October 11, 2024

Avoid A Diet of Spiritual Junk Food

2^nd Peter 3:17-18 (NLT) – “You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.  Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2^nd Timothy 4:3 (NLT) – “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”

As we look at the danger of having an unhealthy spiritual diet, we now consider the danger of a diet of spiritual junk food.  This is the kind of diet that cannot give us the strength that we need to spiritually mature: to grow up in Christ.  We cannot exist on a diet that is made up of junk food to maintain our physical health and we cannot maintain good spiritual health by feeding our souls spiritual junk food.

If we only exist to eat breakfast at MacDonalds by upsizing every meal, snacks that are sugary full of sugar, and are maintaining dinner by filling our plates with processed foods instead of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats, we can expect that over time our body will not be able to function properly. This junk food diet may ultimately lead us to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. We need real food, not junk food, to promote good health. The same is true spiritually.

Here in 2^nd Peter 3:17 and in 2^nd Timothy 4:3, we have the warning against making our relationship with God on a surface relationship. Let’s look at some of the ways to recognize when we are feeding ourselves spiritual junk food.

Spiritual junk food sits on the surface. We do not get our nourishment because we never go beyond nibbling at the Word. We limit our intake to quick bites. We spend more times on religious memes that scripture itself. We substitute devotions for Bible study. All of our prayers or on the run versus on the knees.

While a few things on the spiritual fast-food menu can give some benefit –– they should be like the appetizer menu at our favorite restaurant: they can be a good start, but they are not going to sustain our souls for the long haul.  

Take notice that Paul instructed Timothy in 2^nd Timothy 4:3 that a time would be coming when we would not accept or follow the wisdom of sound teaching. When Paul speaks of “sound” or “healthy” teaching, he is talking about the kind of spiritual health that sound teaching creates. It is possible for us to judge teaching solely by its taste—whether it pleases us or not—rather than by the spiritual life it produces. Teaching that makes us happy but doesn’t make us better is spiritual junk food.

Christians must beware sources of spiritual instruction—whether they are preachers, authors, talk show hosts, Hollywood personalities, or close friends and family members—that may take liberties with God’s word. The only source of spiritual instruction that we can always trust is the Bible. It will not always appeal to our passions, but it will always be good for us. Sometimes reading and applying God’s word will be difficult or painful. Yet this is what is required to get closer to God.

We all have food choices to make. What are you feeding your spirit?

September 27, 2024

The Joy Found In God Our Refuge

Psalm 5:11 (NLT) – “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.” 

Have you noticed that most of the situations that cause us to seek God for as our refuge are not situations that we would classify as joyful? Have you also noticed that tough times make it veery hard to be joyful?  

The Bible reassures us time and time again that we are either entering a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm. This is why we are encouraged in the new life we have through Christ to not let our circumstances determine our joy.    

Life will not always going to go our way, but that should not stop us from rejoicing in the refuge that we take in the Lord. Remember that Romans 8:28 (NKJV) that, “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. Because we know that God holds us in the palm of His hands during our grim times, God makes it is possible for us to choose joy in the midst of your circumstances. An effective way to do this is by spending time in God’s presence. We need to do things like reading our Bibles. Remember that when we remind ourselves of how good God is can help us to change our perspective. 

The problem is that we too often get forgetful about the times that God has carried us when we could not support ourselves. We need to think about every time that God has opened His arms and held us close like the loving Father that He is while we had the time to heal from our hurts. Think of the times that God walked with us through difficulty. When we love God, when God is our rock, our stronghold, and the lover of our soul, God will become the source of our joy. Your life can be filled with joy if you choose to love God and get close to Him. Our circumstances might not always be perfect, but we can choose joy in the middle of what is going on around us. 

The challenge for us is that too often we seek to make decisions about what brings us joy on relationships, jobs, material things and more that will only bring us a temporary gladness.  For instance, we love new cars, new homes with all the bells and whistles.  The problem with these things is that they will bring us happiness until we get bored with them and then we must fill the void again with the next new thing.  

We are bombarded on the news, social media, and on the faces of those around that show that very few faces filled with joy. When we do not seek refuge in God, we fail to tap into our joy in the Lord.  When we remind ourselves of the word of Psalm 61:3 (NIV) that, "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water."  Experiencing the Refuge of God should cause our hearts to rejoice.  

David had found the way to be glad and sing for joy, despite what was happening around was his early morning prayer and his night prayer.  His prayer was that every person who takes refuge in God would be glad and sing for joy. They would know His protection so that they would rejoice in the Lord. 

Taking refuge in God is trusting in Him. It is going to God for everything. It is knowing that God is in control, despite what is going on. 

The wonderful thing about God is that He is not temporary, He is eternal. God will never leave a person. He can be trusted forever. This gives a person a reason to be glad and sing for joy. 

The things of this world are temporary, and they break down, fall apart, die, fade away, but God does not. This gives every believer immense joy in knowing that God is there and will always be there. However, in order to know this joy, one must take refuge in God. 

If you are seeking to find happiness in order to be glad and want to sing for joy, take refuge in God. Trust in His abilities and His direction for your life. This is not a temporary thing that will come and go, but He will be there for all eternity. 

God will not leave you during the tough times, as the world will do. This can give you a reason to sing for joy, knowing you have God at your side at all times. Hold on to Him through everything and it will be worth it all in the end. 

September 20, 2024

We Have A Refuge From All Storms! 

Isaiah 25:4 (NLT) – “But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall.” 

Here in Isaiah 25:4, God reminds us that He is our Refuge regardless of our current stormy trials.   

Isaiah begins this part of his prophecy of restoration in verses 1-3 in chapter 24 (NLT). He writes, “O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! 
You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.  You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt.  Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory; ruthless nations will fear you.  

Isaiah paints the picture of the restoration God for His people in their captivity even as their captors continuously oppress them. Isaiah is not only speaking to the future of God’s people being set free from the control of evil nations in the present help from God, but he speaks to the future plans made by God long ago and are guaranteed to us because of God’s sovereignty and His perfect faithfulness to those of us who have now become His children through Christ Jesus. 

Isaiah 25 then goes on in verse four to comparing life’s trials to a relentless storm or to not being able to find escape from the relentless heat of the sun.  Isaiah points to four areas where we find refuge in God. He says that God is:  

• “a refuge for the poor” 

• “a refuge for the needy” 

• “a shelter from the storm” 

• “a shade from the heat” 

Isaiah is making a critical call to trust and to have faith in God. This is confirmed in Isaiah 25:9 (NLT) when he writes that, In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” As it is will all of us, the thing that connects us to God is that all of our distress in our storms is our hope that God shapes our outlook is when we have put our trust in Him alone.  Because our lives are a continuous process, we know that life is always going to be changing like the news of the day. Some days will find us on a small boat in an intense storm, but we know who controls the storms and sees us through the rough waters.  

So, the question that each of us must answer is what we will do in the storm.  Do we let them our anxiety overtake us? Who and what will we allow to shape us during our trials?  

It is these circumstances that make us feel like we will be washed away by our storms that we need to sense that we have entered into a time of testing our faith in God. In the book of James 1:2-3, we are reminded this: “when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” In a sense, we have entered into the moment of our faith’s testing. Although it may sound simplistic, do we trust only what we can see, or do we trust the Living God? Remember the words of Hebrews 11:1 (NLT): “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” When our vision is focused on the Lord and not just our circumstances, we are then able to take our anxieties and fears to God in prayer. This move of our faith allows us to come fully into God’s presence and find refuge, shade, and shelter.  

So, let’s heed the words of Paul in Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) and do this: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” 

Blessings!  

September 13, 2024

In The Time Of Trouble, Take Refuge In God.

Psalm 9:9 (NIV) – The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 11:9 (NIV) – In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain.

Every generation has its share of naysayers who believe that the only response to gloom and doom forecasts is to run and hide in our time of trouble. We build safe rooms, tornado shelters and bunkers to protect our family from unpredictable dangers. Here in Psalm 11:9 David poses a question for all of us to ponder: If we have made God our refuge, why are we encouraging each other to flee to the mountains or to our safe places?

In Psalm 9:9 David tells us that there is only one safe place in the storms of life and that is in the Lord our God. God’s Word is filled with examples of people “fleeing like birds to the mountains”: Adam and Eve, Saul, Jonah, Israel, and Judah, and even Peter. But as the Church that Christ built and as believers saved by grace, how are we to respond when our circumstances become threatening? I am not talking about taking sensible precautions, but I am talking about the choices that we take to either flee from or to take refuge in Christ. how should the church respond to threatening circumstances?

What does fleeing to the mountain look like in our daily life? It can begin by having that week that has just drained us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Then we decided that we needed to take a break from church this upcoming Sunday.  But before we know it, we have fallen in a pattern of not going to church at all.  By forsaking our fellowship with other believers, our praise and worship, we have in essence fled to the hills and not to God our refuge.  Our Sabbath rest, our day of worship must become a day of choosing the right way forward with God leading the way in whatever difficulty and distress we face. Let it be a day of taking refuge in God.

When we want to a reprieve from the trials in our lives, God’s Word calls us to hide ourselves in Him. It is only when we have surrendered our lives to God that we can find true refuge from life’s dangers and the misery of our sin.

When we join together each week to worship a righteous God, we proclaim that God not only dwells in heaven, but reigns there. Look at Psalm 11:4 (NLT) that tells us that, “But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.” So, we need to see that taking refuge in God does not mean freedom from pain and suffering, but it means that God is even in control of what looks out of control to our human thoughts.  God is always concerned with everything that affects His children.  This doesn’t mean that God is unconcerned with human affairs because Psalm 138:8(AMP) says this:  The Lord will accomplish that which concerns me; Your [unwavering] lovingkindness, O Lord, endures forever— Do not abandon the works of Your own hands.” It might look bleak at the moment but take refuge in God because He is carrying out His perfect plan in our lives.

