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Monthly Archives: August 2012

Do you hear Him?

09 Aug

Do you hear Him?

Romans 8:23-25   Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

In my study of abiding in Christ, or remaining in Christ, so much has come of the desire that longs within us. A person who abides is a person who is keen to that voice inside of them, guiding them along the path of life. It is a person who sometimes seems to go against the grain, away from the crowd, but yet seems fulfilled and content because they are with Christ there. When we are saved we are given a gift from God by the Holy Spirit that comes to dwell inside us. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. This gift brings a change of consciousness, a view in a different light from what the world sees. It is that lifting of the burden of sin from our souls and the guidance He provides for our remaining time here. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

The Holy Spirit also brings a hope that the world cannot steal away. You can grieve the Spirit by trying to silence His voice inside you, and your hope will dwindle. The more keen you are to His voice, the greater your hope becomes. Hope and faith are entwined together and strengthen each other. As a person who seeks God and the things of God, the Spirit becomes more active in their lives. His guidance becomes clearer and their obedience becomes natural. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Start to spend some time seeking God in prayer about becoming obedient to the workings of the Spirit inside of you. That obedience is the path of righteousness, and that path leads you closer to God, and the things of God. You only get there by a constant pursuit, not grieving the Spirit by remaining still. Your relationship should always move forward, and the hope that lies within you is urging you in that pursuit.

 
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Posted by on August 9, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Comfort Fruit

08 Aug

Comfort Fruit

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I am struggling, in many ways, on many fronts. I can’t and don’t need to unpack all the details, and my struggles are not above yours I am sure. I have a struggling business that is in the center of my attention, and a school assignment that has brought about a huge case of humility. I am regretting the decisions of my youth, and the lack of education that came as a result. I have never felt so dumb. Where can I turn in these anxiety filled days? Now there is only one thing in my life that brings me comfort and that is seeking God and His Word daily. No substance abuse to numb the pain, but a cure to heal the pain.

Paul in these scriptures was speaking to the Philippians with a heart of thanksgiving and contentment. He found his contentment in Christ, not “stuff” that was held in high regard back then and even today. He was content wherever Christ had him, and he sought to serve Him well there. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. He was truly a focused man, one with eyes only for Christ; and as a result of that realization, every day he sought to draw glory to Christ wherever God had placed him.

Much of my study recently has been on the “fruit” of being a disciple of Christ. This morning as I went to Philippians for a word to encourage me, and I read through the scriptures, I came upon this verse. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. God gave me an encouraging word I did not even know was there, that spoke again of what I had studied last night. That is how He works when you seek your comfort from Him and His Word. He will place just the right words before you, and open your heart and your mind with them as only He can in the only Living Word. These things are only gained by a humble heart that opens the book looking for them. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…..”

 
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Posted by on August 8, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Teach me o’ Lord

07 Aug

Teach me o’ Lord

1 John 2:27   But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

I have been studying on the parable of the True Vine (John 15:1-11). One of the key points of that parable is the term abiding (NKJV) in Christ, or ‘remain in me’ in the NIV version. The term abiding is a consistent state, or state of being. The term abiding is synonymous with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the work He does from within. John 14:16 -17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever– the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Matthew Henry spoke of this as a “divine unction”, and of how it does not “supersede ministerial teaching, but surmounts it.”

When you pursue God, and the things of God, as a child of God; His Spirit will open your eyes, heart, and mind to the things of Him. 1 Corinthians 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. The heart that is in consistent pursuit is a heart that is abiding. The revelations that His Spirit shows us in the Word are priceless and only gained through Him. He opens your heart and speaks to your mind, and places teachers in your path for clarity. When you spend time in God’s Word, and He shows you a truth there, be not surprised when a teacher will soon speak of that before you. This is God confirming His revelation through another of His disciples. How will you ever receive those blessings if you don’t have His Spirit abiding in you, and you abiding in His Word?

