Deuteronomy 6:13-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Call for Wholehearted Commitment
13 You must fear the Lord your God and serve him. When you take an oath, you must use only his name.
14 “You must not worship any of the gods of neighboring nations, 15 for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth. 16 You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah. 17 You must diligently obey the commands of the Lord your God—all the laws and decrees he has given you.
When the nation of Israel was preparing to enter the promised land, Moses reminded them of the One who was making their journey and ultimate victory possible. He warned them not to forget the God of Israel … not to abandon the One True God.
Our society honors diversity and toleration of a variety of spiritual practices. We must however, remember Moses warning. There is One God we fear and serve. His name is above every name and He is jealous. “He will wipe you from the face of the earth…” if you fail to heed His Word and follow it diligently.
Christians beware! Don’t play with your future! Don’t play with your eternity!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
HOME TRAINING
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Call for Wholehearted Commitment
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The phrase ‘home training’ generically refers to the lessons children learn at home, from their parents, about life and proper behavior. As we look at God’s instructions about ‘home training’, it begins first with the parents. They must be wholeheartedly committed to God and His commandments. That will enable them to teach these guideline … instructions … commandments … to their children. You can’t instill in your children’s hearts what you haven’t first embraced wholeheartedly in your own heart.
Children are sharp and very observant. They pick up on what is authentic in your life. They also recognize what is phony. Actions do speak louder than words!
How are you responding to God’s call for wholehearted commitment … with authenticity or phoniness? Your children are answering this for you.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Call for Wholehearted Commitment
4 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
The phrase ‘home training’ generically refers to the lessons children learn at home, from their parents, about life and proper behavior. As we look at God’s instructions about ‘home training’, it begins first with the parents. They must be wholeheartedly committed to God and His commandments. That will enable them to teach these guideline … instructions … commandments … to their children. You can’t instill in your children’s hearts what you haven’t first embraced wholeheartedly in your own heart.
Children are sharp and very observant. They pick up on what is authentic in your life. They also recognize what is phony. Actions do speak louder than words!
How are you responding to God’s call for wholehearted commitment … with authenticity or phoniness? Your children are answering this for you.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
RESISTING THE VISION … GOD’S ANSWER
Exodus 3:11-12
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Moses and the Burning Bush
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”
Moses was one of the greatest leaders of world history. When God directed him to lead in a difficult situation, he hesitated before he obeyed … but he did obey. God showed Moses genuine understanding of his fears about the overwhelming vision. God validated each of Moses’ statements and addressed them. As Moses’ concerns went away, so did his resistance to the vision. Like Moses, we will occasionally face seemingly impossible situations and will need to follow Moses’ lead: Assess the situation, take our fears to God, listen for His response and then obey.
God said, “I will be with you…” That’s enough for me!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Moses and the Burning Bush
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”
Moses was one of the greatest leaders of world history. When God directed him to lead in a difficult situation, he hesitated before he obeyed … but he did obey. God showed Moses genuine understanding of his fears about the overwhelming vision. God validated each of Moses’ statements and addressed them. As Moses’ concerns went away, so did his resistance to the vision. Like Moses, we will occasionally face seemingly impossible situations and will need to follow Moses’ lead: Assess the situation, take our fears to God, listen for His response and then obey.
God said, “I will be with you…” That’s enough for me!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
BRING IN THE HARVEST
John 4:35
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
Paul told the Church at Corinth that he planted, someone else watered the seed but God made that seed grow. (1 Cor. 3:6). Jesus says we don’t have to look far … look around … the growing is taking place and we, the followers of Christ, need to be busy … wake up … and bring in the harvest.
I believe we can see in this that in the church there are those who have been introduced to Christ (the seed planted), even been taught some Word (watered) but have yet to be brought into the fold (harvested). They are still clinging to their old selves … the old nature. They have yet to put on the new creation. Pride … selfishness … lust … the ways of the world are still seen in their behavior.
