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Side Tracked

16 May

Side Tracked

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I was reading this morning in 2 Timothy and feeling the weight of school. Yesterday was rough at work and left me physically and even mentally drained. I came home exhausted and unable to do homework. Satan smiled at the distraction. In these versed above Paul is encouraging Timothy to keep his focus on the things of God and His Word. It is the only time in the New Testament that “rightly divided” is used and which means to ‘cut straight’. A straight path has no distractions that tug it off course. We all learned early in school that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and our course with God should keep that principle also.

How do we go about the keeping the straight course and our focus on God? Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. If we truly begin to seek God with all our heart, soul, and strength; keeping the straight course will naturally come. With a true heart for God comes a desire to follow His Will, and remain on that path. Satan will provide all the distractions in many forms along the way, but a heart truly seeking God in everything will discern those distractions. Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. That straight line to follow God may take you through many trials in your life that you would have never taken on your own. You would have taken the side track and possibly gotten off course, and missed the blessing God had planned for you if you remained focused on Him.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. This verse is a lifestyle of focusing on God and keeping the course.

 
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Posted by on May 16, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Consistency

15 May

Consistency

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.

As I struggled yesterday with the anxiety of the start of school, I was reminded of “pray without ceasing” from 1Thessalonians 17. I have written many times of my battles with anxiety and I have come to label it my “thorn in the flesh”; for it only seemed to rear it’s head upon truly seeking God a few years back. I accept that and in those struggles where Satan torments me, it truly draws me closer to God. When you are facing struggles you will not remain idle, but deal with them likely in two ways. Satan desires for you to flee from God and handle them on your own however you choose. God’s desire through them is for you to see His provision and Sovereignty through and on the other side of the struggle. You either run or you draw near.

There comes a point in any struggle where we likely want to throw our hands up in the air and give up. At that breaking point is a key point in your life and your walk with Christ. It is at that point that you let go of that pride you are resting on of handling it yourself. That pride is rooted in fear of the unknown, and Satan uses that fear and doubt as a powerful weapon. But in contrast if we realize that “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7); we can go to God in prayer and His Word for strength to fight that demon of fear. This war is not fought once; but one that is a daily battle for many of us in many areas. The praying without ceasing is the key to overcoming what your struggle is. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Pride is not found in that scripture; but a submissive heart for the will of God to handle what we cannot. Throw your hands up today and give your struggles to God in prayer. He is waiting to carry them for you as many of us have seen.

http://llerrah.com/footprints.htm

 
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Posted by on May 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Knowing?

14 May

Knowing?

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned..

This morning I was in John 3, reading of Nicodemus coming to Christ with his inquiring mind. I had awoke this morning and though of writing of a “New Day”, for what today represents in my life starting this new chapter. As I searched scripture, I ended up spending more time where I left off in John 3. Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews and had investigated John the Baptist and Christ in their legal system. Yet he could not understand what he heard. Even today as an outsider looking into Christianity, the comprehension is not there. The understanding of Spiritual things is a Spiritual gift received upon Salvation when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside you.  1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Do you want to understand? Does something inside your soul yearn to know more, and even understand your Bible, and the things you hear those who profess Christ speak of? 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. That we might KNOW the things; that it is a free gift available to you also. All of these things are available to you, but only through Christ. Christ was telling Nicodemus of how his desire to adhere to the law wasn’t going to save him. He was telling Nicodemus how to be saved. John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
The realization and repentance of your sin is the first step to understanding the things of God. The Spirit that will reside in you as a result of Salvation will bring to light many of the questions you have, for that Spirit that will reside in you is the Spirit of Christ.

 
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Posted by on May 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Proverbs 31 Mom’s

14 May

Today if you didn’t see on FB, I lost almost and entire devotional when my computer battery died while working on this about 6am at the beach. It was the straw that about broke me with IT, and that Dell almost found out how deep the sea was. I have tried to remember, but only got close I think. I was just trying to thank my mom and my wife for all they do for me. I know it is late, but Happy Mother’s Day to all of you mom’s out there!

 

 

Proverbs 31 Mom’s

Ephesians 6:1-4   Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Honoring our parents is so important in Gods eyes that it made the Ten Commandments. If it made God’s Top Ten list, we should understand how important it is, but nevertheless it is even followed by a promise of a long good life as in Deuteronomy 5:16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you. That may be in this life or the life thereafter in eternal paradise. The Bible is full of God speaking of the blessings of generations. Are not your parents worthy of such respect if they are striving to raise you in a Godly home?

