Do Not Doubt

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:21-22)

When Jesus speaks, He speaks out of faith in His Father. Therefore, His words move mountains and accomplish His will -- and if we believe, so will ours. Jesus is not telling us to have faith in our words, or to have faith in our faith (as so many erroneously teach). We are to be one with the Father, as He was, and the Father will give us the same Spirit He gave Jesus. We have what we ask, because we ask in Jesus' name, and all authority, power, and dominion has been given to Him. So, ask again -- and this time, truly ask in faith and in the name of Jesus.

 

Some of us never rise above asking for things from God, and our prayers center on ourselves -- "me, me, me." But the Lord longs for us to draw near to Him, and He answers the prayers of everyone who desires to see His will done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus knew the Lord would give Him what He asked, and His prayers reflected that confidence -- "And I know that You always hear Me . . ." (John 11:42) If you are in Christ, the Father will always hear you, too. Are you in Him? When it comes to prayer, that is the only question that matters.

Let’s Pray – Father, we know that there is power in the name of Jesus, and it is in His name we pray. Let it be granted to us accordingly, and we will give You the glory and praise You deserve. Amen.

Righteousness Over Rightness

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. (Luke 9:54-56)

 

Being righteousness and being right are two completely different things. Christians are not called to be right about men, but to show the world the love and righteousness of God. Loving God and our neighbors as ourselves are the greatest commandments, and by them, God's love flows through us to the world -- a world in desperate need of that love. That is how righteousness expresses itself through us -- not by winning arguments, but by winning souls. We do well to remember this.

 

What a shame for Christians to hold up legal standards for others, while basking in the grace of God! How sad and hypocritical are those who sing "Amazing Grace," while judging and condemning "those sinners!" It is all too easy to fault others when they fall short of God's full purpose and standard, forgetting the times we came before the Lord and begged for His mercy and forgiveness. Yet, the Lord listens for the prayers and intercession that reflect His desire to see all men saved, and He blesses the saints and churches that welcome sinners and lead them to the Cross. May every Christian remember we were not saved or sanctified by works of the law or our own goodness -- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8) May God be able to use us to offer that same gift to the world.

Let’s Pray – Father, forgive me for displaying a self-righteous attitude. I stand in the righteousness of Christ, not my own. I will be sure to let His light shine through me today. In Jesus alone, Amen.

 

Faith and Figs

Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it. (Mark 11:12-14)

Jesus was hungry, and the fig tree had no figs to satisfy His hunger. The Lord has little tolerance for fruit trees with no fruit, even when it is out of season. Spiritually speaking, seasons do not have to do with the time of year, but with faithfulness and fruitfulness. In other words, the season for fruit is whenever Jesus is looking for fruit -- and that may be at any given moment. Therefore, the fig tree failed the most basic test of being ready in and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:2) Is there fruit hanging from your branches today? Is it the fruit of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-23)

 

Jesus teaches us a tree is known by the quality of its fruit, and the fruit is determined by the root. If we are not rooted in Christ, our fruit will be unripe, sour, and unpleasant. Those who eat it will be sickened and repulsed by it, and we will leave a bad taste in their mouths as it pertains to our Lord and His church. However, if our hope is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if we are filled with His Spirit, then our branches will bear the peaceable fruits of righteousness, and everyone who eats of it will experience refreshment, joy, and health as a result -- men and women who encounter us will "taste and see that the Lord is good!" Therefore, our lives are valued by what we feed others through our words and actions. So, once again my friend, what's on your branches?

Let’s Pray – Dear Lord, may I be found ready when You call. May there be abundant fruit of the Spirit on my branches and may many receive nourishment and refreshment from the life I have surrendered to You. In Jesus, Amen.

Riches, Honor, and Life

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

Humility is the only disposition in us the Lord can trust. He cannot rely on our love or devotion, our passion, our sincerity, our talents, our expertise, or our herculean efforts to do or be good (apart from Christ, we can do nothing good). Humility recognizes and rejoices in the fact that everything belongs to Him, nothing belongs to us, and He is Lord of all. Godly fear generates the kind of confidence in the Lord that allows us to trust Him with every outcome -- and we trust that He will lift us up, exalt us in due time, and reward us with riches, honor, and life.