 
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Posted by on August 7, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Where He found you

06 Aug

Where He found you

John 21:1-4   After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

Christ had been crucified and the disciples were torn as what was their next steps. What were they to do with what they had witnessed and been taught over the last couple of years in Christ’s presence. Many of them were fishermen before Christ found them, and in these scriptures they returned to fishing. The popular belief is that they returned to their worldly ways. But they actually were following His instructions. Matthew 26:32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” 28:5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” Could it truly be the backslidden ones were the ones who didn’t join them?

Where were you when Christ sought you out? What were you doing when you felt His call and you answered it humbly? He called you where He can use you. Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” You do not have to go to seminary to become a disciple for Christ. He can use you at your job, at your home, in your daily routine if you will seek Him daily and His will for your life. You will never know the things He may do in your life if you do not pursue Him, you only claim Him and return to your worldly ways. Your circle of influence is where a work of God can be about Him and not you. When big things press, sit still and wait before making big change. He is with you and using you there, pointing people around you to Him, all the while you are there. Focus on Him, and the rest will fall into place.

 
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Posted by on August 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Sprint or Endurance?

05 Aug

Sprint or Endurance?

1 Peter 1:13-16   Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

“Gird up the loins of your mind” is not a typical phrase you hear today and could apply just about anything in your life that takes your focus off Christ. We all have the battles of worldly desires that fight for the focus of our mind. I think about __________ the most. What occupies your mind that fills in that blank? I would need to make a list, but I am trying to dwindle that list down through the power of Christ  in my life. It is a constant battle and without a consistent pursuit of Him, the list will never shrink. The daily time in prayer and the Word chip away at my list. Matthew 6:33 “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God…”

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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. The analogy of our lives is almost put here as and endurance race has much implication. Life is not a sprint, where you go as fast as you can to reach the goal; but an endurance run where you prepare and pace yourself setting your eyes farther out for the longer run. It requires a different strategy, and endurance requires longer focus. As in Hebrews, the “weight of sin” can make the longer race difficult. We must shed that weight to finish the race strong.

The battles of sin will always be there, many only in the mind. The strength to fight these battles is only found in prayer and the Word. You cannot defeat them alone although pride will try to convince you otherwise. Spend time daily with God and seek to lighten your load through His power to allow you to focus on Him and finish the race strong.

 
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Posted by on August 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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What is that I hear?

04 Aug

What is that I hear?

James 5:7-8   Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

He came. He died. He arose. He ascended. He is coming back. Do you believe? Do you believe that Christ is going to return to right the wrong of this world; to claim up all of those who believe in Him and take them to eternal paradise with Him? I pray that is where your hope and faith lie, it that security of His return and of His promises. John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

No matter where your faith lies, you surely must realize the depravity of society today. The list is every growing of sins against God. We are worshiping idols, condoning same sex unions, worshiping other Gods, or even worse the belief that all roads lead to God. This is a blasphemy against God and saying the sacrifice of His Son was of no use. All roads do not lead to God, but He provided the way only through his Son. We are lost without that realization, but freed and redeemed through it. John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

All through history people have believed and prayed for Christ’s imminent return. Ruth Graham (Rev. Billy Graham’s wife) was quoted, “”If God doesn’t judge America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” There is a lot of weight in that statement. When you believe and begin to pursue the things of God you will begin to swim upstream against the world. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The time is drawing near I do believe. Will you be pursuing a worldly life, or have your heart set on the things of God when you stand before Him? Are you ready to stand before Him? Then right your heart towards Him and spread the Good News of Him.

 
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Posted by on August 4, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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It’s ok….I forgive you

03 Aug

It’s ok….I forgive you

Philemon 1:15-19  For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave–a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay–not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.

Onesimus was a slave that had probably stolen something and ran away from his master. He had run straight into the Apostle Paul, and Paul had led him to Christ. They agreed and understood that Onesimus must return to His master to plea for forgiveness, but under Roman law this could have led to his death. Paul wrote Philemon to plea for his forgiveness and offer to pay for his debt, although he had done nothing to warranty that responsibility. These scriptures are a great analogy of what Christ has done for us. Christ has said of our sins to “put that on my account.”

