A CHRISTIAN’S LIFE REST IN A GOD WHO IS TRUTHFUL

“God is not a man, that He should lie; hath He said, and shall He not do it?  Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good.”—Numbers 23:19

 

I want to encourage you to gain a deeper understanding of truth and God’s truthfulness.  Our heavenly Father is truthful, faithful, loving and all-powerful.  You can base your entire life on His promises, secure in the knowledge that He will do just as He has said.

 

Did you know that the Christian’s life rests on the premise that God is truth?  God is truth itself.  In Psalm 31:5, He is called the God of truth.  Jeremiah said that He is the true God in chapter 10 verse 10.  Jesus Christ Himself is the incarnation of truth.  In John 14:6 He said, “I am the truth.”  All truth is God’s truth.  God is truth, speaks truth and defines truth.  Because the Bible is God’s word, it is the “Word of Truth.”  That is why my goal is to encourage you to read your Bible more and to help you to believe in and take advantage of the wonderful array of promise found throughout the Word of God.  You can trust everything that our Heavenly Father has said because His Word shows Him to be truthful.

 

Our Scripture reading for today tells us that God does not lie and when He speaks something He stands behind what He says. We as humans are pretty weak-willed.  Sometimes out of fear we will make an impulsive promise, even though we know we cannot keep it.  But God does not do that.  For one thing, He never feels threatened or pressured.  But most importantly, the Bible says He simply cannot lie, “That by two immutable things, with which it is impossible for God to lie…” (Hebrews 6:18).  Titus 1:2, “In hope of eternal life which God who cannot lie, promised before time.”  You see God’s promises are based on His infinite knowledge and truthfulness. 

 

So what does it mean to be truthful?  Webster’s dictionary tells us that to be truthful means to be honest, to be correct, and to be reliable.  As a Christian, it is important for you to understand that God is honest, He is correct, He is truthful and reliable.  We can say it like this, you can count on him.  In a world, where few things can be counted upon—relied upon— YOU can count on him because He is truthful.

 

Prayer—Heavenly Father, thank You that I can rely upon You and Your promises to me.  Help me to develop my root system into You and Your truthfulness so that when the winds of adversity blow I am able to stand, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS REQUIRED IN GOD’S VISION

“Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”—Habakkuk 2:2-3

 

I am persuaded that many of our goals and dreams fail simply because we place limitations --boundaries upon ourselves. This is true for the church as well—Christ’s command to share the gospel is an example of the vision that He gave to the church, “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matthew 28:16-20).

 

Jesus gave us the vision to tell all nations about His salvation, and as His followers, we should make this our aim.  Many Christians, however, are not working to fulfill this “Great Commission”—at least not fervently and purposefully.  Are you working to fulfill the vision that God has given to you?  Often, what holds us back are the boundaries we place upon ourselves.

Fear is one of the biggest self-erected barriers to success.  For instance, if evangelizing means traveling overseas, lack of safety might worry us.  We may also feel concern about how family and friends will react to our decision and whether people will react negatively to our message.

Another hindrance might be conditional obedience—that is, a willingness to serve as long as God keeps us in a particular location or has us minister in a country where we do not have to learn a new language.  And some people make the inconvenience of spending money, time, or effort into an obstacle that prevents service to the Lord.

There are many barriers that can keep us from sharing the gospel and fulfilling the vision that God has given.   But when we are willing to tear those down, we will be amazed at what God can accomplish through us.

Are you passionately sharing the gospel and fulfilling God’s vision?   If not, identify the boundaries that stand in your way, and pray for forgiveness.  Refocus by reading the Word and remembering the vision that Jesus gave you.   God’s love covers the whole world, and He therefore intends that everyone hear the good news and He wants your participation.

Father—I thank You for the vision that You have given to me.  I ask You to forgive me for placing boundaries, the restrictions on what You gave me to do.  I ask You to help me in fulfilling your dreams and desires for my life and ministry, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

BE A LIVING MESSAGE OF HOPE

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it for it was founded on the rock.”—Luke 6:47-48

 

God has ways of shaking the world when He is at work. He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up his Spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:50-51).  Hebrews 12:26 describes a time still future when the earth will undergo a similar display of His power and presence.

 

Likewise in our present day, He often lets the foundations of our world be shaken—whether political alliances, financial systems, or other forms of human security.   Then we can see the flimsiness of the structures on which we have based our pride and hopes.   Individual lives are also often shaken when a family experiences crisis or a marriage begins to unravel.   If we have built on the fragile cornerstones of human wisdom, pride, and conditional love, things may look good for a while, but a weak foundation causes collapse when storms hit.