 

The only person on earth God can trust is the Holy Spirit, who He gives to His children. Humility yields to the Spirit, moment by moment, word by word, deed by deed; therefore, the Lord can invest Himself confidently in the person or fellowship that is Spirit-filled. In Him are the riches, honor, and life the Lord abundantly pours out on those who please Him. He pours out abundantly, because He knows His humble saints will pour all they receive on others. That is how the kingdom of God works -- and it works through humility and the fear of the Lord.

Let's Pray – Father God, teach me to walk in the Spirit of Jesus Christ; to humble myself and serve Your interests instead of mine. I willingly submit myself to You anew. Amen.

 

Fear the Lord

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.  (Proverbs 15:33)

The only good fear in the Bible is "the fear of the Lord." This fear is the acknowledgment of a holy, omnipotent, omniscient, and immutable God -- and giving homage, honor and worship to Him. This is a righteous and healthy fear by which we walk in obedience to every word the Lord speaks, being deathly afraid of the consequences of sin and falling short of His glorious expectation. Remember, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31)

 

In the Kingdom of God, patience and humility are of the greatest value. Once we bow our hearts before the Lord, He can draw near to us in ways He never could before. Our Father is building godly character in us, and that can only be brought forth through seasons of quietness, faithfulness, and abiding in His goodness. That is where patience has its perfect work in us and where we receive the instruction of wisdom. That is where we learn the fear of the Lord.

Let’s Pray – Dear Lord, I will walk humbly and in the fear of the Lord all the days of my life. Help me by Your Spirit, and I will respect and honor You in all my words and deeds. Amen.

 

The Only Way

"The heart is deceitful above all, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

We must not get caught in the lie that we can change ourselves or reach higher levels of spirituality, even by our most sincere efforts. Nothing we do in our own strength can bring us closer to God. If we try to control our sinful impulses and improve our habits, we are simply sitting on a powder keg of pride that will explode under us sooner or later. We must draw near to Him by accepting what Christ did for us on the Cross of Calvary, and that is the only way.

 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is too straightforward and simple for some. There are those who succumb to the temptation to add good works, philanthropy, and cultural sensitivity to the Good News. Some believe churches and Christians need to emphasize good and moral practices and do all they can to attract people or meet the needs of their communities. The Bible never teaches those things, but it stands on the shed blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ alone. He is the greatest lover of mankind, and He alone is the answer for every worthwhile question one might ask; and if He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself, not to us, our church, or our cause. That is the uncompromising truth of the Gospel -- unmixed and unmarred with any human goodness or wisdom. Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that there is anything God has to say to men other than, "Jesus." He is the Word, the Message of God. Hear Him!

 

Let’s Pray – Father, I am powerless to change myself (or anyone else), and it is only by Your mercy and grace that I am saved and sanctified. I humble myself under Your mighty hand, and I ask that You make me pleasing in Your sight today. In Jesus alone, Amen.

 

The Whole Armor

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

The whole armor of God is an absolute necessity for every Christian who is a fully devoted soldier in the army of the Lord, and no one needs that armor unless he is fighting the Lord's battles. Satan will not bother to oppose us until we forget about ourselves, sell all, pick up our cross, and follow Christ. Why should he bother? As long as we are concerned about ourselves and the world, the devil has us right where he wants us. God doesn't care about our political, religious, cultural, or social concerns one bit -- and our commitment to "Christian liberties and principles" is a nuisance to Him. He cares about Christ and nothing else, and Christ is the whole armor of God.

Professing to be a Christian means little in the spiritual realm but living like one will cause all hell to come against us. Once we are living for Christ, we are sure to meet the fierce resistance from Satan and all his wily forces. The Apostle Paul knew all about this, because the demons went mad every place he went. His very presence threatened worldly powers and principalities, whether political, religious, cultural, or any other realm not submitted to Christ. The same is true of you and me; and we, like Paul, will experience intense challenges in the world according to the depth of our identification with Christ. That is why he implores us to put on the full armor. If you are truly in Christ, you will need it.

Let’s Pray – Father, I will daily put on Jesus Christ, the Armor of God. He is my covering, my protection, and my strength. He is my rock and my salvation, and I stand victoriously on Him and in Him. Be glorified in me today, Lord. Amen.