September 6, 2024

God Is Our Refuge!  

Psalm 36:7 (ESV) – “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” 

Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV) - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 

Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) - Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 

In an ever-changing world, we all want to have a place that makes us feel safe and secure. As we begin this month’s devotional theme, we will look to God’s Word has promised all believers a safe place in God that will protect us from any force that may try to come against us.  Scripture promises that God Himself will be our REFUGE. 

Before we get into the month’s theme, let us define what is meant by God is A Refuge in the Bible. Though I found eighty-five references to God as a refuge throughout the Old and New Testament, There are forty references to God as our refuge in the Psalms alone.  

Because of the words of the Psalmist, we can define God our Refuge as Our Father who is “always ready to help.” Specifically, the psalmist says in Psalm 91:1-2 that God is his personal place of safety. We can say that “God our Refuge” means that God is our safety and protection. In times of trouble, when we feel overwhelmed or threatened, God is our secure hiding place. He offers us shelter from the storms of life, and is a haven where we can find comfort and peace.  

Refuge always calls our attention to the harsh facts of life and the fact that we are sinners needing refuge. Psalm 62:7-8 (ESV) reminds that, “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; 
God is a refuge for us.”  Sin is a threat, and God is a refuge, physical like shelter from a storm but some are for spiritual or emotional threats from our enemy. But in all these cases, the Bible’s use of “refuge” reminds us that we live in a world wrecked by sin—a world of dangers around us and brokenness inside us. When we declare that we are taking refuge in God, it means that we lean into Him.  We do not rely on the world but put all our trust in God working things out for our good. We take refuge in God when we refuse to take short-cuts or look for the easy out. We wait on God instead of seeking a way to escape.  We step back from taking control, our obsession with perfection, manipulation, withdrawal, anger, negative thinking, and escaping. 

When we know God personally, we are confident in putting our trust in God. When we make God our refuge, we do not need to fear the situations in our lives that threaten to destroy our peace both physically and spiritually. Making God our refuge makes us bold in our faith by knowing that God is present with us always. There is nothing in the life of believers that is outside of God’s control.  

So, as we journey through this theme of God as our refuge, we will explore the benefits of God as our refuge and the steps all believers need to take to make God our refuge. 

August 30, 2024

The Blessing Of God’s Presence In The Fire

Daniel 3:17 (NLT) – “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.   

The story of the Hebrews young men of faith is found in Daniel chapter 3. The high points of this story feature the king of Babylon building a huge statue that towered over the city. This statue in the king’s fed the king’s ego so much that he wanted everyone in the city to bow down and worship the statue. But the young Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused, and stood firm in their faith and trust in what God would do for them. This enraged the king so that he had the three thrown into a furnace that he had heated seven times hotter than usual. But as the king and his cronies watched, they saw a fourth man standing and shining brightly with the young Hebrew men in the furnace. The king the Hebrew boys to be removed from the furnace and not only were they unharmed. They did not even smell like smoke. Their faith in and God miraculous protection in the flames with them moved the king to begin to worship the one true God.  

What does all of this mean for us today? 

It means that we should never compromise our faith even when the fire becomes hotter than anything we have ever experienced. When we come up against a fiery circumstance in our lives that looks to be impossible to extinguish, we need to shift our focus.  Stop looking at the heat of your circumstances and instead look to God who presence gives us the power to overcome any circumstance. When we acknowledge that we are not equipped to fight the without God’s presence, when we put our trust in God, when we follow God’s plan, then God will rescue us from the fire.     

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were called out of the fire, they did not show any ill effects of having been in a furnace that was seven times hotter than usual.  Their hair and bodies were not burned, and they didn’t even smell like smoke.  The Bible only tells us that there was another man in the fire, but there are many scriptures that support that it was Jesus, and I will tell you why.   

In Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) we read that, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. 
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  This is one of many promises from God about His faithfulness when we experience fiery trials.  

God is indeed right there with us in the fire. Do not let fear and worry make you take your eyes off of our faithful God. Those are tricks that the devil uses to make us forget whose we are. Let us walk in this Truth that our Faithful God WILL meet us in every trial and every need. 

Our God doesn’t just deliver us; He stands with us during trials. Just as He stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, He is with us in our grief and suffering.  

God is in the fire with us. God’s Word in Hebrews 4:15-16 guarantees us this: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Remember that when we go through the fire, that we have another in the fire with us because Jesus has gone through fire for us and will continue to be with us in the fire!  

August 23, 2024

Keep Your Fire Burning For God

Leviticus 6:12 (NLT) – “Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the burnt offering on it. He will then burn the fat of the peace offerings on it.” 

Luke 12:35-38 (NLT) - “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let Him in the moment he arrives and knocks.  The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded.” 

When we look at the characteristics of fire, we will find three necessary properties that are needed to build and maintain a fire. These properties which have often been called a fire triangle are: 

• A sufficient amount of air to begin combustion (like kindling) 

• A sufficient amount of heat to cause the material, like wood, to burn spontaneously 

• A sufficient amount of material to maintain the fire 

Here in our scriptures today, we read that we also need three spiritual elements to maintain our fire and passion for God.  Just as air, heat, and fuel create fire in the physical world, God has sent the Holy Spirit to develop in us a passion (fire) for God that creates in us a desire, craving, and hunger that guides us by faith into hope for God.  

Hope and desire and passion for God cannot be sustained without our spiritual fire triangle: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Without our relationship to all three being of the Godhead, we will not maintain our spiritual fire for God. Our faith will never grow without this fire. Hope will always be beyond our grasp and will fail to ignite a true passion about Jesus Christ and pursuing a relationship with Him. Let me repeat this truth about God. God is a devouring fire. Only those who can stand in His Presence not being consumed will make it into Eternity. There must be a fire in each of us to become one with our Father in Heaven or we will not make it. 

Remember these words from 1st Corinthians 3:13-15 (NLT) where Paul reminds us that, “But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” 

Fire exposes our heart and motives. It removes all the temporary and superficial things leaving behind the foundation. God is looking for those who will go through the fire and faith will be exposed. Faith pleases God. It is impossible to get His Approval without it. We are going to go through fire. You will not have to wait until Judgment Day – most of us have just come out of a fire, are in the middle of a fire, or understand that there is a fire just around the corner for us.  are in the midst of one or there is one just around the corner. Fire is not punishment by God but rather reminds us of His Passion for us. His Love for us will not let go. He wants the best for us. The closer we move in the right direction the hotter the flames and the greater the rewards.  

We must hunger and thirst for righteousness to attain the fuel necessary to maintain passion for the Lord. Hunger is fed with the Word of God. We must know the Truth to be set free. The world’s justice is tainted by our selfish desires, but God’s fire will reveal to us God’s Truth and His unconditional love for us. We must live in it. Feed on this truth daily and allow it to nourish our soul and burn away the worldly desires or worldly temptations.  The more we come to know the Lord and His Intentions the more enthusiastic our fire for Him will become.  

August 16, 2024

Do Not Play With Fire! 

Proverbs 6:27 (NLT) – “Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire?” 

The question that Solomon uses as a lesson for his son is one that we have all at one time or another used as a teaching tool about the nature of fire. If you play with fire, you will get burned!  

What Solomon wanted his son and us to consider is this: when we allow our sins to hang around instead of dousing the fiery darts of temptation that Satan throws into our laps, we are surely going to succumb to the heat of our temptations. Letting sin thoughts hang around is like asking to get burned.  

 What we would not dream of doing in our day to day living becomes a live coal in our mind, body, and soul when we do not deal with our sins when they first try to convince us that we won’t allow ourselves to get caught up, especially when dealing with the things that we know that we easily give in to. Instead of fighting our fleshly desires by crucifying the flesh. We invite them to take a seat at the table and even worse, let sin into our inner circle. We cannot let go because we enjoy their presence too much.  WE ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE! 

So, how do we avoid getting burned by the fiery darts of temptation? Well, Jesus says in Matthew 18:7-9 (NLT), “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. So, if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet.  And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.” 

Jesus says that we must take drastic measures to avoid getting burnt by playing with fire. We may have to lose some friends, give-up some hangouts, bust most importantly, we must make sure that the fire that we handle is the fire sent by Jesus and not the fire sent by the devil.   

Jesus cautions us not to merely cut away the cravings oof our temptations but to also throw it as far away from us as possible. Jesus says it is better to come into His kingdom with a missing limb than to let the scars that come from playing with sin cast us into the eternal fire of hell. Jesus issues a warning to us: DO NOT TO PLAY WITH FIRE. 

Jesus’ Holy Spirit inside us helps us to understand that we must hate sin and destroy this sin before it has a chance to overtake our minds and hearts and extinguish God’s Holy Fire. Do not let sin rob you of God’s joy, grace, and favor.  We need to remind ourselves of the price that Jesus paid to conquer sin and death. We have been set free. So, stop playing with fire of sin. 

