A Right Spirit

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

It is easier than we think to get upside down in spiritual things. Once we begin to lead with our emotions, intellect, will, or flesh, we are immediately out-of-sorts, and only the Spirit of God can correct us. He has the truth at His disposal, and He will use that truth to help us realize our error and to repent. When we are wise, He gets our attention with just a whisper — but when we are foolish, He has to bring correction through difficulty and pain. Let us choose to be wise and obedient.

 

God deeply desires that you come to Him, and when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. He, and only He can make you holy and give you the power to live in a way that glorifies Him — that is why you come. So, come and let Him search you and remove anything that does not please Him. Come, and He will cleanse your heart and renew a right spirit within you. Just come!

 "Come unto Me . . ."  

 

Let’s pray - O Lord, open our eyes and give us a new heart and spirit. Help us to be easily entreated and quick to come to Jesus. Thank You for your grace and patience. Amen.

A Living Sacrifice

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1)

God is not being unreasonable when he asks us to lay our lives down, and there is great value in doing so. We become a “living sacrifice” when we are willing to die to ourselves and allow Christ to live out His life in our mortal bodies. What an honor, to gladly give our Lord everything we have and everything we are!

The laid-down life is the only life the Lord can raise up. He fills empty vessels, not full ones. He lifts up the humble and resists those who promote themselves. 

 

Truly, Jesus is our Example in all good things, and He is the ultimate living sacrifice. As we walk closely with God, we learn not to consider what obedience costs us. We consider what it cost Him, and it cost Him the life of His Son. 

Jesus laid down His life and picked it up again in righteousness and resurrection power. If we will lay our lives down, He will lift us up and fill us with that same righteousness and power. 

Remember, we must die to ourselves in order to truly live. So, present yourself to Him today. It is your reasonable service. Are you reasonable?

 

Let’s pray – Lord, we surrender our all today. Set us free from the bondage of selfishness, so we can truly be children of God. You gave everything for us, and we are most like our Savior when we give all for You. Amen.

A New Season

“No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined.” (Luke 5:36-37)

We must be careful not to frustrate the originality of the Holy Spirit by holding Him to the past and our limited understanding of the future. When the Lord does a new thing, it is something that has never been done before — not a refurbished, remodeled, rearranged thing, but a NEW thing.  He promises to do beyond what we can ask or think, and we can only take hold of that promise by faith. Our faith is the only container we possess large and elastic enough to receive the new thing. So, let go of your history and, by faith, embrace the new!

The old system of things will always resist the new. Remember, one of the greatest battles of the early New Testament Church was the temptation to turn back to Judaism and the Law of Moses — feasts, symbols, buildings, the Levitical priesthood, circumcision, dietary restrictions, and the like. Clinging to the old is always the sign of spiritual stagnation and dead religion, and our Lord is the God of the living, not the dead. The Holy Spirit will have none of that, and we must be careful not to grieve Him by seeking to breathe life into that which Jesus has set aside. 

The Lord doesn't coddle the old way of doing and seeing things — He puts it away, because it's time and purpose has passed. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit is the New Wine, and we are the new wineskins. So, set aside the old. The Lord is doing a new thing, and you are the new thing He’s doing!

Let's Pray - Father, I am prepared by Your Spirit for the new thing. I am willing to be, to do, and to go according to Your sovereign will. Thank You for the courage to let go of the old and embrace the new. In Jesus, Amen. 

Look Toward Heaven

Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.  (Genesis 15:5-6)

God wants to free us from the trap of small thinking. We limit God in our minds whenever we elevate our circumstances instead of increasing our faith. Faith is only increased by the determination to cling to God and His Word, and to let Him have the final say in all things. The name of Jesus must truly become the “name above all names” in my thinking — and my most sincere efforts get lost in the possibilities of His sovereign will, His grace, and His remarkable kindness. 

 

“Look toward heaven.”

If you draw near, you will hear God's promises that only He has the power to accomplish. He is not only the Promise-giver, but He is the Promise-keeper. He alone has the ability to make all things work together for good in the lives of His people, and He alone sees the beginning and end. 

Faith in God is the only basis we have for relationship with Him (Hebrews 11:4), and when we believe Him, He is free to do what could never be done otherwise. 

So, believe Him — your faith is your righteousness.

 

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, may I be found looking to You and looking up, instead of down and around. Give me a razor-sharp and heavenward focus. I want to see what you have for me. Thank You for opening the eyes of my heart. In Jesus alone, Amen.