Perfect and Complete

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-3) 

Rejoicing is joy in action, and it is the response God expects from us when we are visited by difficult circumstances. We not only rejoice in times of abundance and favor, but also in times of trials and hardships. It is doubtful any of us would choose joy through suffering, but the Lord has chosen it for us; it is His most useful tool for purifying our faith. This is where the Spirit of God gives us the blessing of an overcoming and victorious life. Remember, it is impossible to please God without faith, and that faith must be purified through trial and fire. So, rejoice. Perfection and completion await.

 

Patience comes from God's expert use of time, and if we allow, He uses that time to produce glory and perfection in us. Through time and experience with God, we are rightly fitted for every good work. This is not born out of any human effort or ingenuity, but by our growing appreciation of God's goodness through every season. He desires that we lack nothing, and that we feed on His faithfulness always. The Lord trusts us with these "various trials," and His reputation hinges on how we handle them. So, we must prove worthy of that trust. Are you trustworthy?

Let's Pray – Dear Father, thank You for challenging me to grow through my trials. Purify my heart, and lead me in the everlasting way, even through difficulty. If Jesus learned obedience through suffering, so must I, and I do so gladly. Amen.

Simplicity of Heart

But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20)

Joseph and Mary were not "special" people; just righteous, simple, and willing to be obedient. We must be the same in our day. Simplicity of heart allows us to hear, obey, and finally see God in ways we never dreamed possible. Who knew that their simplicity would allow Joseph and Mary to see God face-to-face? Who knows what your obedience will allow you to see?

The Spirit of God will "conceive" things in us that are beyond what we have ever expected, if we will simply believe. Things will occur in the life of faith that will astound our common-sense limitations, and we must be childlike enough to receive and rejoice in those things. That is what it means for the Kingdom of God to come on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus told Nathanael he would see angels ascending and descending upon Him if he believed (John 1:50-51). Do you believe? 

 

Let’s Pray – Father, thank You for the simplicity of hearing and believing the Word of God. I choose to take You at Your Word whenever You speak, even when it seems too good to be true; especially when it seems too good to be true! Amen.

Put on Christ

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 

(2 Corinthians 13:5)

 

Some of us think we are in Christ, but we are not. We have never "put on" anything, and our devotion is based on what we believe, not what the Bible reveals. That is why we hear such hateful, small, and unloving words from those who claim be Christians; they are ignorant of who Jesus really is. Christianity is a good idea to them, but they have never truly had a conversion experience, never been born again in the Spirit, and it tells in ungodly words and deeds which misrepresent the Lord they claim to serve. Let it not be so of you. Put on Christ. It is the most important thing.

 

Every believer is charged to "put on" spiritual things, for those things make us fit for the kingdom. There is an energy we need in order to live according to God's purpose, and that energy is from the Holy Spirit who clothes us in righteousness and fits us for the divine journey ahead. Our testimony depends entirely on obedience to the command to put on Christ (Romans 13:14). He Himself is the whole armor of God, and He fits us for victory over every enemy our faith will ever face.

Let’s Pray – Heavenly Father, may we not deceive ourselves, but take heed to the voice of the Holy Spirit. We will put on Christ, and we will do so today. Amen.

 

Follow Him Closely

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. (Luke 22:54)

A few hours earlier, Peter vowed to go with Jesus, even to death (and so did all the disciples). He meant every word he said, but he did not know he was lying to himself, and he had no power to do what he vowed -- Then they all forsook Him and fled. (Mark 14:50) Peter was now a spectator, looking on Jesus from afar, and that distance would soon provide the space where he would deny he even knew Jesus! Even today, many of us remain unaware of our weaknesses, and pride blinds us to the fact that we possess no power to stand for God on our own. Let us heed the lesson the scriptures teach us through Peter's failure.

 

When we follow Jesus at a distance, we remain stuck somewhere between blindness and sight, inconsistent, lukewarm, disingenuous, and spiritually immature. Claiming to be Christians while refusing to walk closely with our Lord will lead us to the same tragic ground where Peter found himself. So, let us not grieve the Holy Spirit by the lack of purpose in our walk. We need to draw near to the Savior again and allow Him to get on with the work He began in us some time ago. Follow Him closely. That is the only safe place for a believer.

Let’s Pray – Precious King, I am turning back to You and pursuing Your will for my life with renewed energy and purpose. I will not turn away from Your commands but run to them. Thank You for Your sweet Spirit. Amen.