 

While adversity affects everyone, we can have peace in knowing that God always has a greater purpose when He allows upheaval and crisis in our world.  Hard times can also shake believers out of apathy and self-focus, reminding us not to trust in ourselves or the temporary structures of this world.  There is only one secure firm foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil.  No matter what storms are raging all around, you'll stand firm if you stand on His love.

 

It is not enough for believers to simply enjoy the security of knowing that our "house" is built on a solid foundation. As God's ambassadors on earth, we have a responsibility to extend His compassion to people whose lives are crumbling.  Be a living message of hope to those around you today so that they too can stand on a firm foundation.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for the times that I have panic in the midst of a crisis in my life and have trusted myself and others for the answer, and I ask You to forgive me.  Lord, today with Your help I purpose in my heart to stand firm on the foundation of our relationship, knowing that You will never leave nor forsake me, and that You are always helping me even when I cannot see it in the natural realm, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

 

UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON OF WAITING

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors”—Proverbs 8:34

 

In America, the season of winter has set in.  During this time in much of our country, the cold north winds blow, ice and snow make driving and walking difficult.  The long wait for spring has begun.  Perhaps you are waiting an answer to prayer—for a job, improved finances, better health, or the salvation of a loved one.  Maybe you are anticipating the next step in God’s plan for your life, or the strength to finally overcome some habitual sin.

 

Whatever the case may be, as we look forward to the changes in the landscape that spring time will bring around us, it is a good time to also consider what seeds we have been sowing in our lives.  In our season of waiting, have we sown righteousness or sin?  Have we prepared to reap a harvest of spiritual fruit or the weeds of compromise? 

 

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh, will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:7-9).  A man who had been sick with an infirmity for thirty-eight years lay at a pool of water.  He was waiting for an angel to stir the water hoping that one day he would be the first one to get into the water and be healed, but every time someone else would get into the water first because he had no one to help him.  One day Jesus saw him lying there and asked him a most important question, “Do you want to be made well?”  The sick man replied I tried to get to the water to be healed while the waters were being stirred, but each time someone get’s their before me.  Jesus said to him, “Rise take up your bed and walk.” The man was immediately healed.  (John 5:2-9). The waiting time for this man’s relief had come to an end.  A new season had begun in his life.

 

Waiting on God can seem like a long time, full of both temptations and blessings.  During this time of waiting it is important to have eyes to see and ears to hear how the Lord is leading you, as you trust Him for the future.  Spend as much time as possible reading His Word, in prayer and in fellowship with like-minded believers.   Other like-minded believers can be a source of encouragement and strength during your time of waiting.  As you spend time preparing your heart for the answer from your loving heavenly Father, make changes in your life according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  If you do, it will not be long until you will experience the joy of a fully ripened fruit and the days of your waiting will have come to and end.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You are with me all of the time even in the darkest hour of my life.  I thank You that You never leave me or forsake me.  Lord, I ask you to strengthen me during this time of waiting in my life and I ask You to show me any needed changes that are needed, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

FAITH BUILDING IS ESSENTIAL IN THE BELIEVER’S LIFE

 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”—Habakkuk 2:4

 

Jesus spent time developing His disciples’ faith because He knew it would be essential for the tasks ahead of them.  For over three years, they attended a school of faith with Jesus as their instructor and the Bible as Jesus knew it consisted of some twelve to twenty scrolls of different sizes. On those scrolls were written 39 books which were divided into three major groups - Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim.  Most often Christ used parables in His verbal instruction, but many of the lessons were taught through demonstrations.  He healed the sick, cast out demons, fed thousands, and calmed the sea.  Their training even included tests that revealed if they truly believed Jesus was the Messiah.

 

At times the disciples’ understanding was slow or faltering, but Christ never gave up on them.  He reproved them whey exhibited a lack of trust, “But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’” (Mark 4:40).  He also commended signs of progress, “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’   Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:15-17).   His objective was to firmly establish their faith so He could accomplish His work in and through them.  After His ascension, He commanded His men to spread the gospel of salvation to the remotest parts of the earth.  Without faith, they would have failed.

 

The Lord has the same goal for us—to increase our faith so we can do the work He has planned for us.  If our faith is great, He will entrust us with challenges and achieve amazing things through us.  But small faith limits God’s activity in a believer’s life.  He uses us only to the degree that we trust Him.

