6/10/10 Who are you working for?
Romans 6:23 says, "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Webster's defines wages as "payment usually of money for labor or services." You are paid by the one(s) who you work for.
Sin is anything contrary to the will or Word of God. If we're not serving God, knowingly or not, we are working for/with Satan and his goals are to steal, kill, and destroy. Jn 10:10.
We have to make a choice and God wants us to choose life, Deut 30:19. Notice that the result of this is not called a "wage" in Rom 6:23, but rather a "gift." We can't earn the blessings of God through works. We obey him through faith out of our love for him. But, as a result of us diligently seeking him, we are rewarded, Heb 11:6.
5/26/10 Lifetime Promises - Remember!
Some seem to accept sickness and disease as a part of getting older. On the other hand, if you were to ask these same people if God would forgive the sins of older people - most would say "yes."
Psalm 103 says that God forgives ALL of our sins and he heals ALL of our diseases. Both of these promises are for a lifetime, no matter how old you may be.
These are two of the benefits of knowing God though Jesus and he tells us not to foget them - so REMEMBER!
4/18/10 We Are (or will become) What We Think
According to Proverbs 23:7, we are what we think. Because of this, we need to be selective of our thoughts.
God tells us what we should think on in Philipians 4:8.
Our thoughts should be about things honest, just, pure, lovely, and things of a good report. If there is any virtue or any praise, we are to think on these things.
3/22/10 Create an Atmosphere of Peace
In John 14:27 Jesus said, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Yes, Jesus gave us HIS peace; however, we have a part to play to make it work in our lives. Because the Bible says we reap what we sow, if we want peace, we need to sow peace. Rom 12:18 tells us how to sow peace: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Since the opposite of peace is strife and/or fear, we need to not let our heart be troubled.
3/21/10 The Lord is on My Side...
Because Psalm 118:6 says, The Lord is on my side; I will not fear, we can say, the Lord is on my side; I will be live in peace. We can also say:
The Lord is on my side; I will walk in divine health (Ps 107:20).
The Lord is on my side; I will live free from sin (Rom 6:14).
The Lord is on my side; I will have all my needs met (Phil 4:19).
The Lord is on my side; I will share the Gospel will others (Mark 16:15-20).
2/17/10 DWJD (Focus)
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) says: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God. Heb 12:1-2 gives us instructions in one way to imitate Jesus. Because Jesus focused on what his redemption would provide, he endured the cross. In our daily walk, we are to focus on Jesus. We can do this by being focused on His Word
10/20/09 A Different Perspective
The view immediately outside our dining room window is that of a young maple tree about 20 feet in height. I have to admit that it has bothered me because the tree is lacking fullness and symmetry - until today. While in the back yard I looked up at this tree from the side, a different perspective, and it looked totally fine. As the tree grows it will of course fill in and look great from any angle.
This made me think about how often we can be bothered by life's many problems because we are looking at the problem from a natural standpoint. God wants us to instead see things through a different perspective. We should filter everything through the Word of God with the eyes of faith and remember that, "FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, [a]the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses] (Heb 11:1 Amp).
10/2/09 Forgiveness
We need to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Although Jesus paid the price for our sins - past, present, and future; it is up to us to approach God to receive this forgiveness. When we are offended by others, we are to forgive them whether or not they come to us asking for forgiveness. This allows us to have fellowship with God. And - if they do come to us asking for forgiveness, they will genuinely know that we are not holding anything against them.
8/10/09 Our Daily Appointment, Walk-ins Available
Amos 3:3 says (or asks), "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" The Hebrew word translated "agree" in the KJV also means to fix, appoint, assemble, meet, set, and betroth.
Since God is always available and ready to fellowship with us, we must make a decision to meet with him. Consistency is key to our success as believers. We need to make an appointment daily to pray and study the Word.
In addition, we need to remember that besides the scheduled appointment, "walk-ins" are also available. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:17, God gives us permission to meet with him at anytime.
6/24/09 Connect Four
Psalm 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law.
2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work.
God sent his word, and healed me, and delivered me from my destructions.
God sent his word, and healed me, and delivered me from every weapon that is formed against me.
God sent his word, and healed me, and delivered me from the curse of the law.
God sent his word, and healed me from every evil work.
No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper.
No curse of the law that is formed against me shall prosper.
No evil work that is formed against me shall prosper.
No destructions formed against me shall prosper.
Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law.
Christ has redeemed me from every evil work.
Christ has redeemed me from my destructions.
Christ has redeemed me from every weapon that is formed against me.
The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work.
The Lord shall deliver me from my destructions.
The Lord shall deliver me from every weapon that is formed against me.
The Lord shall deliver me from the curse of the law.
6/17/09 Raise Your Batting Avererage
In baseball, a 300 batting average is pretty good; however, this means a batter is getting a hit in just 30% of his at bats. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, God gives us the following instructions: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Notice he said "every" thought. He wants us to bat 1000 when it comes to our thought life. 100% of our thoughts should line up with God's word.
6/16/09 Who Will You Believe?
God cannot lie. Satan is the father of lies. Faith is trusting in God's word. Fear is believing God promises will not come to pass.
6/16/09 Isaiah 55:11
"Remember this: It's the Word that does the work, not the one holding onto it. It'll work for anybody who'll put it to work. It'll work for you just like it worked for Jesus when He walked the earth." Rev. Kenneth Copeland
6/5/09 What if? What IS!
Don't think about the "what ifs" in life, get into God's Word and discover "what IS"!
5/17/09 Our Thoughts
Have you ever gotten up in the morning and soon had a thought that reminded you of a problem in your life? Was the thought from God or the devil?
If it were God's voice, the thought would have been based on his Word, not the problem. His Word is the answer to our problems. His Word brings peace, not fear.
