In the ancient world, the man who held the lowest position in the household was given charge of the flocks. The shepherd had responsibility to lead the sheep to new pastures and fresh water, defend them from predators, and find the lost ones when they strayed. But it was a humble job because it was dirty. The shepherd lived amongst the flock and slept across the doorway of the fold to keep the sheep in and the wolves out. This was filthy, smelly, and thankless work.
Yet Jesus sat among His followers in the thick of ancient culture and said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). The modern church misses the impact of those words. We have a rustic but rosy view of Jesus as a shepherd. The Sovereign of the universe humbled Himself and got His hands dirty working directly with errant, willful, and sometimes dumb humans.
Remember you read a moment ago that the shepherd lay across the doorway of the sheep pen? Well, Jesus did exactly that—He became the door for us. He sacrificed His life for the great flock of humanity so that anyone who chooses to believe in Him may enter God’s fold (John 3:16). And once inside, we are provided for, sought when we wander, and protected from enemies.
Jesus sees Himself as mankind’s Shepherd. Thankfully, we are more than just a herd to Him. He knows everything about each one of us—our name, character, and flaws—and loves us with all of our imperfections. What better way to show love in return than to know His voice and follow where He leads?
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER
DAWN
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
When You're Overwhelmed
God promises that He will give us a peace that surpasses understanding, but not necessarily a peace that always will give us understanding.
You may be facing a personal crisis right now. Maybe it is a lack of employment. Maybe it is a foreclosure on your home or a loss in your investments. Maybe you have a marriage that is falling apart or a prodigal son or daughter. Maybe you have a life-threatening illness. Maybe you are paralyzed by fear as you think about an uncertain future. So what should you do? The Bible tells us the answer to worry is prayer: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6–7).
I have lived by these words since my son Christopher's departure to heaven, because I have been hit with harsh reality of it—most notably, his absence. There have been waves of deep sadness that have overwhelmed me at times. So I pray. Sometimes my prayers are not long, but simply a cry out to God: God, help me. Give me strength right now. And He does. He gives me the strength that I need. It is not necessarily more than I need, but He gives me what I need for what I am facing at the moment.
The psalmist wrote, "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2).
So when you are feeling overwhelmed, pray. Things will fall into their proper place as God brings about the events of your life according to His perfect will.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart
You may be facing a personal crisis right now. Maybe it is a lack of employment. Maybe it is a foreclosure on your home or a loss in your investments. Maybe you have a marriage that is falling apart or a prodigal son or daughter. Maybe you have a life-threatening illness. Maybe you are paralyzed by fear as you think about an uncertain future. So what should you do? The Bible tells us the answer to worry is prayer: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6–7).
I have lived by these words since my son Christopher's departure to heaven, because I have been hit with harsh reality of it—most notably, his absence. There have been waves of deep sadness that have overwhelmed me at times. So I pray. Sometimes my prayers are not long, but simply a cry out to God: God, help me. Give me strength right now. And He does. He gives me the strength that I need. It is not necessarily more than I need, but He gives me what I need for what I am facing at the moment.
The psalmist wrote, "From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2).
So when you are feeling overwhelmed, pray. Things will fall into their proper place as God brings about the events of your life according to His perfect will.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart
is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Thursday, October 29, 2009
WHEN WE DOUBT
Some people say that when you pray, you must have faith, and if you have even a doubt, then your prayer won't be answered. But that is simply not true.
How much faith did Lazarus have when Jesus raised him from the dead? None. How about the people at the tomb who were weeping? Probably not much. How about the man who said, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24), and Jesus answered his prayer anyway?
We all will have times when our faith isn't as strong as it ought to be. But God can work, even when we don't have as much faith as we should. That does not excuse us from having faith. We still should pray with faith. And we should pray with persistence.
When Peter needed a miracle to get out of prison, God waited until the last moment to deliver him. And you really have to admire Peter. Not knowing what his fate would be, he still was sleeping so deeply that the angel had to wake him up. Psalm 127:2 tells us that God "gives His beloved sleep," and He certainly gave sleep to his beloved Peter.
So even though the early church prayed with passion and persistence, they still were shocked when God actually answered their prayers and saw Peter standing before them. Obviously they had prayed with some doubt. But even though their prayer was weak, it was mightier than Herod and mightier than the forces of hell.
That gives me great hope, because I am not always a man of great faith. There are times when I will pray for something and wonder if it would really happen. And it is encouraging to know that even when I am weak, God can still intervene and answer my prayer
Now Peter continued knocking; and when they
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
How much faith did Lazarus have when Jesus raised him from the dead? None. How about the people at the tomb who were weeping? Probably not much. How about the man who said, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24), and Jesus answered his prayer anyway?
We all will have times when our faith isn't as strong as it ought to be. But God can work, even when we don't have as much faith as we should. That does not excuse us from having faith. We still should pray with faith. And we should pray with persistence.
When Peter needed a miracle to get out of prison, God waited until the last moment to deliver him. And you really have to admire Peter. Not knowing what his fate would be, he still was sleeping so deeply that the angel had to wake him up. Psalm 127:2 tells us that God "gives His beloved sleep," and He certainly gave sleep to his beloved Peter.
So even though the early church prayed with passion and persistence, they still were shocked when God actually answered their prayers and saw Peter standing before them. Obviously they had prayed with some doubt. But even though their prayer was weak, it was mightier than Herod and mightier than the forces of hell.
That gives me great hope, because I am not always a man of great faith. There are times when I will pray for something and wonder if it would really happen. And it is encouraging to know that even when I am weak, God can still intervene and answer my prayer
Now Peter continued knocking; and when they
opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Passion and Persistence
The early church prayed with passion and persistence. When Peter was thrown into prison, "constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church" (Acts 12:5). Another way to translate the word "constant" would be "earnest." It is the same word used to describe the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke's Gospel tells us, "And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44). That was a prayer of passion. It was an agonizing prayer. And that is how the early church prayed.
Often the problem is that our prayer has no power in it because there is no heart in it. If we put so little heart into our prayers, we cannot expect God to put much heart into answering them. Someone will tell us about a crisis they are facing, and we will pray, "Oh, Lord, just help them. . . . And then get back to me." We don't pray with passion. We don't pray continuously.
Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7–8). In the original tense of the language, it could be translated, "Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking."
In other words, be persistent, and keep at it. We will pray for something once, twice, or maybe three times and then say, "Well, I guess God isn't going to answer this prayer." God is not irritated by our prayers. Keep praying. The early church prayed with great persistence as they brought their need before God. So let's not give up so easily.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Often the problem is that our prayer has no power in it because there is no heart in it. If we put so little heart into our prayers, we cannot expect God to put much heart into answering them. Someone will tell us about a crisis they are facing, and we will pray, "Oh, Lord, just help them. . . . And then get back to me." We don't pray with passion. We don't pray continuously.
Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7–8). In the original tense of the language, it could be translated, "Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking."
In other words, be persistent, and keep at it. We will pray for something once, twice, or maybe three times and then say, "Well, I guess God isn't going to answer this prayer." God is not irritated by our prayers. Keep praying. The early church prayed with great persistence as they brought their need before God. So let's not give up so easily.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone
who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him
who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7–8
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
NO BACKUP PLAN?
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be
made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
In Acts 12, we find the early church facing a pretty bleak scenario. They were in a situation where, if God did not come through, it would be a complete disaster. We don't like situations like that, because we like to have a backup plan. Then we like to have a backup plan for the backup plan. Then we have a backup plan for the backup plan for the backup plan.
But sometimes God will allow us to be in a set of circumstances in which there are no backup plans. There is no safety net. There is no way out but Him. The early church was in such a situation. After a period of relative quiet, a new wave of persecution was coming against the church. Herod Agrippa I arrested James, the brother of John, one of the "sons of thunder," and then executed him. Next, he arrested Peter, a leader of the early church, and it looked as though he would be executed as well.
