction.

Some of the most well to do Christians—even those whom you would never think, have fallen for the most blatant and obvious sins.

I was thinking this morning, that no one ever “suddenly” or “out of the blue”, backslides.

The steps away from the Lord, are always done in secret, and are done subtly.

Either your building up your spiritual character, or it’s being weakened/muddied.

Where would you say you are right now? There’s no reason to drink from anything, but pools of clear, living water.

Take daily steps to build up your spiritual character.

One of them is reading this devotion—and then not deleting it, but instead, allowing it to sink in, and in turn making the necessary changes.

Some of the most well intentioned believers have fallen, but we don’t have to be the next casualty.

Put up a sign in your home/office/car, if need be.….. “No COMPROMISE ALLOWED!”

What's different about you?

Daniel 6: 4

They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Daniel truly set himself apart from all the others.

He refused to bow down and honor any other god, than the One true God.

Daniel was not a man of compromise.

Daniel did not compromise his relationship with God, just to fit in with the non-believers that surrounded him.

Daniel was grounded in the faith, from a young man on.

If our children are not grounded spiritually, they are walking on shaky ground that could crumble at any minute.

Daniel also surrounded himself with other young men, who did not give into temptation, and who never compromised their faith.

I think that’s why it’s important to be a part of a small group, attend Bible study or Sunday school.

It’s good to be with like minded people.

Daniel was forever living out the instructions of God.

His lifestyle showed that he was set apart for the great things of the Kingdom—and people took notice of his steadfastness.

When’s the last time someone came up to you and asked….. “Hey, there’s something different about you!”

You can be sure of this, that people are definitely watching……..

Cop-out or Blameless?

Psalm 119: 1 – 4

Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.

The road of compromise has many distinct characteristics. It is also a wide road with many-many options.

It’s beauty and allure are inviting, and it’s mostly filled with many carefree moments.

The pace along this road way is a fast one, and the one that travels this way, takes many dangerous risks.

Those who travel this way—well, some call it backsliding, but God calls it blatant disobedience.

The middle road in this case, is filled with complacency and for the most part, pretty good intentions.

God does not and He will not honor compromise—especially as it has to do with His Word.

Middle ground is a safe place where people meet their own needs and desires—the problem is, they never meet God there.

There are other words used today for the word “compromise”—cop-out happens to be one of them.

Remember that God will always meet you where you are, but He has an expressed purpose in mind.

His purpose is to always move you away from compromise and sin, and move you into the neighborhood of holiness.

God will not live where sin resides, and by the way, He does not make deals!

Are you blessed today—in the way that God means “blessed”?

If you are, it is because you are most likely walking the way of blamelessness…………..

Perfect Way!

Psalm 18: 30 – 33

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?

It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.

As a believer, we are to make choices every day that lead us AWAY from evil.

We are directed by God, to walk the path of moral excellence.

That path should be righteous in every way.

With excellence, there should be no compromise.

Would you say that you’re striving to morally excellent?

By desiring where we want to be, it is then that we choose the path to follow.

When we walk the path directed by God, goodness is always the fruit manifested.

If we desire to walk down any other path, there will be no goodness—at least not the kind desired by God.

Which path will you take? Which path are you on?

The reason we seem to get ourselves into messes from time to time, is that we choose the wrong path to take.

Is the path you’re traveling on, marked with good or evil?

Compromise is a broken promise—and God will never break His promise to you.

How would you say you’re doing, at keeping your end of the bargain?

ALL for the Glory of God

1 Corinthians 10: 31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

 

Friends, do you know that best case for Christianity, and the best case against Christianity, is how we live our lives?

Not only are we supposed to be a living example of Jesus, but we are to be a witness of His very existence.

 

Did you ever stop to wonder what might happen, if every believer walked and talked and acted as Jesus did?

How about if we all loved as Jesus loved? Jesus most certainly loved the Father—and He loved the Word of the Father.

 

I think the church would look so much different than it does today.