Today is Mothers Day and I struggled on where to go until I remembered Proverbs 31 ministries Dana is so fond of. Proverbs 31 is almost unattainable, yet I see it in both my mother, and my wife. They have and are much more of a Proverbs 31 woman than in humility they will admit. Today it is with honor to my mother, and my wife I say humbly thank you for all you do for Him, and for us. I love you both.

Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

 
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Posted by on May 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Please……

09 May

PLEASE……

John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

I awoke this morning with the service call I shared on Twitter & Facebook still fresh in my mind. I came the closet I have ever been to being killed at work. Only by God’s grace was I not electrocuted. I really can’t accurately express how close it was. Here is a link and a little more background:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1461145004

My heart just aches from the reality of how I was for many years. Of telling my parents I would “come to Jesus” when I was ready, when I was done living my life as I wanted to – partying and seeking all the pleasures of this world. If this event happened not so long ago and I was electrocuted; I would have ended up in Hell paying for my decision for an eternity. Do you truly think you are promised tomorrow, or even your next breath? James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. That day could be very soon, or even today.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” There is much more to life than your temporal time here. This time in your life is preparation for your eternal life and how you will spend it. There is no attainable pleasure this world can offer that can compare to the glory of Heaven. Streets paved of gold and mansions built for you by Christ! My heart aches for those of you who may be like I was chasing those temporary pleasures of this world; and yet they always seen just out of reach and driving us to seek the next one. There is another life through Christ that will give you what you can never obtain here, and He is within your grasp. Humble yourself and truly seek the One who came and paid your eternal debt through His blood, and has provided you a way to Heaven and the Kingdom of eternal paradise. It is never too late, until it is. Make today the best day of the rest of your life for eternity. Please……..

 
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Posted by on May 9, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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No doubt!

08 May

No doubt!

Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

How do you know, that you know, that you really know you are saved? If you have repented of your sins, asked Christ for His forgiveness of them, and for Him to be the Lord of your life, you are now a child of His and eternally secure. Has your life changed as a result? Did you immediately return to sin or have the desire to change? That desire to change inside you is His Spirit that wants to live a life glorifying God, not in rebellion any longer. The doubt that you are feeling is from Satan. The more time you spend with God in prayer and His Word, the stronger your assurance is of your Salvation. If you continually seek God and the things of God, you will attain the peace of God and the assurance is a by-product. This assurance if a promise from God – Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

This below is from a resource at GotQuestions.org that was so good I had to include it here.

Question: “How can I have assurance of my salvation?”

Answer: How can you know for sure if you are saved? Consider 1 John 5:11-13: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Who is it that has the Son? It is those who have believed in Him and accepted Him (John 1:12). If you have Jesus, you have life. Not temporary life, but eternal.

God wants us to have assurance of our salvation. We cannot live our Christian lives wondering and worrying each day whether or not we are truly saved. That is why the Bible makes the plan of salvation so clear. Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior, that He died to pay the penalty for your sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)? Are you trusting Him alone for salvation? If your answer is yes, you are saved! Assurance means “having been put beyond all doubt.” By taking God’s Word to heart, you can “put beyond all doubt” the fact and reality of your eternal salvation.

Jesus Himself affirms this regarding those who have believed in Him: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). Eternal life is just that—eternal. There is no one, not even yourself, who can take Christ’s God-given gift of salvation away from you.

We hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11), and this includes the sin of doubt. Take joy in what God’s Word is saying to you, that instead of doubting we can live with confidence! We can have the assurance from Christ’s own Word that our salvation will never be in question. Our assurance is based on God’s love for us through Jesus Christ.

 
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Posted by on May 8, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Who is He?

07 May

This morning in prayer I just could not get the gospel of John out of my head. I was praying of thanksgiving mainly while on my front porch enjoying the stillness and the peacefulness of the early morning. I love John’s gospel and I was unclear why it felt so heavy on my heart. I have spoken much recently of Salvation, and the ideas of grace and works, but God was clearly pointing me to John. If your heart is being stirred by God, you need a better understanding of Who is doing the stirring. You need a better understanding of Christ, and the assurance that God came to earth to save your soul. If He had not, there would have been no choice for you, you would have died in your sin and gone to Hell. John presents the facts, and John presents the answers to show you the way from damnation to eternal paradise by the Way of the blood of Jesus Christ who came to redeem the world.

 

 

Who is He?

John 1:1-2  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

I love how my study Bible puts in the forward of John “Read This First”. The gospel of John clearly states how to find eternal life and presents a powerful presentation of the facts of Christ as the Son of God. John 20:30-31 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. If you are a person looking for answers, or better yet the evidence of Christ, the gospel of John is the place to find them and Him. John presents his gospel much like the evidence you might find in a court of law.