Herod wanted to make sure that Peter didn't get out of prison, because the last time he was thrown in jail, an angel had sprung him (see Acts 5:17–20). Herod took no chances, assigning four squads of soldiers to guard Peter. He was chained to two soldiers and guarded by 14 more.
So what did the church do? We read that "constant prayer was offered to God for him [Peter] by the church" (see Acts 12:5). We have a secret weapon in the church. It is called prayer. Though all other doors may remain closed, one door is always open—the door into the presence of God through prayer. The problem is that prayer is so often the last resort. It is what we do when all else fails. But these believers prayed.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Monday, October 26, 2009
Keep on Loving
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and
whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7
If obeying God's command to love one another depended on me, I'd be in a bad way. You would be too. But happily, we're not the ones who are doing the loving. First John 4:7 gives me hope: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God."
"Beloved, let us love one another." Literally the verb tense in the original language means, Let’s keep on loving one another. Let's don't do it for an hour or for a day. Let's don’t do it for a week or for a month. Let's do it until the day we die. God's kind of love goes on and on. We're not perfect, but God is changing and growing all of us. God's kind of love builds history together. Let's love . . . wait, let’s keep on loving one another.
"Beloved, let us love one another." What a great exhortation. What strife cannot be stalked by love? What pride cannot be pummeled by love? What conflict cannot be crushed by a supernatural, sent-from-heaven love? That’s why the verse says, "For love is from God." Chemistry is good, but that's not what God’s love is about. We all need true friends, but God's love goes farther than that. His love is a supernatural love, a love that you and I are not capable of doing ourselves. Love does not come naturally to us. What's natural is to hate when you're hated, to attack when you're attacked, to hurt others when you yourself have been hurt. But to love is to give back something different than what you receive in these situations.
Have you observed how often God puts opportunities right in front of us that call us to do what's not natural? I've got the natural thing down, but loving deeply requires God. A genuine conversion experience always precedes a supernatural love. We just don’t have that kind of love ourselves. How great that we are God's.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Through Times of Trial
If anyone had ample opportunity to become embittered by life’s trials, it was Joseph. His brothers treated him with contempt even before they tossed him into a pit. Then, over the course of a few years, he was sold into slavery, transported to a foreign land, framed for a crime, and left to waste away in prison. Despite all the injustice he suffered, this boy who grew up in bondage became a man of diligent work ethic and gentle spirit.
It’s almost impossible to understand how Joseph could seem so forgiving, peaceful, and even joyful. His secret to maintaining grace under pressure was a constant focus on God. He must have spent many hours recalling Jacob’s stories about the Lord’s faithfulness to their family—and also the divine revelations about his own future as a leader (Gen. 37:8-9). In spite of his many afflictions, Joseph trusted that those God-given dreams would become reality.
Imagine what kind of man could have emerged from 13 years of suffering and injustice. Had Joseph dwelled on his unfair circumstances, he’d likely have become cynical and vengeful. With a mind full of escape plots and revenge tactics, a man cannot be a good worker—so instead of achieving greatness, Joseph would probably have toiled at unfulfilling menial tasks.
With his spiritual “eyes” trained on God’s glory, Joseph persevered through great trials. In the end, he certainly had the power to punish his brothers for their treachery, but he chose to forgive. That decision probably wasn’t an easy one. Yet because Joseph placed himself under God’s protection, his heart was unhindered by negative emotions.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
It’s almost impossible to understand how Joseph could seem so forgiving, peaceful, and even joyful. His secret to maintaining grace under pressure was a constant focus on God. He must have spent many hours recalling Jacob’s stories about the Lord’s faithfulness to their family—and also the divine revelations about his own future as a leader (Gen. 37:8-9). In spite of his many afflictions, Joseph trusted that those God-given dreams would become reality.
Imagine what kind of man could have emerged from 13 years of suffering and injustice. Had Joseph dwelled on his unfair circumstances, he’d likely have become cynical and vengeful. With a mind full of escape plots and revenge tactics, a man cannot be a good worker—so instead of achieving greatness, Joseph would probably have toiled at unfulfilling menial tasks.
With his spiritual “eyes” trained on God’s glory, Joseph persevered through great trials. In the end, he certainly had the power to punish his brothers for their treachery, but he chose to forgive. That decision probably wasn’t an easy one. Yet because Joseph placed himself under God’s protection, his heart was unhindered by negative emotions.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Friday, October 23, 2009
Distracted Listeners
Have you ever tried to have a serious discussion with someone who you knew was not really listening to you? It can be quite frustrating. Not only is it practically impossible to get your message across, but it also betrays a selfishness on the part of the other person that we often find irritating and disrespectful.
You see, when we have a significant message to share with someone, we naturally want his or her undivided attention. God is the same way. When He speaks to us, He always has something extremely important to say. Therefore, He rightfully expects our complete focus and attention.
When the Holy Spirit communicates with us, we will often hear His voice immediately if we have been walking in step with Him. His “voice” may be a gentle whisper in our spirit, or it could be an obvious, miraculous sign “from out of the blue.” However God chooses to speak, those who are attuned to His voice will hear Him.
But we don’t always walk perfectly in the Spirit, do we? At those times when we are distracted, God must do something to get our attention. He may give us a restless spirit or speak a word of wisdom through a friend. He might even do something drastic, like bring about an unexpected move or career change.
When we’re not tuned in to the Spirit, God’s warning signs can feel like spiritual attacks. Yet these could be the very times when the Lord is revealing Himself to us. Could He be trying to break through your distractions? Prayerfully consider how He may be speaking, and see if you can discern His message. READ 1 Samuel 3:1-10
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
You see, when we have a significant message to share with someone, we naturally want his or her undivided attention. God is the same way. When He speaks to us, He always has something extremely important to say. Therefore, He rightfully expects our complete focus and attention.
When the Holy Spirit communicates with us, we will often hear His voice immediately if we have been walking in step with Him. His “voice” may be a gentle whisper in our spirit, or it could be an obvious, miraculous sign “from out of the blue.” However God chooses to speak, those who are attuned to His voice will hear Him.
But we don’t always walk perfectly in the Spirit, do we? At those times when we are distracted, God must do something to get our attention. He may give us a restless spirit or speak a word of wisdom through a friend. He might even do something drastic, like bring about an unexpected move or career change.
When we’re not tuned in to the Spirit, God’s warning signs can feel like spiritual attacks. Yet these could be the very times when the Lord is revealing Himself to us. Could He be trying to break through your distractions? Prayerfully consider how He may be speaking, and see if you can discern His message. READ 1 Samuel 3:1-10
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Holy Spirit Empowers Believers
"Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?" 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, "Stay the night with us, since it is getting late." So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat,[a] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
32 They said to each other, "Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[b]"
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. "Peace be with you," he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
38 "Why are you frightened?" he asked. "Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do." 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.
44 Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[c] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things." 49 "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."
The Ascension
50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.[d] 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.
Luke 24:26-52 (NLT)
Our heavenly Father has called us to live a supernatural life—one that is contrary to the world’s thinking. In our own strength, it is hard to say no to ungodliness because our flesh yearns to say yes. To live the Lord’s way takes His divine power. In order to draw on His strength, we need to develop attitudes of humility, trust, and perseverance.
God opposes the proud, who think, I can do this myself (James 4:6). He pours out His strength to the ones who know that they cannot accomplish the goal but believe that He can do so through them. The Lord wants us to trust Him. He may at times ask us to remain in an uncomfortable situation or take on a task that seems far beyond our capability. In either circumstance, relying on Him will bring us the inner fortitude to choose His way.
When we feel too weak to resist temptation or too fearful to pursue the Lord’s plan, we must persevere in prayer. That will draw us closer to Him, build our faith, and invite Him to work His will in and through us. Then, as we praise our Father for His almighty nature, proclaim His sufficiency for every circumstance, and declare His goodness, His Spirit will help us move past our weaknesses and fears to a place of strength.