Forgive and Forget

Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21, 22) 

The blood Jesus shed offers us complete forgiveness and the limitless capacity to forgive — and then to forget. Remember, all our sins are first and foremost an affront to God (not men), and He responds to our sins with the willingness to forgive them all. Therefore, we are able to forgive others, because He’s forgives us, and we are like our Father. We are no longer trapped in bitterness, anger, and a victim mentality, because we have been given a new heart, a new spirit, and the ministry of reconciliation. Now, we can pray for our enemies and those who sin against us! Like our Savior, we can say, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

The Lord forgives and forgets, and He expects the same of us. In fact, He will only remember our sins if we don’t forgive others their sins. Jesus said, “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15) How petty we are, quick to beg for forgiveness and restoration, and slow to do the same for others! While it is never easy, God gives us the power to do what we could not do otherwise. His love endures, and He never grows weary of hearing our sincere confession and forgiving our trespasses. We are called to be like Him and do for others what He does for us — forgive and forget. Father, help us!

Let's Pray - Lord, I will never forget the price You paid to forgive my sins. I will show my appreciation by forgiving those who have sinned against me, like I have been forgiven of the sins I committed against You. Thank You for my Savior Who forgives me, and Your Spirit Who keeps me. Amen.

By My Spirit, pt. 2

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)
 
If we think we can love God and the world, we deceive ourselves; and that deception stems from the belief that good can be found in anything or anyone other than Jesus. That is where we are in danger of losing the vitality of our faith, and where we are tempted to fall out of love with Jesus and in love with success. Therefore, we must be careful to draw near to God and take a more earnest heed to His Word. He desires to have us to Himself; so we cannot get wrapped up in worldly pursuits, lest we become like salt that loses its savor, or lamps hidden under a bushel. Let that not be said of us!
 
Believers are hidden under the shadow of the Cross, and the world no longer has the access to us it once had. We are no longer entangled with the rush of people, movements, and causes — and we refuse to go back to the places from which God removed us. He has taken us off the table, so to speak, and we are exclusively available to Him. God has set you apart, so let Him have His way with you. Abundant life awaits, and that life is only found in Christ, and only by His Spirit. 

“. . . by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts.
 
Let's Pray - Father, I am turning away from the futility of worldly activities and thinking, and I am confidently turning to You. I submit myself to You; so, lead me by Your Holy Spirit, and I will gladly follow. In Jesus, Amen.

By His Spirit

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)
 
We must endeavor to understand God’s ways more and more, because He uses methods we are not acquainted with. Too often, we are looking for what we can see, understand, calculate, control, and organize; but the Lord is working on a much deeper level.

 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing . . .” (John 6:63a) 

When we ask Him for true wisdom, He will answer, give us spiritual understanding, and a superior perspective on things.
 
Anything that rises up from us (no matter how good or sincere) will become a thing in itself, and this is always a snare in Christian work. Though it may seem godly, Christian enterprise is no more holy than that of the world. The Lord is building that which is heavenly, not earthly; and that which He is building will point men and women to Jesus Christ, not to us. It does not matter what people think of me or you, our works, or our reputation. In fact, we will encounter the fiercest opposition and misunderstanding (even from Christians) when we are truly serving God. 

May every Christian worker lay aside good intentions and our most sincere efforts in order to grasp the meaning of these words, "'Not by (your) might, nor by (your) power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord." 
 
Let's Pray - Lord, I will not limit You to methods I can understand, but I will look to You in the Spirit and see Your great salvation! Do what only You can do in my life; and use the people, places, and things You ordain. Let it be unto me according to Your will. In Jesus alone, Amen.

Come to Me

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The rest Jesus offers is the assurance that He loves and cares for us, and we can confidently give our all to the One who is able to save us and keep us forever. You see, Jesus is not just interested in giving us rest, but being our rest. He is the Rest of God! The "yoke" He gives us is the assurance that He is always with us, through all our tests and labors. Therefore, we should never be depleted or exhausted, for He shares our burdens, and we will find true rest in Him.

 

The rest Jesus offers is more than a respite or vacation from our labors. It is the benefit we enjoy when we receive Him as our Lord, as well as our Savior. He must truly become the "Author and Finisher" of our faith and our works. We can rest in the assurance that He takes total responsibility for everything we commit to Him, and we must commit everything to Him. 

Truly, He is our Sabbath — not a day of the week, but a way of life, where we learn He is sufficient and trustworthy in all things, all the time. And all we have to do is come. 

If you are weary, it is because you are laboring without Him. So remember, believing in Jesus is the work you've been given to do. Take His yoke, stop striving, and start trusting. Come and find your rest in Him. Come to Jesus.

 

Let's Pray - Father, I confidently enter into the rest that is mine when I trust You. I take my life back from myself and the world, and I offer it to You as a living sacrifice. Use me to glorify Your name. Amen.

