Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Fullness Of Life
Fullness Of Life
Colossians
2:6-8--- As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in
him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been
taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you
through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the
rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
In our world, we are always standing between two opposites. We are always standing
between east or west, north or south, hot or cold, up or down, life or death,
and hundreds of thousands of other opposites. One of the opposites of our life
is emptiness or fullness. The emptiness or fullness of your life is a result of
the choices you make. Every moment of your life can be a moment of fullness. If
you choose to be nothing in life, your life will likely be terribly empty. What
you choose to put into your heart and soul can fill up your life with either
light or darkness. If you would choose to fill up your life with the light and
the love of God, you will not have any emptiness. Instead of emptiness, you can
have fullness by opening your heart and mind to God's ever-present love for
you.
Monday, August 30, 2021
Fulfilling Your Role in the Great Commission
Matthew 9:37-38---Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
The
president of a large mission’s ministry sat across from one of his wealthiest
board members and his wife one evening over dinner. He shared about all that
God was doing in the ministry and about the lives that were being impacted
across the globe. Suddenly, the board member’s eyes welled up with tears as he
confessed to the president, “I feel like we’ve missed our calling. I hear about the stories of lives being
impacted by the gospel, and I can’t help but think I should be the one out
there doing what you are doing.” The president unflinchingly looked right at
the board member and said, “My friend, the reason we’re able to do what we do
is because you’re doing what you do. God has given you the ability to make
money and give it away. And by doing that, you’ve replicated yourself hundreds,
maybe even thousands of times, and sent yourself all over the globe!” The truth
is that the Great Commission has many components. And as believers, each of us
is called in some way to be one of them. So whether you’re actively going and
sharing Christ with others, giving financially for the growth of the Kingdom,
or praying for missionaries, be involved in God’s global purpose and fulfill
your role in the Great Commission.
Sunday, August 29, 2021
From Possibilities to Events
Psalm 139:16-17--- Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
When we see possibilities in the tough times of life we can act upon these possibilities. Possibilities can become probabilities when we act on the possibilities. Then, when we act on the probabilities these probabilities can become certainties. We can make things happen when we see this chain of events going from possibilities to probabilities, to certainties, and then we act upon the possibilities. When we see the chain of events and the connections, our level of expectation can reach its highest point. Possibilities can become certainties in our life because we have an intangible substance within our hearts and soul called faith. Real faith in the Light of God and the Light's tender care for us is a positive expectation grounded in the certainty of our human experience. Real faith in the Light of God's tender care results in a positive expectation so strong even impossible circumstances become actual events.
Saturday, August 28, 2021
From God's Perspective
When you are unsure of what you should do, try to see things from God's perspective. Try to see things like God sees them. Try to see how God could take a situation you are in and make the situation better or make the circumstance come out OK. Try to see how you could open doors in a circumstance so God can do his work. In other respects, God needs you to pave some highways on this earth. He needs you to make straight the way, so others can follow. Even in very bad, desperate circumstances, God can do great works but He still needs you to open doors, pave roads, and Move Mountains for Him.
Friday, August 27, 2021
Found Your Wings Yet?
2 Corinthians 8:2---How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
A man
watched a butterfly trying to emerge from a cocoon. Thinking he would help, the
man took his penknife and slit the side of the cocoon, and the butterfly
flopped out. It lay there for a while, feebly beating its wings, then collapsed
and died. “How sad,” you say. You’re right—God designed a plan for butterflies.
The struggle to break free builds the strength they will need to fly. God
doesn’t want you to live weakly and die feebly. He wants you to grow and
mature. Find the wings in your trial today. Strengthen them by the promises in
God’s Word. Venture on new heights of freedom in Christ today.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Forces For Victory in Life
2 Chronicles 20:15 - And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's.
We can easily live our life with loose ends. We can live our lives as if there is no tomorrow. When we live our life with loose ends, we end up never assessing and using the forces we have at our disposal. Remember the battle is not yours, but God’s. If we do not marshal our forces for victory, we can never gather ourselves or get our life together so we can win. To achieve victory in life, you must know your forces. To achieve victory, you must gather your forces together and channel your power. You do not want your forces scattered unless there is an advantage to scattering. You want your forces gathered together so you can maximize their strength. Some of your forces are the minute-by-minute blessings you can count. Every blessing is both a power you can add to your arsenal as well as a message from God about how you are doing in being His child. Your forces are your ability and your willingness to be forgiving to let old hurts die away. Your forces are your abilities to love and accept others, no matter who the others are or where they are.