Today the body of Christ is experiencing a lack of spiritual power. Believers have a diminishing influence on our culture as our lives often reflect the world’s values. To turn this around, we need to cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He will empower us when we do.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, "Stay the night with us, since it is getting late." So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat,[a] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
32 They said to each other, "Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[b]"
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. "Peace be with you," he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
38 "Why are you frightened?" he asked. "Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do." 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.
44 Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[c] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things." 49 "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."
The Ascension
50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.[d] 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.
Luke 24:26-52 (NLT)
Our heavenly Father has called us to live a supernatural life—one that is contrary to the world’s thinking. In our own strength, it is hard to say no to ungodliness because our flesh yearns to say yes. To live the Lord’s way takes His divine power. In order to draw on His strength, we need to develop attitudes of humility, trust, and perseverance.
God opposes the proud, who think, I can do this myself (James 4:6). He pours out His strength to the ones who know that they cannot accomplish the goal but believe that He can do so through them. The Lord wants us to trust Him. He may at times ask us to remain in an uncomfortable situation or take on a task that seems far beyond our capability. In either circumstance, relying on Him will bring us the inner fortitude to choose His way.
When we feel too weak to resist temptation or too fearful to pursue the Lord’s plan, we must persevere in prayer. That will draw us closer to Him, build our faith, and invite Him to work His will in and through us. Then, as we praise our Father for His almighty nature, proclaim His sufficiency for every circumstance, and declare His goodness, His Spirit will help us move past our weaknesses and fears to a place of strength.
Today the body of Christ is experiencing a lack of spiritual power. Believers have a diminishing influence on our culture as our lives often reflect the world’s values. To turn this around, we need to cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Spirit. He will empower us when we do.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Power of the Holy Spirit
In my first book[a] I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:1:5 (NLT)
In the last week of His life, Jesus talked to His disciples about what was to come: after His resurrection, they would receive a Counselor—the Holy Spirit—who’d be with them forever (John 14:16). He would indwell each believer, providing His power to make living a victorious Christian life possible.
The Lord is willing to empower us with His divine strength if we cultivate certain Christ-like qualities: Purity of heart. Prior to our salvation, sin separated us from the Father. When we received Jesus as Savior, God washed us clean (Titus 3:5), clothed us in Christ’s righteousness, and purified us so we could become His people (Titus 2:14). Now, our part is to pursue holiness so we can become more like the Lord. Regular confession of our ungodly thoughts and actions brings forgiveness and purifies us from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 niv).
Obedient spirit. Before we were adopted into God’s family, our nature was in rebellion against His authority. But since trusting in Christ, we have both freedom from sin’s power over us and the ability to choose obedience. While we will live imperfectly, the Lord looks to see if our minds and hearts are committed to following Him. Our sincere effort to obey Him brings a release of His power as we carry out His work.
When we make holiness a priority and demonstrate obedience to the Lord, we’ll receive supernatural strength to choose righteousness. Each day, we will be filled with power as we confess any areas of sin (Ps. 51:1-2, 10), maintain our commitment to God, and follow the Spirit’s lead.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING FOR ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:1:5 (NLT)
In the last week of His life, Jesus talked to His disciples about what was to come: after His resurrection, they would receive a Counselor—the Holy Spirit—who’d be with them forever (John 14:16). He would indwell each believer, providing His power to make living a victorious Christian life possible.
The Lord is willing to empower us with His divine strength if we cultivate certain Christ-like qualities: Purity of heart. Prior to our salvation, sin separated us from the Father. When we received Jesus as Savior, God washed us clean (Titus 3:5), clothed us in Christ’s righteousness, and purified us so we could become His people (Titus 2:14). Now, our part is to pursue holiness so we can become more like the Lord. Regular confession of our ungodly thoughts and actions brings forgiveness and purifies us from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 niv).
Obedient spirit. Before we were adopted into God’s family, our nature was in rebellion against His authority. But since trusting in Christ, we have both freedom from sin’s power over us and the ability to choose obedience. While we will live imperfectly, the Lord looks to see if our minds and hearts are committed to following Him. Our sincere effort to obey Him brings a release of His power as we carry out His work.
When we make holiness a priority and demonstrate obedience to the Lord, we’ll receive supernatural strength to choose righteousness. Each day, we will be filled with power as we confess any areas of sin (Ps. 51:1-2, 10), maintain our commitment to God, and follow the Spirit’s lead.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING FOR ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
"Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
"Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:3-4 (NIV)
Devotion:
My faith struggles. It occurs most often when something happens in life that is beyond my understanding. My faith plunges to below sea level depth when I witness a natural disaster, a family tragedy, or another Christian's failure. In my humanness, I cannot comprehend the "Why?" Regardless of my stinkin' thinkin,' God is faithful. Scripture states the following three truths explicitly throughout the Bible.
God is faithful.
"He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!" (Deuteronomy 32:4, NLT)
God always works in our best interests.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11, AMP)
God's ways are beyond our understanding
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV).
So what do I do when my faith plummets? I need to look to the truth that is deeper than my human reality. I need to acknowledge this fact - my faith can only grow when I have to trust God without the benefit of understanding every aspect of His divine will. I also need to realize that faith fluctuates and I am not the only one that struggles with the issue of doubt.
A biblical example of a person who struggled with his faith is the disciple Thomas. Thomas spent three years with Jesus. He watched the Lord perform miracles. But still his faith floundered. Jesus never gave up on Thomas but kept encouraging him to believe and to trust.
So when my faith struggles to stay afloat in a sea of doubt, I will look to Jesus for support. I will readily admit that I do not understand the why of the situation. And I will accept that it is part of the process of growing my faith. I will hold onto our Key Verse as a faith preserver. "Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:3-4, NIV).
If your faith is struggling today, join me in the journey of faith. We can walk in encouragement together knowing we are persevering and maturing and that one day our faith will be complete, not lacking in any area.
Dear Lord, at times my faith struggles. Help me to hold
onto the truth of your Word. Allow me to remember my faith is in a state of growth in every circumstance. Grant me strength in my faith so that it may persevere and mature. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Copy onto note cards the following verses: Deuteronomy 32:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 55:8-9, and James 1:3-4. The next time your faith feels shaky, read these verses to strengthen you. Ask God to reveal the truth of His faithfulness.
Reflections:
Are there certain areas where my faith quakes?
Do I feel guilty about my lack of faith at times?
Power Verses:
Romans 10:17, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." (NIV)
1 Peter 1:7, "Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory." (MSG)
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Monday, October 19, 2009
DIVINE DELAYS
There are times when we pray about something maybe once, perhaps twice, even three times, and if we don't receive an answer in the affirmative, then we give up and assume that it must not be God's will.
But Jesus taught His disciples "that they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1 NIV).
We need to understand that when we pray, a spiritual battle is raging behind the scenes. In the Book of Daniel, we find an interesting story in which Daniel offered his request before God and the answer finally came. An angel appeared to him and said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me. . . . " (Daniel 10:12–13 NLT)
It may be that you have asked God for something in your life that He wants to do. Just because it has not happened yet does not mean that it will never happen. God's delays are not necessarily His denials.
Clearly, there are some prayers the devil will oppose more than others. For example, when you pray for someone's salvation, you need to know that it is a spiritual battle. The last thing the devil wants to do is to release one of his captives.
In April 2003, U.S. military forces undertook a courageous operation to rescue Jessica Lynch, a soldier whose unit had been ambushed and captured during the Iraqi invasion. These soldiers risked their lives to save this prisoner of war and recover the bodies of eight other American soldiers.
In the same way, the devil has prisoners of war. And the only way people can be freed from spiritual bondage is when the power of Satan is bound. That is why, when we pray for a person's salvation, we need to pray that God will open his or her eyes so they will see their need for Jesus Christ. We can't give up.
