NO ONE IS INSIGNIFICANT TO GOD

“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them….And He took them up in His arms, laid His hand on them, and blessed them.”—Mark 10:13, 16

  

In our scripture for today, we see where people were bringing little children to Jesus, for Him to touch and bless; however, his disciples took upon themselves to stop the children from coming.  Jesus did not like what the disciples were doing; in fact the Scripture says that, “He was greatly displeased.”  He went on to tell them to allow the children to come to Him.  In essence, He was saying that no one is insignificant to God, and He went on to bless the children.  He then took this time to teach that anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it (Mark 10:13-16). 

One of the great privileges of my life was to have Dr. Daisy Osborn, as my mentor.  She had the ability to greet everyone personally, in a room, and make you feel better about yourself.  Somehow you came away from this brief time inspired, your confidence built up, and you left feeling important.   She truly had the ability to inspire you in Christ’s love.

Believers are called put Christ’s love on display.  Because the Lord is living through us, we are equipped to impact others.  Instead of trying to resonate in some impressive way that impacts thousands of lives, why not let God use you to reach one person at a time?  You can made a big difference with simple acts of service and kindness—a hug, a conversation, a meal.  Try “loving on” people the way your heavenly Father shows affection for you.

Everyone matters to the Lord.  At times all it takes for someone to feel His care and compassion is a little bit of kindness from one of God’s children.  Believers have the privilege to serve as the Father’s hands and feet on earth.  It has often been said that, “God has no hands but your hands, no feet but your feet, on the earth.” Let your light shine into someone’s private darkness.  Let them know that they are important—significant.  Inspire someone today.  Your smile and encouraging word may be the difference that they need today.

Prayer—Father I thank You that I am important to You.  Thank You that You cared enough about me to shed Your love in my heart today.  Today I purpose to let Your love shine through me to others, in Jesus Name. Amen.

SEEK THAT WHICH SATISFIES

“Ho!  Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what it is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”—Isaiah 55:1-2

 Have you ever gone to a restaurant to eat, but when you looked on the menu there was nothing on it that seemed to fill the vague sense of emptiness or discontent that you were experiencing?  You did not have anything specific in mind to order, but just something to fill a longing.  Whatever you choose will probably not fill you up, because the empty spot is not in your stomach, but is in your soul. 

Whether the substance is food, career, possessions, or relationships, your soul is continually trying to find satisfaction.  But nothing in this world will fill the void.  Since we are created for relationship with God, He placed deep within us a yearning for Him.  Although we may not recognize it as such, everyone knows the feeling of dissatisfaction that at times seeps into our souls.  Whenever we attempt to find fulfillment with worldly substitutes, disappointment and disillusionment are sure to follow.

There are two possible menus from which we can choose to fill our empty souls.  Satan’s menu is long and full of enticing things that seem to promise fulfillment and pleasure.  These could include relationships, prominence, acceptance, riches or recognition.  Whatever he offers looks like the good life that will bring contentment, but it is a deception.  Recently, my husband told me that he saw a news story about a woman posting her “soul” for sale on EBay.  But God’s menu is quite small.  In fact, it list just one “item”—Jesus.  He is the only one who can fill the void. 

What are you pursuing in life?  Have you found the satisfaction that you seek, or is there always a vague sense of discontent in your soul?  If you will give Jesus a bigger place in your life and spend focused, unhurried time with Him, He will satisfy you as nothing else can.

Prayer—Father I thank You that my soul delights itself in You. I purpose to put you first in my days and that when I have a sense of dissatisfaction help me to remember that You are always present in my life, in Jesus Name. Amen

TO HAVE A SATISFYING WALK WITH GOD, YOU MUST HAVE A THIRST FOR HIM

“O God, you are my God: early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You…”—Psalm 63:1

A personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ has the potential to be more intimately satisfying than any earthly connection.  King David recorded his experience in Psalm 63.  Our heavenly Father wants to have a loving bond with us just as He did with David.

Making a firm commitment to know Him is the first step, which takes priority above all matters.  David described his passion to know God as an intense thirst; the Apostle Paul likened his dedication in pursuing the Lord to a race.  “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

When we pledge ourselves to the lordship of Christ and seek after Him with our hearts and minds, we will find our souls becoming satisfied.  Once we resolve to follow diligently after the Lord, our next step is to spend time in His Word.

The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and His plan for the world.  Making time to read and meditate on Scripture is essential for every believer.  That’s how we learn who God is, how He works, and what He desires for us and for the body of Christ.  When we strive to know and understand a biblical passage, the Holy Spirit will make the meaning clear to us.  An illumination comes, and the Holy Spirit makes the passage come to life.  God is pleased by followers who make it their goal to deepen their relationship with Him.

 

Dedicating time to know and experiencing God is a critical step toward a satisfying walk with Him.  Begin today by making a pledge to pursue Him more diligently and taking time in your schedule for regular study and prayer.  “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Your heavenly Father is willing to meet with you.

Prayer—Father I thank You for satisfying my every longing.  Today I purpose to thirst for You as I never have before.  I thank You that You have told me that when I seek I shall find, when I knock it shall be opened, and whatever I ask in Jesus Name shall be given to me.  I ask you to fill my cup with Your presence and revelation, in Jesus Name. Amen.

GOD IS THE ONLY CERTAINTY WHEN FACING THE UNKNOWN

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”—Romans 8:31

Moses is a good example for us to understand a principle when we face uncertainties in our lives.  His very birth was an uncertainty.  During the time that the ruler of Egypt decreed that every male child born to a Hebrew slave should be killed, Moses was born into a Hebrew family.  However, his mother hid Moses for three months.  The baby was taken into Pharaoh’s own household and raised as an Egyptian.  Later, God preserved Moses’ life a second time after he had killed an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew, and Pharaoh sought to kill him (Exodus 2).   After the Pharaoh had died, God spoke to Moses to lead his people to the Promised Land. 