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Following God’s Will For Your Life
Proverbs 2:6-8---For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Each day
you make important decisions. Some days bring decisions that are more important
than others. We cannot often see the future and we do not always know what path
to take. Our life is often filled with uncertainties about what to do. However,
you have Christ who will guide you. In every decision you make, always ask the
Lord to help you do His will. Doing His will leads to life. Living your life
for Christ gives life back to you. When you are confused you can pray to Him
and find enlightenment. When you are without information or knowledge, He will
help you find a way to learn what you need to know. Pray He will gently mold
you and shape you into always doing His will rather than doing your own will.
Seek His face. Commit your life to living in true humility. Then, whatever
outcome happens as a result of decisions you make, you will live in peace and
glorify His name in all you say, think, and do.
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Focus On The Task Not On The Score
When we think we are behind and we keep looking at the clock or looking at the scoreboard, we are looking in the wrong direction. When we focus on anything other than the task at hand, our focus is not where our focus should be. When we focus on the task at hand, we are dramatically more successful than when we are looking at the clock or the scoreboard to see whether we are ahead or behind. If you keep looking at the scoreboard and you see you are behind, you may get so dejected you put winning out of the question. The objective in any circumstance defines what our next step must be. Knowing the score may help us change our objectives but when we change objectives we must still implement the tasks to be accomplished rather than continually trying to determine what the score is or will be.
Monday, August 23, 2021
FINDING YOUR LIFE
Titus 3:3-7---For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
You may
not lose your life physically, but you can feel like you have died while you
are still alive in the body. There can be as many different reasons why we
think we have lost our inner life as there are people. Most often, when we lose
jobs, careers, opportunities, loved ones, or close friends, a part of our life
seems to be taken from us. When we experience terribly deep depression we can
also feel there is no life within us. In these times when life within us seems
gone, we must remember God is not gone. When we feel dead inside, we must
remember the kingdom of God is within us. We must remember the kingdom of God
within us does not just blank out or disappear within us. We must remember the
kingdom of God and God Himself is always living and alive within us. In life's
darkest moments we can stop the deadness within us by remembering God is love. In His love, there is a light of love within
us every minute. The pain of the present moment can be lessened if we take our
burdens to Christ who also lives within us.
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Finding Inner Peace
2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Inner
peace is not just the absence of inner war and conflict. Inner peace is the
presence of God's love, care, kindness, and compassion within your heart. So
many people do not have inner peace. They, unfortunately, try to find inner
peace in drugs, alcohol, relationships, careers, hobbies, and numerous
endeavors only to come up empty and lost. Inner peace is not found in some kind
of selfish endeavor. You find inner peace by surrendering up and giving up to
God all you have and all you are. God loves you and cares for you. God gave up
the life of His only son so you could have eternal life. What seems important
in the world causing you so much conflict, war, chaos, and turmoil are not
really important. The most important quality of life is having inner peace with
God. When we have inner peace with God, whatever uncertainties we have or
whatever doubts and questions we have are all put to rest. When we have inner
peace with God we may have questions but the questions are of little real
importance. When we have inner peace with God we have answers instead of
questions.
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Finding Hope and Security Now
In the adversity of life, we can and do ask… "How can I be secure where I am? How can I feel like good things will happen when everything has always gone bad? How can I find hope and security when life has devastated me so?" In response to these kinds of questions, we must remember things change and times change. As Christians, we can look over the horizon knowing the paradise of God waits to receive us. All human beings and all living creatures come to an end. Also, with us coming to an end, so will our pain, hurt, disappointment, and sorrow as we sail upward to our new home in heaven. Moreover, when things are at their worst, we can always take charge enough to go to God. In God, we find rest from the turmoil and strife we must endure. God is a shelter from the storms of life if we will only go to Him and trust in Him. Trusting in God may not change your circumstances on your outside. However, trusting and having hope in God changes everything on your inside. There are many things on the outside we cannot change, but the inside is God's territory or kingdom. He will rule there if we give Him a chance and learn to keep out of His way as we go His way.
