July 31
Have you ever allowed a child to sit on your lap and ‘help’ you drive your car? That may not be done much in today’s highly regulated society but my own childhood memories include being on my father’s lap and ‘assisting’ as he drove along one of our country lanes where there was no traffic. I thought it was great!
Children tend to want the vestiges of adulthood long before they’re ready for them. Example: the little one clomping around in Mommy’s high heals or Daddy’s large shoes. As Christians, we also tend to want gifts and responsibilities from the Lord for which we are not prepared.
Our Father God is too wise to allow us to venture into areas of endeavor for which we are not ready, for which we do not have the depth of emotional or spiritual understanding to execute them in a way that advances our own good or the Kingdom’s ends.
As Galatians 4:2 tells us, we are like the child who is heir to all his father possesses, but is yet too immature to attain it. “Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.” When we are ready for ministry, as the child who is heir to all, we will receive our task and perform our work Christ.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Looking for That City
July 30
Our home is not here. This world is a temporary lodging place on our journey to our eternal abode. We sense the homesickness for all that the Lord has prepared for us when things go awry in our current location. When we suffer financial reversals or physical problems or emotional upheaval, we long for that place which is free of pain and disappointment.
Revelation 21:4 tells us that there, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more sorrow, neither shall there be any more pain, or death, for the former things are passed away.” That glorious place beckons us and we hear its call most profoundly when we are in unfortunate straits here.
The reality is that we can be quite content with the ‘here and now’ when life is going our way. Our profoundest longing for Heaven comes when we are most distraught with our temporal circumstances. We must endeavor to be like Abraham who remained focused on eternity through all life’s ups and downs.
In Hebrews 11:10 we are told of Abraham that, “…he was looking forward to the city that has foundations whose architect and builder is God.” That wonderful place of abode is not to be found here. No. We, like Abraham, must keep our eyes on the glorious One who has a wondrous place prepared for us!
Our home is not here. This world is a temporary lodging place on our journey to our eternal abode. We sense the homesickness for all that the Lord has prepared for us when things go awry in our current location. When we suffer financial reversals or physical problems or emotional upheaval, we long for that place which is free of pain and disappointment.
Revelation 21:4 tells us that there, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more sorrow, neither shall there be any more pain, or death, for the former things are passed away.” That glorious place beckons us and we hear its call most profoundly when we are in unfortunate straits here.
The reality is that we can be quite content with the ‘here and now’ when life is going our way. Our profoundest longing for Heaven comes when we are most distraught with our temporal circumstances. We must endeavor to be like Abraham who remained focused on eternity through all life’s ups and downs.
In Hebrews 11:10 we are told of Abraham that, “…he was looking forward to the city that has foundations whose architect and builder is God.” That wonderful place of abode is not to be found here. No. We, like Abraham, must keep our eyes on the glorious One who has a wondrous place prepared for us!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Yes, Lord...
July 29
“Yes, Lord, we wait for You on the path of Your judgments. Our desire is for Your name and renown” Isaiah 26:8. Its brevity might be misleading, but don’t be deceived, there are some significant points in that brief verse. First, it begins with the words, ‘Yes, Lord.’
Yes. Our response when we hear from God—whether we are reading His Holy Word from the Bible or whether we are sensing the leading of His Holy Spirit that dwells within those of us who have received Christ as Savior and Lord—should always be, ‘Yes, Lord.’
Upon our obedience will the entirety of our relationship with the Holy One turn. It is rather like a fulcrum which, when placed at a strategic point, can be used to move monumental burdens. The second reality is that we always await the good pleasure of the Lord. We should neither run ahead of nor lag behind Him. We must always desire His glory above any self-oriented desire of our own.
Our prayers and our activities, our words and our thoughts should ever be focused upon our hearts’ longing to extol our Savior and to allow ourselves to shine His light into the darkness around us. Can we say ‘yes’ to Him? Can we wait upon Him? Can we desire only His glory? To do so requires that we first die to ourselves so we will be fully alive to Him.
“Yes, Lord, we wait for You on the path of Your judgments. Our desire is for Your name and renown” Isaiah 26:8. Its brevity might be misleading, but don’t be deceived, there are some significant points in that brief verse. First, it begins with the words, ‘Yes, Lord.’
Yes. Our response when we hear from God—whether we are reading His Holy Word from the Bible or whether we are sensing the leading of His Holy Spirit that dwells within those of us who have received Christ as Savior and Lord—should always be, ‘Yes, Lord.’
Upon our obedience will the entirety of our relationship with the Holy One turn. It is rather like a fulcrum which, when placed at a strategic point, can be used to move monumental burdens. The second reality is that we always await the good pleasure of the Lord. We should neither run ahead of nor lag behind Him. We must always desire His glory above any self-oriented desire of our own.
Our prayers and our activities, our words and our thoughts should ever be focused upon our hearts’ longing to extol our Savior and to allow ourselves to shine His light into the darkness around us. Can we say ‘yes’ to Him? Can we wait upon Him? Can we desire only His glory? To do so requires that we first die to ourselves so we will be fully alive to Him.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Blessed with Abraham
July 28
Galatians 3:9 asserts a blessing that is not readily understood. Here it says, “Those who have faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.” We know that Abraham is counted as father of the faithful. We know it was he who left home, family, inheritance, in order to follow God into a strange land (Genesis 12:1).
Does that mean we who believe are required to do the same thing? No. But it does mean that we must be as willing to do what the Lord lays upon our hearts as Abraham was to relinquish all that was precious to him in order to follow the command of the God who had called him.
Our calling may not require any more of us than to forsake our golf game on Sunday morning so we can attend church. It may demand nothing from us but the shame we feel because of our sin, but whatever it requires, we must be willing to leave it all behind as Abraham did.
When we have put the precious as well as the mundane things of our lives upon the altar, when we have relinquished fame, fortune, power, prestige, plans, schemes, hopes, dreams; when we have laid all at His feet, we will gain a faith adventure like Abraham’s.
Galatians 3:9 asserts a blessing that is not readily understood. Here it says, “Those who have faith are blessed with Abraham who had faith.” We know that Abraham is counted as father of the faithful. We know it was he who left home, family, inheritance, in order to follow God into a strange land (Genesis 12:1).
Does that mean we who believe are required to do the same thing? No. But it does mean that we must be as willing to do what the Lord lays upon our hearts as Abraham was to relinquish all that was precious to him in order to follow the command of the God who had called him.
Our calling may not require any more of us than to forsake our golf game on Sunday morning so we can attend church. It may demand nothing from us but the shame we feel because of our sin, but whatever it requires, we must be willing to leave it all behind as Abraham did.
When we have put the precious as well as the mundane things of our lives upon the altar, when we have relinquished fame, fortune, power, prestige, plans, schemes, hopes, dreams; when we have laid all at His feet, we will gain a faith adventure like Abraham’s.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Be Aware of Scoffers
July 27
The Lord wants you to know right up front what are some of the pitfalls you will encounter if you sign on as one of His own. He makes it clear that being a Christian is not a bed of roses. Yes, there are roses along the way, but the thorns are a very real fact that will be encountered as you gather them.
He in no way negates the enormous advantage that comes to those who allow the veil to be lifted from their eyes that they might believe in Him. We are told over and over again that the Word of God brings life; that the life lived apart from Jesus ends in eternal destruction.
But His warning of the trials and tribulations that will accompany the life of surrender to Jesus is real. The enemy of God, the evil foe who has positioned himself against all the Lord stands for is a formidable opponent who will war against the man who ceases following the world to trod God’s good path.
In II Peter 3:3, the impetuous apostle warns that we must, “…be aware of the scoffers who will come in the last days to mock you, following their own lusts.” This may seem a minor aspect of persecution, but the thin-skinned need to know former friends will ridicule their decision to abandon the world to follow Jesus.
The Lord wants you to know right up front what are some of the pitfalls you will encounter if you sign on as one of His own. He makes it clear that being a Christian is not a bed of roses. Yes, there are roses along the way, but the thorns are a very real fact that will be encountered as you gather them.
He in no way negates the enormous advantage that comes to those who allow the veil to be lifted from their eyes that they might believe in Him. We are told over and over again that the Word of God brings life; that the life lived apart from Jesus ends in eternal destruction.
But His warning of the trials and tribulations that will accompany the life of surrender to Jesus is real. The enemy of God, the evil foe who has positioned himself against all the Lord stands for is a formidable opponent who will war against the man who ceases following the world to trod God’s good path.
In II Peter 3:3, the impetuous apostle warns that we must, “…be aware of the scoffers who will come in the last days to mock you, following their own lusts.” This may seem a minor aspect of persecution, but the thin-skinned need to know former friends will ridicule their decision to abandon the world to follow Jesus.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Take Hold of Christ
July 26
Who best understands the value of wealth, the one who inherits riches or the one who works hard for them? Who more fully values health, the one who has never been sick a day in his life or the one who has overcome a severe illness?