One of the classic stories of persistent prayer is that of the Syro-Phoenician woman, a non-Jew who came to Jesus and asked Him to touch her demon-possessed daughter and deliver her. Jesus said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs" (Matthew 15:26). But instead of taking offense, she replied, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table" (verse 27).
Jesus was so impressed with her response that He said, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire" (verse 28). The Bible says her daughter was healed from that very hour.
What do we learn from this story? Jesus was not putting up barriers to keep her away, but to draw her closer—barriers that genuine, persistent faith could hurdle. Her faith was so great that even a tiny leftover of Jesus' power, in her estimation, would be enough to deliver her daughter.
Jesus urges us to be persistent in our prayers: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7–8). If you were to directly translate these very familiar words of Jesus, it would sound something like this: "Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. . . . "
Jesus also said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11). This reminds us of the intimacy and fellowship we have with God. Jesus taught the disciples to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9). When we bring our requests before God, we need to remember that we are speaking to our Father.
You see, it is His will to give you the things that you need in your life. Maybe you have been praying about something and there has not been an answer. Maybe there has been an interruption. Remember this: sometimes, an interruption is actually the intervention of God. Disappointment can be His appointment. So don't give up.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
But Jesus taught His disciples "that they should always pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1 NIV).
We need to understand that when we pray, a spiritual battle is raging behind the scenes. In the Book of Daniel, we find an interesting story in which Daniel offered his request before God and the answer finally came. An angel appeared to him and said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me. . . . " (Daniel 10:12–13 NLT)
It may be that you have asked God for something in your life that He wants to do. Just because it has not happened yet does not mean that it will never happen. God's delays are not necessarily His denials.
Clearly, there are some prayers the devil will oppose more than others. For example, when you pray for someone's salvation, you need to know that it is a spiritual battle. The last thing the devil wants to do is to release one of his captives.
In April 2003, U.S. military forces undertook a courageous operation to rescue Jessica Lynch, a soldier whose unit had been ambushed and captured during the Iraqi invasion. These soldiers risked their lives to save this prisoner of war and recover the bodies of eight other American soldiers.
In the same way, the devil has prisoners of war. And the only way people can be freed from spiritual bondage is when the power of Satan is bound. That is why, when we pray for a person's salvation, we need to pray that God will open his or her eyes so they will see their need for Jesus Christ. We can't give up.
One of the classic stories of persistent prayer is that of the Syro-Phoenician woman, a non-Jew who came to Jesus and asked Him to touch her demon-possessed daughter and deliver her. Jesus said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs" (Matthew 15:26). But instead of taking offense, she replied, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table" (verse 27).
Jesus was so impressed with her response that He said, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire" (verse 28). The Bible says her daughter was healed from that very hour.
What do we learn from this story? Jesus was not putting up barriers to keep her away, but to draw her closer—barriers that genuine, persistent faith could hurdle. Her faith was so great that even a tiny leftover of Jesus' power, in her estimation, would be enough to deliver her daughter.
Jesus urges us to be persistent in our prayers: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7–8). If you were to directly translate these very familiar words of Jesus, it would sound something like this: "Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. . . . "
Jesus also said, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11). This reminds us of the intimacy and fellowship we have with God. Jesus taught the disciples to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9). When we bring our requests before God, we need to remember that we are speaking to our Father.
You see, it is His will to give you the things that you need in your life. Maybe you have been praying about something and there has not been an answer. Maybe there has been an interruption. Remember this: sometimes, an interruption is actually the intervention of God. Disappointment can be His appointment. So don't give up.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Friday, October 16, 2009
DEFEATING THE ENEMY (PART 1)
As Goliath moved...to attack, David quickly ran...to meet him." 1 Samuel 17:48
The Bible says, "For forty days, twice a day" (1 Samuel 17:16) Goliath mocked the children of Israel. Now your giant may not wear armor and brandish a sword, but he'll taunt you day and night about unpaid bills, past sins, a failing marriage, or a job you detest. Goliath's ancestors had been Israel's enemies and Joshua annihilated them all - except the inhabitants of Gath where Goliath hailed from. Why is that important to note? Because if you leave your old enemy a leg to stand on he'll rise to fight again.
Maybe you're dealing with issues your parents and grandparents grappled with - things like addiction, divorce, anger and depression. When the Israelites "heard the Philistine's challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope" (1 Samuel 17:11). If that's how you feel, do what David did, "As Goliath moved closer to attack, David...ran out to meet him."
Max Lucado writes: "We retreat behind a desk, or crawl into a nightclub, or a bed of forbidden love. For a moment we feel safe, insulated, anesthetized, but then the work runs out, the liquor wears off, the lover leaves, and we hear Goliath again...Rush your giant with a God-saturated soul! [TELL HIM] "Giant of divorce you aren't entering my home, depression you won't conquer me, alcohol, bigotry, child abuse, insecurity...you're going down." When was the last time you picked up your sling and ran towards the roar? The Bible says, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard [flag of victory] against him" (Isaiah 59:19). God has given you the power to fight this battle and w in - use it!
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Thursday, October 15, 2009
TRUE TOLERANCE
I find it ironic that those who tell us we need to be tolerant are very intolerant of the gospel. In fact, the most intolerant people seem to be those who are always telling you to be tolerant. I have heard the complaint that Christians are so intolerant, yet I don't think that is true at all.
I think Christians are the most tolerant people of all, because we want to reason with those who have a different belief system than ours or live a different lifestyle than we live. Yes, we believe in absolute truth and believe in it unapologetically. But I have found that people who are the most intolerant are the ones who say, "I don't like the fact that you believe in absolute truth, and I am tolerant of everyone except you. I want you to shut up. I don't want you to state your views." What happened to all their tolerance? Where is the so-called love?
To proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only way to God will offend some people. But we proclaim it because the Bible clearly teaches it. This is what we call an essential, a nonnegotiable. Jesus stated it as succinctly as it could be stated when He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). When we state that as fact, it will offend certain people.
When a physician discovers a problem with a patient's health, he or she must tell the truth, even if it could upset the patient. As Christians, we must tell the truth about a person's condition, which, according to the Bible, is sinful. We must explain the problem and then offer the solution through Jesus Christ. And this will offend some people.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
I think Christians are the most tolerant people of all, because we want to reason with those who have a different belief system than ours or live a different lifestyle than we live. Yes, we believe in absolute truth and believe in it unapologetically. But I have found that people who are the most intolerant are the ones who say, "I don't like the fact that you believe in absolute truth, and I am tolerant of everyone except you. I want you to shut up. I don't want you to state your views." What happened to all their tolerance? Where is the so-called love?
To proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only way to God will offend some people. But we proclaim it because the Bible clearly teaches it. This is what we call an essential, a nonnegotiable. Jesus stated it as succinctly as it could be stated when He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). When we state that as fact, it will offend certain people.
When a physician discovers a problem with a patient's health, he or she must tell the truth, even if it could upset the patient. As Christians, we must tell the truth about a person's condition, which, according to the Bible, is sinful. We must explain the problem and then offer the solution through Jesus Christ. And this will offend some people.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Lord calls us to share His truth with others, but oftentimes our actions and attitude completely contradict the words that are coming out of our mouths. This is an area in which we all seem to struggle from time to time.
Every day, every one of us communicates something to someone. We send messages by what we say and by what we don’t say, by what we do and by what we don’t do. For example, if a father quietly decides to stop tithing his income, he is sending a loud message to his children. Without ever opening his mouth, he is declaring, “Kids, you can’t trust the Lord with your money. God isn’t faithful to meet your needs, so you better hold on to as much as you possibly can.” Is that the message you want to pass on to your children?
You might argue, “Well, I’m not really a tither, but I would never tell my kids that you can’t trust God.” Yet you have already sent an unspoken message loud and clear. What people—especially children—witness in our behavior speaks much louder than what we actually say with our mouths.
