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Don’t take your eyes off the prize

06 Jul

Don’t take your eyes off the prize

2 Timothy 2:1-4  You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

The Apostle Paul was encouraging his protege’ Timothy for his service to the Lord. Timothy had been with Paul and he was growing into his own ministry. He had been learning from the best on how to have a sole purpose in life; to share the Good News that Christ has come to save the world. Paul had no other focus than to preach Christ at all costs, and many times the costs were extreme. But his faith never wavered and his focus remained. Timothy had been a witness to these events and knew well what he was getting himself into as a disciple of Christ. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

When you embark on the journey of a growing relationship with your Lord, you will face obstacles of many kinds that will either draw you closer, or draw you away from Christ. Every event in your life can have that effect. It can be blessings, or it can be turmoil; but either way where does your focus remain? 4a No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life. Satan could fill your day with overflowing blessings and your attention could be drawn from your purpose. Satan could fill your day with turmoil and your attention could be drawn away. Never let your eyes or your hearts attention be moved away from the One who has designed or allowed every event that happens in your life. Give thanks for where He has you today, and grow closer to Him as a result of where you are today. 4b that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

 
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Posted by on July 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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A dark place, but with a great Light

26 Jun

A dark place, but with a great Light

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

I had a good friend, a brother in Christ, leave me a message yesterday about someone close to him that died. His voice told of how he was hurting as expected, but his voice spoke of the peace and comfort God brings. He asked me of writing about it, and I have struggled of how to write about one of the toughest subjects – death. We will or have all dealt with it’s pain in our lifetime. The pain that it brings many times seems unbearable, but how is it that some seem to cope better? Without a doubt they will tell you it is always their faith. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. When we are going through these difficult times resting on God’s comfort, He is glorified. Those around us are drawn to Him through the toughest of tribulations, by those of us who are held in His arms of comfort.

The scripture above speaks of walking through that valley, and Matthew Henry put it so well. “It is a walk through it; they shall not be lost in this valley, but get safely to the mountain of spices on the other side of it. Because there is no evil in it to a child of God; death cannot separate us from the love of God, and therefore it can do us no real harm; it kills the body, but cannot touch the soul. Why should it be dreadful when there is nothing in it hurtful? Because the saints have God’s gracious presence with them in their dying moments; he is then at their right hand, and therefore why should they be moved?” There is great comfort in those words to the believer without attaching all the cliche’s to them.

There is immeasurable comfort in God’s Word. Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. The Spirit will seem to press us into God’s Word during these difficult times, and we will find comfort in the Scriptures. There is no comfort to those who do not know God, but they may be drawn to God by how a believer copes. God’s plans are beyond our understanding, and death is a part of that eternal plan. But as a child of God we can rest in His Sovereignty and the comfort of spending time with our loved ones for eternity in paradise.

 
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Posted by on June 26, 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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Daily Walk

23 Jun

Daily Walk

James 4:13-14  Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

It has been a crazy long week working over 12hr days in this 90 degree heat. On top of that, the hours I put in on both sides of work eventually catch up with me. God knew I needed the rest and granted me a couple extra hours this morning – Thank You Jesus. As I awoke Satan creeps in telling me I failed my ‘obligation’ (literally used that word) with God, and reminding me of my ‘to do’ list for today. He wants me to skip my time this morning with God. Last night one of the last sermons I heard was about someones last moments in an argument, and then an unexpected death. We never know when it will come, but what will be our last thoughts we carry into heaven? What will we put before a repent heart, a loving heart, a dedicated heart? Don’t carry the load of sin on your heart for any amount of time, for He will carry it for you. Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

We all have our ‘to do’ list, and we all have our plans for the future, but we must realize our future is NOT in our hands. God holds our every breath in His hands, and there is nothing that we can do to change that. We are to honor our bodies as the temples they are, but even that honor we place on them does not mean we control them. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” Spending time with God daily will allow you to refocus and understand that wherever you are, that is where He has placed or allowed you to be. The more time with Him will give you the ability to understand the importance and the peace of knowing He is in control. That peace will allow you to move forward with your plans; but knowing God may change the direction to fit His. Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