Who wants most to see the world, the one who has traveled extensively or the one who has enjoyed the amazing sites of the far-flung corners of the earth only by reading or watching television?
The answers to those questions will usually be that the one who needs to work hard, to overcome sickness, to venture beyond his immediate environment, will most value the chance to experience what they’ve lacked.
In the spiritual realm, it is the one who has recognized his sin who will, “…make every effort to take hold of Christ because he has been taken hold of by Him.” Philippians 3:12 states clearly that we embrace Him because He first held us.
Who best understands the value of wealth, the one who inherits riches or the one who works hard for them? Who more fully values health, the one who has never been sick a day in his life or the one who has overcome a severe illness?
Who wants most to see the world, the one who has traveled extensively or the one who has enjoyed the amazing sites of the far-flung corners of the earth only by reading or watching television?
The answers to those questions will usually be that the one who needs to work hard, to overcome sickness, to venture beyond his immediate environment, will most value the chance to experience what they’ve lacked.
In the spiritual realm, it is the one who has recognized his sin who will, “…make every effort to take hold of Christ because he has been taken hold of by Him.” Philippians 3:12 states clearly that we embrace Him because He first held us.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Prayer for Our Nation
Father God, help us who believe in You, believe in Your Holy Child Jesus, who believe in the power of prayer and the authority You have invested in us to stay the course of prayer for our nation.
Forbid, Lord that we should simply watch as corruption and distain for the principles on which this great country has been established become more and more evident from those who should be the advocates of our citizenry and the bearers of the truth of our heritage to the world.
Allow us to remain on our knees before You in the behalf of our nation. Help us to pray through until we see our economy turned around, our national image arighted and above all, until this people, this place that was laid at Your feet at its inception shall be a reflection of Your glory again.
Let us, with holy boldness proclaim Your name and Your Word; and let us never falter in our commitment to You--no matter what may befall in the world's course of events. Let revival sweep our land that we may be holy and wholly Yours. Yet let us shout, as Your disciples when they endured hardship, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Forbid, Lord that we should simply watch as corruption and distain for the principles on which this great country has been established become more and more evident from those who should be the advocates of our citizenry and the bearers of the truth of our heritage to the world.
Allow us to remain on our knees before You in the behalf of our nation. Help us to pray through until we see our economy turned around, our national image arighted and above all, until this people, this place that was laid at Your feet at its inception shall be a reflection of Your glory again.
Let us, with holy boldness proclaim Your name and Your Word; and let us never falter in our commitment to You--no matter what may befall in the world's course of events. Let revival sweep our land that we may be holy and wholly Yours. Yet let us shout, as Your disciples when they endured hardship, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
Stay the Course
July 25
They who are wise will keep their focus aright. The man who desires to gain earthly wealth and power will maintain his sights upon the goals he wants to attain and the avenue he must take to reach them.
The scientist in his laboratory maintains a careful log of variations to his experimentation so he will be able to recognize the slightest departure from the results he’s been seeing and attribute them to the correct variable.
Proverbs 17:24 tells us, “Wisdom is the focus of the perspective but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.” This is another way of saying that the person who is highly distractible is foolishly robbing himself of the opportunity to attain a worthwhile end.
The wise individual, on the other hand, will keep his eyes and his energy riveted upon the desired outcome of his endeavors. Staying the course is the time-tested way of assuring that the destination attained by the traveler through earth’s challenges will be the heavenly one the Lord desires for him.
They who are wise will keep their focus aright. The man who desires to gain earthly wealth and power will maintain his sights upon the goals he wants to attain and the avenue he must take to reach them.
The scientist in his laboratory maintains a careful log of variations to his experimentation so he will be able to recognize the slightest departure from the results he’s been seeing and attribute them to the correct variable.
Proverbs 17:24 tells us, “Wisdom is the focus of the perspective but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.” This is another way of saying that the person who is highly distractible is foolishly robbing himself of the opportunity to attain a worthwhile end.
The wise individual, on the other hand, will keep his eyes and his energy riveted upon the desired outcome of his endeavors. Staying the course is the time-tested way of assuring that the destination attained by the traveler through earth’s challenges will be the heavenly one the Lord desires for him.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Prayer for Our Nation
Dear Heavenly Father, You have said in Your holy Word the Bible that believers may approach Your Throne of Mercy and Grace any time and You would always allow them entrance into the Holy of Holies.
When Jesus hung on the cross, the veil of separation was rent and access was given that had once been for only the priests who were allowed to enter only at the prescribed time with the prescribed sacrifice.
Because You have given permission to enter, I come before You with the need of my country for cleansing and restoration and deliverance from the evil forces that have come against this land that was given to You by our founding fathers. You said that I may ask anything of You in accordance with Your will and You would do it.
Your Word says it is Your will for all men to be saved (I Timothy 2:3,4). I ask then, that salvation come upon this people and that in being saved from sin, they will also be saved from all the oppression of the enemy. Let citizens, tourists, aliens, people of high degree and low come to Jesus and be blessed.
When Jesus hung on the cross, the veil of separation was rent and access was given that had once been for only the priests who were allowed to enter only at the prescribed time with the prescribed sacrifice.
Because You have given permission to enter, I come before You with the need of my country for cleansing and restoration and deliverance from the evil forces that have come against this land that was given to You by our founding fathers. You said that I may ask anything of You in accordance with Your will and You would do it.
Your Word says it is Your will for all men to be saved (I Timothy 2:3,4). I ask then, that salvation come upon this people and that in being saved from sin, they will also be saved from all the oppression of the enemy. Let citizens, tourists, aliens, people of high degree and low come to Jesus and be blessed.
The Best Surprise
July 24
Do you like surprises? Everyone enjoys pleasant surprises. Nobody likes the ones that are unpleasant. A husband who presents flowers for no reason at all on an ordinary evening will be lavished with appreciation. The one who forgets them on a milestone anniversary will be in the proverbial dog house.
We delight in those unexpected additions to our day that were not anticipated but by their very nature, made our day bright. The cloudiest weather can become the backdrop for the beaming smile of one who has been caught unaware by the kindness of a spouse or a friend.
Though these earthly moments of joy are relished and appreciated, they pale in comparison to the great surprise the Lord says He has waiting for those who love Jesus and embrace Him as Savior and Lord.
I Corinthians 2:9 says, “What no eye has seen and no ear has heard…is what God has prepared for those who love Him.” The surprise that greets us upon our arrival in Heaven will make all the sorrows and joys of life fade into forgetfulness.
Do you like surprises? Everyone enjoys pleasant surprises. Nobody likes the ones that are unpleasant. A husband who presents flowers for no reason at all on an ordinary evening will be lavished with appreciation. The one who forgets them on a milestone anniversary will be in the proverbial dog house.
We delight in those unexpected additions to our day that were not anticipated but by their very nature, made our day bright. The cloudiest weather can become the backdrop for the beaming smile of one who has been caught unaware by the kindness of a spouse or a friend.
Though these earthly moments of joy are relished and appreciated, they pale in comparison to the great surprise the Lord says He has waiting for those who love Jesus and embrace Him as Savior and Lord.
I Corinthians 2:9 says, “What no eye has seen and no ear has heard…is what God has prepared for those who love Him.” The surprise that greets us upon our arrival in Heaven will make all the sorrows and joys of life fade into forgetfulness.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Prayer for Our Nation
Merciful Jesus, we who love this land--not because of mere patriotism but because we recognize that Your hand has been upon this land, You have lavished this land with blessings and You have used this land as You have used no other--cry out to You in her behalf. We ask You to "shed Your grace" upon our nation again.
We have sinned before You. We have been the producers of smut and all manner of godless so-called 'entertainment.' We have made a mockery of Your own holy name. We have been less than the lighthouse on a hill that our founders sought to become before You.
But we see the folly of our ways. We recognize the abysmal pit we have dug for ourselves and we know that none but You are capable of extracating us from it. We ask You to extend Your hand of mercy and grace to us once again. We ask You to bathe us afresh in Your shed blood.
"Though our sins be scarlet, wash us white as snow" Isaiah 1:18. Even as You declared the sins of Your ancient people to be washed clean, allow us to be immersed in the fuller of the blood of Jesus and cleansed of sin and restored to Your salvation.
Our nation will perish apart from Your mercy and we cry to You for yet another season of grace where Your Holy Spirit will move among us and draw us to Jesus, the One who can make all things new. In His holy name I ask. Amen.
We have sinned before You. We have been the producers of smut and all manner of godless so-called 'entertainment.' We have made a mockery of Your own holy name. We have been less than the lighthouse on a hill that our founders sought to become before You.
But we see the folly of our ways. We recognize the abysmal pit we have dug for ourselves and we know that none but You are capable of extracating us from it. We ask You to extend Your hand of mercy and grace to us once again. We ask You to bathe us afresh in Your shed blood.
"Though our sins be scarlet, wash us white as snow" Isaiah 1:18. Even as You declared the sins of Your ancient people to be washed clean, allow us to be immersed in the fuller of the blood of Jesus and cleansed of sin and restored to Your salvation.