The apostle Paul understood what powerful lessons we teach by our actions. For this reason, he made sure he modeled the right behavior and values for his spiritual children to emulate (2 Thess. 3:7-9).
It is not an issue of whether or not we will communicate a message. Rather, the issue is, What kind of message are you already communicating? Search yourself for any disparity between what you say and what you do, and choose to share a complete, unified message of hope with the world READ James 2:14-18
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Every day, every one of us communicates something to someone. We send messages by what we say and by what we don’t say, by what we do and by what we don’t do. For example, if a father quietly decides to stop tithing his income, he is sending a loud message to his children. Without ever opening his mouth, he is declaring, “Kids, you can’t trust the Lord with your money. God isn’t faithful to meet your needs, so you better hold on to as much as you possibly can.” Is that the message you want to pass on to your children?
You might argue, “Well, I’m not really a tither, but I would never tell my kids that you can’t trust God.” Yet you have already sent an unspoken message loud and clear. What people—especially children—witness in our behavior speaks much louder than what we actually say with our mouths.
The apostle Paul understood what powerful lessons we teach by our actions. For this reason, he made sure he modeled the right behavior and values for his spiritual children to emulate (2 Thess. 3:7-9).
It is not an issue of whether or not we will communicate a message. Rather, the issue is, What kind of message are you already communicating? Search yourself for any disparity between what you say and what you do, and choose to share a complete, unified message of hope with the world READ James 2:14-18
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Monday, October 12, 2009
MATTERS OF THE HEART
Is a Christian entitled to self-defense? If that is the case, how does that work with the
teaching of Jesus that we are to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile? Should a true follower of Jesus be a complete pacifist? Or can a Christian actually be in favor of war? More specifically, can a Christian, in good conscience, serve in the military or as a law enforcement officer?
These questions have been asked for hundreds of years, and they are valid questions. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus deals with this issue and far more.
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples. Its standards are not those by which a society is governed as much as they are principles by which a true follower of Jesus is to live. The real theme of the Sermon on the Mount is simply this: the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
That is why Jesus saved His most scathing words not for tax collectors or for prostitutes, but for Pharisees. He told them, "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matthew 23:28). Jesus was looking at their hearts. And God is still looking at human hearts today.
Have you ever actually wanted to kill someone? Has someone ever made you so angry that you almost could have? Let me put it another way: Have you ever driven on a freeway during rush hour? Let's be honest. We have all felt that kind of anger. This is why we are warned about going "in the way of Cain" in Jude 1:11. Cain was a murderer. His murderous motive started with envy when he saw that God accepted his brother Abel's sacrifice over his. That envy ultimately led to murder. And that is why we have to nip these things in the bud.
Jesus said, "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:22). The word Jesus used for "angry" in this verse means a settled anger, malice that is nursed inwardly. Jesus was speaking of people who become bitter and then develop a grudge and nurse it. They are not letting go. Every day, they are fueling the fire.
This is wrong. And this actually can lead to the kind of sin Jesus was referring to.
There are times when anger is proper. There is such a thing as righteous indignation. Certainly Jesus demonstrated that when He drove the moneychangers out of the temple, not once but twice. Of course, there is also wicked anger. This is the kind of anger where we let something settle in and turn into hatred. According to 1 John 3:15, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
Anger is murder in the heart, just as lust is adultery in the heart. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment' " (Matthew 5:21). In the original language, the word used in this verse for "murder" is very specific.
Sometimes people will quote this verse and say, "It is a sin to kill. That is why there should be no wars and no one should ever use a gun or try to defend their lives." But the Bible does not say that. Rather, it says, "You shall not murder." Let's understand the difference. All murder is killing, but not all killing is necessarily murder. There are times when killing is acceptable, though not desirable. The Bible makes allowance for war. Throughout the Old Testament, there were many occasions when God told the Israelites to go to war. So there is a place for peace and a place for war. There is a place for the use of force and a place for turning the other cheek.
Jesus was not refuting capital punishment or the proper use of force, but He was essentially saying, "You pride yourselves on the fact that you have never actually murdered someone. But have you ever wanted, in your heart, to kill someone?"
If we only focus on the outward, we won't get to the real issue:
teaching of Jesus that we are to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile? Should a true follower of Jesus be a complete pacifist? Or can a Christian actually be in favor of war? More specifically, can a Christian, in good conscience, serve in the military or as a law enforcement officer?
These questions have been asked for hundreds of years, and they are valid questions. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), Jesus deals with this issue and far more.
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples. Its standards are not those by which a society is governed as much as they are principles by which a true follower of Jesus is to live. The real theme of the Sermon on the Mount is simply this: the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
That is why Jesus saved His most scathing words not for tax collectors or for prostitutes, but for Pharisees. He told them, "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matthew 23:28). Jesus was looking at their hearts. And God is still looking at human hearts today.
Have you ever actually wanted to kill someone? Has someone ever made you so angry that you almost could have? Let me put it another way: Have you ever driven on a freeway during rush hour? Let's be honest. We have all felt that kind of anger. This is why we are warned about going "in the way of Cain" in Jude 1:11. Cain was a murderer. His murderous motive started with envy when he saw that God accepted his brother Abel's sacrifice over his. That envy ultimately led to murder. And that is why we have to nip these things in the bud.
Jesus said, "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:22). The word Jesus used for "angry" in this verse means a settled anger, malice that is nursed inwardly. Jesus was speaking of people who become bitter and then develop a grudge and nurse it. They are not letting go. Every day, they are fueling the fire.
This is wrong. And this actually can lead to the kind of sin Jesus was referring to.
There are times when anger is proper. There is such a thing as righteous indignation. Certainly Jesus demonstrated that when He drove the moneychangers out of the temple, not once but twice. Of course, there is also wicked anger. This is the kind of anger where we let something settle in and turn into hatred. According to 1 John 3:15, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
Anger is murder in the heart, just as lust is adultery in the heart. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment' " (Matthew 5:21). In the original language, the word used in this verse for "murder" is very specific.
Sometimes people will quote this verse and say, "It is a sin to kill. That is why there should be no wars and no one should ever use a gun or try to defend their lives." But the Bible does not say that. Rather, it says, "You shall not murder." Let's understand the difference. All murder is killing, but not all killing is necessarily murder. There are times when killing is acceptable, though not desirable. The Bible makes allowance for war. Throughout the Old Testament, there were many occasions when God told the Israelites to go to war. So there is a place for peace and a place for war. There is a place for the use of force and a place for turning the other cheek.
Jesus was not refuting capital punishment or the proper use of force, but He was essentially saying, "You pride yourselves on the fact that you have never actually murdered someone. But have you ever wanted, in your heart, to kill someone?"
If we only focus on the outward, we won't get to the real issue:
Righteousness is a matter of the heart.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Friday, October 9, 2009
HONESTLY............
Devotion:
I think we all get to a place sometimes in our life where we have to honestly assess, "How I am doing?" It's not really a conversation I have with a friend or family member. It's one of those middle of the night contemplations where there's no one to fool. There's no glossing over the realities staring me in the face. I know certain things about myself need to change but it's easier to make excuses than tackle them head on. Rationalizations are so appealing: I'm good in every other area. I make so many sacrifices already.I need this comfort in this season of life- I'll deal with it later. I just can't give this up. The Bible doesn't specifically say this is wrong.
It's not really a problem, if I really wanted to make a change, I could - I just don't want to right now. Oh for heaven's sake, everyone has issues, so what if this is mine?And on and on. But excuses always get me no where fast. This is especially true for me in the area of healthy eating. Even if that's not your issue, I suspect this same script of rationalization has played out in your mind over other things. So, the cycle continues day after day, week after week, year after year.
A whole lifetime could be spent making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally beating myself up for not sticking to my resolve, feeling like a failure, and then resigning that things can't change. And I don't want to spend a lifetime in this cycle. Nothing will change until I make the choice to change. I have to want it, spiritually, physically and mentally.
