Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Crown of Love


They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, ‘Hail! King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:28-29

Place Number 5-The headquarters of the Roman Soldiers

I have read this passage over and over and each time I come across the crown of thorns it stops me. In Revelation it says Jesus wore many crowns because He is more than any name could describe. And in the case of His death He wore the crown of our sin. This crown that the Roman soldiers placed upon Him was more than the mocking they used it for. The pain of the thorns represents the pain of our sin and the crown represents the unending love of Jesus.

It is and was more than a crown of pain it was a crown of selfless love wore by the King of Kings. Jesus is standing in front of us taking all that we deserve upon Himself and I can’t help but to see and hear Him saying with such deep agony “I love you, do you see that I love you. I am taking on your sin and the sin of the world so that you can be with me forever. I am the only pure and perfect sacrifice. I bought you with my blood. I placed the crown of thorns upon my head to show you that I am the King of Kings who wore your sin. Today I wear many crowns! Lift your eyes up to me, look at me_______ (put your name), stop looking everywhere else. Look at Me the one who really, truly loves you and will love you forever no matter what.”

“And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and beat him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again.” Matthew 27:30-31

It does anger me when I read this and not just at the ugliness of these people who crucified my Savior but because I too so many times have grabbed that stick and beat Him on the head. And no matter how many times I have done it, do it, or will do it, Jesus says I still love you, I will not tolerate it but I love you, I bought you. He looks at me and sees me just as He looked at all those who persecuted Him-with complete, unconditional, never ending love that is saturated with His blood.

Jesus today I ask that we will truly grasp Your love. Help us to see through Your eyes the love You have for us. Jesus these are not just words in a book they are a description of You, Your love. Jesus open up the very core of every heart and pour Your love within them. Jesus I ask with a deep burden that every person will see how loved they are. Jesus my heartaches for those who overlook all that You have done, my heart breaks for those who have no clue who You are. Whatever has to be done Jesus I am ready and willing send me wherever to share Your love, Your name! Amen

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Serious Issues!


“Very early in the morning, the leading priests and other leaders met again to discuss how to persuade the Roman government to sentence Jesus to death. Then they bound him and took him to Pilate, the Roman governor.” Matthew 27:1-2

Brothers and sisters there is so much description of love through the death and resurrection of Christ. The Word is God-breathed and used for the specific purpose to show us how loved we are. I hope that your hearts are being softened and that you are experiencing true love.

Place Number 4- The headquarters of the Roman governor-Pilate

Jesus is now standing trial before Pilate and at this point Jesus has been beat up, His face is bloody and His hands and feet are bound up. There in the midst of complete hate and jealousy Jesus is having accusations made about Him that are not even true. The more Pilate refuses to do what the leaders say the angrier they become and the more they charge Jesus for doing.

Every year during Passover Pilate releases a prisoner of their choice. It just so happens that the prisoner is a notorious criminal named Barabbas. Pilate comes out and says, “Which one do you want me to release to you-Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah? …the crowd shouted back their reply: Barabbas! But if I release Barabbas, Pilate asked them, what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah? And they all shouted, Crucify him! Why? Pilate demanded. What crime has he committed? But the crowd only roared the louder, Crucify him... I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours! And all the people yelled back, EW will take responsibility for his death-we and our children! So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to crucify him.”

Place yourself somewhere in the crowd, a place where you can see all that is going on and where you have a clear view of Jesus. Then listen to the crowd yelling “Crucify Him” and Pilate saying the words, “have Him flogged with a lead-tipped whip, and then turn Him over to the Romans soldiers to crucify Him.”

Now I want you to walk over to Jesus and take His hand and follow Him as He is led away to be flogged. (In Deuteronomy 25:3 “No more than forty lashes may ever be given; more than forty lashes would publicly humiliate your neighbor.”) I want you to stand there as Jesus is being flogged 40 times with a three pronged whip that has lead in the prongs. And if you can stand there and not feel loved we have serious issues. We should be so overwhelmed with emotion every time we think of Christ’s display of love that it brings us to our knees. I know it is rough, but guys it was real and Jesus felt every whip, every punch, and every person’s spit that hit His face. He did it for us! He did it out of love! Oh, we are loved, we are loved, we are so, so loved!

Jesus I cannot even begin to imagine what You felt and not only from the physical pain but from the verbal pain of hearing the ones You created yelling for You to be crucified. Jesus as I place myself next to You I can’t help but to hit my knees in adoration and thankfulness. Only You right now can see and feel all that my heart is saying. Amen


Monday, August 29, 2011

Stop Reading and Take It In!


“Jesus replied, ‘Yes it is as you say. And in the future you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God’s right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64

I hope over the last two days you have been learning and experiencing more of God’s love for you. We have a few more places to go so let the Holy Spirit take control as He opens our hearts and our eyes and reveals just how loved we are.

Place Number 3-House of Caiaphas

After the arrest of Jesus, He was led away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and other leaders had gathered. “Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would testify against Jesus, so they could put him to death.  But their efforts were in vain. Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other.” Mark 14:55-56

Does it anger you that these men gathered together and tried to make up false accusations about Jesus? Do you know what stands out to me the most? One, they could not come up with anything so they twisted His words around. Two, Jesus stood there and said nothing. He stood and listened to these men laugh at Him and mock Him, and to top it off after they finished their evil scheming they did this. “Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and hit his face with their fists. ‘Who hit you that time, you prophet?’ they jeered. And even the guards were hitting him as they led him away.” Mark 14:65

Are you absorbing all of this or are you just reading over it? Jesus our lover, our biggest fan, our Creator has not only cried His guts out in the garden, but He was then betrayed by one of His disciples, arrested, and brought before a group of selfish, worldly men who falsely accused Him, mocked Him, spit in His face and punched Him. And the whole time Jesus stood quietly full of love!

You are loved! We are loved! We are so loved we have no stinkin’ idea how much we are loved! Jesus loves us so much He gave us His word and said read this and let me share with you just how much I suffered for you!

