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Pursuit

22 Aug

Pursuit

2 Peter 1:1-4   Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Do you see it? Do you see the gospel, the good news in Peter’s opening statement in his letter? There in the first couple of  sentences of the hope that Christ brings; those that have responded to His calling and forsaken the sinful desires of the world. The Message puts it like this:1 I, Simon Peter, am a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. I write this to you whose experience with God is as life-changing as ours, all due to our God’s straight dealing and the intervention of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2 Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. 3 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! 4 We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you – your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. Your life life before, and after, in Christ.

Look deeper into what Peter is saying there; he is speaking of the relationship that you are gaining and cultivating in Christ. His calling is to the pursuit of that relationship, to move your life closer to how He lived. It is in that whole hearted pursuit that knowledge and intimacy is found. Peter continues on the application side of that pursuit; 5 So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. 6 Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. 7 Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. 8 The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT)

How in the world can you claim knowledge of something you don’t pursue? How can you claim intimacy with someone with whom you spend little time? Google will not lead you down the road of understanding of Christ; that wisdom comes with a humble heart, prayerfully spending daily time in the Bible. With that pursuit is gained a wisdom and knowledge that surpass all earthly understanding. It is a wisdom of the heart, it is a wisdom that cannot understand all things, but rest in the sovereignty of God. It is a wisdom that in constant pursuit of the tidbits of revelations that are gained; priceless pieces of God opening your mind, through your heart, in His Word.

 
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Posted by on August 22, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Merciful Life

14 Apr

Merciful Life

Proverbs 11:24-26    There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

These wise words of Solomon could be taken in many contexts, and the commentaries seem to lead to them speaking to wealth and how we handle it. God’s monetary system operates outside of our understanding. We are called to give when we have nothing to give. We are called to have faith in the knowledge that He will provide for our needs. In this giving we see His hand at work when our wells never run dry. I have lived that experience over recent years in both my business and personal life. It is truly amazing to see the monetary blessings that seemingly come out of nowhere as God provides over and over again; just in time, right on time.

In the study notes we are pointed to how this scripture may apply to God’s mercy. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. God will place us in situations in our lives where we must forgive many things; we must not repay with what is due. We are to extend the mercy in a similar, but much smaller form that what He has given us. Mercy has been described as not getting what you deserved. Grace is getting what you do not deserve. (Adrian Rogers). Can you look at those situations in life as God looks at yours? Can you forgive over and over again just as He has done and will continue to do for you? This test of our ability to show mercy is a measure of our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We have all heard of the Golden Rule that states, “Do unto others as you wish they would do unto you.” That scripture is Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Can you see how this Golden Rule is woven into those other scriptures? Can you see how that our lives can reflect the God that redeemed us and He is whom we serve? Can you see how a selfish, bitter heart that claims His promises, yet denies those in need is a hypocrisy? How you live your life may be the only Bible that those around you may ever read. A life that extends mercy on those in their time of need, or even those who do not deserve it shows the love you have for Him in your heart. In these selfless acts God is using you to draw others to Himself. Live your life today merciful; for you have life today because of it.

 
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Posted by on April 14, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Your turn

01 Apr

Your turn

Titus 2:11-14     For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

I am pressed today in a tight work timetable. I have been reading and studying in Titus this morning, stopping at this passage – how to live a life as a disciple. I simply cannot hammer out a few words on such an important passage as this. Do you see the gospel presented; the deity of the presenter; the reasons for, and the expectations of? How are you to live your life as a Christian, or yet as a disciple you ask. The how and why of your expectations are found here. I urge you to spend time here yourself, to pray for God to open your eyes, mind, and heart to the truths found here. My goal is always to provoke you into the Word of God on your own. Here lies the passage of how to pattern your life after Christ; a great place to park and let God reveal His truths to you.

What does He say to you?

 
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Posted by on April 1, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Who’s on First?

10 Oct

Who’s on First?

Matthew 24:44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“Yea, I need to get back involved at church; but I need to __________; or I know I should be reading my Bible but I am so busy; or my work requires so much of me that I just don’t have anything left; or the kids have a game and ______________.” I have said and done them all. I have put everything you have before Christ and finally came to the realization of it. God started showing me all these things when He showed me the true idol I had in my life as a motorcycle. It was my God; where I poured everything, what my life focus was on. It is one of the first steps of my testimony of God’s life transforming power. It is now a recreation I still enjoy, but it is not an idol any longer. My idol is my God; my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When God could stand the evil of the world no longer, He spoke to Noah to prepare and save His elected few. We all know the story of the flood; but what about those who were left to perish? They too may must have been busy with life; even the possibility of a desire to change, but it was too late when God moved. Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. These are the words of Christ of His return and the warning of it. Matthew 24 is a powerful description of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ with a warning the must be heeded.

It is never too late until it is. Do your excuses merit the ticket for the boat, or the perils of the flood in the days of Moses? Anything that you have in your life that you put before your relationship with Christ is an idol. The first of the 10 Commandments is, You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:3) It is so serious that is it #1 on the list. Pray for God to reveal your idols to you; it will come with a sting, but that sting is the conviction of the Holy Spirit of that sin. A repentance of that sin and the desire to move your relationship closer is the beginning of a changed heart. Make God first in your life, not down the list after everything else as a leftover. The day is coming when we have to answer for our priorities for eternity.