August 9, 2024

God’s Fire Will Test Our Works So We Can Build A Strong Foundation

1st Corinthians 3:11-15 (NLT) – “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.  Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.  But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.  If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”

Paul issues a call to all believers about to consider that on judgement day our work of building up God’s Church will be tested as by fire to see what value our work had in kingdom building. This test reminds me of Paul’s words in 2^nd Corinthians 4:18 which reminds us that we should not be focused on what we see because there is a time coming when all that we see now will be replaced by the eternal things that we cannot see.  In other words, only the things done for Christ will be found in eternity

Paul compares our work in this scripture text to building a solid foundation that can stand up to the heat of God’s judgment.  Our work should reflect what we are made of inn pursuing Christian living. We should be asking ourselves right now. “What did we build our lives on?”   We all do good things but are these things motivated by Christ in our lives? Are the things that we do a part of our response to God’s call on our lives?”  Paul warns us that the spiritual fires that God allows will assess our motives, our faith, and our character.  If we can say yes, then we are all good.  But the flaws revealed by the fire of spiritual purification is an opportunity to have God bring His healing, redemption, and transformation!   This should be our heartfelt desire now and not later. You see later might very well be to late.  When we invite God to evaluate our motives by fire, we are able to draw closer to God because we have removed all obstacles to a deeper relationship and understanding of what God desires for us. This testing will also let our roots go deep in God and lets our foundation become as solid as a rock.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT) that, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” We must build a church that can withstand the firestorm and stand for the generations to come! 

Let us build ourselves and build others as living stones into a faithful, growing church where Christ dwells, and do it with pure motivation for to give glory and honor to Jesus our Savior.

August 2, 2024

God Is a Consuming Fire 

Deuteronomy 4:24 (AMP) – “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire; He is a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His].” 

Hebrews 12:29 (AMP) – “for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire.” 

Today we begin to study God’s word to gain perspective on a word that we see frequently throughout the Bible and that word is “FIRE.” Fire in the Bible represents for the omnipresence of God and God’s authority to judge all of creation. In His Word “Fire” gives us a picture of the physical presence of God with us.  We read this in Exodus 3:2-3 (NIV) when Moses encounters God from the burning bush: “There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.  So, Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”  We also will see times in the Bible where fire makes us know the purification and transformation that fire brings about in us, like a refiners fire purifying precious metals. 

But the other side of Fire can signal for us God anger and wrath and His impending judgment on His us because of our sin and disobedience. Remember that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by raining fire upon both these cities.   

So, we begin by looking at God as a consuming fire. Besides the passage from Exodus 3 and Genesis 19:24 (Sodom and Gomorrah), we also read of Aaron’s sons Abihu and Nadab being destroyed by the fire of the presence of the Lord in Leviticus 10:1-2 (NIV) which says: “Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.”  

We find that God as a consuming fire represents the holiness of a God and because of His Holiness God consumes, burns up anything that is unholy before Him. Knowing the Holy nature of God should make us want to consider our actions and to turn away from anything that leads to a walk of unholy living. When we fail to live holy lives, we separate ourselves from God.  

The inspired word of the prophet Isaiah in 33:13-16 (AMP) warns us of this: “You who are far away, hear what I have done; And you who are near, acknowledge My might.” The sinners in Zion are terrified; Trembling has seized the godless. [They cry] “Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning?” He who walks righteously and speaks with integrity, Who rejects gain from fraud and from oppression, Who shakes his hand free from the taking of bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed And shuts his eyes to avoid looking upon evil.”  

Today, God, we acknowledge you as a consuming fire and declare that we will walk righteously before you as reject what the world says in needed and put all of our hope and trust in the path that you set before us. Amen!  

June 28, 2024

The Holy Spirit Fills Our Hearts With God’s Kindness

Ephesians 2:6-7 (AMP) – “And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus, [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].”

Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) – “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Colossians 3:12 (GNT) – “You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Kindness is a characteristic of God. Out of His kindness He made a covenant with the nation of Israel. And out of kindness, He kept His side of this covenant while the Israelites rebelled against God and blatantly disobeyed God.

We find this kindness covering us because of the kindness that Jesus showed us when He left heaven to come to earth. This same kindness was on full display when Jesus died on the cross to take away our every sin. It is from the depths of Jesus’ kindness that He has given to all who call on His name too b saved the precious gift of salvation.

Here in EPHESIANS< Galatians and Colossians, we read that we have been raised up with Christ because of our faith in Him. We have been filled with this spiritual gift of kindness by the poser of the Holy Spirit who has taken up residence within our hearts. God pursues us through the person of Jesus and the Spirit of God draws attention to our Lord’s kindness. When we become fully aware and alive to the depth of God’s kindness extended to us in love, It should be our natural reaction to clothe ourselves in this kind of compassionate kindness as we repent and turn from our sin. Paul says that this fruit bearing and this clothing of ourselves in kindness are the ways that we show our deep gratitude and joy to God because of His kindness to us.

This kindness makes us keenly aware of just how much that we need to walk as Christ walks because of the kindness poured into us. We need to ask ourselves where we are needing to extend this kindness from God to others.

When we fail to extend kindness to others it shows a lack of spiritual growth.  Kindness is both a fruit that grows in us by the Spirit of God (Gal 5:22) and also something that we can clothe ourselves with (Col 3:12). It is both a gift of God and a choice we make in how we relate to others. If we have not first experienced the kindness of God for ourselves, it will be difficult to extend it to others.

As we continue to live and grow spiritually, there are several things we need to know about kindness. Sometimes, kindness requires putting ourselves in another person's place. We need to view others as Christ does.

Additionally, while we may find it easy to show kindness to others, we must also learn to show kindness to ourselves. We must not allow past failures and sins to prevent us from growing but remember that God's forgiveness is complete. When we pray and seek His forgiveness, He gives it. Therefore, we must learn to forgive others and ourselves, too.

Kindness gives birth to kindness. Love extended leads to more love. As we begin to show kindness to others, we will be set free from feelings of inadequacy. You will find yourself being empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise more kindness more often.

We must overflow in the kindness that has been poured into us by Jesus!

June 21, 2024

God Fills Us With His Comfort

2^nd Corinthians 1:4-7 (AMP) – “Who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God .For just as Christ’s sufferings are ours in abundance [as they overflow to His followers], so also our comfort [our reassurance, our encouragement, our consolation] is abundant through Christ [it is truly more than enough to endure what we must]. But if we are troubled and distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted and encouraged, it is for your comfort, which works [in you] when you patiently endure the same sufferings which we experience.  And our hope for you [our confident expectation of good for you] is firmly grounded [assured and unshaken], since we know that just as you share as partners in our sufferings, so also you share as partners in our comfort.

Paul addresses here in 2^nd Corinthians an emptiness that all of us have or will experience as believers. Paul speaks to us about the emptiness that we experience when we are troubled, distressed, disappointed, or in the loss of friendships or worse the death of someone that we loved dearly.  All of these experiences and more can weigh us down and empty us of our joy and peace.  There are times when these experiences make us feel that we will not recover. We ask ourselves “Why can’t I get over this? Why do I keep dealing with the same issue? Why won’t God remove this burden from me?”  

Paul teaches us here in 2^nd Corinthians 1:5-7 that our consolation through Christ is abundant because God is the Father of all compassion, the ultimate Comforter; He is always present with us and desires to comfort us in all our struggles. Paul that instead of using what the world may offer us to numb our pain, that we should instead release our pain to the God who not only has promised to never leave us or forsake us but grants us just what we need. God has an inexhaustible supply of grace, love, peace, and eternal hope that He is always ready to pour out and to fill His children with His comfort.   

Here the word comfort that Pau uses comes from the Greek word “paraclete” describes the action of coming alongside another who needs our help. Paul's life demonstrates how the Holy Spirit, who lives in the children of God, strengthens, and supports us during troubling times, even before we cry out for help. (Romans 8:26) Paul reminds the Corinthians that only the triune God is the source of abiding consolation. Throughout the book of Corinthians, Paul testifies and teaches us that in light of the comfort he received from God that we too, must remain faithful, share the gospel, and continue to trust the Lord in all circumstances.

Paul also lets us know in 2^nd Corinthians 1:7 in the NLT that “We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. This reminds us of God’s words to Abram in Genesis 12:2b (AMP) which says: “And you shall be a blessing [a source of great good to others. Paul says that we who have been filled with God’s Comfort will now become comfort to those who have experience the similar pain and hardships that we have endured. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can provide comfort for others because we have been filled with comfort from God. Remember that when God pours into us it is a pour that overflows in us so that we too can pour from this comfort that we have received.

For all of us who have suffered a life-threatening illness, or unexpected losses, share a fellowship with others that we may not have known had we not experienced the same circumstances that others now share.  We enter into the sufferings of Christ when we allow His Spirit to join us in His own deep comforts also. We may not be able to explain His bond of comfort, and yet we can share it. When we share words of comfort, share time with those who are lonely, bring food, run errands, or bring any hope to those who are in a dark space, it come from a place of GOD’S comfort.  When sharing a favorite scripture or praying with another, it is from HIS comfort. When we speak even a thought of blessing as we look up from our own wounding, it is from HIS comfort as well. 

June 14, 2024

To Be Filled By God, We Must First Empty Ourselves. 

2nd Corinthians 4:7 (NASB) - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. 

As we continued to look to God to be filled, we must first be empty. To be used, we must be hollow and open–available and ready. And as those who love God, we are His. We are the vessels on this earth who shine His glory. Because He has chosen us to hold the greatness of His power that is only from Him and not from ourselves. 

Not one of us can be filled with God’s Holy Spirit power and shine His glory without taking the first step to being filled and that step requires an emptying–a pouring out of ourselves, to make room for what God has planned for us. The Bible refers to this filling with words like pouring. God will pour out His Spirit in abundant measure, an overflowing supply. “To pour out” signifies “a rainfall in rich abundance” …emphasizing the greatness of a fresh outpouring of the Spirit and power, not in drops, but in great abundance. 

So, we see this great need for us to be empty to receive the blessing of the pouring. Now before this pouring in we must pour out that which keeps us from being completely filled and overflowing like self-denial, surrender, and even brokenness. It is in the weakness of our own despair that our emptiness makes a hollow space, a space in us to be filled with God’s Spirit. It is in the emptying that we relinquish our control and surrender to God, for Him to have His will and way. 

