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Way out there

16 Jul

Way out there

Colossians 3:1-2     If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

I sat here in pre-5am silence; the road closure and the early hour brought a rare stillness this morning. It has already passed; God blessed me with that quiet time with him today; awakening me earlier than usual. So much is on my heart, so many avenues my mind travels down even in the early mornings. I could fill up much more than this page of the things going on in my life; no different from yours, just my own list. This time of year the work load is my biggest battle; it commands my attention and creeps in even in my early mornings with God. It is not the only thing that tries to steal my focus, but it certainly steals my joy in these moments of prayer and scripture study. It is only one of the many distractions that Satan uses to take our minds off the things above; all of them are distractions from him, all of them are meant to get us to take our eyes off Christ and to the stresses or worries of what is seemingly troubling us.

Paul repeatedly points to the centrality of Christ in his letter to the Colossians. There were doctrinal errors and false teachings that were creeping into the church. There were many that were being led astray by these false teachers. Paul then gets to the practical application side of things in Colossians 3; he tells us of how we are to live as Christians. He speaks of the “old man” before Christ, and the “new man” in Christ. He speaks of how we are to not live our lives as before, but to pursue holiness with a life focused on the eternal, and not the temporal. Satan always tugs your mind to the temporal; the problem at hand in an effort to steal your joy in your hope for eternity. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

It is so simple what Paul is truly saying; “You are a new man in Christ, act like one.” God has laid such a burden on my heart these last couple of weeks towards sacrificial living; the true life of a disciple.Satan has planted all the distractions to take my eyes off it. The battle rages, but the war is won. Paul is pointing to the life that is lived in that pursuit of holiness, is a life that leaves behind the pursuit of sin and the pleasures found in it and of this world. Do you live for the temporary or the eternal? The eternal focus demands a true heart’s desire for Christ and the things of God. Satan can easily take your eyes off the eternal if your not spending daily time seeking God in his Word and prayer. Make today a day that you live for tomorrow……..eternally.

 
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Posted by on July 16, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Simple heart surgery

01 Dec

Simple heart surgery

Ezekiel 11:19-20   Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

This text come from a vision that God gave the great prophet Ezekiel, known as the Temple Vision. God is pointing out the sin and His judgement on Israel to come. All throughout the history of Israel they are known as stubborn people; stiff-necked is the term used in the NKJV. Moses even pled to God to show mercy on them; again and again. Exodus 34:Then he said, “If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.” The central theme in this text in Ezekiel is the New Covenant that God made with us through Christ. Through Christ you gain a new heart.

You cannot remain the same if you claim Christianity. There must be a difference evident in your life. That heart change that you experienced upon Salvation is either fed and flourishes, or it is denied and questionable. We are called to become disciples of Christ, and that change of heart will produce a change of lifestyle. That change of lifestyle brings about discipleship for those in your circle of influence who want to know why. We are told how to live this life in Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (ESV)

God warned Ezekiel in that same vision of those that continued to live for themselves and the world; of His judgement coming upon them. Ezekiel 11:21 But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”(ESV) Have you truly changed your life since you claimed Christianity? Does anyone know that you have experienced this heart transplant with Christ? Was it a sincere plea for forgiveness of your sins and for Christ to become Lord over your life? Big hard questions…..but a very simple surgery.

 
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Posted by on December 1, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Thankful for mercy and grace

22 Nov

Thankful for mercy and grace

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Today is the day when families gather together to extend traditions and give thanks for what they have been blessed with. There was a thread going around asking what if you only had today what you gave thanks for yesterday. A great thought to ponder, for we most likely have lost the realization of how much we take for granted. As I prayed this morning I tried to take that thought to God; to form a list. I wonder what tomorrow would reveal I had forgotten? The greatest gift I could ever receive is all wrapped into the story of the Gospel; the gift of God’s grace and mercy. Grace is unmerited favor, receiving what we do not deserve. Mercy is the grace covered forgiveness of not receiving what we do deserve. All wrapped up in 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.

Luke 6:27-38 speaks much about our ability to extend mercy; to do good in the path of evil. Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Today’s society has brought a high level of selfishness; of putting oneself at the top of the list, and the plunder of one’s wake of destruction is not one’s problem. These ideals make extending mercy difficult to those hurt by those wakes. But it is our calling as Christians to be selfless; to not seek retaliation or gain, but to bless those who hurt us. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Christ continues to tell them of how the same measure that we forgive, is how we are forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Not only God’s mercy, but God’s grace is woven throughout the whole Bible. He continued to provide for the rebellious people of the Old Testament, pointing them back to Him in signs and wonders of their generations. He gave them great prophets to attest to these signs. He gave them every reason to know that He was God; to know that He was in control. He then culminated His plan of grace with the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. He delivered Christ to die the sacrificial death required to bring us to paradise with Him for eternity. There is no greater act of grace than Christ alone. Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. That realization should bring your Thanksgiving to a new level of appreciation for the grace you have been given by God.

 
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Posted by on November 22, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Withered

31 Aug

Withered

1 Kings 13:4 So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Arrest him!” Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself.

Solomon had been graced by God and became the wisest man that ever lived. He had been blessed beyond measure; but yet had directly disobeyed God and gathered riches for Himself as a result. At the end of His life his many wives even led him into the great sin of idol worship as he began to worship idols and other Gods. God had warned him that if he did these things and did not have a humble repentant heart, that God would destroy the temple and divide Solomon’s kingdom. It all came to pass, and the twelve tribes of Israel split. There were 10 to the North, and  2 in the South. This turbulent time lasted 345 years.