Jesus today I stand in silence of Your love for me. It is more than I can even begin to comprehend, but what I do comprehend is bigger than what my heart can hold.  Amen



Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sealed with a Kiss


“Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went over to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them.” Luke 22:3-4

Place Number 2-a grove of olive trees (Jesus is betrayed and arrested)

Jesus had just finished praying and went to His disciples and said, “…Look, the time has come, I, the Son of Man, am betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. See, my betrayer is here! (Matthew 26:45-46) After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had gone there many times with his disciples.” John 18:1-2

 Accompanied by a battalion of Roman soldiers and Temple guards (armed with swords and clubs) Judas led them to Jesus. He said you will know which one to arrest when I go over and give Him the kiss of greeting. “So Judas came straight to Jesus. ‘Greetings, Teacher!’ he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.” “Jesus said, ‘My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.’ Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.” Matthew 26:50

The very ones God created were the very ones that betrayed and arrested Him. And it would be them and us that He would go on and finish doing what He was called to do. Die for us! When we get offended or hurt we become angry and act out according to how we feel. Jesus does the very opposite, He chose love and acted on it. If He would have acted the way we do, He would have killed everyone who upset Him. There is no deeper love for people than the love of Christ!

Just as He goes on to say, “Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” Matthew 26:53-54

Who on earth could ever receive the kiss of betrayal and then look into the face of all those who came to arrest them and still go forth with love. Jesus! Are you starting to see the amazing love Christ has for you? He didn’t fight back, He didn’t yell and say ugly things, He didn’t say you ignorant people I am doing this for you and this is how you are going to treat me? He went and willingly at that, knowing that it was only going to get worse, that, my brother and sister is agape love to its fullest.

Jesus for me this is one of the true examples of love You have shown. You knew all that was going to happen down to the minute and You knew exactly how You would be betrayed and why. Yet You went on because of Your love for us. You know today who will betray You, who will refuse You, who will mock You and yet You love them anyway! Jesus may I see all people through Your eyes. Thank You Jesus for the gift of life that we are unworthy of, but that is given freely because of Your love. Amen

Saturday, August 27, 2011

We are Crazy!


“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death. And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God.” Hebrews 5:7

How much do I love thee let me count the ways!

Number 2-Christ- “You are my Son of whom I love and there is no one who compares with You. You are the only one who can rescue these people from death. Because of that I am sending You into the world. You will be the visible image of Me.”

Over the next couple of days I am going to take you to several places. So I want you to imagine yourselves standing at each place. Open your heart and your mind, I don’t want you to miss this display of love that was shown for you and me.

Place number 1-The Olive Grove called Gethsemane

“He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me. He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by,’ Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” Mark 14:32-36 Listen to how Luke describes this same moment. ”Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” Luke 22:42-44

The very hour was approaching and Jesus went and cried out expressing His true feelings to the Lord. Jesus did not in any way want to be separated from God; He did not want to face the unbelievable agony and pain He was about to. He was in so much agony His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. We should be in that same state for those who are lost and even for ourselves if we have not accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, or if we are living in sin. (Sin separates us from God)

Jesus was so selfless that in the midst of His deepest agony He wanted the Lord’s will to be done, even if that meant suffering and separation! I cannot even express in words right now how much impact Jesus’ prayer has on me. Just hearing Him crying out with so much grief and desperation and knowing that He was doing it all for you and me. How crazy am I to think for one minute I am not loved!

Jesus this very place in Gethsemane where You cried out showing Your truest feelings leaves me speechless. As I picture myself in this place I am left completely humbled and clueless at what this moment must have been like for You. Jesus it is a place where You showed us just how real and supernatural You are. In Your deepest agony Your love for me came out loud and clear. Jesus fill me with that same suffering for those who do not know You. Amen

Friday, August 26, 2011

The Very Fact We Exist!

“Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.” Genesis 1:26

My friend’s do you know that you are loved, I mean really truly loved? If you are saying yes to this question do you believe it? I am not talking about loved by another human, humans have nothing on love. I am talking about being loved by the Creator!

If we want to reflect Christ’s love we must first know that we are loved. Lift your eyes to heaven and let the very God who created you shower you with His love. Do you know the poem, How do I love thee let me count the ways? Let’s look at the first two ways Jesus loves us.

Number 1-Our existence- The very fact that you and I are here today is because of God’s love. Our existence is of such importance to the Lord. He loves you and I so much that before we were even conceived He knew us by name. Not only that but He created us in His own image, to be like Him. He even says, “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.” He was pleased with exactly how He made us. God makes nothing ugly, worthless, or of no value. He is not capable of that! There is just something about hearing that, that makes my heart overwhelmed with emotion. It is a deep emotion that leaves me humbled, hopeful, and so extremely thankful.

Our existence is important to Jesus! We were created for Jesus. We were knitted together by His own two hands in the darkness of our mother’s womb. We were held and are still held in the palm of His hands. Would you just let these words penetrate deep into your heart, place your name in the blanks. _________ I loved you before the world even existed. You were made in My own image, you were patterned after Me, the God of love, perfection, and beauty.  For nine months I held you and made every part of you. __________ you are unique and made with purpose.  I make all things beautiful and you My child are beautiful. There is nothing that will separate My love from you. _______I breathed life into you and every breath you take is given by Me. I love you, Me, the Father of heaven and earth is madly in love with you!
Would you stop what you are doing for just a second and praise God for how much you are loved.  Praise Him for showing you how much you are loved? No matter who you are or what you have done you are loved and that in itself is enough to rejoice about!

Prayer: We are loved, we are loved, God we praise You for daily showing us Your love. Amen


Thursday, August 25, 2011

It’s Time to Get Real!

”Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself. ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Psalm 32:5

If we are going to reflect Christ’s love then we have to begin by dying to ourselves, throwing our feelings out the window, laying every hurt, anger, bitterness, etc. at the foot of the cross and then get up and walk away. We have to confess out loud and verbally the condition of our heart to the Lord.