He came. He died. He arose. He ascended. He is coming back.

 
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Posted by on October 10, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Hoopla’

07 Sep

Hoopla’

Titus 3:1-3   Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

Don’t we all ‘love’ this time of year that every four years brings? Every man against every man on the basis of political choices. How can they not agree with me? How can they not be argued into my viewpoint? Many times it becomes beyond heated. We have endured the DNC in our town and all the hoopla’ that came with it. Curiosity got the best of me at times during the local news broadcast and I saw all the hate as a result of the hoopla’. Politics bring out the worst in people, but we are all called to live and obey under those who rule.

Paul was writing Titus to the believers in Crete who were struggling with poor leadership. He speaks directly in Titus on the leaders of a church, and the conduct of the leaders and the church. The leaders of the day were leading them astray; Paul encourages them to remain focused on the Good News that Christ had delivered through Himself. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. To live a life as a disciple of Christ; not pulled into the snares of the world, but to pursue God and the things of God.

We are about to enter into new president’s term with either candidate. Down either road we go, as Christians we are told we must “be subject to rulers and authorities”. We must obey the laws of the land unless they call us to deny Christ. We must seek to live peaceably among those we do not agree with. Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Through this pursuit of a Godly lifestyle you are reflecting Christ to a world that goes against Him. Through this pursuit He may use you to draw others to Himself, and to the saving grace he brings even them who oppose you and your political viewpoint. Together you are united eternally.

 
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Posted by on September 7, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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You can do it

27 Aug

You can do it

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4   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, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

I love how God works. The more time I spend with God, the more He reveals Himself to me each day in different ways throughout the day. This is not any special gift for me, but a realization that He gives to anyone who seeks Him daily. I am nothing, nor do anything special, that is not available to any one of you. All it takes is a heart for God and the things of God, that seeks God first in all things. Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. This pursuit will lead to a growth of the relationship that you were created for by Him. The heart is changed in relation to this time, and the soul is fed in this pursuit. They together are where you are changed from the inside out.

God loves you and created you for that relationship. You are unique and special in His eyes, so much so His Son sacrificed His life to reconcile your sin before God. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. God is calling you to live outside of this world; to live for Him focused on the eternal and not the temporary. A heart that pursues God daily is a heart transformed as in 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.

Make today the day you start your “labor of love” in your pursuit of God and the things of God. You will begin to see He has been with you all along, and now He begins to reveal Himself to you through other believers, His Word, messages, “coincidences”, books, and media. You will not find Him if you surround yourself with unbelievers, or fill your mind with worldly media. He is not of this world and this world seeks to dull your senses to Him. But He has given you the ability to hear as Elijah did that “still small voice”.

 
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Posted by on August 27, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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What have you given the kiddo’s?

08 Jun

What have you given the kiddo’s?

Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Ah the demon of anxiety rears his head, and mornings like these must be bathed in God’s Word and prayer. I awoke thinking of the graduations of all our children this week, the next steps in life for them, the changes that are coming. Many of them will be on their own in college and life, many are making the next steps. I awoke thinking of writing of Wisdom. Somewhere in my study, Satan creeped in and has made my morning difficult.

I pray that somewhere in your heart, you have shared the Greatest Gift with your children; the gift of an eternal Savior, Jesus Christ. How will they know if you do not teach them? They will be tugged away by the society that we live in that teaches self love and preservation at all costs. If they are headed off into the ‘real world’, have you prepared them, and their hearts?

Our greatest responsibility as a parent is to teach our children of what lies in the life after this, and that life is one of paradise or torment. Our eternal responsibility is to show them the Way through Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, and to a security that this world cannot steal away from them. This wisdom is eternal, and is gained at no expense but approaching God with a humble heart. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Invest in your children more than just parenting, or being their friend. Share with them eternity and the answer to it through Christ. You have less than 20yrs of their lives to make the impressions of them to last more than just this lifetime.

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Equipped to Share

29 May

Equipped to Share

2Timothy 1:8-11 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Yesterday I was listening to a sermon on the weight and responsibility of teaching God’s Word. A good friend and I were talking about it last night and of how it that weight can scare you away from doing it. I decided to spend some time in the books of Timothy this morning because I knew Paul was encouraging Timothy in how to live and preach the Word of God. Satan will plant all types of fears into you to keep you from ever sharing your faith, or even a scripture at what may seem to be the perfect time. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Those fears can be weakened and your faith strengthened by the amount of time you spend with God in prayer and His Word. The strength that comes with that time will keep you from being ashamed of God’s Word and remaining silent.

We all have those times when we feel like we want to share our faith, or even what feels like a perfect scripture for someone at a time of need. Those promptings are the Holy Spirit inside of you, using you to encourage others. He may be bringing your testimony or the perfect scripture to that person before you at just the right time. John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Your response to that prompting is key, and God is using you at that time. Don’t deny that prompting from fear, but know that God is equipping you for His service. He may be even leading you to explain what that verse means to you. If God is placing that scripture before you for someone, He will equip you to deliver what He has to say. This strength and equipping comes from seeking Him daily. That places His Word in your heart, and your heart that is equipped will be prepared to share when His time comes.

 
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Posted by on May 29, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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