 

Faith building is essential in a believer’s life, and God has two primary means of doing this.  Scripture tells us what to believe about Him, and tests place us in difficult situations that stretch us to believe and rely on God instead of our own understanding.  Each time we believe Him, our faith grows.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that in each circumstance that I can trust You knowing that the outcome is sure because my faith is in You not in the circumstance—good or bad.  Today I purpose in my heart not to limit Your activity in my life, but I will fully trust and confidently rely upon You, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

CHRIST’S BIRTH IS AN ONGOING EVENT IN OUR LIFE

“And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”—Matthew 1:21

 

I want to encourage you today to think on Christ’s birthday as an on-going event in your life, and not just a one-day-a-year event that we as Christians celebrate His birth.  The day of His coming was prophetically declared by Isaiah, the prophet, centuries before the actual occurrence, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).  Sometimes we receive prophetic words but do not anticipate and pray about the fulfilling of God’s plan.  Many people have done the same thing concerning the birth of Christ and are still looking for the Messiah to come; however, He has already come and we must recognize His birth.

 

When we accept the virgin birth of Christ, his death, burial and resurrection, we are saying yes to everything that He provided for us.  His birth is on-going in our life by faith.  Salvation and our personal relationship with Him are by faith.  He is the Good Shepherd, who cares for us individually, unconditionally, and with great passion.

His unconditional love, is the gift that keeps on giving in our lives that no matter what it is never taken away.  He loves us so much.  He is faithful, trustworthy, available at all times.

 

Jesus is our Shepherd, Friend, and indwelling Teacher.  His gift of redemption allows us to live abundantly now and also promises eternity in His presence.  Take the time to explore some to the countless benefits of His gift so you can enjoy and be grateful for all the blessings we have in Him.

 

Prayer—Father thank You for Your gift of Jesus to me, Lord help me never to take You for granite and to always be aware that You are my faithful trustworthy friend, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

YOU ARE SIGNIFICANT IN GOD’S PLAN

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”—Luke 2:11

 

The word, bestow, means to present something, especially something valuable or undeserved to somebody.   What amazing love we see bestowed to the shepherds when the angel came and talked with them.  The shepherds were the lowest in society had there been a caste system in those days.  No one talked to them they slept with animals.  And yet, God chose these people to receive vital information from an angelic being with a specific message.  God came and talked to people who were significant in His plan signaling to the world that no one is left out and that hope had come unto the world—Christ the Savior!  “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, and angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  ‘For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the lord has made know to us.’  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2:8-20).

 

The angel announced to the shepherds that Christ had come for all people (v. 10).  For the first time everyone had a chance for joy, regardless of family back ground, how much money a person had, gender, race or any number of other stigmas—it is for everyone.  Have you taken up His offer for this joy?

 

God came down in flesh as a baby (Matthew 1:23).  How many kings have given up their throne?  How many kings have chosen to entrust themselves to a teenage mother?  This gift of Jesus Christ was truly bestowed upon us.

 

This story is now entrusted to us, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely know the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And tall those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (v. 17-18).   “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

 

Christ Tomlin’s song Amazing Love describes what it means to accept God’s greatest gift to humankind—Jesus.

Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

You are my King
Jesus You are my King

 Christians all over the world are celebrating the birth of Christ.  I encourage you no matter what traditions that you may or may not have take time to mediate on what it means to have the greatest gift—Jesus living inside of you.  If you have not already accepted Christ as your Savior click on the link below to learn more. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You bestowed Your gift Jesus Christ to the world.  Today I purpose in my heart to draw closer to Him and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

IDENTIFYING WITH IMMANUEL BRINGS DELIVERANCE

“And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel’, which is translated, ‘God with us’”—Matthew 1:21, 23

 

Throughout ancient human history, heaven was God’s dwelling place, and except for a few personal encounters (as with Abraham, Hagar, and Jacob), He seemed far away to most people. Then He came to be in the Israelites’ midst, first in a pillar of cloud and fire, then in the tabernacle and temple.  But now, the angel announced that He was about to do something totally new.  His presence would be with people in the form of God’s Son, a man who would literally live among them.

 

Even before Jesus was born on earth, He was given two names, which both indicated His identity and ministry.   Immanuel tells us who He is—“God with us.”  Christ took on human flesh while retaining undiminished deity and became the perfect God-Man.  He lived on earth, walked among men, and suffered the weaknesses of humanity.  Yet He also displayed the power of Almighty God as He healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed the sea, and raised the dead.