Before we begin I want to challenge you today to go into a quiet place all by yourself fall to your face or your knees and get it out!  Name it all by name; name your weakness and all the things that keep you from reflecting love. I will help get you started, “Lord forgive me for always demanding my own way. Lord I admit that I have a short fuse and I ask that you forgive me for that. I know it is not a reflection of You. You tell me in Romans 2:4 just how kind, tolerant, and patient You are in waiting for me to turn from my sins, so Jesus forgive me for being the exact opposite of that. Forgive me for acting off of my feelings and not off of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for reminding me daily of my need for You.”

After you get out all that is on your heart, seek the Lord and ask Him to reveal any sin that is hidden in your heart.  Pray this Psalm, “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins. Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sins. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you O’Lord my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-15

If you want, write it out, make a list, do whatever! Because if we are going to reflect love, than we have to get honest with ourselves and the Lord! I know once you do that you will be renewed. You will have a burden lifted off of you plus some. Today I know Jesus is going to be restoring some hearts. I can see and feel Him as He reaches down and cradles our hearts with both hands. Can’t you feel it; can’t you feel His hands softening your heart?

Jesus there are no words to express the freedom when we finally get honest with You and ourselves. Jesus I hope that everyone who reads Your word today can feel Your hands reaching down to hold their heart. Thank You that we can come boldly before You and be real, and that You love us unconditionally. Thank You that as we open our hearts up to You, You immediately bring healing, peace, comfort, hope, and love. Jesus today is the day we have died to ourselves and are putting all of You on! Clothe each of us in the warmth of Your blood! And show us the true motive of our hearts. Amen

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Facts First!


"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

The Lord has impressed on my heart three character qualities of His that I am to reflect; love compassion and joy. Each day as we put on Christ I hope that we will fall deeper in love with our Creator. Will you join me in prayer as we cry out for understanding of His love, His compassion, and His joy?  I pray that He will soften, shape and mold each of us to reflect His love and compassion. Most of all I pray that we will experience a new type of love for Him, a love that leaves us humbled, hungry, and excited to show it and share it with all who need it.

As we begin our quest to reflect Christ’s love we need to understand what the four letter word means, in doing so we will look at it from the English and Greek translation. In the English translation it is the ultimate expression of God’s loyalty, purity, and mercy extended toward His people. It is to be reflected in our human relationships with brotherly concern, marital fidelity, and most important, adoration of God.

In the Greek translation, there are three words for love, Eros-which is romantic love, Phileo-which is brotherly love toward someone we really like, and Agape-which is the deepest love, it is a sacrificial love that is shown to us through Christ.

And just as our passage says “God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10 that is agape love!
Step one to reflecting Christ’s love is placing Jesus within us and allowing Him to become ruler over our hearts. It is not our nature to love but it is Jesus’ very nature. It is who He is!

In order for us to comprehend love we have to look at the life of Christ. So grab your Kleenex and handkerchiefs it is going to be a month full of the most heartfelt stories ever told, and for my brothers in Christ I promise it will not get to mushy! It will be action packed as well!

Prayer: Jesus today we are laying our hearts in Your hands. Shape and mold us Lord to be a reflection of Your love. Amen

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

How do You Handle Accountability?

"Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." Galatians 6:1

Have you ever tried to hold someone accountable to have it blown up in your face? We all at some point in our lives have had to be held accountable for our decisions and actions.  Often accountability brings either a great outcome or not so great. The reason for the not so great is due to what is called our "defensive mechanism" that lies within us.  When confronted we either feel threatened, which in return triggers us to become defensive, or we rejoice for the accountability and help the Lord sent our way.

I went through a time in my life when I had been overcome by an area of sin. As my family would confront me, I would become immediately defensive. I would lash out in anger, I felt hurt, misunderstood, and alone. I was self-absorbed! It wasn't until I hit rock bottom and had the wool over my eyes removed, that I realized my family was trying to help. They were not out to get me, but out to get me on the right path. The feeling I felt inside triggering my defensive mechanism was really the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I knew what I was doing was wrong.

You have no idea how I praise Jesus for a family that did the very thing Paul tells us in Galatians 6:1. It was because of their love for the Lord and their persistence to get me on the right path that I overcame that sin!  Do you have someone holding you accountable?

You and I need to start listening to the Holy Spirit, taking a step back, and allowing Him to work within us. We need to be thankful for those brothers and sisters that hold us accountable. Isn't that what the Word of God does? How are you reacting to Jesus as you read His word? How are you reacting when being held accountable?  Are you lashing out in anger? Are you shutting yourself off and continuing to allow that sin to overcome you? Are you turning your back on those trying to help you?

You and I are one body and if one part of our body is overcome with sin, isn't it our job to go and help that body part get back on the right path? Yes, and that is exactly what Paul is telling us in Galatians 6:1 to do.

It takes self-control, prayer, and walking with Jesus. We will always need accountability until Jesus takes us home, so let’s try to step back, listen to the Holy Spirit at work within us, and be thankful for the love our brothers and sisters have for us.

Prayer: Jesus help us to listen to the conviction’s of the Spirit. Thank you for placing brothers and sisters in our lives that do desire to keep us on Your path. Amen

Monday, August 22, 2011

Inadequate


"But this precious treasure-this light and power that now shine within us-is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Lately God has been showing me just how inadequate I am but how adequate He is.  He has been teaching me through his amazing Word that my dependence on Him is vital, so vital that i should run to the cross everyday. I have been studying the life of Jesus for sometime now and have been stuck on John the Baptist forever (John the Baptist played a important role for Jesus-He prepared the way for Him)   The Lord has not allowed me to move on from this part of my study until today. He finally revealed to me why He has been replaying over and over the verse "Turn from your sins and turn to God" in my head. This whole time He has been saying, “Kristi turn to me, not to your own strength, dependence, or what you think should be done, turn to me, the God you run to everyday, that you desire to be with.  Turn to me, look up and keep your eyes fixed on me. I love you, I created you out of my own image, and I want you to DEPEND on me every second.

