Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 (NLT) Sometimes when we come before God, we really do not know what to say. And often, we just do not know how to pray. But in Scripture, Jesus taught us the way to pray. In Luke 1 Jesus said to His disciples, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."
First, we must acknowledge God for who He is. We must approach Him humbly with a heart that cries for forgiveness and help. Then, if we want to live successfully in this life, we must ask God for provision and guidance to help every step of the way. Life is hard and we need God. The more we realize how desperately we need the help of a loving Savior, the better we will see things work out for us.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Monday, June 5, 2017
Get Direction
There are gates and doors that God himself pushes open for you attempting to lead you in the right direction. Revelation 3:6-8, "He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches...these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth; I know thy works; I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it..." There is nothing more rewarding, more beautiful, more awakening, then a gate or a door that God opens for you!
Scripture teaches there are evil gates and there are heavenly gates. There are spiritual gates and there are unspiritual gates. The Word speaks of shutting the gate, standing at the gate, and entering the gate. It is imperative that you have a clear understanding if your opportunity is a gate that has been opened by God.
Read the Word often and grow in faith and knowledge. Pray much and ask God to give you direction for your life. Then, boldly walk through the gates God opens for you!
Scripture teaches there are evil gates and there are heavenly gates. There are spiritual gates and there are unspiritual gates. The Word speaks of shutting the gate, standing at the gate, and entering the gate. It is imperative that you have a clear understanding if your opportunity is a gate that has been opened by God.
Read the Word often and grow in faith and knowledge. Pray much and ask God to give you direction for your life. Then, boldly walk through the gates God opens for you!
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Success
Philippians 3:14 declares, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Everyone likes winning and nobody enjoys losing. When working in competitive games, you see the gutwrenching distress of losing and the hyper-extremism of winning. Spiritually, we are all in a race with one goal in mind....to win.
No one enjoys playing games that are just impossible to win. But the fact is it is not that hard to win in the spiritual race. Jesus has given us everything we need in order to win. He has provided the training and the equipment. He has empowered us with the Holy Spirit (like the extra life given to Nintendo's Mario, yet better). He has promised to undergird us and strengthen us. He has declared blessing and provision upon us with His Sovereignty.
He has agreed to give us wisdom and answers to lifes' problems, only if we will ask. He has empowered us to win!
Choose today to serve God and follow after Him. Make a decision to lead your family in the right direction and stop making bad choices. "BE" the superhero God has called you to be and pursue the "win" of life's race.... It is within your reach, if you desire it!
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Multiplying Your Blessing
Everyone is required to learn their multiplication table in their youth. In elementary school, children spend hours studying, memorizing, and learning how to multiply. Yet sometimes, when we grow up we tend to forget that 2x2=4.
In Matthew 14:19, Jesus taught his disciples a valuable lesson in multiplication. "And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitude."
Giving to others, being anxious to serve, and meet the needs of others, always brings blessing. It's like the multiplication table. When you are willing to give and sow seeds and share what God has blessed you with, you in turn, receive more blessing. It's 'blessing upon blessing'. It's multiplied blessing. The Lord blessed what the disciples had in their hands. Then, it was time for them to go and give it away, share the blessing with others. And when they did... they saw multiplication of blessing, first-hand. I had the privilege of watching a couple hand their Lead Pastor a check for $37,000 to relinquish a church debt. And I am so excited for them because I know a multiplied blessing is just around the corner for them.
It is amazing what God can do in your life with what He has given you, when your heart is open to give. God wants to give you so much. He has a storehouse of blessing just for you. But not just for you only. He wants to give it to you, for you to share with others, "Give and it shall be given to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over..." It's a God-Principle called multiplication and so I challenge you to give. I encourage you to give to your local church, give to missions, give to those in need, give to those who serve, and watch the mighty hand of God return to you a multiplied blessing. You will become excited that you learned your multiplication table and you will finally understand it fully.
In Matthew 14:19, Jesus taught his disciples a valuable lesson in multiplication. "And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitude."