The principle that preserved Moses when He faced the unknown is found in Hebrews 11:27:  “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”  This is how Moses approached life—by faith!

There was no shortage of uncertainty in Moses’ life.  How could someone “slow of speech” address Pharaoh (Exodus 4:10)?  How could a murderer become God’s chosen man?  How would anyone lead over a million people who could turn against him at a moments notice?  And how could they cross the Red Sea, conquer Canaan, or survived 40 years in the desert?  The answer lies in the simple fact that Moses derived his security solely from God, who consistently kept his promises.  “So He [God] said, ‘I will certainly be with you’…” (Exodus 3:12).

Today you may be facing uncertainty in your life.  Life has not gotten more certain in the millennia since Moses’ time.  Modern believers have the same source of security that Moses did.  God is still the only certainty in this life.  You can count on the one who is faithful, just, and loving.

We learn from Moses’ life to cling tenaciously to the Lord when facing the unknown.  Even in situations that look hopeless we are cupped in God’s sovereign hand.  Although the way may look dark and the road seems untraveled, God walks before us.  Continue to go forward in confidence, knowing that God will certainly be with you as He was with Moses.

Prayer—Father I look to you today to help me through the uncertain times in my life.  I choose to put my confidence in You knowing that You are faithful and You will see me through, in Jesus Name. Amen.   

THE BEST INFLUENCE IS A SOFT ANSWER

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”—Proverbs 15:1

Many individuals think that the best way to influence people and to manipulate them into their way of doing things is through angry and harsh words.  A wide variety of reasons exists for this type of behavior; in fact, anger can be influenced by such things as, inherited physical disorders, demonic activity or lack of self-control.  I knew an individual that thought he had the right to treat people with disrespect through anger because he held an economic advantage over them.  Such was the case with Nabal when he encountered David, as recorded in 1 Samuel 25.

“Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich.  He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats.  And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.  The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail.  And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings.  He was of the house of Caleb” (vs.1-2).  

This was “harvest time” for a sheep rancher.  Because it was like “harvest time,” by ancient traditions, sheep shearing time was a time of lavish hospitality towards others. We read that Nabal was harsh and evil in his doing which needs no further explanation.  His wife, Abigail, was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance.  She was both wise and beautiful.  The Bible gives Abigail great praise when it says was of beautiful appearance, because the only other women who have this Hebrew phrase applied to them are Rachel, in Genesis 29:7, and Esther, in Esther 2:7. 

In verses 4-9, David asks for compensation for his valuable service to Nabal.

When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep, David sent ten young men; and David said to the young mne, ‘Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have! Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds were with us, and we did not hurt them, nor was there anything missing from them all the while they were in Carmel. Ask you young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.’ So when David’s young men cam, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited.”   

 

David made a request of Nabal: “Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.”  David makes this request because he had performed a valuable service for Nabal, serving as protection for his flocks in a time when Philistine raids were common.  David protected Nabal’s shepherds and flocks for a long time, but did not expect to be compensated until Nabal himself made his money at the “harvest” of sheep shearing.  Notice that David was polite to Nabal, and that he did not intimidate him; furthermore, his greeting was warm and cordial.  (David sent ten young men, and said peace be to you).  David politely reminded Nabal of the traditions of generosity surrounding harvest and sheep shearing time.  He did not demand any specific payment from Nabal, but left it up to his generosity (“Please give whatever comes to hand”). 

 

“Then Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, ‘Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master. Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?’ So David’s young men turned on their heels and went back; and they came and told him all these words’ (vs. 10-12).

 

Because David was famous all throughout Israel, Nabal insulted David by asking who he was, and refusing to recognize him.  The insult went deeper when he said that David was a rebellious servant.   Because David had continually conducted himself wisely when attacked by Saul, this was completely false.    Finally, Nabal showed what an ungenerous man he was by looking at everything he owned as his, instead of the LORD’S. 

David receives Nabal’s response exactly the way Nabal intended it to be received, with great insult.  But Nabal is not dealing with a weak, rebellious servant; he is dealing with a great soldier and warrior.  “Then David said to his men, ‘Every man gird on his sword.’ So every man girded on his sword, and David also girded on his sword. And about four hundred men went with David, and two hundred stayed with the supplies’ (vs. 13).  David is not coming to Nabal just to make a statement; he is coming to wipe him out.  That is why he arms himself and his men, and leaves men behind to guard the supplies and serve as reinforcements. 

 One of Nabal’s servants came to Abigail and reported to her how Nabal responded to David’s request.   When the servant used the word “revile” in his report, he was saying that her husband treated David with contemptuous language.  He went on to say that David and his men provided a valuable service to them, by protecting them.  This lets Abigail know that David and his men deserved compensation, and without her intercession they would all likely die because no one could reason with Nabal (vs. 14-17). 

Knowing that time was of the essence, and that something had to be done immediately, Abigail quickly gathered up 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of wine, 5 sheep that were already dressed, 5 pecks of corn, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys.  She sent her servants ahead of her, but she did not tell her husband what she was doing (vs. 18-19). 

David’s feelings were hurt by what Nabal had said to him.  He thought that he had been wronged by Nabal.  In fact, David said, “He has repaid me evil for good.”  David’s reaction to this hurt was his intention to massacre Nabal all of the household males; however, David’s heart was pliable and when Abigail appeals to him with a soft answer David changes his mind (vs. 21- 35). “So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, ‘Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person” (Emphases added).

Because of the hilly terrain Abigail remained hidden from David until the time that she met him face-to-face.  David and his men were coming in a highly agitated and angry state of mind, and then something every unexpected happened and brings them to a complete stop.  A beautiful woman is bowing down, in humility, before David, and following her was a great procession of gifts.  Notice that Abigail does not make her appeal to David as a superior, but she comes to David as a humble servant.  She asked that David look at the bigger picture, and to let the Lord settle the matter, instead of taking vengeance into his own hands.  Abigail emphasized David’s calling and destiny and the integrity of his life and asked for his forgiveness.  David thanked God for Abigail’s appeal, and received her advice; he trusted the Lord God of Israel to take care of Nabal.  And God did (vs. 36-38). 