 
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Posted by on June 23, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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You can do this

22 Jun

You can do this

1 Corinthians 1: 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The Apostle Paul was speaking to the church at Corinth, and encouraging those who were believing in Christ in these scriptures. They were ‘going against’ what the world was preaching or questioning;  stepping out in faith and seeing God there. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Paul was very well educated and easily could have rested on his worldly wisdom and preached from that authority. He also realized that was what the world expected, and the power of the Gospel lied in the power of what Christ had done at the Cross. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Why can’t God use you too? Do you believe in the power of the Cross; and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Good News that He has come to save the world? The faith that you have will go against the ‘proof’ or ‘tangible’ that the world demands. But you don’t have to rest on your wisdom as Paul was speaking of; just rest on the message that Christ brings. Your testimony and the change that Christ has brought into your life is the power that God has given you. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. Do not ever be afraid to share your faith from the feeling of fear from a lack of wisdom. God has given you the ability for just the right word at just the right time for those He has called. Your faith may fall on deaf ears sometimes, but to not be discouraged. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

 
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Posted by on June 22, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Supreme Commander

19 Jun

Supreme Commander

Joshua 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

I expect most of us have heard the Biblical story as children of when Joshua and his army marched around the city of Jericho seven times. Then on the seventh time the priest blew their trumpets, and the warriors shouted, and the cities walls came crumbling down. There is not another victory in the battles of history that can claim that method. But before that battle Joshua had a divine encounter, or a Christophany; a vision of the preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ in these verses above. Joshua was probably in prayer or meditation and became aware of someone near him. But in His courage as a leader he approached the figure that had His sword drawn to ask if he was a friend or foe. Imagine his surprise at His realization of to Whom he was speaking.

Christ was giving Joshua a glimpse into the spiritual world and the armies of heaven were being lead by the Supreme commander. Another verse that speaks of these glimpses is found in 2 Kings 6:16-17 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. This invisible world is all around us every day, and many times there is a warfare that surrounds us on that plain which we cannot see, but feel. Countless stories in the Bible speak of this warfare, and the story of Job is another. If we are believers in Christ, followers of Christ, and seeking the things of Christ; then Christ is our Supreme commander of His angelic armies on our behalf also. You are not alone in this thing called life; but you may rest in His assurance that He has a plan, and it is all under His control. If you proclaim Christ as your Savior and fall under His command, you will ultimately rest in eternal victory because the victory is assured in the Word of God.

 
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Posted by on June 19, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Heavenly Father

17 Jun

Heavenly Father

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

As I searched for “Heavenly Father” this morning I was led to Matthew 6. That is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, and so much of it speaks to our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. It covers prayer, fasting, forgiveness, deeds, and the last 1/3 is about worry. It speaks of how we should not worry when we place our faith in Him. I openly struggle with anxiety and find myself returning much to this chapter. The entire chapters spine is our relationship with our Heavenly Father and how to pursue it. This is a “how to” book on developing an eternal relationship with God, and the value you have in His eyes when you honor Him with your faith and focus.

The love we feel for our earthy fathers should be small compared to our love for our Heavenly Father. He is the One whom gave us them. We all love our dads, and today is a special day to honor them. I have a Godly father Jim who has tried his best to point me to Christ all his life, and even in my rebellion he still tried. It is through the power of prayer and God’s grace that I returned home. I am including a link to Matthew 6 below, that I believe would be a great way to honor you Heavenly Father today, by spending time in His Word, and hopefully prayer.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/nkjv/matthew/6.html

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

 
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Posted by on June 17, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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At least I didn’t……

15 Jun

At least I didn’t……

Galatians 6:1-5 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

As I read some of my daily scripture feeds, I came to Galatians 6 above. I thought of how it would be good to write about helping one another. Then I spent time studying this scripture and God shed a different light on it; one that we all fall guilty to – comparing ourselves to one another.