Friday, August 20, 2021
Finding Encouragement
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (KJV)
Life has
a way of grinding us down. We can get down, we can get depressed, we may not be
able to see ahead, and we can lose hope. It is for these reasons we need
encouragement. In needing encouragement, we can also more fully understand how
others need encouragement to fuel them over the difficult parts of life. A
little bit of encouragement in your life and in the life of others can make all
the difference. Encouragement is so rare people eat encouragement up like
candy. We all need encouragement at times. Many people need encouragement much
the time. When you give people the encouragement of hope then God will give you
the encouragement of hope in return. When you express confidence in others then
you will receive God's confidence in return. When you do not find fault but
show others they can turn every obstacle into a glorious moment for God then
God will turn your obstacles into glory for Him. If you show people you believe
in them and trust them then God will rest His favor and trust upon you. Help
people see God is on their side and God will be on your side. When someone
faces the impossible, show the person how God can make the impossible easy by
making the impossible probable. In doing so, you will find God has blessed you
by making the impossible probable in your own life.
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Finding Courage
Isaiah 41:13---For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Everyone
has fear. Some of our fears are irrational. Some of our fears are based on our
experiences. Fear is a dark spot on our souls. Fear is a spot not easily erased.
God knows your every fear and anxiety. God is our ultimate resource when we
face fear. When we need courage we need an ultimate resource like God because
when we face a fear and have to take action, we are the only ones who can act.
No one can face your fear but you. You can have support and encouragement. You
can talk about your fear, but fear requires courage from each of us
individually. This point is where God comes in because He wants you to take His
hand and help you. God wants you to find the courage you need in Him because
with Him you need not fear.
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Finding Calm in The Storm
Matthew 8:26-27---And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
Our God
is a God of peace. The Holy Spirit is a spirit bringing peace. Jesus, the Son
of God who died such a violent death for you on the Cross, is your Christ who
brings you inner peace and calm. In the middle of your storms in life, Christ
calls you to worship Him. In the middle of your storms, as you worship Him,
Christ brings you to calm not found in any other way. As you look up and see
Christ's smiling face, you can see the high waves grow calm at His command. If
you would just pray and talk to Him, He will answer and give you peace. Your
Savior calmed the waters and He will quiet the storm in your life. He will end
your turmoil and strife. Christ has command over the seas and if you let Him,
He will have command over the storms in your life. Christ has afforded you
salvation. In your salvation, you find His peace. In Him, you find quiet
confidence and strength. He will, by His love and the power of His spirit, lift
you up over your troubled waters. Be still and know He is with you. Be still
and know He is truly your God.
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Fighting The Fires Of Life
Some people can praise God in the deepest darkness. Maybe you are one of those who can praise God when you are in trouble. However, many people get too tired and too exhausted from dealing with the problems of their life to praise God. They get worn out from trying to put out the fires popping up. After a while, many people don't care anymore. Living life in this way is not what God wants for anyone. God's will is not for us to live a life full of exhaustion and hopelessness. If we are honest, we can understand, to some extent, what it is like to run out of hope from putting out the fires of life. We all need a break from problems and pain. We all need a break from being in the hopeless darkness. Our faith in God gives us a rest from all these dark circumstances. Faith in God gives us a break from constant, unrelenting problems. We can find rest in God because He desires to see us happy and full of joy rather than seeing us beset by problems at every turn. God can provide security and a break from having to fight the fires of life. We find in God the hope to sustain us and even hope for an end to our problems.
Monday, August 16, 2021
Fear Of Losing Control
Proverbs 19:21---There are many devices (Plans) in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel (Purpose) of the LORD, that shall stand (Prevail).
We cannot
control all things and all people. When we are obsessed with controlling people
and events, we can easily destroy others and ourselves because we do not permit
others the freedom to be who God wants them to be. If we have a fear of losing
control, we must find the courage to let others be who they are. For example,
sinners must not come to Christ because someone controls them. Sinners must
come to Christ in freedom because the Holy Spirit speaks to a sinner's heart.
We do not need to be afraid of losing control when our heart and life is placed
in the hands of Christ. Many times, a person's fear of losing control is
grounded in a severe lack of self-confidence. In addition, fear of losing
control causes us to want to control others because we cannot control
ourselves. All of us must learn to let God control what God wants to control.
All of us can relax and not worry about what will happen in the next moment
because God is in all things.