 He has allowed the sin in my life lately to show me just how much I need to depend on Him and to run to His Word.
 
What has the Lord been teaching you?   Do you know your true need for Jesus?

I think that part of the whole growing, and pruning process, is where growth truly begins.  We have to understand our position, Jesus' position, and our need for Him.

We are going to be fought every step of the way by Satan, especially the more we are in the Word and cling to Jesus. Once we realize that "I" alone can not battle these mini wars alone, and "I" turn to Christ and cling to Him, then His mighty power and love comes in and the "I" becomes "WE" and together both doing our part can overcome Satan and his arrows that come at us, and even the ones we bring on ourselves.

Let's stop trying to depend on our own strength and understanding.  (2 Corinthians 1:8-10) Proverbs 3:5-"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding."  Let’s be willing to allow God to give us understanding which is far greater than our own will ever be.

Let's stop thinking that we can pick and choose when and where we want Jesus, and let Him be everywhere within us.

Let's stop distorting the Word of God, and start speaking in truth and honesty to one another.
"We reject all shameful and underhanded methods. We do not try to trick anyone, and we do not distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that." 2 Corinthians 4:2

Let's not pick and choose what parts of the Bible we want to apply and what parts we leave out because it convicts us or because we might have to face reality that we are sinful and need our Savior.

Let's put to death our old bodies and let the new bodies rise up and be bodies of Christ's Word. (Romans 12:1-2)

Let's stop being so defensive, and be humble and go to the throne of God to have Him reveal our motives, and actions that are not pleasing to Him. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Let's put to death the lies, anger, jealousy, gossip, selfishness, affairs, and every sin that entangles us, let's put it to death and realize our need for Jesus. (Romans 6:6-14)

Let's take the focus off of ourselves and put it on the Lord. Let's stop thinking only of what is best for us, and start thinking how we can better the Kingdom of God.

Most importantly let’s start realizing our every need for Jesus, who came and died for us, and start being Jesus, focused!

Let's finally depend fully on the very Word of God that is true, forever, victorious, faithful, loving, forgiving, and LIFE!!!

Jesus thank You for opening my heart to an area in my life that I was holding on to and that was not pleasing to You. Thank for You keeping me right where I have been so that I could understand my true need and dependence for You.  Thank You that when we come to You and seek You we find You!  Lord continue to show me my daily need for You, and continue to stand with me as I fight the daily battles and arrows of Satan.  Fill us with Your Word and keep us in places until our eyes are open to see exactly what You want to show us. Lord we so want to grow more in the wisdom and truth of Your Word and become imitators of You. Amen


Sunday, August 21, 2011

Which band do you follow?


"For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

Have we fallen into the trap of the one-liner “Well I am not perfect, I am a sinner?”  Did we forget that everyone already knows that we are not perfect and that we are sinners?  Did we forget it was the very reason Christ came? So my question is why do we walk around with the groupie's who follow the one-liner band? 

Let’s get out and get out fast!  If we have Christ in us, like we tell people we do, then we need to start living as though we really have Christ in us!  Brethren it is Christ in us that is perfect, pure, and holy?  When we accepted Christ and He came to take up residency within us, we made the choice to serve Him, live for Him, and to spend the rest of our lives striving to live a pure and holy life just as He did. (1 Peter 1:16)

We need to become groupies of Christ's band! Groupies that know we are sinners, but know that without Him we are nothing (John 15:5), thus striving to be God-pleasers. We need to be groupies that live to make His band the most famous.

We have to stop the excuses, people blaming, and the one-liners, and make the choice everyday to pick up the mirror of Christ, and live as people who absolutely know with out a doubt that Jesus is alive within us.
 
What band are you going to follow?

Prayer: Lord forgive us for following a band that has been blinded by the one-liner excuse. May we start today to follow You and be true believers, and faithful followers of You that lives in us. Thank you for coming to save us, and for loving us so much that You desire us to be imitators of You. Amen!


Saturday, August 20, 2011

Your Part of the Body


For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body-so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. So the body is not one part but many.” 1Corinthians 12:12-14

You are so important to the Lord-You are a part of His body, He has made a place just for You to help it function for Him.  You are so important to Him that there is no one else that can do what you can. Not only are you of importance, but you are extremely special. You are so special that He specifically designed Your body part out of His image.  You are so special He gives life to your body part with His blood.

Jesus is the blood and heart of the entire body and no matter where He has placed you, you are near to His heart and continually receiving the blood that is your source of life. Not only is He the heart and blood of the body but He is the glue that fastens us all together.

Come to Him, He is the Master of Surgeons, no matter how You come, in pieces, scarred, bruised, cracked, weak, or ashamed- He will fix you. He will gentle and lovingly put you back together and clean you up. He will then pick you up and attach you, sewing steadily every single piece, every special and intricate thing about you to the body. When He sees you are tightly attached, He will then start the flow of His blood. As it begins to enter into your part of the body the angels start singing in heaven as they watch you come to life.

He is there at all times guiding you and directing you.  He has placed around you many other body parts to help encourage, strengthen, and bring glory to His name. They help you; surround you as you gain strength, faith, and understanding of your role as Christ’s body.

Because of You the body of Christ has now become stronger. And now with your help we need to go and find parts of the body that are missing. Time is running out so we can’t waste time. If we each do our part we can add many different parts to the body, by showing them there special place.  Sharing with them the importance of who they are and the strength they will bring to the Body of Christ.

Take your part seriously, joyfully, and faithfully, because you represent Jesus individually and as a whole. There is no greater place to be then apart of the Body of Christ and one day the body will share in the glory of our Savior forever.

Prayer: Jesus show us the missing parts of the body so we can show them You. Help them see the place You have for them, and the importance they are to You.  As apart of Your body may we each work and do all that brings the utmost glory to Your name. Amen





  

Friday, August 19, 2011

A Woman to Meet


Today in my study of Christ, God reveled to me a woman of whom I knew, but really met her for the first time today.

