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Transformed

12 Jul

Transformed

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I have been spending some time in Romans, yesterday coming to this chapter that defines the Christian life and how to live it. Paul presents the summary of how we are to live our lives in just two short sentences; sacrificial love focused only on the One who provides eternal life. Yesterday seemed to bring an internal challenge of a life focused on the present, the problems of the day. Anxiety crept in late in the day, but a late night sermon and focus fought away that demon and rest was gained. This morning the problems of the day loom early, the demon of anxiety tries to awake; the demon tugs to focus on the things of this world and to steal my joy from the day. My mind races at 100mph in these early hours; a war between my ears of good and evil. I have come to expect and accept these battles at times like these; it lets me know I am in the center of God’s Will for me and my life in His Word and this keyboard. All my struggles can be used for good; God can take that which Satan means to draw my eyes away from Him, and draw me closer to Him. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Anything that I openly endure, can all be used to show you God’s mercy, grace, love, and provision for whatever I face. These bouts of anxiety and sometimes depression can all be used to point you to God; to show you how He gives me what I need in all of it. Suffering is only for a minute, and paradise is eternal.

All that I humbly do before you is to attest to the power of a changed life by seeking God every day in His Word and prayer. I lived the life in pursuit of all the lusts of the world for many years. I pursued anything and everything and idolized many things. I lived my life for the moment and the pleasures found in it. God was always a future plan I thought I had, on my timetable. My world changed with a great church and the realization of my sin. The sanctification process began in me, and my life truly changed when I began to read God’s Word every day. I lived my life in pursuit of Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. With that daily pursuit of Him first; arising early, and in prayer and His Word will change you. He will begin to reveal Himself to you like never before. All that you seek will be answered by the One who has all the answers. The renewing of your mind is found in  The Word. The key to a life that is not conformed to the world, is found in the Word. A genuine, humble heart that seeks God will find Him there, and come to understand more of Him there, and come to live their lives in pursuit of more of Him there

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Posted by on July 12, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Get back up

16 Jun

Get back up

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Satan loves to find that which troubles us and press us there. He works his evil by continuing to strike us where is hurts. I could go down three or four roads where I am taking his blows right now. All of them hurt, and he seeks to take my eyes off Christ and concentrate on the pain. He wants me to lash out at God with the “why me”; or the anger that comes in it. He wants me to rebel against God and all that He has planned for me. Satan wants me to concentrate on the temporal situations, and not the eternal solution. God is allowing these trials to show me his work in them. I am so tired; mentally and physically in so many ways. I feel like the prize fighter who is entering the 12th round, battered and bruised but determined to win the fight.

I understand how lucky I am in so many ways compared to most. I know the blessings I have outweigh those that have not so much. I know that my troubles seem small to so many that face real struggles. I know that Satan is just as good at striking you as he is me. Paul was one who suffered immeasurably for Christ; yet through all of it he gave us most of the New Testament. When Ananias was called by God to go see Paul, the Lord told him the plans he had for Paul. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Sometimes when I look at my life before Christ, I feel that I too should have to suffer for His name.

So much I read talks about suffering for Christ. Are you willing to suffer for Him? Are you wanting the life of ease and the blessings that all these false prophets preach today? Are you truly swept away by their feel good gospel that never talks of suffering? Do you believe that Christ paid the ultimate price for you to have everything you wanted on this temporal earth that Satan rules? Don’t you think that He is more concerned with your eternal destiny, than at best a 100 years here? Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.

 
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Posted by on June 16, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Elected should obey

26 Apr

Elected should obey

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Paul in the scriptures prior to this had touched on the topic of predestination; in its simplest form the idea that God knows who is, and is not, going to be a child of His. Those that the Spirit tugs upon their hearts, and they respond to His calling, are all known by God outside the sphere of time. It is impossible for us to understand the idea of foreknowledge, for our entire lives are centered around time. But if you can grasp with a  humble heart in the recognition of being a chosen child of His, you can grasp the understanding of the security of a hope that grows in that knowledge. You are one of the elected by God, and you hold His promises of eternity.

I am in the final days of the biggest act of obedience in my life; putting our home up for sale. God laid it on my heart three times, the first two I denied, the last I could not. The only thing that even came close was downsizing my business in the midst of a booming economy. It is a very scary thing to lead my family out into the unknown, but I know God is telling me to. I know God laid it on my heart, yet in these closing days my enemy is hammering me in doubt and fear. Satan is the king of deception, and the father of lies, and he comes to try and get you to take your eyes off God; to stop these acts that draw you closer to Him. But in these trying days with a heart that seeks Him continually, my faith grows. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It is in my daily growing relationship that I know He has a plan for me; I know Whom is the still small voice I am listening to. It is through daily time in prayer and His Word that these things are found.