The battle really is in all three areas: Spiritually: In Colossians 3 1-5 we are told to set our minds and our hearts on things above. In order to do this, we have to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature which sets itself up as an idol in my life. Idolatry is trying to get my needs met outside the will of God. Bingo. Can't deny it. This described food for me at times. Again, it wasn't a huge problem where I was medically in danger. But, any idolatry, no matter how small is a problem. Physically: According to an extensive study done by Northwestern University, calorie restriction is the key ingredient for managing weight issues. Of course, they state that exercise is also important but good nutrition is crucial. Bingo. Can't deny it. It does matter what I eat. My weight is a reflection of what I consume. Mentally: Don't settle. Don't compromise. What happens when you cut the "com" off of the word compromise? You're left with a "promise." We were made for more than compromise. We were made for God's promises in all areas of our life. Honestly. I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing - eating, gaining, stressing... I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues, and using the Lord's strength in me, defeat them - spiritually, physically, and mentally - to the glory of God.
;
Dear Lord, help me be courageous enough to speak honestly
I think we all get to a place sometimes in our life where we have to honestly assess, "How I am doing?" It's not really a conversation I have with a friend or family member. It's one of those middle of the night contemplations where there's no one to fool. There's no glossing over the realities staring me in the face. I know certain things about myself need to change but it's easier to make excuses than tackle them head on. Rationalizations are so appealing: I'm good in every other area. I make so many sacrifices already.I need this comfort in this season of life- I'll deal with it later. I just can't give this up. The Bible doesn't specifically say this is wrong.
It's not really a problem, if I really wanted to make a change, I could - I just don't want to right now. Oh for heaven's sake, everyone has issues, so what if this is mine?And on and on. But excuses always get me no where fast. This is especially true for me in the area of healthy eating. Even if that's not your issue, I suspect this same script of rationalization has played out in your mind over other things. So, the cycle continues day after day, week after week, year after year.
A whole lifetime could be spent making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally beating myself up for not sticking to my resolve, feeling like a failure, and then resigning that things can't change. And I don't want to spend a lifetime in this cycle. Nothing will change until I make the choice to change. I have to want it, spiritually, physically and mentally.
The battle really is in all three areas: Spiritually: In Colossians 3 1-5 we are told to set our minds and our hearts on things above. In order to do this, we have to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature which sets itself up as an idol in my life. Idolatry is trying to get my needs met outside the will of God. Bingo. Can't deny it. This described food for me at times. Again, it wasn't a huge problem where I was medically in danger. But, any idolatry, no matter how small is a problem. Physically: According to an extensive study done by Northwestern University, calorie restriction is the key ingredient for managing weight issues. Of course, they state that exercise is also important but good nutrition is crucial. Bingo. Can't deny it. It does matter what I eat. My weight is a reflection of what I consume. Mentally: Don't settle. Don't compromise. What happens when you cut the "com" off of the word compromise? You're left with a "promise." We were made for more than compromise. We were made for God's promises in all areas of our life. Honestly. I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing - eating, gaining, stressing... I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues, and using the Lord's strength in me, defeat them - spiritually, physically, and mentally - to the glory of God.
;
Dear Lord, help me be courageous enough to speak honestly
to You and to myself in those areas I'm giving in to compromise.
Show me how to rely on Your strength for more self-discipline
in my life - not for my glory but for Yours. In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Application Steps:
So, how are you doing spiritually, physically, and mentally? Decide today to set your mind on things above and ask God to reveal to you an area in which He wants to usher you to victory. It will take prayer. It will take faith. And it will take the encouragement of a friend.
Reflections:
What issue do I have that consumes way too much of my mental energy and produces stress in my life? Why not start tackling it today? How might I apply the insights from this devotion to my particular situation?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 4:16, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (NIV)
Philippians 1:25-26, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." (NIV)
Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (NIV)
So, how are you doing spiritually, physically, and mentally? Decide today to set your mind on things above and ask God to reveal to you an area in which He wants to usher you to victory. It will take prayer. It will take faith. And it will take the encouragement of a friend.
Reflections:
What issue do I have that consumes way too much of my mental energy and produces stress in my life? Why not start tackling it today? How might I apply the insights from this devotion to my particular situation?
Power Verses:
1 Timothy 4:16, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (NIV)
Philippians 1:25-26, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." (NIV)
Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (NIV)
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Thursday, October 8, 2009
How to Reach Your Goals
We have learned the importance of determining goals. We should also be sure to establish them with God’s guidance, rather than devising them on our own and expecting Him to bless our efforts. Our success will be determined by our dependence upon the Lord. If we set out to accomplish anything in our own strength—even a godly task—we will fail.
Other factors can also help us achieve an objective. A consuming passion, for example, can provide motivation and prevent discouragement. In addition, we should have confidence to reach the goal, knowing that the Lord will equip us for every task He assigns. Think back to David, the shepherd boy: he seemed like no match for Goliath, but God prepared him through his experience in protecting sheep from dangerous animals.
Planning a step-by-step course of action will also help us to be successful—a calendar is useful in setting up deadlines for each part of the plan. And two more things we need are courage and consistency. Fear of failure and the opinion of others can be paralyzing. But courage comes from reading God’s Word, praying, and turning a deaf ear to negativism. Then, consistency will keep our eye on the goal so we will not deviate from it.
You can continue to live as before, or you can find out what God plans to do in your life. Is He leading you toward a specific goal? Remember, the Lord is all-powerful. If you employ these principles, you’ll experience His ability to do mighty things and accomplish His divine objectives for you. READ Isaiah 41:10
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER1
DAWN
Other factors can also help us achieve an objective. A consuming passion, for example, can provide motivation and prevent discouragement. In addition, we should have confidence to reach the goal, knowing that the Lord will equip us for every task He assigns. Think back to David, the shepherd boy: he seemed like no match for Goliath, but God prepared him through his experience in protecting sheep from dangerous animals.
Planning a step-by-step course of action will also help us to be successful—a calendar is useful in setting up deadlines for each part of the plan. And two more things we need are courage and consistency. Fear of failure and the opinion of others can be paralyzing. But courage comes from reading God’s Word, praying, and turning a deaf ear to negativism. Then, consistency will keep our eye on the goal so we will not deviate from it.
You can continue to live as before, or you can find out what God plans to do in your life. Is He leading you toward a specific goal? Remember, the Lord is all-powerful. If you employ these principles, you’ll experience His ability to do mighty things and accomplish His divine objectives for you. READ Isaiah 41:10
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER1
DAWN
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Speaking Through Failure
Probably the most painful and least desired ways that God gets our attention is through failure. After all, nobody likes to fail. However, this is often the best way for God to get through to us.
Pride is something that can absolutely block your communication with God. It is one of the few things that Scripture clearly says the Lord hates (Prov. 6:16-17; 8:13; 16:5). So, if there is pride in your life, God knows exactly what you need: a good dose of failure.
And that is what happened to Israel in Joshua 7. The new nation had just won a mighty victory in Jericho and, as a result, had become rather prideful. Considering themselves invulnerable after taking such a powerful city, they allowed faithlessness and disobedience to creep into their attitudes.
In arrogance, Israel ignored God’s battle plan for the little city of Ai—the soldiers were certain that they could take the small town on their own. But they were wrong. God denied them this victory, and the few men of Ai drove them back in a humiliating defeat. God had blessed Israel with a shocking victory over Jericho, but He now needed to get their attention in another way. And you can be sure that God still speaks to us through failure when it becomes necessary.
If failure today can lead to great success tomorrow, isn’t the setback worth it?
When unexpected failure occurs, be sure to check your response. Don’t just say, “Well, I blew it.” Instead, agree with God that “I messed up pretty badly.” But then ask, “Lord, what are You trying to tell me in this?” READ Proverbs 21:4
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Pride is something that can absolutely block your communication with God. It is one of the few things that Scripture clearly says the Lord hates (Prov. 6:16-17; 8:13; 16:5). So, if there is pride in your life, God knows exactly what you need: a good dose of failure.