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Fear and Anxiety
Matthew 6:34---Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Fear and
anxiety are normal emotions. As normal as fear and anxiety are, these
stress-makers shred our ability to be kind, caring, and compassionate people.
Fear and anxiety turn us inward towards ourselves. Satan can and will use fear
and anxiety against us at every opportunity. When we experience fear and
anxiety we must take a deep breath and think about Christ and His assurance to
be with us. We must remember to relax and place these negative emotions in a
proper perspective. Fear is the negative emotion generated by a tangible
threat. Anxiety is the negative emotion generated by an intangible threat. Fear
is the result of something real. Anxiety is the result of something imagined.
When we are fearful and anxious we must remember to pray. Obviously, fear and
anxiety take away your prayerful moods. However, God cares about your coming to
Him in prayer, regardless of your emotions or your circumstances.
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Fanning the Flame of God's Gifts
2 Timothy 1:6---Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
God has
endowed each of us with special gifts. We do not always know what God has given
us in terms of His special gifts to us. We may be unaware of His gifts for many
years. Many people are never truly aware of God's special gifts to them. We are
to use God's special gifts for His glory. We are to use His special gifts to us
by giving His gifts away in whatever way we can. We are to maximize His gifts
to us by fanning the flames of His gifts. We are to burn with fire to use His
gifts in as many ways and as many places as possible. In doing God's work and
using His gifts, we are not to be timid about our activity. We are to live and
use His gifts with a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. We are not to
be ashamed of the gifts God has given us but we are to be bold about how He has
blessed us and cared for us.
Friday, August 13, 2021
Faith To Do God’s Will In Spite Of Fear
2nd Timothy 1:7--- For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Honor Christ and reach out to Him as your personal God. There may be times when you are in great fear. You may be afraid of what will happen to your family. You may be afraid of what will happen to the work you have built up. In your fear, be simple and humble in His sight. Seek His wisdom to deal with what makes you so afraid. Count on our Lord to humbly show you how He is real. Count on our Lord to show you how much He loves you as you love Him in return, no matter how afraid you are. Although you face obstacles and roadblocks of many kinds, in His love you know He is with you. When you are mired down in fear and adversity when you are tempted to go your own way rather than His way, call upon Him to keep you on His narrow road. Open your heart and always seek His tender touch. Seek His grace to be alive in Him, even when you are afraid. When your fear makes you think of yourself rather than thinking of Him, call upon Him to lead you to Him when you go astray. Pray continually for the Lord to guide your steps in the darkness of your fear. Live in the deepest gratitude Christ understands you and loves you in spite of your weaknesses, deficiencies, sin, and fear. In all ways and at all times, give Him all praise, honor, and glory.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Faith that Pleases God
(Hebrews 11:6)But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
What is faith? It is trust, assurance, and confidence in God. Living faith is shown by service and obedience to God. How can we increase our faith? Are there things that you believe just because the right person says so? Are there people who believe things just because you say they are true? How does that make you feel? How do you feel when you are not trusted? How do you think others feel when you don’t trust them? How about God, how much do you trust Him? Do you ever give much thought to your faith in Him actually pleasing Him? Does that motivate you to greater faith? Trust, or faith in a person, is something most of us want but we have a difficult time giving it. Many people go to great lengths in their efforts to please God yet fail to realize the key ingredient in doing so is faith. When we seek to serve in a way that pleases God, faith must be at the core of our service. We serve well when our faith believes God will work through our acts of service to benefit those we serve. It is our knowledge that God has changed us that allows us to believe He can change others. As you pray, ask God to increase your faith in Him and in His ability to use your works of service. Pray that He would surround you with people who help you to grow in faith.
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
FAITH FOR LIFE
2 Corinthians 5:7---(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We live
by faith, not by sight. Imagine what your life would be like if your only
reality was based upon what you could see with your eyes. For you, there would
be no Mount Everest, no Grand Canyon, not even a street where you live unless
you were looking at the street! Living without faith means you only believe in
what you see while you are seeing it. Living without faith means you have
doubts about what you cannot see. Living without faith means if you don't see
it, it does not exist. We all have the capacity for faith. Whether we want to
admit we have faith or not, we still have faith, for we cannot live without it.