 She was an ordinary servant who knew the Old Testament Scriptures and daily made herself available to God.  She was a joyous woman, a Nazarene, and was engaged to a carpenter.  Because of her love for God and her availability, God sent his angel Gabriel to meet her one day and share the most exciting news a woman only dreams of.  She would, as a virgin be filled with the Son of God, the Kings of Kings, the Great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End, the Lord of Lords, a Savior, a Lover, a Best Friend, our hope, our future, a man filled with love, compassion, mercy, and grace.

Wow, already I am intrigued, in awe, humbled and speechless of the heart of this Woman. 

Imagine these next few moments with me, as Luke describes this action packed love story.  (Luke 1:26-55)

Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" (What an amazing feeling to be favored by God.) Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. Don't be frightened Mary," the angel told her, for God has decided to bless you!  You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever, his Kingdom will never end! Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." The angel replied,The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God." (This baby, by the way Mary that you will carry will be HOLY)  What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People use to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible to God." Mary responded,” I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. (Showing her obedience and love) May everything you have said come true," And then the angel left." 

What a moment!  This woman is favored, chosen by God to carry the most sacred human being in the world in her womb.  This I remind you she was an ordinary woman who was obedient to God and made herself available! 

So later on Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, listen to this conversation, it’s awesome.

 "At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, (here it comes ladies) “You are blessed by God above ALL other women, and your child is blessed. What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me! When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice! You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."

 “Mary responded,

 "Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me.  His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him.  His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones! He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has no forgotten his promise to be merciful. For he promised our ancestors-Abraham and his children to be merciful to them forever." 

Did you know ladies that Mary was the only human to witness the birth and death of Jesus?  She carried Him, saw Him come into the world as her son, and watched Him die as her Savior!  That is the God we serve!!  Oh, Lord we praise You for Your amazing detail!

Mary knew her Scripture, as should we. One of the most beautiful parts of this passage is the beautiful song of thankfulness, praise and honor Mary sang out to the Lord. I have not been able to stop thinking about Mary today, and what a blessing it was to get to know her this morning.  The Lord can and will do the same thing through each of us who choose to believe in Him, serve Him, and make ourselves available to Him.  That is so exciting to me!  Are you available for the Lord to use?

Precious Jesus thank You for each precious woman reading this today, show each of them your amazing love for them, let them feel your presence today as You shape and mold them to be available for your service. Lord I pray that each woman would know who they are in You and that they would choose You today over the world.  Thank You for Mary and her amazing story of love, commitment, devotion, obedience, and faithfulness to You.  Lord help us to be Mary's. Amen.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

A sick epidemic with only one cure


"He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is." Acts 17:25

Do you believe in Jesus? Have you accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior? Then you my brother and sister have the most important need in your life met!

Do you know that Jesus is the ONLY thing that you need? If you are saying yes, then live as though He is all you need? He is the one that gives life and breath, He is the one that allows you to wake up each new day, and to be covered in His mercy, love, and grace, which without those you are a dead man walking.

Why do we think we always need more, why do we not live on Jesus alone? We can overcome this sick epidemic of worldliness!  The medicine for it is Jesus; there is no generic brand of Him!

He knows we hurt, He knows our sickness, He knows our brokenness, and He supplies the need to manage each of those.

As long as we are here on earth, God WILL supply our every need each day, until He calls us home!

So we must stop wanting more of the worldly possessions that are so temporary and moment pleasing. If you think you want something to the extinct of needing it, let it be more of Jesus! When you pray, praise God who daily supplies your very needs.

Our only need is to believe, accept, and have a personal relationship with the very God that promises us that He WILL satisfy our needs.

Do we need healing, physical No, spiritual YES, do we need food and water-to live yes, to have life, NO! We need Jesus and Jesus alone, for then we will receive healing, and any need He sees fit for us.

Prayer: Jesus forgive us for wanting more of the very things that will never satisfy, heal, or save us.  Jesus we praise You, oh we praise You so much for the true need of Your mercy, love, and grace, thank You for supplying it each and every day. May our hearts change to have a want and need for more of You.  Amen!




Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Your Pathway


"He is a voice shouting in the wilderness; Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming! Make a straight road for him! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills! Straighten the curves and smooth out the rough places!  And then all people will see the salvation sent from God." Luke 3:4-6

This was spoken from the Prophet Isaiah (if you want to read it is Isaiah 40:3)

My question for you today is what kind of pathway are you preparing?

1. "He is a voice shouting in the wilderness"- Are you using your voice to shout the name of Jesus to the world, or are you keeping it quiet, afraid to stand out!

 How do we prepare others for Jesus if we never spread His word?

2.  "Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!"- Clean up the junk make room for Jesus to take up residence in your heart and let Him who is the light lead you as He provides light in this world full of darkness.  As you prepare the pathway for Jesus understand that with every step He will guide you and go before you directing you.  How do you make a pathway for the Lord? The same way John the Baptist did, he waited upon the Lord before he did anything, he kept himself available, and kept his eyes focused on God, and understood his dependence for God.  He went, spoke the truth (Word of God), allowed the Holy Spirit to work, and led others to the light (Jesus), by showing them that they too need to depend fully on the one and only one that would save them from death.  Jesus we praise You for Your Word. Thank You that through this amazing bread of life we have the guidance to come to know You and be led by You, so that we can have life and have it abundantly.  Jesus that we would desire to be in your word everyday!

3. 'Make a straight road for Him'- Are you creating a straight path for the Lord, by the way you are living, or are you making side roads by allowing your sinful nature to take control.  Strap on the blinders, keep your eyes focused on Jesus, and allow the Word of God to take root in your heart and He will make your paths straight.  "It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man." Psalm 118:8 Do you trust more in man to get you to your destination than you do Jesus? Are you following the path or making a path prepared by man or self?  It will lead to destruction!  Trust in Jesus and the Spirit that He has placed within you to lead you to the destination of ETERNITY!  Remember “Thy word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” Praise You Jesus, Your word fills me with so much excitement and joy that my cup truly runth over.