Pure in Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8) 

What you see says a great deal about you, because what you see reveals the condition of your heart. God desires to give you spiritual sight, but your heart must be prepared to receive it. When your heart is pure, you will have the mind of Christ and perceive the will of the Father, and God will reveal Himself and His will to you; in other words, you will “see God.” So, what is the condition of your heart? Can the Lord reveal Himself to you? Are you pure in heart? If so, you are blessed.

 

The Lord is always seeking those who will worship, and who will do so in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Those are His terms of endearment, and we are called to draw near to Him on those terms. There may be much Christian activity and energy being spent, causes fought for, and battles waged; but the Lord harkens to none of that. He is seeking worshipers, and those saints are found at His feet giving Him glory, not striving or struggling to do good or "give back." No one is good but Jesus, and the Father only finds pleasure in the Son. Let us be found in Christ, and the Father is sure to be pleased. Purify your heart and draw near, my friend. Then, and only then, will you see God.

Let’s Pray – Father, may my heart be rightly positioned to receive the knowledge of Your love and Your will. Purify me today. I want to be counted among the blessed. In Jesus, Amen.

 

The Right Fight

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly place . . . (Ephesians 6:12) 

It is very important to understand that Satan and the systems he has established are designed to engender fear, and he maintains his grip on the world through threats and terror. Likewise, the powers-that-be in the world will never hesitate to resort to fearful methods of repression and control whenever their rule is threatened. Entire nations and cultures are ruled by fear –- sometimes veiled and sometimes more overt. The Kingdom of God is the only kingdom ruled by love and grace, and God’s throne is the only throne that allows all who come to Him in truth to come boldly and to be seated with Him in the heavenly places. We do not wrestle against people, but we fight in order to maintain the victory Jesus won for us by His life, death, and resurrection. That is the right fight for every saint. Remember, the battle is the Lord's. Stand back and see the victory!

Let's Pray - Lord, give us the wisdom to understand the true nature of battles we fight. May we not see men and women as our enemies, but we will engage in our warfare under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Our victory is guaranteed in Christ. Amen.

 

Sprinkled with Blood

Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. (Hebrews 9:21) 

It cost Jesus His very life to call you and me into His service, and we  are those "vessels of the ministry" He cleansed for His use in His house. We must remain steadfast and faithful to this high calling, and we will only do so when we remember that the blood which is sprinkled on us is the Blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary for our sins, our salvation, and our sanctification. Now, we have become vessels of honor for His pleasure and His use only. He gave all for us. We must give all for Him.

 

Natural life itself is found in the blood, and so it is in the spirit. Jesus says in John 6:56, "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." We can have nothing to do with Jesus until we believe He is the Christ and receive the new life He won for us by shedding His blood on the cross. Once we do, new life begins, and we become useful "vessels" in His hands. We must be sure to keep to this order and submit ourselves to Him for the sprinkling of His Blood before we go forward in any spiritual work. That is what it means to be a "vessel of honor."

Let’s Pray – Father, the Blood of Jesus is the most precious and effectual substance in the universe. Every saint is saved through His sacrifice and sprinkled with His blood. Please accept our thanks and praise for this indescribable gift. Amen.

Girded with Truth

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth . . . (Ephesians 6:14a) 

Jesus is the truth, and He is our response to every lie spoken by the enemy. We are more than conquerors in Him, because His victory on Calvary defeated and destroyed the power of death and darkness. We walk in the light of the truth, and the falsehoods and threats of Satan have no power to terrify us any longer. So, let us stand today in the freedom of the truth that is ours in Jesus Christ.

 

Everything that is true is not necessarily the truth. For instance, no one is good in God's sight, and we are all sinners deserving of judgment and death. Yes, that is true. But the truth is, Jesus died for me while I was still a sinner, taking the punishment I deserved and paying the price for my sin, and now I am the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)! Jesus is the TRUTH, that is, the overcoming super-reality in which we live. So, we can boldly come to God as His righteous children and joint heirs with Christ, having been cleansed by His precious Blood and seated with Him in heavenly places. Get into the habit of reminding yourself of these things. This is what it means to be a Christian, and nothing else.