Paul tells us that we find this example set for us by Jesus Himself. Look here at Philippians 2:5-7 (NASB): Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.” 

Jesus showed us how to humble ourselves in the face of suffering. It was Jesus who displayed the choice of willingly emptying Himself. He poured out His own will and way. He surrendered to the Father’s plan. He showed us by example, how to bend to God’s Sovereign way, even though it would mean such suffering, anguish, and pain. 

And we are called to have this same attitude. To willingly choose to be emptied. To volunteer to pour out our wants and desires, our plans, and our ways, to make room for His way in us. It is only when we are empty and spilled out, that His glory and power may fill that hollowed space, and shine in and through us for all to see. 

Look at the word of 2nd Timothy 2:21 (NASB) which tells us how this emptying of ourselves works in us: “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” 

Think about it. How have you chosen to be emptied?  What have you poured out? Remember filling follows emptying for God’s purpose!  

June 7, 2024

GOD DOES HIS BEST WORK WITH EMPTY

Genesis 1:1-2 (NLT) – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 

There are times that all of us are like our automobiles. We are either running on fumes or completely out of gas. Too often we have so many things in our lives that take every bit of our strength and energy to just make it through a day much less a week. So, in this month following our look at growing spiritually, I would like to focus our thoughts on what God’s Word says about us being emptied out and filled up by God.  

The first scripture that we look at is Genesis 1:1-2.  We see God’s extraordinary power in doing everything from nothing. The Word of God tells us three things about the Creation story. We read here that God had no problems with the three problems that were described here and that was that the earth had no form, it was empty, and it was dark.  

Now for us this sound hopeless but in God’s hand there is always hope because “the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” 

Whenever the Spirit of God hovers, something big is about to happen. Remember the words of Luke in Acts 2:1-4(NIV) about the Holy Spirit: “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  Notice in verse four that all were filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling enabled Jesus’ disciples to be filled with a power that they had not known before.  

So, the Spirit of God was hovering or fluttering like a dove over the dark and formless emptiness. It was as if something were about to happen. And sure enough, it did. 

First God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:3).  The problem of darkness was removed, and God flooded His creation with light. 

Then the emptiness is filled with vegetation, living things at God’s spoken words. In Genesis 1:11. God spoke, and the earth went from empty to full. God will also do these same things for us. 

God was at work, filling up the emptiness with light and life, beauty, and goodness, meaning and relationship. And this, is exactly what God wants to do in our lives. 

During June let us look at all that God can and will do fill our live with the grace that only He can provide. Keep in mind the words of Jesus in John 1:16 about God’s love and grace: “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” 

If you are feeling empty, remember God does His best work with the empty!  

May 31, 2024

Negative Thinking Hinders Spiritual Growth

Proverbs 4:23 (GNT) – “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” 

Philippians 4:8 (GNT) – “In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.” 

When we look at hinderances to spiritual growth, we read here in Proverbs 4:23 that negative thinking has the power to stunt and/or stop our spiritual growth. Our thoughts have the power to run our lives, controlling our words and actions, feelings, and emotions — even our peace and happiness. When disappointment crushes our dreams, when people hurt or anger us, or when problems seem overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught in the rip current of negative thoughts. And when we think negative thoughts, we feel negative feelings, leading us to believe life is negative overall. 

Negative thoughts show our lack of faith and hope in God who is the One who can do all things, even when the things appear impossible. Luke 1:37 tells us that, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” We need to embrace wholeheartedly that we will have days where we only see and feel negativity all around us but when we live by the truth of God’s Word, we can put overcome negativity by trusting the words of 1st Peter 5:5-7 (GNT) where we read this: “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that other believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings.”  

You see we tell ourselves that we are the only one who have ever had a situation as bad as the one we are going through. But there is hope because we can claim victory over negative thoughts. Through biblical wisdom we can discover ways to recognize and defeat these lies before they take root. As a follower of Jesus, we have every reason to expect victory over negative thoughts and know that God will equip each of us with the strength we need to fight them off. Paul wrote this to us in 2nd Corinthians 10:5 (GNT) that, we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.   

We must remember that spiritual growth is about the choices that we make to continually draw closer to God. When we become negative in our thinking, we can get our spiritual growth a jump start and get back on track by giving thanks to God for every blessing that we possess. When we are thanking God for the past, present, and the faith in future blessings we crowd out the space to entertain negative thoughts.  

Accentuate the positive every day and continue to journey on spiritually with God! 

May 24, 2024

Distractions and Worldly Desires Will Hinder Your Spiritual Growth

Titus 3:3-5 (NIV) – “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

At one time we have all been foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of distractions and worldly desires. On a regular day, there are so many things that call our attention. We live in a world filled with distractions that can significantly influence our spiritual growth and obedience if we are not careful. Distraction is one of the major hindrances to spiritual growth. It keeps us from pursuing a relationship with God because anytime we try, something or someone produces something that takes your attention away from the important thing at hand.

First, our desire has a great deal to do with whether we will grow into spiritual maturity or not. Worldly distractions can keep us from salvation.

In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1–23), we learn that one of the reasons God's truth does not take root and grow is because the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches (which can seem so harmless!) choke out the Word that's been sown.

To fight this battle, we must constantly remind ourselves that this world is not our home. We must be faithful in building a consistent prayer life because when we fail to do this, we have missed an opportunity to connect with the only One who is able to truly satisfy the desires of our hearts.  

Secondly, worldly distractions can keep us from growing and living according to the life-giving truths of the gospel.

Take notice of how often Paul prayed for the young churches that he planted in Philippi, Ephesus, Colossae, and Galatia. He prayed for them to be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding because this is the only way that we can walk a path that honors God.  Paul wanted these churches and us to recognize the things that distract us from seeking Christ more than anything else. Notice that even things that are incredibly good must not keep us from what is best for our souls.

Lastly, worldly distractions can keep us from enjoying God’s presence. Let us remember the story of Mary and Martha. They were both glad to have Jesus in their home. But in Luke 10:41-42, we read the account of the way that Jesus teaches us an important lesson on the danger of distraction and desire over spiritual growth when He says: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching, but Martha was distracted with much serving.” She was distracted from actually spending time with Jesus.

We can be distracted by things we're sincerely doing to please Jesus. Good things. But Jesus doesn't want us to be doing for Him at the expense of being with Him.

We must do the same, dealing decisively with anything that pulls us away from what's supremely important—knowing Christ.

Declutter your life and grow spiritually with Christ!

May 10, 2024

Jesus Our Guide For Spiritual Growth

Luke 2:52 (NIV) - “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

I was reminded today just how quick the process of the changing seasons takes place. It seems like everything turns green overnight. But when we remember that growth in nature takes time and requires ongoing nourishment: water, sun, and nutrients from the soil, we understand that these changes never happen overnight.

Our spiritual growth works the same way. We require several key ingredients in order to mature in our faith.

This process is exemplified by the ways that Jesus grew: in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God and others. Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

While we don’t know the specific details about His growth in these three areas, it’s clear He didn’t just wait around for it to happen.

In order to grow in wisdom, Jesus likely studied His culture and faith on a regular basis, just like most other Jewish boys growing up. While children and teens often enjoy learning, as adults we need to sustain the same hunger for knowledge and intellectual curiosity. Too often, we’re satisfied with what we already know. We become complacent and stunt our own growth.

Wisdom is one of the fruits of growing in our faith. One of the easiest ways to stimulate growth toward wisdom is to learn from the wisdom of others. Being curious about people, observing them, respecting their diverse ways of doing things and their different perspectives — all of these help us stretch ourselves. Spending time reading and studying God’s Word is also crucial to cultivating wisdom.

We notice that Jesus also grew in stature. This stature is not what we think of here. It is not about becoming taller and stronger although this is the process that happens as we all become adults.

But stature here has so much more to do with growing up in God. This process of Jesus transitioning from the early days of His ministry beginning with his baptism and the gift of God's spirit, to his final breath, was an ever-increasing burden of suffering, learning, and humbling. This was necessary to prove him as Savior, growing in stature lets us know that the work that Jesus came to do was not yet 'completed' when he began. Although He was the Son of God, He learned obedience through what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

Yes, Jesus increased in stature, with God to guide him He was made ready only by His humble obedience and willingness to suffer, that he might be tested in all things.

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) In all things, Jesus would be able to stand tall for us!

Finally, Jesus grew in favor with God and man. This kind of growth implies that we’re designed to change and mature through our relationships. Growing “in favor with God” requires spending time with Him — through prayer, praise and worship, time in His Word and serving others.

To grow in favor with others, I must be intentional and invest in key relationships. It’s so easy for busyness to replace genuine fellowship with others that God has put in our path. Growing in favor with God requires putting down roots and doing life together with others. If we’re not deliberate about nurturing close relationships, we can accidentally insulate ourselves and miss a crucial component of our spiritual growth.

God’s intention for His children is for us to enjoy life to the fullest (John 10:10), overflowing with joy, peace, passion, and purpose. God will always provide room for us to grow spiritually when we put out trust in Him. Just as Jesus grew before God so can we.

May 3, 2024

Growing Spiritually With God

2^nd Peter 3:17-18 (AMP) – “Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

We are well into spring.  Spring is a time when we see increased growth from the reappearance of leaves and green lawns to freshly planted gardens. Whether we plant from seeds or seedlings, the process of gardening and plant growth requires a great deal of time and energy to help plants grow. growth. But the work involved is rewarded by beautiful blooms and robust fruits and vegetables.

