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Early morning peace

18 Jun

Early morning peace

Matthew 6:6-7   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. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

As I sat down here early this morning mentally and physically tired from a long week in many ways, I felt peace in my secret place. I always start my day in a dark room in prayer with only the first light of morn creeping in. Some mornings like today, I search for what to say, even stumbling through my quiet time. Satan can creep in our thoughts even in those times of prayer with feelings of inability or inadequacy. But that is Satan, and God knows your thoughts even before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8 Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. God just wants you to honor and seek Him daily; that relationship is what He created you for.

The busyness of the world rises with the sun, and the peace of the world flees. Gathering your thoughts in time with God in prayer and His Word will prepare you for the day greater than anything else. It is your personal alone time with God, reading His love letter to you, and praying for His guidance for the day to come. Even when we don’t know what to say, the Holy Spirit inside us communicates as our liaison. 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.

This practice of early morning devotion will change your life as nothing else can promise or deliver. Time alone in a secret place with God and His Word will prepare you for the day and the troubles of the day that lie ahead. Following the principle of Matthew 6:33 (Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you) will seem to allow all of the other things of life to fall into place. If you seek God and the things of God first, what you placed before God will seen to have less value, and the lens by which you view them will be filtered and focus changed.

 
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Posted by on June 18, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Boldly proclaiming

13 Jun

Boldly proclaiming

Mark 8:38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Yesterday two of my closest friends, men that God has placed in my life to influence me, came to the hospital to pray with my family. In my pride I didn’t want them to; I knew how busy they were and I didn’t want to trouble them.  Satan entered my mind with those thoughts. Both of them have followed their hearts  and have become pastors and great men of faith, setting a great example for many to follow. God has used them together and in unique ways in my life. We laughed and shared and learned together about my family history things I did not know. But when it came time, they were obedient to the reason they came; to pray.

I cannot express the gratitude or the feeling of my entire family holding hands together while they prayed for us aloud in that waiting room. What a powerful experience full of emotion, yet one not so long ago I could not have imagined. I experienced this the first time only a few years back with one of them in the waiting room while his wife had brain surgery. As they prayed the prayers even shifted to those in the room witnessing this prayer, boldly proclaiming God and Jesus Christ before them. God was using this scenario, and these men to proclaim Himself to those witnessing this.

Our world now is far from God and needs more people to boldly proclaim their faith in Christ. If you feel that tug to share your faith, and you deny it from fear, you are holding back His Spirit that lies within you. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. God can be using you to give that person before you just the encouraging word they needed to hear. You could be denying them a direct blessing from God; and even yourself at the realization of Him using you. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

 
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Posted by on June 13, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Spinal Prayer

12 Jun

Spinal Prayer

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.

My dad is having hip replacement surgery today which is a pretty big deal to him and all of us. Any surgery at any age always involves risks, but the older we get the higher the risks become. I ask for your prayers for the physicians hands to be guided by their abilities provided by God, and for them to rest on that understanding.

Although nervous, Dad will be at peace. He knows that whatever may come of this his eternal future is secure and that God has a plan in all of this. We all deal with trials and tribulations in life, and how we view them depends upon our faith. We can either see them as the “why me?”, or the “how God?”. God many times in His sovereignty will place our paths down the suffering road of life for His greater purposes. He grows our faith, strengthens our hope, and encourages those around us in our reflections of it. Romans 5:3-4  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. How God can I glorify you in the middle of this trial I must endure?

Pray is the spine of enduring these trials of life. When you have nowhere to lean, lean on God. Is it possible that He knows that this is the way to draw you closer to Him? Is is possible that He knows your faith is strong and you will encourage others in how you handle the same things they do but under the shield of faith? All things that we endure can draw glory to Him, and all these things have passed through the Gods hands. Remember the story of Job, and of how Satan was allowed to test him; but all the while God knew His great faith, and the powerful testimony and blessings that came as a result of it. Pray to be that vessel in all things to draw glory to Him.

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Veils

04 Jun

Veils

Exodus 34:29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.

Today is a little different for my mind is still fascinated by the time in study last night. I am not sure I am prepared to try and wrap it into a OneMinuteMinistry.

Moses had returned to Mt. Sinai to meet with God again alone. He had come down from His first meeting and found Israel worshiping an idol and had lost his temper. He had returned to meet with God on the mountain and he pleaded with God to see Him. God granted his request, but would not let Moses see His face. When Moses came down from the mountain and spoke to his people his face glowed from being in God’s presence. There is so much to unpack in that statement alone. But Moses did not know His face shown until later and he took a veil and covered his face. Each time afterwards he returned from meeting the Lord he veiled his face so that the children of Israel could not see how fast it faded away. 2 Corinthians 3:13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. That fading away quickly is still heavy on my mind.

In further study this morning in 2 Corinthians 3, it speaks of the veil being removed through Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:16-17 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Paul is speaking of the differences in the Law of the Old Testament, and the Liberty that is found in Christ. Matthew Henry wrote, “Or, when any particular person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away; the blindness of the mind, and the hardness of the heart, are cured. 2. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is much more happy. For, (1.) They have liberty: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, and where he worketh, as he does under the gospel-dispensation, there is liberty (v. 17), freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God’s commandments.”