 

Jesus means “The Lord is salvation,” which describes what He came to do—to save us from the bondage of sin through His death on our behalf.  This explains why He had to become Immanuel.  Since the Father is immortal and cannot die, His Son had to take on a human body in order to offer Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

 

But what do these two names of Christ mean for you today?  Through the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus still lives with you and has the power to deliver you from the grip of any bondage.  No sinful habit, painful past or present struggle is too difficult for the God-Man to overcome, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, not height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 38-39). 

 

Immanuel longs to be with His people.  Let’s reach out by faith today and talk to Him, let Him know what is on your heart.  If you need His help let Him know.  He wants to help you and be with you.

 

Prayer—Father thank You that You have sent Jesus to save me from the bondage of sin through His death on the cross for me, and that Immanuel is always with me.  You have said that You would never leave me nor forsake me, thank You that Your are with me always even until the end, and that I can trust You for everything that I have need of because You sent Your Son, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

OBEDIENCE AND TRUST PARTNERS IN BLESSINGS

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”—Deuteronomy 30:19

 

Obedience is fundamentally rooted in trust, and shows our worship and appreciation to Christ.  We identify with Christ as our Lord not just in words, but also in deeds that demonstrate our words through practice and action, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22-25).

 

In Deuteronomy chapter 30, we can see a clear comparison of the blessings of obedience, and the curse of disobedience.  Our human sinful nature leads us to do our own thing, and the society that we live in thrives upon it.  However, God is calling us to love, trust and obey Him.  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

 

When we practice obedience, it means we are not ashamed of the Gospel, as Paul proclaimed in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believers, for the Jew first and also for the Greek,” so that our devotion becomes contagious to those around us.

 

Obedience is not something we dread, or feel we have to do, nor is it bondage in a negative sense. It is the joy of knowing our Lord, trusting and staying with Him so we can partake in His love and grow in Him further, deeper, and stronger. The result is that we become more mature and become willing to express His love with eagerness to others.

 

Prayer—Father I repent of the times I have not trusted You and have chosen to be disobedient to Your will for my life.  I ask you to forgive and cleanse me from all unrighteousness according to your Word.  Lord I ask You to help me fully trust You and be obedient to You.  I choose to worship you in every area of my life, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND GOD AND HIS WAYS

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.”—Isaiah 43:10

 

Knowing God’s ways is the same as knowing God, and it is deeper than knowing “about” God.  God is not separate from what He does.  Everything He does speaks of Him.  His every action declares His name and nature.  This means that we can look at our circumstances, both good and bad and expect to see a deeper meaning within them.  If our minds are closed, clouded, cluttered or committed makes the difference in how we understand Him.

 

A closed mind is not an exclusive description of an unbeliever.  When Christians listen passively, without intending to apply what they hear, then the seed can not germinate because the soil’s surface is too hard.  Such believers will remain shallow in their understanding of God until they decide to pay attention to God and obey.

 

A clouded mind will hear God’s Word and get excited, but the person does not take the time necessary to study, grow roots, and let the truth sink into his or her heart.  With little doctrinal foundation or knowledge of God’s promises, the individual has difficulty withstanding the problems that arise in life.

 

A committed mind is one much like fertile soil.  The most intellectual person in the world, if not teachable, will miss the truth of the gospel, whereas even a young child who is willing to listen and learn will be transformed in their understanding and thinking of God.

 

A cluttered mind is one that is filled with the worries of life.  Their hearts are filled with briers, thorns, and thickets.  A preoccupied mind has little or no room for God’s word to sprout and to thrive; therefore, little understanding of God is possible.

 

Why is it important to understand God and His ways?  Life is all about God and His ways.  As we begin to understand why He does what He does.  We begin to understand His heart, and as this occurs, we find ourselves experiencing the “life more abundant” that Jesus talks about.

 

An excellent way for us to become more knowledgeable and familiar with God’s mind and heart is to meditate the scriptures as we read the Word of God. I often read the Scripture as it would apply towards me—that is, I pray His Word and put myself in it.  This makes it much more personal to me and it gives me a clearer picture of what God is doing:

You are gracious and full of compassion toward me.

You are slow to anger and great in mercy toward me.

You are good to me.

Your tender mercies are over me.

You have redeemed me from the enemy’s hand.

You deliver me out of my distresses.

 

Declarations such as these have a powerful impact on our ability to know God as He is—to understand His ways.

 

Prayer—Heavenly Father I ask You to help me understand more about You and Your ways.  I purpose in my heart to have a committed mind and to experience life in abundance with You, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

OBEDIENCE CAN STOP DANGER

“Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. “—Proverbs 19:27

 

Listening to God is not a onetime event.  We must continually keep His Word before us, or we'll begin to listen to the wrong voices.