John presents seven of  Christ’s “I Am” statements in his gospel. He even shows the relationship of what I believe is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible when God spoke to Moses at the burning bush. Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “ Christ was being questioned by the Jewish leaders and He showed them His deity by speaking of Abraham; who they all held in high regard of his great faith. But Christ was speaking of being with Abraham, claiming to be God. John 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

Do you want to find out and know more about Christ? Are you willing to have an open heart and accept what you find? Pray for God to open your eyes and your heart and try spending some time reading it. I pray somewhere in there, your heart is stirred, your eyes opened, and your soul saved for eternity.

 
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Posted by on May 7, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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One Way

06 May

One Way

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.

Christ was with His disciples at the last supper and speaking of the future events about to begin to take place. He spoke of going to Heaven and the mansions built there for us. He spoke of returning to get us. Thomas had asked how to get there and John 14:6 above was Christ’s answer to his question. The disciples had been with Jesus, yet at so many times it seemed as though they just didn’t ‘get it’. But yet after Christ arose and the gift of the Holy Spirit came to us, the wisdom and understanding did also. This gift, this wisdom the Spirit brings only comes with humility of accepting Christ. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

When God is pursuing you, the weight of your sin begins to weigh upon your soul. Many times we try to improve ourselves by changing our ways, living a better life. Although the idea and results may be good by our actions, they do not lead to eternal rewards. This feeling better about yourself is from Satan, for it is a works based faith alone. But when you feel that depravity or weight of sin, you can turn to God. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. The desire you have to live a better life not only here, but for eternity, was placed in you upon Creation. But the was is stated in John 14: 6 and Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them. You can change nothing in your life until you accept that true change only comes through accepting Christ. Pray and repent, accept Him into your heart, and rest on the assurance of Salvation as a free gift of God for eternal paradise. It will be the best day of the rest of your life.

Here is a great link to a short detailed explanation of the Gospel:

http://www.gotquestions.org/true-gospel.html

 

 

 
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Posted by on May 6, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Cause & Effect

05 May

Cause & Effect

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

When from deep within you begin to realize your sin, your depravity, your desire to know God and live for Him, your life changes. The Gospel teaches us that the first step into that change is the realization of that sin, and the acceptance of the free Grace that God has provided through His Son, and the desire to live for Him. Once you accept Christ as the Redeemer of your soul, your faith in Him has assured your Salvation. It is by no work or good deed that you can accomplish, it is only through that humble realization of your sin, and the debt Christ has paid for you. You now are truly seen “not guilty”, or justified in the eyes of God who demands perfection. Romans 3:27-28  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

True faith should and will produce good works. They go hand in hand, but the works are not the key to Salvation. The works are the product of Salvation and the proof of Christ that resides in you. Luke 6:43-44  “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. James 2 speaks of these works that are a product of the great faith that resides in us. James is speaking of how they prove our faith, but we are not justified by them. James 2:22 speaks of “works faith made perfect” and this is where James is speaking of mature and complete faith. The closer you draw to God, the stronger your faith becomes, and many times even unknowingly, you are producing good works that are evident to those around you. These works are the proof or maturity of your faith in the One whom saved your soul.

 
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Posted by on May 5, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Works based Faith vs. Faith based Works

04 May

Works based Faith vs. Faith based Works

Hebrew 6:10-12    For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

I came upon this scripture a few days ago, and it has taken me down many roads of study. At first I was thankful for the encouragement that it gave me for my “labor of love.” But as a read of how Paul was writing to argue against apostasy (the falling away of religion or belief in Christ), I have seen God take me elsewhere. As a Christian we are called to obey the commands of God. The spine is the Ten Commandments (The Law), and we are bound with faith, hope, and love as Paul preaches much. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father. The desire to attain the law is a labor of love from deep within our soul. We cannot obtain to perfection the Law directs, but we can reside in the Grace that God has provided through the acceptance of Salvation through Christ.

Do you believe that your good deeds or even the denial of certain sins will attain you a key to Heaven? Do you believe that “at least I don’t do that”; or repentance of that earns your way into heaven? Your faith cannot reside in your works alone to earn your way into heaven. James 2:17-18 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. The Gospel teaches that the only way into Heaven is the repentance of sin, the acceptance of Christ as the only way, and the desire to let Him lead your life. This life will produce change, and that desire will produce good works by which others will see your faith. The works are simply living a life of following Gods Will and directions for your life. The commands of God are revealed to you in His Word and prayer. These produce the good works, strengthen your faith, and give you the perseverance to endure. This circle of life begins at Salvation and lasts an eternity.

 
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Posted by on May 4, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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