Just as Jesus told those first disciples, today’s followers of Christ need to be busy in the fields … loving … nurturing … making disciples … bringing in the harvest.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
Paul told the Church at Corinth that he planted, someone else watered the seed but God made that seed grow. (1 Cor. 3:6). Jesus says we don’t have to look far … look around … the growing is taking place and we, the followers of Christ, need to be busy … wake up … and bring in the harvest.
I believe we can see in this that in the church there are those who have been introduced to Christ (the seed planted), even been taught some Word (watered) but have yet to be brought into the fold (harvested). They are still clinging to their old selves … the old nature. They have yet to put on the new creation. Pride … selfishness … lust … the ways of the world are still seen in their behavior.
Just as Jesus told those first disciples, today’s followers of Christ need to be busy in the fields … loving … nurturing … making disciples … bringing in the harvest.
Monday, August 24, 2009
KEY TO GOD’S BLESSING
1 Chronicles 28:5-7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
David’s Instructions to Solomon
5 And from among my sons—for the Lord has given me many—he chose Solomon to succeed me on the throne of Israel and to rule over the Lord’s kingdom. 6 He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my Temple and its courtyards, for I have chosen him as my son, and I will be his father. 7 And if he continues to obey my commands and regulations as he does now, I will make his kingdom last forever.’
God has communicated to King David, His plan for the future of Israel. As the king passes the vision to the leaders, he shares with them the key to staying in God’s favor. “… obey my commands…”
If we want God to bless our efforts in life … in work … in family … in church … we must follow God’s instructions. The key to God’s blessing is obedience to God’s Word. We shouldn’t expect God’s favor to remain with us if we fail to live according to His instructions.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
David’s Instructions to Solomon
5 And from among my sons—for the Lord has given me many—he chose Solomon to succeed me on the throne of Israel and to rule over the Lord’s kingdom. 6 He said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will build my Temple and its courtyards, for I have chosen him as my son, and I will be his father. 7 And if he continues to obey my commands and regulations as he does now, I will make his kingdom last forever.’
God has communicated to King David, His plan for the future of Israel. As the king passes the vision to the leaders, he shares with them the key to staying in God’s favor. “… obey my commands…”
If we want God to bless our efforts in life … in work … in family … in church … we must follow God’s instructions. The key to God’s blessing is obedience to God’s Word. We shouldn’t expect God’s favor to remain with us if we fail to live according to His instructions.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
A FOUNDATION FOR CHANGE
Genesis 12:1-3
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Call of Abram
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Abram experienced immense change through his encounters with God. God asked for a complete overhaul of Abram’s career, dreams, destiny. God even changed his name from Abram to Abraham to signify the depth of this change.
How could Abram deal with all this change? Very simply, he believed the Lord. Abraham believed in the Lord and that security allowed him to pursue revolutionary change. The Christian life is an ongoing process of change … taking off the old man … becoming a new creation … becoming Christlike.
Change is doable when you have a Solid Rock for a foundation!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Call of Abram
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Abram experienced immense change through his encounters with God. God asked for a complete overhaul of Abram’s career, dreams, destiny. God even changed his name from Abram to Abraham to signify the depth of this change.
How could Abram deal with all this change? Very simply, he believed the Lord. Abraham believed in the Lord and that security allowed him to pursue revolutionary change. The Christian life is an ongoing process of change … taking off the old man … becoming a new creation … becoming Christlike.
Change is doable when you have a Solid Rock for a foundation!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
STATUS QUO
Revelation 21:5
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”
We serve a God who says He is making everything new. He is not interested in preserving the status quo … no matter how much we resist change.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”
We serve a God who says He is making everything new. He is not interested in preserving the status quo … no matter how much we resist change.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
CHANGE THAT COUNTS
Mark 2:18-22
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Discussion about Change
18 Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?”
19 Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them. 20 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
21 “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.
22 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”
Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of His day, making it clear to them, that He had not come to put a Band-Aid on the old system (Judaism). A new patch on the old system would cause harm. Likewise old wineskins cannot handle the new wine.