4. "Fill in the Valleys"- Do you have tons of valleys (holes) in your road from sin?  Let's fill them in today!   Jesus says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  1John 1:9. When we confess each sin, by name, and repent from them Jesus then begins to fill in the valleys.  As you prepare the pathway for Jesus, come to Him today and confess the sin you are holding onto. Jesus deserves nothing but the red carpet, the best road that can be made.  So fill in the potholes.

5. "Level the mountains and hills"- How do you level something, you make it even on all sides.  We all have ups and downs in our life because of sin that entered the world and because of the choices we have made. But did you know that even through the ups and downs, our focus, our obedience, our faithfulness, our daily time with the Lord should be the same through it all.  It should be continual; His name should be praised and glorified through it all. Don't let the mountains and hills get so big that you can't get them level, or that they consume you. Don’t let them control you, thus taking precedence over Jesus? Do you get angry and turn away from the Lord during hard times?  Please understand that we serve a God that is the same, yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever.  It is sin and our choice that brings disease, hate, hurt, anger, self, etc. But our Savior, He is there through every bit of it, never leaving us.  There is nothing that the world or sin can do to our souls.  Would you rejoice in Jesus the Savior today, and praise Him that even though you are going through a disease, hurt, loss, whatever mountain or hill, praise Him for being there with you every step of the way.

6. "Straighten the curves"- Remember the sinful nature that veered you off of the straight? That is a curve, and we need to straighten it out before it leads to even more curves.  What is it that is enticing you, the feel good, self, the enjoyment of the world?  Only you and the Lord know what sin you struggle with, what is it that causes you to veer?  Seek the One that can get you back on the straight, lay at His feet and let Him remove it.  Believe in your heart that He will and watch as He so softly, lovingly, and gently leads you back on the straight road and removes the curve.  You know the ruts on the side of the road that make a loud noise if you get onto the shoulder, those are warnings, and Jesus gives us the same warning and loud noise when we let sin creep up, it is called conviction, when you start to veer off let the uneasiness, the unsettling feeling you feel inside from the Holy Spirit be your warning to get back on His path. 

7."Smooth out the rough places"- Those ruts from above, those are rough and loud.  Let Jesus and His Word embed within you and come and smooth out the rough places.  His
Word provides softness, understanding, and wisdom, all of which are the very tools needed to smooth out the roughness. Get rid of the bumps, remove the rocks of sin and smooth it out with God's word. 

"Then all people will see the salvation sent from God" Jesus is salvation and today is the day!  Let your path, your walk, your talk be all about the Lord and for the Lord for all to see His greatness, His glory, His love, mercy and grace.  What joy when one comes to know the Lord.  What joy, what songs of praise the angels sing when one's eyes are open to see the light that came to give them life. 

Let your path today be a new path that prepares others for the return of Christ.

Jesus, thank you for giving us the most unbelievable gift, the gift of life with You forever.  Lord come in and take over so that as we prepare for Your return others will come to know You.  Thank You for Your precious Word that is alive and well.  Lord ignite a fire inside of us to go and spread Your Word and to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of You.  May You be so pleased and glorified as we shout Your name in the wilderness, and in the path we prepare for You. Amen!


      

  

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

See the door? Go through the door!

“…and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut.” Revelation 3:8

John write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. “This is the message from the one who is holy and true. He is the one who has the key of David. He opens doors, and no one can shut them; he shuts doors, and no one can open them.” Revelation 3:7

It is the biggest door opened in my life and in yours; it is the door of faith. Because it has been opened up by the Lord there is no one that can close it, not even Satan.  All we have to do is walk through it! Isn’t that so amazing and exciting? What a wonderful specific and to the point God we serve. When we hear the Good News I believe that door of faith is placed right in front of us. It is then our job to walk through that door, and all that is asked is that we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9) You see God makes it very simple for each and every one of us. He brings all things down to a level of understanding for us through the Holy Spirit. But in order to understand, grow, and persevere, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit and act on the guidance and teaching of the Spirit.

To the church in Philadelphia the Lord says “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can shut.” Revelation 3:8 I also know what little strength you have and still you have obeyed my word and did not deny me. Look! I will force out all who belong to Satan, those liars who call themselves Jews but are not will come bow down at your feet. They will know and acknowledge that you are the ones I love. You and me my friends are loved by the Lord and one day everyone will know and acknowledge that we are the ones He loves. To those who find Jesus foolish will one day see their own foolishness for denying our Savior.

But not only that, church in Philadelphia, because you obeyed my command to persevere, I will and am going to protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test who belongs to me and who belongs to the world. “Look! I am coming quickly” Revelation 3:11 So hold on to what you have, hold on to your faith, hold on to what I have given you so that no one can take away your crown. Hold tight to His word, Hold tight to His promise, Hold tight to the gifts and abilities you have been given to do the job He has appointed you!

Your reward and my promise to you and all who are victorious, you will become pillars in the Temple of my God and will never have to leave. Not only that by I will write God’s name on you and you will be citizens in the city of my God-the New Jerusalem that will come down from heaven from my God, and you will have my new name inscribed upon you.

My brethren let that fill you with joy today! Our future, our true home that awaits us is going to be magnificent, full of joy, security, all the love we could ever imagine, a home where we will live and dwell in the true presence of the Lord. And we will receive a new body that will be covered with the inscription of the Lord’s new name. The craziness of us to think our earthly future is something it doesn’t even come close!