Our nation will perish apart from Your mercy and we cry to You for yet another season of grace where Your Holy Spirit will move among us and draw us to Jesus, the One who can make all things new. In His holy name I ask. Amen.
The Difference
July 23
Enoch was the precursor to our salvation from spiritual death. We read in Hebrews 11:5, “Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death…he was approved, having pleased God.”
Prior to Jesus, a man could only look forward to the promise of a Messiah. Before Jesus came, there was no assurance of salvation because the requirement of pleasing a holy God has never been easily actualized by fallen man.
There is nothing new under the sun. The sins that beset us today are the same ones that our ancestors fell into. The temptations that snare us away from God’s truth are the same pitfalls that caused early man to tumble headlong into sin.
The difference between our being received into the fold of God’s grace and Enoch being taken away without tasting death is Christ who has paid the penalty for our sin in full. Enoch pleased God by looking beyond the veil that hid the plan of salvation and pleasing God by seeing His provision for man’s escape from sin.
Enoch was the precursor to our salvation from spiritual death. We read in Hebrews 11:5, “Enoch was taken away so that he did not experience death…he was approved, having pleased God.”
Prior to Jesus, a man could only look forward to the promise of a Messiah. Before Jesus came, there was no assurance of salvation because the requirement of pleasing a holy God has never been easily actualized by fallen man.
There is nothing new under the sun. The sins that beset us today are the same ones that our ancestors fell into. The temptations that snare us away from God’s truth are the same pitfalls that caused early man to tumble headlong into sin.
The difference between our being received into the fold of God’s grace and Enoch being taken away without tasting death is Christ who has paid the penalty for our sin in full. Enoch pleased God by looking beyond the veil that hid the plan of salvation and pleasing God by seeing His provision for man’s escape from sin.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Prayer for Our Nation
Jesus, we are at a crucial time in the life of the United States of America. You have raised us up to be a great people, a prosperous people, a generous people, a people of faith in You. Our unequaled blessing has come from Your hand because those who have gone before us have worshiped You.
But we are now at a time when Your name is barred from our schools, our churches are silenced in their witness and our government lifts other world views and religious persuasions above the ONE that has made us uniquely blessed.
We ask You to see the heart of those who love You still and lift Your name above every other name. We ask You to hear our cries and to revive and redeem our land. We ask You to allow Your Holy Spirit to move upon this land, touching every heart with the reality of Yourself.
We ask that there be one last, glorious revival that regathers Your own land to Yourself. Let us be restored because we have been revived! Let Your purposes go forth from this land as in time past. Let Your name be lifted up--as Your name deserves to be. Let every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
In Your own name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
But we are now at a time when Your name is barred from our schools, our churches are silenced in their witness and our government lifts other world views and religious persuasions above the ONE that has made us uniquely blessed.
We ask You to see the heart of those who love You still and lift Your name above every other name. We ask You to hear our cries and to revive and redeem our land. We ask You to allow Your Holy Spirit to move upon this land, touching every heart with the reality of Yourself.
We ask that there be one last, glorious revival that regathers Your own land to Yourself. Let us be restored because we have been revived! Let Your purposes go forth from this land as in time past. Let Your name be lifted up--as Your name deserves to be. Let every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
In Your own name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
His Name Is Jesus
July 22
God has high expectations from man. Although He has given him a free will and allows him the latitude to make his own decisions and plot his own course toward obedience and blessing or disobedience and disappointment, His intent has always been that man would choose to follow Him.
The Majesty on High simply wants the heart of man to be placed at His feet voluntarily, not under coercion or threat of punishment. Consequently, anyone can look about and see clear evidence that calamity does not necessarily befall the person who does not walk the path of salvation.
But the reality is, there is an ultimate day of ‘fessing up’ to the choices one has made while dwelling in this tabernacle of flesh. As early as Genesis 4:7, when Cain, one of Adam and Eve’s sons, presented a grain offering to God instead of a blood sacrifice, the consequence of disobedience is addressed.
God spoke to Cain and said, “If you do right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door.” As Cain then slew his brother Able, so we can be led into an ever-deadlier path of sin once we choose to sin. Praise God, He has made a way to escape sin’s consequence—His name is Jesus!
God has high expectations from man. Although He has given him a free will and allows him the latitude to make his own decisions and plot his own course toward obedience and blessing or disobedience and disappointment, His intent has always been that man would choose to follow Him.
The Majesty on High simply wants the heart of man to be placed at His feet voluntarily, not under coercion or threat of punishment. Consequently, anyone can look about and see clear evidence that calamity does not necessarily befall the person who does not walk the path of salvation.
But the reality is, there is an ultimate day of ‘fessing up’ to the choices one has made while dwelling in this tabernacle of flesh. As early as Genesis 4:7, when Cain, one of Adam and Eve’s sons, presented a grain offering to God instead of a blood sacrifice, the consequence of disobedience is addressed.
God spoke to Cain and said, “If you do right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door.” As Cain then slew his brother Able, so we can be led into an ever-deadlier path of sin once we choose to sin. Praise God, He has made a way to escape sin’s consequence—His name is Jesus!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Prayer for Our Nation
Our great God and King, the totality of life is in Your hands. You formed all that is by Your Word, You hold the worlds in place by Your power and You established the plan of salvation because of Your love.
I ask You to look upon us, Your errant creation, with mercy and grace, to see our plight, to see the dangers that encompass us as individuals and as a nation and I ask You to extend Your mighty hand to cover us, to shield us from the forces of evil that would engulf us.
You, dear Jesus, can speak and the hatred that is hurled against us must be abated. You, dear Jeasus, can speak and the economic calamity that has befallen us can be overcome with prosperity once again. You, dear Jesus, can speak and our hearts will be tender toward You again.
We ask You to undo the mischief of the enemy that has reduced our faith to a perfunctory exercise and to cause us to be on fire again for You! Let revival sweep our land and let renewal lift our spirits that we may be true reflections of our holy God. In Your mighty name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
I ask You to look upon us, Your errant creation, with mercy and grace, to see our plight, to see the dangers that encompass us as individuals and as a nation and I ask You to extend Your mighty hand to cover us, to shield us from the forces of evil that would engulf us.
You, dear Jesus, can speak and the hatred that is hurled against us must be abated. You, dear Jeasus, can speak and the economic calamity that has befallen us can be overcome with prosperity once again. You, dear Jesus, can speak and our hearts will be tender toward You again.
We ask You to undo the mischief of the enemy that has reduced our faith to a perfunctory exercise and to cause us to be on fire again for You! Let revival sweep our land and let renewal lift our spirits that we may be true reflections of our holy God. In Your mighty name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Jesus Is Everything to Me--to You!
July 21
Colossians 1:15-17 expounds upon an amazing assertion regarding the nature and character of Jesus Christ. Here we are told, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…He is before all things and by Him, all things exist.”
Incredible! The Lord is the express representation of the Triune God! Although He is the Creator, He is the Word spoken into the void of nothingness at the onset of creation, yet He allows Himself to be called the ‘firstborn of creation.’
He is the One who fashioned the universe by the word of His mouth and formulated the plan of salvation whereby He would become the sinless sacrifice that redeems fallen man from sin by His shed blood—HE proclaimed it to be so.
The totality of existence is encompassed in His Word that enabled the heaven and earth to become distinct entities, the waters of the sea to be separated from the dry land, and for frail humankind, His highest creation, to inherit eternity.
Colossians 1:15-17 expounds upon an amazing assertion regarding the nature and character of Jesus Christ. Here we are told, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…He is before all things and by Him, all things exist.”
Incredible! The Lord is the express representation of the Triune God! Although He is the Creator, He is the Word spoken into the void of nothingness at the onset of creation, yet He allows Himself to be called the ‘firstborn of creation.’
He is the One who fashioned the universe by the word of His mouth and formulated the plan of salvation whereby He would become the sinless sacrifice that redeems fallen man from sin by His shed blood—HE proclaimed it to be so.
The totality of existence is encompassed in His Word that enabled the heaven and earth to become distinct entities, the waters of the sea to be separated from the dry land, and for frail humankind, His highest creation, to inherit eternity.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Prayer for Our Nation
Lord Jesus, without being presumptuous, may I remind You that Your Word tells us that those who, "Bring the tithe into the storehouse..." according to Malachi 3:10 may then, prove You, prove Your promise that because they gave to Your purposes, You would, "...open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that they cannot contain."
Lord God, the United States of America has been the most generous of countries. From these shores have gone forth missionaries to share Your Word with the lost. From these shores has gone financial aid, medical assistance, and technological and educational help to the downtrodden.
I ask You to be mindful of the good and generous heart of Your people who dwell here and to bring to fruition Your promise to open Your coffers of heavenly treasure and restore the faltering economy of this land.