Jesus was a change agent … a change maker … an innovator. It was a new day … there was a new covenant. Grace was more than a patch for the Law. Grace was a brand new way that God chose to love humankind. The old form of Judaism could not handle the brand new message that Jesus brought.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
A Discussion about Change
18 Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?”
19 Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can’t fast while the groom is with them. 20 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
21 “Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before.
22 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.”
Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders of His day, making it clear to them, that He had not come to put a Band-Aid on the old system (Judaism). A new patch on the old system would cause harm. Likewise old wineskins cannot handle the new wine.
Jesus was a change agent … a change maker … an innovator. It was a new day … there was a new covenant. Grace was more than a patch for the Law. Grace was a brand new way that God chose to love humankind. The old form of Judaism could not handle the brand new message that Jesus brought.
Friday, August 14, 2009
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE HARVEST
Galatians 6:7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
We Harvest What We Plant
7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
If we want to reap a life of personal integrity and purpose, we must cultivate relationships that will keep us on track. Every believer needs to develop a few close friendships with people who will lovingly hold him or her accountable for keeping life focused and balanced.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
We Harvest What We Plant
7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.
If we want to reap a life of personal integrity and purpose, we must cultivate relationships that will keep us on track. Every believer needs to develop a few close friendships with people who will lovingly hold him or her accountable for keeping life focused and balanced.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
CHECK AND BE CHECKED
1 Peter 5:1-4
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Advice for Elders and Young Men
1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Advice for Elders and Young Men
1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
In this passage, Peter is speaking specifically to elders of the church, yet I believe there is universal application. We all need to check our own behavior and be accountable for that behavior among our peers.
Peter gave these leaders some necessary counsel. “as a shepherd of God’s flock, you too have a Shepherd.” The Bible urges accountability. Each person needs other good people with whom they can be honest and accountable.
At one accountability group meeting, the members respond to three questions each month:
- What good have you done?
- Have you done anything or are you struggling with doing anything that would displease God?
- Have you told us the truth today?
We all need face-to-face accountability with a few close confidants!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
FAILURE TO ‘FESS UP
2 Kings 5:25
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Greed of Gehazi
25 When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.
Read 2nd Kings 5:20-27 for the full context of the story.
God had revealed to Elisha, in the Spirit, the deceit of Gehazi. Gehazi, when confronted, failed to be accountable for his actions.
There is wisdom in some of the statements of parents and grandparents like … “What’s done in the dark will come to light” and “Your sin will find you out.” I often wondered how mother knew what she knew. Maybe it was as it was with Elisha … God revealed it to her in the Spirit. One thing for sure. You can’t hide your sin from God. That brings to mind another things grandparents say … “Confession is good for the soul!”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
The Greed of Gehazi
25 When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”
“I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.
Read 2nd Kings 5:20-27 for the full context of the story.
God had revealed to Elisha, in the Spirit, the deceit of Gehazi. Gehazi, when confronted, failed to be accountable for his actions.
There is wisdom in some of the statements of parents and grandparents like … “What’s done in the dark will come to light” and “Your sin will find you out.” I often wondered how mother knew what she knew. Maybe it was as it was with Elisha … God revealed it to her in the Spirit. One thing for sure. You can’t hide your sin from God. That brings to mind another things grandparents say … “Confession is good for the soul!”
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
ULTIMATE AUTHORITY
Romans 11:33-36
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Glory to God
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
The mind and ways of God are beyond our ability to comprehend. God’s judgments are unsearchable and His paths beyond our grasp. He does not need to consult with us or explain His ways to us. Instead, it is our responsibility to trust Him and submit to His purposes for our lives even when we haven’t a clue to where He may be leading us.
The next time you start thinking you ‘know it all’, remind yourself that God’s Word declares that it is impossible “…for us to understand…” all of God.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Glory to God
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
The mind and ways of God are beyond our ability to comprehend. God’s judgments are unsearchable and His paths beyond our grasp. He does not need to consult with us or explain His ways to us. Instead, it is our responsibility to trust Him and submit to His purposes for our lives even when we haven’t a clue to where He may be leading us.
The next time you start thinking you ‘know it all’, remind yourself that God’s Word declares that it is impossible “…for us to understand…” all of God.