 

 In what is commonly called the Christmas story in American culture, is the narrative of how Joseph was warned in a dream that it was God’s plan for him to marry his fiancée, Mary,

 

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:  After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18-20).

 

After the dream, Joseph awoke from sleep and immediately took Mary to him as his wife (vs. 24).  In Matthew chapter two, Joseph is warned again by God to leave Bethlehem and to flee Egypt.  He was warned to stay in Egypt until the angel brought word that it was safe for the young child, Jesus (vs. 13-14).  Again, Joseph immediately obeys.  We have a record that Joseph listened to God at least twice more concerning the protection of the child, Jesus.  The lesson that can be learned is that when God speaks to us, it is good to immediately obey for it can thwart possible danger.

 

In Genesis 2:16-17, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”  The Lord gave a command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  But Eve began to listen to another voice and did not hold steadfastly to her Creator's words.  All that Satan had to do was plant a single doubt about God's integrity and offer Eve one appealing advantage of doing things her own way—and she fell for it.  He mentioned wisdom, but Eve used natural reasoning, and added two more benefits to the temptation: the fruit is good for food and a delight to the eyes.

 

The schemes of the enemy have not changed.  He still whispers lies and twists truth to convince us that a) God cannot be trusted and b) His ways are not the best.  In every temptation, there is a deception about the character and motive of God, plus an attractive promise of a better way.

 

The world is filled with voices that vie for our attention and influence our thoughts and actions. Throughout the day, consider the messages that are sent your way through the media and people. Consciously begin to compare them to what scripture says about God and His ways.

 

Remembering what God says in the Bible is our safeguard against deception and temptation. Daily devotions won't protect us if they're quickly forgotten during the day.   Follow Christ's example (found in Matthew 4:1-11) and, be ready with truth in your mind and on your tongue whenever temptation strikes.

 

Prayer—Father, I repent for the times that I have not listen to You and have reaped the rewards of a rebellious heart.  Today I purpose in my heart to listen to You and to put aside my own natural reasoning so that I can immediately obey You in all things, in Jesus’ Name.   Amen.

 

BE SAFE; DO NOT IGNORE YOUR ENEMY

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”—Luke 10:19

 

Satan does exist—our broken society testifies to his reality.  Those who ignore him do so at their own safety.  This is also true of Christians, because we are all at war against him.  Satan is our enemy.   In fact Scripture likens him to a roaring lion, “Be sober, and be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

 

From these and other scriptures, we can gain an understanding that spiritual warfare is personal; Satan designs specific attacks for each individual.  Though he cannot steal a believer’s spirit from God, he can and does harass us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  Every ambush and frontal attack is meant to defeat our witness so we can not live a victorious Christ-centered life.

 

Our enemy is not omniscient, but he is cunning.  He observes our strong and weak points to determine the best areas for attack.  As soon as his prey becomes comfortable and least expects trouble, the adversary springs a trap.  Among his most deceptive tactics is hiding behind familiar faces in order to misguide us and send his arrows of deception.  Instead of focusing on the person, we need to focus on who are real enemy is—Satan.

 

The first rule of warfare is to know one’s enemy, and thanks to Scripture, we can.  As believers, we are instructed to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).  The Bible also contains an important assurance; “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

 

The forces of hell cannot equal the supernatural power of a single believer.  “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10).  We have Christ living within us—the same Christ who was triumphant on the cross and whose final victory over Satan is prophesied in Revelation.  Through Him, we reinforce Satan’s defeat and win our battles.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that Jesus has defeated my enemy, Satan.  Today I purpose in my heart to be alert to his deception and to reinforce is defeat by using the powerful Name of Jesus, His shed blood, and the word of my testimony, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GOD DESIRES UNITY AND RECONCILIATION

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”—John 17:20-21

 

Sin is a divider.  That is what separated mankind from the Father God in the Garden of Eden, and it has been fracturing relationships ever since.  Adam and Eve had children after they were sent from the Garden of Eden.  The first child born was Cain and then his brother Abel.  In Genesis chapter 4, we find that Cain was a farmer and Abel was a sheep rancher.  At some point, Cain brought an offering to the Lord from what he had harvested, and Abel’s offering was the first-born from the flock of his sheep.  God “respected” Abel’s offering but Cain’s was not. God noticed Cain’s attitude and talked to him about it.  And then to help clarify to us what God meant, we find in Hebrews 11:4 that Abel’s offering was by faith and a more excellent sacrifice than Cain’s.   God is a God of faith.  Cain was offering something up to God without faith, and that is why he was corrected.  However, Cain would not receive the correction and ended up killing his brother, Cain (4:1-10).   This was the first recorded violence and the one responsible for Cain’s death was Abel, himself.  It was not the club held in his hands, but the attitude that Cain held in his heart against his brother.  God desired unity and oneness; however, Cain could only think of himself and how he felt.  He dealt with the entire situation according to his emotions.