I have a feeling that the world would take notice for sure.

Do you do EVERYTHING, for the glory of God?

 

I have  been preaching on the subject of revival lately, and will continue throughout all of December.

The signs are obvious that the church needs revival—forget about what’s going on in the world.

 

When no more than 10 people show up for Bible study, you know that something’s just not right.

I think this quote about revival, says it all……..

If revival depended on you—your prayers, your faith, your obedience—would your church ever experience revival? G. Campbell Morgan

 

So it beg's the question again, do we do ALL…..for the glory of God?

Never Let go!

Hebrews 11: 40

God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

There are times when Jake & Ashley’s dog Moses, has a toy in his mouth, and he’s reluctant to give it up.

You can try and trick him all you want, but in most cases he isn’t going to let go of what he has.

That is until you come up with something better—like a dog treat of some kind.

The writer of Hebrews was trying to encourage the Jewish Christians to give up their Old Testament customs.

This writer knew that there was something better for them—or someone better in this case—JESUS!

Some of us are holding on to things that we should probably let go of.

There are even things we might love, more than Christ.

There is nothing in the world that compares with Jesus.

In your prayer time today, ask God to show you the extreme delights and benefits of loving Jesus.

You’ll soon learn, that you can never love anything better, than Jesus....and when you do, plan to NEVER let Him go………

The Crowning Achievement

1 John 3: 2

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

If Jesus is really the Lord of your life, then your entire life has been ordered, and so is every single step you take.

God has a tremendous plan for the security guard—electrician—mechanic—custodian—the stay at home mom, and the missionary.

To find God’s will for your life, is the crowning achievement for your life.

Success is never spelled, RETIREMENT or STATUS, it’s finding God’s will for YOU, and then actively being a part of it.

Success is this continuous realization of the will of God, and what God desires your life to become, and then doing it.

God is not in the business of creating a work force, He’s in the business of making children.

The ultimate purpose God has for your life as a child, is to be like Jesus.

That’s His will for you.

How would you say you’re doing these days, at becoming like the Son of God?

Would you say that you’re in the center of His will?

Are you Compensation worthy?

Isaiah 40: 10

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

 

Most of us get it, that the Lord will one day come with great power.

The prophet Isaiah says that His reward will be with Him.

But who’s the reward for, you ask?

 

Some of you might even wonder what’s  a “recompense”?

Recompense means; to award compensation for victims who suffer injury or loss.

 

Then there must be something to what Jesus called us to. He said that we should be a “living sacrifice”.

Anyone who has sacrificed anything at all, knows that loss might be suffered in the midst of the sacrifice.

It sure was true for Jesus, or for any willing sacrificial saint for that matter.

 

It sounds to me, that anyone willing to give sacrificially, will receive compensation from the great compensator.

So what does the person get, who doesn’t sacrifice anything?

Probably not much in the way of any true compensation.

But the person who sacrifices much, will be handsomely compensated and rewarded one day……….

The Giver of Living Water

Genesis 1: 6

And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water."

On this eve of Thanksgiving, when’s the last time you thanked God for the water you drink?

If you’re at all like me, I take it for granted every time I turn on the tap—or take a shower or flush the toilet.

In countries like India, people bathe in public places because of the lack of water.

People actually share pools of water together, and the result is wide spread sickness and disease.

People in some foreign countries, walk literal miles to fetch their daily water supply.

When you go to rinse off your turkey before you put it in the oven, think about what some people would give, to have that same water.

How about when you go to stir the Kool-Aid or juice for that younger crowd, think of the people in the world who truly thirst.

We have much to be thankful for. Take time today, to give God great thanks for the many things He’s allowed us to possess.

Don’t forget, that He’s the giver of living water too………….

Happy Thanksgiving!

Turn Offenses into Convictions

1 Thessalonians 1: 4 – 5

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.

 

How do you respond, when you hear the power of God’s Word?

It’s amazing how many people become offended and even become angry when the simple Gospel words of truth are spoken.