Bring prosperity to us again, dear Jesus, that we may continue to be Your hand outstretched in compassion to the needy and with the truth of Your salvation to the lost. In Your matchless name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
Lord God, the United States of America has been the most generous of countries. From these shores have gone forth missionaries to share Your Word with the lost. From these shores has gone financial aid, medical assistance, and technological and educational help to the downtrodden.
I ask You to be mindful of the good and generous heart of Your people who dwell here and to bring to fruition Your promise to open Your coffers of heavenly treasure and restore the faltering economy of this land.
Bring prosperity to us again, dear Jesus, that we may continue to be Your hand outstretched in compassion to the needy and with the truth of Your salvation to the lost. In Your matchless name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
God--My Strength, My Passion--Forever!
July 20
Psalm 73:26 addresses a hurtle each of us must face at one time or another in life, a challenge that might usher us to the portal of death. Here the Psalmist says, “My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart, my passion forever.”
Here he is making the assertion that whatever may befall him, he will be faithful to God. Here he is recognizing that no matter how completely his body might let him down, no matter how grave might be the disorder or disease that besets him, no matter what enemies may encompass him, God will be his portion.
This message is one that God would convey to all who place their faith in Him. Life may be difficult. Problems may abound. Enemies may hate us without cause.
But the Lord Jesus Christ will ever be the strength of our lives. It is He who will give us hope when the circumstances of our life seem hopeless. It is He in whom we may place our trust—even to our final breath.
Psalm 73:26 addresses a hurtle each of us must face at one time or another in life, a challenge that might usher us to the portal of death. Here the Psalmist says, “My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart, my passion forever.”
Here he is making the assertion that whatever may befall him, he will be faithful to God. Here he is recognizing that no matter how completely his body might let him down, no matter how grave might be the disorder or disease that besets him, no matter what enemies may encompass him, God will be his portion.
This message is one that God would convey to all who place their faith in Him. Life may be difficult. Problems may abound. Enemies may hate us without cause.
But the Lord Jesus Christ will ever be the strength of our lives. It is He who will give us hope when the circumstances of our life seem hopeless. It is He in whom we may place our trust—even to our final breath.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Prayer for Our Nation
Our great and glorious God who inhabits eternity, we continue to beseech You in the behalf of our nation. Your Word tells us that there will come a day when, "The vile man shall no longer be called 'liberal,'" Isaiah 32:5, and we recognize that day in our land today.
We see the promotion of sin under the guise of a 'liberal' agenda and we repent of the blindness of our leaders and of our countrymen who cannot see the depth of the depravity that they promote.
We repent of our individual sin and of our collective national sin. We ask You, Jesus, to wash us clean again by our repentence before You and our rededication of ourselves and our country to You and to Your Kingdom's purposes.
You have used the United States mightily in the propagation of Your gospel and You have used the generous heart of this people to lift the world's downtrodden. Restore us to Yourself so we may be prosperous again--in the spirit of our land and in the economy of our land.
Give us hearts to know You and love You and receive You in the fullness of who You are in the heart of who we are as a people. In Your mighty name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
We see the promotion of sin under the guise of a 'liberal' agenda and we repent of the blindness of our leaders and of our countrymen who cannot see the depth of the depravity that they promote.
We repent of our individual sin and of our collective national sin. We ask You, Jesus, to wash us clean again by our repentence before You and our rededication of ourselves and our country to You and to Your Kingdom's purposes.
You have used the United States mightily in the propagation of Your gospel and You have used the generous heart of this people to lift the world's downtrodden. Restore us to Yourself so we may be prosperous again--in the spirit of our land and in the economy of our land.
Give us hearts to know You and love You and receive You in the fullness of who You are in the heart of who we are as a people. In Your mighty name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
God of Very God
July 19
The words of Matthew 11:2,3, are bittersweet. Here John the Baptist who has been imprisoned and will be executed within days, “…heard … what the Messiah was doing…and sent two of his disciples to Jesus who asked about Him, ‘Are You the One who is to come?’”
Jesus did not answer them directly with a “Yes” or a “No,” but He did reiterate to them the wonderful miracles that He was doing in their midst. This was a ministry-affirming answer that gave His cousin John the assurance he needed to face death, knowing that the long-awaited One he had proclaimed had truly come.
When we face uncertain circumstances in life, we may do so with our faith intact, knowing the One to whom we have committed our lives is indeed all we have heard Him to be.
We may face life or death with absolute confidence in the promises on which we have built our hope. We may trust to the end of our days that Jesus is faithful and true, God of very God.
The words of Matthew 11:2,3, are bittersweet. Here John the Baptist who has been imprisoned and will be executed within days, “…heard … what the Messiah was doing…and sent two of his disciples to Jesus who asked about Him, ‘Are You the One who is to come?’”
Jesus did not answer them directly with a “Yes” or a “No,” but He did reiterate to them the wonderful miracles that He was doing in their midst. This was a ministry-affirming answer that gave His cousin John the assurance he needed to face death, knowing that the long-awaited One he had proclaimed had truly come.
When we face uncertain circumstances in life, we may do so with our faith intact, knowing the One to whom we have committed our lives is indeed all we have heard Him to be.
We may face life or death with absolute confidence in the promises on which we have built our hope. We may trust to the end of our days that Jesus is faithful and true, God of very God.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Prayer for Healing
Dear and Glorious One who hears and answers prayer, who performs the impossible for His people, I humbly come before You and ask You for a manifestation of Your divine healing power in the behalf of each one who reads these words. May every need be met and every problem solved as You heal minds, spirits and bodies in response to the 'effectual, fervent prayers' of Your people.
I ask You also, Precious Jesus, to reach forth Your hand and touch this land with a sense of awareness of Your divine presence. Let our people, from the loftiest to the lowliest among us receive a revelation of Your glory and let us repent of our sin--personal and national--so You may heal our land. In Your matchless name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
I ask You also, Precious Jesus, to reach forth Your hand and touch this land with a sense of awareness of Your divine presence. Let our people, from the loftiest to the lowliest among us receive a revelation of Your glory and let us repent of our sin--personal and national--so You may heal our land. In Your matchless name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
Believe Him and See His Glory
July 18
The idea of divine healing is scoffed at by unbelievers and it is even debated by various denominations within Christianity, but it is impossible to read the New Testament without coming to the conclusion that this phenomenon was a large part of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
It is also impossible to deny the veracity of His own word in the matter. In John 14:12 He states, “the one who believes in Me and the works that I do shall do even greater works than these because I go to the Father.” It seems quite clear from the evidence at hand that God is still in the miracle working business.
Why then, do we hesitate to appropriate the power He has said belongs to us? Why are we reluctant to affirm our faith in the Savior’s promise to send His healing when we ask Him to do so? Why do we hesitate to ask miracles of our Lord who is the Great and Mighty God of all eternity?
We do not need to stand alone as we beseech Him to perform glorious things in our behalf. James 5:16 encourages us to, “Pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.” We must take Him at His word and then, behold the glory of the Lord! (Exodus 14:13)
The idea of divine healing is scoffed at by unbelievers and it is even debated by various denominations within Christianity, but it is impossible to read the New Testament without coming to the conclusion that this phenomenon was a large part of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
It is also impossible to deny the veracity of His own word in the matter. In John 14:12 He states, “the one who believes in Me and the works that I do shall do even greater works than these because I go to the Father.” It seems quite clear from the evidence at hand that God is still in the miracle working business.
Why then, do we hesitate to appropriate the power He has said belongs to us? Why are we reluctant to affirm our faith in the Savior’s promise to send His healing when we ask Him to do so? Why do we hesitate to ask miracles of our Lord who is the Great and Mighty God of all eternity?
We do not need to stand alone as we beseech Him to perform glorious things in our behalf. James 5:16 encourages us to, “Pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.” We must take Him at His word and then, behold the glory of the Lord! (Exodus 14:13)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Prayer
May the Lord hear the cries from the hearts of His people in the behalf of our beloved United States of America. This land is crumbling from within from the moral corruption that has been indulged here. It is weighted down with debt imposed upon ourselves and on future generations. It has forsaken the knowledge of the Word of God that was once the foundation of its educational system so our children are growing up in a spiritual abyss.
May revival come to us that we may allow ourselves to be cleansed from all our unrighteousness, that we may be washed afresh in the blood of Jesus that is effectual to the elimination of all sin, that the sweet savor of our renewed faith my rise as perfume to His Throne of Mercy and Grace. We ask this and all the favors of the God of our fathers in the holy, mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
May revival come to us that we may allow ourselves to be cleansed from all our unrighteousness, that we may be washed afresh in the blood of Jesus that is effectual to the elimination of all sin, that the sweet savor of our renewed faith my rise as perfume to His Throne of Mercy and Grace. We ask this and all the favors of the God of our fathers in the holy, mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Growing Pains
July 17
Have you ever felt unloved and unlovely? That’s familiar territory to any adolescent. Most teens look in the mirror with abject distain for what they see reflected back at them. Fortunately, we who believe in Jesus know, even through the ‘awkward years’ that we are precious to our Savior.
