[By Greg Laurie]
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." — Matthew 11:28–30
Some years ago, a Tacoma, Washington newspaper ran a story about Tattoo, an eight-month-old basset hound who went for an unplanned run one day. When his owner accidentally shut the dog's leash in the car door and took off for a drive, Tattoo had no choice but to try and keep up. Fortunately, a motorcycle officer saw the passing vehicle with something being dragged behind it. But before Tattoo's owner finally stopped and the dog was rescued, the vehicle had reached speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Although Tattoo was dragged some of the way, he was not injured. Imagine poor Tattoo with his little basset hound legs, trying to keep up.
Have you ever felt that way—as though you were being dragged through life? Like Tattoo, you are picking them up and putting them down as fast as you can. There is so much pressure to do so many things. Here is what Jesus says to anyone who is stressed out, anyone who is under pressure, anyone who is carrying a burden of any kind: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28–30)
These are words for a weary person. In the original language, they carry the idea of someone who not only is at the point of utter exhaustion, but loaded down with weight.
Is that a description of you today? Maybe you are struggling with the burden of physical pain, or the burden of problems in your family, or the burden of grief. Jesus says, "Come to Me."
Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, ]once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you ]watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Keep Growing
[By Greg Laurie]
Scripture Of The Day: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
Every new Christian faces obstacles. And of course, every older Christian faces obstacles as well. These difficulties never go away. There never comes a moment when you reach some spiritual plateau. There is never a time when you don't need to grow in the Lord. In fact, the moment you relax your grip or try to put your Christian experience into cruise control or rest on your laurels, that will be the beginning of your downfall.
The Christian life is one of constant growth, constant learning, and constant transformation. While the conversion process is instantaneous, becoming more like Jesus takes a lifetime. I don't have anything better in which to invest my life than that. Do you?
Yet some people say, "Oh, I tried the whole Christianity thing. It didn't work for me." But my question is did they do their part? There are many things the Bible tells us we should do as a result of truly being converted.
For example, did they begin to study and memorize Scripture? The Bible tells us that we should hide God's word in our hearts (see Deuteronomy 11:18; Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16). Did they make time to be a regular part of a body of believers by becoming actively and consistently involved in a church? Did they turn from all known sin? Did they get baptized? Did they develop a prayer life? Did they attempt to keep the commandments of God? The Bible says, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
New Christian or old, the way we face obstacles is to keep moving forward
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture Of The Day: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15
Every new Christian faces obstacles. And of course, every older Christian faces obstacles as well. These difficulties never go away. There never comes a moment when you reach some spiritual plateau. There is never a time when you don't need to grow in the Lord. In fact, the moment you relax your grip or try to put your Christian experience into cruise control or rest on your laurels, that will be the beginning of your downfall.
The Christian life is one of constant growth, constant learning, and constant transformation. While the conversion process is instantaneous, becoming more like Jesus takes a lifetime. I don't have anything better in which to invest my life than that. Do you?
Yet some people say, "Oh, I tried the whole Christianity thing. It didn't work for me." But my question is did they do their part? There are many things the Bible tells us we should do as a result of truly being converted.
For example, did they begin to study and memorize Scripture? The Bible tells us that we should hide God's word in our hearts (see Deuteronomy 11:18; Psalm 119:11; Colossians 3:16). Did they make time to be a regular part of a body of believers by becoming actively and consistently involved in a church? Did they turn from all known sin? Did they get baptized? Did they develop a prayer life? Did they attempt to keep the commandments of God? The Bible says, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
New Christian or old, the way we face obstacles is to keep moving forward
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, January 28, 2011
Are You Spiritual?
[By Skip Heitzig]
Scripture Of The Day: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" - John 15:5 (NIV)
What does it mean to be a spiritual person? If you ask the average American you'll get a potpourri of answers: some would say it means going to church, others chanting a mantra, while still others would define spirituality as a warm, fuzzy feeling. But God's Word describes spirituality as belief in the one true God. The overflow of this belief is a life governed by the Holy Spirit. If we walk in the Spirit it will be evident to the world around us because we produce spiritual fruit.
Spiritual fruit demonstrates spiritual life. But how do we produce fruit in our lives? Jesus said "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). We can only bear fruit by abiding in Christ.
Abide means to maintain living communion or keep close contact with, as with a close friend. Jesus tells us that we must abide in Him, keeping close communion with Him by talking with Him, listening to Him, and seeking Him. Spiritual fruit in our lives is the overflow of that intimate relationship.
The Bible encourages us to produce fruit that indicates that we are attached to Jesus Christ, the vine: people coming to Christ, holy living, giving to others of our time and resources, doing good works, and praising. The fruits of the Spirit all reflect the character of Jesus Christ: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Don't you want to reflect those characteristics to the world?
Living spiritually is more than being involved in spiritual ideas or having a vague belief in a universal spirit. It's even more than being involved in spiritual activity. It is a commitment to the Holy Spirit's leading. Don't be confused by the many spiritual ideologies that are prevalent in our culture. Instead, purpose to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus by abiding in Him and producing fruit that will last.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture Of The Day: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" - John 15:5 (NIV)
What does it mean to be a spiritual person? If you ask the average American you'll get a potpourri of answers: some would say it means going to church, others chanting a mantra, while still others would define spirituality as a warm, fuzzy feeling. But God's Word describes spirituality as belief in the one true God. The overflow of this belief is a life governed by the Holy Spirit. If we walk in the Spirit it will be evident to the world around us because we produce spiritual fruit.
Spiritual fruit demonstrates spiritual life. But how do we produce fruit in our lives? Jesus said "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). We can only bear fruit by abiding in Christ.
Abide means to maintain living communion or keep close contact with, as with a close friend. Jesus tells us that we must abide in Him, keeping close communion with Him by talking with Him, listening to Him, and seeking Him. Spiritual fruit in our lives is the overflow of that intimate relationship.
The Bible encourages us to produce fruit that indicates that we are attached to Jesus Christ, the vine: people coming to Christ, holy living, giving to others of our time and resources, doing good works, and praising. The fruits of the Spirit all reflect the character of Jesus Christ: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Don't you want to reflect those characteristics to the world?
Living spiritually is more than being involved in spiritual ideas or having a vague belief in a universal spirit. It's even more than being involved in spiritual activity. It is a commitment to the Holy Spirit's leading. Don't be confused by the many spiritual ideologies that are prevalent in our culture. Instead, purpose to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus by abiding in Him and producing fruit that will last.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
From Alienation to Reconciliation
14) We are ruled by Christ's love for us. We are certain that if one person died for everyone else, then all of us have died. 15) And Christ did die for all of us. He died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised to life for us. 16) We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way. 17) Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18) God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. 19) What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace. 20) We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21) Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so that Christ could make us acceptable to God. ~ 2Cor. 5: 14-21 (CEV)
Separation, rejection, and alienation are unpleasant experiences that we usually try to avoid at all costs. But we live in a fallen world, so we cannot totally escape them.
Isolation from other people is bad enough, but what’s worse is that many individuals live apart from the heavenly Father. How tragic and futile life must be when it is spent completely detached from its Creator. God planted within each of us a desire to be in relationship with Him, so until we find our connection to Him, we will always feel that something is missing.
And yet as crucial as that relationship is to our well-being, something stands in its way: Whether by our thoughts or actions, we have all violated the Lord’s commands (Rom. 3:23), and our pure, holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Romans 6:23 states that the penalty for sin is death, which is an eternal separation from the Lord. Therefore, we will always have a void.
What a bleak outlook for mankind! But our loving Father solved the dilemma by sending His Son to pay our penalty. Fully God and fully man, Jesus lived the perfect life, took all our iniquity upon Himself, and died a gruesome death on the cross. No longer are we condemned for our wrongs, because Christ took our place. And three days later, He victoriously rose to life.
Salvation is available to anyone who believes and receives this remarkable gift. John 3:16 describes how reconciliation puts an end to our alienation: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
If you died today, can you be absolutely sure that you would go to heaven? The Bible says you can through faith in the shed blood of Christ. His blood redeems us, blots out our sins, restores fellowship with the Father, establishes peace and blessings in this life as well as the next. What is the foundation of your faith? As for me, "On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all else is sinking sand!"
[via Pastor Charles Stanley]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Separation, rejection, and alienation are unpleasant experiences that we usually try to avoid at all costs. But we live in a fallen world, so we cannot totally escape them.
Isolation from other people is bad enough, but what’s worse is that many individuals live apart from the heavenly Father. How tragic and futile life must be when it is spent completely detached from its Creator. God planted within each of us a desire to be in relationship with Him, so until we find our connection to Him, we will always feel that something is missing.