“I’m offended!!!”

 

Conviction actually means….. “things for which you would be willing to die for”.

Conviction is not, wanting someone else to die, for what was said.

 

Conviction is actually good, but not when the emotion of angers enters in.

People actually leave churches over deep conviction, when in fact they should make changes.

 

Conviction is also tied to two other Biblical words……… “convict” & “convince”

True conviction, is a convinced conscience.

 

When fed a steady diet of the Word of God and submitted to God in a pure heart, it can help to guide us in a right direction.

Anger should never be a result of conviction—because it’s not tied to the fruits of the spirit, or the Word of God.

If anger rises up, it is the very spirit that accompanies it, and that spirit is not of God at all.

 

Our opinions or emotions in most cases, do not often carry the authority of scripture, and may in fact be totally faulty.

As long as our convictions do not directly oppose God's word—like anger for example, we’ll probably travel down the right path………..

Devote yourself

Acts 2: 42

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

 

Devotion and commitment are true signs of a “died in the wool”, follower of Jesus.

What would you say that you’re devoted to these days?

 

The early church had no concern for their own well being, but they were devoted to the teaching and the spreading of the Gospel.

Many people in the church today, are devoted to having things go their way.

Some people think the institution of the church, is for getting and not giving.

Once we take our focus off of self, it becomes easier to devote ourselves to the cause of Christ.

 

There are opportunities for fellowship, teaching, learning and prayer in the church.

The numbers of folks who respond consistently to these areas, shows what the modern church is really devoted to.

 

Maybe our devotion should change?

Maybe before we consider if we’re bringing any glory to God, we should consider our true devotion?

 

The world in which we live, shows the content of its heart.

We are devoted to so many causes, that have nothing to do with edifying our Savior.

 

In the end, what we’re devoted to, will be measured.

The one or ones devoted to things other than total surrender to the plan of God, will most definitely suffer loss.

 

Some people who will read this, will not be willing to make any changes to their course, and that decision, will have indentified their true devotion……….

The Path of Life

Daniel Gibson

Psalm 16: 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. The path to life has been declared by God Himself. Have you ever really enjoyed being in the presence of someone?

3:06 AM

Psalm 16: 11

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

 

The path to life has been declared by God Himself.

Have you ever really enjoyed being in the presence of someone?

I can think of a lot of people that fit this profile.

I constantly long to be where Christians meet, but not everyone feels that way.

 

In the presence of God, there is fullness of Joy.

Do you ever wonder why we delay, or even why we’re deliberate in staying away from God?

Maybe that’s why our Joy is not as full as it could be?

 

When I come to prayer meeting on Sunday mornings, I sense God is there.

When there’s a Bible study discussion/meeting, I sense God is there.

When I enter a place of worship, I long to feel the presence of God.

Maybe we should practice God’s presence, more than we do?

 

I can have the path of life made known to me—I can be filled with Joy in His presence, and I can expect to receive eternal pleasures.

I can have all those things now, and I will have access to all those things forever more.

 

Maybe today, we need to take the liberty, of entering God’s presence.

Maybe then we’ll find the path to life—and be filled with Joy unspeakable—and have great pleasure.

Once we receive these things from the hand of God, we won’t want to go anywhere else, to find true satisfaction………..  

True Desires

Habakkuk 2: 4

See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.

As you start this new week, what do you truly desire?

Each of us will choose to walk down the path of the upright, or not.

If we live by faithfulness, God will honor and indeed He will bless the steps of that upright person.

He knows our most inward desires, and we have so many areas of our Christian faith walk, that measure our faithfulness.

Will your prayer life be faithful? How about your giving and serving?

Let’s take the study of God’s Word. How faithful will you be in learning, and then applying what you learn from the “Good Book”?

And if the book is truly good, why then don’t we always desire to live by it?

It would be better if we starved for food, than to fail to grasp and even desire, the things of God……..

Finding Rest

Jeremiah 6: 16

This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

This verse seems pretty cut and dry.