Yet, there is a palpable pain that is borne by many people during those ‘changeling’ years that they carry with them throughout their lives. The real and perceived hurts that are hurled during that time of wrestling with who we want to be and who we are becoming can impact us well into adulthood.
As a nation, Israel has had some growing pains. Although it is an ancient land, the location of much of Bible history and prophecy, the land in which our Savior was born and where He died and rose again, much hardship has dogged the heels of modern Israel and God’s ancient people, the Jews. They have not always been accepted by other nations.
They have been persecuted mercilessly; they have been hated although the contributions they have made toward the betterment of mankind have been incalculable. But God assures them in Jeremiah 30:17, “I will bring you health and heal your wounds…though they call you ‘Outcast,’ Zion who no one cares about.” Man’s opinion matters not when a man or a nation has God’s favor.
Have you ever felt unloved and unlovely? That’s familiar territory to any adolescent. Most teens look in the mirror with abject distain for what they see reflected back at them. Fortunately, we who believe in Jesus know, even through the ‘awkward years’ that we are precious to our Savior.
Yet, there is a palpable pain that is borne by many people during those ‘changeling’ years that they carry with them throughout their lives. The real and perceived hurts that are hurled during that time of wrestling with who we want to be and who we are becoming can impact us well into adulthood.
As a nation, Israel has had some growing pains. Although it is an ancient land, the location of much of Bible history and prophecy, the land in which our Savior was born and where He died and rose again, much hardship has dogged the heels of modern Israel and God’s ancient people, the Jews. They have not always been accepted by other nations.
They have been persecuted mercilessly; they have been hated although the contributions they have made toward the betterment of mankind have been incalculable. But God assures them in Jeremiah 30:17, “I will bring you health and heal your wounds…though they call you ‘Outcast,’ Zion who no one cares about.” Man’s opinion matters not when a man or a nation has God’s favor.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Our Heavenly Back-up
July 16
God does nothing by halves. He knows what He is about and He is steadfast in pursuing His ends. When He fashioned Earth by the Word of His mouth as His Spirit moved upon the face of the deep, He did not stop to rest until the entirety of the task of creation was done—including the fashioning of man in His image.
Likewise, when He extended the promise of salvation to mankind, He held out to His errant creation a complete package. Even before Christ was born in Bethlehem, reared in Galilee and crucified outside Jerusalem, His promise was declared—and He set about to bring it to fruition through Jesus our Savior.
In Psalm 103:3, 4, we are given the scope of the promise. Here He says, “He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases; He redeems your life from the destruction of hell and the grave.” These are powerful words, spoken by an Almighty God who has the authority to bring them to pass.
When we come to Jesus, when we have received Him as Savior and Lord of our lives, there is no aspect of His ministry on earth that is not available to us as we apply His Kingdom’s principles to our lives. When we pray through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, the full authority of Heaven backs us up!
God does nothing by halves. He knows what He is about and He is steadfast in pursuing His ends. When He fashioned Earth by the Word of His mouth as His Spirit moved upon the face of the deep, He did not stop to rest until the entirety of the task of creation was done—including the fashioning of man in His image.
Likewise, when He extended the promise of salvation to mankind, He held out to His errant creation a complete package. Even before Christ was born in Bethlehem, reared in Galilee and crucified outside Jerusalem, His promise was declared—and He set about to bring it to fruition through Jesus our Savior.
In Psalm 103:3, 4, we are given the scope of the promise. Here He says, “He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases; He redeems your life from the destruction of hell and the grave.” These are powerful words, spoken by an Almighty God who has the authority to bring them to pass.
When we come to Jesus, when we have received Him as Savior and Lord of our lives, there is no aspect of His ministry on earth that is not available to us as we apply His Kingdom’s principles to our lives. When we pray through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, the full authority of Heaven backs us up!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I come before Your throne of mercy and grace asking that Your Holy Spirit touch the hearts of all who read this and move upon them to pray fervently for revival in our land. We know that revival is always preceded by repentence so I ask You that You plant within our hearts the desire to stand clean before you. Allow us to be washed afresh in Your shed blood that we may be holy and wholly Thine.
May the prayer of II Chronicles 7:14 become the cry of our hearts. It says, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land."
Our great God and Savior, we lay our sins under Your blood and we lay our hearts at Your feet. Use us to pray through in the behalf of this great nation that was placed at Your feet at its inception. Do not allow the wicked one to snatch from Your hand what was dedicated to Your purposes and established upon Your Word.
You have glorified Yourself in us before, dear Lord, Jesus, and we ask You to cleanse us and make us fit to be used to Your glory again. It is in Your own mighty, matchless name we pray, Jesus. Amen and amen.
Lord Jesus, I come before Your throne of mercy and grace asking that Your Holy Spirit touch the hearts of all who read this and move upon them to pray fervently for revival in our land. We know that revival is always preceded by repentence so I ask You that You plant within our hearts the desire to stand clean before you. Allow us to be washed afresh in Your shed blood that we may be holy and wholly Thine.
May the prayer of II Chronicles 7:14 become the cry of our hearts. It says, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land."
Our great God and Savior, we lay our sins under Your blood and we lay our hearts at Your feet. Use us to pray through in the behalf of this great nation that was placed at Your feet at its inception. Do not allow the wicked one to snatch from Your hand what was dedicated to Your purposes and established upon Your Word.
You have glorified Yourself in us before, dear Lord, Jesus, and we ask You to cleanse us and make us fit to be used to Your glory again. It is in Your own mighty, matchless name we pray, Jesus. Amen and amen.
Stand Firmly on Truth in an Age of Deception
July 15
Anyone who knows to do right is admonished to do it. In James 4:17 we are told that if we know the right thing to do but elect not to do it, it is sin. God has made His will quite plain before our eyes. The Word, through all its books, authored by many prophets, poets and apostles, does not waver in the matter of truth.
The Word also admonishes that false teachers will come, some of whom profess to be among the family of faith, some who declare another god besides God, and we are warned that we must give no heed to their alluring lies and demonic doctrines (II Titus 4:3).
In Ephesians 5:6, Paul tells us, “Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things, God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient.” We must stand firmly upon the doctrine that was given to us by Jesus Himself and propagated by His faithful apostles.
We live in an age where false religions are rampant, false gods with their false promises and doctrines of devils have ensnared many. The lies of the counterfeit gods would turn the righteousness of the Living Christ on its head! Only by knowing and embracing the Words of Jesus can we stand firm in an age of deception.
Anyone who knows to do right is admonished to do it. In James 4:17 we are told that if we know the right thing to do but elect not to do it, it is sin. God has made His will quite plain before our eyes. The Word, through all its books, authored by many prophets, poets and apostles, does not waver in the matter of truth.
The Word also admonishes that false teachers will come, some of whom profess to be among the family of faith, some who declare another god besides God, and we are warned that we must give no heed to their alluring lies and demonic doctrines (II Titus 4:3).
In Ephesians 5:6, Paul tells us, “Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things, God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient.” We must stand firmly upon the doctrine that was given to us by Jesus Himself and propagated by His faithful apostles.
We live in an age where false religions are rampant, false gods with their false promises and doctrines of devils have ensnared many. The lies of the counterfeit gods would turn the righteousness of the Living Christ on its head! Only by knowing and embracing the Words of Jesus can we stand firm in an age of deception.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
God Will Bless Our Children
July 14
Parenthood brings its unique brand of concerns. Certainly, it holds myriad delights for the loving father and mother in their progeny, but it is also fraught with concerns for the well-being of the offspring that they cherish. Parents yearn for life to be good to their children.
God declares Himself to be our loving Father. He knows our frame. He knows our foibles and He knows the longing of our hearts. Because He understands us and has compassion on us, He has given us great assurances of His provision of our every need and longing of our hearts.
Isaiah 65:23 speaks to the hearts of parents regarding their children. It says, “They will not labor without success or bear children destined for disaster, for they will be a people blessed by the Lord.” It is a blessed revelation from the heart of the Lord who loves us that our efforts shall not fail!
When we have invested God's Word into the lives of our children, when we have labored to bring them to knowledge of the Savior who loves them, when we have obeyed His admonition to speak of Him to our young ones at every opportunity (Deuteronomy 11:19), we may be sure God will bless them.
Parenthood brings its unique brand of concerns. Certainly, it holds myriad delights for the loving father and mother in their progeny, but it is also fraught with concerns for the well-being of the offspring that they cherish. Parents yearn for life to be good to their children.
God declares Himself to be our loving Father. He knows our frame. He knows our foibles and He knows the longing of our hearts. Because He understands us and has compassion on us, He has given us great assurances of His provision of our every need and longing of our hearts.
Isaiah 65:23 speaks to the hearts of parents regarding their children. It says, “They will not labor without success or bear children destined for disaster, for they will be a people blessed by the Lord.” It is a blessed revelation from the heart of the Lord who loves us that our efforts shall not fail!