And yet as crucial as that relationship is to our well-being, something stands in its way: Whether by our thoughts or actions, we have all violated the Lord’s commands (Rom. 3:23), and our pure, holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Romans 6:23 states that the penalty for sin is death, which is an eternal separation from the Lord. Therefore, we will always have a void.
What a bleak outlook for mankind! But our loving Father solved the dilemma by sending His Son to pay our penalty. Fully God and fully man, Jesus lived the perfect life, took all our iniquity upon Himself, and died a gruesome death on the cross. No longer are we condemned for our wrongs, because Christ took our place. And three days later, He victoriously rose to life.
Salvation is available to anyone who believes and receives this remarkable gift. John 3:16 describes how reconciliation puts an end to our alienation: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
If you died today, can you be absolutely sure that you would go to heaven? The Bible says you can through faith in the shed blood of Christ. His blood redeems us, blots out our sins, restores fellowship with the Father, establishes peace and blessings in this life as well as the next. What is the foundation of your faith? As for me, "On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all else is sinking sand!"
[via Pastor Charles Stanley]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
"God Is Always Victorious; I Will Not Fail!"
"No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD." ~ Isaiah 54:17
I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about trials. At the end of day, if you pinpoint what's difficult about the trial, it's the not knowing. The biggest reason why I fear and doubt; despair and falter—is that I don't know how it's all going to end. That's why I'm so thankful for this great promise: God is always victorious; I will not fail.
It turns out that I do know how this all ends—God wins. In Him, so do I! That's the promise in Isaiah 54:17.
This is one of my absolute favorite verses in the whole Bible. Read it again. God made this awesome assertion to the postexilic Israelites as they came back to the land that He had promised them. Judgment was over and now blessing was coming. God gave them this promise and extended it by His grace to all of His children.
This promise literally means that nothing "formed against you shall prosper." Nothing built, sharpened, aimed, or fired against you, your family, your church family, God's kingdom, or God's people will succeed. They may seem to win for a while—a job may be lost; a child may wander and be lost; and a life may even be lost—but in the end even these tragedies will assist God's prospering of those who are truly His.
Today is your chance to honor God. This is your opportunity to prove the superiority of the life lived in Jesus Christ. Now is the time not to be held back!
Just like you, I have uncertainties. I have health concerns. I have burdens in my family and in my marriage and in my career. I'm going through the same struggles that the people who don't know Christ are going through. The difference is, I have the Lord. I have the Spirit of God alive inside me. I have the grace to love when I'm hated. I have the strength to give when I'm taken advantage of. I have a supernatural capacity as one of God's sons or daughters to live in Christ.
I have the promises of God. So do you.
________________________________
When we believe in, trust and rely on God in Christ; when we commit to consistently do things His way (pray and obey according the scriptures), we can be confident that the Word is working on our behalf even when it doesn't look like it.
But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, ~ 2Cor. 2:14
Be Blessed!
[this one via my uncle]
Dawn
I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about trials. At the end of day, if you pinpoint what's difficult about the trial, it's the not knowing. The biggest reason why I fear and doubt; despair and falter—is that I don't know how it's all going to end. That's why I'm so thankful for this great promise: God is always victorious; I will not fail.
It turns out that I do know how this all ends—God wins. In Him, so do I! That's the promise in Isaiah 54:17.
This is one of my absolute favorite verses in the whole Bible. Read it again. God made this awesome assertion to the postexilic Israelites as they came back to the land that He had promised them. Judgment was over and now blessing was coming. God gave them this promise and extended it by His grace to all of His children.
This promise literally means that nothing "formed against you shall prosper." Nothing built, sharpened, aimed, or fired against you, your family, your church family, God's kingdom, or God's people will succeed. They may seem to win for a while—a job may be lost; a child may wander and be lost; and a life may even be lost—but in the end even these tragedies will assist God's prospering of those who are truly His.
Today is your chance to honor God. This is your opportunity to prove the superiority of the life lived in Jesus Christ. Now is the time not to be held back!
Just like you, I have uncertainties. I have health concerns. I have burdens in my family and in my marriage and in my career. I'm going through the same struggles that the people who don't know Christ are going through. The difference is, I have the Lord. I have the Spirit of God alive inside me. I have the grace to love when I'm hated. I have the strength to give when I'm taken advantage of. I have a supernatural capacity as one of God's sons or daughters to live in Christ.
I have the promises of God. So do you.
________________________________
When we believe in, trust and rely on God in Christ; when we commit to consistently do things His way (pray and obey according the scriptures), we can be confident that the Word is working on our behalf even when it doesn't look like it.
But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, ~ 2Cor. 2:14
Be Blessed!
[this one via my uncle]
Dawn
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Believer’s Transformation
Read ~ Ezekiel 36:25-27
I marvel at the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. A crawling, slimy, and spiky bug disappears into a chrysalis spun from its own body, and before long, a delicate and graceful winged butterfly emerges. It is magnificent.
Our change at the moment of salvation is just as radical and miraculous. From a death-bound, sinful, and depraved heart, God brings about a brand-new creature—one that is forgiven, made righteous, and designed to be the place where He Himself resides (2 Cor. 5:21; John 14:17).
Have you ever wondered why, then, we continue to struggle with sin after trusting Christ as Savior? Shouldn’t all the habits and tendencies of our old heart have vanished? The answer is that the term “new creature” refers to our position in Christ. It is true that believers are forgiven and eternally secure as children of the heavenly Father. Yet we remain in fleshly bodies, and as long as we are on earth, there will be an ongoing battle between spirit and flesh.
Throughout our life, God is transforming us to be increasingly like Jesus—His Spirit residing within helps us to combat sin and teaches us how to live. This process, called sanctification, is a journey that will last until we are called home to heaven.
While salvation is a one-time event, sanctification is a life-long adventure. And though the Lord sees believers as righteous, we still have the capacity to sin. Thankfully, God’s Spirit guides and empowers us to become more like Jesus, and as we yield to Him, our behavior and thoughts will change.
[via Pastor Charles Stanley]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
I marvel at the metamorphosis of a caterpillar. A crawling, slimy, and spiky bug disappears into a chrysalis spun from its own body, and before long, a delicate and graceful winged butterfly emerges. It is magnificent.
Our change at the moment of salvation is just as radical and miraculous. From a death-bound, sinful, and depraved heart, God brings about a brand-new creature—one that is forgiven, made righteous, and designed to be the place where He Himself resides (2 Cor. 5:21; John 14:17).
Have you ever wondered why, then, we continue to struggle with sin after trusting Christ as Savior? Shouldn’t all the habits and tendencies of our old heart have vanished? The answer is that the term “new creature” refers to our position in Christ. It is true that believers are forgiven and eternally secure as children of the heavenly Father. Yet we remain in fleshly bodies, and as long as we are on earth, there will be an ongoing battle between spirit and flesh.
Throughout our life, God is transforming us to be increasingly like Jesus—His Spirit residing within helps us to combat sin and teaches us how to live. This process, called sanctification, is a journey that will last until we are called home to heaven.
While salvation is a one-time event, sanctification is a life-long adventure. And though the Lord sees believers as righteous, we still have the capacity to sin. Thankfully, God’s Spirit guides and empowers us to become more like Jesus, and as we yield to Him, our behavior and thoughts will change.
[via Pastor Charles Stanley]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Grace—God’s Second Chance
1) Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2) Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 )And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 )And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 6) When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Rom. 5:1-6 (NLT)
Scripture records a grim picture of mankind: dead in our sins, under God's wrath, and subject to eternal separation from Him (Eph. 2:1-3). Through the cross, He gives us a second chance to be in a loving relationship with Him. When we place our faith in Christ, He pours out His unconditional love—His grace—upon us.
Because of grace, we have been justified by faith. Justification is a declaration by God that we are not guilty in His sight. At salvation, Jesus' death on the cross is counted as payment for our sins. All our disobedience—past, present, and future— is fully forgiven.
The means of obtaining this pardon is through genuine faith in Jesus Christ. What does that look like? It's a faith that accepts the Lord's judgment that we are sinners who are unable to rescue ourselves and in need of a Savior. It believes that Jesus paid for our sins through His death, that God accepted His payment on our behalf, and that we are forgiven and made part of His family. If we have true faith, we'll give Him our allegiance and wholeheartedly seek to serve Him.
Grace also gives us peace with the Lord. Before salvation, a person is His enemy, under a sentence of eternal death. But after trusting in Christ, that individual is adopted into God's family and has His favor forever.