Look for the good path, walk in it, and you will find rest for your soul.

Is your soul at rest this morning?

According to God, when we walk in the good paths, that’s where we find rest.

People today are restless. It’s probably because they could care less about what God has to say.

The election results on Tuesday evening proved that.

Maybe we need to get off the path we’re on, and head for the path that brings rest?

We’re at a critical cross road as a nation, no one can deny that.

Our national voice spoke loudly;

We obviously want same sex marriage—we want to continue killing babies by the millions—we want more debt—and we desire lower moral standards.

At least that’s what we said at the polls. I assure you—these kinds of standards will never bring about rest.

I’m going to look for, and travel the sure path.

That’s where I’m going to look, to find rest for my soul.

How about you?

No Act is Meaningless

Hebrews 12: 1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Did you know that the elect Angels are watching over us?

There’s some motivation toward righteous living!

I wonder how much the Angels are satisfied, as they peer down from Heaven?

How different we would act, if we kept this thought in mind?

If it isn’t bad enough, to realize, that God knows everything too.

“Such a great cloud of witnesses”, is also translated….. “spectators in Heaven”.

The great American Baptist Preacher, Vance Hafner would spend hours preparing for a sermon.

His church in the early years, numbered less than 20 people.

His wife would often ask…. “Why do you spend so much time preparing, to preach to so few?”

Hafner’s reply…… “You forget my dear, how large my audience will be from above!”

No act is meaningless, if the witnesses of Heaven are looking on.

How different should we act today, knowing that the Heavenly grandstands are full today, and looking down with great interest?

Maybe we should throw off, everything that would entangle us…………

Chosen

James 2: 5

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

 

God chose us, because nobody would be saved if it were left to man’s decision.

God has called the chosen and elect.

When’s the last time you thanked God for that awesome blessing?

 

While we were unbelieving sinners, Christ died for us.

He drew is to Himself for forgiveness, salvation and redemption.

Have you recently considered, how God chose you and saved you?

 

Aren’t you glad, that Jesus did not say you needed a mountain of faith, to move a mustard seed?

What’s your faith like today?

 

This week will be a week of selection, but that’s already happened to the millions of people, who have been handpicked by God…………

 

 

"Gracious Lord, bless us and help us to see You as You are. Thank you for being worthy of our praise and devotion.

There is no other like You. Thank you for choosing us. Thank you for loving us more than we understand.

We will have more faith in You because of what You have done, who You are, and how You have kept your promises.

In Jesus' name, Amen."

Middle of the road

Revelation 3: 15 – 16

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

These words out of Revelation chapter 3, are words from Jesus to the church.

A “cold” person is obvious. They’re the one who do not believe or even attend church—they are not one bit interested in God.

It appears though, that Jesus addresses the “lukewarm” person in this passage, more than the hot or cold.

This is the person who is in the middle of the road—the one without true commitment.

I wonder if it’s possible to be on fire for God one day, but then have the fire go out the next?

Jesus wishes that we were one or the other—hot or cold—it appears He detests lukewarm people.

Maybe it’s the person who used to come to Bible study—or the person who used to attend prayer meeting?

Maybe it’s the person who could not get enough of God on Sunday morning, but then found something else to occupy their time on Sunday’s?

Jesus said this would happen to the church, and the person found to be lukewarm, would be spit out.

I think it would be a good exercise, if we checked our temperature.

What category do you fit into?

This middle of the road commitment with Jesus, does not work in His way of thinking.

Just remember this, and this we can be quite sure of—He knows our deeds, and He knows our temperature………..

A good laugh

Psalm 126: 2

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for me.

When was the last time you had a good laugh?

It would seem that we’ve forgotten how to laugh.

The weight of life brings about a somber attitude.

Once we consider how Jesus defeated the enemy of death, we should learn to laugh in the face of trial.

What Jesus accomplished at the Cross, should bring a smile to our collective faces.

We are redeemed, joint airs of the Son of the Most High God.