 

Sin has been separating people and fracturing relationships since the Garden of Eden.  However, it is also the reason God considers reconciliation so very important.  He wants to re-establish an intimate relationship with fallen humanity, and for the church to shine their light for the world to see. 

 

The last time that Jesus prayed for His followers was before going to the cross, and He asked “that they may all be one” as the Father and His Son are one (vs. 21).  Despite the fact that we cannot attain perfect unity with God until we reach heaven, we do have the capacity to walk in humility and harmony with Him by living in obedience to His Holy within us.

 

God desires for us are unity, with one another within His church.  We will always have difference in what we prefer, and how we interpret certain Bible passages, but our common identity as Christians is based on the essential truths of the faith as revealed in God’s Word.  The unity Christ advocates is possible only when each member of His body walks in submission to the Spirit so that together they can achieve the purposes of God and reflect Christ’s character in their behavior. 

 

Prayer—Father I ask You to forgive me for the times that I have not walked in faith and allowed sin to separate us.  I ask you to help me and strengthen me so that I may be One with You as Jesus was, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE IN GIVING

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves, a good foundation for the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life”—1 Timothy 6:17-19

 

The more skilled you are at a task, the more you’ll enjoy it. For instance, when an orchestra adeptly plays a masterpiece, an accomplished musician will derive greater pleasure from listening than would a person with an untrained ear. You might be surprised to learn that the same is true of giving.

God has many reasons for asking us to give. First, by returning a portion of our wealth to the Lord, we are acknowledging that everything actually belongs to Him, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…For the world is Mine and all its fullness” (Psalm 50:10, 12b).   Second, giving is a way to obey, “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering, from everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering” (Exodus 25:2).  Third, when we contribute to a ministry or reach out to help the needy, we participate in kingdom work, which brings deep joy. Fourth, our offerings are an opportunity for God to reveal His character; as we demonstrate generosity, He faithfully provides for our needs and blesses us abundantly, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).   Over and over again, the saying, “You can’t out-give God” proves true.

Giving involves more than money. God has blessed us with talents, time, and resources— along with plenty of opportunities to share them with others. It is important to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance so we will know what, to whom, and how much we should give.

Remember, the Lord is continuously giving to us: salvation, comfort, encouragement, breath, life, and countless other blessings. We are indebted to Him and should give back, not just out of obligation, but with gratitude and joy, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).  Ask God to reveal any selfishness or other hindrance to sharing—and to help you become more skilled at giving.

Prayer—Father I thank You for the blessing of giving.  I ask You to reveal any selfishness or hindrance in my life that holds me back from giving and sharing what You have given to Me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

GENUINE HOLY SPIRIT GROANING PRODUCES GOOD FRUIT

  “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For  we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.”—Romans 8:26

 

The Scripture tells us that Jesus was friends with Lazarus and his sister, Mary and Martha.  In fact, Jesus spent times with them in their home and eating with them.  However, Jesus was in another town when word reached Him that Lazarus was sick and that his sister’s wanted Him to come and see their brother.  When Jesus arrived Mary came out to meet him, she fell down at his feet crying and saying that her brother would not have died if He had been there.  Then we read a most amazing statement, “Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled” (John 11:33 emphasis added).  The word “groaned” as translated here expresses that Jesus was deeply moved, but not necessarily with sorrow.  It was more of a groan of anger at Satan who had caused all the grief and sorrow that He was seeing around Him.  Jesus came to,  “…destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14), and He was grieved to see the pain His enemy had inflicted on those He loved.

 

This is the type of groaning that the Holy Spirit does for us that Paul wrote about in Romans 8:26.  It is not just the Holy Spirit sympathizing with us, but it is the Holy Spirit doing battle for us when we do not know how to pray.  In the case of Lazarus, the Holy Spirit used Jesus to do battle against death and for Lazarus to be released from the grave.

 

Everyone who has the Holy Spirit in them either has, or will have this experience.  The groaning of the Holy Spirit is not just grief but righteous anger and resistance against Satan’s devices in our lives.  Many times Christians do not discern this because they think that they are just grieved over their situation, but the Holy Spirit is moving them into intercession with Him against their common enemy, Satan.