It is the same for us as believers. When we take the time to prepare our hearts and minds for spiritual growth that leads us into a deep and intimate relationship with our God, we too produce strong and beautiful spiritual fruit.   2^nd Peter 3 tells us to “grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is not about the process of physical growth like we might see from a plant, but these verses are referring to spiritual growth and growing closer to God.

So, in this month of May we will look to scripture to guide us in this process of growing spiritual growth.

Let’s begin by asking ourselves “what is spiritual growth?” Biblically, Paul gives us a great definition of spiritual growth in Philippians 1:3-6 (AMP) where he writes “I thank my God in every remembrance of you, always offering every prayer of mine with joy [and with specific requests] for all of you, [thanking God] for your participation and partnership [both your comforting fellowship and gracious contributions] in [advancing] the good news [regarding salvation] from the first day [you heard it] until now.  I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. 

We read here that spiritual growth like tending, watering, and fertilizing our gardens involves learning more about and leaning into God. Just like a seed that is planted, we all have a beginning place when we become Christians. The process of growing our faith is just the beginning of the journey and that beginning is good for all of us. No one can see the growth that happens with seeds underground but as we grow there is evidence that will eventually be a testament to our salvation.

Our growth can be seen through the actions that we take for our love and service to others. We should ask ourselves, are we living more for God and less for ourselves? Have our thoughts and actions toward others and God shifted or have they remained the same since the start of our relationship with Christ? How can we get to know God and His word more?

In this month’s focus, we will look at what God’s Word tells us about promoting spiritual growth.  In the book of James 4:8 (AMP) wee can focus on this thought to start: “Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

So, let each of us begin where we are today and start a personal journey to grow spiritually in the Lord.  

April 26, 2024

Jesus’ Resurrection Brought Victory Over All Things.

John 16:33 (AMP) – “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation, and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”

Christ’s death and Resurrection has given us a new identity in Him (2^nd Corinthians 5:16-18). But this new identity in Christ also has given us victory over despair (John 20:11-18); victory over death (Matthew 28:9-10); victory over confusion (Matthew 24:25-32); victory over fear (John 20:19-20); victory over failure (John 21:1-5); victory over doubt(Mark 16:14) victory over every power (Matthew 28:16-20) and today we will consider the victory of Jesus  over all things here in John 16:33.

Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that our life in the days after His Resurrection will reflect all these victories but also all of the triumphs that make up our days. 1^st Corinthians 15:57 (AMP) states that, “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This word conqueror in the Greek tells us that the conqueror is more that one who wins a battle. The conqueror is one who is able to get the best of the struggles that swirl around. The believer prevails because of the Holy Spirit Helper that Jesus sent to us. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 (AMP) Paul tells us how we prevail in our most difficult circumstances when he writes: “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. When we become imitators of Christ, He will make us victorious over all things. Instead of acting the way we want to react to life’s situation we now become forgiving, listeners, and go that extra mile (Matthew 5:41). It’s hugging the lonely and feeding the hungry. It occurs when we find a need and to the glory of God become determined to fill it.

Because of the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we victories are achieved through us when we get out of our comfort zone to tell someone else what Christ has done for us and what he will do for them.

It’s not just warming a pew a couple of times a week. It’s not just reading our Bible every morning. It’s not just praying before meals. It’s getting out, getting busy, and changing someone’s world because of our love for Jesus.

Life’s best victories may be a kind word or good deed that only a few eyes ever see. But those victories, the ones that show others Jesus, are the ones that impact this world. They have the power to change a heart, a town, a nation, and a world.

God will always supply the opportunities to be effective in ministering to His people. May we always be ready to be victorious.

…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
— John 16:33

Let the memory of these words provide great encouragement and strength to you whenever you face challenging times. Even if it seems like the entire world is trying to wipe you out, you can hold on to the promise that Jesus has overcome the world; He is overcoming the world; and He will always overcome the world. So regardless of what you are facing today, you can hold fast to that knowledge by faith: Jesus has already overcome the world — and He is with you to help you enforce the victory you possess in Him in the midst of whatever you are facing.

So instead of letting the devil discourage you with thoughts that there is no hope or that you cannot overcome the struggles that seem to be attacking you from every side, grab hold of the truth and declare that Jesus is with you and that you will — with Jesus’ help — overcome the world too!

April 19, 2024

Jesus Brought Victory Over Death

Matthew 28:5-10 (NKJV) – “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷ And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”  So, they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.  And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So, they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (www.biblegateway.com//Matthew 28:5-10: NKJV)

Today we look at the Jesus’ appearance to the other the women in from Matthew chapter twenty-eight. They thought he was dead, but he appeared to them, and they worshipped Him there. Jesus brought victory over death.

This victory over death was prophesied in Isaiah 25:8 (NKJV) where we read that, He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.

Had Jesus not risen from the dead, He may have been remembered as a good man who lived a good life. Some two thousand years later, however, His life and death would have minor impact on us. We would still be waiting on a Messiah to take away the burdensome weight of our sins. We would be confessing and hoping that God would consider us acceptable. There would be no assurance of heaven and no promise of an abundant life here. A life without the resurrection is a life with very little hope. So, the resurrected Christ has given every believer this assurance that we too will
be raised with Him forever. We will all be able to say with all assurance these words from Paul in 1^st Corinthians 15:55-57 (NKJV): “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NKJV - Bible Gateway)

Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene and the other women at the tomb fulfilled the prophecy that our Savior was come, that He had redeemed us and that He was filled with all power, the kind of power that mankind had never seen or experienced.  Because Jesus walked out of the tomb, we can place our hope in Him. There will be a time in the future when Christ calls believers into a new existence (John 5:28–29). Because of the resurrection, the grave is not final. Though we may grieve when we lose the ones around us, believers will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17). We have hope in His victory and that one day we will be with Him in a place with no more death.

April 4, 2024

From Resurrection To Ascension: New Identity

2nd Corinthians 5:16-18 – “So from now on we don’t think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don’t anymore.  Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.  God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. (www.biblegateway.com /2 Corinthians 5:16-18) 

This month, we will take some time to meditate on what Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection mean to each of us personally. What it says about us; our position, who we are, and where we are heading. 

Specifically, we will study the scriptures that teach us the powerful impact that Jesus’ forty days between His Resurrection and Ascension have to shape the new creations that we have now become because of Christ.   If Jesus has not risen from the dead, our faith, hope, and purpose to live has vanished and is useless (1 Corinthians 15). But because Jesus indeed rose from the dead, the implications for us are enormous.   

We begin with Paul telling us who we have become because of Christ. This is a very familiar text, and most translations remind us that we are new creatures and therefore have a new identity “IN” Christ. Today let us take a closer look at the new identity. 

Like the disciples, we sometimes build our identity on our traditions, education, cultural values, careers, money, family, or happiness. There is nothing that is necessarily wrong with these things.  But, when our identity is built on anything of this world, we are focusing on the “here and now,” and there is nothing more unstable than the “here and now,” as we see that our lives can change in a heartbeat.  

Our lives are filled with choices and actions that we’re never meant to carry. Despite the work of Christ on the cross, wee still hold too tightly to our fleshly desires. We believe the worst in ourselves when Christ sees the gold. 

Like Jesus, who committed himself to death for our sake, we, too, must release and crucify the things that are hindering our identity in Him. 

Christ suffered to pay for our sins and restore us to God. As we move past Easter, remembering that pivotal moment in salvation history, we know Christ accepts us as we are, but loves us too much to leave us as we were. We must, as Paul puts it, put to death the old, sinful self, and strive to become the new, redeemed self, becoming a new person in Christ and by his Spirit. 

When we have a revelation that Jesus’ story is our story, when we see it as our reality, something happens. Faith arises. We are transformed. 

It is called “identification with Christ.” Take a look at what these verses tell us about this new identity.  

• “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (www.biblegateway.com/Galatians 2:20 NIV) 

• “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4 NIV) 

 Today, take some time to meditate on what Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection mean to you personally. 
What it says about you; your position, who you are, and where you are heading.  

“The new is here.” Your new is here. 

March 29, 2024

The Ultimate Promise Keeper Is Our Protector

Psalm 121:1-8 (TLB) – “Shall I look to the mountain gods for help? No! My help is from Jehovah who made the mountains! And the heavens too! He will never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping.  Jehovah himself is caring for you! He is your defender.  He protects you day and night.  He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.  He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you.

As we look at this passage from the book of Psalms, specifically referred to as a “Song of Ascents” we find that God has promised to protector.  These were songs as the people traveled to Jerusalem and the temple for special times of worship. The temple that the Jewish people traveled for their traditional worship was a rough climb in the oppressively hot sun which led through the wilderness.  As God’s people made their way to the temple the relentless heat drained their strength, and there was a real threat of heat stroke and the danger of attack by robbers.

So, the promise keeper assured His people here in Psalm 121, that they would receive every protection. The psalmist is affirming that God provides comfort and protection from life’s heat.

The moon reminds us of the dangers that hide in the shadow and lurk in the darkness. Likewise, God is always there to protect us from all harm physically or spiritually.

In other words, the Lord is our helper and our keeper throughout the entire journey of life. God was with the pilgrims night and day as they went to Jerusalem and as they made their way home. God will be with us, His children, until we safely arrive to our heavenly home.

The promise of being kept by the LORD is echoed in John 17:15 (ESV) when Jesus prayed for us in to the Father, “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me.”  And in John 10 when Jesus declared, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”  The Promise Keeper covers us with His Protection. He has used His own flesh to cover us from everything.  In fact, we are so protected that the devil cannot snatch us from God’s Hand.

Take note of these verses from Psalm 18:30-31 (TLB) that says this about our Promise Keeper:  “What a God he is! How perfect in every way! All his promises prove true. He is a shield for everyone who hides behind him. 31 For who is God except our Lord? Who but he is as a rock?”