 

Today’s devotion is a stark contrast between a soft answer and one that is cruel, callous, and inconsiderate.  We saw the results of each.  Each answer shaped the future of the giver and receiver.  In one, a heart that was pliable and willing to yield to God; the other, a heart that was harden and unwilling to yield.  David went on to fulfill his future as king of Israel and Nabal died with a hard heart.

Prayer—Father I ask you to forgive me for the times that I have spoken a hash answer.  I ask that You help me in those times that I may feel pressed and stressed to be patient and give and answer that reflects You, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

THE BEST INFLUENCE IS A SOFT ANSWER

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”—Proverbs 15:1

Many individuals think that the best way to influence people and to manipulate them into their way of doing things is through angry and harsh words.  A wide variety of reasons exists for this type of behavior; in fact, anger can be influenced by such things as, inherited physical disorders, demonic activity or lack of self-control.  I knew an individual that thought he had the right to treat people with disrespect through anger because he held an economic advantage over them.  Such was the case with Nabal when he encountered David, as recorded in 1 Samuel 25.

“Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel, and the man was very rich.  He had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats.  And he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.  The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail.  And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings.  He was of the house of Caleb” (vs.1-2).   

This was “harvest time” for a sheep rancher.  Because it was like “harvest time,” by ancient traditions, sheep shearing time was a time of lavish hospitality towards others. We read that Nabal was harsh and evil in his doing which needs no further explanation.  His wife, Abigail, was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance.  She was both wise and beautiful.  The Bible gives Abigail great praise when it says was of beautiful appearance, because the only other women who have this Hebrew phrase applied to them are Rachel, in Genesis 29:7, and Esther, in Esther 2:7. 

In verses 4-9, David asks for compensation for his valuable service to Nabal.

When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep, David sent ten young men; and David said to the young mne, ‘Go up to Carmel, go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have! Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds were with us, and we did not hurt them, nor was there anything missing from them all the while they were in Carmel. Ask you young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.’ So when David’s young men cam, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited.”   

 

David made a request of Nabal: “Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David.”  David makes this request because he had performed a valuable service for Nabal, serving as protection for his flocks in a time when Philistine raids were common.  David protected Nabal’s shepherds and flocks for a long time, but did not expect to be compensated until Nabal himself made his money at the “harvest” of sheep shearing.  Notice that David was polite to Nabal, and that he did not intimidate him; furthermore, his greeting was warm and cordial.  (David sent ten young men, and said peace be to you).  David politely reminded Nabal of the traditions of generosity surrounding harvest and sheep shearing time.  He did not demand any specific payment from Nabal, but left it up to his generosity (“Please give whatever comes to hand”). 

“Then Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, ‘Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master. Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?’ So David’s young men turned on their heels and went back; and they came and told him all these words’ (vs. 10-12).

 

Because David was famous all throughout Israel, Nabal insulted David by asking who he was, and refusing to recognize him.  The insult went deeper when he said that David was a rebellious servant.   Because David had continually conducted himself wisely when attacked by Saul, this was completely false.    Finally, Nabal showed what an ungenerous man he was by looking at everything he owned as his, instead of the LORD’S. 

David receives Nabal’s response exactly the way Nabal intended it to be received, with great insult.  But Nabal is not dealing with a weak, rebellious servant; he is dealing with a great soldier and warrior.  “Then David said to his men, ‘Every man gird on his sword.’ So every man girded on his sword, and David also girded on his sword. And about four hundred men went with David, and two hundred stayed with the supplies’ (vs. 13).  David is not coming to Nabal just to make a statement; he is coming to wipe him out.  That is why he arms himself and his men, and leaves men behind to guard the supplies and serve as reinforcements. 

One of Nabal’s servants came to Abigail and reported to her how Nabal responded to David’s request.   When the servant used the word “revile” in his report, he was saying that her husband treated David with contemptuous language.  He went on to say that David and his men provided a valuable service to them, by protecting them.  This lets Abigail know that David and his men deserved compensation, and without her intercession they would all likely die because no one could reason with Nabal (vs. 14-17). 

Knowing that time was of the essence, and that something had to be done immediately, Abigail quickly gathered up 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of wine, 5 sheep that were already dressed, 5 pecks of corn, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys.  She sent her servants ahead of her, but she did not tell her husband what she was doing (vs. 18-19). 

David’s feelings were hurt by what Nabal had said to him.  He thought that he had been wronged by Nabal.  In fact, David said, “He has repaid me evil for good.”  David’s reaction to this hurt was his intention to massacre Nabal all of the household males; however, David’s heart was pliable and when Abigail appeals to him with a soft answer David changes his mind (vs. 21- 35). “So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, ‘Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person” (Emphases added).

 

Because of the hilly terrain Abigail remained hidden from David until the time that she met him face-to-face.  David and his men were coming in a highly agitated and angry state of mind, and then something every unexpected happened and brings them to a complete stop.  A beautiful woman is bowing down, in humility, before David, and following her was a great procession of gifts.  Notice that Abigail does not make her appeal to David as a superior, but she comes to David as a humble servant.  She asked that David look at the bigger picture, and to let the Lord settle the matter, instead of taking vengeance into his own hands.  Abigail emphasized David’s calling and destiny and the integrity of his life and asked for his forgiveness.  David thanked God for Abigail’s appeal, and received her advice; he trusted the Lord God of Israel to take care of Nabal.  And God did (vs. 36-38). 