God is Good

“Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” (Matthew 20:15)

God’s Word has gone out into the entire world, and the world has largely rejected His call. Jesus came to the Jews, and they largely rejected Him. He reached out to the Gentiles, and they, too, largely shunned the Savior. To this very day, men go about their way in futility, seeking to gain what they cannot keep, and turning away from Him who would keep them forever. The Church of Jesus Christ, however, is the clearest indication on earth that the Lord is good, His mercy endures, and He is still reaching out to save men -- all men. His care and kindness are born out of His unfathomable love, and we do well to be counted among those who heed the One who calls!

 

God's ways are higher than ours and always will be. His kingdom works on another order, and even Christians will misunderstand His ways, unless we seek His Kingdom first and foremost. Our best-laid plans and our highest ideals will never move the hand of God. Yet, simple faith and obedience brings all the power of heaven to bear on our behalf. May the Lord give us spiritual wisdom and understanding; and may the Kingdom and its rule in our lives be the clearest evidence that we are the children of God -- and that God is good.

 

Let’s Pray – Father, thank You for Your lovingkindness, for it is better than life itself. Your goodness is beyond comprehension, and we are grateful. We will show that same love and kindness to everyone we encounter in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Get Wise Counsel

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck.  (Proverbs 1:8-9)

Be sure to seek, hear, and heed the instructions of your spiritual elders and leaders. They are gifts to you from the Lord, fountains of life and wisdom.  Every child of God should find himself or herself in the company of those who have walked with the Lord longer than they have. Fathers and mothers of the faith are precious jewels, so be sure to adorn your life with them. Be willing to receive from them, because their counsel will help, strengthen, and spare you untold and unnecessary pain.

 

Godly counsel and friendly advice are two different things. We can obtain advice from any number of sources, and it may or may not be beneficial, especially as it pertains to spiritual things. What is advisable and expedient according to the world's standards is not necessarily so in the spirit! However, counsel from godly men and women is rooted in the scriptures and based on a heavenly value system. Worldly advice cannot compare to the guidance we receive from those who know God and walk in His ways, and you will find them ready and willing to share their wisdom freely. Remember, the only way to get wisdom is to seek it and receive it from those who are wise. That is what the Bible teaches. 

Let’s Pray – Father, thank You for placing wise men and women in the church to give us biblical counsel. We will seek them out and heed their words as the Bible instructs. Amen.

Vengeance Is Mine

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. (Deuteronomy 32:35)

We must rest on the promise that the Lord sees, hears, and knows everything, and He will make all things right in the end. Only then can we focus on what's ahead instead of the past. Though it seems that evil people get away with their shameful acts, God has promised to judge each one according his deeds, and He will repay sinners and reward saints accordingly. God’s judgments will be honest and true, because He is honest and true. Let’s rest in Him. He will work things out, and He does all things well.

 

Only the Holy Spirit can rightly search out the inner sanctums of the human heart, and that is why He alone is fit to judge. When we contemplate revenge or getting even, we have made ourselves God, and we have deemed our judgment fair and impartial, when that may not be true. We can only be sure of what the Lord reveals to us, and when He allows us to see another's faults, it is so we might intercede and ask that He show them mercy — the same mercy He showed us when we deserved to be judged. May we come to the point of trusting God in all things. It is God who judges, and God who shows mercy.

 

Let’s Pray – Dear God, I trust you with every outcome, and I know You will judge every man, woman and circumstance fairly. I forgive all who have sinned against me, because I have been forgiven. Thank You for Your mercy and thank You for Your judgments. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Be at Peace

. . . be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:13b)

Christians are to display the love of God to all people, especially those within the household of faith. When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, He overflows the borders of our natural affinities and freely expresses God's love as only He can. That unique love lays a foundation for peace, like that enjoyed by the Father, Son, and Spirit we serve. When we live in that peace, we truly are one, as They are One.

 

Beware of Christians who are strident and combative, more interested in being seen, being right, and demanding their rights than walking in God's righteousness. That is the spirit of the day, and it is not the Holy Spirit, but a counterfeit. When the Lord desires to bring peace to a situation, He sends you, because you are an instrument of His peace. Controversies, divisions, self-seeking, and the like will all give way when a peacemaker enters the conversation. 

Our presence in the earth is a sure sign that the Lord is still extending His love and grace to a needy world, and He is not finished winning souls and saving the lost. So, go and deliver the Gospel and God's peace wherever the Prince of Peace sends you. Above all, be at peace.