Through grace, we've been given a second chance. Instead of the eternal punishment that we deserved, we've received acceptance through faith in Christ (Rom 15:7) and have become members of God's family (Rom. 8:15).
Take full use of this second opportunity by passionately pursuing Him. By grace we are saved through faith... it is the gift of God
[by Pastor Charles Stanley]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture records a grim picture of mankind: dead in our sins, under God's wrath, and subject to eternal separation from Him (Eph. 2:1-3). Through the cross, He gives us a second chance to be in a loving relationship with Him. When we place our faith in Christ, He pours out His unconditional love—His grace—upon us.
Because of grace, we have been justified by faith. Justification is a declaration by God that we are not guilty in His sight. At salvation, Jesus' death on the cross is counted as payment for our sins. All our disobedience—past, present, and future— is fully forgiven.
The means of obtaining this pardon is through genuine faith in Jesus Christ. What does that look like? It's a faith that accepts the Lord's judgment that we are sinners who are unable to rescue ourselves and in need of a Savior. It believes that Jesus paid for our sins through His death, that God accepted His payment on our behalf, and that we are forgiven and made part of His family. If we have true faith, we'll give Him our allegiance and wholeheartedly seek to serve Him.
Grace also gives us peace with the Lord. Before salvation, a person is His enemy, under a sentence of eternal death. But after trusting in Christ, that individual is adopted into God's family and has His favor forever.
Through grace, we've been given a second chance. Instead of the eternal punishment that we deserved, we've received acceptance through faith in Christ (Rom 15:7) and have become members of God's family (Rom. 8:15).
Take full use of this second opportunity by passionately pursuing Him. By grace we are saved through faith... it is the gift of God
[by Pastor Charles Stanley]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, January 21, 2011
God's Eraser
"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Psalm 86:5
From Genesis to Revelation, it is clear that we have a forgiving God. He described himself to Moses in this way: "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . . " (Exodus 34:6–7).
David wrote, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5).
Micah, reflecting on this great truth, said, "He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). If we ever reached the literal bottom of the ocean, which experts tell us is 36,000 feet below sea level, I don't think we would suddenly find all of those sins. Rather, it is a metaphor God used to say that He will put our sins far away from us when we turn from them and ask for His forgiveness.
And what better example do we have of God's forgiveness than Jesus hanging on the cross and praying for the very people who pounded the spikes through His hands and feet? God reassures us in 1 John 1:9 that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The only sin God will not forgive is the sin we will not confess.
Corrie ten Boom put it well when she said, "God has taken our sin. He has thrown it into the sea of forgetfulness, and he has posted a sign that says, 'No fishing allowed.' "
We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget.
[By Greg Laurie]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
From Genesis to Revelation, it is clear that we have a forgiving God. He described himself to Moses in this way: "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . . " (Exodus 34:6–7).
David wrote, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5).
Micah, reflecting on this great truth, said, "He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). If we ever reached the literal bottom of the ocean, which experts tell us is 36,000 feet below sea level, I don't think we would suddenly find all of those sins. Rather, it is a metaphor God used to say that He will put our sins far away from us when we turn from them and ask for His forgiveness.
And what better example do we have of God's forgiveness than Jesus hanging on the cross and praying for the very people who pounded the spikes through His hands and feet? God reassures us in 1 John 1:9 that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The only sin God will not forgive is the sin we will not confess.
Corrie ten Boom put it well when she said, "God has taken our sin. He has thrown it into the sea of forgetfulness, and he has posted a sign that says, 'No fishing allowed.' "
We should not choose to remember what God has chosen to forget.
[By Greg Laurie]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Stir it Up!
"For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:6-7
I've mentioned in the past about my love for messing around with fire. And when a fire dies down, that's my favorite part - kick it and blow on it and stir it up a little bit.
You have faith! How's that faith going? You say, "Well, it's getting a little dormant." Stir it up! Stir it up! Let's get it going. Let's fire that thing up again. You're like, "Well, James, if I really fire it up for the Lord, I've got to tell you, when I think about doing that, there is stuff that comes into my mind. Like, but what if... And How is that going to affect me at work? How is that going to affect..." Fill in the blank.
We all have times like that. Timothy was feeling that.
Listen up. You have nothing to fear. These verses in 2 Timothy really gripped me. You have nothing to fear circumstantially because God has given you power. Do you see it in the text? You have power!
A Christian has nothing to fear. Nothing. If you struggle with fear, if you are fearful about some things, this will help. That feeling of fear is not from God, it's just not.
God did NOT give you a spirit of fear. God did NOT give you an attitude of fear. God did NOT give you a problem with fear. He gave you something else - POWER.
God gave you power. The idea is that you have nothing to fear—not circumstances, not anything. The word "power" is dunamis, from which we get our word dynamite. It means to act and accomplish. Most often in the New Testament, it is used in close connection to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God controlling you produces an attitude that is powerful. Here is the apostle Paul facing momentary execution. He has maybe hours or minutes to live and what does he want to do? He wants to write a letter to Timothy to encourage him.
Who does that? Someone with a spirit of power. There is nothing that can happen to you that you can't - with God's help - get on top of. I am telling you the truth. Paul faced it. Timothy was facing it. I have faced it. And in God's power, you can, too.
You have nothing to fear.
[by By Dr. James McDonald]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
I've mentioned in the past about my love for messing around with fire. And when a fire dies down, that's my favorite part - kick it and blow on it and stir it up a little bit.
You have faith! How's that faith going? You say, "Well, it's getting a little dormant." Stir it up! Stir it up! Let's get it going. Let's fire that thing up again. You're like, "Well, James, if I really fire it up for the Lord, I've got to tell you, when I think about doing that, there is stuff that comes into my mind. Like, but what if... And How is that going to affect me at work? How is that going to affect..." Fill in the blank.
We all have times like that. Timothy was feeling that.
Listen up. You have nothing to fear. These verses in 2 Timothy really gripped me. You have nothing to fear circumstantially because God has given you power. Do you see it in the text? You have power!
A Christian has nothing to fear. Nothing. If you struggle with fear, if you are fearful about some things, this will help. That feeling of fear is not from God, it's just not.
God did NOT give you a spirit of fear. God did NOT give you an attitude of fear. God did NOT give you a problem with fear. He gave you something else - POWER.
God gave you power. The idea is that you have nothing to fear—not circumstances, not anything. The word "power" is dunamis, from which we get our word dynamite. It means to act and accomplish. Most often in the New Testament, it is used in close connection to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God controlling you produces an attitude that is powerful. Here is the apostle Paul facing momentary execution. He has maybe hours or minutes to live and what does he want to do? He wants to write a letter to Timothy to encourage him.
Who does that? Someone with a spirit of power. There is nothing that can happen to you that you can't - with God's help - get on top of. I am telling you the truth. Paul faced it. Timothy was facing it. I have faced it. And in God's power, you can, too.
You have nothing to fear.
[by By Dr. James McDonald]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Is Your Soul Healthy?
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness… For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1: 3 – 8)
When I first became a believer, I was like the woman with the alabaster jar (Matt 26: 7). I loved much because I had been forgiven much. But as the years slipped by something happened in my life that happens to many believers: my gratefulness towards God’s mercy transformed into frustration at my lingering sinful nature.
It’s easy to beat yourself up, even run from God, when sin gets out of control. In the throws of frustration and shame, I have begged God to cleanse me of my vices. Of course, God didn’t instantly heal me with a lightning bolt of grace but answered me with a different kind of grace -- practical wisdom. The answer to my prayer came in the form of a Sunday school lesson on “holy habits,” more traditionally known as virtues.
Exercise for the soul
Practicing virtue is a lot like lifting weights – it’s exercise that builds health in your soul. There are many virtues, but as we learned in class that day, the foundation of all virtues can be found in the four natural virtues or cardinal virtues. These were first articulated by Plato but hardly belong to Plato. They are part of what theologians call “natural law” – God’s design for humanity woven into our beings since the beginning of creation. When a person cultivates these virtues in his or her life, they are cooperating with the Creator’s design for the human soul.
It’s important to note here that pursuing a virtuous life is not the same as trying to earn your way to heaven. Our salvation is a gift that flows only from God’s grace. While we can’t earn heaven, we can show gratitude to God by making godly choices that allow our lives to reflect the image of God with greater clarity. So let’s take a closer look at each cardinal virtue:
1) Wisdom: For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (Prov. 8: 11). You’ve probably known people with book smarts who lack common sense. Or perhaps you know someone with street smarts who lacks knowledge. A person who has cultivated the virtue of wisdom can not only discern truth but has the ability to implement their insights appropriately in any given situation. According to scripture, characteristics of wise people include those who prepare properly for hard times (Prov. 21: 20), those who humbly heed instruction and correction (Prov. 9: 8-9), those who hold their tongues from saying foolish things (Prov. 10: 19), and those who fear the Lord (Prov. 14: 16, 1: 7). Because wisdom allows us to discern right from wrong, this virtue sets us up to practice all other virtues.