Today’s devotion is a stark contrast between a soft answer and one that is cruel, callous, and inconsiderate.  We saw the results of each.  Each answer shaped the future of the giver and receiver.  In one, a heart that was pliable and willing to yield to God; the other, a heart that was harden and unwilling to yield.  David went on to fulfill his future as king of Israel and Nabal died with a hard heart.

Prayer—Father I ask you to forgive me for the times that I have spoken a hash answer.  I ask that You help me in those times that I may feel pressed and stressed to be patient and give and answer that reflects You, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

FREEDOM IS A GIFT — HOW ARE YOU USING IT?

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”—Galatians 5:13

On this Independence Day, consider the question, How do you use the gift of freedom?  God gives all believers true liberty through His Son Jesus Christ.  Do you squander that blessing or share it with others?  The problem is, some people are so focused on their own needs and desires that they fail to impact even their closest neighbor.

Think about the people you see every week.  Do you know how many of your neighbors are sick?  Are there people in your church who struggle to make it from day-to-day?  Do you know if any of your co-workers are going through hardships?  Most likely, there are individuals all around you who could use assistance.  But being self-focused limits our ability to notice those people, let alone reach out to them.

Jesus taught His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth; but it the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).  In order for salt to remain useful, it must maintain its purity and potency.  Likewise, we must endeavor to lead holy, humble, and loving lives, focusing on the Savior’s will rather than our own. 

God has prepared the good works that we are to walk in.  Our job is to choose to do so.   “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).    

Whether or not, we affect our world positively depends on the focus of our heart.  Do you look inward to consider how you can do more to get ahead and add to your lot in life?  Or do you look outward and think about ways that you can do more to serve other?  Allow the freedom that Christ paid so great a price, to ring in your heart everyday.  Let your light shine as you look for ways to help other people.

Prayer—Father thank You that Your Son, Jesus, paid a great price for my freedom.  Today I am reminded that freedom is a liberty that I choose to use to serve others, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

TRUE FREEDOM IS A RESPONSIBILITY

“… Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”—John 8:34-36

While we live on this earth, our bodies and souls are united with Christ.  In his first letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul tells Christians that freedom in Christ is a serious responsibility.  “All this are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them.  Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.  And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?  Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot?  Certainly not!  Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her?  For ‘the two,’ He says, ‘shall become one flesh.’  But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.  Flee sexual immorality.  Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:12-20).

Yes, we can eat what we want, spend our times as we please, and pursue activities we enjoy.  However, as believers, we are inseparably joined to Christ’s church.  This means that when we die, we are raised up to live with Him forever.  However, before we enter heaven, we live on the earth and our bodies and souls are joined to the Lord.  We are not our own; we belong to the Lord. 

As temporary custodians of these bodies, we have the responsibility to find out what is and what is not good for them.  We must exercise discipline with our God-given liberties because there is no value in “freedom” that spiritually cripples believers or causes pain, shame, and guilt.

Notice the distinction that Paul makes between freedom in Christ and reckless abandon; God’s grace and forgiveness cover our sins, but that does not give us permission to engage in harmful behavior.  As followers of Jesus, we are to give ourselves over to the pursuit of godly living, not self-serving pleasures.  Christians are “earthen-vessels,” created by God to fulfill His purpose and bring honor and glory to Him.  “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).  Therefore, anything that violates the human body is not permissible for us.  

True freedom means living without the chains of sin and destructive behavior.  Jesus Christ paid a price to release you from those bonds.  Therefore, do not put your body into slavery to damaging habits.  Glorify God with your whole self—heart, mind, soul and body.

Prayer—Father I thank you with Your help I take the responsibility for my freedom seriously. I ask you to forgive me for giving my body, mind, will and emotions to things that are harmful to me.   I, like the Apostle Paul, bring my body into subjection to Your will. I purpose to live a life humbly submitted to Your will knowing that You have my best interest at heart, in Jesus Name. Amen.

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH—THE HELPER HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE BELIEVER

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever, that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in You.”—John 14:16-17

In some countries of the world, when some one makes a sworn testimony they must vow that the testimony that they give is the truth.  In America, and in most courts, the person giving the testimony will say something like this, “I swear that the evidence that I shall give, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.”  The born-again believer has received the Spirit of truth so that their “testimony” to the world stems from the Spirit of truth.

When Jesus spoke the words, in our daily scripture, He clearly said that the “world” could not receive the Spirit of truth.  The “world” indicates the non-believing ones.  Meaning those individuals who are not born of the Spirit of God—the unbeliever.  Matthew Henry writes in his commentary concerning this passage in John 14 that “the disciples of Christ are here distinguished from the world, for they are chosen and called out of the world that lies in wickedness; they are the children and heirs of another world, not of this.” 

Scripture tells us that Satan is the father of all lies and deceit that is why it is so important for the believer to have a clear understanding of the principles of the Spirit of truth.  These principles include:  For the believer, the Spirit of truth will be true to you, and to his undertaking for you.  He will teach you the truth, enlighten your mind with the knowledge of it, will strengthen and confirm your belief of it, and will increase your love for it.  The Spirit of truth shall not only lead you into all truth, but others by your ministry.  The same Spirit that enabled the early Christians to leave all and to follow Christ, preach the gospel and work miracles, lives in you!  The same Helper that helped Jesus during his time of temptation is in you, to help you.  The writer of the book of Hebrews said it like this, “So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6). 

 

The Church should remember that the distinguishing characteristic between the “world” and the Christian is TRUTH.  Allow the Spirit of truth to guide and direct your paths and your testimony.  Remember, that the way to overcome the “world” and its’ system is by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of your testimony.  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to death” (Revelations 12:11).

Prayer—Father I thank you that you have given to me the Spirit of truth, my Helper, and with His help I will give testimony to Your wonderful works and glorify You in all that I say and do, in Jesus Name. Amen.

GRACE ALWAYS MAKES A WAY OF ESCAPE

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”—1 Corinthians 10:13

One day, when Jesus was teaching in a temple, the scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders) brought a woman to Him who had been caught in the act of adultery.  The religious leaders thought asking Jesus a difficult question regarding this woman would give them the opportunity to accuse Him, and thereby giving them the legal right to kill Him.

“Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.  Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?’  This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as thought He did not hear.  So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sine among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’  And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’  She said, ‘No one Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’” (John 8:2 -11). 

 

This was potentially the most damaging temptation the scribes and Pharisees ever presented to Jesus.  Much of His wide-spread popularity was because of His teaching about God’s mercy and forgiveness toward sinners.  This was received with great enthusiasm by a people who before this time had been present with only a harsh, legalist, judgmental picture of God.  The scribes and Pharisees often tried to portray Jesus as condoning or practicing sin because of His association with sinners and His ministry to them, especially when it violated Jewish traditions such as the Sabbath.  However, Jesus had successfully turned every attack into a victory for God’s grace and mercy.

 

This time the religious leaders believed that they had cornered Jesus.  If He held to His teaching of forgiveness and refused to stone this woman, He would be in direct rebellion to the Law of Moses, and thus give the Jews the legal grounds they needed to kill Him.  On the other hand, if He stoned the woman as the law declared, the people would forsake Him.  The scribes and Pharisees thought that they had Him trapped without a way of escape. 

As always, the foolishness of God is wiser than me.  Jesus did not condone the sin nor disregard the Law of Moses.  He simply told the one who was without sin to cast the first stone.  As the Holy Spirit began to convict them of their own sin, they all had to leave; therefore, they could not fault Jesus for not stoning the woman.

We all encounter many opportunities to feel trapped and no way of escape; however, in these times ask God for His grace to make a way of escape for you.  Determine that in the times that you feel overwhelmed with anger, hurt, or offended with those who sin against you or someone else, remember how Jesus treated this woman and practice His amazing grace.

Prayer—Father I thank You for Your wisdom and grace to see me through my days, in Jesus Name. Amen.

GIVING GRACE EVEN TO THOSE WHO DO NOT DESERVE IT — IS THE WAY OF THE NEW COVENANT.

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”—John 1:17

One time Jesus sent messengers ahead of His arrival to a Samaritan village; however, the village people rejected Him.  When two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, saw this, they were so upset that they wanted to call fire down from heaven like Elijah the prophet had done. “…Lord do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”  Jesus turned to them rebuking them saying, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them…” (Luke 9:51-56).

What the disciples had said was under the Old Covenant; however Jesus rebuked them because what they wanted to do was not in line with the grace of God that He came to bring to humankind through the New Covenant.  Jesus did not come to destroy people’s lives, but to save them.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  “…I have come that they many have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). 

To understand about grace, it is important to know that “…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).  Jesus was just in doing this because He bore our sins and the accompanying wrath of God.  “Surely, He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).   “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachtant?’ that is ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).  “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angles, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).  The Scripture tells us that He did not reject God’s judgment against sin; He willing took it upon Himself.  “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Therefore He was able to extend the grace and mercy of God to those who would have been doomed under the Law of Moses. “Therefore let it be know to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses” (Acts 13:38-39).

The Old Testament Law was like a judge passing sentence upon sin.  Not only did Jesus become our advocate (lawyer); but He also, became our substitute, “...bearing our sins in His own body on the tree…” (1 Peter 2:24).  He did not destroy God’s judgment; He fulfilled it in Himself so that we could go free.  This forever changed God’s dealings with sinful people.

In light of what Jesus has done in the New Covenant, forgiving us for all our sins, we should never turn around and release God’s wrath upon others as was done in the Old Covenant.  There is a difference between Old Covenant law and New Covenant GRACE.  “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).  Grow in grace today, and forgive and pray for those who do wrong and reject Jesus.

Prayer—Father today I choose to grow in Your grace; help me to learn of your ways and to extend Your grace to those who reject Your son, Jesus, in Jesus Name. Amen.

GOD COMFORTS US IN ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT OTHERS.

“Blessed be God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”—2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Through his many afflictions, the Apostle Paul had learned the important truth: God can comfort everyone in everything.  God is rich in mercy and will faithfully comfort us “in all of our tribulations.”  Paul, who wrote more of the New Testament than any other writer was the only one who used the expression, “the God of all comfort.”  Thomas Moore, an Irish song writer and poet, in 1816, wrote in his song Come Ye Disconsolate, “Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal.”    The Apostle Paul went on to say, in the same passage as our scripture reading, that  we are enable to comfort others because of the difficulties that we may have experienced (vs. 6-7).   Because we have been comforted—alleviated of grief—by God we are able to give that same type of comfort to others. 

You may have heard the expression, “Until you have walked a mile in someone else’s shoes do not judge them.”  What this means is you may feel sympathy for someone—feel sorry for them, but you really do not understand what they are going through.  However, empathy means that you can identify with and understand someone else’s feeling or difficulties—you can walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Because of what Christ has done for you, you have the ability to alleviate the grief of someone else.  Even if you do not think that you know the right words to express to someone who is going through difficulties, remember that the Holy Spirit lives inside of you.  He will guide you as you prayerfully rely upon Him.  What comfort that you have received, give lovingly to someone else.  There is nothing in God’s economy that will not increase when it is shared or given away.  Many times you will find that your own sorrow will melt as you minister to someone else in her or his need.  Our hearts are made sensitive to others by the trials and difficulties that we have gone through ourselves. 

Prayer—God of all comfort, comfort me still with Your healing balm, and help me to learn to be gentle with my touch as Your are with Yours, in Jesus Name. Amen.

A CLEAN HEART IS A MUST IN REACHING YOUR FULL POTENTIAL

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”—Psalm 51:10

Reaching your full potential begins with a clean heart—one that loves the Lord and desires to obey Him.  The Scriptures teach us that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:10).  Pleasing self is a person’s normal state before they are born again, and when they are still living in a carnal state of mind.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians stating that they were carnal because they had to be fed with milk and not the meat of the gospel.  He went on to say that anyone who envies is in strife and division is still in carnality (I Corinthians 3:1-3). 