When we have invested God's Word into the lives of our children, when we have labored to bring them to knowledge of the Savior who loves them, when we have obeyed His admonition to speak of Him to our young ones at every opportunity (Deuteronomy 11:19), we may be sure God will bless them.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Wonder of God
July 13
Psalm 139 delineates the all-pervasive knowledge and wonder of God. It begins with the declaration that our Heavenly Father has searched and known His people. He knows their thoughts, their intents, their words, and He guards their paths.
In the sixth verse, the psalmist declares that such knowledge is too wonderful for human comprehension; he simply cannot drink in the magnitude of the amazing, over-arching care of God who loves mankind so much. He goes on to declare that no man can flee from the presence of the Holy One.
Were he to ascend into heaven or plummet into the depths of hell, even there his ways would be observed by the Lord who knows him. If he soared into the heavenly places or plunged to the bottom of the sea, the Spirit of the Living God would seek him out.
As Adam and Eve hid from God when they disobeyed Him and discovered their shame (Genesis 3:8), so we endeavor to flee from God and hide in the sin that allures us. But, He knows where we are, and when we release ourselves to Him, Jesus will wash us in His blood and restore us to fellowship with God.
Psalm 139 delineates the all-pervasive knowledge and wonder of God. It begins with the declaration that our Heavenly Father has searched and known His people. He knows their thoughts, their intents, their words, and He guards their paths.
In the sixth verse, the psalmist declares that such knowledge is too wonderful for human comprehension; he simply cannot drink in the magnitude of the amazing, over-arching care of God who loves mankind so much. He goes on to declare that no man can flee from the presence of the Holy One.
Were he to ascend into heaven or plummet into the depths of hell, even there his ways would be observed by the Lord who knows him. If he soared into the heavenly places or plunged to the bottom of the sea, the Spirit of the Living God would seek him out.
As Adam and Eve hid from God when they disobeyed Him and discovered their shame (Genesis 3:8), so we endeavor to flee from God and hide in the sin that allures us. But, He knows where we are, and when we release ourselves to Him, Jesus will wash us in His blood and restore us to fellowship with God.
Monday, July 12, 2010
God's Word Invites Scrutiny
July 12
The people of the early church had the great advantage of proximity to Christ and His miracles that were done among them; Christ’s ministry was not conducted in a corner. The whole of the Roman world had heard about this itinerant preacher and His unusual message of brotherhood, love and salvation.
Yet, even they, “Welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the scriptures daily to see if these things were so” Acts 17:11. For the Word of God invites scrutiny. He says, “Prove Me now…” Malachi 3:10 and follows with, “…and see if I will open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing for you."
The Lord we serve does not expect us to believe Him based upon blind faith. He expects us to learn of Him, to study His Word, to cultivate a relationship with Him—and if we will, He will respond by making Himself available to us. He wants us to believe Him because HE IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE!
And He wants us to verify His faithfulness and truth by knowing Him. Like the people of the early church, we verify all we have heard of Him by receiving His salvation,examining the scriptures and allowing His Holy Spirit to substantiate its truth. When we do, we will cultivate our relationship with Him and truly know Him.
The people of the early church had the great advantage of proximity to Christ and His miracles that were done among them; Christ’s ministry was not conducted in a corner. The whole of the Roman world had heard about this itinerant preacher and His unusual message of brotherhood, love and salvation.
Yet, even they, “Welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the scriptures daily to see if these things were so” Acts 17:11. For the Word of God invites scrutiny. He says, “Prove Me now…” Malachi 3:10 and follows with, “…and see if I will open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing for you."
The Lord we serve does not expect us to believe Him based upon blind faith. He expects us to learn of Him, to study His Word, to cultivate a relationship with Him—and if we will, He will respond by making Himself available to us. He wants us to believe Him because HE IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE!
And He wants us to verify His faithfulness and truth by knowing Him. Like the people of the early church, we verify all we have heard of Him by receiving His salvation,examining the scriptures and allowing His Holy Spirit to substantiate its truth. When we do, we will cultivate our relationship with Him and truly know Him.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
July 10 and July 11 -- devotionals are together.
Because I will be away from my desk on July 11, I am publishing its devotional on July 10. I apologize for any confusion.
NO SMALL BLESSING and ANOTHER DAY
July 10 NO SMALL BLESSING
It is central to the heart of God to grant His best to those who make themselves His people by gathering under His protective umbrella of salvation. Jesus Christ has paid the price for all our sin and it is the desire of our Triune God to shield us from the storms generated all around us by our former disobedience.
He wants not only to shelter us from the winds and waves that are fueled by our sin, He desires also to allow gentle rain to fall upon the good seed that has been sown into our lives and allow them to produce a harvest of blessings to every life that He brings into our sphere of influence.
This is stated clearly in Psalm 81:16 where we are told, “He would feed Israel with the best wheat. He would satisfy them with honey from the rock.” This is no small blessing! It is the longing of the Father’s heart to supply His people with the best His lavish coffers can obtain.
The best He desires to supply to His own who believe in the saving power of the blood of Jesus extends far beyond golden wheat fields and jars of sweet nectar from the grass. It is the presence and power of His Holy Spirit to guide and to guard the lives of His people and to lead them into a full understanding of truth.
July 11 ANOTHER DAY
We call it ‘stick-to-it-iveness.’ It is that quality that allows one to persevere under adverse conditions. We have all read the stories of heroism about some of our nation’s founders—those men at Valley Forge, for example who bore extreme hardship through the winter but did not give up the fight for freedom.
We know of men like John McCain, Senator from Arizona, and Jeremiah Denton who were captured by the Viet Cong during the Viet Nam war. Virtually every bone in their bodies were broken; they were tortured mercilessly, but they and others like them, maintained their will to live and their will to serve their country—and employed it another day.
The Bible alerts us to the reality that being born again, living for Jesus, is not a cake walk. The enemy of God and his minions, the Word tells us, “…go about, seeking whom they may devour” I Peter 5:8. We may have been able to skate through life when we were in the devil’s camp because he left us alone. Because he already had us, he kept us oblivious to his mischief.
But once we recognized that the pleasure of sin is but for a season, he became aggressive in his effort to destroy us! James 1:4 reminds us that, “Endurance must do its complete work so you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” The Lord wants believers strong and secure in Him, despite the enemy’s onslaught against those who are Christ’s.
It is central to the heart of God to grant His best to those who make themselves His people by gathering under His protective umbrella of salvation. Jesus Christ has paid the price for all our sin and it is the desire of our Triune God to shield us from the storms generated all around us by our former disobedience.
He wants not only to shelter us from the winds and waves that are fueled by our sin, He desires also to allow gentle rain to fall upon the good seed that has been sown into our lives and allow them to produce a harvest of blessings to every life that He brings into our sphere of influence.
This is stated clearly in Psalm 81:16 where we are told, “He would feed Israel with the best wheat. He would satisfy them with honey from the rock.” This is no small blessing! It is the longing of the Father’s heart to supply His people with the best His lavish coffers can obtain.
The best He desires to supply to His own who believe in the saving power of the blood of Jesus extends far beyond golden wheat fields and jars of sweet nectar from the grass. It is the presence and power of His Holy Spirit to guide and to guard the lives of His people and to lead them into a full understanding of truth.
July 11 ANOTHER DAY
We call it ‘stick-to-it-iveness.’ It is that quality that allows one to persevere under adverse conditions. We have all read the stories of heroism about some of our nation’s founders—those men at Valley Forge, for example who bore extreme hardship through the winter but did not give up the fight for freedom.
We know of men like John McCain, Senator from Arizona, and Jeremiah Denton who were captured by the Viet Cong during the Viet Nam war. Virtually every bone in their bodies were broken; they were tortured mercilessly, but they and others like them, maintained their will to live and their will to serve their country—and employed it another day.
The Bible alerts us to the reality that being born again, living for Jesus, is not a cake walk. The enemy of God and his minions, the Word tells us, “…go about, seeking whom they may devour” I Peter 5:8. We may have been able to skate through life when we were in the devil’s camp because he left us alone. Because he already had us, he kept us oblivious to his mischief.
But once we recognized that the pleasure of sin is but for a season, he became aggressive in his effort to destroy us! James 1:4 reminds us that, “Endurance must do its complete work so you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” The Lord wants believers strong and secure in Him, despite the enemy’s onslaught against those who are Christ’s.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Cake and Ice Cream
July 9
Some things just seem to go better together—cake and ice cream, salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, apple pie with whipped cream. We each have our taste preferences. Even if other people look at us as though we’re absolutely weird for enjoying them, the fact remains that we do prefer them.
In addition to our food preferences, there are things that go together in the business and professional world. Hard work is the precursor to success as indifference is to failure. In order to achieve those desirable ends that we labor to attain, we must couple our striving with the strategy that will achieve them.
God employs that ‘one/two’ punch in the great matter of our salvation. The Word tells us in John 3:16 that He so loves the world that He made the great sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to forgive mankind of sin. That simple verse combines two wonderful things—He loves; He gives.