2) Justice: Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed (Isaiah 1: 17). “It’s not fair!” Most of us have some sense of justice from a very early age. A just or righteous person gives to others what is deserved, keeps his word, and acts fairly even when no one is looking. According to scripture, a just person favors the innocent over the wicked (Prov. 18: 5), never accepts bribes (Prov. 17: 23), aids the poor, fatherless, and widows (Prov. 29:7, Is 1: 17), and experiences joy (Prov. 21: 15).
3) Courage: In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence (Prov 14: 26). While most of us associate courage with lack of fear, courage has more to do with fear put in proper perspective. A courageous person chooses right even when a decision is frightening or comes with personal cost. Among many traits, the courageous person exalts Christ (Phil 1: 20), holds on to God’s promises (Acts. 27: 25), and gives an effective witness for Christ (Acts 4: 13). A person can not exercise any virtue for long without courage because sin often appears easier or more attractive than virtue.
4) Temperance: Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control (Prov. 25: 28). Temperance is an old-fashioned word for moderation. A temperate person exercises self-control, building a wall against unhealthy, sinful extremes. Among many qualities, scripture tells us that a temperate person does not gossip (1 Tim 3: 11), does not vent anger (Prov 29: 11) is respectable and able to take on leadership roles (1 Tim 3: 2), and is sexually pure (1 Thes 4: 2 -5).
So, are any of these virtues lacking in your life? I can see some areas where I am still weak. Thankfully, with God’s grace and a few good decisions, we can grow in our effectiveness and productiveness for Christ.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Identify which cardinal virtue you struggle most with. Ask God for the grace to grow and make one positive change in your behavior this week that will help you develop this "holy habit."
[By Sarah Jennings]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
When I first became a believer, I was like the woman with the alabaster jar (Matt 26: 7). I loved much because I had been forgiven much. But as the years slipped by something happened in my life that happens to many believers: my gratefulness towards God’s mercy transformed into frustration at my lingering sinful nature.
It’s easy to beat yourself up, even run from God, when sin gets out of control. In the throws of frustration and shame, I have begged God to cleanse me of my vices. Of course, God didn’t instantly heal me with a lightning bolt of grace but answered me with a different kind of grace -- practical wisdom. The answer to my prayer came in the form of a Sunday school lesson on “holy habits,” more traditionally known as virtues.
Exercise for the soul
Practicing virtue is a lot like lifting weights – it’s exercise that builds health in your soul. There are many virtues, but as we learned in class that day, the foundation of all virtues can be found in the four natural virtues or cardinal virtues. These were first articulated by Plato but hardly belong to Plato. They are part of what theologians call “natural law” – God’s design for humanity woven into our beings since the beginning of creation. When a person cultivates these virtues in his or her life, they are cooperating with the Creator’s design for the human soul.
It’s important to note here that pursuing a virtuous life is not the same as trying to earn your way to heaven. Our salvation is a gift that flows only from God’s grace. While we can’t earn heaven, we can show gratitude to God by making godly choices that allow our lives to reflect the image of God with greater clarity. So let’s take a closer look at each cardinal virtue:
1) Wisdom: For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (Prov. 8: 11). You’ve probably known people with book smarts who lack common sense. Or perhaps you know someone with street smarts who lacks knowledge. A person who has cultivated the virtue of wisdom can not only discern truth but has the ability to implement their insights appropriately in any given situation. According to scripture, characteristics of wise people include those who prepare properly for hard times (Prov. 21: 20), those who humbly heed instruction and correction (Prov. 9: 8-9), those who hold their tongues from saying foolish things (Prov. 10: 19), and those who fear the Lord (Prov. 14: 16, 1: 7). Because wisdom allows us to discern right from wrong, this virtue sets us up to practice all other virtues.
2) Justice: Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed (Isaiah 1: 17). “It’s not fair!” Most of us have some sense of justice from a very early age. A just or righteous person gives to others what is deserved, keeps his word, and acts fairly even when no one is looking. According to scripture, a just person favors the innocent over the wicked (Prov. 18: 5), never accepts bribes (Prov. 17: 23), aids the poor, fatherless, and widows (Prov. 29:7, Is 1: 17), and experiences joy (Prov. 21: 15).
3) Courage: In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence (Prov 14: 26). While most of us associate courage with lack of fear, courage has more to do with fear put in proper perspective. A courageous person chooses right even when a decision is frightening or comes with personal cost. Among many traits, the courageous person exalts Christ (Phil 1: 20), holds on to God’s promises (Acts. 27: 25), and gives an effective witness for Christ (Acts 4: 13). A person can not exercise any virtue for long without courage because sin often appears easier or more attractive than virtue.
4) Temperance: Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control (Prov. 25: 28). Temperance is an old-fashioned word for moderation. A temperate person exercises self-control, building a wall against unhealthy, sinful extremes. Among many qualities, scripture tells us that a temperate person does not gossip (1 Tim 3: 11), does not vent anger (Prov 29: 11) is respectable and able to take on leadership roles (1 Tim 3: 2), and is sexually pure (1 Thes 4: 2 -5).
So, are any of these virtues lacking in your life? I can see some areas where I am still weak. Thankfully, with God’s grace and a few good decisions, we can grow in our effectiveness and productiveness for Christ.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Identify which cardinal virtue you struggle most with. Ask God for the grace to grow and make one positive change in your behavior this week that will help you develop this "holy habit."
[By Sarah Jennings]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
An Element of Faith
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 2 Corinthians 1:8
A French proverb says, "He that knows nothing doubts nothing." Sometimes doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith. It means we are thinking something through. We are grappling with it. We are trying to process and understand it. And sometimes we have to go through the foyer of doubt to enter into the sanctuary of certainty.
Doubting is not necessarily sinful. Doubt is a matter of the mind, while unbelief is a matter of the will. Doubt says, "I don't get it. Help me understand this. Work with me through this." But unbelief says, "I get it. I don't like it. And I refuse to accept it."
G. Campbell Morgan put it this way: "Unbelief is an act of the will, while doubt is born out of a troubled mind and a broken heart."
Even great men and women of God have their moments of despair. On one occasion Moses was ready to quit after listening to the Israelites complain for the umpteenth time. He basically said, "Lord, if it is going to keep on being this way, I would prefer that you would just kill me right now."
Elijah pretty much said the same thing after hearing that Queen Jezebel had put a contract out on his life. And even the great apostle Paul was discouraged. He wrote about it in 2 Corinthians 1:8: "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life."
So if you are struggling with doubts, you are not alone. And the important thing to remember during those times is to cry out to God.
[By Greg Laurie]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
A French proverb says, "He that knows nothing doubts nothing." Sometimes doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith. It means we are thinking something through. We are grappling with it. We are trying to process and understand it. And sometimes we have to go through the foyer of doubt to enter into the sanctuary of certainty.
Doubting is not necessarily sinful. Doubt is a matter of the mind, while unbelief is a matter of the will. Doubt says, "I don't get it. Help me understand this. Work with me through this." But unbelief says, "I get it. I don't like it. And I refuse to accept it."
G. Campbell Morgan put it this way: "Unbelief is an act of the will, while doubt is born out of a troubled mind and a broken heart."
Even great men and women of God have their moments of despair. On one occasion Moses was ready to quit after listening to the Israelites complain for the umpteenth time. He basically said, "Lord, if it is going to keep on being this way, I would prefer that you would just kill me right now."
Elijah pretty much said the same thing after hearing that Queen Jezebel had put a contract out on his life. And even the great apostle Paul was discouraged. He wrote about it in 2 Corinthians 1:8: "For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life."
So if you are struggling with doubts, you are not alone. And the important thing to remember during those times is to cry out to God.
[By Greg Laurie]
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, January 17, 2011
Struggling with Doubt
[By Greg Laurie]
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Matthew 11:2
It may surprise you to know that some of the greatest men and women of God whom we read about in the pages of Scripture have had their moments of doubt. Even the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist, struggled with doubt.
In John's case, we might say that his doubt was due to confusion. He had a certain concept of what the Christ was supposed to do that Jesus simply was not doing. It is not that Jesus was failing to do what He was supposed to do; it was that John misunderstood what God was going to do.