As part of our faith carrying ability, we all carry mental pictures in our
minds. We carry mental pictures so we will recognize where we live when we come
up to the front door of our residence. We carry mental pictures of where we
live so we believe in what we cannot see. How much we live by faith is truly
beyond our comprehension. Even the most skeptical person, has to use faith each
minute…or else spend every minute trying to verify and check out what is
obvious to everyone else. We cannot see God. However, believing in your unseen
God is the most important activity of your life. Believing in God is your most
important activity because believing in God may surely be the last thing you
ever do in life.
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Faith And Hope
When things go bad when everything comes unglued and we are facing incredible adversity, our adversity can make it seem as if we are sitting in darkness. In adversity, we can lose hope. In adversity, we do not know where to look for hope because we cannot see anything in our life or see anything in our future giving us hope. A resounding faith in God, living faith in God, active faith in God, and positive faith in a positive God gives us hope. Our faith in God gives us the Light at the end of the tunnel. Our living faith tells us our suffering is only temporary. Relatively speaking, in the span of all the time of the past, and in the span of all the time to exist in the future, our suffering on this earth lasts only a fraction of a second. Christian's believe beyond any doubt we will spend eternity in heaven where there is no suffering, no pain, and no adversity…all while we live in God's bliss of love where time is no more. Our faith in God and our belief in His eternity for us indeed make us stronger on the inside and full of hope even when our outside circumstances look hopeless.
Monday, August 9, 2021
Faith and Courage
Having faith requires courage. Sometimes in our lives, walking in the dark takes courage. Sometimes we need the courage to travel on paths we have not trod before. In our life, we need the courage to act in situations where there is no earthly possibility of an action being taken. Sometimes we need the courage to yield everything to God when we want to keep everything to ourselves. In Hebrews, the apostle Paul talks about the life of faith, and Paul tells us in Hebrews 11:13 the Old Testament patriarchs lived by faith. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Living by faith takes a form of courage because when we live by faith we extend ourselves outward by trusting in God. Living by faith is what we must do. We live by breathing and in the same way, we must courageously live by faith because faith keeps us alive in our spirit. We live by eating food and drinking water and in the same way, we must courageously live by faith because our faith gives our spiritual nourishment. We live by residing or seeking shelter and in the same way, we must courageously live by faith because our faith shelters us from the storms of life.
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Facing Forward…
Genesis 19:26---But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Never
turn back. Never look back over your shoulder in yearning for what was in the
past. Build now for a great tomorrow. Perhaps you have little with which you
can build. However, for God's glory, you must use the little you have now to
build a little for a great tomorrow. One of the worst mistakes in the world is
to think what little you have has no significance to God. One of the worst
mistakes in the world is to think your little mustard seed is not big enough to
produce anything relevant or important to God. No matter what your
circumstances might be, face forward with hope, anticipation, and desire to
grow. No one can know enough. No one can grow enough. In this light, no one's
mustard seed is too small. Too many people live like tomorrow is going to be
the end of everything. For a Christian, even in the last moments of life,
tomorrow is the beginning of everything instead of the end of everything. Every
Christian has a great future. Our great future is visible to us only when we
face the future. Our great future is possible only when we live today like we
have a great future tomorrow.
Saturday, August 7, 2021
When Facing Change
Ecclesiastes 3:1---“To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
It appears as we grow older we get so set in our ways of doing things that we don't accept change very well. Most of the time we don't accept change because we are so focused on ourselves. "It's all about me, me, me! When the truth of the matter is we are so focused on what we want that we can't see the VISION for the future generations to hear from God. We must face the facts and realities of life. Times change. Things change. People change. Circumstances change. Few things last forever here on earth. All human beings come to an end. When our life ends, our pain, our hurt, our disappointment, and our sorrow also ends. However, no matter how much things change in our world when times in our life are at their worst, we can always take charge of our life enough to go to God amidst the changes and the chaos the changes bring. In God, we find rest from the turmoil and strife caused by the changes in life. God is a shelter from the storms of life if we will only go to Him and trust in Him. In truth, trusting in God may not change your circumstances on the outside of your life. However, trusting and having hope in God changes everything on the inside of your life. Many of the things on the outside we cannot change, but the inside is God's territory or kingdom. He will rule on the inside of your life if you give Him a chance and if you learn to keep out of His way. We don't want to be the one to hinder the moving of God's work, "CATCH THE VISION" so people won't perish.