 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

 

Let’s Pray – Dear God, thank You for the unity of the Holy Spirit and the bond of peace in Your house. We will walk humbly and lovingly before You and before one another. May we come to Your throne and bow at Your feet continually. Amen.

A Spotless Bride

. . . that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)

I’ve been privileged to witness many weddings, and I’m always amazed at the attention paid to every detail pertaining to the bride. I have never seen a bride with a dingy dress, a careless hairstyle or makeup -- but she is flawlessly prepared for the occasion, and rightly so. If you and I choose to live in a fashion that adorns the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then we, too, will be properly dressed for our Heavenly Bridegroom on that great wedding day. Would Jesus be proud to call you His bride today? Is your life spotless and holy? Are you fit to be with Him, or will you be shut out of the wedding feast?

 

God's standard is perfection, and that is because His standard is Jesus. Notice Paul tells us that Jesus is preparing His bride for Himself. In other words, if you belong to Him, He places His loving hands on every detail of your life. Every imperfection must be dealt with, and every attitude and temperament, as well as words and deeds, must be laid bare before Him and His scrutiny. Our heavenly adornment must be as spotless and white as His was on the Mount of Transfiguration, because nothing of sin or self will be received or accepted in heaven. Those of us who are looking forward to that Day purify ourselves, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3). Remember, holiness is hard work, but it is glorious work -- and the benefits are eternal.  

 

Let’s Pray – Father, I desire to be ready when my Lord returns for me. Whether by death or rapture, I only want to spend eternity with Jesus. So, cleanse me, sanctify me, and make me holy, Lord. I am Yours. Amen.

A New Creation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Among the greatest joys available to a saint is the privilege of beginning again. God does not ask us to salvage or rehabilitate the old man, but to let him die out altogether. There is a new life Jesus prepares for His children, and He has no interest in recycling that which is passing away. Never be sympathetic with your old nature, but crucify him, pick up your cross daily, and follow Jesus. The resurrected life will be yours to enjoy forever.

 

It takes a new creature to thrive in the new creation. We must be willing to move on from all we've come to depend on, go beyond our own understanding, and let the Lord direct us into a deeper and fuller revelation of Jesus Christ. That is why our life with Him is called a "walk." God gives us a progressive outlook on everything through faith, and that is a new and different perspective altogether from the one we once had. 

The nation of Israel rejected God's invitation into a New Covenant. They refused to walk with Jesus, and it resulted in spiritual blindness that remains to this day. Let us not make the same grave error. The old has passed away, and the Kingdom has come — not around you, but within you. Behold!

 

Let’s Pray – Dear Lord, I realize my blessings lie before me and not behind. Give me a forward-looking perspective, and I will expect good things as You keep the promises You have made in Your Word. In Jesus Christ, Amen.

Saved by Grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.  (Ephesians 2:8)

God’s grace and our faith are an unbeatable combination by which we live victorious lives that please God and bless others. We cannot earn God’s grace, and that’s what makes it so amazing. Salvation is God's gift to be freely and joyfully received. We are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6), and nothing can undo what God has done. So, rejoice in your salvation today. Spend your life loving, believing, worshiping, enjoying, and glorifying Him. Relax and lay down your burdens, because His grace is sufficient for you. Hallelujah!

 

The successful Christian life is not found in our usefulness, giftedness, or anything we can obtain by our efforts. Every good and perfect gift comes down to us from above, and nothing of any eternal weight rises up from us to heaven. Without the Holy Spirit, none of us are good — no, not one. God is not increased or enriched at all by anything we can say or do for Him, and He is God whether or not we believe or acknowledge Him. The only thing we have to offer is a sacrifice of praise, and even the ability to do that is a function of God's grace. 

We have been saved by grace, we remain in Him by grace, and He will receive us up into glory by grace. So, none of us should boast, but all of us should worship. What an amazing God! What amazing grace!

 

Let’s pray –Lord, we rejoice in the power of Your name, and because of Your great love. Thank You for the Blood of the Lamb shed for us, so that we might be saved and sanctified in Christ Jesus. Yes, we will rejoice and be glad! Amen.

Shine Your Light

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Wherever the Holy Spirit dwells there is light, and He dwells in believers. We are Spirit-filled, and men get the opportunity to see the Lord by the light of our presence. The world is a place of spiritual darkness, so we must be prepared to stand out every place we go. How well Jesus is represented in the world depends entirely on us, and we glorify Him when we surrender to His will, love one another, and walk in the light as He did. It’s simple; we shine, people see, God gets the glory. Now that’s a great plan!