I was talking with my best friend about the differences in the lives of Christians before and after Christ, and the strains of living a Godly life before He came for our Salvation. What is available today through the acceptance of Him is a privilege that will remove the veil from your eyes and heart, and allow you to see God too.

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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My anchor in His Word

30 May

My anchor in His Word

Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil

I have had some interesting conversations over the last week, much on which was faith. Have you ever considered that You Are What You Believe? In that little statement your entire life is woven. It will lead you down paths consciously and unknowingly. It will lead your decisions. It will lead you either closer to; or tug you away from God. God has designed ‘need’ into our DNA to draw us to Him. If pride is so strong in you you have no need, my prayer is those walls crumble down. As a Christian we are to have the ‘need’ or hope of eternal paradise in heaven, which draws us to Him. Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. This righteousness that Paul is speaking of is the freedom from sin and coming into the presence of the Lord. When the Spirit dwells inside us, this yearning comes from the Spirit and grows with our relationship to Him.

Remember “doubting Thomas” who would not believe until he saw with his own eyes that Christ had risen? John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This is a great encouragement to those of us who believe yet have not seen. That faith in which we stand is built on the belief and hope of what God has given us in His Word. The more time you spend in God’s Word the stronger your faith will become. Your hope is strengthened when God begins to reveal Himself through the Truths found in His Word. Your faith can grow from experiences of where you have seen God work in your life, but nothing can take the place of experiencing God speak to you in His Word. The measure of the time spent there is easily related to the depth of what you  believe, and how great your faith is.

 
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Posted by on May 30, 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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Your investment in your kiddo’s

21 May

Your investment in your kiddo’s

Deuteronomy 6:2,6-7 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

My life has changed a lot since Dana lost her job a few weeks back. I had settled into patterns with my boys, and spending quality time with them in the Bible. Now I am back to workaholic mode with the start of the cooling season and the additional responsibility of the sole provider. This weekend my 5yr old Dalton was talking about heaven and it has struck me this morning of how I must return to investing that time with them. Nothing in life is as important that how you raise your children, and we must strive to teach our children Deut.6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. We cannot do that in only words for they will see right through us, but it is how we live it out. Do we hurriedly go to church on Sunday, only to live for the world without Christ six other days a week? That is teaching them Salvation by works, and that is a pathway to hell.

Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. As a dad I know the power of my words to my boys. I know how I can tear down in a simple sentence saying the wrong thing to a child. I know with my temper that my speech can cut like a sword. I thank God that He has been doing great works in helping me with my temper and speech. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. The more time you spend with God, the easier it will be to teach your children the ways of God. You will naturally become more like Christ and your spirit will reflect Him to your children. You cannot teach your children what you do not already know yourself. Seek Christ diligently like you never have before, for those you will leave behind are your greatest investment.

 
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Posted by on May 21, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Flee to……

19 May

Flee to……

Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

I pulled an overslept card this morning and got about an extra hours rest. I awoke this morning thinking about two friends specifically and what they are going through. One is going through issues with aging parents, the other with direct illness. Both situations are very hard real life circumstances that they are facing, and they are leaning on God and those praying for them for strength. I received a heart felt email thanking those who were lifting them up in prayer. In a conversation last night the term “stressed but bathed in prayer” was spoken. Those carry a lot of weight, for their strength is found in our Lord and knowing those close to them are praying for them when they need it most. Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

When these real life real hard struggles come and you are squeezed, what comes out? What do you flee to? You will flee to something and hopefully it is God. Once you realize your true needs can only be met by the strength in Him, there comes an inner strength and peace. Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. There is a peace in eternal security that cannot be compared to anything hear that is truly temporary. Temporary does not bring peace, for at some time the temporary will flee also. Inner strength is found in eternal strength, and eternal strength is found only in Christ. That strength is available to you when you realize your need for it, humble yourself and ask for it. That strength will never flee….NEVER.

 
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Posted by on May 19, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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On Track

17 May

On Track

2 Timothy 2:3-4   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.

If we are not to become side-tracked, then are we able to say we are focused? If we are focused we should have a sole purpose, a goal we are trying to attain. If we are focused on that goal, anything that doesn’t pertain or help us accomplish that goal is a deterrent and side tracks us from stepping closer. The apostle Paul writes much in analogies of the focus of our Christian life using many metaphors. The verse above is the relationship of a soldier to his commander and the focus it demands. So much of our Christian life is warfare and our enemy provides all the distractions here to draw our focus away from Christ.

Our focus could be a measurement of our faith. Our faith is the hope of things unseen, and the enemy desires to draw our focus away with things we can see, and even feel we can attain. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Paul was spending much time encouraging Timothy in his faith, for Paul knew he was surrounded by those who could deter, or side track him from his faith and purpose. 2 Timothy 3:10-11 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra–what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. The ability to remain focused, the ability to have great faith, is gained through time spent with God in His Word and prayer. These daily times of preparation allow you to remain focused, to strengthen your faith, and to remain on track with the sole purpose you have for the day. Your sole purpose for the day is wherever Christ has you at that time; to represent Him and reflect Him to those surrounding you. That is where you show the great faith that you possess in your Risen Savior and your ability to share Christ with others.

 
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Posted by on May 17, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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