Real Friendship

1 Samuel 18: 3

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

I take it, as I read scripture, that Jonathan and David had a very neat friendship.

Jonathan loved David as himself. Wow—your sure don’t see a lot of that these days!

Who couldn’t use a good friend?

It almost appears, that our days are so filled up with meeting our own needs, that often times we don’t have much time for meeting the needs of others.

Who have you been a real friend to lately?

There should be this special bond, especially within the church, but often times there is more strife, than there is true friendship.

Who would you totally shock today, if you picked up the phone and made a surprise phone call?

Who would be blessed beyond measure, if you took the time to please them, instead of pleasing yourself?

And I’m not talking about the people you talk to day after day—I’m talking a way out of the box reach out!

Think of things that get in the way of real friendship: Jealousy—Envy—Anger—Bitterness

Everyone wants to have good friendships, but few are willing to invest the time and effort.

Look beyond you today, and see what friendship you could develop or foster.

It will take sacrifice, and it will certainly take some effort on your part………..

When is it too late?

John 5: 6

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

 

I just came from the Chiropractor for an adjustment. That’s why this devotion is late in coming this morning.

I hadn’t been there since 2009, and I have been paying for it for a very long time.

He told me on Monday, that if I wanted to get well, I’d have to lose some weight and increase my exercise activity.

 

This morning he told me, that there comes a point, that if we don’t adhere to the advice, our muscles get to a place, where they will never be able to respond.

If I wait too long to apply his recommendation, it will be too late to change what has happened to my body.

 

Isn’t that the way it could be in our spiritual condition? Jesus, the consummate giver of grace, wants us to be well.

We put the healing off, and often times do our own thing. Some of us have been in that condition, for a very long time.

 

I wonder if there ever comes a point, when it’s too late to make spiritual changes?

I wonder if the devil has done such a good job of deceiving us, that in our pride, we don’t see the need for being well?

 

I’m going to spend some more time thinking about that today.

Maybe you should too……………

Are you in or out?

Romans 8: 1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus….

This verse is often taken out of context.

I hear people say, that they’re not condemned because of their sin.

The key word in this verse is, “in”.

Jesus and John the Baptist preached more about repentance than anyone else in the bible.

When we confess and then turn away from our sin (repentance), we have entered a wonderful relationship with the Savior.

We become new people. (2 Cor. 5: 17) We are “in” Christ Jesus!

It’s when we step out of that relationship, that trouble comes into play.

Condemnation comes, when we decide to revisit that old life style.

Tell me you’ve never felt it?

Bear in mind, that our burdens have been lifted at Calvary.

Why anyone would want to carry that burden of sin, guilt and shame, is beyond me.

Satan labels you and me as worthless trash.

God the Father has engraved our names, on the palm of His hand. (Isaiah 49:16)

I know where I’m living today.

I’m living in the “in” crowd!!

Self Control

Proverbs 25: 28

Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control.

One thing we don’t see demonstrated much anymore, is self control.

Our culture gets tired of our spouses, and we move onto something or someone that pleases us more.

We don’t live for the outcome anymore it seems, but we sure do seem to enjoy living for the moment.

Our indiscretion or lack of self control, often leads us down some pretty slippery slopes.

How will you demonstrate self control this week?

Do you know that it takes self control, to please God first and foremost?

Do you know that it takes self control, to study and apply God’s Word in our lives?

Maybe that’s why it seems like the walls of society have been broken down, because we lack self control.

Maybe that’s why it seems, like everything is going to hell in hand basket………..

What is the object of your desire?

1 Kings 3: 5

"Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

Did you know that God created desire within us, as a means of expressing our self?

Desire is one of the most healthy things one can have, especially if that desire is directed in the right way.

The things we should desire should be good, and right and God honoring and pleasing to Him.

Our greatest desire within, should be a greater relationship with the God of the universe.

That Godly desire, will influence all other desires, but that desire takes effort.

We need to make sure, that the object of our desire is consistent with God’s Word.

Solomon did, and God gave him a wealth of wisdom, because that was Solomon’s desire.

Do you desire the things of God?

I’m pretty sure that if you do, God will give you whatever you ask for—especially if that desire, lines up with His perfect will…………..

How to conqueror death

Romans 6: 9

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

 

Jesus died for our sins, and by His death he destroyed death forever.

Paul said in Philippians 1: 23……….I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…..

 

He could say this because, many years before, he actually met Jesus on the road going to Damascus.

Paul had actually passed from death to life. Death in the physical, is just a transition time from life here on earth, to eternal life with Jesus.

Death is the ultimate goal for the believer in Christ, because it brings them directly into God’s presence.

 

Nothing in the world can ever harm us again, especially death.

Consider how Jesus conquered death, and those of us who have trusted in Christ as Savior, shall conqueror death one day too………….

Crucified

Galatians 2: 20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The Christian faith could be summarized by this one verse.

I no longer live the life I lived before Jesus, but now because Christ lives in me, pleasing Him is all I live for.

Because Jesus gave Himself for us, we have no other obligation, than to live for Him.

Is that how you see your walk with Jesus?

I am in Jesus, and He is in me.

Now the life that I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God.

It is because He loved me, and gave Himself for me.

What other choice do I have?

Father, I mourn my sins that caused Jesus to suffer.

I want to hide my face when I consider His pain and sacrifice.

But I also celebrate when I consider the marvelous gift of redemption.

Help me to live for You, and to live for nothings else…………….

Are you Holy and pleasing?

Romans 12: 1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

 

Did you ever stop to realize, that God wants us, to give Him our whole life?

Even if it means forgoing pleasure and the things that bring comfort.

I often wonder if people in America, know how to forgo anything.

 

Just as Jesus gave of Himself, He wants us to do the same.

He wants us to give ourselves to the service of other people, even if it means that it will cost us something.

So then, how would you say you’re doing in the realm of sacrifice?

 

Sacrifice for Jesus, meant death.

I wonder if He means for us, to do as He did?

 

If we understood the depth of God’s mercy, there would be no hesitation in the area of sacrifice.

 

Holy and pleasing?

I think I’ve got some work to do in this area…………..

Be Intentional

Proverbs 8: 17

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

 

The question by now seems a little redundant, but how will you seek God today?

Often times, the pat answer is in prayer.

To get a picture of how Jesus prayed, we need to look into the Bible.

 

Jesus didn’t pray a rushed prayer, no He was intentional.

We’re intentional about a lot of things, but frankly, pray isn’t one of them.

 

If I were to ask you, to give a report on how much time you spend reading the bible, what would your answer be?

If I were to ask you, how much time you spend in intentional prayer, would you be embarrassed to give a report?

 

In the book, “Too Busy Not To Pray”, there are many great quotes made by the author. Here is just a sampling…..

"If your life is rushing in many directions at once, you are incapable of the kind of deep, unhurried prayer that is vital to the Christian walk."

 

The common thread or theme among Christians today, is that they’re lives are extremely busy.

Do you think that was God’s plan, or is that something derived by us?

 

Summer time is the perfect example. Many are even too busy for worship on Sunday morning. We always seem to have something more important to do, or place to go.

We even justify being busy, and not being in church.

 

Maybe we need to stop. Maybe we need to make changes after all. Maybe  if we did, we’d actually find God……..