 

Even a little darkness is unacceptable to God, and we grieve the Spirit by allowing any sin or smallness of heart whatsoever. The Lord is looking to expand the work of Jesus in the earth, and that expansion must first take place in those surrendered to Him. Every root of bitterness, grudge, or unsavory attitude must be brought kicking and screaming to the Cross, where we can exchange them for the strength and sweetness of our Savior. Remember, John teaches us that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Neither can there be any darkness abiding in you. Come to the Lord about this matter today. Your light is dawning.

Let’s Pray – Father, please give us Your Spirit so we are able to represent You well before all men. We are honored to be chosen representatives of heaven, and we desire more and more to see You glorified in the earth. Thank You for making us Your children and calling us the light of the world! Amen.

Believe Without Seeing

Blessed are those who have not seen and have yet believed. (John 20:29b)

. . . while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

 

Faith is God’s precious gift to us, and it embraces what is most important -- the things that are not seen. The Word teaches we are most pleasing to God when we walk by faith, not by sight. Therefore, we are not defeated or overcome by life's difficulties, because we have made the choice to look to the Lord and not our circumstance. “God said it, so I believe it!” That is faith, and faith alone pleases God.

 

Faith is imperative, because there is far more to the Christian life than what we can see or possess. That is why an overemphasis on earthly prosperity and material success is an affront to all Jesus taught. God is not preparing His children for success, or breakthroughs, or prosperity, or even ministry. God is preparing us for heaven, and nothing else. His perspective is eternal, and so must ours be. If we are prepared for the return of Christ, we will also be ready for everything we encounter in this life. However, we can be dressed for earthly success, having all the trappings of blessings and prosperity, and be thoroughly unprepared to meet our Lord. Jesus puts it his way, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?" (Luke 9:25) May the Lord keep us from accepting worldly standards. May the Lord increase and reward our faith.

 

Let’s Pray – Father, I choose to walk as if I already have everything I need and desire, for I believe You are my Provider. I will rejoice and say, “Thank You!” -– for You have done great things in my life, and I know You will continue to do so! In Jesus alone, Amen. 

Born from Above

That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of Spirit is spirit.  (John 3:6)

We had no choice in our natural birth, but we are born in the Spirit strictly by choice. We must choose to believe in Jesus, and we confirm that choice by walking in the Spirit He imparts. Then, our life takes on the fragrance of heaven, and we become the “salt of the earth," because we are the only ones who make this otherwise bland and sinful world palatable to God.

God is Spirit, and as His children, so are we. His family is not natural, but spiritual. God's family is like no other family, for it is not respective of bloodlines or DNA. No human action or interaction can bring anyone into His family, but only the Cross of Christ and the Atonement He provided there. The finished work of Jesus is the only door to the Household of Faith, and we enter on our knees and no other way. That is the difference between being born of the flesh and the new birth. Natural birth opens the door to the world, but the new birth opens the door to forever, and the wise man steps through that door. Jesus is the door. So, think deeply on this, my friends. The consequences are eternal.

Let’s Pray - Thank You, Lord, for making me a child of the King. I am forever grateful to be called by Your Holy Name. Teach me to worship You in spirit and in truth. I gladly give you my life, and I consider it my reasonable service. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Come and See

And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46) 

The entire New Testament can be summed up in one word, “Come.” Are you surrounding yourself with people of faith, people who encourage and challenge you to “Come and see”? Our faith is always strengthened by the example of those who follow after the Lord closely. When we seek Him, we will find Him, for Jesus is anxious to reveal Himself to all who sincerely search Him out.

 

Let us be careful not to take other roads, look to human solutions, and harken to earthly powers. May we remember that the answer to everything that truly matters is Jesus. God is teaching us to turn to Him first, and when we do, He will give us the ability to see life from His perspective. 

Truly, our spiritual maturity can be measured by how quickly we come to Jesus, and how well we've learned not to trust in ourselves. Our lives are to be a continual "coming," and we will flourish when we do. So come. Leave all behind, and just come. “Come and see.”

 

Let's Pray – Father, I come to You today, and I know I will find You if I search with all my heart. I humble myself in Your sight, and I ask You to remove the scales from my eyes, so I can see clearly and draw near to You. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for bringing me to the Father through Jesus the Son. Amen.

Capture Every Thought

. . . casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Thoughts are strange things. They can come at any time, from any direction, and lodge themselves in our consciousness without invitation or permission. Those thoughts can become our gods, unless we learn to immediately capture and judge them by the Word. Is your thought life subject to God's Word, or have you made God subject to your thoughts, your

intellect, your take on things, or your take on Him? Think about it . . . no, pray about it!

