It's about Me

We often think we are so amazing. We live in a world that's all about me. And we think no one compares to us. We have our heads stuck in the clouds in a dreamworld that lies far over the rainbow. A world that really does not exist. But Scripture warns us of thinking too highly of ourselves, bragging, and boasting. "A haughty spirit always goes before a fall."

Although it is important that we make plans and project goals for our future, we must be careful not to brag and boast about what we are doing tomorrow. Because Scripture teaches we do not know what changes a day may bring forth. We do not know if we will live tomorrow, we do not really know what our future holds. Only God is aware of these things.

In Proverbs 27:1-2, the wisdom of Solomon declares, "Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips."

However, if we know the God of our future and if we keep our hand tightly in His hand, we can be assured of a blessed and favorable future with the smile of God on our lives. So as we live to please God and strive to be humble and not carry attitudes of self-exaltation, God Himself will exalt us in due time. If there is any bragging to be done, let someone else brag on you. If there is a compliment left to be spoken, let someone else speak it. Then, we will find favor in the sight of the Lord and resemble His attributes.

Refreshing

There is few things quite like living outdoors in nature and seeing the beauty of God's incredible creation.  It's refreshing to step out into clean, fresh air, stand by a rushing creek, and pick an apple off the tree. It's a great experience to eat produce directly from your garden and watch bluebirds fluttering around in your plush, green yard. The Word of the Lord is refreshing like a glass of ice cold water on a hot summer day. It is sweeter than honey and those that keep its' precepts are blessed with favor and abundance.

The Psalmist teaches, "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold, They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.......in keeping them there is great reward." (Psalm 19:7-10)

When you expose your heart and mind to the Word of the Lord, your soul receives a washing. You are refreshed and cleansed like standing under an amazing water fall. Take time today to gaze into the pages of Scripture and let God do something amazing in your life. You will never be the same.

The Peace of God

Do you realize God is our Peace? God's promise is universal, "I will be with you!" (Joshua 1:5) This promise was given to Enoch, to Abraham, to Jacob, to Sarah, to Daniel, to many others, and also to you. There is no greater peace than knowing that God is with you everyday, all the time. His Sovereign care protects us and provides for our every need.

Scripture teaches that when things are going great and also in the bleakest hour, God is with us. Psalm 23 depicts a beautiful picture of the compassionate Christ, our Shepherd - who makes us lie down in green pastures and restores our soul. The refreshing you need today can only come from God. It cannot be mustered up by your personal accomplishments or accolades, but only through God.

Turn your stresses over to God today, He is there for you. Allow Him to remain in control and govern the dilemma's and decisions of your life. Scripture teaches that we can walk through our darkest hour without being afraid, simply because God is with us. We can stand firmly, without fear because Christ is our Sustainer. "Let the peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Alive

Do you realize that you have been made alive in Christ Jesus?  If you have surrendered your life to Christ then, you stand on Ephesians 2:4-5, "God being rich in mercy because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved."

The resurrection life is within you and has actually made you alive.  Before you came to God you thought you were really living, but you really were dead.  You were spiritually dead - numb to the things of the Spirit of God and separated from God.  But now Christ has made you alive and you walk in a new life.  He has quickened our inner man and placed us in tune with the mind of the Spirit.

You have been incredibly blessed. God has made you alive. Your new life in Christ is transformed. Celebrate the goodness of God today and understand your fortunate stance before God.

It is great to be able to feel alive and sense the Presence of a Mighty God who full of His great love, loved us. We are alive, so rejoice today.  Help someone who is not yet alive understand the power of God to make all things new.

Practice Serving

God has placed gifts in our lives to serve the Church.  And the Word of God teaches that we should serve well and open our hearts to needs all around us. But serving does not secure our entrance into heaven, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

We all have God-given gifts. 1 Peter 4:10,11 shares that each one has received a gift in which to serve God fully. This Scripture teaches that we should be good servants of God's great gifts of grace. "He who speaks should speak words from God and with God's love. And anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives, so that in the end God will receive Glory and Praise through Jesus Christ."

It is true that those who give God their best gifts and serve with hearts of love, reap blessings and favor of the Lord. Those who live life generously and unselfishly with big hearts see multiplication of reward. Their lives in turn bring God much Glory.

When we serve, we should not complain, but serve as unto the Lord. He is the One who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, health and gifts to serve, and strength to surrender each day to His cause. We should serve with a grateful heart and with pure motives simply out of our love for Jesus.

A Warm Glow

Do you remember songs like: Light the World and This little light of mine? Well, I clearly remember singing these songs with all the hand motions, holding my finger up high with a smile on my face and with determination that I was going to let my little light shine. Maybe you remember that song, too and the childhood memories you enjoyed. It's a song I taught my children. It's a song I sang to a group of children at Kids Church. Everyone use to know this song.