Scripture clearly taught that before the Messiah would establish His kingdom, He would suffer and die. Before Jesus would sit on a throne, He first would be nailed to a cross. This is what the Scripture taught. Passages like Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 spoke extensively about the suffering of the Messiah. But His role had been misunderstood. So John the Baptist sent word from prison to ask Jesus, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:2). Yet everything was going exactly as it was supposed to go. It is just that John misunderstood.
That can happen to us as well. Sometimes we misunderstand God and His Word. Something happens that wasn't part of our plan for our lives, and we wonder why God allowed it. We wonder whether He is paying attention. The problem is that we interpret God in light of the tragedy instead of the other way around. Many times, our doubt is due to our confusion about what we think God ought to be doing.
Are you entertaining doubts today? Take heart. God is in control, and He has His purposes in the circumstances of your life.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" Matthew 11:2
It may surprise you to know that some of the greatest men and women of God whom we read about in the pages of Scripture have had their moments of doubt. Even the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist, struggled with doubt.
In John's case, we might say that his doubt was due to confusion. He had a certain concept of what the Christ was supposed to do that Jesus simply was not doing. It is not that Jesus was failing to do what He was supposed to do; it was that John misunderstood what God was going to do.
Scripture clearly taught that before the Messiah would establish His kingdom, He would suffer and die. Before Jesus would sit on a throne, He first would be nailed to a cross. This is what the Scripture taught. Passages like Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 spoke extensively about the suffering of the Messiah. But His role had been misunderstood. So John the Baptist sent word from prison to ask Jesus, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" (Matthew 11:2). Yet everything was going exactly as it was supposed to go. It is just that John misunderstood.
That can happen to us as well. Sometimes we misunderstand God and His Word. Something happens that wasn't part of our plan for our lives, and we wonder why God allowed it. We wonder whether He is paying attention. The problem is that we interpret God in light of the tragedy instead of the other way around. Many times, our doubt is due to our confusion about what we think God ought to be doing.
Are you entertaining doubts today? Take heart. God is in control, and He has His purposes in the circumstances of your life.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Joy of Evangelism
[By Greg Laurie]
It is my firm belief that God can use you to bring others into His kingdom. Why would God tell us to engage in this thing we call evangelism if it were not so? Know this: the calling of God is the enabling of God.
I believe that God wants to use all of us to bring people to Himself. The book of Proverbs says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). Scripture also tells us, "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever" (Daniel 12:3 NLT).
Let's start with the question of who is called to "go into all the world and preach the gospel?" Answer: You are! We are! Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19–20).
In the original language, these words are addressed to everyone. Not just pastors, evangelists, and missionaries, but everyone: businessmen, housewives, students . . . everyone. No one is exempted.
Also, in the original language, this is a command. Jesus is not saying, "If you can find time in your busy schedule, as a personal favor to me, would you mind going into all the world and preaching the gospel?" No, as our Savior, Lord, and Commander-in-Chief. He says "Go!" This is not "The Great Suggestion," but rather "The Great Commission."
If I am His disciple, I am commanded to go and make disciples of others. If I am not making disciples of others, then I'm not really being the disciple He wants me to be! For many of us, however, it is "The Great Omission," instead of "The Great Commission." We are simply not doing it.
Let me say something provocative to you: to not do it is a sin! The Bible tells us, "Any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).
But God doesn't want you to share the gospel out of mere duty, but with joy and passion. One of the most exciting and fulfilling things you can do is tell others about Jesus. This message God has given us was meant to be shared, not hoarded. You were blessed to be a blessing. When you do not share, you begin to stagnate; when you do, you revive. Scripture tells us that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (see Proverbs 11:25).
We have a choice: evangelize or fossilize! Preach the gospel and if necessary, use words! ~ St. Francis of Assisi
Be Blessed!
Dawn
It is my firm belief that God can use you to bring others into His kingdom. Why would God tell us to engage in this thing we call evangelism if it were not so? Know this: the calling of God is the enabling of God.
I believe that God wants to use all of us to bring people to Himself. The book of Proverbs says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30). Scripture also tells us, "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever" (Daniel 12:3 NLT).
Let's start with the question of who is called to "go into all the world and preach the gospel?" Answer: You are! We are! Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19–20).
In the original language, these words are addressed to everyone. Not just pastors, evangelists, and missionaries, but everyone: businessmen, housewives, students . . . everyone. No one is exempted.
Also, in the original language, this is a command. Jesus is not saying, "If you can find time in your busy schedule, as a personal favor to me, would you mind going into all the world and preaching the gospel?" No, as our Savior, Lord, and Commander-in-Chief. He says "Go!" This is not "The Great Suggestion," but rather "The Great Commission."
If I am His disciple, I am commanded to go and make disciples of others. If I am not making disciples of others, then I'm not really being the disciple He wants me to be! For many of us, however, it is "The Great Omission," instead of "The Great Commission." We are simply not doing it.
Let me say something provocative to you: to not do it is a sin! The Bible tells us, "Any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).
But God doesn't want you to share the gospel out of mere duty, but with joy and passion. One of the most exciting and fulfilling things you can do is tell others about Jesus. This message God has given us was meant to be shared, not hoarded. You were blessed to be a blessing. When you do not share, you begin to stagnate; when you do, you revive. Scripture tells us that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (see Proverbs 11:25).
We have a choice: evangelize or fossilize! Preach the gospel and if necessary, use words! ~ St. Francis of Assisi
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Friday, January 14, 2011
Begin Again
[By Sharon Frame]
Scripture Of The Day: "Behold I do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:19
The desperate father refused to eat or drink. For days he laid prostrate on the floor of his house and wept. He begged God to heal his sick child. After all, it was HIS sin of adultery that had angered the Almighty. The child was innocent. But heaven showed no mercy. The baby boy died seven days later.
It was a most scandalous crime. King David had an alliance with a married woman. The bewitching Bathsheba got pregnant. David had her husband killed to cover up his tracks and claim her as his new wife. But then the word of God came and convicted him.
King David agonized over his son while the child was alive. But when he drew his last breath, David stopped mourning. He got up from the floor, washed his face and went to the temple to worship God. He then went home and ate a big meal. His quick recovery shocked his servants. How could he shut the door to his loss so fast? But what was done was done. David would waste no more time living in regret. It was time to begin again. Some people choose to pitch a tent around their failures and camp out.
David wasn’t having that. He decided to accept God’s forgiveness, and release his guilt and emotional baggage. That’s the only way he could move forward.
What is it that you insist on holding on to that God has instructed you to let go? Is it a destructive relationship? a bad habit? No amount of prayer or fasting will make it good. God says release it. It stands in the way of your new beginning.
This New Year doesn’t need to be saddled with old baggage. Take a cue from King David. He took three key steps to begin again.
First, the moment his son died, David released his guilt and grief. Suddenly, he saw clearly enough to reconnect to his true purpose. And that was simply to serve God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
David’s sin had severed his fellowship with God and blocked his vision. Once he fully released it, he went straight to “church” to worship. That was the second step David took. He got refreshed.
Each new day, God gives us 86,400 seconds to refresh, to begin again. Unlike your vacation days or cell phone minutes, these seconds don’t roll over. You can’t accumulate time. Spend it living your purpose not regretting your past.
The day you release and refresh, is the day you begin to reclaim right-standing with God. This third step is the only way to true peace and prosperity. Reclaiming right-standing simply means to accept God’s forgiveness, and forgive yourself! This was key to David’s deliverance.
No matter how shameful our past failures, God urges us to begin again. Here is an amazing irony: From the ashes of our “mess,” God can create something marvelous.
David didn’t want to lose his child, even though it symbolized his “mess.” God replaced him with Solomon, the second child born to David and Bathsheba. Solomon would rise to become one of the greatest rulers of ancient Israel and the wisest man in the world during his time.
What personal greatness might you be holding up because you won’t release old hurts and failures? The birth of your “Solomon” cannot occur while you linger in the grave yard of your past mistakes. The lord said in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold I do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
God has made a way for us to release, refresh and reclaim our rightful place in Him. Now is the time to begin again.
What God is trying to do with the things that He has provided—namely, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of His Holy Spirit—is to motivate man to repent—to change, to turn to God, to resist the desire to continue in sin—to work at building character and learn to live by faith. ~ John W. Ritenbaugh
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture Of The Day: "Behold I do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:19
The desperate father refused to eat or drink. For days he laid prostrate on the floor of his house and wept. He begged God to heal his sick child. After all, it was HIS sin of adultery that had angered the Almighty. The child was innocent. But heaven showed no mercy. The baby boy died seven days later.