We have been adopted into the family of faith.

We will enjoy the inheritance of the King one day.

Tell me that doesn’t make you want to burst out into joyful laughter?

Maybe this will put a smile on your face………

Knock, Knock

Who’s There?

Dolores

Dolores Who?

Dolores my shepherd, and I shall not want

Finish it!

Ecclesiastes 7: 8

Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.

Why is it important that we finish what we begin?

If we don’t finish what we have promised to do in the first place, it can affect our reputation.

Following through on a specific spiritual task, helps to produce patience and as a result, humility becomes a part of our overall character.

Have you specified a task that God has given you to complete?

If so, how are you coming on it? Are you currently doing anything to expand the great Kingdom of God?

People often start strong, and then interest begins to wane.

While you’re working on the task that God has given you, you will experience blessing in great proportion.

While you complete Godly tasks, God deserves and should receive all of the glory.

Is that happening in your life?

The older I get, the more I know that God has given me certain things to take care of.

I want to finish strong, while I still have the energy.

I know that the one who finishes strong, will receive reward one day.

Do you know that the church is full of people, who have started something for God, and have abruptly stopped?

While there’s still time, we need to reengage in Godly purposes and bring them to completion………

Self Sufficiency Vice

2 Corinthians 1: 9

Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Paul in his second letter to the church of Corinth, was explaining about the hardship endured by the Asian believers.

And yet God is the God of all comfort in the midst of every kind of trial.

He might even bring about trials and hard ships, to bring about dependency.

If you listen to any of the pre-election speeches given by candidates these days, they are telling young people to be self reliant.

In the new world system, self sufficiency is a virtue.

The truth is, self sufficient in the spiritual sense, is not a virtue at all—it’s actually a vice.

God is working in us day by day, to bring about complete dependency upon Him.

He won’t stop that work, until we our totally dependent upon Him.

Ask yourself this morning; Can you trust God for the many promises He’s revealed?

If you have trouble answering that question, then God has more work to do in you, in the area of dependency........

Empty Barns

Proverbs 3: 9 – 10

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

 

Did you ever stop to think, how we’re doing as a nation, at honoring God?

 

America spends the following on the various commodities each year:

Soda—$73.9 billion

Candy—$6 billion

Cigarettes—$42 billion

Alcohol—$100 billion

 

Guess how much food, America wastes each year?

160 billion pounds!

 

The evangelical, protestant church gives in offerings, some $4 billion dollars annually.

It’s no wonder so many of our barns are empty…………

Reliable Speech

Matthew 5: 36 – 37

“And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

In simple terms, what Jesus was saying here was, don’t break your word.

In Kingdom terms, truth is ensured by the integrity and reliability of our speech.

We don’t have to swear on a stack of Bibles to ensure the Word of God.

And Jesus takes it even another step. He says, don’t swear an oath to personally guarantee your word.

He says, let the truth of your speech, be the standard by which you live.

Our word must be reliable.

Would you say that most people, can bank on your word?

Is your speech seen as reliable in the church or the work place?

At home?

The great Department Store owner/entrepreneur, J. C. Penny once said………

“Seek not to be admired, but believed.”

Hello? God is that you?

Ecclesiastes 11: 9             (NLT)

Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in.

But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

 

Have you stopped to think lately, that God has called you and me to do and accomplish specific things?

God gives each of us the freedom to follow different paths.

Over the course of life, He allows us to participate in all kinds of different activities—some good and some not so good.

Remember this though; we will have to answer to Him for everything that we do.

 

Not everything we choose to do, is a call from God to do so, but we will be held accountable to God none the less.

What is God calling you to do today?

 

The way you know that’s it’s God calling you to do something, is in direction proportion to how much time we spend in His Word.

God communicates to us through the Bible.

No time spent in prayer and in reading the Bible—no communication from God.

 

When we let the Holy Spirit transform us, we will begin to change the way we think.

When we think like God thinks, you will surely know what He wants you to do.

 

What do you think He wants you to do today?