Monday, August 10, 2009
CROSSED THE LINE
2 Samuel 11:2-5
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
David and Bathsheba
2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”
David’s problem was not the midday rest … the walk on the roof … the view of the city. His problem was not even noticing the beautiful woman. Where David’s trouble comes was going beyond the noticing to putting a plan in place to sin. He should have turned his eyes away, practicing self control. Instead David crossed the line. The result of his lack of self control … adultery … pregnancy … murder … displeasing the LORD.
God has given us the fruit of the Spirit, one of which is self control (Galatians 5:22-23). Woe if we don’t practice it.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
David and Bathsheba
2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”
David’s problem was not the midday rest … the walk on the roof … the view of the city. His problem was not even noticing the beautiful woman. Where David’s trouble comes was going beyond the noticing to putting a plan in place to sin. He should have turned his eyes away, practicing self control. Instead David crossed the line. The result of his lack of self control … adultery … pregnancy … murder … displeasing the LORD.
God has given us the fruit of the Spirit, one of which is self control (Galatians 5:22-23). Woe if we don’t practice it.
Friday, August 07, 2009
DON’T LIVE IN THE PAST
Genesis 19: 16-17; 23-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed
… the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. 17 When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”
23 Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. 24 Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25 He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.
When you have met the Savior and received Him into your heart … when you have purposed in your heart to live for Him … when you have turned from the wicked ways of your past, “… don’t look back…”.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed
… the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. 17 When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”
23 Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. 24 Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25 He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.
When you have met the Savior and received Him into your heart … when you have purposed in your heart to live for Him … when you have turned from the wicked ways of your past, “… don’t look back…”.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
AWESOME POWER
Ephesians 1:19-22
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
Did you catch that? The power that raised Christ from the dead has been made available to us. The power of God is at work in the church and it is at work in the life of the believer. The same power that raised Jesus, has all authority in you and I. It has snatched every believer in Christ from the grip of death … “the wages of sin is death … the gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:23).
That ought to make you shout with joy!
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
Did you catch that? The power that raised Christ from the dead has been made available to us. The power of God is at work in the church and it is at work in the life of the believer. The same power that raised Jesus, has all authority in you and I. It has snatched every believer in Christ from the grip of death … “the wages of sin is death … the gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:23).
That ought to make you shout with joy!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
GOD HAS
Ephesians 1:3-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Spiritual Blessings
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
There is no spiritual blessing which God has not already provided. The only qualification required for you and I to walk in these blessings is to be, “… united with Christ.”
If you feel that you are missing out on some spiritual blessing, consider how these words apply to you: united… belong … follower … obedient
Am I united with Christ? Do I belong to Christ? Do I follow Christ in my daily walk? Am I obedient to God’s Word?
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
Spiritual Blessings
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
There is no spiritual blessing which God has not already provided. The only qualification required for you and I to walk in these blessings is to be, “… united with Christ.”
If you feel that you are missing out on some spiritual blessing, consider how these words apply to you: united… belong … follower … obedient
Am I united with Christ? Do I belong to Christ? Do I follow Christ in my daily walk? Am I obedient to God’s Word?
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
READY TO GO AGAIN
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
I have had a great summer but it is rapidly coming to an end. I know this because these big yellow vehicles are again parked in my driveway. School starts this Monday (way too soon!).
God has been blessing me with a time of renewal this summer. I needed it! I took a break from the daily ‘Pearls’. I hate to say this but they were becoming a routine. As I have been refreshed, I pray the ‘Pearls' will be as well.
Thank you Lord for “…our spirits being renewed every day.”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
I have had a great summer but it is rapidly coming to an end. I know this because these big yellow vehicles are again parked in my driveway. School starts this Monday (way too soon!).
God has been blessing me with a time of renewal this summer. I needed it! I took a break from the daily ‘Pearls’. I hate to say this but they were becoming a routine. As I have been refreshed, I pray the ‘Pearls' will be as well.
Thank you Lord for “…our spirits being renewed every day.”
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