It was a most scandalous crime. King David had an alliance with a married woman. The bewitching Bathsheba got pregnant. David had her husband killed to cover up his tracks and claim her as his new wife. But then the word of God came and convicted him.
King David agonized over his son while the child was alive. But when he drew his last breath, David stopped mourning. He got up from the floor, washed his face and went to the temple to worship God. He then went home and ate a big meal. His quick recovery shocked his servants. How could he shut the door to his loss so fast? But what was done was done. David would waste no more time living in regret. It was time to begin again. Some people choose to pitch a tent around their failures and camp out.
David wasn’t having that. He decided to accept God’s forgiveness, and release his guilt and emotional baggage. That’s the only way he could move forward.
What is it that you insist on holding on to that God has instructed you to let go? Is it a destructive relationship? a bad habit? No amount of prayer or fasting will make it good. God says release it. It stands in the way of your new beginning.
This New Year doesn’t need to be saddled with old baggage. Take a cue from King David. He took three key steps to begin again.
First, the moment his son died, David released his guilt and grief. Suddenly, he saw clearly enough to reconnect to his true purpose. And that was simply to serve God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
David’s sin had severed his fellowship with God and blocked his vision. Once he fully released it, he went straight to “church” to worship. That was the second step David took. He got refreshed.
Each new day, God gives us 86,400 seconds to refresh, to begin again. Unlike your vacation days or cell phone minutes, these seconds don’t roll over. You can’t accumulate time. Spend it living your purpose not regretting your past.
The day you release and refresh, is the day you begin to reclaim right-standing with God. This third step is the only way to true peace and prosperity. Reclaiming right-standing simply means to accept God’s forgiveness, and forgive yourself! This was key to David’s deliverance.
No matter how shameful our past failures, God urges us to begin again. Here is an amazing irony: From the ashes of our “mess,” God can create something marvelous.
David didn’t want to lose his child, even though it symbolized his “mess.” God replaced him with Solomon, the second child born to David and Bathsheba. Solomon would rise to become one of the greatest rulers of ancient Israel and the wisest man in the world during his time.
What personal greatness might you be holding up because you won’t release old hurts and failures? The birth of your “Solomon” cannot occur while you linger in the grave yard of your past mistakes. The lord said in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold I do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
God has made a way for us to release, refresh and reclaim our rightful place in Him. Now is the time to begin again.
What God is trying to do with the things that He has provided—namely, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the gift of His Holy Spirit—is to motivate man to repent—to change, to turn to God, to resist the desire to continue in sin—to work at building character and learn to live by faith. ~ John W. Ritenbaugh
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Hope for a Changing World
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Rom. 5: 1-5 (NLT)
The rapid changes in our world can give us a sense of unease and uncertainty. We can be thrown off balance by the suffering we see around us, the evolving technology that outpaces our ability to absorb it, and the daily rise and fall of financial markets. Sometimes what seems worthwhile today has less value tomorrow.
As problems mount, we can become discouraged and lose heart. But basing all our hope on man’s ability to solve problems or modify a situation is not the answer. We can achieve only temporary peace when we alter our own circumstances or adjust our outward behavior.
The root problem in our culture is spiritual—namely, man has a sin nature that is at enmity (hostile; at war) with God. Sin prompts us to look out for ourselves and pursue what we want. Neither our intellect nor talent could have changed our sinful state or brought us peace with God. However, those who trust Jesus as Savior receive a new nature and are reconciled to the Lord. As His adopted children, not only are we at peace with Him but we’ve also been given the power to live in harmony with one another.
No matter how much life changes, we can have hope, for we are anchored to a firm foundation that will never be shaken (Isa. 28:16).
The believer’s hope rests in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our heavenly Father knows each of us by name (Isa. 43:1). Our Savior keeps every divine promise (2 Cor. 1:20). And the Holy Spirit assures us that we are secure in Christ, both in this life and in the one to come.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
The rapid changes in our world can give us a sense of unease and uncertainty. We can be thrown off balance by the suffering we see around us, the evolving technology that outpaces our ability to absorb it, and the daily rise and fall of financial markets. Sometimes what seems worthwhile today has less value tomorrow.
As problems mount, we can become discouraged and lose heart. But basing all our hope on man’s ability to solve problems or modify a situation is not the answer. We can achieve only temporary peace when we alter our own circumstances or adjust our outward behavior.
The root problem in our culture is spiritual—namely, man has a sin nature that is at enmity (hostile; at war) with God. Sin prompts us to look out for ourselves and pursue what we want. Neither our intellect nor talent could have changed our sinful state or brought us peace with God. However, those who trust Jesus as Savior receive a new nature and are reconciled to the Lord. As His adopted children, not only are we at peace with Him but we’ve also been given the power to live in harmony with one another.
No matter how much life changes, we can have hope, for we are anchored to a firm foundation that will never be shaken (Isa. 28:16).
The believer’s hope rests in the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our heavenly Father knows each of us by name (Isa. 43:1). Our Savior keeps every divine promise (2 Cor. 1:20). And the Holy Spirit assures us that we are secure in Christ, both in this life and in the one to come.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A New Life In Christ
[By Dr. Frederick K.C. Price]
Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
In Colossians 3:9-10, Paul wrote: "...since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him."
Notice that you have to put off the old man with his deeds and you must put on the new man. This new man has been renewed in the image of Jesus, who created all things (Colossians 1:16). Neither your body nor your lifestyle will automatically change when you become a Christian. You must change them.
The good news is that while you were the "old man" you could not change many things about yourself. However, now that you are a new man (having received Christ as Savior and Lord by faith), you can put on the things that go with someone who is created in the image Jesus.
When the Bible says "the old man," it means the old lifestyle, the old way of doing things. "The old man" was subject to lying, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy conversation and the like (Colossians 3:8-9). You must "put them off" by no longer doing them. Then you must start doing the things shown in the Word.
"Yeah, but how do I do that?" How do you curse someone out? You open your mouth and words pour out. Only now, you open your mouth and let nice things, good things, friendly things pour out, instead of all that garbage. The "old things" are a matter of habit that must be broken. You will have to work at it. You have a commandment from God to do this and you can do it through Jesus.
You cannot "put off the old man and put on the new" in your own strength. However, you can do all things in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13). You may not always feel like doing it, but feelings do not count. You cannot go by feelings. We must learn to walk by the Word of God.
Your body and mind will be telling you to do something else. Thoughts will tell you that it is too hard to resist the old habits. But the spirit-man that is the real you will be saying, 'No, this is God's way. This is what I have to do to enjoy the fullness of God.'
Staying in the Word and then acting upon it is what brings about a quality lifestyle in Jesus. A victorious life does not just happen. You must purpose to do the Word.
You may think, "This sounds to me like a whole lot of work." Really, it is not any more work than all of the foolish, non-productive things that you were accustomed to doing before the new birth. The only reason it seems hard is because you are making a change, and human nature rebels against change.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to curse? All those words I used more than 40 years ago, I could let come out of my mouth again. I have not forgotten them. However, once you re-educate yourself to speak God's words and to do things God's way, spiritual things become easier, and you now have the Holy Spirit to help you.
After a while it will become just as easy to spend time praying and studying the Bible as not to do these things. What is hard is making up your mind to pray and to stay in the Word. Once your mind is made up, once you are committed, the rest is comparatively easy.
The "new man" is God's man - a spiritual man. The new man is a man recreated in the image and likeness of God. The new man searches the Word of God to find the parameters of his new life. The new man puts God's Word into operation through his mind and deeds. Therefore, put off the old man and you too will live a victorious, overcoming life in Jesus!
A redeemed life is a changed life!
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "The Victorious, Overcoming Life."
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture Of The Day: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
In Colossians 3:9-10, Paul wrote: "...since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him."
Notice that you have to put off the old man with his deeds and you must put on the new man. This new man has been renewed in the image of Jesus, who created all things (Colossians 1:16). Neither your body nor your lifestyle will automatically change when you become a Christian. You must change them.
The good news is that while you were the "old man" you could not change many things about yourself. However, now that you are a new man (having received Christ as Savior and Lord by faith), you can put on the things that go with someone who is created in the image Jesus.
When the Bible says "the old man," it means the old lifestyle, the old way of doing things. "The old man" was subject to lying, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy conversation and the like (Colossians 3:8-9). You must "put them off" by no longer doing them. Then you must start doing the things shown in the Word.