March 22, 2024

Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper

Isaiah 43:16-19 NLT) – “This is what the LORD says – He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

These words come from the lyrics to a song, “Way Maker” by Nigerian gospel singer Sinach, which won her the 2020 Gospel song of the year award.  As we have looked at our Ultimate Promise Keeper, The words of the refrain seem so appropriate to what scripture says about our Promise Keeper: 

“Way maker,

Miracle worker, promise keeper Light in the darkness,

my God That is who you are.”

Here in this passage from Isaiah 43:16-19, he reminds the people of Israel that even when they do not know the way to take that God has made and kept promises to them and will continue to lead them along even when they like us will face the challenge of having to take a new path.  We have all found ourselves in a place in life when we have thought, “I don’t know where to go from here” or “I’m not sure if I’ll make it through this”?

This song has been playing in my head as I have looked at the all-powerful Promise Keeper, God has reminded me of the promises made and fulfilled to you and me.  Think about all of the tough places that you have found yourself in and praise God because:

When we feel defeated, trapped, or just exhausted, remember that God has been a way maker.

When we don’t see any way to get through this remember that God has been miracle worker.

When we don’t know how to trust anymore just remember that God has been a promise keeper.

When everything around us is the dark remind yourself that God has been light in the darkness.

He is all these things to us as we allow Him to be. He desires to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords of our life. When we look at the struggles of the Israelites as they headed to the Promise Land, we see the lesson that God taught them on their journey just as He teaches us on our journey. He blessed them just as He blesses us. He loved on them just as He loves on us. God promises to be with us and to make a way through the messiness of life. He promises to be our strength and our wisdom. Isaiah remined the people of God’s promise to make a way for the Israelites even before their journey started. We too read throughout the Bible His promises for us. We may not know what trials wait for us in the future, but we know we serve a God who has promised to lead us through them. The people of Israel spent a lot of time struggling in the wilderness or in captivity. As followers of Jesus, we might not appreciate the care that went into the 40 years of wandering in the desert, but we do know the wilderness of a dreaded cancer diagnosis, we know the darkness of being held captive by depression, we know the pain of childlessness, marriage failures, and especially losses of parents, children, and spouses. But when we trust the Way Maker, Promise Keeper, and the Light in the Darkness, we will find that these are the struggles that cause our faith to grow when we let God fight our battles. The more we trust God the more He will become real to us.

So, there are stories of Jesus working miracles out all through scripture, one thing remains the same, when we are obedient to His commands and we give Him lordship over our lives He is faithful to meet our needs, break chains that have us bound by fear, provide a way out of temptation, or give us the direction that He wants us to go. Not only is He our way maker; He is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) He is still in the business of working miracles and keeping His promises. When we find ourselves in situations that seem dire, we need to remember His promises and speak them over our own lives to remind us that He is faithful. Hebrews 13:8 says that “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.” I hope that we find comfort in that today because He is faithful and as long as we have breath in our lungs He is still at work in our lives. Remember and trust this:

Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working.

March 15, 2024

THE PROMISE KEEPER IS NOT SLOW TO KEEP HIS PROMISES. 

2nd Peter 3:8-9 (AMP) – “Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day.  The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 

As we continue to study our Ultimate Promise Keeper, here in these verses, Peter insists that we cannot apply human demands about time to the promises of God. Peter's point is that God does not suffer the limitations of time, or confusion about time, the way human beings do. He is not slow in keeping His promise. God is the one who made the schedule: He cannot be "late." Instead, God keeps every promise at the perfect time for His glory and for the good of those He loves. 

In this case, Christians should view the delay in Christ's return as evidence of God's patience, not of His tardiness. In His love-driven patience, God is willing to give more time for more people to come to repentance. This is God's plan to allow more people opportunity to place their trust in Christ in order to enter into eternal relationship with Him. 

As Peter tells us, that is one reason God allows more time—the very time mocked by the false teachers—prior to the return of Christ. God is mercifully creating more space for more people to repent and turn to Him. 

So, Peter tells us to not let this fact escape our notice: “that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day.” 

We may have all said at one time or another or in certain situations that “God is an on-time God.” Well, fellow believers, our promise-keeper’s timing is always perfect. 

God’s never early, never late, but always on time. Our timing is not God’s timing. For us, God’s timing often feels like a long, desperate delay.  

God’s perfect timing does two things: It grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory and praise for pulling us through. As Psalm 31:15a (AMP) let us know that “My times are in Your hands …” Psalm 31:15. 

At the right time, God will provide our need. At the right time, God will deliver us. At the right time, God will rescue us. 

It is all in God’s hands. He will not take us too soon or too late, He is always on time, every time in every situation. That is one of the beautiful things about our Christian faith. Nothing is left to chance, or luck, or good fortune, or accident or anything else. 

At the RIGHT time. His time is never slow or delayed. It is perfect! 

March 8, 2024

The Ultimate Promise Keeper

Acts 4:12 (AMP) - And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].” (https://biblehub.com/acts/4-12.htm)

It is amazing that today is the first day of March.  As many of us continue to our commitment to Our Lenten prayer and fasting, we also prepare for the coming of Spring and the most holy of times in the Church calendar, Resurrection Sunday. During this Easter season, we are invited to take a deeper look at our life journey and reflect on the promise of God’s life in abundance.  Easter solidifies for us that God is the Ultimate Promise Keeper and we are going to go to God’s word so that we know more about our Promise Keeper and the challenge to not just take God’s promises for granted but to also honor our promises to God.

Today we look to God as the Ultimate Promise Keeper and the importance for us to remember that God keeps every promise. Think about this: anyone can make a promise, but if we are honest, we do not. How many of us have actually kept every promise we have made in our lifetime? A promise only has real value when it is based on commitment, faithfulness, and perseverance. Broken promises hurt. They have the potential to sever relationships, bring heartache and wound deeply.

God began His promise in Genesis 12:3 where He promised to Abraham that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed. We may wonder why this promise is so important to us. It is because we find that because of Jesus, who was Abraham’s descendant, we have all been blessed, including all of us.  

Jesus is the answer. In Jesus resides the ultimate fulfillment of this promise… and thus the ultimate blessing.

As we read in Acts 4:12, Jesus is the ultimate promise because our eternal salvation rests in Him. One day, we will pass on to the other side, and the only promise that will still carry us, the only promise that bridges the gap in our life here with our life in eternity, is this promise! The promise of salvation found in Jesus Christ.

All the other promises live in this reality of Jesus our Savior as well.  Without this ultimate promise, we would not be able to have faith in all the other promises of God.  Jesus is our ultimate promise, our ultimate strength, and our ultimate support every day of our life.

On that cross, Jesus took all of my sins, all of your sins and all of the sins of every believer in Him, including the past, present, and future sins upon Himself. He fulfilled God’s promise to the world. He paid the price for our debts – death. He conquered death when He rose from the dead after three days. So, we can declare from the Word of God this Ultimate Promise in 1^st John 2:25 (NIV) “And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

This promise is realized when we come to know Jesus intimately by having a continuous relationship with Jesus through our abiding, walking, and talking with Him.

March 1, 2024

Preparing To Serve, Serving To Prepare

Exodus 19:10-11 (AMP) – The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow [that is, prepare them for My sacred purpose], and have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai [in the cloud] in the sight of all the people.

Here in today’s passage from Exodus 10:10-11, God tells Moses that He wants the children of Israel to consecrate and prepare themselves for God’s sacred purpose.  

When we have special assignments, it is always necessary to make every preparation for the successful completion of our assignment. God has finally fulfilled His promise to bring His people out of Egypt and all of the way to the base of Mt. Sinai in order to meet with them and communicate His covenant. He wants them to appreciate the privileges of their covenant relationship of being His people, His possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation that will carry His name and reputation to the watching world. God wants them to commit to obey his laws of the covenant. He wants them to prepare for the initiation of this covenant relationship by consecrating themselves to Him and spells out through Moses how they were to purify themselves and then consecrating themselves to all that boundaries that God set aside for them. God wanted to see that the people would respect the balance between approaching God by faith and yet responding in awe and holy fear to His majestic transcendence.

This word on setting ourselves apart for God’s sacred purposes is found again in Romans 12:2 (MSG) where Paul writes: “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” Then Paul tells us in 1^st Corinthians 7:17 (AMP) says, “Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way]. This is the rule I make in all the churches.”

We see that there is a connection between preparing ourselves to serve God and serving to preparing to serve for Jesus’ second coming.  Often times when we start a new job, we go through some sort of training and preparation so that we are able to do the job successfully.

Whatever type of training we go through, it is to prepare us to fulfill your calling, do our job effectively, making sure we are equipped to handle what is going to come your way.

As much as that is true for an earthly job, it is also true for the ministry that God has called you to. We will be prepared to serve God in the way He desires, where He desires, at the time that He desires.

Our Risen Lord through the Holy Spirit will prepare us for our ministry in His service. Of course, we have to have a willing heart to serve Him at all, obedient to the call on our lives—a call that everyone has, just in different capacities. So, may we join Him in the effort of preparing to serve Him.

As Christians, we have often heard or said to one another that we are “saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost.” But what is our reality in making this statement. It should be much more to us than a Christian catch phrase. “To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with the immediate presence of God Himself. It will result in feeling what God feels, desiring what God desires, doing what God wants, speaking by God's power, praying, and ministering in God's strength, and praying with the knowledge that God is.”  

Knowing this truth, should move us to prepare ourselves to serve as we prepare for the immediate and continual presence of God at salvation.

