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Hope Grows

22 May

Hope Grows

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Paul writes in the latter stages of Chapter 4 of both the troubles we will face, and that the size of them, in the bigger picture of eternity. He speaks of the power of Christ living in us; the strength that comes from that hope and promise of eternal life in Christ. How no matter what this world throws at us, we will have victory in Him. 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We are not promised a life of ease, but we are promised eternal life in heaven with the One whom created life. The strength found in that hope, is the strength to face anything the day may bring.

At your core you have a crutch you go to when you need help. It may cause you to be an introvert, handling your problems alone on the false power of your pride. It may sadly be a substance to numb the pain, or a habit to hide from it. It may be any means of escape, but there is only One who can carry the load and provide the hope that will get you through it; Jesus Christ. There are many right now after the horrific tornado in Oklahoma that are seeking comfort and hope. I pray that in all of this their faith grows in Christ. Even in, and through all of this pain, God can be glorified and draw others to himself. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It is in the normality that your heart is prepared for the trial. It is in the daily time with God that you are strengthened for the attack that will come. You prepare for war, by preparing for battle. You spend daily time with God developing an understanding of God by the revelation He reveals. He opens your eyes to a faith that only the heart understands. 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. The more time you spend in the pursuit of Him, the more He reveals himself to you, and the stronger your faith becomes. The stronger your faith becomes, the greater your hope becomes, and with that hope comes understanding of the trials you will face. They ALL are only temporary, and they all can point you, and draw you closer to the One you will spend eternity with.

 
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Posted by on May 22, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Accepts and assists

15 Mar

Accepts and assists

Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

The last 36 hours are a blur. I had some sort of illness that resulted in a fever, and almost no sleep the night before. On top of all that my mind was racing with thoughts of my testimony coming up this weekend; I knew this time was different, and I know God is laying the word disciple on my heart. Webster’s dictionary defines a disciple as: one who accepts and assists in the spreading of the doctrines of another. Do you? Are you? Is being a Christian different from being a disciple? It should not be for Christ last commands called us to go forth and spread the Good News that He brought to a dying world (Matthew 28:19-20). Christianity does not mean that you claim the security of Salvation and live a life unchanged after it. There should be such a change in your heart and life that the evidences of His Spirit living inside of you are there for all to see.

Take a real look at yourself; list your top five priorities in life. The true order of the things that matter to you the most. If you are placing your career, success, family, health, security, even your own life at number one, you are not a disciple of Christ. The realization of your eternal damnation as a sinner, and that God himself came to earth for your redemption, should humble your heart to a point of living a life dedicated to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. The only way to justify sin before a Holy and righteous God is a holy and righteous sacrifice. There was only one that could do that; Jesus Christ came as fully God and fully man. He lived a life that we were originally designed to live, perfect and sinless. He died upon that cross and bore the weight of all sin upon Himself that God might see you righteous through His Son. He paved the way in a free gift of grace, and He will present the invitation to join him to humble, repentant hearts.

There must be a point in your life you realize that scale of your life condemned in sin. With this comes the realization of the need of a Savior; and the means of this which Christ provided for you. GOD sacrificed His Son for you! John 3:16 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. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. You have no means by which you are ever to earn it, but you are called to work it out in the acts of being a disciple. You are called to “accept and assist” the ministry of spreading the Gospel. James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. You are to live a life in daily pursuit of God and the things of God. You are to live a life with an eternal focus; a life that sees the struggles in it as temporary, as means to draw you closer to God. You are to place Christ above everything and everyone; He humbled himself to the point of death for you; can’t you die to Him?

 
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Posted by on March 15, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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The climb

08 Jul

The climb

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Christ was beginning his Sermon on the Mount here in Matthew. He began with what we call the ‘Beatitudes’. Christ is going against all the world is teaching in a way with words of simple summaries. He is teaching that His way of living will bring blessing eternal and not temporal. He is extending His invitation to them early in this sermon to prepare them for what He is about to teach.

Do you hunger for God? Is there something inside you that wants to know more, to draw closer, to pursue a relationship that grows daily? God has given you that ability through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. At the day of Pentecost the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, and that same Spirit lives within you today, urging you to draw closer to God. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. That feeling inside you is the Holy Spirit tugging you towards righteousness in your daily life. Are you following His lead, or denying Him and grieving the Spirit?