I have a lamp in the front room of my house that shines brightly when turned on. It puts off a warm glow and illuminates the room and even shines into the hallway. One evening, as I drove into the driveway, I noticed my lamp was not shining. I thought my lightbulb had burned out. The warm glow was not present in the house. When I stepped inside and investigated further and examined the lamp, I noticed the lamp had been unplugged from the electric outlet. It simply was not receiving the source of electric necessary to cause the light to shine.

Matthew 5:16 records, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven." Sometimes our lamps are not shining because we have become disconnected from our power source. Spiritually, we are not plugged in. We have not maintained our relationship with Christ nor have we allowed our spiritual lamps to shine brightly. We have become disconnected from His power by our neglect to read His Word and pray daily.

If you have lost your determination somewhere along the way to hold your light high or stand strong in God with determination, then maybe you are not connected. If you are afraid that the world will push you back where you were before Christ, then investigate the situation and get plugged back into the power source. A relationship with God will make you strong enough to hold your light high and illuminate your sphere of influence. Let your light shine.

Direct Access

Many places of employment, hospitals, daycares, and special offices today are secured with a protection system that requires you to identify yourself with an access keycard or code before entering the building.  This allows the management a layer of security and to know who comes and goes, preventing the intrusion of unwelcome guests.

In a similar way - God has given each of us direct access to the throne of God. We can talk with him whenever we choose. We can cry out to him in times of need, and we can praise him and always know we are heard. We have an open line of communication. There is no card or code to remember. There is no key fob or card to scan. He freely welcomes our access knowing our identity and recognizing who we are in Christ.

Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." According to Hebrews 10:19, it is actually the blood of Jesus that gives us this free and direct access to the Holy of Holies. We now can bring our petitions knowing that God hears and answers our prayers. We do not have to go to the priest or root through our wallet for an access card. We simply have to humble our hearts and cry out to God with our needs. And Scripture teaches that, "we have not because we ask not."

How often do you try to figure out a solution to your own problems? And how many times have you rationalized and analyzed your situation for what you thought was the right response? Get answers to your predicament. Get forgiveness for your sins. Get direction for your confused path. Get healing for your diseases. Get blessing for your financial distress. Get wisdom for your decisions.  

Start today.  Use Your Access keycard.  Go boldly to the throne of grace.

The Fire

Do you realize God desires to change us and purify the inconsistencies in our lives? Sometimes we complain about our difficult circumstances, when often God is doing an amazing work inside us. Malachi 3:3 teaches, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness." 

In order for silver to be purified, it must be melted down under tremendous heat. It is placed in a pot over a hot flame of fire and melted down to a liquid form. It is there in the refiner's pot that the dross (the ugliness, the impurities) begin to float to the top of the pot, where the refiner can skim them away.

When I do not measure up and blemishes or unforgiven sin exist in my life, God will sit as my refiner and purify me. If I will allow Him to put me through the fire, He will change my condition and wash me clean. It does not matter where you have been or how far you have turned away. "If we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1Jn 1:9)

Please do not run or stray from God, but allow Him the chance to do the work of the Refiner. He will refine you like gold and silver. Your luster will be renewed and you will be ready for a brand new door of adventure and opportunity.

Faithful

When I think of the word "faithful"- I think of God's faithfulness in all capital letters. Scripture in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 declares, "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one."  He is loyal, constant, devoted and without error.  God is faithful and flawless.

Wherever you are in your thought process today, God holds you in the palm of His Hand. He is always watching over you.  He is a faithful friend who has your back through thick and thin, good times and bad.  He always listens.  He always answers.  He never let's you down. He is faithful. 

I have not always had an easy or unflawed life.  Things do not always go my way.  And I regret a lot of bad decisions over the years that I have made. But when I think of the faithfulness, the loyalty and unerring devotion of my God, I have a heart of gratitude that He has seen me through and He has guarded and blessed my life.

I do not know where I would be without Him in my life today. How about you? God stands beside us. He leads and guides us by the power of His Holy Spirit. And He has promised to establish you and guard your heart against the enemy. He is FAITHFUL.

The Prescription

Often, when we are sick we visit the doctor, obtain and fill a prescription, then begin taking the doctor's prescribed "dose" of medicine. We are careful to take the dose several times a day, because we believe that it will bring us healing. Today, I declare and decree that Christ Jesus offers you and I only one dose that cures. Exodus 15:26 shouts, "I am the Lord that heals you".

God also holds a prescription for us.  He desires to bring complete healing and restoration to your life today. Whatever you face, whether sickness, depression, feeling of inadequacy, abuse, or spiritual decay...God is the Lord who healeth thee.  Scripture declares that Jesus is Jehovah-Raphe' (The Lord who heals).

He is compassionate about helping you in your present condition. He offers you deliverance and healing today. So in your moment of weakness and perhaps fear of what tomorrow holds for you, reach out in faith today and accept the healing hand of Jesus Christ."By His stripes, we are healed..." (Isaiah 53:5)