The North’s rulers as a whole lead their divided Israel without Jehovah as their God. They worshiped many idols and their 19 Kings were consistently murdering each other to gain the throne. King Jeroboam committed great sins and is known as the person in the Bible mentioned the most for his evil ways and sin (22 times). In the scripture above he was reaching out to the prophet sent to warn him, when God withered the hand he used to direct. Withered his hand…..wow. Then in an unbelievable act of Grace, restored it. Read 1 KIngs 13 & 14.

The point of all of this is that we are lost without God. Even when we run, or try to hide, or flatly turn against Him; He is still there. We must understand we will have to answer to Him for the lives we live now. We are warned continuously of the consequence of our actions. Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. Turn to God, turn away from sin; turn your heart towards Christ. All of your past sins are washed away in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, and you will gain eternal paradise; not the wrath of God on the sons of disobedience.

 
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Posted by on August 31, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Thankfullness

15 Jul

Thankfullness

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

This morning I woke up with a heart full of thanks for the great day with friends yesterday God had blessed me with. I began to think of how could I write about being thankful to God. How could I possibly sum up “Thankfulness” in a OneMinuteMinsitry?

Everything you have is a gift from God. In that simple sentence, the breath you take, the eyes you read with, the mind you comprehend with, the place you are at, the sun that arose to give you the day, the luxuries that surround you…………should I keep going? My mind started to bend in trying to simplify something so complex, yet so simple. Every single thing in your life was filtered through Gods hands to draw you closer to him. It is that simple.

Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. David wrote most of the Psalms, and poured his heart out to God many times when he did not understand why he was facing the trials he was, yet he understood to give thanks for them for they served God’s purpose. “Give thanks” is found 26 times in the Psalms. Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. The Apostle Paul was speaking to unity in the church and of how we are to be filled with God’s love and that breeds a heart full of thanksgiving.

A prideful heart will not breed thanksgiving. A humble heart will breed thanksgiving with the realization of everything comes from above. James 1:7 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Stop, drop, and pray a prayer of thanksgiving today.

 
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Posted by on July 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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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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Pursuits

06 Feb

We ain’t perfect, we all sin, and we all wanna be a better person. We all try to do our best, but sometimes the world grabs a hold of us, and drags us back down. But even when all of that is going on, where is our focus? How do we conduct ourselves on a daily basis? Do you realize that your actions every day reflect how others may view Christ? If you profess yourself a Christian, and can make a sailor blush, or compromise your integrity whenever it benefits you, how does that make others view Christ? How do you think it makes Christ feel? He is living inside you, and wrenching at your gut when those things happen. The immediate satisfactions passes, and you realize what you have done…….that is called desires of the flesh.

 

 

Pursuits

Romans 8:13     For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Life here on earth is not eternal. Our flesh here was condemned by sin, and therefore will return to the dust from which it was created. But deep inside us lives our soul, where true life exists. Our soul was designed for eternity, and that is how we must invest our time here, in preparation for eternity. If we continue to live in pursuits of the things that only satisfy our fleshly lusts, we are not feeding the Spirit that dwell inside us. Verse 13 is speaking of death and life for eternity.

In the book of Colossians 3:5-10, it speaks of the these types of deeds that drag us away from Christ. The earthly desires that may deceivingly promise satisfaction. But when the Spirit resides in you, these earthly pursuits grieve the Spirit, and that is the conviction of sin that you feel. Romans 8:8,9 says So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Only God can change you from the inside out by His Spirit, that you receive when you accept Christ. You will begin to see things from a different perspective, and that perspective is now living inside you.

 
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Posted by on February 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Stuff or Tresures? 01/23/12

26 Jan
I really don’t know how I ended up in Ecclesiastes this morning, but it sure is a book relevant to the day in which we live. A book written over 2000 years ago, and yet this society today that breeds the pursuit of possessions is straight out of the Old Testament. I was just as guilty as the next guy a few years ago. I mean I had the idea the one who died with the most toys wins right? Over the past couple of years, through some real hard realities in the areas of finances, I have come to realize how much stuff meant to me. But as a result of those trials, I have also realized how little they mean to me. I still have some toys, but a LOT less stuff, and the importance I place on it is MUCH less. My boys just can’t understand how I sell everything. I have told them everything but them and their mom is always for sale…..it’s just stuff.

Stuff or Treasures?

Ecclesiastes 1:14     I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

We all must work. We are even called to dedicate and perform that work to the Lord. “Whatever you do, do it with all your heart as working for the Lord, and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23). We all labor to provide for ourselves and our families, and for things we desire. But somewhere in us  is that desire for always more. The wants, far outweigh the needs, and we find ourselves in constant pursuit of “stuff”. The world we live in teaches us that more stuff brings happiness, joy, and success. All we have to do is put our minds to the task, and we shall succeed. If not, there will be a program to help you fix what you are doing wrong.

That is not what Christ teaches. Place your treasure and focus on things to come in Heaven. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:34) If we are in constant pursuit of worldly possessions, our heart will not be in constant pursuit of Christ. We cannot serve two masters, God and money. Work diligently as you are working for God, but use those resources He has given you to focus on Him. You can make a difference in where you work every day, in the kingdom of God for eternity.

 
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Posted by on January 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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