Lord would you send the Holy Spirit down upon all who read Your word filling them with all the wisdom and understanding they need to absorb and grasp what You are saying in each of these letters. Lord it is not about hearing personal stories that we can relate to, it is about hearing personally from You and Your word, Your stories. May each person today open their hearts and their ears to hear from You. Amen

“Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:13




Monday, August 15, 2011

How To Beat Temptation

Our Guest Writer is a dear friend of mine-Brian Clark


How do you beat temptation?  Matthew 4.1-11 is the story of Jesus being tempted for 40 days in the desert.  Satan tempts him with taking the easy road to glory and taking short cuts to get there.  We all have our own temptations.  One of my biggest struggles is competition.  I’m a nice guy...until I get on the court; then, I can be a real jerk.

The power in every temptation is this lie, “You will be happier if you do ____.”  If you believe the lie you will sin, every time.  If you don’t believe the lie you will not sin.  It’s as simple as that.  Every sin is a battle of the mind.  God told Cain, “Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

Jesus understood this battle of the mind.  He knew the Word of God.  He used it to defeat Satan.

Don’t believe the lie.  The truth is: you will get caught, sooner or later.  That emotional affair will not end well for you.  Not talking to your spouse to make a point will not actually help the situation.  Not forgiving him/her because they don’t believe they were wrong will actually allow it to continue to have power over you.  You will regret it later if you cheat your workday hours.

You will not get rid of a single habitual sin without transforming your mind first.  The same reason we don’t diet well is the same reason we have a problem with sin.  We try to fix our actions before we change our beliefs.  Once you truly believe something, actions will ALWAYS follow.  Transform your mind to Jesus’ way of thinking and your actions will undoubtedly change.

Here’s one last thought about dealing with temptation: 1. Evaluate who you’re around.  If those people bring you closer to God you’ve got a great chance.  2. Think about what the situation is that you struggle with.  Many guys struggle with internet addictions on Friday night when they aren’t working the next day.  3. Ask God for help.  If we resist the Devil he flees away from us.  The best way I know how to do that is to ask God the first second you are tempted.  It works!

Don’t buy the lie.  The power of God in you is greater than the evil that is crouching at your door.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Character or Reputation?

“Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again.” Revelation 3:3

What type of reputation do you have? Would you prefer to have a good reputation or character? Do you know the difference between the two? Your reputation is what you want people to portray you as on the outside. Character is what is on the inside; I have always said character is what you do when no one is around.  Our fifth church gives us a prime example of the two.

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars.” Revelation 3:1

“I know all the things you do” Revelation 3:1 I know that you have a reputation for being alive but you are the complete opposite, you are dead! So wake up now! Strengthen what little remains because even the little that does remain is near the point of death. Your deeds, they are far from right in the sight of God. It might look good to people but what does the Lord see? And we all know what are true intentions and motives are!

 Sardis had the reputation of being alive on the outside but there character was spiritually dead. How often we see this in our own lives, we get up every morning go to our closet and pick the type of reputation we want to put on for that day. We put it on then take it in front of a mirror fix it up and make it as best looking and presentable as possible and then off we go. Out to present it to the world. However the whole time we spent on our reputation we have forgotten about the one that really matters the most, the inside, our character. Little do we know that when we neglect to take care of our character on the inside it starts to show through our reputation on the outside, even through all the primping and pampering we did.

We as humans can be easily fooled but the Lord cannot be fooled. He sees through to the very core. Just as the Lord warns Sardis we too are being warned! “Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again. Unless you do, I will come upon you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.” Revelation 3:3

The Lord tells Samuel, “People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the person’s thoughts and intentions.” 1 Samuel 16:7 He told us that again when He was speaking to the church of Thyatira. Are you getting the message?

For those of you in Sardis who have not soiled your garments with evil deeds, let me tell you what your reward and my promise to you will be. You will walk with me in white, for you are worthy. And all of you who are victorious will be clothed in white. Your names will never be erased from the Book of Life, and I will announce before my Father and his angels that you are mine!

Wow, who in the world would refuse such a promise and reward? Are you? Turn around and go back, clean out your closet and replace it with the new wardrobe of character qualities of Jesus Christ! He has already paid for them; all you have to do is pick them up and put them on!

“Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:6

Jesus help us to apply and take advantage of the warnings and discipline You are giving us. May we use them to become better and to reflect Your very character. Amen

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Where are you found?

“I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.” Revelation 3:19

This is the last letter written to the angel of the church of Laodicea. “This is the message from the one who is the Amen-the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.” Revelation 3:14

Address this letter to yourself today!

Dear ___________,

I know all the things you do and I know that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Revelation 3:15-16.  You say you are rich and that you have everything you want and you do not need a thing! But what you don’t realize is that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. “I advise you to buy gold from me-gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich.” Revelation 3:18. And while you are at it buy some garments to cover up your nakedness and buy some ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. Remember this I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Look! I am standing at the door knocking, if you hear me calling and open the door I will come in and share a meal with you as friends. I will invite you and everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat on with my Father on His throne.

Sincerely,

The one who is the Amen and the ruler of God’s creation-Jesus!

P.S. “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:22

This letter is full of discipline and warning. As I read this letter over and over to myself so many things popped out at me. If I am claiming to be hot than I am claiming to put nothing before the Lord, I do not compromise my faithfulness to please my own selfish desires.  I do not tolerate sin in my life or sin in the life of my family, friends or church. I obediently follow the commands of the Lord and I do not pick and choose which ones I want to obey. They come as a whole and are to be obeyed as a whole.

If I am claiming to be cold than I am just that, a cold individual who has no life in Christ, and am one who chooses to live by the standards of the world which is of Satan. I live to please only me and have no conviction of wrong.

Then there is the in between, the lukewarm, it is probably the most common one in our society today, and a place where I have been more times than I like to admit. It is the place that is the most distasteful and disgusting to the Lord. It is a mixture between someone who is trying to be hot but has cold still within them. They say one thing but do the opposite.  

They compromise their faith to join in with the world and those who partake in the world. They use Jesus for personal gain. They speak of Him when necessary but fail to live out His Word. They say they love, yet fail to apply that love. They want and need Jesus when trouble arises but when life is good, Jesus is gone. They want the best of both worlds, they want Jesus, yet they want to indulge in the world. They pick and choose bits and pieces of His Word to obey and disregard the rest.