 

Although the groaning of the Holy Spirit inside of you is not uttered, you can react to it with audible groans or physical movement of some kind, like someone who is grieving.  There is nothing wrong with this as long as you do not confuse your reaction with the Holy Spirit’s action.  Notice in Romans 8:26 that you are responding to the Holy Spirit’s silent groaning inside of you.  “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered”. 

 

The genuine groaning in the Spirit is priceless and always produces good fruit in your life, so when this happens, just flow with the Holy Spirit. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for the Holy Spirit in my life.  Together Lord, we are doing big business with you—kingdom business, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

USE YOUR TIME OF DELAY TO REFOCUS

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.”—Psalm 27:14

 

Are you currently waiting for the Lord to intervene in some way in your life, or in the life of a loved one?  One of the struggles we face as Christians is trying to understand sometimes there are delays over matters that seem so urgent to us. Only the Lord knows all of the reasons.  However, there are some lessons that we can learn from when Peter and John were arrested and put into jail. 

 

Peter and John were arrested and jailed because they preached in the name of Jesus, the resurrection from the dead, and people were being healed.  When they were brought up before the authorities they refused to compromise and would not cease to give their testimony.  They were threatened and released.  Peter and John returned to the people that they were with, and then began to worship and praise God.  The place was shaken where they were all gathered and they spoke the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:1-31). 

 

The first lesson is: Determine Your Focus.  In the urgency of the moment, it is easy to center your attention on the need instead of on God.  Peter and John remained focused on their message, not on getting out of jail.  We may start out waiting for the Lord, but end up waiting for the answer we want.  Soon we become more interest in what God can do for us, rather than our focus remaining in Him.  Sometimes God delays until we get our focus back on Him.  He wants us to delight in Him; not in just what He can give to us.

 

Secondly, Release Your Expectations into His Hands.  Peter and John said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. Fore we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).  The Lord is working on your behalf, but sometimes we cling so tightly to a desired outcome that He must wait until we open our hands and let go of our own expectations.  Holding onto your own assumptions about how the Lord should intervene is emotionally exhausting.  But peace awaits those who trust that He will do what is in our best interests in every situation that we encounter.

 

Prayer—Father I thank you that I keep my focus upon You and I release my desire into Your hands as I wait for the answer, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

EVERY DEFEAT CARRIES THE SEEDS OF YOUR FUTURE SUCCESS

 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”—Galatians 6:7

 

You may have heard the expression that God does not create any failures; however, when we look at the world around us, we can see failure.  Financial institutions have failed, a variety of types of business have been forced to close there doors, and all around the world we see relationships that have failed.  Failure can be a dreadful word.  No one likes to the think about failure, or experience it.  However, everyone can be subject to the attacks of failure.  Throughout the Scriptures, many of God’s servants suffered failures.  Some of the most successful men and women in history have experienced failure.  If God does not create failures, why then are we seeing so many of them?  I believe that there are times that God allows failure because we as humans are not perfect, and those individuals who go on to eventually succeed are the ones who understand the difference between temporary defeat and failure.  These are the ones who look beyond life’s occasional setbacks, and refuse to give up, no matter what obstacles that confront them.

 

Jesus’ parable of two men who had built a house is a vivid picture of both success and failure.  One of the men built the foundation of his house upon rock, the other on sand.  When the storms unleashed their fury, one house stood and the other fell.  “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fail, for it was founded on the rock.   But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).  In this parable, we can find two principles that can protect us from lasting failure in our personal, family, business, and spiritual lives.

 

First, always build upon the strong, immovable foundation of truth.  Any aspect of life that violates truth is doomed to failure.  It may stand for a season, but eventually it will collapse.  The truth of Scripture should be our guide in business, as-well-as in our family life.  Detours around truth and honesty will always lead to disappointment and ultimately failure. 

Second, build for the storms of life that come.  What you build will be tested.  The consequences of shoddy work, laziness, dishonesty, though it may be well-hidden, will surely bring failure tomorrow.  You cannot escape the eternal principle: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

 

God is not the author of our failures thought He does allow it.  Even though we are His children and want what is best, we do not always know what is best: therefore, we may experience what looks like failure.  There are times that we allow ourselves to become sidetracked. Our priorities get out of order; our motivation becomes selfish; Christ is no longer the center of our lives.  These are times that God uses failure as a way of getting our attention; humbling us, and bringing us back to Himself. 

 

Always remember that there is a difference between failing and being a failure.  God does not make failures; however, sometimes He allows us to fail today in order to bring us success in our tomorrow.  God has planted in your every defeat the seeds of your future success.  Successful people are those who apply God’s remedy: humbling themselves before Him in repentance, surrendering to His will and His goals for their lives.  For the believer, every failure can be a stepping stone to success.