When we have seen His love and received His free gift of salvation we will then apply that same pattern to our life of faith. We know there is nothing required that we add to our salvation. Jesus has done that to the uttermost, but James 2:22 says our faith is perfected by our works so let us believe fully and work diligently
Some things just seem to go better together—cake and ice cream, salt and pepper, peanut butter and jelly, apple pie with whipped cream. We each have our taste preferences. Even if other people look at us as though we’re absolutely weird for enjoying them, the fact remains that we do prefer them.
In addition to our food preferences, there are things that go together in the business and professional world. Hard work is the precursor to success as indifference is to failure. In order to achieve those desirable ends that we labor to attain, we must couple our striving with the strategy that will achieve them.
God employs that ‘one/two’ punch in the great matter of our salvation. The Word tells us in John 3:16 that He so loves the world that He made the great sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to forgive mankind of sin. That simple verse combines two wonderful things—He loves; He gives.
When we have seen His love and received His free gift of salvation we will then apply that same pattern to our life of faith. We know there is nothing required that we add to our salvation. Jesus has done that to the uttermost, but James 2:22 says our faith is perfected by our works so let us believe fully and work diligently
Thursday, July 8, 2010
God's Inerrant Word
July 8
Jesus spoke the words that are truth and life. The Apostle John attests to the fact that Jesus’ words and actions were very life to those who came to Him. In fact, John, in the final passage of his gospel states that the recorded acts of Jesus are only a fraction of all He did when He walked among us (John 21:25).
The writers of the gospels give us eye-witness accounts of the earthly ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The epistles of Paul were written after a face-to-face encounter with our risen Lord (Acts 9:1-9). The words of the Bible were scrupulously copied from original manuscripts to affirm that they are without error.
We may stand on the Word of God in its entirety, knowing that we stand on the truth. Yet even with the veracity of the prophets and apostles and historians (including the secular historian Josephus) to affirm the credibility of the entirety of the Word, the Lord has given us yet another witness.
In John 15:26 Jesus says, “When the Comforter comes—the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.” If YOU harbor any doubt about the accuracy of the Word of God or the authenticity of the teachings regarding Christ’s ministry, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. He will.
Jesus spoke the words that are truth and life. The Apostle John attests to the fact that Jesus’ words and actions were very life to those who came to Him. In fact, John, in the final passage of his gospel states that the recorded acts of Jesus are only a fraction of all He did when He walked among us (John 21:25).
The writers of the gospels give us eye-witness accounts of the earthly ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The epistles of Paul were written after a face-to-face encounter with our risen Lord (Acts 9:1-9). The words of the Bible were scrupulously copied from original manuscripts to affirm that they are without error.
We may stand on the Word of God in its entirety, knowing that we stand on the truth. Yet even with the veracity of the prophets and apostles and historians (including the secular historian Josephus) to affirm the credibility of the entirety of the Word, the Lord has given us yet another witness.
In John 15:26 Jesus says, “When the Comforter comes—the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.” If YOU harbor any doubt about the accuracy of the Word of God or the authenticity of the teachings regarding Christ’s ministry, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. He will.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Origin of Life
July 7
Life began when Jesus, the Living Word of God spoke and His Spirit moved upon the void of eternity so He might fulfill His desire to fellowship with men of free will. A living, breathing creature was formed from the dust to supply the One who is complete in Himself with one who might dwell under His wing.
Archaeologists may dig through the layers of accumulated relics of eons past to find the origins of life, biologists may probe the cells of living beings under their microscopes to find the clues to the species’ inception, but until the Word of God is accepted in its truth, the mystery will persist.
John 6:63 states clearly, The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” The One who was there at the moment of creation, Jesus Himself, tells us that it was His living Word, when the void was moved upon by His Spirit, that generated life.
It is that same Word, that same Spirit that generates eternal life. As long as a man is focused upon the natural man and his comfort and his gratification, he will miss the reality of eternity that looms before him. But when he embraces the Author of life, fullness of life—for time and eternity—will be his.
Life began when Jesus, the Living Word of God spoke and His Spirit moved upon the void of eternity so He might fulfill His desire to fellowship with men of free will. A living, breathing creature was formed from the dust to supply the One who is complete in Himself with one who might dwell under His wing.
Archaeologists may dig through the layers of accumulated relics of eons past to find the origins of life, biologists may probe the cells of living beings under their microscopes to find the clues to the species’ inception, but until the Word of God is accepted in its truth, the mystery will persist.
John 6:63 states clearly, The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” The One who was there at the moment of creation, Jesus Himself, tells us that it was His living Word, when the void was moved upon by His Spirit, that generated life.
It is that same Word, that same Spirit that generates eternal life. As long as a man is focused upon the natural man and his comfort and his gratification, he will miss the reality of eternity that looms before him. But when he embraces the Author of life, fullness of life—for time and eternity—will be his.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Blood-Bathed Church
July 6
The idea of chastity beyond puberty is quite a quaint notion in the minds of many people who think sexual gratification is as much a right as is freedom of speech. We live in a society that has become liberal in its perception of what is acceptable in not only interpersonal relationships but in professional ones, too.
But if we know anything about God at all, we know that He has said of Himself, “I am the Lord. I change not” Malachi 3:6. Hebrews 13:8 reiterates the changelessness of God when it says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God's value system does not become outdated.
He has placed a high premium upon purity. In II Corinthians 11:2 Paul reminds us that we have been, “…promised in marriage to one husband…promised as a pure virgin to Christ.” We, the Church, the Bride of Christ, are to be “without spot or wrinkle” Ephesians 5:27. The only way to attain spiritual purity is when we become blood-bathed believers in Jesus.
When we are redeemed by the blood of the spotless Lamb, we become spiritually clean. As chastity can be sacrificed at the altar of self-indulgence, so can spiritual purity be lost in our day-to-day lives. But because our sinless Savior has borne our sin, we can be counted as His spotless, blood-bathed Church, ready to dwell with Him forever in Heaven.
The idea of chastity beyond puberty is quite a quaint notion in the minds of many people who think sexual gratification is as much a right as is freedom of speech. We live in a society that has become liberal in its perception of what is acceptable in not only interpersonal relationships but in professional ones, too.
But if we know anything about God at all, we know that He has said of Himself, “I am the Lord. I change not” Malachi 3:6. Hebrews 13:8 reiterates the changelessness of God when it says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” God's value system does not become outdated.
He has placed a high premium upon purity. In II Corinthians 11:2 Paul reminds us that we have been, “…promised in marriage to one husband…promised as a pure virgin to Christ.” We, the Church, the Bride of Christ, are to be “without spot or wrinkle” Ephesians 5:27. The only way to attain spiritual purity is when we become blood-bathed believers in Jesus.
When we are redeemed by the blood of the spotless Lamb, we become spiritually clean. As chastity can be sacrificed at the altar of self-indulgence, so can spiritual purity be lost in our day-to-day lives. But because our sinless Savior has borne our sin, we can be counted as His spotless, blood-bathed Church, ready to dwell with Him forever in Heaven.
Monday, July 5, 2010
In Need of Repair
July 5
The automatic response of most children when quizzed by their parents as to whom the culprit may be in a household mishap is, “Not me.” When each child has declared his innocence, the only viable contender for the role of perpetrator of the mischief in question seems to be the pet dog.
Just as little kids are quick to attempt to extricate themselves from responsibility for their willful disobedience or their hyperactivity which may result in destruction of property or injury to playmates, so adults attempt to avoid acknowledging their wrong choices or the neglect of assumption of responsibilities that are theirs.
When life seems to throw a curve ball, it’s much more palatable to blame it on happenstance or misfortune or someone else’s failure to act fairly than to step up and say, ‘I made a mistake. I misunderstood the situation and I acted wrongly because of my poor command of the circumstances.’
Ecclesiastes 10:18 says, “Because of laziness the roof caves in. Because of negligent hands the house deteriorates.” Unless we educate ourselves in our areas of responsibility, we will find that our laxity, our very human foibles, will result in not only the disrepair of our spiritual house but the collapse of our very lives.
The automatic response of most children when quizzed by their parents as to whom the culprit may be in a household mishap is, “Not me.” When each child has declared his innocence, the only viable contender for the role of perpetrator of the mischief in question seems to be the pet dog.
Just as little kids are quick to attempt to extricate themselves from responsibility for their willful disobedience or their hyperactivity which may result in destruction of property or injury to playmates, so adults attempt to avoid acknowledging their wrong choices or the neglect of assumption of responsibilities that are theirs.
When life seems to throw a curve ball, it’s much more palatable to blame it on happenstance or misfortune or someone else’s failure to act fairly than to step up and say, ‘I made a mistake. I misunderstood the situation and I acted wrongly because of my poor command of the circumstances.’