And that is what happened to Israel in Joshua 7. The new nation had just won a mighty victory in Jericho and, as a result, had become rather prideful. Considering themselves invulnerable after taking such a powerful city, they allowed faithlessness and disobedience to creep into their attitudes.
In arrogance, Israel ignored God’s battle plan for the little city of Ai—the soldiers were certain that they could take the small town on their own. But they were wrong. God denied them this victory, and the few men of Ai drove them back in a humiliating defeat. God had blessed Israel with a shocking victory over Jericho, but He now needed to get their attention in another way. And you can be sure that God still speaks to us through failure when it becomes necessary.
If failure today can lead to great success tomorrow, isn’t the setback worth it?
When unexpected failure occurs, be sure to check your response. Don’t just say, “Well, I blew it.” Instead, agree with God that “I messed up pretty badly.” But then ask, “Lord, what are You trying to tell me in this?” READ Proverbs 21:4
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Seeking God Through Prayer
1Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the (A)Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.
2Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in (B)Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi)." 3Jehoshaphat was afraid and (C)turned his attention to seek the LORD, and (D)proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2Chron. 20:1-3 (NASB)
During the reign of Jehoshaphat, a vast army assembled to attack the nation of Judah. His response to the situation can guide us in handling our own crises. The Bible records that the king "turned his attention to seek the Lord" in prayer (v. 3). Likewise, when we face hardship, our best response is to cry out to our heavenly Father. As God’s children, we can be certain that He loves us and cares about the details of our lives. Through the cross, He established a new
covenant for those who place their trust in the Lord Jesus (Luke 22:20)—He agreed to forgive our sins, adopt us into His family, and watch over us. This salvation does not depend upon our good actions but upon the completed work of Jesus, who died in our place (Eph. 2:8). God also sent His Spirit to live in us as proof of our salvation and to be ever-present with us. He is interested in every aspect of our lives and promises to hear our prayers.
Jehoshaphat was ready for this crisis because he had developed the habit of seeking the Lord in various situations (2 Chron. 19:3). If we want to be prepared for the unexpected, then we must discipline ourselves to seek God every day, acknowledging His Lordship and our dependence upon Him. By examining our habits and thought life, we can know whether our attention is on the Lord or other things. If we start our day thinking about Him instead of our own plans, and regularly read and apply Scripture, then we demonstrate a heart that is pursuing Him.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
2Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in (B)Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi)." 3Jehoshaphat was afraid and (C)turned his attention to seek the LORD, and (D)proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 2Chron. 20:1-3 (NASB)
During the reign of Jehoshaphat, a vast army assembled to attack the nation of Judah. His response to the situation can guide us in handling our own crises. The Bible records that the king "turned his attention to seek the Lord" in prayer (v. 3). Likewise, when we face hardship, our best response is to cry out to our heavenly Father. As God’s children, we can be certain that He loves us and cares about the details of our lives. Through the cross, He established a new
covenant for those who place their trust in the Lord Jesus (Luke 22:20)—He agreed to forgive our sins, adopt us into His family, and watch over us. This salvation does not depend upon our good actions but upon the completed work of Jesus, who died in our place (Eph. 2:8). God also sent His Spirit to live in us as proof of our salvation and to be ever-present with us. He is interested in every aspect of our lives and promises to hear our prayers.
Jehoshaphat was ready for this crisis because he had developed the habit of seeking the Lord in various situations (2 Chron. 19:3). If we want to be prepared for the unexpected, then we must discipline ourselves to seek God every day, acknowledging His Lordship and our dependence upon Him. By examining our habits and thought life, we can know whether our attention is on the Lord or other things. If we start our day thinking about Him instead of our own plans, and regularly read and apply Scripture, then we demonstrate a heart that is pursuing Him.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Monday, October 5, 2009
Run to Obey
Obeying God is a phenomenal thing.
You know you're talking to a baby Christian when you hear things like, "The Bible says to do . . . what? That just doesn't make sense to me," and "Isn't that a little crazy?" When someone new to Christ hears a call that demands him or her to go against the natural human tendency to protect or promote self, the person will sometimes react.
Not so for someone who has walked with God for a long time. We know that every step forward is a step of faith. Obedience to God is not a burden. And once you've done it a few times, you realize how awesome God's program is.
Every time I do what God wants me to do - I get blessed. Every time I humble myself and ask for forgiveness or reach out in relationship or deny my flesh or give to the Lord's work or make the choice to serve or open my mouth and speak for God - I get blessed! Every time! Obeying God always makes things better, even when it's hard. Even when the good outcome takes a while.
The more you get to know the Lord, the more you realize that everything He asks of you is for your good. I'm thinking right now of that amazing pronouncement in Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." When you get that panorama perspective of life, then obeying God today is not a burden; it's a joy.
Things will always work out for good when I obey God. If I could live my life over again, I wouldn't go back on any of my obedience choices, but I'd go back to some disobedience choices and change them in a hurry.
Today I purpose to obey the first time, every time. Let’s be like David who said, "I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!"
"I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it." - Psalm 119:32-35
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
You know you're talking to a baby Christian when you hear things like, "The Bible says to do . . . what? That just doesn't make sense to me," and "Isn't that a little crazy?" When someone new to Christ hears a call that demands him or her to go against the natural human tendency to protect or promote self, the person will sometimes react.
Not so for someone who has walked with God for a long time. We know that every step forward is a step of faith. Obedience to God is not a burden. And once you've done it a few times, you realize how awesome God's program is.
Every time I do what God wants me to do - I get blessed. Every time I humble myself and ask for forgiveness or reach out in relationship or deny my flesh or give to the Lord's work or make the choice to serve or open my mouth and speak for God - I get blessed! Every time! Obeying God always makes things better, even when it's hard. Even when the good outcome takes a while.
The more you get to know the Lord, the more you realize that everything He asks of you is for your good. I'm thinking right now of that amazing pronouncement in Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." When you get that panorama perspective of life, then obeying God today is not a burden; it's a joy.
Things will always work out for good when I obey God. If I could live my life over again, I wouldn't go back on any of my obedience choices, but I'd go back to some disobedience choices and change them in a hurry.
Today I purpose to obey the first time, every time. Let’s be like David who said, "I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!"
"I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it." - Psalm 119:32-35
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Saturday, October 3, 2009
THE MEASURE OF LOVE
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:9-17 (NKJV)
On October 2, 1954, First Lieutenant James O. Conway was taking off from Boston Logan Airport, flying a plane that carried a load of munitions. When his plane became airborne, he suddenly lost power over Boston’s bay. In an instant, Conway faced a brutal choice—eject from the plane and save his own life, or crash the plane into the bay causing his own death.
If he ejected, however, the plane would crash into an East Boston neighborhood filled with homes and families. Amazingly, Conway chose to crash the plane into the bay—giving his life for the lives of others.
In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” The willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect others shows a heart that cares more about the needs of others than the needs of one’s self. Someone once said that “the measure of love is what one is willing to give up for it.” God the Father loved so much that He gave up His Son. Christ loved so much that He gave up His life—even taking our sins on Himself and dying in our place.
The measure of God’s love for you is great. Have you accepted His love personally? — Bill Crowder
When Jesus gave His life for me,Enduring all the agony Upon the cross of Calvary,He showed the love of God. —Sper
Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Christ.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
John 15:9-17 (NKJV)
On October 2, 1954, First Lieutenant James O. Conway was taking off from Boston Logan Airport, flying a plane that carried a load of munitions. When his plane became airborne, he suddenly lost power over Boston’s bay. In an instant, Conway faced a brutal choice—eject from the plane and save his own life, or crash the plane into the bay causing his own death.
If he ejected, however, the plane would crash into an East Boston neighborhood filled with homes and families. Amazingly, Conway chose to crash the plane into the bay—giving his life for the lives of others.