Salvation changed our hearts and lives.  Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for our sin and broke its power over us.  By receiving Christ as Savior we each became a new creation—with a heart sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and a mind that strongly desires to know the Father better.  We also received the Spirit’s power to deny our selfish desires and obey God.  With clean hearts, we can begin to realize the capabilities that Jesus gives to us. 

The best way to maintain a clean heart is by meditating on Scripture.  It acts like a mirror in which we see ourselves as God does.  Through it, we discover the areas where we have been faithful and also the places where we have veered from His path.  Expressing genuine repentance brings God’s forgiveness and cleansing.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). 

The heart represents the seat of our mind, will, and emotions.  When we strive to keep it pure, we will more easily discern the Lord’s plan, submit our will to His, and follow Him obediently.  Becoming the person God planned for each of us to be, requires an intimate relationship with Him and a desire to obey His Word.  Apart from Jesus, we can not achieve anything of lasting value, “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).  Cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s transforming work will help you keep your heart clean.

Prayer—Father I thank you for the cleansing agent of your Word, Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus.  I ask you to forgive me in any area that I have allowed my selfish desires to over-ride the Holy Spirit and to cleanse me from all filthiness of the flesh.  From this day forward I will put You first in my life.  Thank You for helping me to reach my full potential, in Jesus Name. Amen.

GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU IS THE ABUNDANT LIFE.

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life…exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature…”—2 Peter 1:3-4

God’s will for you is not different than His will for Adam and Eve.  When God created Adam and Eve He placed them in a garden filled with abundance, health, beauty, affluence, wealth and happiness (Genesis 1-2).  Having created the world, He commanded the waters and the ground to bring forth abundantly.  (Genesis 1:20).  When Jesus Christ came, He reemphasized God’s will for you.  He said, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). 

God made you to enjoy His abundance and His wealth.  There is no shortage or limits with God.  He has created plenty for you.  “No good thing will God withhold from them that walk uprightly before Him” (Psalm 84:11).  “For as you know Him better, He will give you, through His great power everything you need for living a truly good life.  He even shares His own goodness with you” (2 Peter 1:3).  Remember you have been redeemed by Christ and you are a believer.  You are restored to His level and status of life.

Kick the poverty mindset out of your life.  The idea that there is not enough, shortages and limits are not God’s ideas.   Refuse the tendency or influence that keeps you identified with poverty.  If you think and act like you are poor, you are agreeing with a poverty mindset that will keep you from achieving God’s best.  Religious tradition teaches that it may be God’s plan for you to live in poverty, helpless, defeated, and inferior and humiliated; that such conditions may be a blessing in disguise, teaching you humility and godliness.  Religion teaches that these things will draw you closer to God and will develop the virtues of humility and holiness in you.  A study of the Scriptures shows us that these religious traditions are foreign to God’s dream and plan for you.    I totally agree with something that Dr. T.L. Osborn said, “The only way you can be poor is not to recognize Christ and His power at work in you.” 

You do not have to be poor to be holy like Christ.  He became poor like you so that you can be rich and holy like Him.  “For you know that grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).  Jesus taught you, as His follower, how to pray.  First, He said to begin each prayer by honoring your Father—“Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).  This means to recognize your self-value as a child of God, related to Him, a member of His royal and divine family.  Secondly, Jesus said to recognize the family name—“Hallowed by Your name” (Matthew 6:9).  You belong to a hallowed (consecrated) family and carry the hallowed (consecrated) name.  Never disgrace that name by acting as though you are inferior or you are obliged to live in mediocrity (a quality that is adequate or acceptable, but not very good).   Thirdly, Jesus said to recognize that God is at work in you—“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).   When you say “Your kingdom come, Your will be done,” you are not surrendering or begging.  You are agreeing in faith saying, “I agree, may all that You are be manifested in me, here and now.” 

Every time you pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)—First:  Recognize your value as God’s child by addressing Him as your Father.  Second: Recognize that you are in the divine Family and that you honor the family name that gives you dignity and esteem.  Third:  Recognize that as quickly as you choose and decide to receive Christ, the Kingdom of God is established within you.  His will is at work in you just as it is in Heaven.  The wealth of God is in His kingdom.  His kingdom is in you.  You are in Him.  You cannot be poor, or fail or be ordinary. 

Prayer—Father I repent every time I have agreed with a poverty mindset of not having enough, or putting limitations on myself in some way.  Today I choose to change my mindset and see myself in You and the abundant life that you have created for me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

GOD HAS GIVEN YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES.

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”—2 Corinthians 2:14

We are being moved by things all of the time.  What we hear and see, what people say, and what surrounds us, our circumstances can influence us and move us.  It is important that we learn what we should be influenced by because until we do, we can be moved by the wrong things. 

 

The Apostle Paul had many opportunities to be moved by circumstances.  During his ministry, he encountered many hardships.  He wrote to the Corinthians that, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed, we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carry about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifest in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).  As Paul traveled to Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit showed him he would experience more hard times and imprisonment.  In spite of this, Paul said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). 

No one has ever succeeded without overcoming obstacles.  To be honest, it is not the obstacles that hold us back.  It is what we do with them that matters.  John Maxell, a noted author and motivational speaker, said, “Turn your mistakes into stepping-stones for success.”  It can be easy to be motivated by hardships and obstacles.  But do not allow yourself to be moved by negative circumstances—lack of money, bad relationships, somebody’s opinion, bills that need to be paid…the list can go on and on.  Do not let any of these circumstances keep you from following God’s plan for your life.  Anytime that you encounter obstacles, say what Paul said: “None of these things move me!”  If you will continue to trust God He will bring you through to the other side. 

