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Your Mission Field

07 Jun

Your Mission Field

Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

This morning I have those in the Mission Field on my mind. Our team is leaving for Alaska today, and I know personally of two other missionary journey’s in the coming weeks I will be in prayer for. I could think of six people and families from CCC that are in the process or already have given their lives for Christ; spreading His name globally. An amazing fact from just our church. They are true disciples, putting God first in all their lives. They are not seeking the rewards found here in prosperity, but seeking eternal rewards in the dedication of their lives now for service to Him. Luke 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. I have the upmost respect for them and believe that God puts a special tug on a missionary’s heart for that pursuit; forsaking all for that Call they have felt from Him.

You have a mission field too, even without going to Alaska or abroad. Your mission field is where your feet find you today. God has placed you there for His purpose and you can invest your time drawing glory to Him. Everyone that surrounds you is influenced by you without even realizing it many times. We can even deny that influence, but it remains there in the subconscious unknowingly. So do you project Christ? You can project Him in anything and everything you do when you perform the drudgery of your duties to the best of your abilities. You can be a missionary or disciple when you share why you do these things as God honoring. Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Make your investment in the things that will matter for eternity, and have the promise of God in an eternal reward. Matthew Henry said of verse 29; “Thousands have dealt with Christ, and have trusted him far; but never any one lost by him, never any one but was an unspeakable gainer by him, when the account came to be balanced. Christ here gives his word for it, that he will not only indemnify his suffering servants, and save them harmless, but will abundantly reward them.” Spend time today investing in your mission field showing the love of Christ that you posses and those that surround you will want to know what makes you different. That is your opportunity to truly share the Good News, or the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 
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Posted by on June 7, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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The Key

06 Jun

The Key

Galatians 2:20-21 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

I am always constantly amazed by the way God aligns His messages around us. The sermons we hear, our conversations with other Christians, even sometimes secular viewpoints, and His Word. The last 24 hours I have been surrounded by the “good deeds” and hypocrisy views. Two broads subjects that are many times woven together. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 2 had been confronting the Apostle Peter regarding hypocrisy and how Peter conducted himself depending upon who was present. Peter was walking both sides of the road in the Jewish traditions, and then the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul called him out on it! We are not saved by traditions or good works; period.

Romans 6:4-11 speaks about how we have been crucified with Christ also, and we are dead to sin. Romans 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Law is designed to convict us of our sin. It points us to Christ. It is what God demands, yet we cannot meet His requirements of perfection. All of the good deeds we strive to attain are futile wasted efforts without Christ. If we could attain what God requires to come into paradise with Him, why would He have sent His Son to die such a horrible death? Romans 3: 4-26 speaks much about this. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

You will NEVER attain heaven through any life of good works. Satan will have you join him in Hell for eternity with that belief system. You can only attain heaven by the humble acceptance of the One who died to forgive your sins as the only way to open the door to paradise. John 14:6 I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me. Trample your pride under the power of Christ and ask Him for the key.

 
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Posted by on June 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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A True Son

05 Jun

A True Son

1 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

I was praying this morning for strength, direction, and comfort from God in His Word this morning. I had a very long, very rough Monday, and as I prayed I opened up my Bible and just asked God to give me an encouraging word on that page. The verse above in 1 Timothy stood out to me and gave me great encouragement. A true son –  as I looked deeper into ‘true’ the legitimate definition stood out. I studied farther into ‘true son’ and found  1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. There is the Gospel or the Good News.

You and I are legitimate sons and heirs through Christ for eternal life with God. It just doesn’t get any better than that. You will inherit a kingdom, and Christ has prepared a mansion for you to live with Him. 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. Through the legitimate Son of God, His Spirit will live inside you and open up His Word to you. Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. How can you understand the Bible if you don’t have the Spirit living inside you to reveal it’s truth’s to you? The Bible will come alive to you like never before once you accept the Son as your Savior. You will become a legitimate child through God’s Grace and Christ’s blood that paved your eternal road in gold to eternity in His presence. Humble your heart, repent of your sin, open the door, and let Him in. You are now a true son.

Thank you Jesus!