There is a part of all of us rooted in pride that will compare ourselves to our neighbor. “Well at least I didn’t do what they did…..” is the typical thought. Our pride is elevated and many times we rest on that rock that will crumble. These scriptures speak directly too that. When we see someone that has been overtaken in sin, we must first protect ourselves. This is done in much prayer and seeking God’s Word for guidance. We must approach them in love, but not in pride, for that pride will lead to our fall also. As in verse 3, For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself; Paul speaks directly to that. My pastor once told of God speaking to him saying “the other mans sins are just more visible”.

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. We should consistently self examine and surround ourselves with Godly influences and true friends that will approach us and tell us the truth. The immediate conviction of sin in your heart is an assurance of Salvation. If you are knowingly in habitual sin, finding comfort in that sin, and you are not denying a tug on your heart to stop that sin; your problem is much larger than that sin alone. Get on your knees and repent from your heart for a cleansing of your heart and forgiveness of your sin.  For each one shall bear his own load. We are responsible for ourselves and will answer to God for every thought, word, and deed in the future. My prayer is that you are seen by Him through the clear lens of Christ’s paid debt, and not the stained glass of pride.

 
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Posted by on June 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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That close……

10 Jun

That close……

Romans 10:8-11 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

The Apostle Paul had a heart for the Jews and their Salvation. He longed for them to see the err of their ways and to realize that their Christ had come to save the world. That they need not try to earn their righteousness by their works, but confess and believe and accept what He has done for them. Christ can be found living inside you, not only in Heaven sitting at the right hand of the Father; He is attainable NOW. Luke 17:20-21  Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” God has placed that desire inside you for better things; for good and not evil.

When you confess your sin, repent of your sin asking for Christ’s forgiveness, and accept Him as Lord of your life, you are Justified in God’s eyes and saved from eternal punishment of denying what Christ did for you at Calvary. The pride and denial are the walls that will surround you in Hell in eternal punishment if you deny The Gospel of Grace. It is impossible to earn your way into heaven, but possible to humbly accept the free gift of Grace. The Jews were spending daily time with God, but they thought it was earning them righteousness, and they were mad at Paul for preaching Free Grace to all people. We are all the same in God’s eyes and His invitation is extended to everyone. Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. Those tugs you feel in your heart sometimes is God letting you know that you cannot do life without Him. He is that close, within you, if you answer His call.

 
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Posted by on June 10, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Listen

09 Jun

Listen

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Who do you, how do you, what do you believe? There are so many ‘faiths & religions’ out there, you can surely find one that suits you. You can believe in the traditional ones, the scientific ones, even the self ones that have become so prevalent today. Our “itching ears” are inclined to desire to hear something that will give us hope and direction for our lives today and beyond. That is the scary thing of how inclined we are to follow the paths that lead us astray in the empty promises that never satisfy but ultimately cost us eternally.

There is something to hearing the Word of God even in comparison to reading it. The audible voice in a good preacher brings about revelation from God. The audible rings true and enlightens the heart, opening the door of truth. The verse above (Romans 10:17) speaks of how that leads to faith. This is not found in empty sermons that tickle the ears, but in sermons that preach solidly from the Word of God. That tugging at your heart when you hear a solid sermon is God’s revelation to you from His Word. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

If you are having trouble reading or even understanding your Bible, try an audio version also. There are many resources out there at no costs that provide these services. (Youversion is great). Listening to God’s Word will open you heart and set His Word there. You may find that you can remember scripture when you hear them better than when you read it also. God promises that His Word is planted in our hearts upon hearing. Romans 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach). Pray first, then open your ears for they are the keys to your heart.

 
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Posted by on June 9, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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