Giving to others, being anxious to serve, and meet the needs of others, always brings blessing. It's like the multiplication table. When you are willing to give and sow seeds and share what God has blessed you with, you in turn, receive more blessing. It's 'blessing upon blessing'. It's multiplied blessing. The Lord blessed what the disciples had in their hands. Then, it was time for them to go and give it away, share the blessing with others. And when they did... they saw multiplication of blessing, first-hand. I had the privilege of watching a couple hand their Lead Pastor a check for $37,000 to relinquish a church debt. And I am so excited for them because I know a multiplied blessing is just around the corner for them.
It is amazing what God can do in your life with what He has given you, when your heart is open to give. God wants to give you so much. He has a storehouse of blessing just for you. But not just for you only. He wants to give it to you, for you to share with others, "Give and it shall be given to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over..." It's a God-Principle called multiplication and so I challenge you to give. I encourage you to give to your local church, give to missions, give to those in need, give to those who serve, and watch the mighty hand of God return to you a multiplied blessing. You will become excited that you learned your multiplication table and you will finally understand it fully.
Friday, June 2, 2017
This is the Day
The Psalmist in Psalm 118:24 declares: "This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it". Often, it has been said that happiness is a choice. We actually choose the path of our day every morning when our feet hit the floor. The Psalmist exhorts: "Let us." In other words, choose to rejoice today and be happy.
We can dwell on the negatives of our daily life and live in gloom and despair. We can harbor thoughts of how bad life has treated us and all the wrongs that have been done to us, OR we can let life take a different turn by our mindset. The mind is a powerful tool God created for you to use in your favor. He created you amazing and incredible to choose happiness and peace in your daily walk. So...."let us" rejoice today and be glad.
"Whatsoever things are pure, lovely and of good report....think on these things," Scripture encourages. Choose a happy life.
We can dwell on the negatives of our daily life and live in gloom and despair. We can harbor thoughts of how bad life has treated us and all the wrongs that have been done to us, OR we can let life take a different turn by our mindset. The mind is a powerful tool God created for you to use in your favor. He created you amazing and incredible to choose happiness and peace in your daily walk. So...."let us" rejoice today and be glad.
"Whatsoever things are pure, lovely and of good report....think on these things," Scripture encourages. Choose a happy life.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Reversed Mathematics
Scripture teaches that we will face hard times, but we are overcomers. Life will not always be easy and neither will our relationships. However, we must prayerfully face life with hope and patience, knowing that 'in Christ' we can walk in love. Romans 12:10-12 declares, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer."
Here's a reversed math equation for you that works! Prayer=Character+Hope
Here, Paul clearly exhorts some Christian characteristics we should strive to display in our daily lives. He teaches that we should be kind, show love, be self-less, be diligent, be patient. And then, he tops it all off with the imperative fixture of prayer. He said continue praying. Be instant in prayer. We can do the right things. We can say the right things. We can display good moral attributes. We can work hard and be kind. But we must continue to remain instant in prayer, so that the glory and the character of God genuinely oozes out of every fiber of our being. Making our relationship with God a priority through daily prayer is vital. Let Him change you!
Here's a reversed math equation for you that works! Prayer=Character+Hope
Here, Paul clearly exhorts some Christian characteristics we should strive to display in our daily lives. He teaches that we should be kind, show love, be self-less, be diligent, be patient. And then, he tops it all off with the imperative fixture of prayer. He said continue praying. Be instant in prayer. We can do the right things. We can say the right things. We can display good moral attributes. We can work hard and be kind. But we must continue to remain instant in prayer, so that the glory and the character of God genuinely oozes out of every fiber of our being. Making our relationship with God a priority through daily prayer is vital. Let Him change you!
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Etched on the Heart
Scripture teaches that we should be careful to write the Word, God's love and faithfulness on the tablets of our heart. His instructions are that we pay attention to and not forget God's Law. Proverbs 3:1-3 declares, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."
The result of holding the Word tightly will be long life and prosperity. That is what the world is in search of. So speak the Word to those around you who are lost and need direction. The void they feel can only be found in a true relationship with God. His Word is the map to give them the direction they seek.
The result of holding the Word tightly will be long life and prosperity. That is what the world is in search of. So speak the Word to those around you who are lost and need direction. The void they feel can only be found in a true relationship with God. His Word is the map to give them the direction they seek.