In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” The willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect others shows a heart that cares more about the needs of others than the needs of one’s self. Someone once said that “the measure of love is what one is willing to give up for it.” God the Father loved so much that He gave up His Son. Christ loved so much that He gave up His life—even taking our sins on Himself and dying in our place.
The measure of God’s love for you is great. Have you accepted His love personally? — Bill Crowder
When Jesus gave His life for me,Enduring all the agony Upon the cross of Calvary,He showed the love of God. —Sper
Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross of Christ.
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Friday, October 2, 2009
Confronting Goliaths
David’s short battle with Goliath was more than a fight between Israel and the Philistines. It was a defense of Jehovah’s name against those who doubted His supremacy. As David pointed out, the only way a boy with a sling could defeat a giant warrior like Goliath was by the Lord’s hand. And that’s exactly what happened.
In confronting Goliath, David showed real courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was righteous indignation: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26).David believed that someone had to wipe away from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath’s insults. Since no one else would step forward, he volunteered to defend Yahweh’s name.
Modern audiences often read this story merely as a battle scene wherein an inexperienced underdog toppled an ancient superhero. We comfort ourselves that we will probably never have to deal with such a scenario. But the real story is that David stood up for God. Given how our culture scoffs at both the Father and Jesus Christ, believers will certainly spend some time in David’s sandals. The question is whether we will turn and run or stand and fight in God’s name.
You don’t need a theology degree to combat those who would mock God. Your “smooth stones” (v. 40) are the truths you have pulled from the Bible. No enemy can win an argument against Scripture. Whatever the outcome seems to be, the battle is the Lord’s, and He gives victory to the faithful. READ 1 Samuel 17:1-53
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
In confronting Goliath, David showed real courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was righteous indignation: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26).David believed that someone had to wipe away from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath’s insults. Since no one else would step forward, he volunteered to defend Yahweh’s name.
Modern audiences often read this story merely as a battle scene wherein an inexperienced underdog toppled an ancient superhero. We comfort ourselves that we will probably never have to deal with such a scenario. But the real story is that David stood up for God. Given how our culture scoffs at both the Father and Jesus Christ, believers will certainly spend some time in David’s sandals. The question is whether we will turn and run or stand and fight in God’s name.
You don’t need a theology degree to combat those who would mock God. Your “smooth stones” (v. 40) are the truths you have pulled from the Bible. No enemy can win an argument against Scripture. Whatever the outcome seems to be, the battle is the Lord’s, and He gives victory to the faithful. READ 1 Samuel 17:1-53
BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Most all Christians go through some sort of spiritual warfare in life. The intensity of an attack can temp us to run and hide in fear. Jesus faced several incidents of spiritual warfare during His earthly ministry, such as His encounter with the devil in the wilderness.
Before His ascension into heaven, He descended into hell, took the keys out from Satan's hand, and set captivity free. So why are some of us running in fear from a devil that doesn't even have the keys to his house any more?
The kind of spiritual battles that often attack us can be compared to a mouse that creeps into the tiny openings of our homes, sniffing and sneaking around the house while it is dark and we are sleeping. The slightest crack or crevice can invite an occasional mouse family into the
house. You can feel their horrifying uncomfortable presence that leaves you feeling uneasy and insecure.
Spiritual warfare is like fighting a nasty breed of mice that have invaded the peace of your home. All it takes is just one little mouse to infiltrate your safe haven and set up camp. Their filthy droppings provide a sickening stench that signals its partners who can smell the scent. They ravage your food pantry and release nasty droppings as evidence they've been there.
The mouse is the devil and the droppings are the stench of his contaminating foul presence. It's the odor of sin. The house could be your literal house, your family environment, your work environment, or even your own human vessel. Whatever way to apply the message, you decide.
In other words, you have to be careful not to give any place for the devil to creep into your house. Any tiny opening, one slight act of sin, a night spent in adultery, a quick hit of crack, or a gossiping tongue, can tear a hole in your soul that leads to contamination and hinders your relationship with God. In some cases, you may not be the guilty party leaving the doors open, but what about the other people you let into your life?
Are they opening up doors of negativity, bad influences, disobedience, and ungodly behaviors? If you can catch someone's contagious cold, you can catch the stench of their droppings. Their sin can rub off on you simply by association.
The interesting point is that a mouse doesn't go into a house that doesn't have any food. That means if you are under spiritual warfare, the devil knows your value. He has no need to attack his own. Don't back down in fear, and don't backslide, but recognize that your value is what's taking you to the next level of your destiny. God doesn't consult your past to decide your future. He want only the best to come out of you.
You have to sweep your house clean to get the mouse out. Serious warfare warrants a tough repellant to eradicate the enemy. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you!" So pull out the big guns and shoot from the Word of God, "for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ gave us power over ALL the power of the enemy. Spiritual warfare may not always be caused by a source within your physical or spiritual house, but if it is, slam shut every door of sin that enters through the eye gate, the ear gate, the mouth and the mind. Seal up every crack of iniquity to stop the infestation.
Jesus gives us an illustration pertaining to an unclean spirit that was cast out of the house. The demon stated, "I will return to my house from which I come," The devil will try you, and test you, even after you do some house cleaning.
The truth is, once your house is swept clean and completely taken over by the Holy Spirit, you will never have a mouse in your house again.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
Before His ascension into heaven, He descended into hell, took the keys out from Satan's hand, and set captivity free. So why are some of us running in fear from a devil that doesn't even have the keys to his house any more?
The kind of spiritual battles that often attack us can be compared to a mouse that creeps into the tiny openings of our homes, sniffing and sneaking around the house while it is dark and we are sleeping. The slightest crack or crevice can invite an occasional mouse family into the
house. You can feel their horrifying uncomfortable presence that leaves you feeling uneasy and insecure.
Spiritual warfare is like fighting a nasty breed of mice that have invaded the peace of your home. All it takes is just one little mouse to infiltrate your safe haven and set up camp. Their filthy droppings provide a sickening stench that signals its partners who can smell the scent. They ravage your food pantry and release nasty droppings as evidence they've been there.
The mouse is the devil and the droppings are the stench of his contaminating foul presence. It's the odor of sin. The house could be your literal house, your family environment, your work environment, or even your own human vessel. Whatever way to apply the message, you decide.
In other words, you have to be careful not to give any place for the devil to creep into your house. Any tiny opening, one slight act of sin, a night spent in adultery, a quick hit of crack, or a gossiping tongue, can tear a hole in your soul that leads to contamination and hinders your relationship with God. In some cases, you may not be the guilty party leaving the doors open, but what about the other people you let into your life?
Are they opening up doors of negativity, bad influences, disobedience, and ungodly behaviors? If you can catch someone's contagious cold, you can catch the stench of their droppings. Their sin can rub off on you simply by association.
The interesting point is that a mouse doesn't go into a house that doesn't have any food. That means if you are under spiritual warfare, the devil knows your value. He has no need to attack his own. Don't back down in fear, and don't backslide, but recognize that your value is what's taking you to the next level of your destiny. God doesn't consult your past to decide your future. He want only the best to come out of you.
You have to sweep your house clean to get the mouse out. Serious warfare warrants a tough repellant to eradicate the enemy. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you!" So pull out the big guns and shoot from the Word of God, "for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ gave us power over ALL the power of the enemy. Spiritual warfare may not always be caused by a source within your physical or spiritual house, but if it is, slam shut every door of sin that enters through the eye gate, the ear gate, the mouth and the mind. Seal up every crack of iniquity to stop the infestation.
Jesus gives us an illustration pertaining to an unclean spirit that was cast out of the house. The demon stated, "I will return to my house from which I come," The devil will try you, and test you, even after you do some house cleaning.
The truth is, once your house is swept clean and completely taken over by the Holy Spirit, you will never have a mouse in your house again.
BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO ONE ANOTHER!
DAWN
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