February 23, 2024

Preparing A Strong Spiritual Foundation

Matthew 7:25 (NIV) – “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

As believers, we have heard this parable about the two builders. Here, Jesus teaches uses this lesson to emphasize the importance of preparing our spiritual temple by building our lives on a solid foundation.  Jesus uses this analogy to illustrate the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation. When we begin preparing our spiritual lives by building up a solid foundation, this foundation must be rooted in our unwavering faith and steadfast obedience to God’s Word. When make God our everything, we are better prepared to weather the storms of life that will surely blow in our lives. So, Jesus encourages us establish a solid relationship with God, ensuring stability and endurance.

How do we prepare this solid spiritual foundation? When we look at the context of Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) we read that, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Jesus says that as builders of a solid spiritual foundation, we should prepare to build our house (our spiritual temple) by becoming hearers and does of His Word. Those who fail to heed Jesus’ words and do the things that Jesus did, will definitely find just how shaky their preparations have been when they encounter storms. 

The “house” we are building represents our whole lives in Christ. Our foundation in Christ is like the relationship that we read about in Hebrews 6:18-19 (NIV) that promises us this: “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Take note that our entire house must be built on this solid foundation, not just a room or two.

Some of us may regularly attend church but not Bible study. Some of us may regularly go to church on Sundays, and even participate in a weekly Bible study or small group but we have no prayer time or take time to meditate, pray and fast. When we are preparing to build our spiritual foundation, we must consciously include Jesus in every area of our daily living.  Not using the spiritual building tools in all areas will leave us with parts of our foundation on shaky, sandy ground. Jesus is an important part of our worship and praise, our prayer and fasting, our call to ministry, the use of our spiritual gifts and our stewardship.

Remember, the Bible calls Jesus the Chief Cornerstone. Jesus knows all about setting a secure foundation, and He is also an expert in repairing and resetting a foundation that needs help. As Matthew 7:24-27 encourages us, let us build our lives on the Word – it is a foundation that will never change, never give way, never let us down.

February 16, 2024

Be Prepared to Respond Quickly To God

Exodus 12:11 (AMP) – “Now you are to eat it in this manner: [be prepared for a journey] with your loins girded [that is, with the outer garment tucked into the band], your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; you shall eat it quickly—it is the Lord’s Passover.”

Here in today’s passage, we have a lesson on readiness in preparation. God gives specific instruction to Israel through Moses about their preparations for their upcoming Exodus from Egypt and the “Lord’s Passover.” At first glance, these requests may not make sense to us, but we know that God is not a God of chance. God’s desire is that His people trust Him with every aspect of their lives.

Look at the things that seem like minor details in light of the journey that the people were preparing to take. They were to "tuck their cloaks into their belt, have sandals on their feet, and a staff in their hand."

But in this instance, having long flowing robes was not practical for everyday use. The only way to work or even fight was to either remove them or tuck them into a belt or waistband. This is what is meant by “girding your loins” in Scripture.  In battle, the Roman soldiers would gird their waist with a belt because every weapon that they needed in battle hung from the belt and could be grabbed quickly. It would be terrible to not be able to escape an enemy because we could not move quickly and easily.

The important lesson for us today is this: While seemingly unimportant on the surface, the asking them to tuck in their cloaks, get their sandals on, and have staff in hand were the simple things, but the things that were of great importance in order to make a clean escape. So often it is the simple things that God uses to help us escape bondage. Too often we complicate the escape by having too many loose ends. Most Christians get tripped up by simple things, not important things. The simple ideas or things are often the most powerful.

Everything they did here was to speak of the priority of leaving bondage so only those things that helped this process were important. It is the same with us, when God calls us out of the bondage of sin, we are to prioritize our life in such a way that those things which do not help us escape are eliminated or put into their proper place. There could be no compromise here with these unimportant things or it could slow them down enough to prevent their escape!

1^st Peter 1:13 (AMP) tells us this: “So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober [in spirit—steadfast, self-disciplined, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope completely on the grace [of God] that is coming to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”  The call of Scripture is to prepare our lives for action this is really what God was asking of them be prepared for action! As believers, we should show unquestionable evidence that we are prepared for quick action when it comes to acting in God’s will.  What does Peter mean? The same thing Moses meant in Exodus: prioritize your spiritual life – and be ready.

Who would have ever thought such simple things could be so important? But this is still true today, who would have ever thought that such simple things of obedience to God's Word could have such a huge effect on the success of living the Christian life, but it does!

If we are going to be relaxed in the presence of the enemy, we will be held captive by him too!

Do you want to escape the bondage of sin in your life? Have you prepared yourself to escape? Have you tucked away all the loose ends that might make you trip up your walk with God?

Remember this: “Living a successful Christian life is not just what God does, it is also what we do!”

February 9, 2024

The Importance of Spiritual Preparation

Matthew 25:1-13 (AMP) – “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible].  For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps.  Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.  But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’  Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil, and lit them].  But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’  But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’  But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked.  Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’  But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’  Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]. 

I do not know about you all, but January seemed much shorter than usual. So, we have arrived at the second month of 2024, and during February, we are going to God’s Word to discover what is necessary in preparing ourselves for living out God’s eternal purposes for our lives. 

There are few things that we do that do not require some level of preparation. Cooking a meal requires that we begin to with the necessary ingredients, and equipment to complete dinner. Any activity or performance requires getting ready, warming up or practice to be successful.  Students in school are taught to prepare their minds for getting to the next level in their education. Athletes prepare physically for the next level and careers in professional sports. Teachers prepare mentally for teaching by taking classes that allow for practice teaching. Physicians prepare both mentally and physically for medical practice through internships, research, and residency programs in medical school. This list of preparation is on-going because preparation also requires practice to stay on top of things.    

This Benjamin Franklin quote, “By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail,” has it exactly right! If we have not made adequate preparations for our journey or project, we are unlikely to succeed.  

It is no different in our lives in Christ. Jesus says being prepared is especially important for living the Christian life while we wait for Christ’s return. Here in Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus uses the parable about the wise and the foolish virgins to teach about the importance of being prepared as one of His followers.   

It is important that we understand that Jesus uses this lesson to emphasize preparation over planning. Notice that the wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, but the foolish virgins made plans to get extra oil.  They had a plan, but their plan caused them to miss the bridegroom’s arrival (Jesus’ second coming). While they made their way to find the additional oil the bridegroom came and only the prepared were able to go into the wedding with Him.  

The plan was for all the virgins to greet the bridegroom when He came (the plan). But a lack of preparation (no extra oil) caused five of the virgins to be shut out.    

The biblical truth that Jesus wants to teach us is that God does the planning, and we must do the preparing.  Throughout scripture we find stories like Abraham in Genesis 12 where the word says in Genesis 12:1 (NKJV) that: “Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house To a land that I will show you. Abraham had to prepare his family, pack his tent, and make the move. Noah prepared but it was God’s plan for the building of the Ark. Moses prepared the people for the Exodus, but God planned every detail of Israel’s exodus. John the Baptist does not tell us to plan the way of the Lord because we are to prepare for the plans that God has already planned.  

Remember the Words of God to his prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV) which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  God does not tell Jeremiah to get a plan and then He will bless his plan but that He has the plan.  

Jesus is calling on us to prepare ourselves as spiritual vessels by calling upon the Lord, coming to God in relationship, praying, seeking the Lord with all our heart.  I hope that you will me join me in this journey to find all the ways that we are to biblically prepare ourselves for God’s purpose. 

February 2, 2024

How To Abide in Christ

1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  

As we come to our last day of the first month of 2024, it seems appropriate for us to review what God’s word tells us about abiding in Christ. How do we practice abiding in Christ our daily lives?  

Jesus often used parables as a teaching tool to help us understand the many unique features of our faith in Jesus Christ.  We have this kind of lesson in John 15, where Jesus gives us a simple representation of how our relationship with Him should look: “Jesus being the vine and all who believe in Him being the branches on the vine.” Just to review, Jesus describes how the branches cannot bear fruit without abiding in the vine. Any branches that do not abide and do not bear fruit are thrown away by the vinedresser and burned. However, the branches that abide and bear fruit are pruned and tended, so as to bear more fruit. (John 15:1-8)  

I always find it helpful to have the scripture that gives us the lesson on how to abide IN Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 (NKJV) gets us started as Paul states that “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” 

Then we are to depend On God by abiding in His word. We read in Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) that, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Jesus wants us to know that the Word of God is the only path we can follow for us to truly live. We will give God the glory that He deserves if we do not acknowledge that depend on Him for our very being. Once we recognize this truth, we can experience complete joy.  

Then remember that to abide means that we must be intentional for the Lord. Look with me at Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) where Paul wrote, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  Abiding requires that we have our minds made-up for Christ and that are deliberate in our service, our praise and worship and our ministry to those both in relationship with Christ and those who have not yet come to relationship in Christ. 

Paul tells us living intentionally requires this: “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 (Romans 12:2 (NKJV). We must set our mind and heart on the things of God.  

Throughout the everchanging landscape of our lives, we can continue to remain strong in in our walk in Christ when we have a continual prayer life, we depend on God and we trust Him for the outcomes in our lives we read and meditate on God’s Word, and we live intentionally through Christ. When we do these things to abide in the Lord, we trust His plan and purpose for our lives. We are living by faith and not by sight. We believe the truth of God's promise that we are saved through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

We can bring glory to God in all circumstances by abiding in Him and bearing fruit according to His mission. Jesus said in John 15:8 (NKJV) that those who abide in Him do three things: we glorify the Father, we bear much fruit, and we prove that we are His disciples. 

So, let us keep abiding in Jesus our Savior!  

January 26, 2024

Abiding in Christ Requires Pruning to Keep Us Fruitful

John 15:1-2 (AMP) - “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].