Let’s Pray – What a tremendous blessing we enjoy in being set free from the lies that once entrapped us! We will walk before all men in the blessed assurance that our sins are forgiven and the path before us it lit with truth and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Shielded by Faith

Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one . . . (Ephesians 6:16) 

We believe the Word of God, not the lies of the enemy. Satan will attack us relentlessly and try to destroy our faith, but God has graciously chosen us and covered us with His love. He expects us to harken to His voice, draw near, and lay every care at His feet. He desires to find us in worship, in His Word, and in the closet of prayer. That is where our faith grows and how we overcome every attack from hell. We are "more than conquerors," because we stand with the One who conquered all. Our faith and hope are built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and nothing else. We must encourage ourselves in these things daily, take up the shield of faith, and refuse to be overtaken with fear and doubt. Be strong in the power of His might, because our God is great, and our victory is at hand.

 

Let’s Pray – Lord, we believe You are able to do anything, and You are willing to answer every prayer lifted up to You in faith. We ask for Your great protection, strength, and power, and we will be sure to give You thanks and glory. Amen.  

 

Obedience Through Suffering

. . . though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

Believing God is the greatest thing any man or woman will ever do; and this cannot be learned in a day, or in a laboratory, or in any field of our choosing. The Lord will place us in impossible and dire straits, He will squeeze and strain us, He will frustrate and offend us until we surrender to Him or forsake Him. The purity of our faith makes all the training and testing worth it. Even Jesus learned obedience through suffering, and so will we.

 

Obedience is learned, not given; and it is learned over time and through suffering. The Lord uses suffering to press all the self-absorption and worldliness out of us, because He wants to be able to trust us with spiritual things. Even the Lord's disciples found themselves arguing over who would be the greatest, and we are no different or better. Pride is the disposition we all possess, and that disposition must die if we are to go on with the Lord. He will not force us to submit ourselves to times of testing, but we can go no farther with Him until we do.  That is the path our Lord walked, and it is the path we will walk if we want to walk with Him. "Come, follow me . . . "

Let's Pray - Lord, I am willing to learn, even when the lessons are difficult and painful. If Jesus learned obedience through suffering, who am I to complain? I will bless the Lord today, in every circumstance, in joy, or pain. Amen.

Justified By Faith

Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. (Galatians 3:7-8)

The gospel of Jesus Christ was preached to Abraham, in that we are saved by God's grace and by faith in Him. That is the blessing "all nations" receive through Abraham -- we believe like he did, and God calls us righteous, like Abraham. In the same way, you and I are a blessing to "all nations" by our decision to believe God and walk by faith; for men are still saved by grace through faith, and we are witnesses to that truth. Without faith, it is (and always will be) impossible to please God. Believing that He "is" and that He is good is the bedrock of that faith.

 

There will be times when you are tempted to despair over the state of things, especially things in your world that are hard and painful. Yet, the God who spoke to Abraham still reigns supreme. Men, nations, times, and seasons come and go, but Christ remains. God is keeping His promise to draw people to Himself from every nation, tribe, and tongue; and He is drawing them the same way He drew Abraham -- by grace through faith. So, keep it simple, saints. Take God at His word, and do not let anything disturb your confidence in Him. Let us all be counted among those blessed with believing Abraham. Just believe. Believe God.

Let’s Pray – Lord, I stand on the solid rock of my faith in Jesus Christ alone. He is the source of my strength and the joy of my salvation. I am complete in Him, I will give Him the glory He so richly deserves. Amen.

Worry About Nothing

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God . . .  (Philippians 4:6)

Worry is a sign of spiritual laziness. It is the failure to believe God, and the result of leaning to our own understanding. The Lord is sure to test our faith, and our response to those tests will tell us if our faith in Him is strong and vigorous or weak and inadequate. Weak faith is always our fault, and it is born of the refusal to hear, believe, and do the Word of God. Whether the Lord says, "Yes", "No", or "Wait," our response is to be that of a loving child -- we trust Him, we obey Him, and we refuse to worry.

 

Fear and anxiety are the archenemies of our faith. Therefore, the Lord commands us to be strong and courageous, and He gives each of us the power to obey that command. We are not to be blown to and fro by the winds of circumstance, because we are "more than conquerors" in Christ Jesus. The key is to be found in Him, and He is to be found in us. We must get every fault and fear to His feet in prayer immediately. When we do, those faults and fears that once defeated us become the backdrop of our victorious testimony. One day, you will laugh at the things that used to frighten you. Perhaps that day is today!