God's Word is forever settled in heaven according to Psalm 119:89 and we establish it each time we speak it. Therefore, speaking God's Word holds great power in the life of the christian. It is also extremely powerful to those who are lost. "It is the power of God unto salvation".
In Psalm 45:1, David said that his tongue was as the pen of a ready writer. Speaking the Word establishes the Word in the inner man and carves it on our hearts. It transforms us from the inside out, cleansing and changing and perfecting us. It is powerful. Etched on the Heart.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
God is Incredible
God is so amazing. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He is Alpha and Omega, beginning and ending, the A and the Z. He teaches that we are adopted as sons and heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus and we have a heritage. So no matter how much money you have in your bank account, or what your circumstances are right now, you are rich because you have been adopted into the family of God.
He accepted you in "as is" condition and has claimed you as a first born son. The first born son was given an inheritance that no other child was eligible for. Although He accepted you in "as is" condition, He loves you too much to leave you that way and He has an awesome plan for your life. So He transforms you daily through the Word. And He makes you an overcomer by the power of your testimony and by the Blood of Jesus Christ. If you are lost and need direction, ask Christ to change your heart today. He came that you might have "life".
Perhaps you have been turned around and cannot seem to find your way. God loves you and reaches out to you with direction. "But He commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Monday, May 29, 2017
One Way Trip
Whenever you log onto a travel website to book a plane ticket, the first question asked is
'round trip or one way'? Once you determine your destination and where you are headed you can clearly respond. In our spiritual life we must decide where we are going.
Colossians 1:14 teaches that there is only one way to redemption. Redemption actually means to be purchased back; this is what Christ did for us at Calvary. He paid the penalty for our sins and iniquities with his own blood. He alone made it possible for you and I to be forgiven.
We are therefore redeemed when we accept God's plan of forgiveness for us and we surrender our lives to Him. Although we are not worthy of this great love, His redemption makes us worthy to accept the righteousness of God and walk in it.
'round trip or one way'? Once you determine your destination and where you are headed you can clearly respond. In our spiritual life we must decide where we are going.
Colossians 1:14 teaches that there is only one way to redemption. Redemption actually means to be purchased back; this is what Christ did for us at Calvary. He paid the penalty for our sins and iniquities with his own blood. He alone made it possible for you and I to be forgiven.
We are therefore redeemed when we accept God's plan of forgiveness for us and we surrender our lives to Him. Although we are not worthy of this great love, His redemption makes us worthy to accept the righteousness of God and walk in it.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Convicted
The word "convicted" is one that makes you think of a man standing before a judge in the courtroom, the gavel goes down, and the judge sentences the man to the crime for which he has been accused. In John 16:8, Jesus said when the Holy Spirit comes..."He will convict the world of sin." When the judge makes his ruling and the sentence resounds through the courtroom, the verdict is final. Reality then sets in and the man understands the seriousness of his crime.
Jesus has charged us to live above sin. He paid the sentence for you through the blood of the cross, altho' you were guilty....so you could walk away a free man, without penalty. John chapter 16 teaches that mankind is running around without rules and restrictions, racking up penalties for crimes with no sense of remorse for how we are living spiritually. But in the quiet hour, the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin.
When we lay our head down on our pillow at night, the Holy Spirit will whisper in our ear. When we step into the confines of the Church, the Holy Spirit will arrest our heart. When we pause at the red light, the Holy Spirit will convince us and reveal to us that there is sin in our lives. In those quiet moments, we will know that the gavel is going down and the sentence will resound, if we fail to pray and ask God for forgiveness.
When we lay our head down on our pillow at night, the Holy Spirit will whisper in our ear. When we step into the confines of the Church, the Holy Spirit will arrest our heart. When we pause at the red light, the Holy Spirit will convince us and reveal to us that there is sin in our lives. In those quiet moments, we will know that the gavel is going down and the sentence will resound, if we fail to pray and ask God for forgiveness.
Forgiveness is ours for the asking. The price has already been paid by the perfect Lamb, Jesus. We need only repent, turn from our current direction in life, and follow hard after Christ, "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Him." Your freedom from the sentence cannot be settled any other way. And today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time. You have no guarantees that you can settle your account tomorrow. Tomorrow may never arrive.
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