 

But He (Jesus) turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." (Luke 9:55)

 

Just because we think or believe a thing does not make it so! We can be far off base in our thoughts, because we have embraced a popular or personal point of view — one that just happens to set well with our own temperament. Christians have too often identified themselves with men, words, and works that have never been crucified with Christ; therefore, we are known by our politics and opinions, but not by our love. The Holy Spirit will have none of that, and if we allow Him, He will take us by the hand and lead us into all truth; and that truth is found only in Jesus. So, bring your thoughts captive to Christ, leave them at His feet, and He will give you His mind in return.

 

But we have the mind of Christ. (1Corinthians 2:16)

 

Let’s Pray – Lord, please forgive me if I have put You in the box of my own limited understanding. The entire universe cannot contain You, and neither can my intellect. Give me the mind of Christ today, and expand my horizons. Help me to see what You see and to agree with Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By His Spirit

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)
 
We must endeavor to understand God’s ways more and more, because He uses methods we are not acquainted with. Too often, we are looking for what we can see, understand, calculate, control, and organize; but the Lord is working on a much deeper level. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing . . .” (John 6:63a) When we ask Him for true wisdom, He will answer, give us spiritual understanding, and a superior perspective on things.
 
Anything that rises up from us (no matter how good or sincere) will become a thing in itself, and this is always a snare in Christian work. Though it may seem godly, Christian enterprise is no more holy than that of the world. The Lord is building that which is heavenly, not earthly; and that which He is building will point men and women to Jesus Christ, not to us. It does not matter what people think of me or you, our works, or our reputation. In fact, we will encounter the fiercest opposition and misunderstanding (even from Christians) when we are truly serving God. May every Christian worker lay aside good intentions and our most sincere efforts in order to grasp the meaning of these words, "'Not by (your) might, nor by (your) power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord." 
 
Let's Pray - Lord, I will not limit You to methods I can understand, but I will look to You in the Spirit and see Your great salvation! Do what only You can do in my life; and use the people, places, and things You ordain. Let it be unto me according to Your will. In Jesus alone, Amen.

Speak Kind Words

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.  (Colossians 4:6)

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45)

 

Our words tell us what is in our hearts. When our hearts are settled on our God, we will speak blessings and encouragement, and our speech will be like morning dew and evening rain on the dry and thirsty ears that hear us. Let your speech be a blessing today, and let the world hear Jesus in you.

 

When I speak poorly, it is a sure sign that there is something ungodly seeking to find a foothold in my heart. So, I must take the spade of God's Word and dig out every root of bitterness, every offense, and every point of darkness the Scriptures reveal. There is absolutely no room in my heart for that which does not glorify the King, because God is light, and His children are the light of the world. Therefore, our words must bring life, light, and peace to every conversation. The Holy Spirit has shed the love of God in your heart, so speak kind words today that reflect His presence. Others are listening. God is listening.

 

Let’s Pray – Father, place the words of Jesus in my heart and on my lips. I will set a guard on my tongue, that my words would be seasoned with salt, building others up, not tearing them down. Be pleased with my speech today. Amen.

Quietness and Confidence

For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)

 

God's children are like trees planted by rivers of living water (Psalm 1:3), and we enjoy the wonderful provision and protection of the Lord. Our supply is often unseen and unnoticed, but our roots go deep and are consistently nourished by the never-ceasing abundance of a Holy God. Our confidence is firmly rooted in the belief that God never fails, never gets weary, and He is good all the time. That confidence is our hiding place — the secret place found only by those who are rooted and grounded in Him.

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

 

Our work is not to solve life's problems, but to bow before the One who sits on heaven's throne. We triumph over distress and depression when we surrender to the Father's will, and we learn to get to our knees quickly. Believers hidden with God in Christ are quiet and confident, and no evil can overtake the saint who has placed every care in His hands. The power to live with childlike joy and fearlessness can be traced to the effort we make to get to the feet of Jesus Christ. He is our confidence. Draw near, my friend.

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You. (Jeremiah 26:3)

Let’s Pray – Lord, I will be as bold as a lion, because You are with me. If You are for me, who of any consequence can be against me? Stand with me Lord and fight for me. I am Your child and Your servant, and all my springs are in You! In Christ Jesus, Amen.

Resist the Devil

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  (James 4:7)

 

Humility is the weapon the devil has no answer for, because he cannot humble himself — so, the most effective posture we can take against the wily tactics of Satan is falling to our knees before God’s throne. The saint bowed low in prayer and intercession cannot be touched by the lies of the accuser, the lust of the flesh, nor the lures of the world. Down at the Lord’s feet is the highest place!