Let's Pray - Lord, I am determined to put my fears to death and to live by faith. I believe You hear and respond to every prayer I lift up, so I will pray more and more, and worry less and less. Amen.

Now I Rejoice

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church . . . (Colossians 1:24)

God uses difficult times to shape our character in ways only hardships can accomplish. Every trial the Lord permits is an opportunity; a choice to lift our hands or hang our heads, to remember His goodness or remember our failures, to serve through it or shrink from it. Every delay we experience is the space God uses to purify our hearts, our hopes and dreams. Tough times are a set-up for our testimony and a platform for God's victory in our lives. So rejoice, children of God. Even in the midst of difficulty, rejoice!

 

It is natural to complain about our sufferings, but Paul chose to see them as a privilege and as a testimony to the overcoming power of Christ. When he speaks of, "filling up in my flesh what is lacking ...," he is not saying that our Lord's sacrifice was in any way insufficient; he is speaking of the joy he received in sharing the Good News of Christ, though the opposition he faced was fierce and violent, just as it was for our Lord. Paul was willing, even glad to suffer reproach for the sake of Christ, so that the church might be firmly established and built up. May the Lord give us the same attitude, and may we be determined to complete the ministry He has so kindly given us -- even through suffering.

 

Let's Pray – Father, help me to see pass the present difficulties to the glory which lies ahead. I am looking unto Jesus, and all my hopes are found in Him. Amen.

God's Good Works

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

There is work done by men, and the work God does through men — it is important that we recognize the difference. Some works can be accomplished by the sheer force of human effort, sincerity, good will, philanthropy, and charity. Yet, there is power which comes down from heaven in the Person of the Holy Spirit, and by that power, believers do works that glorify God and accomplish things according to His will and purpose. The choice is ours — working in our own power, or God working through us by His Spirit. Let us choose wisely. 

The works of God are done in the power of the Spirit. Therefore, all things are possible, as we see in the wonderful ministry of our Lord:  

• Jesus feeds 5,000 with two fish and five loaves of bread.
• Jesus turns water into wine.
• Jesus gives sight to the blind.
• Jesus casts out demons and sickness.
• Jesus raises the dead.
• Jesus forgives and restores sinners.

Having done these things and much more, Jesus tells His disciples that we will do even greater works (John 14:12)! How is that possible? It is only possible when we are filled with the Holy Spirit who descended and remained upon Jesus, just as He wishes to fill and remain in us. So, be filled with the Spirit, and let Him have His way. Good works will surely follow. God’s works.

Let's Pray - Father, may Your works be done in me according to Your will and by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus alone, Amen.

Ask of God

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

God's ways are beyond finding or figuring out. They are higher than ours, and only attainable when we humble ourselves by seeking, asking, and knocking. You and I are in desperate need of the wisdom and knowledge we can only receive from Him. His wisdom produces a firm grasp of the reality, of things seen and unseen, how those things relate, and how we should operate in their midst. The mysteries of the universe are revealed in the wisdom of our God, as well as His provision for our daily needs! Just ask.

 

God is not disappointed when we continually come to Him for wisdom. He never says, "You again?" In fact, He is pleased to see us waiting at His gates and longing to receive His counsel. His wisdom is given to us without charge, because no one possesses enough riches to purchase a single word He speaks. He encourages us to come and buy without money or price. A clean heart and an open mind are all He requires. Therefore, no believer should ever lack wisdom. James says, we don't have, because we don't ask (James 4:2). Let that not be said of you. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7)

Let’s Pray – Dear Father, I look to You for the answers to every meaningful question. I know I can trust You to lead me in the way, in the truth, and in the life. In Jesus Christ I trust. Amen.

 

Get Wisdom

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

God's wisdom produces a perfect disposition in us, the disposition of a child -- trusting, believing, and humble. Wisdom is the precious inheritance stored up for us by our Father, and we are wise to seek a double portion. It is the Lord's desire that the pursuit of wisdom be our priority, and by it, we become more acquainted with Him and His ways. When we take hold of spiritual wisdom and understanding, we are blessed in all we do, and we are a blessing to everyone around us. That is God's will for His children -- for you.

 

Each of us will make decisions about who and what we follow, and there are many voices which claim to know the way we ought to go. The world is filled with experts, advice, motivation, and methodology. Yet, only God's Word is eternal truth, spirit, and life. His words give us wisdom to live by, and when we receive them, we will enjoy abundant life according to those words. There is wisdom stored up for us in the scriptures, and that is where we are sure to find peace and prosperity. Therefore, get God's wisdom, for it leads to life -- eternal life.