 
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Posted by on June 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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They still point in the right direction

03 Jun

They still point in the right direction

Philippians 1: 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Paul was in prison, and wherever Paul was he was preaching the Gospel of Christ. He was bound in chains and could have asked God ‘why’ and sunk into misery and depression as a result of his imprisonment. Paul suffered for Christ greatly after Christ visited him on the Damascus Road. Christ even sent Ananias to Paul and told him in Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Paul understood unlike many of the teachers today that we will be required to suffer for His name, and all of those happenings can be used to glorify Him in it. He understood that wherever His feet were that day, was God’s Will for him that day, and he was to use that day to glorify God. Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.

One of my good friends came to know Christ through a popular TV pastor who is what in today’s terms we would call a ‘Prosperity Preacher’. His preaching is of the idea that if you don’t have all the blessings Christ intends for you now, you don’t have enough faith. But my friend also  is wise enough to see the Truth now; and does not judge that pastor, for he sees him preaching Christ too. Look at how Paul was dealing with similar circumstances: Philippians 1: 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Even in the misguided steps of many of today’s pastors, Christ is being preached. If they are preaching Salvation only through the blood of Christ, once you accept that, and your relationship and discernment grow, you too many see their err. Seek God daily with all your heart, mind, soul, body and strength. These things will open your eyes and allow you to see clearly the path He has for you today; and how you can glorify Him either in your blessings or your sufferings for that day.

 
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Posted by on June 3, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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The Good News

28 May

The Good News

I have a thought in my head haunting me that I heard on a Christian radio sermon recently. “If you are not preaching a Gospel that will preach in a third world country, you are not preaching the Gospel.” There is a lot packed into that one sentence, and I don’t know that I could begin to unpack it in a “OneMinuteMinistry”. But I get what they were trying to say. The Gospel includes and begins at Creation.

Creation –Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Paul is pointing out the proof of Creation that is evident to everyone, and refuting the ideas of today’s “Big Bang Theories” or Evolution.

The Fall of Man – Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Paradise was lost here in the garden of Eden when Satan deceived Adam and Eve; and as decedents of them we were all born into sin. As a punishment for that sin and the disconnect with a perfect Holy God, there had to be a way to reconnect.

The Savior – John 3:15-18 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the Gospel, which The Gospel means The Good News.

The Good News is that God has provided a way into His Holy presence in eternal paradise with Him through the sacrifice of His Son. He came and paid the price for your sins by dying on a Cross and bearing the weight of your sin for eternity. He “Justified” your sin in an eternal holy court, finding you not guilty by accepting that price he paid as the only way into heaven. John 14:6 I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by through Me. This is a free gift from God. The only requirement is the humbling of yourself by repenting of your sins and asking for forgiveness of them through the blood on that Cross. That is the best “Good News” I can give you today in a world that is far from God.

 
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Posted by on May 28, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Dying to self

27 May

Dying to self

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

Hopefully Memorial weekend you will spend some time reflecting on those who paid the ultimate price for your freedom with their lives. In that same respect we know that God gave us His Son as a sacrifice to pay for our sin with His life. 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. In the scripture above, Christ is asking us to lay down our lives for Him. He is not asking us for martyrdom necessarily (but that may come), but asking us to forsake the lusts of the world, and live a life for Him seeking eternal and not temporal pleasure.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. What is a living sacrifice anyway? A sacrifice is thought of as a death to bestow honor correct? Matthew Henry said, “A living sacrifice, that is, inspired with the spiritual life of the soul. It is Christ living in the soul by faith that makes the body a living sacrifice.” The world and the lusts of it are Satan’s tactics to draw you away from Christ. The list would be long of the idolatry he uses today in our world that places so much value on self pleasure and stuff. But we can move in our relationship with Christ to the point that the “stuff” just does not matter anymore, and what matters is what we feel led to do in honor of Him, and share the joy He brings with those that do not see yet.  Paul said in Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. You can place honor on the one who died for you for eternity, by dying to the lusts of yourself, and placing yourself at His feet for service.

 
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Posted by on May 27, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Warfare

26 May

Warfare

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This morning my mind seemed to be in reflection of what the Memorial Day weekend represents. Those fallen heros that have fought and died for our freedom. I thought of the ultimate war, the war against sin; and how Christ had paid the ultimate price with His life, and won the war for eternity for us over sin. I thought of writing of the defeated enemy Satan and how I believe he does not even understand he is already defeated. He is the great deceiver and liar, and he has ultimately deceived himself. But I thought of the Spiritual War that is still prevalent around us with this defeated foe. Satan still works his evil every day in every way to draw you away from Christ. You can’t see this war, but you do feel the very real effects from it. But through the strength and power of God you can still fight in it.