"Yeah, but how do I do that?" How do you curse someone out? You open your mouth and words pour out. Only now, you open your mouth and let nice things, good things, friendly things pour out, instead of all that garbage. The "old things" are a matter of habit that must be broken. You will have to work at it. You have a commandment from God to do this and you can do it through Jesus.
You cannot "put off the old man and put on the new" in your own strength. However, you can do all things in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13). You may not always feel like doing it, but feelings do not count. You cannot go by feelings. We must learn to walk by the Word of God.
Your body and mind will be telling you to do something else. Thoughts will tell you that it is too hard to resist the old habits. But the spirit-man that is the real you will be saying, 'No, this is God's way. This is what I have to do to enjoy the fullness of God.'
Staying in the Word and then acting upon it is what brings about a quality lifestyle in Jesus. A victorious life does not just happen. You must purpose to do the Word.
You may think, "This sounds to me like a whole lot of work." Really, it is not any more work than all of the foolish, non-productive things that you were accustomed to doing before the new birth. The only reason it seems hard is because you are making a change, and human nature rebels against change.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to curse? All those words I used more than 40 years ago, I could let come out of my mouth again. I have not forgotten them. However, once you re-educate yourself to speak God's words and to do things God's way, spiritual things become easier, and you now have the Holy Spirit to help you.
After a while it will become just as easy to spend time praying and studying the Bible as not to do these things. What is hard is making up your mind to pray and to stay in the Word. Once your mind is made up, once you are committed, the rest is comparatively easy.
The "new man" is God's man - a spiritual man. The new man is a man recreated in the image and likeness of God. The new man searches the Word of God to find the parameters of his new life. The new man puts God's Word into operation through his mind and deeds. Therefore, put off the old man and you too will live a victorious, overcoming life in Jesus!
A redeemed life is a changed life!
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "The Victorious, Overcoming Life."
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
At Home in Your Heart?
[By Greg Laurie]
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. — Ephesians 3:16–17
Is Christ at home in your life? If He were to walk around from room to room, would He see things that would make Him ill at ease? Would He see things that might cause Him to ask, "Why do you have that? What is that on the wall? What are these magazines? What is on your computer screen? What are you reading? What are you doing?"
The apostle Paul made an interesting statement to the believers at Ephesus. He said, "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him . . . " (Ephesians 3:16–17). Why would Paul pray for Christ to dwell in the hearts of Christians? Doesn't He dwell in the heart of every believer? Yes, He does. In Paul's prayer, the word "dwell" has more meaning. From the original language, "dwell" could be translated, "settle down with finality, be at home in." So Paul was saying, "My prayer for you Christians is that Christ may settle down and be at home in your heart with finality."
It can be difficult to settle down and feel comfortable in some homes. Then there are other homes that feel comfortable the moment you walk in. We should live our lives in such a way that Jesus would be at home in every room of our hearts and where He would have the master key to every lock.
We should be able to say, "Lord, make yourself at home. Go where you want to go. Want to look in that closet? Look in that closet. Anywhere you want to go, it is all yours, because you are a permanent resident."
Is Jesus settled down and at home in your heart?
Be Blessed!
Dawn
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. — Ephesians 3:16–17
Is Christ at home in your life? If He were to walk around from room to room, would He see things that would make Him ill at ease? Would He see things that might cause Him to ask, "Why do you have that? What is that on the wall? What are these magazines? What is on your computer screen? What are you reading? What are you doing?"
The apostle Paul made an interesting statement to the believers at Ephesus. He said, "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him . . . " (Ephesians 3:16–17). Why would Paul pray for Christ to dwell in the hearts of Christians? Doesn't He dwell in the heart of every believer? Yes, He does. In Paul's prayer, the word "dwell" has more meaning. From the original language, "dwell" could be translated, "settle down with finality, be at home in." So Paul was saying, "My prayer for you Christians is that Christ may settle down and be at home in your heart with finality."
It can be difficult to settle down and feel comfortable in some homes. Then there are other homes that feel comfortable the moment you walk in. We should live our lives in such a way that Jesus would be at home in every room of our hearts and where He would have the master key to every lock.
We should be able to say, "Lord, make yourself at home. Go where you want to go. Want to look in that closet? Look in that closet. Anywhere you want to go, it is all yours, because you are a permanent resident."
Is Jesus settled down and at home in your heart?
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Monday, January 10, 2011
Our Love Life
Read ~Matthew 7:7-11
God’s love is without limit, but that doesn’t mean His children have no boundaries. While the world argues that Christianity’s rules stifle the individual, any good parent will attest that setting limits is part of caring for one’s kids. And so is continuing to love them when they break the rules.
This may bring two questions to mind: • Why does the Lord have so many rules?
Scriptural principles are designed to protect us and bring peace. But God does not force obedience. The Bible neither says nor implies that we have to live up to the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount in order to be loved. God’s children discover that following those rules is the path to joy, security, and a sense of well-being. In contrast, disobedience brings heartache and suffering into one’s life.
• What happens when I sin?
Our obedience is not required for God to love us. He cares for even the most evil and murderous man, which means that no one is able to sin beyond the Lord’s redemptive grace. He will always forgive. But do not fall for the opposite error either. Grace is not a license to sin. God allows us to experience the consequences of wrongdoing. That’s what a loving parent does to be sure a child learns the value of doing right.
God loves without condition. To show His great care, He gave solid principles on which people are to build their lives. His affection is in no way diminished toward those who ignore biblical rules, but His heart is grieved by their defiance. He delights in believers who seek and follow His will (1 Thess. 4:1).
Be Blessed!
Dawn
God’s love is without limit, but that doesn’t mean His children have no boundaries. While the world argues that Christianity’s rules stifle the individual, any good parent will attest that setting limits is part of caring for one’s kids. And so is continuing to love them when they break the rules.
This may bring two questions to mind: • Why does the Lord have so many rules?
Scriptural principles are designed to protect us and bring peace. But God does not force obedience. The Bible neither says nor implies that we have to live up to the Ten Commandments or the Sermon on the Mount in order to be loved. God’s children discover that following those rules is the path to joy, security, and a sense of well-being. In contrast, disobedience brings heartache and suffering into one’s life.
• What happens when I sin?
Our obedience is not required for God to love us. He cares for even the most evil and murderous man, which means that no one is able to sin beyond the Lord’s redemptive grace. He will always forgive. But do not fall for the opposite error either. Grace is not a license to sin. God allows us to experience the consequences of wrongdoing. That’s what a loving parent does to be sure a child learns the value of doing right.
God loves without condition. To show His great care, He gave solid principles on which people are to build their lives. His affection is in no way diminished toward those who ignore biblical rules, but His heart is grieved by their defiance. He delights in believers who seek and follow His will (1 Thess. 4:1).
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Living For An Audience of One
[By Dr. Jack Graham]
Scripture Of The Day: "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6
Who would you say today is the most important person in your life? Who is that one person of whom you would say, “I live my life for him…or her?”
Maybe you are living your life for your spouse. Or maybe you find yourself living your life for your children…or for another family member. Or maybe you’re honest enough to admit that you are living your life for yourself!
Whatever your answer, I want to help you understand that there is just one Person worthy to be the primary focus of your life. And that Person is Jesus Christ.
One of the greatest examples of a man who lived for Christ was Stephen, the first Christian martyr. When we meet Stephen in Acts 6, we find that the first century church has a serious problem. Some within the congregation are grumbling and causing dissension because they feel they are not being adequately cared for.
So the leadership of the church chose seven godly, devoted men to serve as deacons to help minister to the growing congregation. And the first man on their list was Stephen.
Acts 6:8 says that Stephen was a man full of faith and power. Yet as a result of his beautiful testimony for Christ inside and outside the church, Stephen eventually began to draw fire for his faith.
In fact, a group of Jews--because they hated Stephen’s passion for Christ so much--began to falsely accuse Stephen of blasphemy. And their lies eventually led to Stephen’s violent murder.
Let’s pick up the end of Stephen’s story in Acts 7:54-60:
"When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep (physical death)."
Notice that Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. In Ephesians 1:20, Paul tells us that after Christ’s resurrection, He was seated at the right hand of the Father. But now, as Stephen is martyred for His faith, we see Christ standing.
I can’t help but believe our Lord was standing to applaud Stephen’s commitment to Him. Stephen was living a beautiful, godly life in the midst of the ugliness around him. He stood for Jesus…even to the point of death…and Jesus stood to honor Stephen’s unwavering faith.
When you live your life for Jesus Christ, you may face the fire, face the flack, and even face the fury of those who reject the Lord Jesus. But they should not be your concern. Your concern ought to be Jesus. Will He be standing to honor your commitment to Him?