 

Let's Pray – Father, I make wisdom my main pursuit today; above every other goal and every other desire, I value Your Word and counsel. Lead me in the everlasting way. I will gladly follow. Amen.

Preach the Word

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

The word we preach is the power to convey the Man, Jesus Christ, to the desperately needy world all around us. The work is arduous, and the preacher should count the cost before he preaches. This ministry requires consistent effort and care, and there is much stubbornness and sin to overcome. Yet, there is great power in the words we preach -- not our preaching alone, but the Word. If we mix God's Word with human wisdom, we will fall far short of our calling, and more people will be hindered than helped. When the focus is kept on the Word, our preaching will populate heaven and empty hell! So, preach God's Word, and God's Word only.

 

The Word of God is the only thing of value preachers have to offer. Even the best preaching will fail to accomplish anything spiritual unless it is settled firmly on the Scriptures. Hearing us preach, are the listeners left with an impression of us or God? That is always the question. When we speak, men and women should walk away satisfied, having been served hot bread from the ovens of heaven. May the Lord be revealed and glorified in our preaching every time.

 

Let’s Pray – Lord, may the life I live and the Gospel I preach bring the reality of the Atonement to light everywhere I go. Speak through Your servant today and may Your Word light the path of everyone who hears. Amen.

By His Design

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

My Bible teaches we are made by God and for God, and we find our true purpose in life when we acknowledge Him as our Creator, our Author, and our Finisher. His love for us is deeper and wider than we can imagine, and that shows in the intricate care with which we were all made. He designed us and gave us life -- and He has set Himself to save us, care for us, and spend eternity with us. We can trust Him to be attentive to every detail and aspect of our lives, and that is what it means to be the redeemed of the Lord. So, let's be sure to come humbly to the One who made us, loves us, and always has our best interests at heart.

 

There is no "Mother Earth," but only "Father God." Like us, the worlds were made by God, yet only we are made in His image (likeness). The Lord did not randomly produce humanity, and we are not some accident or afterthought of nature left to our own devices; and while the heavens and the earth will one day be done away with, we will dwell with our Lord forever in a new heaven and a new earth which comes down from above. This is the revelation David is sharing with us here, and we do well to think more often and deeply on these things, and to give praise to God for His wonderful works and everlasting love.

Let’s Pray - Father, I come to You, asking that You heal and repair every defect in my character, as I truly want to be like my Savior, Jesus Christ. Shape and mold me according to Your specifications, and I will give You glory and let my light shine for all to see. Thanks and blessings in Jesus, Amen.

I Am Sorry

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)

God will show us the things that hinder our fellowship with Him, and one great hindrance is the failure to be reconciled with others. It is impossible to be right with the Lord and wrong with your brother or sister. When the Holy Spirit instructs you to reconcile with another, do it, and do it right away. Go to your brother today and make things right. There can be no spiritual progress until you do.

 

It is important to be in right standing with every believer, and we must endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. God desires relationships that are holy and healthy, and He expects us to diligently pursue that end. His instruction to "be reconciled" is not optional, and our offering (or ministry) is not acceptable until that instruction is followed. Jesus means every word He says -- so, "Go your way . . . be reconciled."

 

Let’s Pray – Precious Lord, I desire to have unbroken fellowship with You, and I realize that requires holy relationships with those around me. Reveal anything that hinders, and I will tend to that thing today. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

On Holy Ground

Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)

A casual relationship with the Lord is no relationship at all. All who draw near to Him must regard Him as holy and purify themselves, just as He is pure. God requires a clean vessel for the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, and we are unwise to think He is content to overlook the undone areas in our character. The Lord is holy, and He will have nothing to do with sin and unrepentant sinners. It is wise to come to grips with that truth as the Day approaches. 

We must not get familiar with God. Moses had much to learn, and His first lesson was God is not like him, and His ways and thoughts are higher than his. Most importantly, He is not to be approached with a presumptuous attitude -- but the closer we come to God, the more reverence and awe we must give. He is not our buddy, but our Friend -- and we are only His friends if we obey His commands. Therefore, we must be attentive and careful as we walk before the Lord -- walking in a way that advances the Kingdom through our witness and our worship. All glory to God and no one else. Seek to draw near, and when you do, take off those shoes!