A hunger for God is a pang that should never subside. He will fill you with His Spirit and His Word, but you should always desire more. Your relationship with God is never to stagnate, for still is falling away. You are either moving upward in pursuit of Him, or you are sliding backwards; the climb has not grip, but God has the rope. That pursuit of righteousness is God’s arms pulling you up the climb closer to him and eternal blessing.

 
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Posted by on July 8, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Thristy?

29 Jun

Thristy?

John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

I swear sometimes I think God has a sense of humor. As I lay there this morning watching all the weather channels speak of extreme heat, all they spoke about was hydrating. I then moved over to Reflections and the scripture above was the first one on the screen. I laughed out loud.

Christ was speaking at a great feast (Feast of the Tabernacles), and a large part of that feast was a ritual honoring when God had produced water from a rock for the Israelites when they were in the desert for 40 years. But Christ was telling them of things to come after His departure; and the gift of the Holy Spirit whom He gives to us. John 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. We not only benefit from all that Christ gave us on the Cross for Salvation, we also with that are given His Spirit that comes to live inside us. Christ’s Spirit living inside of you. Do you get the weight of those few words?

That gift is the second greatest gift anyone could ever receive. It comes without even asking with a repentant heart seeking Christ as the Savior of our souls. Once He dwells within us, we begin to live a transformed life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. We begin to see things differently, act differently, speak differently, all because He is living inside us. Those around us take notice and are given that living water to drink that He pours out from us. John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” You can have all these things too. Humble your heart before God, repent of your sins, and ask Christ to forgive you and become the Lord of your life. You will never thirst again.

 
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Posted by on June 29, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Yes I can……No you can’t.

24 Jun

Yes I can……No you can’t.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

The Apostle Paul was really laying it out here; laying down the foundation of what really mattered to the Corinthians. Christ had paid the ultimate price for them (John 15:13), and we must understand that He buried our sins eternally with His death reconciling us to God. (Romans 6:1-14). 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. If we truly grasp the understanding of self sacrifice for our betterment, there should be a tug to honor that sacrifice that was bestowed upon us. Are you living a life honoring that sacrifice He paid for you? Have you even repented of your sins and accepted that sacrifice He paid for you?

I know we all have our list of reasons why not, and many revolved around our present condition. We feel as though we must ‘get right’ before we come to God. If I was to start my ‘to do’ list of sins I have committed and wanted to change, you would still be reading them next week. You can’t fix yourself by yourself. Satan through pride will try to convince you that you must before, or even that you can do it on your own, but you will fail until you start with Christ. Psalm 10:17 Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear. Come to Jesus just as you are and cast all your burdens on Him. He will take you in, forgive your sin, and reconcile your life to God. I pray that your transformed life is moved to a place of honoring God and the sacrifice Christ paid on the cross for you and I.

 
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Posted by on June 24, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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I want to change

15 Apr

I want to change

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Most of us want to change ___________. Yep, fill in the blank. We all have something that we want to change about ourselves. But any and all change is only accomplished through Christ first. Nothing can or will change you eternally except Salvation. Without Christ, there is nothing but temporal change that will always leave you unsatisfied. Upon Salvation, and the indwelling of the Spirit within you, there comes a yearning for more, or should I say change. We begin to want to improve our lifestyle, to grow closer to God, to become a better person. These are only accomplished through Christ and through seeking His guidance as in Matthew 6:33. True change is accomplished through seeking and following God’s Will for our lives.

If there is one thing I can speak to you outside Salvation, it is to live this lifestyle of Matthew 6:33. Put God first and into everything of your life. Spend time every day in His Word and prayer to see your life evolve. All these things you plan are futile if they do not fall under His leadership. All these things you plan will fall into place if you truly seek Him, and you may find out your plans were not as well thought as His for your life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. God will reveal Himself to you once He sees the honor you place on Him with your heart truly seeking Him. When we put Him first, and don’t move without seeking His guidance, He is there for us. The more time we spend with Him every day, the more we begin to understand what His Will is for our lives. Once we begin to understand that, the rest falls into place.

I tell you this because it is my testimony of change that started with Salvation, and led to wanting to simply start reading my Bible every day. Change happens through the Word of God and prayer. A few minutes every day has turned into hours, and that has changed my life. What I once valued most, I now value least, and I see things that truly matter. God will open your eyes through your heart once you begin to seek Him first in all things. All you must do to change is to accept Him, then seek Him, and follow His Will for your life.