Jesus said in John 10:10, that "the thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Our thoughts should line up with life, abundant life.
God tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (Amplified Bible), that "Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character."
Our thoughts are our constant companion and since we become our thoughts according to Proverbs 23:7, we need to cast down every wrong thought, and to choose thoughts that are in agreement with God, his Word, and his will.
4/29/09 Be Still
The Lord tells us in Psalm 46:10 to, "Be still, and know that I am God."
Some Hebrew meanings of the word "still" include: be quiet, relax, let go.
Now, meditate on this: "Be still, [be quiet . . . relax . . . let go . . .] and know that I am God."
4/28/09 A Cat Story . . .
Recently after church, my wife spotted a young cat as were leaving the parking lot. We decided to get out of the car and "talk" to the cat. She seemed somewhat friendly, but she wouldn't let us get closer than five feet before turning away in fear. When we turned to walk away, the cat would "meow" and follow us - but no closer that five feet. We were beginning to like "kitty."
We then went to a store and purchased a can of food, which she ate quickly. The cat seemed to hang out near a shed in the parking lot and looking behind the shed, we noticed about 20 empty cat food cans. Someone had been feeding this cat and it probably was either a stray or ferel cat.
After checking on the cat several times throughout the day, we decided to try to catch her, take her to the Humane Society, and if no one claimed her, we would give it a home.
We purchase a pet crate and were successful in luring the cat into it with some food; however, the cat did not like being inside. We took her home, about a half-mile away, and after she calmed down, we decided to release her. Although we had food outside the crate, she darted out and we didn't see her until five days later. She found her way back to her homeless shelter (the shed), and was evidently content waiting for her occasional handouts.
This incident reminds me of how God has a plan for our lives, a plan that exceeds our highest thoughts. We often mess things up because we think we know what is best but we refuse to let God be God, Jesus be Lord, and we quench the power of the Holy Spirit.
We need to remember a couple of scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
4/16/09 Pursue God's Presence
• Sin is a willful departure from God's presence (BAD choice).
• Hell is a permanent departure from God's presence (WORST choice).
• Pursue God's presence through his Word, in prayer, and in worship (RIGHT choice).
2/20/09 Seek and FIND!
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 to ask and it will be given to us, seek and we will find, and knock and it will be opened to us. The bible says that God feeds the birds but we know that he doesn't just lay down a row of bird seed for them. The birds have to find what God has provided for them. In much the same way, we must find what we are seeking God for in his Word and by the leading of His Spirit.
2/7/09 Father Knows Best
Father Knows Best was a popular television show during the 1950s starring Robert Young. As Christians, God is our father and although we know that he knows what's best in our lives, we often make unwise choices because we fail to pray, and/or obey his word.
If we abide in him, who is the vine, we as branches, are sustained in every area of our lives because we are connected to the life of God. When we act outside of God's will, we are still connected to the tree - sort of. In this case we are "out on a limb" having put ourselves in a risky situation.
Because he knows best, we need to let God be our Father, let Jesus be Lord, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us - every day.
1/1/09 See Yourself Through God's Word
I am a child of God (Jn 1:12, Jn 3:16).
I am free from sin (Rom 6, Col 1:13).
I am healed (Is 53:4-5, 1 Pet 2:24, Matt 8:17).
I have great peace (Is 54:13, Phil 4:7, Jn 14:27).
11/10/08 Smith Wigglesworth said . . .
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe. I'd like add - I am not moved by what I don't see. God's Word is final authority!
11/7/08 Restoration Where There Has Been Deterioration
God wants to restore wholeness to us in every realm of our existence: spirit, soul, body, financially, and socially.
8/27/08 I am a recipient of the love of God!
And, you - are a recipient of the love of God!
8/20/08 Hold Fast
In Hebrews 10:23 we are instructed to "hold fast the profession [or confession] of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised. Sometimes the word of God (the seed), is planted and we must hold fast until the invisible thing(s) we're believing God for appears. On the other hand, we sometimes need to hold fast until the visible thing (but unwanted) disappears. Through faith and patience we inherit the promises.
7/28/08 Measuring Our Priorities
Here is a great scripture that should describe our relationship with God: Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
6/27/08 Resist ≠ Flee, unless…
Resist the devil and he will flee means that you might be trying to do it in your own strength, and that's not what God wants us to do. The first part of the verse holds the key, "submit yourselves therefore to God." Submission to God means spending time in his word, and in prayer, and being sensitive to his leading. We will then be in position to use His weapons, 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:11-18.
5/11/08 Attention Please!
Many years ago I first heard a famous preacher say, "our desires follow our attention." I have found this principal to be true in my life. We may not feel like reading God's word at a particular moment, but if we give it our attention, our desires will follow.
4/21/08 Senseless Faith
The Amplified Bible states in Hebrews 11:1 that faith "is not revealed to the senses." God chose to deliver faith to our hearts, our spirit man, through the hearing of his word, according to Romans 10:17. Then, out of the abundance of our hearts, we speak faith-filled words which will then affect our senses (Luke 6:45, Mark 11:23).
4/19/08 Agree With God
According to Matthew 18:19, being in agreement with God produces Godly results. Jesus said, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."
We are in agreement with God when our thoughts, words, and actions line up with his word, which is his will.
4/1/08 Serve an Eviction Notice!
Are there any areas in your life that you know are not God's will that you've been tolerating? It might be a habit or maybe some physical issue that because it is not life threatening, you don't attack it with God's word.
In John 10:10, Jesus says that the thief (Satan, the devil) comes only to steal, kill, and to destroy. In Ephesians 4:27, God tells us not to give place to the devil in our lives.
If it's not from God, it is time to serve the devil an eviction notice! If Jesus tells us to speak to mountains with our faith, we certainly can speak to hills and even little speed bumps.