 

Let’s Pray – Father, forgive me for a casual and familiar attitude when I come into Your presence. It is an unfathomable honor to be called and chosen to come before You, and may I value and seek those times more and more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Speak the Truth

Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)

Godly relationships are built on the firm foundation of truthful speech. We are to speak the truth in love, and by doing so, we love each other as Christ loved us. Jesus always spoke the truth, no matter what the subject, and so must we. When we see our fellow believers as Christ sees them, we will always be sure to let genuine and honest speech flow from our hearts, building one another up in love and truth. 

Speaking the truth in every conversation is a firm requirement of the Lord for His children. We will be judged for our words one day, because they affect the lives of those around us. Our speech makes us faithful or unfaithful witnesses of God's character, therefore, we must make every effort to speak in a way that protects His reputation. Since our words are derived from the condition of our hearts, only hearts that are filled with the Spirit of God are capable of the speech He requires. May the Holy Spirit shed that love abroad in our hearts and through our speech. 

Let’s Pray – Lord, I will carefully guard my speech, especially as it pertains to believers. My conversation will edify my brothers and sisters, and may Your Spirit be pleased with my words at all times. Amen.

Jesus Paid All

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:2)

‘Propitiation’ means ransom or appeasement. We are all sinners, and that makes it impossible for the Lord to receive or relate to us; for the wages of sin is death, and He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Jesus came on this tragic scene as the Lamb of God, who took away our sins by offering up His life in our place. Therefore, the righteous requirement of the law was fulfilled in Him. Those who believe and receive Jesus have eternal life, now that the ransom has been paid and God’s wrath is appeased. Beloveds, the Cross of Christ is the central truth of all that exists in the universe. It is the only thing that truly matters. Do you believe and receive that?

No one will be able to offer God an acceptable excuse for rejecting or ignoring the Cross. Each one of us has been clearly shown the truth -- that there is a God, He is good, and we need to come to Him on His terms before it is too late. Even the demons know that there is a God in heaven, and they tremble at the thought of His power and their eventual doom. Therefore, the entire world will be judged and held accountable to God's holy standard, and only those of us who have accepted His terms of peace will enter into His rest. His peace and His rest have a name -- Jesus. Be sure to enter in. Today.   

 

Let’s Pray – Dear God, Jesus Christ is the truth, and there is no other. Thank You for revealing Your Son to me. Now, reveal Him through me. Amen.

Follow the Leader

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1Corinthians 11:1)

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of independence, but interdependence and the willingness to be led. God has been so good to place those before us who will lead us in the way we should go, if only we will follow them; and He holds us responsible for recognizing, honoring, and imitating them as they imitate Christ. So, note and revere the men and women who are over you in the Lord, for that is a pathway of peace.

 

Just as Jesus was an Example to His disciples, the Kingdom advances when we follow closely behind the leaders God ordains in our day. He has given some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11), so that His church is equipped, edified, and ushered into spiritual maturity. This leadership is not based on giftedness or superiority, but humility and grace -- and as long as those leaders are following Christ, they are worth following. We can confidently follow after someone like that, and that is how the Kingdom works. Follow the leader.

Let’s Pray – Lord, I will seek, follow, and honor the God-ordained leadership placed before me. Thank You for the men and women who lead me in the righteous path. Amen.

Get in Position

“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

If we will be still and wait on Jesus, He will fight our battles, and no enemy will be too strong for us. We must lay aside our own agenda, get into the posture of prayer and intercession, and let the Lord lead us to victory. When we are fully trusting in Jesus Christ, we will pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." That is the prayer of a saint who is surrendered to God and positioned for victory.

 

There are two types of battles in the Christian life, earthly and heavenly ones. Jesus was only taken up with heaven's issues, and so must it be with us. While there are an endless number of things we could be concerned with, the Lord teaches His children to focus on spiritual things and that which aligns us with Him. Our position for warfare is down on our knees, and no saint has ever lost a single battle from that posture! Remember, our God is a Man of War, and He wins every battle He fights! So position yourself, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.

 

Let’s Pray- Lord, I lay down my ways and wisdom, and I take up Your armor, which is Christ. I will humble myself and be still. The battle is the Lord's, and the victory is nigh! In Jesus alone, Amen.