Friday, August 6, 2021
Executing The Same Successful Efforts
When you are successful, keep repeating your successful efforts. As extraordinary as it seems, many people behave as if they cannot stand success. Many people do not repeat successful efforts. Instead of repeating successful efforts, many people want to continually try out new approaches rather than repeating successful efforts. There is a problem with trying out new approaches when a successful approach is already in place. Common sense should dictate we should always keep doing what is already successful. However, common sense does not always rule.
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Entertaining Strangers
Hebrews 13:2---Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Things
are not always what they seem. People are not always who or what they appear to
be. Look at this verse from a common-sense perspective. If God was going to
send an angel into the world to do a special work…would God use an angel with
wings and feathers or would God send an angel in the form of an ordinary
person? To keep down undue attention, God would use the form of an ordinary
person as an angelic disguise. From this verse, people you pass on the street,
the person you stand in line with at the store, maybe even the stranger you sit
next to in church, could be an angel. However, this verse is not about angels
but about how we treat strangers. For many reasons, people we do not personally
know need our care, concern, love, and attention. Strangers and others need to
be enriched by us.
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Eggshells and Jell-O
1 John 5:4---“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
Are you
uncertain about some things? Are you walking on eggshells and Jell-O
theologically? Don’t do it! Get a bulldog grip on the truth and stand by it.
Learn to feed your faith and starve your doubts. If you don’t come to church,
read your Bible, and pray, then you have no shield of faith. Sometimes people
let some ungodly, unbelieving person make fun of their faith. And they fall
apart like a house of cards. That’s because they don’t have a strong,
rock-ribbed faith in God. Feed your faith. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing
by the Word of God,” and it will be like a shield to you to protect you from
all the fiery darts of the wicked. It gives the believer certainty. Again, you
must actively, consciously clothe yourself in the armor of God. How much are you
dedicating yourself to being in His Word, learning how to USE your Sword?
Remember Your Bible is your Sword and Jesus defeated Satan’s temptations by
saying it is written!
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Don’t Act Like You Are Humble
(Matthew 6:16-18)---“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you; they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly”.
The Pharisees would go around with a gloomy look on their faces, trying to act religious and humble. You don’t ever act humble. If you act humble, you are very proud. Sometimes people will ask me, Are you a preacher? How do they know I’m a preacher before I’ve said anything or before I’ve said anything “spiritual”? I don’t want them to know that I am a preacher by the way I look. Now, I’m not ashamed that I’m a preacher, but I think a preacher ought to dress and act so that nobody will suspect he’s a preacher when they don’t know It. We ought to be natural. JUST BE YOURSELF. We’re not posturing, posing, or somehow going through life trying to look holy or trying to act holy. We are what we are by the grace of God. Remember Actions speak louder than words and be thankful that others can see Christ in you instead of you.
Monday, August 2, 2021
Does this make you uncomfortable?
Psalm 66:18---If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
Do you
know what quiet time is? Fellowship with a holy God. The reason some folks
don’t have a quiet time is they feel uncomfortable. They don’t want to look at
God in the face because they have sin in their life. What did Adam do after he
had sinned and God came walking in the Garden? Adam fled. Before that, Adam had
a quiet time with God, didn’t he? Adam and God had boundless, unending
fellowship. But after Adam chose to disobey God and sinned, he didn’t want to
look at God in the face. Are you reluctant to have a quiet time? Maybe it’s
because there is sin in your life. Ask God to shine His light into you.
Sunday, August 1, 2021
Do Not Stir Up Your Opponent
Do Not Stir Up Your Opponent
Proverbs 18:6-7---A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
1st Peter
5:8--- your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom
he may devour:
The power of darkness seeking your downfall has direct access to your inner life. There are exterior or external influences of the darkness in your life, but the battle of all battles takes place within you. Your great adversary is often so close to you the adversary remains hidden. To defeat this opponent, do not stir up the opponent when the opponent is quiet. Instead, attack the opponent when the opponent is quiet. Think of your inner opponent or adversary as a hornet's nest. To score a victory against the hornet's nest, you need to attack the beehive while the Hornets are dormant. When you live with or face adversity, attack the adversity when the adversity is quiet and dormant. For example, if you are in grief or loss, attack the grief and loss when the grief and loss are not causing you as much pain and distress.
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