The reality of all this is our daily lives show what we truly claim. Brethren, there is no hiding it. Our speech, our lifestyles, our bank accounts, our actions, our thoughts, our decisions, they all reflect our true hearts, hot, lukewarm, or cold.

Don’t you think it is time to get really honest with ourselves, the Lord and others?

Jesus I can’t help but to be frustrated with the fact that we honestly try to claim to be hot yet live a life that does not even come close to being hot for You. How much longer will we deceive ourselves and others. When will reality set in that those who truly belong to You are made new and no longer live the way they did in the world. How can we who claim to be Yours yet be so consumed with the things of this world. Oh, merciful Lord forgive us for being so ignorant. Amen



Friday, August 12, 2011

If you want answers-Open your Bible!

“An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Get up and flee to Egypt with the child and his mother. The angel said. Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to try to kill the child.” Matthew 2:13

If we are crying out to the Lord for answers, there is only one place to go and find those answers. The Bible! The Bible gives us two forms of receiving answers, one, through specific guidance and two, in our obedience. The Word is full of both and full of stories and people who were specifically guided and obedient to the Lord.

Over the last month or two my family and I have had some major decisions to make. As I sought the Lord for guidance and wisdom He led me to our passage above.
Matthew 2:13 “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. Get up and flee to Egypt with the child and his mother. The angel said. Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to try to kill the child.”  There are so many specifics in this passage that have opened my eyes to truly being guided by the Lord.

Specific Number 1- He will speak through the Holy Spirit as loud, clear and as specific as He sees necessary to get His point across. For Joseph it came from an angel in his dream! Have you ever cried out to the Lord asking Him to just give you a sign, hit you on the head, whatever, but please just show you? Yet the whole time you have been asking He has been saying, “I am showing you, I am telling you, you are just not listening because it is not what you want to hear.” Yeah, that stinks and that has been me for so long. One because I feel very unqualified to do what He is calling me to do, and two, how in the world will this help provide for my family.

Specific Number 2- His guidance will come with such detail, reassurance and the exact reason He is guiding you in the direction He is.
  1.     Because it is His will
  2.     It is for His pleasure.
  3.     It is for His purpose.
  4.    And it is the job He has assigned you to do here on this earth!


He shows us that with Joseph. He told Joseph exactly what to do, get up, flee to Egypt, take the child and mother with you, and stay there until I tell you when you can leave. The reason for doing this is because Herod is trying to kill the child!

Specific Number 3- Falls upon us! We have two choices just as Joseph did. We can ignore it or we can follow in obedience. We all know the right choice to make and so did Joseph. The sad thing is, we know the right decision but we choose the other because it suits us better. When in the long run it benefits us less, we are just so stubborn and set in our ways.

Joseph did not waste any time “That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet; I called my Son out of Egypt.” Matthew 2:14-15

Obedience- is to be done as a whole; we cannot pick and choose which parts of God’s word we want to obey. When we do that it brings blurred vision in what God is trying to show us and allows sin to creep in. Obedience even comes down to the littlest things like, not speeding, monitoring what we watch on T.V., our level of patience, our conversations, even our devotion to Him, and the time we spend in His word. 

How can we be obedient if we never open the word of God?  How can we know where He is guiding us if we never spend time in prayer, in His word, and with Him?

If you are seeking guidance from the Lord in what your next step should be, make sure you are willing to listen and follow whatever decision He makes for you in obedience. You will be rewarded for it, and most of all it will please Him. Like Romans 14:8 says, “While we live we live to please the Lord.”

Prayer: Lord forgive me for asking for Your guidance but then not listening and following You in obedience when You tell me. Amen

Thursday, August 11, 2011

It cuts coming and going!

“Repent, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.” Revelation 2:16

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one who has a sharp two-edged sword.” Revelation 2: 12

The beginning of each letter speaks of something specific towards the action that will and should be taken. 

The ending of each letter is the reward for those who are obedient to the commands of the Lord and who gain insight and understanding of each letter.

To the angel of the church in Pergamum,

I know where you live; it is the city where the throne of Satan is located and yet you have remained loyal to me. You have refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness was martyred among you by Satan’s followers. But I do have some complaints; you have tolerated some among you who are like Balaam who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to worship idols eat the food offered to the idols and commit sexual sin. You also have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching and commit the same sins. I tell you, “Repent, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”Revelation 2:16

There are two things in this letter that stand out to me, Tolerance and Compromise. There are many areas and places we tolerate sin, work, school, home, and even with our friends. At work we might tolerate a co-worker that cusses, gossips, or tells inappropriate jokes or stories, and is negative about the boss. At school we might tolerate cheating, bullying, slander, disrespect to teachers and others in authority. At home we might or we do tolerate disrespect from our children, even in our marriage, we tolerate the inappropriate television shows, things on the internet and even the music we listen to. All these tolerances lead to compromise in our faith!

The Lord demands and requires us to live a life completely committed to Him and His word. No matter where we live, who we are surrounded by at work, school, etc.  We are not to compromise our faith by accepting the lifestyle of those who oppose the Lord or who choose to live according to their own ways. When we participate or fall into pressure of accepting sin we compromise our faith and commitment to the Lord.

Our actions and choices reflect either the Lord or the things of the world. Which do you reflect? The Lord is specifically speaking to us today to not tolerate any sin but to run from it repent and to live a life that reflects Him in all ways and does not compromise our faithfulness to Him. Just as He tells the church in Pergamum I am the one who has a sharp two-edged sword and it cuts both ways, coming and going!

“Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17

Two amazing gifts awaiting those of us who are willing to hear and listen to the Spirit; manna that has been hidden away in heaven and a white stone with a new name engraved on it that only the Lord and us individually who receive it will know. Isn’t that exciting, let the Spirit within you give you wisdom, insight and understanding to each letter to the churches. And as you receive each of those apply them and live them out!