2 Kings 6:15-17 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 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 is one of my favorite stories in the Bible for it gives us a peek into the unseen Spiritual World that surrounds us at every moment of every day. This gives us a glimpse into the unknown, which affects the known we experience. The two are tied together, but yet since we cannot see the Spiritual one before our eyes, we are tempted to dismiss it. The Spiritual battles are fought on plains that we can only fight through the power of God and His Word. 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. We must fight the sin of pride in believing we can war in the Spirit, and only commit our Spirit to God to fight that war. Our Spirit steep in faith and armed with His Word will realize the battle we are in and follow the leadership of Christ in that battle. Through the training and understanding that comes with time with God in prayer and His Word, we can rest on the assurance of our supreme commander that He will not lead us where He cannot protect us, and that we ultimately win the war.

 
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Posted by on May 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Inquiring minds want to know

24 May

Inquiring minds want to know

John 3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

I love the story of Nicodemus. He was a leader and sat on the council that investigated John the Baptist. He was held in high regard, but yet he secretly knew that there was something of merit to all he was hearing of this Christ. His faith overcame his pride and he snuck out one night to find Jesus and speak to Him. This was a huge risk, but also a huge step of faith. In his mind, he knew He was Christ, and in his heart he wanted to know more. If the things of God tug at your heart as his, swallow your pride and seek Him also. That is Christ knocking at the door, and only you have the key.

Christ began to explain to him of the acceptance of becoming “born again” by the Spirit to gain access into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. This troubled Nicodemus and his mind has some practical questions to the words Christ spoke. His mind was getting in the way of his faith. Our mind seeks the logical, the things we can see or obtain. The heart moves on faith, and the heart or soul is where the His Spirit lives. It is a battle between mind and spirit. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. If you feel that stirring in your heart, spend some time in the Gospel of John. You will find Christ there and the keys to eternal paradise as Nicodemus did.

 
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Posted by on May 24, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Strength in humility

27 Apr

Strength in humility

Matthew 11:28-30 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 souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

It is always good to share; to unload your burdens on a willing ear. As men we are wired prideful and feel as through we can handle all these burdens on our own. We feel as though we must be the “strong one”, and pride is the spine of that emotion. We tend to keep things bottled up and find ways to handle the stresses of life our own ways.  These paths can take us down dark downhill roads of sin.  These lead us away from Christ and pride becomes that enabler for that journey. But before we head down those paths, we can cast our cares upon Him as in Matthew above. We can swallow that pride and as in James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. This step of humility is the beginning of change and healing.

When you realize your sin, and take your sin to Him in the plea of forgiveness, the Salvation that follows is a releasing of those burdens. You truly now have Christ living within you, and the strength and provisions that come with that are the power of the Holy Spirit, the “Enabler”. John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. We can begin to press that manly pride down through the strength that Christ brings to fight the demon of pride. Pride is straight from Hell, and it takes the power of Heaven to fight that enemy that lies within you. You can have that power living in you upon Salvation and accepting Christ as the only way. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Thank you Jesus!

 
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Posted by on April 27, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Broken Easy Button

31 Mar

Broken Easy Button

Philippians 1:6  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

But I want it to be eeeaasssyyy. Why would God let these things happen in my life? Why are those that are living for their time in the world, full of blessings? Because God loves you so much He desires to make you more like His Son. That gift will last you more than maybe 100 years, but will last you an eternity in paradise with Him. They have their time now, and we have ours for eternity. When God is working on you in a sort of stress or tribulation, be glad that He loves you enough to be performing that work, molding you into the image of His Son. James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Those scriptures go against the worldview of consistent self gratification in all things. The world preaches do whatever feels good at whatever cost; Christ preaches faith in Him to control all things and His Will to be done. Once you humble yourself and submit to His authority over your life, you have told Satan you are no longer a pawn in his team. He will ask God for permission to test your faith through many means, and plans to draw you back to the dark side. God knows that your faith can be strengthened through his tests, and Satan’s plans backfire. Paul who endured much suffering for Christ, spoke of these things in prison in Philippians 1:12: But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. When we are up against all that life throws at us, let us lean on the One whom it all filters through His hands. Let it build us up as He plans, not tear us down as our enemy plans. Take it all to God as in Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Thank you Lord for where you have me today, your plans for me today, and the hope for tomorrow.

 
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Posted by on March 31, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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