Paul continues in Romans 8 with a beautiful summary of Gods love in 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Are you living your life in the understanding that you are one of the “elect”? Are you living your life with the understanding that no-matter how hard it may get here, that you will live in paradise for eternity with the One whom elected you? Or are you letting that evil one plant fears and doubts keeping you from obeying what God has laid on your heart? That is most likely keeping your eyes from being opened to another realm of what God has in store for you. Being an elected child of God, is being an obedient disciple to what He lays on your heart. He will use your heart of obedience to draw you closer to Him, and to draw others through those acts also.

 
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Posted by on April 26, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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All of creation longs

18 Nov

All of creation longs

Romans 8:22-25  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 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. 24 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? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

There are underlying tones of sin and hope in humanity. Our entire structure is captured in the travail of sin; the inescapable pain of a soul lost; a soul that was created for intimacy and yet  a chasm came between the Creator and the creation. The divide that sin brought came with pain that all of creation feels. In the scriptures prior, (19-22), the commentaries seem to feel all of God’s creation suffers due to the fall of man into sin. All of creation groans and awaits the return of Christ; the renewal of God’s perfection in the new earth and new heaven. This hope lies in all; this hope of all God’s creatures to return to His original design.

Do you have that hope of Christ’s return? Is there something deep inside your soul that desires for that intimacy and perfection as a child of His in the renewed creation upon His return? Does this world sicken you at their apostasy in the pursuit of selfish, idolistic, material gains? The world around us is consumed by selfish; by placing everything before God. There are separations  growing in society; the rich getting richer, the dissolution of the middle class, and the growth of those classified as poor. Those poor today will become rich in eternity if they place their souls today in Christ. Matthew 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

This hope of things to come; when genuine, will make the travails of today seem small. This hope when nourished daily will see the bigger picture, the reason to perceiver for this short time. 24 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? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. The strength gained in this nourishment of daily time with God builds that hope that lies within you. It makes the sacrifices seem bearable; it makes the promises of God real. Christ promised the disciples of this in 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. All that you face today, may be all that you face. Tomorrow is a day closer to His return; and the promises that come to those who place their hope in Him. Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

 
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Posted by on November 18, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Rock Solid Prayer

26 Oct

Rock Solid Prayer

Luke 22:31-32   And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Christ was in His last days with the disciples. He had shared the Passover meal and instituted the Lord’s Supper with them. He had told them of His coming betrayal. The disciples began to speculate who it was; and their talks turned from who was the worst, to who was the greatest. They still were self centered in this great hour. Christ called out Peter in the name he had before he became a disciple (Simon). The emphasis here even seems to state Christ was trying to get Peters attention. Satan had asked to trouble all the disciples, yet special permission was asked for the zealous Peter. Satan can never move without God’s permission, ever.

These would be terrifying words to even the great Peter of this prediction. But Christ immediately assures Peter that He has prayed for Him. Is that not a rock upon which you can stand? Christ knows what you are about to face, He has told you, and yet He has approached His Father in prayer for you. 32 But I have prayed for you. He knows that God is going to allow Satan to trouble you; to tempt you; to cause you pain; to seek to draw your attention away from God. But His prayer is for your faith to not fail; for your faith to grow; and as a result of your troubles, to encourage those around you; strengthen your brethren. Satan always plans to steal your faith, to draw your attention away from God with trouble. God sovereignty allows Him to know Satan’s plans will backfire and your faith can grow as a result of that trouble.

Did you know that you have Christ’s Spirit living inside you praying for you as Christ did for Peter? A member of the Holy Trinity that goes before the Father on your behalf. 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 have days when I just struggle to pray, especially when I have a lot on my mind. The anxieties of the world command my thoughts, and Satan loves to point out my weakness in prayer at that time as a failure. But I rest assured that the Spirit is interceding on my behalf in my times of struggle as in Romans above. These may be special prayers, for He knows my heart, my desire, my trouble that God has allowed. This understanding carries me through and allows me to try and strengthen those around me, with the trouble I face while standing upon my rock of faith.

 
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Posted by on October 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Everything

07 Oct

Everything

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.

This morning as I sat down my mind was blank. I don’t mean I did not have a topic I felt led to write about, I mean my mind was BLANK. Not overloaded with the pressures of the day; it just felt like it had not awoken yet. As I stumbled through a prayer, I closed with AM….not Amen…I laughed. I many times do word searches on the computer so I researched nothing; which came up 280 times in the Bible, 119 in the New Testament. Narrowing it down by adding the word without brought up John 15:5; a verse I know well; my mind awakened.

I shared my part of my testimony yesterday and how the backbone of it is rooted in pride. A typical male, independent, strong physically and mentally; I had the mindset of I can do anything I put my mind to. God decided to take out His hammer and take a few blows at my pride. He took a swing at my business, and then at my physical strength. Both were hard hits and both took me to my knees. On my knees I began to look up, and to draw in to Him. There is nothing in your life that has not either been given to, or allowed by God. Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Your life is filtered through God’s Sovereignty.