 

We must resist the temptation to lift ourselves up, and to present ourselves or our works as something wonderful in themselves. "Look at us!" "Look at me!" "Look at what God is doing over here!" That is an earmark of carnality, the crass and commercial spirit of the day. Yet, God looks to abide in the company of saints bowed down in worship, not lifting themselves up to be noticed and praised. 

 

If the Lord deems us trustworthy, He will send us to share the Gospel with others, but woe to us if we promote ourselves and go without being sent. If you are sent, go. If not, wait, be still, and know that He is God. Satan cannot abide your patience or your humility, and he will flee. Good riddance.

 

Let’s Pray – Father, I humble myself in Your sight, and You will lift me up in due season. Until then, I am content in Your care and at Your feet. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit of peace. Amen.

Never Too Late

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.”  (Genesis 18:11)

 

If you belong to Jesus, He is sure to give you a task too difficult to do without Him. Just as our Lord did nothing on earth except what He'd seen His Father do, we can accomplish nothing apart from what we've seen our Savior do. Our attempts at reaching people for Jesus may be nothing more than popular and corporate methodology — there is nothing of the raw power of faith in God and nothing of the Cross of Christ in that kind of "ministry." You and I, on the other hand, are called to that which can only be accomplished through the power of prayer and patience. 

 

Remember, Abraham and Sarah were far past the age of bringing a child into the world, yet they would soon hold Isaac in their arms ("Isaac" means laughter). God laughs at the impossible. Let's laugh with Him. 

 

Let's Pray - Father, help me to take You at Your word and respond in faith when You speak -- especially when it's hard to believe! With You, nothing is impossible, and impossible is nothing! Amen.

Here I Am

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”  (Isaiah 6:85)

 

Can God send you, or have you begun to worship your comfort and blessings? Are you pressing into Jesus, or are you satisfied with the Jesus you already know? The Christian life is an adventure, and you have no idea where obedience and sacrifice will take you next. Don’t go without being sent, but when you are sent, GO!

 

There are times when you hear the voice of the Lord so clearly that there is no doubt He has spoken to you. In those times, do not consult with flesh and blood, but GO! Do what He commanded immediately before you fall into the devilish trap of doubt that Eve fell into - - "Did God really say . . .?" Yes, He did, so do what He said immediately and continually. This is the life of the child and church of God; hearing, doing and going. What are you waiting for? When He sends you, GO!

Let’s Pray – Dear Father, my heart is willing to go where You send me. I long to see the Gospel reach the ends of the earth. Prepare me to do my part, and I will represent Your interests in the world. "Here I am, Lord. Send me!" Amen.

Let Him Lead

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me . . . (Psalm 23:4)

 

It doesn’t matter where we are or what’s going on around us, as long as Jesus is leading. Fear has no place to settle in a heart that is following Him and abiding in Him. If the Lord has led you into a difficult season, rejoice, because the victory is nigh. Stay close enough to hear His voice and enjoy His peace, even in the midst of the storm. Jesus never leaves those He leads.

Spiritual growth is impossible without obstacles and strain. God uses life's difficulties to train us to look to Him, and we discover the depths of His love in those trying seasons. Remember, the work He is accomplishing in us is dependent upon His faithfulness and grace, and nothing else.

 

If you have been stripped of every other resource, good — that is exactly where God wants you. Go forward, and He will provide everything you need on the way. Trust Jesus and let Him lead. He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Let’s Pray – Dear Father, where You lead me, I will follow. Give me an ear to hear and a heart to obey. I want to be found in You, and to be a sheep who knows Your voice and will not follow another. Amen.

Perfect in Weakness, pt. 2

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

It seems absurd to “boast in my infirmities” as Paul did, but that is where the power of God rested in his life. Before the Lord could use him, Paul had to lay aside any dependence on his many gifts, his wisdom, his accomplishments, and even his great knowledge into the mysteries of God. While most men stand on these things, Paul learned to put them aside, that he might make way for an even greater revelation of God’s Son. It is a difficult truth, but God’s strength is perfected in us through our weakness, not our strength. Are you willing to be weak today?

 

God's divine life is imparted to us as we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit. He brings us to the nail-scarred feet of Jesus, and Jesus receives us as joint heirs to the Father. None of these things depend on our works or worth. We must not endeavor to earn what Jesus has won; everlasting life is ours by grace through faith, and that alone. 

The fact that we are unworthy and undeserving only serves to magnify the Lord and illustrate the sweetness of His love and kindness. His strength is attracted to our weakness, and we must come to understand that we can do nothing good without Him, nor should we try. Jesus is the only King who was willing to become weak and the only God who was willing to become a man. As He was willing, so must we be. 