Forgiveness is always difficult, and the greater the sin against us, the greater the strain of forgiving that sin. We all have been down that painful path most likely. The sin in our lives prompts us to take a prideful stand against a humble heart against forgiveness. Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. A summary of those scriptures is simply we are forgiven to the amount we forgive. Very tough words in a society filled with selfishness and sin against others. I have pled for forgiveness for those I have sinned against, and those that have sinned against me. God sheds light on these things through the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

There is a liberation that comes with forgiveness, and a cleansing of the heart. We have all heard of carrying that weight of anger and pain, and how “it is gonna eat you up.”. That weight will drag you down, but the freedom of the release of it will lift you up. Peter had come to Christ asking at what point do we stop forgiving those who sin against us. Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Christ simply states that you do not stop forgiving. We may wish ourselves to live a sin free life, but we cannot, and fail daily. We live in His forgiveness every day and must seek to duplicate that ourselves in regards to others. The freedom of forgiveness is one a Christian possesses, and must seek to share daily.

 
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Posted by on August 3, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Patience

02 Aug

Patience

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.

Patience in today’s society of immediate satisfaction is a lost word and quality. It has been lost at the touch of a button on keyboards; it has been lost at the selfishness that expediency has brought. In our minds patience has become antiquated, and sadly we have come to believe that in many ways of God. Why can He not deliver on our timetable? Patience is a quality and lesson that God has really been at work on me. I am as guilty or worse in that arena or lack of it. I feel as though I am sitting precariously atop of a wall, ready to leap, and God says sit still and wait on me. If I leap without His consent, most likely it will be a painful fall.

“Testing of your faith” is found only in these two verses in the Bible. The term is used in the purification process of refining coins through the melting off of the impurities. A silversmith is asked how can he tell when the silver has reached purity and he replies that it is easy, for he can see his reflection in it. As Christ tests and purifies you, removing those impurities, He seeks to see His reflection in you also. This is the hard part for this is where patience comes in. Websters defines Patience – bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint, steadfast. James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Know that God is doing a work in your life through whatever you are facing now. All you are facing now can be used to draw you closer to God, and to draw glory to God through the trial. He is the silversmith stoking the fire to heat the impurities so that he can take them out of your life. He is taking His time and doing it right, for He is wanting to see the reflection of His Son in you. Seek Him and praise Him for the work He is allowing in your life, for you will be a better person and closer to Him as a result of the patience you gained during the process. Patience is a virtue and a Godly character that exemplifies a life abiding in Christ.

 
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Posted by on August 2, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Mountaintops

01 Aug

Mountaintops

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

What is the mountains that lies before you? What are you facing that may be life changing? It could be relationships, careers, financial, physical, or any number of things. It is a big thing no matter what, that can change the game of life. Mine currently falls into the career and financial arena. These types of struggles are full of emotion and fears, and they can either drive us away from God, or draw us to God. Satan wants to drag us down with those fears, and God wants to pull us in for comfort. He has allowed and can work any situation in your life for good, and will comfort you in all of it. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 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.

You hear the testimonies of people that go through great trials of life that the only thing that got them through it was their faith. These are consistently their stories. It is never one of self, but of the power of God and prayer. The worry that comes is part of the trial, for it is the hook that Satan casts. But the peace of God found during this times in prayer and His Word allows you pass by Satan’s bait if you focus on the things of God and not the problem. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.

Most likely you have heard the phrase, “What is bigger? Your problem or your God?” In the middle of all the strain, all the climbing of the mountain that lies before us, God is reaching down the mountain to pull us up to Him. If we keep looking at the size of the mountain, we will never see the glory at it’s peak. At the top is not the peak of the problem, but the victory in reaching it’s peak and the glory of our relationship with God at the top. When you are facing these great things, in what seems to be the worst, or the peak, you are the closest to God.

 
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Posted by on August 1, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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