The Lord guides you through the Holy Spirit.  “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).  The Holy Spirit dwells inside of you and wants to help you.  He wants to give you wisdom and strength when you do not know what to do.  He has all the answers and knows how to get you out of hardships.  As you look to Him, He will always lead you in the right direction and cause you to be victorious in every circumstance. 

Although life will never be trouble-free, the good news is God has given us everything we need to overcome and conquer obstacles.  You will triumph in every situation when you make reading the Scriptures and following the Holy Spirit a priority.  Instead of the problem conquering you, you will come out on top of it.

Prayer—Father I thank you that with Your help I will use obstacles as stepping-stones—as opportunities to move me to a better future, in Jesus Name. Amen.

YOU HAVE A GREAT CAPACITY FOR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION AND SERVICE.

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”—Psalm 139:14

 

When God looked at all the world that He had made, He declared that if was good.  Making man—male and female—in His image was the crowning achievement of His creative work (Genesis 1:27).  Psalm 139 reminds us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”   

 

The Lord has given each of His children great potential for service in His kingdom.  However, some people have serious doubts that this is true.  Comparing ourselves to other people causes serious doubts to come to our minds; furthermore, we think that we are lacking in certain areas or in things.   There are times that we repeatedly criticize ourselves for mistakes that we have made.  The enemy brings doubts, fears and frustrations to our minds, and when we come into agreement with his schemes we perpetuates his diabolic plan to hold us captive.  Several years ago, I was acquainted with a young mother of a five month old baby.   She committed suicide because she kept comparing herself to other mothers, and did not think that she measured up. Although she had many advantages in life, she still did not see herself as a good mother and wife, or what she could become.

 

Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household and appeared to have many advantages.  He killed an Egyptian and fled the country.  He no longer saw himself as a leader and fled the country.  However, God looked beyond what Moses had done and saw who he could become. 

Before being saved, the apostle Paul passionately opposed those who believe in Jesus.  Yet through God’s mercy and grace, he became a mighty leader and authored more of the New Testament books than any other apostle. 

 

The apostle Peter was a simple fisherman who denied that he knew Jesus three times.  And still, the Lord chose him to become the leader of the Jerusalem church, and through him came the revelation that the Gentiles could be saved.

Our Father sees beyond our human frailties to the potential we have in Christ.  Because we were made in His image and His Spirit dwells in us, we have a greater capacity for spiritual transformation and service than we can imagine.  God’s ways are higher than ours and His plans for us are for good and not for evil.  He never compares us to anyone else.  He declares that each person that He has created is unique and has special ingredients that the world needs.  Every time the enemy brings the thoughts of comparison to you, cast those thoughts down and declare that you are special and are created for a unique purpose.

Prayer—Father I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Thank you for Your plans and purposes for my life.  I ask you to forgive me for the times that I have compared myself to others, and please help me to see that I am special just the way that you created me to be, in Jesus Name. Amen.

IT IS TIME TO CROSS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE

“…Let us cross over to the other side.”—Mark 4:35

For many years, time after time I made New Year’s resolutions; but, by the end of February or earlier they were abandoned, for one reason or another.  Have you ever started forward on a project, but it seemed like it was stalled and not going forward?  Have you ever felt left behind while others are moving forward?  Does it seem like you have been stuck in a rut and you can not move forward?   It could be job advancement, family matters, relationships, projects, or any number of things.  I think that most people have had something in their life that did not look like any progress was being made, and it was not long before whatever it was, got abandoned for one reason or another.  We stopped pursuing the dream, and it ended up in the junk heap of all those other things in our lives that have never got accomplished.  Consciously or unconsciously, it became just another thing that added to our sense of self-doubt.

The following is an example of a project that seemed to be moving forward, but then something happened to make it appear that all hope was lost and the disciples would die.  One evening, Jesus and his disciples used a small boat to cross over a large lake.  While they were crossing over to the other side, it had gotten dark and a storm came up.  The blowing wind caused the waves to crash into the boat filling it up with water; however, Jesus remained asleep.  The disciples became frighten and woke up Jesus saying, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”   Jesus got up and rebuked the wind, and told the sea, to be at peace and to be still.  He then turned to his disciples and said, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:35-40).

Let’s look at a few things that will help us in our CROSSING OVER.  First, the disciples began to look at the winds and the waves through the lens of their past experiences.  Several of the disciples had been fishermen by trade.  They had experienced windstorms and knew that boats did get overturned and lives lost as a result of the storm. 

Psychologists have studied what causes a person to have movement—why they do things.  They have determined that words, pictures and emotions cause people to have a movement.  Recollections of subconscious thoughts cause you to have a reaction in the present.  For example, seeing a picture brings up recollection and causes the emotions associated with it.  The disciples responded to the picture they were seeing: the windstorm and waves were associated with fear and loss of life.  

 

 Secondly, when Jesus asked them the questions, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  He was not condemning them.  He wanted them to take responsibility for their actions (no excuses), and to reflect as to why they were responding like they did.  Jesus is teaching us that we must ask questions of ourselves so that we can get to the root of our behaviors.  He never condemns. 

Thirdly, Christ’s love reverses our mind-sets and emotions with past experiences, and erases the self-doubt so that we can cross over to our new beginning when we respond in faith.

Prayer—Father I thank you that Christ’s love is eternal.  I repent for old mind-sets that keep me tied to past experiences and thought patterns of self-doubt. With your help I will cross over to Your new beginnings for me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

WHEN YOU SEEK TO ESTABLISH YOUR OWN SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, YOU ARE NOT SUBMITTED TO GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.”—Romans 10:3

Our idea of righteousness and God’s idea are dramatically different; we could say they are polar opposites.  Without Christ our right standing with God is impossible.  Isaiah, the prophet, wrote that “…our righteousnesses are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6).  The prophet was talking about self-righteousness—those things that people do to try to make themselves right with God.  While self-righteousness may look good to people on the outside, it can not and will never appease sin. 