While you may never face the threat of execution for your faith, I want to ask you today, What are you willing to pay to carry the cross of Christ? Are you willing to make Christ your Audience of One…that He might be glorified and magnified in your life?
Stephen was…and, as a result, God used him in a powerful way. In fact, the life of a young terrorist who celebrated Stephen’s stoning would be changed. That young terrorist was Saul of Tarsus, a rabid religionist who thought he was doing God a favor by killing Christians.
The day Stephen was murdered, something began to happen in Saul’s life that he would talk about years later. There was something about the shining face of Stephen, something about the dying grace of Stephen, something about the powerful life of Stephen that Saul couldn’t get past!
Saul would ultimately be confronted by the risen Christ on the way to Damascus and his life would be changed forever. Saul the murderer would become Paul the missionary. And it all began that day as he watched Stephen die for his faith!
I challenge you (and myself) today to make Jesus Christ the one Person you are seeking to please…the one Person you are standing for no matter what difficulties you face. As you stand for Him, the lives around you will be impacted for eternity...and Jesus will stand in honor of your commitment to Him!
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Scripture Of The Day: "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6
Who would you say today is the most important person in your life? Who is that one person of whom you would say, “I live my life for him…or her?”
Maybe you are living your life for your spouse. Or maybe you find yourself living your life for your children…or for another family member. Or maybe you’re honest enough to admit that you are living your life for yourself!
Whatever your answer, I want to help you understand that there is just one Person worthy to be the primary focus of your life. And that Person is Jesus Christ.
One of the greatest examples of a man who lived for Christ was Stephen, the first Christian martyr. When we meet Stephen in Acts 6, we find that the first century church has a serious problem. Some within the congregation are grumbling and causing dissension because they feel they are not being adequately cared for.
So the leadership of the church chose seven godly, devoted men to serve as deacons to help minister to the growing congregation. And the first man on their list was Stephen.
Acts 6:8 says that Stephen was a man full of faith and power. Yet as a result of his beautiful testimony for Christ inside and outside the church, Stephen eventually began to draw fire for his faith.
In fact, a group of Jews--because they hated Stephen’s passion for Christ so much--began to falsely accuse Stephen of blasphemy. And their lies eventually led to Stephen’s violent murder.
Let’s pick up the end of Stephen’s story in Acts 7:54-60:
"When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep (physical death)."
Notice that Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. In Ephesians 1:20, Paul tells us that after Christ’s resurrection, He was seated at the right hand of the Father. But now, as Stephen is martyred for His faith, we see Christ standing.
I can’t help but believe our Lord was standing to applaud Stephen’s commitment to Him. Stephen was living a beautiful, godly life in the midst of the ugliness around him. He stood for Jesus…even to the point of death…and Jesus stood to honor Stephen’s unwavering faith.
When you live your life for Jesus Christ, you may face the fire, face the flack, and even face the fury of those who reject the Lord Jesus. But they should not be your concern. Your concern ought to be Jesus. Will He be standing to honor your commitment to Him?
While you may never face the threat of execution for your faith, I want to ask you today, What are you willing to pay to carry the cross of Christ? Are you willing to make Christ your Audience of One…that He might be glorified and magnified in your life?
Stephen was…and, as a result, God used him in a powerful way. In fact, the life of a young terrorist who celebrated Stephen’s stoning would be changed. That young terrorist was Saul of Tarsus, a rabid religionist who thought he was doing God a favor by killing Christians.
The day Stephen was murdered, something began to happen in Saul’s life that he would talk about years later. There was something about the shining face of Stephen, something about the dying grace of Stephen, something about the powerful life of Stephen that Saul couldn’t get past!
Saul would ultimately be confronted by the risen Christ on the way to Damascus and his life would be changed forever. Saul the murderer would become Paul the missionary. And it all began that day as he watched Stephen die for his faith!
I challenge you (and myself) today to make Jesus Christ the one Person you are seeking to please…the one Person you are standing for no matter what difficulties you face. As you stand for Him, the lives around you will be impacted for eternity...and Jesus will stand in honor of your commitment to Him!
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Passion to Serve God
[By Charles Stanley]
8 )God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9) Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~ Eph. 2: 8- 10
Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost For His Highest, died in 1917. His influence, however, lives on. God uses this man’s book to speak to my heart and convict me. Chambers’ message has lasted because he gave priority to things of eternal value rather than to things of the world.
Sadly, many people choose an existence with no enduring significance. Setting out to make as much money as possible, please oneself, and retire to “enjoy the good life” is unbiblical. Worthwhile living involves giving ourselves unreservedly to God so He can use us any way He sees fit. Christians like Chambers, who make a lasting impact in their sphere of influence, have a passion to serve the Lord. They look for ways to express their love and devotion to Him.
Believers are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, so “Servant of Almighty God” is part of their identity. I know what you’re probably thinking: I have a secular job or My life doesn’t matter much. Friend, if you are determined to find ways to be useful for the kingdom, God will supply tasks of eternal value. Be sensitive to people in need. Share your faith with those who hurt. Whether through your vocation or in your community, make yourself available to individuals who need help. Tell others what God is doing in your life.
You are called to serve God where you are. We have all been given the work of evangelists and teachers (Matt. 28:19) as well as the task of caring for those who are in need (Isa. 1:17; Gal. 6:2). Get busy for the kingdom. There is much work to be done.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
8 )God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9) Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10) For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~ Eph. 2: 8- 10
Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost For His Highest, died in 1917. His influence, however, lives on. God uses this man’s book to speak to my heart and convict me. Chambers’ message has lasted because he gave priority to things of eternal value rather than to things of the world.
Sadly, many people choose an existence with no enduring significance. Setting out to make as much money as possible, please oneself, and retire to “enjoy the good life” is unbiblical. Worthwhile living involves giving ourselves unreservedly to God so He can use us any way He sees fit. Christians like Chambers, who make a lasting impact in their sphere of influence, have a passion to serve the Lord. They look for ways to express their love and devotion to Him.
Believers are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, so “Servant of Almighty God” is part of their identity. I know what you’re probably thinking: I have a secular job or My life doesn’t matter much. Friend, if you are determined to find ways to be useful for the kingdom, God will supply tasks of eternal value. Be sensitive to people in need. Share your faith with those who hurt. Whether through your vocation or in your community, make yourself available to individuals who need help. Tell others what God is doing in your life.
You are called to serve God where you are. We have all been given the work of evangelists and teachers (Matt. 28:19) as well as the task of caring for those who are in need (Isa. 1:17; Gal. 6:2). Get busy for the kingdom. There is much work to be done.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Fresh Start
[By Greg Laurie]
"You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance." —Psalm 65:11
As we come to the beginning of a new year and the ending of an old one, we often wish we could turn over a new leaf or have a fresh start. No doubt about it, there have been certain things we have said or done in this past year that we have come to regret.
Wouldn't it be great to just start over again? In reality, as a Christian you can have a fresh start. The new year is still a blank slate. There are opportunities ahead of you. You decide which path you are going to walk in this coming year. "Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls'" (Jeremiah 6:16). You decide what your priorities are going to be. You decide which direction you are going to take, each and every day.
Maybe some of us need a fresh start in this coming year. Here is a great opportunity to make a new commit- ment. We don't know what the new year is going to bring. We don't know what problems we are going to encounter. We don't know what changes are going to come. We don't know what blessings the Lord has in store for us. But whatever the new year holds, we don't have to be afraid because Jesus Christ is going to be waiting there for us.
I like the words of that wonderful woman of God, Corrie ten Boom, who said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." God is in control of your future. He is ready to bless you in this coming year.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
"You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance." —Psalm 65:11
As we come to the beginning of a new year and the ending of an old one, we often wish we could turn over a new leaf or have a fresh start. No doubt about it, there have been certain things we have said or done in this past year that we have come to regret.
Wouldn't it be great to just start over again? In reality, as a Christian you can have a fresh start. The new year is still a blank slate. There are opportunities ahead of you. You decide which path you are going to walk in this coming year. "Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls'" (Jeremiah 6:16). You decide what your priorities are going to be. You decide which direction you are going to take, each and every day.
Maybe some of us need a fresh start in this coming year. Here is a great opportunity to make a new commit- ment. We don't know what the new year is going to bring. We don't know what problems we are going to encounter. We don't know what changes are going to come. We don't know what blessings the Lord has in store for us. But whatever the new year holds, we don't have to be afraid because Jesus Christ is going to be waiting there for us.
I like the words of that wonderful woman of God, Corrie ten Boom, who said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." God is in control of your future. He is ready to bless you in this coming year.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