A quote we have all heard this presidential race is the one of “you did not build that”. When we begin to understand our lives are filtered through God’s hands, there comes a peace to life. If He is truly in control, why are we to worry? Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? All the daily struggles in life, all the big struggles in life, can be God trying to get your attention. It can be Satan trying to draw your attention away from God. Read the book of Job. It will shed a new light on the struggles you face. Every day is an opportunity in whatever you face to draw closer to God. Your nothing, can become your everything, when you seek Him in all.

 
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Posted by on October 7, 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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Press on through it

26 Jul

Press on through it

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I have a customer God has placed in my path that has suffered the trial of cancer. It has taken away her joy of playing music, but not her faith. I saw her pre-surgery about six months ago, and again yesterday. We have prayed together both times. She is now cancer free, but her face is suffering from a lymph condition, leaving it partially paralyzed. She is scared, but she is also seeing God at work all around her. She shared great stories of people helping her and seeing God at work through it all.

I am a guy who pushes my limits in all that I do. I just don’t know how to do anything half-way. God has allowed me many tests of faith as a result of that  DNA to test my faith’s strength. If you say you believe, and your faith fails at the first problem; did you truly have faith to begin? God will never leave you, never put you out there to face anything alone. Whatever you are facing today, no matter how large or life changing it may be, He is there with you. Hebrews 13:5 For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Many times He may have allowed these things in your life to draw you closer to Him. We have a tendency to not see God at work around us when our life is full of blessings and all is well. We tend to forget that it all flows through His hands when we are being blessed. James 1:17 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.

We are living in a world far from God that is glorifying sin in every media and walk of life. Satan is peaking in His limited power, and God is surely to return to claim all His creation. If you will truly keep your eye on eternity, the problems will become small you are facing now. What is bigger: Your problem or your God? Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.  Keep your eye on the prize and press yourself towards the goal of eternity in paradise with no problems ever again. This too will have been temporary.

 
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Posted by on July 26, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Roller-coaster

12 Apr

Roller-coaster

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

The roller-coaster ride of the thing we call life. It really does seem to be the perfect analogy with all of the ups and downs, the constant direction changes, the going in circles, or even when we feel as though we are going crazy like a corkscrew. We set our plans in motion and a unexpected drop or turn is thrown into our path. We begin to climb the ladder of worldly success and upon reaching the pinnacle, the world falls out from under us. There could be countless analogies that we all could insert our stories into that ride. Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, and he understood that from his own success and failures of it. I strongly encourage you to read the book of Ecclesiastes for it is so relevant for today. Ecclesiastes 3: 2-8 is a great description of that roller-coaster of life.

In Ecclesiastes 3: 2-15, my Bible commentary puts it; “Solomon teaches that all events are in the hand of God, who makes everything happen in the time He judges appropriate.” It is so hard for our prideful, sin filled hearts to ever accept the idea that we are not in control of our lives. But all that comes to us, or leaves from us, passes through the hands of God either by His design or allowance. Matthew Henry puts it;  “That every change concerning us, with the time and season of it, is unalterably fixed and determined by a supreme power; and we must take things as they come, for it is not in our power to change what is appointed for us.” His commentary is so strong that I have includes a link below to it. With the understanding that God is in control comes a Peace that this world cannot provide. We are assured of how He can work any situation ultimately for good in Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Once you have accepted Christ unto Salvation, there is nothing this roller-coaster of life can throw at you that will ever leave you in fear of leaving the tracks, for God designed the ride.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/ecclesiastes/3.html

 
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Posted by on April 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Yes that is God stirring this week

04 Apr

Yes that is God stirring this week

Romans 10:8-9    But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Before Christ I was living a life so full of sin I am ashamed. I don’t believe in glorifying the sin, but in my typical fashion I even sinned to the greatest of my ability too. But somewhere along the way God began to stir my heart and I began to listen. Then I began to respond and things started to change, and the conviction of those sins bared down on me with a weight I was ready to release. Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.  I did not want to walk in the middle of the road, I wanted to fully commit my life to Christ, and I prayed for Him to take my sins and guide me to fully following Him with all my might. I cannot accurately pen the indescribable difference that Christ has made inside me, but everything I have is available to you too.

This Holy week celebrating our Risen Lord stirs the hearts of many of you which may spur you into going to church. No other religion in the world celebrates a Risen King which separates Christianity from all others. Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. There is nothing that you have done that you cannot be forgiven for by One whom conquered death and presented life eternally. He is praying for you and submitting His prayers to God His Father on your behalf in hope that you will recognize your sin and allow Him to rescue you from an eternal punishment. No good deeds will ever rescue you from paying the price tag with pride of believing you can attain what is unattainable without Him.

Let God stir in your heart this week and respond to that invitation. Humble yourself before Him, repent and know there is eternal forgiveness, and let Him into your heart. You will attain a peace and a new outlook in life in a world that is far from God. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

 
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Posted by on April 4, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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