 

Prayer—Father I thank you that You have not made me a failure. Today I humble myself before You, and repent for doing things my way. I ask you to help me turn every situation in my life into a success, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

DARE TO DREAM

“I will give you a new heart.  I will give you new and right desires.  I will put a new spirit within you.”—Ezekiel 36:26(LB)

 

Are you willing to dare to dream?  Or is fear of failure or rejection keeping you shut down and imprisoned.   You are an important creation of God, and He wants you to desire His best.  “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them …” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).  You were created for a particular purpose!  Go ahead and dream and ask God to direct you.  Remember, many great visions start with small dreams.   Michelangelo, the great sculptor, bought a chunk of marble which others thought was inferior.  When asked why, he replied, “Because there is an angel locked in that marble, and I must set it free.”

 

Many of us feel that we have not “made it” in life, or for that matter, we were not “made” for dreaming big.  I have heard some people say, “I wish I had a sense of humor.  I can not sing or act or think up clever things.”  Some may have had parents who thought they did not amount to anything.  I can remember when I went back to school as an older adult that I was not sure if I would be smart enough.   Have you ever thought like that?  A few of us may have achieved great goals or made a lot of money, but we still feel insecure inside.  Perhaps we have asked ourselves, “Who am I?” and not heard a clear answer.

 

No matter where we are in our self-evaluation today, we can move on.  We can dare to dream.  Dr. T.L. Osborn, once said, “When I think of any one who is imprisoned by a sense of inferiority because of race, color, social, academic or economic status, or when I see someone who is lonely, abused, discouraged or afraid, I know that inside that individual is a super person whom I must find the way to set free.”  Because Dr. T.L’s messages are so uplifting and positive, they help to remind me of God’s original idea for me: to share His life and His abilities with me, to make me happy, healthy, talented and prosperous.  Jesus summed up the Father’s will for me when He said, “…I come that you might have life and that more abundantly” (John 10:10).

 

In Barbra Streisand’s powerful film, YENTL, an intelligent young woman grows up under her rabbi father’s religious dominance.  As a female, she is forbidden an education, prohibited from reading rabbinical books, predestined to a lifetime of female inferiority and servitude.  Her hunger and thirst for knowledge coupled with her determination caused her to break sacred rules…she dared to read the Talmud.  She went as far as, disguising herself as a male in order to pursue Talmudic studies as a yeshiva—the sacred domain of male’s only.  She is finally alienated from her people and journeys off into the distance with a boatload of seemingly displaced nonpersons in search of a land that is free of religious bigotry.

 

Her sin?  She dared to desire and look beyond religious limitations.  She dared to dream that God must be as good to women as He is to men.  As Yentl struggles with her free spirit and struggles with religious prejudice, she expresses her desperation in some awesome songs. 

 

She asks:  Where is it written that I cannot be the person I am meant to be?  Describing the narrow views religion has permitted her to glimpse, she realized that she had only been allowed to see a piece of sky.  Now she had stepped outside and looked around, having never dreamed the sky was so wide or so high.  Because of her new found knowledge, Yentl is now born into a new world.  She has a voice now.  She has a choice now.  

 

Some of her additional lines include:  What is wrong with wanting more?  Why settle for just a piece of the sky?  Yentl sings about certain things which once you have, no wind can blow away, nor tide can turn away, no fire can burn away, nor time can wear away.  She asks the question, why is a bird given wings, if not to fly?  Why have eyes to see and not see? Or arms to reach, and not reach?  Or a mind unless you are meant to question why?  Or why have thirst if not to drink? 

 

The entire, moving story, dramatizes the glorious enthusiasm of a person who has at last understood that God gives us the power of positive desire.  When at last you understand that you are a new creature and that old things have passed away, at last you can say with Paul, “Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there” (Galatians 5:24 LB).

 

You believe in the new creation—the new you that He has made you to be.  F.F. Bosworth said, “Always desire what God desires, and desire it for the same reason He desires it, and then His Holy Spirit will work with you to achieve what you want.” 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for the power of positive desire.  Today, I examine my desires and I ask the Holy Spirit to shine His illumination upon anything in me that is not from You.  Lord, I repent of __________________and I ask You to forgive me.  Help me Father to desire what You desire for the same reason that You desire it, in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

INTERCESSORY PRAYER IS YIELDING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

“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.

 

BELIEVERS ARE CALLED TO PUT CHRIST’S LOVE ON DISPLAY

 “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.