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A glimpse

05 Sep

A glimpse

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.

“And he saw…..” The Lord gave Elisha’s servant a glimpse into a spiritual world that surrounds us every day, and very few have ever seen. The king of Syria had sent a great army after Elisha, but God had sent a greater army to protect him. Elisha was a man of great faith, and God used him in powerful ways throughout his life as Elijah’s successor. The servant in this story was about to hit the panic button when one of life’s situations came at him. He did not know which way to turn, but Elisha simply told him to look up; to focus on where his faith lied and the understanding that God was always in control.

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. We all get so wrapped up in our own little worlds and our focus of things in our daily lives. We have families, careers, desires, and the list could go on and on. The world through stresses and strains almost daily tries to us to drag our attention away, or to even readjust our focus to another. But all the strains of life will either take us simply one direction or the other. We will be pulled down into those anxieties of this world, or we will look up to our Lord for the strength He and His army provide. Can you imagine Elisha’s servant’s immediate leap of faith with that glimpse?

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. I openly battle anxiety and everything that comes with it. I return to God’s Word and prayer daily for the strength He provides through them. It is only through these things that I gain the strength and the faith to fight this war that I cannot see. I am not worthy to even be considered for the tasks my Lord may place before me; but as a soldier for Christ I am only to obey and to rest in the faith He is sovereign, and in complete control. The faith that Elisha’s servant, and even Elisha had is available to us. It will only come with a heart consistently looking upward, and not being dragged downward to the strains that lie before us.

 
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Posted by on September 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Needing to know

25 Aug

Needing to know

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I sat out in the cool morning air in the peace of a quiet early Saturday morning and talked to God. I was praying about “needing to know” on many things, and one really big thing. I guess I was wanting the stars to align in my own personal billboard message from God. I came in and researched “need to know” in the Bible and came upon the scriptures above. Paul was speaking of contentment wherever Christ had him for the day. There comes a point in your growth that you begin to understand those scriptures and God’s Sovereignty, or control over your life.

But there is also moving to the next steps in obedience, or acts of faith in doing so. Oswald Chambers ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ spoke directly to it this morning. “We never know the joy of self-sacrifice until we abandon in every particular. Self-surrender is the most difficult thing – I will if…I Oh, well, I suppose I must devote my life to God. There is none of the joy of self-sacrifice in that.” Christ speaks of those sacrifices and steps of faith repeatedly in the Gospels. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Deny yourself simply means putting Christ first. First in all things, period. Our selfish, sinful nature constantly battles with these things.

I am a ‘thinker/planner’ and have repeatedly been accused of ‘thinking things to death’. As part of the management of a company, it is my responsibility to think steps ahead, and to be planning for those steps to come. Christ calls us to release that planning and control to Him in the denying of ourselves as in Matthew 16. Chambers speaks of the joy, or lack thereof in that abandonment. If you too are struggling in areas of your life, and ‘needing to know’, you must seek God and His Word for the answers, or you may be leaning on your own understanding; far inferior to the Creator and Sovereign ruler of the universe and your life.

 
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Posted by on August 25, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Will ya?

19 Aug

Will ya?

Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

I cannot accurately tell you the peace I have in this chair early every morning. Of how God meets me here, and we spend time together in His Word and in prayer. Of how He never fails me, always there waiting on me to draw near to Him. I can tell you the days I miss it, are incomplete. That word is a very simple summary; somethings missing and I feel it all day. We just returned from a great vacation, but this time was sporadic, and the enemy took every opportunity to make it difficult, or even almost impossible to be honest. I felt the world creeping in.

I bet you have a daily routine. The alarm clock,  breakfast, and most likely the news in some way. Out the door to face the world you go with all the pain of society placed in your mind first by either the newspaper or a local media. Your mind has been dulled to the things of God in less than an hour from getting out of bed. Christ spoke of this in His ministry fulfilling a prophecy of Isaiah. Matthew 13:15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’  Christ is speaking of those who cannot hear Him due to their attention to things of this world and closing their minds to the things of God. Matthew Henry says of that heart; “denotes sensuality and senselessness.”

Would you pursue a routine, that will become a habit, that will move to a labor of love? Will you make the conscious effort to pray for the strength to change how you start your day? That change will be more than just the removal of the evil, but the injection of the love in it’s place. The time spent with God alone first thing every day will give you a different outlook on the day, and an awareness of Him around you that you have never noticed before. God has given you free will. What will you do with it? “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God…..” Matthew 6:33

 
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Posted by on August 19, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Your Fruit Basket

12 Aug

Your Fruit Basket

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

I spent the afternoon yesterday with a friend who is living out his life for Christ. I wish we had gotten to know each other better before he left Huntersville, but it is so awesome to see and hear how God has and is working in his life. He lived for the world many years, made lots of money and had lots of stuff, but God took it all away. He now sees Gods work in it, and is using his life in seminary and missions to draw glory to God. David you are a true disciple of Christ, and a huge encouragement to me. You get it.

I have been spending much time in study of John 15 and how we are to bear the fruit of the true vine. We are to be so close to Christ, that He gives us the sap of life from His vine, and we bear the fruit of our lives through it. That fruit is how you live your life every day; your witness as a professing Christian. David poured out bushels of fruit in my living room floor. A true believer will abide in the true vine, and as a result any true believer will produce fruit. John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. Are you a true believer if you are not producing fruit?

Some of the scariest words in the bible are found in Matthew 7. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ What have you done with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the savior of your soul, in your life. Has Is there evidence of Him in your life (fruit)? Is this the question God will ask of you on judgement day? Most likely so. Make today a day of seeking His Will, His guidance, and your heart for seeking Him with all of it. Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. When you truly do these things, your basket will be poured out and refilled by Him daily. Their WILL be fruit in your life.

 
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Posted by on August 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Can’t find the words

10 Aug

Can’t find the words

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

I overslept this morning. As usual my mind starts to hammer me with the “to do” lists of the day. Of the importance of things and how it will effect the entire day. Satan loves days like this where he thinks he can grab ahold and run with it, keeping your focus from God. If you let him, he will, and your day will go downhill most likely from there. Stop and take time to pray, and hopefully get into the word for if nothing else, a daily scripture to focus and hang onto when Satan attacks.

As I began to pray, those thoughts flooded, and I struggled with prayer. I have always struggled with praying for myself, and I rely on knowing there are those close to me that are speaking my name before our Lord. Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. There is strength that lies in being open with a circle of brothers and sisters in Christ that pray for each other. We all have our struggles, and sharing those struggles of life is a way you feel God work in your life, knowing you have people praying for you. Christianity is not a solo sport, it is a way to do life together, with prayer for each other a central theme.

In most all of the apostle Paul’s letters, he began them by letting the recipient know that he had been praying for them. This is always a huge encouragement to them. The greatest encourager is Christ’s Spirit living inside of you, interceding for you in prayer before God as in Romans 8:26 above. There is a divine communication existing in a realm you cannot see between the Father and the Spirit inside of you. Romans 8:27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. On those days when you just can’t seem to pray, make it a simple pray of thanksgiving. You can be thankful for the Spirit that is taking care of it for you, and hopefully those brothers and sisters you have confided in are petitioning God on your behalf.

 
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Posted by on August 10, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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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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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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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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