Today, we return to John chapter fifteen verses one and two.  Here again we look at Jesus words to His Apostles on abiding.  But we are looking specifically and the word prunes.  Jesus goes on to tell us that this is a process that His Father does for those who abide in Him repeatedly. It is safe for us to say that God takes us from fruit-bearers to bearers of super fruit.

First let us look at the pruning process that takes place in the natural environment. Dictionary.com defines pruning as the process, act, or practice of cutting or lopping off undesired twigs, branches, or roots.  This process is used to encourage growth and flowers and fruit in trees and other plants. This process is not done to injure a plant but to make the plant more productive.

It is the same for believers who abide in Christ. Pruning is not a punishment for a Christian; it is a reward. God is the vinedresser who prunes the life of everyone who abides in Christ and bears the fruit of Christ. Spiritual pruning enhances spiritual growth by removing whatever stunts spiritual growth. Jesus uses the example of the vine because those that He was teaching would be familiar with how vines and even olive trees grow. The vine nor the trunk of the tree produces fruit. Fruit grows from the branches that are attached to the vine. It is necessary for us to note that vines produce fruit and bear seeds. So, the continued growth depends on the those who accept the benefits of pruning.

It is interesting to note that the spiritual pruning is a repetitive process.  We are not pruned because we are not fruitful but because God wants us to be more fruitful. Let that sink in!

As believers we have seasons when pruning is necessary.  James 1:6-9 (AMP) states this about the reason we need this pruning: “In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”         

James’ writing here indicates that the reason for this season of pruning follows a time of great trials.   If we are not careful, our trials will make us focus on what is not important because we may no longer be able to focus on the important work that God wants us to do.  Loss can especially slow down and change the focus of the most faithful believer.

The temptation then comes for us to give up or draw back into safe, comfortable, or controlled environments. In the vulnerable moment of pruning, Satan will tell us to give up and draw back from the purpose of God. But remember that the testing of our faith proves it is the genuineness of our faith. Now because of abiding in Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Vinedresser keeping the branches spiritually nourished, going back to the comfort of a risk-free life is not an option. So, we are pruned in this season of loss and even heartache to refocus not to retreat.  

We need to remain fixed and focused as Christians. The evil one comes in the weak state of the pruning process to try to convince us we have failed, and that God has abandoned us. But nothing is further from the truth.  The truth is that we are not being pruned because we failed, but because we are succeeding. Only the fruitful branches are pruned. The loss is not the result of our failure but of our success. The good news is that by abiding in Christ more fruit is just around the corner!

January 19, 2024

Abiding in Christ Results in Our Righteousness

Philippians 3:9 (GNT) – “and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith.”

It is the person who abides in God that God will produce works of righteousness, just as abiding in the branch produces fruit in season. One is the outgrowth of the other. The outgrowth of the root or the tree produces and causes fruit to be manifested. Psalm 15:1-2 says, “Lord, who may abide in your Tabernacle?

We must see that his is the reason that Jesus says to His disciples and to all who believe that “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). All branches attached to the true Vine will display righteous fruit. Which is why Jesus warns us to look at the fruit produced.

The Old Testament used a similar phrase as Paul: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.” (Prov 11:30) Then Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians 5:22-23 to explain this fruit of righteousness that the Lord produces in us and says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” 

We do not produce these qualities, but it is these qualities that the Holy Spirit creates in us through the new life that we have received by abiding in the vine.  The Holy Spirit creates new life in the believer, and the evidence of the new life is the fruit the Spirit produces in that life. The source of the fruit of righteousness is not “righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (Phil 3:9).

Paul in Philippians 1:11 that the purpose of this fruit of righteous in us is made “to the glory and praise of God. The fruit displayed in our lives comes from God and is not for our own praise and glory and not to gain honor or to puff ourselves up; it is to glorify God. Others should see our good deeds and “glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

We must realize that there is no good in us apart from Christ. The Word of God tells us in James 1:17 that everything good comes from God. Then Psalm 107:8-9 says that He fills our souls with good. Elsewhere in Psalm 119:68 We are told that God is good, does good and gives good gifts to all of us who belong to Him.

Our being joined to Christ brings about every good that we enjoy in our new life, and we should not take the credit for this good that Christ has produced in us.

No saving good, no eternal good, no God-exalting good, no soul-satisfying good comes to us except as we are connected to Christ.

Therefore, we can claim that abiding in Christ results in our being made Righteous in Him!

January 12, 2024

WHEN WE ABIDE IN CHRIST, WE ENJOY HIS REST AND PEACE

John 16:33 (NIV) - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

As we continue to look at what comes to us from abiding in Christ, today we find the comforting promise of our Lord Jesus linked to the deep and abiding peace that flows from our relationship with Him.  As we journey through life, in an increasingly alien world, abiding overcomes the difficulties of the journey that we experience in this life.  This was true for the disciples and for us as well. When Jesus speaks these words to the disciples, they were about to experience the fear and uncertainty at the coming crucifixion and death of Jesus and from the growing hostility of the ruling religious leaders in Jerusalem towards Jesus and His followers.

So, Jesus took time to reassure His inner circle that His perfect peace would flood their heart and mind, if they would trust the words, He had spoken to them and believe the things He had taught them. They had to know that in this fallen world system they would endure storms. But Jesus says, "But take courage," He said, "I have overcome the world."

It seems contradictory that Jesus told the disciples to “take heart” (John 16:33) just as they were about to face the darkest, most troubling time of their lives. The Lord would soon be leaving them (John 16:5–7), and He knew that severe persecution, suffering, and the possibility of death awaited each of His followers.

In the original language, the words translated as “take heart” (NIV) or “be of good courage” (NKJV, ESV, NLT) can also be understood as “be bold,” “be confident,” or “be courageous” (CSB). Jesus takes this opportunity to teach His disciples that there is no other source of inner peace and courage when facing trials outside of abiding in Him. (1 John 2:28)

Think again about the word “abide” which Jesus uses fifteen time in the first ten verses of John 15 in the New King James Version.  Understanding the meaning of this root word in the Greek helps us to understand even better the meaning of abide. To abide is to “dwell,” “remain,” “be present,” and to “be held and kept.” Abiding addresses our posture and place. We must ask where are we and how are we resting in Christ?  The example of the vine and the branches also brings us the imagery of resting in our Lord. This resting suggests that when we dwell in God’s presence and remain in His Word, we experience His power and peace. Abiding is not about any work we do on our own, but it is all about what Jesus has done for us.  Jesus has overcome the world, and we are now held and kept in His peace and promises so that we can enjoy His deep rest.

So, here is another result for believers on abiding in Christ. Jesus’ promise of peace is given all of us who hear and believe His Word. The resulting blessing of abiding is the peace of Jesus is only achieved from abiding in His love. The Lord offers us His perfect peace which can be found “IN HIM.”  "Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God (GOOD!) Believe also in Me."

January 5, 2024

What Does It Mean to Abide in Christ?

We find the word abide throughout scripture. It is always presented as a means to stay intimately connected with Jesus.  And it is often contrasted with the negative consequences of not abiding in Christ.

As we begin a New Year, I have focused less on New Year’s resolutions and more on finding ways to live a life that honors God.  I have concluded that if I could pinpoint one thing in my journey of faith that I would like to see grow stronger, it would be the strength to abide in Christ with all consistency in every situation.  So, to begin this New Year, I want to look at understanding how to abide in Christ.

To understand abiding in Christ, we must begin this month’s devotions on finding the biblical meaning of what abiding in Christ should mean to us as believers.

John 15:1-4 (NKJV) - “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He [a]takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.”

There are many verses in Scripture that paint for us a vivid picture of what it means to daily walk by faith.  The image given by Jesus in John chapter fifteen, uses the compelling relationship of “the vine and the branch.” These verses highlight the difficult challenge we face; in remaining deeply connected to Christ so that we might live in the fullness of His joy and the abundance of His grace. 

Our Savior used the simple image of the vine and the branch as he gave us a symbol to help us connect that, for the believer, abiding is a relationship that cannot and must not be broken.   We can understand that a branch cut off from the vine cannot produce fruit or contribute anything of value for that matter.   A branch cannot provide nourishment for itself. The branch is dependent on its nourishment from the vine and not an outside source. The difficulty for us is that the world is more than happy to present “sources” that not only keep us from growing and producing fruit. Our enemy is only to glad to present us with options that he wants to convince us that they will satisfy our souls. 

So, we must learn to identify what is the source of our soul nourishment.  If our response to that question is anything other than Christ, we are in danger of becoming a dead branch.

Celebrated author, pastor and theologian, John Piper stated it this in a sermon on abiding in Christ, “I think the essential meaning of our active abiding is the act of receiving and trusting all that God is for us in Christ.” If a branch remains, or abides, attached to the vine in such a way that it is receiving all that the branch has to give, then that is a picture of what John means by believing or trusting Jesus. He says in John 1:12 (NKJV), “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”  Believing is a receiving of Christ into the soul, welcoming Him, trusting Him, as it were, drinking and eating, and savoring Him. This is what Jesus says in John 6:35 (NKJV), “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”  Abiding is an attachment to, a coming to Jesus, and a receiving from Jesus. It is trusting in Jesus.  It is remaining in fellowship with Jesus.  It is connecting with Jesus so that all that God is for us in Him is flowing like a life-giving sap into our lives. That is number one: abiding is believing, trusting, savoring, resting, receiving.”

Take a few minutes today to join me in evaluating our source or sources of daily nourishment.  Is Christ our only source, or do you have competing idols seeking to convince us that they will satisfy our soul?

Our spiritual survival and growth depend on us daily choosing the right sources of abiding.

May this New Year lead to grow a deeper and more meaningful connection to Christ. Happy Abiding in Christ!

2023 Friday Devotionals