 

Let’s Pray – Father, I lay down every claim and possession, and I take up that which You would give me, and that alone. Let Your divine excellence be my portion, as I humble myself in Your sight. May I be strong in the power of Your might today. Amen. 

Perfect in Weakness

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

 

The weakness Paul speaks of here is not sin. The only answer for sin is found on our knees at the Cross. Weakness is the human condition — the frailties, disappointments, and shortcomings with which we all struggle. God searches out the areas of weakness we would hide in shame, and His grace strengthens us and glorifies Him in that place. In fact, the Lord’s strength is attracted to our weakness, as is His provision to our need. Go to Him weak, and He will acknowledge your weakness and send you forward in His strength!

True ministry is never based on our giftedness or excellence, and God will never settle heavenly matters by human efforts. We are not called to do things for God, but to present ourselves to Him daily and give Him the opportunity to do whatever He pleases with us. Anything we do in our own strength will bring us glory. So, God trusts us with weakness, so that our work is done in His strength, not ours. Remember, when the job before us requires Kingdom power, only the weak need apply.

 

Let’s Pray – Dear Father, I confess my desperate need of Your Holy Spirit. Fill me today and live the life of Jesus Christ through me for all to see. Thank You for loving me and strengthening me, even in my weakness. In Christ alone, Amen.

 

Commanded to Love

“These things I command you, that you love one another.”  (John 15:17)

Love is the currency of heaven, and we can do nothing for God without it — so, it makes a remarkable difference to see love as a command and not a choice. Jesus can command us to love, because He has taken love out of the natural and emotional realm and placed it in the proper framework of the spirit. When our love is true love, it is spiritual, based on the personality of God, who is love. Therefore, He commands us to love others, and He is able to give us the power to do as He commands.

Some people, even Christians, tout "unconditional" love. But that is a fallacy, because God's love must have its conditions, and Jesus Christ is that condition; For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) The love of God can only be appreciated, understood, and expressed in Jesus, and if we don't have Christ, we don't have love that satisfies God's standards. Men and circumstances will test the limits of our love, and it is the Spirit who sheds God's love abroad in our hearts to help us pass those tests. Only then do we have the capacity to obey His command to love one another. There is no other way to love, and there is no greater love than Jesus.

Let's Pray - Father, it is good and right to learn to define love as You do. Teach me to appreciate each person as an opportunity to love as You command. May my words and deeds be salt and light in the earth, and may You be glorified in Your servant. Amen.

A New Day

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . .  (2 Corinthians 4:16, 17)

God is after greater things in us than we are aware of, and once we realize how much He loves us, we can weather the most difficult seasons with a winsome joy. No more sulking or sour sadness disguised as “suffering for Jesus!” That’s not devotion at all, and no one is drawn to the Lord by that kind of sullen or morbid religiosity. True worship comes from a heart that looks to the dawning of the new day and to the fulfillment of God’s divine purpose. Yes, God is looking for true worshippers!

The work we are called to do is to believe on Jesus and all He says to us. We live joyfully and expectantly, because we refuse the clamor all around us, and we harken to the King above and the Kingdom within. The Lord requires we be faithful and courageous, and His Spirit within us is always pouring out His love and giving us the power to be the overcomers He says we are. Remember, God will touch and bless every hand and heart lifted up to Him. So, look up today, see Your Lord on high, lift your hands, and give Him the glory He deserves. It's a new day!

Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24:7)

Let’s Pray – Dear Father, I will look beyond the difficulties of the moment and worship You in spirit and truth. You are firmly in control of my life, and You are always faithful. Thank You for trusting me with these trials. Through them all, I will rejoice and give You glory. Amen.

A New Thing

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.  (Isaiah 43:18, 19a)

 The Lord will take you to new places and show you new things, if you are willing. His mercy and love are new every morning, and He is leading you to new heights where only the faithful can follow. Christ desires to live His life through you, so move every obstacle and concern out of His way. The things that lie ahead count most. Leave your past behind and move forward with God. Take His hand, trust Him, and follow Him closely.

"A new thing" is something greater than has ever happened in you before, and the Lord is doing that thing. He alone does what no human effort, self-help, or self-improvement can — for only God can do a perfect work in you. This new thing will bring you closer to Jesus, where nothing is impossible, and the impossible is nothing! Your part is to present yourself daily, to be stretched and changed until Christ is fully formed in you. So, forget what's behind and press toward your new life in Him. That is where you'll find your joy. That is where you'll find Jesus.

Let’s Pray – Dear Lord, give me eyes that look forward, and I will approach this new year with great expectation. I trust You with every detail of my life. Lead me in the way I should go. In my Savior’s name, Amen.