Ecclesiastes 10:18 says, “Because of laziness the roof caves in. Because of negligent hands the house deteriorates.” Unless we educate ourselves in our areas of responsibility, we will find that our laxity, our very human foibles, will result in not only the disrepair of our spiritual house but the collapse of our very lives.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Interceeding Prayer Warriors
July 4
A prayer warrior is noted as one whose driving desire in life is to bear the needs of others before the Lord’s throne. A prayer warrior may be doing spiritual warfare in the behalf of family members, our leaders, or our nation, but it is certain that he is engaged in on-going combat with the enemy of God’s purposes.
The prayer warrior looks at things that are and at things that are not and is not satisfied. The prayer warrior reflects upon the Lord’s assurance in John 15:12 that says, “He that believes in Me and in the works that I do, shall do greater works than these because I go to My Father,” and is motivated to pray through to victory.
That victory may be in the form of the election of godly men into positions of power. That victory may be in the form of the revitalization of the economy so people can have jobs and prosper again. That victory might be in the form of the healing of sick friends or family members. The victory will always be attributed to Jesus. The prayer warrior will not seek his own glory.
How can the battle weary man of faith be so confident that his efforts are not mere exercises in futility? He knows His prayers will be fruitful because He knows the will of God and He understands the power and authority that is given to him by the Lord. He knows that as the woman in Matthew 15:28 heard the glorious words of Jesus, “…your faith is great; let it be as you ask,” so will he.
Lord JESUS, on this Fourth of July, as we celebrate the birth of our great nation, the United States of America, let each of her patriotic citizens bind together in her behalf. As this great nation was laid at YOUR feet by our founding fathers, let us place her again at your feet through our faithful prayers as we do spiritual warfare in her behalf.
We ask YOU to glorify YOURSELF in and through our leaders, our citizens, our country by drawing us back to YOU, to YOUR WORD the BIBLE and to RIGHTEOUSNESS which exalts a people. In YOUR mighty name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
A prayer warrior is noted as one whose driving desire in life is to bear the needs of others before the Lord’s throne. A prayer warrior may be doing spiritual warfare in the behalf of family members, our leaders, or our nation, but it is certain that he is engaged in on-going combat with the enemy of God’s purposes.
The prayer warrior looks at things that are and at things that are not and is not satisfied. The prayer warrior reflects upon the Lord’s assurance in John 15:12 that says, “He that believes in Me and in the works that I do, shall do greater works than these because I go to My Father,” and is motivated to pray through to victory.
That victory may be in the form of the election of godly men into positions of power. That victory may be in the form of the revitalization of the economy so people can have jobs and prosper again. That victory might be in the form of the healing of sick friends or family members. The victory will always be attributed to Jesus. The prayer warrior will not seek his own glory.
How can the battle weary man of faith be so confident that his efforts are not mere exercises in futility? He knows His prayers will be fruitful because He knows the will of God and He understands the power and authority that is given to him by the Lord. He knows that as the woman in Matthew 15:28 heard the glorious words of Jesus, “…your faith is great; let it be as you ask,” so will he.
Lord JESUS, on this Fourth of July, as we celebrate the birth of our great nation, the United States of America, let each of her patriotic citizens bind together in her behalf. As this great nation was laid at YOUR feet by our founding fathers, let us place her again at your feet through our faithful prayers as we do spiritual warfare in her behalf.
We ask YOU to glorify YOURSELF in and through our leaders, our citizens, our country by drawing us back to YOU, to YOUR WORD the BIBLE and to RIGHTEOUSNESS which exalts a people. In YOUR mighty name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Who Is God?
July 3
Just who is God—in your eyes? Yes, you. You, average, busy, patriotic, church-going American. If you had to write a description of God, how would He look? Long, white beard, piercing blue eyes, aquiline nose, stern facial demeanor, flowing robe, surrounded by emanating beams of light that exceed the brightness of the sun? Is this how you see Jesus; how you see your Savior?
How would you describe His character? Wrathful? Demanding? Old fashioned? Arrogant? Or, perhaps you would be more generous with Him. He’s lovely, wise, righteous, understanding, self-sacrificing, forgiving, holy. Would any of that make it into your word picture of the Almighty?
Maybe you vacillate between the divergent aspects of God that you think might be incorporated into His character or His appearance. Perhaps His eye color and facial features--even His character--are a little like your own. He could be your dad or your uncle. Maybe He looks like the kindest person you’ve ever known. But you’re not sure.
And the most pressing of your doubts are those relating to how He feels about you. Are His words of love and salvation true? In 1 Kings 18:21, we are given some profound advice. It asks, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions?” Then comes the answer, “If God is God, follow Him…” Plunge into Christ’s deep well of salvation and be washed free of not only sin but also of doubt.
Just who is God—in your eyes? Yes, you. You, average, busy, patriotic, church-going American. If you had to write a description of God, how would He look? Long, white beard, piercing blue eyes, aquiline nose, stern facial demeanor, flowing robe, surrounded by emanating beams of light that exceed the brightness of the sun? Is this how you see Jesus; how you see your Savior?
How would you describe His character? Wrathful? Demanding? Old fashioned? Arrogant? Or, perhaps you would be more generous with Him. He’s lovely, wise, righteous, understanding, self-sacrificing, forgiving, holy. Would any of that make it into your word picture of the Almighty?
Maybe you vacillate between the divergent aspects of God that you think might be incorporated into His character or His appearance. Perhaps His eye color and facial features--even His character--are a little like your own. He could be your dad or your uncle. Maybe He looks like the kindest person you’ve ever known. But you’re not sure.
And the most pressing of your doubts are those relating to how He feels about you. Are His words of love and salvation true? In 1 Kings 18:21, we are given some profound advice. It asks, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions?” Then comes the answer, “If God is God, follow Him…” Plunge into Christ’s deep well of salvation and be washed free of not only sin but also of doubt.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Ask Boldly
July 2
Hebrews 11:1 says something remarkable, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is that quality of being able, as God is, of calling things that are not as though they were.
He who created all that is from nothing can transform our circumstances, no matter how impossible it appears from our limited understanding, for them to be changed.
John, the beloved apostle, in the first of His letters (I John 5:15) states it thusly, “If we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him.” Faith propels us to ask for the impossible so God who speaks things into existence can show Himself strong in our behalf!
It may sound cliché, but the old saying in Christian circles, ‘Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity,’ has a broad scriptural foundation. We serve a living Christ who is in the miracle working business! It is His good pleasure to supply His people with all they need. Let’s ask boldly, so we may receive (Hebrews 4:16).
Hebrews 11:1 says something remarkable, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is that quality of being able, as God is, of calling things that are not as though they were.
He who created all that is from nothing can transform our circumstances, no matter how impossible it appears from our limited understanding, for them to be changed.
John, the beloved apostle, in the first of His letters (I John 5:15) states it thusly, “If we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him.” Faith propels us to ask for the impossible so God who speaks things into existence can show Himself strong in our behalf!
It may sound cliché, but the old saying in Christian circles, ‘Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity,’ has a broad scriptural foundation. We serve a living Christ who is in the miracle working business! It is His good pleasure to supply His people with all they need. Let’s ask boldly, so we may receive (Hebrews 4:16).
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Standing on the Totality of the Word
July 1
Jesus has come to reveal the Father to the people of earth. Jesus has come to unfold the plan of salvation that was established before the foundation of the earth, the plan that our Triune God formulated before the first man sinned, before the creation of mankind (Revelation 13:8).
Jesus lived among us and revealed the Father to us. In Jesus, we saw a clear picture of the Father’s love and wisdom. For example, when the woman taken in adultery was brought before Him and her accusers demanded that He should sanction their stoning of her, He said, “Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone” (John 8:7).
When none condemned her because none were sinless, Jesus told her that He did not condemn her either but admonished that she sin no more. The forgiveness and the correction that she received from Him revealed the Father’s mercy and grace and compassion. In this situation, Jesus evidenced the Father’s attitude toward sin and His compassion for us when we are caught in it.
In Matthew 6:6 He tells us that when we are in need we may, “Pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” This is a great encouragement to us whether our need is forgiveness for our sin through Christ’s sacrifice or whether it is for provision for our temporal needs through the gifts He promises to those who believe.
Jesus has come to reveal the Father to the people of earth. Jesus has come to unfold the plan of salvation that was established before the foundation of the earth, the plan that our Triune God formulated before the first man sinned, before the creation of mankind (Revelation 13:8).
Jesus lived among us and revealed the Father to us. In Jesus, we saw a clear picture of the Father’s love and wisdom. For example, when the woman taken in adultery was brought before Him and her accusers demanded that He should sanction their stoning of her, He said, “Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone” (John 8:7).
When none condemned her because none were sinless, Jesus told her that He did not condemn her either but admonished that she sin no more. The forgiveness and the correction that she received from Him revealed the Father’s mercy and grace and compassion. In this situation, Jesus evidenced the Father’s attitude toward sin and His compassion for us when we are caught in it.
In Matthew 6:6 He tells us that when we are in need we may, “Pray to your Father who is in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” This is a great encouragement to us whether our need is forgiveness for our sin through Christ’s sacrifice or whether it is for provision for our temporal needs through the gifts He promises to those who believe.
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