 
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Posted by on April 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Is it Monday again already?

26 Mar

Is it Monday again already?

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Uggg….Monday morning and back to work. Some of us have the blahs for returning to our duties for the week ahead. We may not like where we are and  at some point the drudgery enters in on any career. We wonder what our reward will be for our diligence in performing the tasks that lay before us. But what about the possibility of our eternal underlying work being judged every day? Every move, thought, action, or even lack of action is being watched by our “boss” and we will stand before Him in the pinnacle of review. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Very scary thought, but reality none the less.

We all have and do sin every day, and that will never change. But do we strive to be the best we can in all situations, and bring glory to Christ? Do we always reflect the negative, or do we look for the light in all circumstances and try to point them out? Those tugs you feel to do the right thing at hard times are God at work in you. He is trying to use you to reflect Christ that lives in you to others, to reach them. All your “works” that you do in your every day do not go unnoticed. Matthew 25:23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ We must understand that we are not saved by these good deeds though for it comes only through Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Our ultimate goal in life should be to live righteously as we can in a world far from God. To strive to attain an eternal paradise with our Creator and to have Him utter these words to us at our review. Matthew 25:His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant;” This is the only work that matters, for the only One whom matters, and your focus will last you eternally.

 
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Posted by on March 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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A tent of Hope

25 Feb

As I turned on the computer this morning and FB came up, I was thinking of a guy I was talking to yesterday who was working on his house, and how I sure couldn’t be any help with the construction side of it. I then was skimming through my bible this morning seeing where I felt led to spend some time, and I came upon the title “Assurance of the Resurrection.” That sounded like a good place to spend some time, and I laughed as I saw these passages speaking of our “tent” or earthly bodies. It struck me of how they can be called a tent, which is the simplest of structures. Then the passages evolved into the hope that resides in us, and a wonderful time in God’s word it has been this morning. I pray that you too possess that hope, and groan for eternity, with Him.

 

 

A tent of Hope

2 Corinthians 5:1-2    For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,

You wouldn’t want me to build you anything. There are many things I can do, but building anything structural will have many flaws. I am stubborn enough to continue to try, but my hands and gifts do no include carpentry. God does not build, God speaks into existence. We simply cannot wrap our minds around that, but He even speaks of our grand design bodies as a tent. If a tent is the simplest of structures, how grand will our eternal bodies be with Him in a heavenly paradise? We have been promised in 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.

But in these passages Paul is really speaking of our longing to be in heaven with Christ, and our groans and desires while we find ourselves here. The hope that rests in us, that cannot be taken away is in verse 7; For we walk by faith, not by sight. That hope that resides in us is a guarantee from God found in verse 5; Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. The hope we have brings a peace about us that the world cannot understand. They find peace in “stuff”, or things they can see or touch, and all these things will fade away or be destroyed. Hope cannot be touched, or seen, or taken away. Romans 8:23-24  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? Place your hope, home, and soul in an eternal residence of paradise with the One who came to earth to provide you the Only Way, through Jesus Christ.

 
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Posted by on February 25, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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46 Days

15 Feb

As I opened up my bible this morning and headed to 2nd Corinthians, I saw all the different colors and notes around these pages. Last year on a Fast, I did a self study of this book and I remember how powerful it was. God has provided all that we need…period. I cannot add anything to that.

 

46 Days

2 Corinthians 5:17     Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We are now 46 days into the New Year, so how have your resolutions of change progressed? Have you slipped back into your old self, and the resolution faded away? We have been through a sermon series at church speaking of how to change. The only way to change anything, is through the free gift of Salvation, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit inside you. When Christ comes to live in your heart, nothing will remain the same.Verse 15 says, “and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” You will be changed as nothing else can promise or deliver.

We all have things we want to improve about ourselves. We think we see the means to accomplish them all over TV and media. But if we don’t put our souls and eternity at the top of the list, all else is vain, for it will die with us. In these verses Paul is speaking of the ministry of reconciliation, or a change from enmity to peace. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have been righted to God. Verses 18,19 says “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, 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.” You have the opportunity to change the only thing that matters before you, and matters for an eternity. A whole lot longer than 46 days.

 
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Posted by on February 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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