God’s righteousness that Paul speaks about in Romans 10:3 is the righteousness of who God is, in thought, word and deed.  It is the righteousness that God ascribes to.   The way that He thinks, acts and speaks. 

The Church has allowed the use of many excuses to infiltrate its character which has produced a weak and ineffective witness to the world.   The Scriptures instructs the Church what the works of the flesh include in Galatians 5:19-21.  Among those listed are adultery, hatred, lewdness, fornication, uncleanness, and jealousy, to name a few.  However, the excuse that I hear most often by a born-again believer is, “The Holy Spirit was telling me not to do it, but I guess I just allowed my flesh to rule over me.  God knows I’m sorry, so it’s alright if I slip into sin once in awhile.”  Can you see what a slippery slope this line of thinking will lead a person into?  Yes, God does forgive us when we sin, and restores us back into right relationship with Him.  However, we are expected to grow and develop spiritually so that when the flesh with its passions and desires rise up within us, we are able to crucify it.  In other words, we are to “put to death” the evil desires of our flesh.”  When we tell the flesh “no,” we are submitting ourselves to God’s righteousness.

The only way for the Church to remain strong and effective is to submit to God’s righteousness.  Study His Word:  Pray His Word:  Say His Word.  Choose to confess your own unrighteousness to the Father.  He will cleanse you and restore you to right fellowship with Him.  Through the communion of His Word and His Spirit, you will discover truths that will help you to grow strong in His RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Prayer—Father I submit myself to You.  I ask you to forgive me when I have established my own self-righteousness.  I ask that Your righteousness be established in my life, in Jesus Name. Amen.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER IS NOT OF WORKS

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made of all men.”—I Timothy 2:1

The Holy Spirit has ignited the fire in people’s hearts to pray.  Prayer groups are springing up everywhere.  I am encouraged that people are gathering in small groups and through the internet to pray for the great awakening.   My prayer is that the Church does not fall back into the traditional fleshly prayers that are of little effect. 

During the early 1980’s, people’s hearts were turned toward prayer.  Intercessory Prayer Groups sprung up within Charismatic groups world-wide.  Teaching on spiritual war-fare became a hot topic in the ensuing years.  The swords of the spirit was banished about, the louder you were the more anointed you must be so the hotter the prayer was, demonic spirits were the vanquished foe; or, so we thought.  What the Church did not realize was that the works of the flesh were in operation most of the time, and very little was Holy Spirit led prayer. 

Intercessory Prayer is not about the prayer list, how loud or quite someone prayers, or how many demons are bound or loosed.  Intercessory Prayer is about Jesus.  Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).  Intercessory Prayer is about yielding to Jesus so that He can work through you.  Intercessory Prayer is much more effective when we yield to the Lord, it is much easier, much less effort is required, and much more is accomplished, in a shorter amount of time.

  

Let me ask you a question.  Who is the intercessor?  You?  Me?  No, it's Jesus.   "He is the great high priest…and He is ever living to make intercession for us" (Hebrews 4). So it is He who is the intercessor. Scripture tells us that, "God looked for a man to stand in the gap" and that HE FOUND ONE (Isaiah 59:16). His name is Jesus.   

Everything that goes to God must be initiated BY God. It's Jesus by His Spirit that works through you as you yield to Him in your praying and interceding.  You make yourself available and His Spirit will move on you, in you and through you. When it's Him it's not hard. The anointing comes on you and you may weep over China, or Korea. As He moves on you, you may declare some things, you may speak scriptures, you might speak in tongues, you may dance, you may sing, or you may laugh.  BUT IT LIFTS because it's not you, it's Him.

  

Religious Spirits can turn Intercessory Prayer into false burdens that allow the spirit of battle to operate instead of the Holy Spirit.  The false burdens makes it feel like it is all up-to-you—Your Responsibility to fight every foe.  Jesus has won the battle!  IT IS FINISHED!  Yield to the Holy Spirit. You personally can not change anyone or make anyone do anything.  It is only the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people and governments that can bring about a change.  Jesus didn't run around Jerusalem, or Galilee or Bethany trying to meet every need. He did what the Father told Him to do, no more and no less.  And as a by-product, there were miracles and deliverances that were awesome and God got the glory.  

 

Remember, God never anoints what you do; He anoints what He does.  It is yielding to the Holy Spirit as He moves through you.

Prayer—Father today I yield to the Spirit of Truth who teaches me and guides me into all truth. Lord show me if I have had a false religious spirit of battle instead of Your true spirit of prayer.  Today I repent of any false burdens and false responsibilities in prayer.   May the truth of your intercessory heart beat within me as I yield myself to You to pray, supplicate, make intercessions, and give thanks for all people, in Jesus Name. Amen.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK IN YOU

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”—Galatians 5:16

The times that we feel deep satisfaction and great joy are when we connect with our God-given purpose.  It is important to understand that we cannot achieve the Lord’s purposes on our own; it is only by His strength and direction that we are able to succeed.

Jesus warned us in John 16:33 that trouble is an integral part of life in this world.  “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  As humans, we easily forget how weak we are, and tend to take on the challenges of life in our own strength and resourcefulness.  Human nature wants to tackle life by itself, and in its own power, and then take the credit.  So when temptations, trials, criticism, gossip, and persecution assail, many of us have the tendency to go into high gear and try all the harder.

 

For a while, life may actually seem good this way.  But in the long run, self-reliance creates a mess and is filled with pride.  And it also interferes with the fulfillment of God’s purposes. 

The truth is, we sometimes experience failure in life in order to realize our complete dependence upon God and to break our pride, by showing us that we cannot life fully without following the Spirit’s guidance. 

Prayer—Father I surrender my life anew to You today.  I ask You to forgive me for the times that I have pride-fully went my own way and sought my solutions instead of Yours.  Today I yield myself to the Holy Spirit’s control in Jesus Name. Amen.