TRUST AND OBEDIENCE GO HAND-IN-HAND

“O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!”-Psalm 84:12

In a denominational church that I attended during my teenage years, we sang the song Trust and Obey, and it became one of my favorite hymns.  Trusting and obedience go hand-in-hand because trusting the Lord makes obedience easier, and obedience produces ever-increasing trust.  When the Lord calls you to a task that seems unreasonable, you have two options. You can obey Him even though you do not understand what will happen, or you can become fearful and attempt to find a way out. 

 

John H. Sammis (1846-1919),  wrote the hymn Trust and Obey after Daniel B. Towner (1850-1919) heard a young man share his story in an after-service testimony meeting, following Dwight L. Moody’s evangelistic meeting.   As the young man was speaking, it became clear to many that he knew little about the Bible or acceptable Christian doctrine.   His closing lines, however, spoke volumes to seasoned and new believers alike: I'm not quite sure. But I'm going to trust, and I'm going to obey.  Daniel Towner was so struck by the power of those simple words that he quickly jotted them down then delivered them to John Sammis, who developed the lyrics to Trust and Obey. Towner composed the music and the song quickly became a favorite.  It remains popular with hymn singers today.  The following is the Refrain:

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

When the Lord calls you to a task that seems unreasonable, you have two options. You can obey Him even though you don't understand what will happen, or you can become fearful and attempt to find a way out.   Joshua chose the first option. Because he trusted the Lord, he disregarded all his military experience and adopted God's bizarre battle plan. Over the years, he had learned that the Lord is trustworthy (Joshua 6:1-5).

 

The way we respond to God's challenging assignments reveals our level of commitment.  We may feel as if we are right in step with Him--until He proposes a change of direction. That's when our resistance kicks in, and with it, the realization we are not as close to Him as we thought.  At that point, our decision determines whether the Lord will be able to use us as He desires.  Because Joshua never lost his commitment, he continued to serve the Lord for the remainder of his life.

At times obedience is a struggle, as your mind runs through all the reasons God's path is illogical.  Fear dominates and your will battles to comply when everything within is screaming to run the other way.  But obedience is always the best choice, because the Lord is trustworthy and wise.

 

Father—I ask You to forgive me for being disobedient and the times that I have not trusted You.  Lord I ask You to help me to trust you more everyday, so that I can walk uprightly in all that I do, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

GOD’S VALUABLE TREASURE IS WISDOM

“For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”—Proverbs 8:11

 

Patrick Hruby in his article for the Washington Times newspaper, The end is near ─ for Mayan calendar myth, reported that, “A springtime poll of more than 10,000 adults in 21 countries found that 8 percent had experienced fear or anxiety over the world ending in December, with Chinese (20 percent), Russian (13 percent) and American (12 percent) respondents being most likely to agree with the statement that the Mayan calendar ‘marks the end of the world.’”  Hruby gave the following information to show how various countries are handling the doomsday that has been forecasted.

In Russia, there have been runs on candles, matches, salt and torches, prompting government officials to call for calm and the nation’s deputy emergency situations minister Sergei Anikeyev to proclaim, “We don’t believe in the ‘end of the world’ fable.”

 

In China, the state press reports that a fringe Christian group has been predicting that “the sun will not shine and electricity will not work for three days.” Other reports say worried citizens have been purchasing mass quantities of candles and that apocalypse-themed websites peddle canned food, gas masks and fiberglass “survival pods.”

 

The mayor of a Brazilian mountain town, San Francisco de Paula, urged local residents to stock up on food and supplies in anticipation of the worst.

 

The government of Guatemala — home to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal — forecasts a record number of foreign tourists in December.

 

The Turkish village of Sirince, population 600, expects up to 60,000 visitors this month; largely because New Age spiritualists believe its location has a “positive energy” that will protect the area from global catastrophe.

 

Some people in America have gone so far to build underground bunkers and stock them with food and water.  According to a news report, the CEO of a company that is located in California who is producing underground bunkers is planning to fly to Texas where his underground bunker is located.  He will spend the week-end in his luxury bunker and then fly back to California for work on Monday. 

 

Because we live in what is called the “Information Age,” it is important to know the best way to deal with the information.  I have noticed that while there is a lot of knowledge floating around, there is not much wisdom.   Godly wisdom is the capacity to see things from the Lord’s viewpoint and respond according to scriptural principles.  You can not instantly download that ability, but you can acquire it gradually over time.

 

In God’s opinion, the most valuable treasure to be had is wisdom, “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her” (Proverbs 8:11).  As believers we need His perspective and His principles to live the Christian life—that is why acquiring wisdom is not a suggestion but a command, “Get wisdom! Get understanding!...” (Proverbs 4:5). 

 

People all over the world have risked their lives in a single-minded quest for treasure.  Wisdom is worth so much more than all the money or riches in the world.  In comparing the two, the Lord calls us to passionately pursue godly knowledge and discernment.

 

Proverbs 8:17 personifies wisdom, “I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me.” God will see to it that believers who pursue wisdom acquire it.  Moreover, when the desire of our heart is something with lasting value, we receive a bonus—knowledge, prudence, and discretion, “I wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 8:12).

 

The wisest man of the Bible, King Solomon, wrote that the beginning of wisdom was to acquire it, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting get understanding” (Proverbs. 4:7).

 

 Determine in your heart to pursue this great treasure.   As you study the Word, seek the Lord’s will, and observe His principles in action, God will pour wisdom into your mind and spirit which will help you to act in faith—not fear.

 

Prayer—Father I ask You to help me diligently to seek Your wisdom in all that I do, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

ONENESS: THE DESIRE OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”—John 17:20-21

 

Sin is a divider.  That is what separated mankind from the Father God in the Garden of Eden, and it has been fracturing relationships ever since.  Adam and Eve had children after they were sent from the Garden of Eden.  The first child born was Cain and then his brother Abel.  In Genesis chapter 4, we find that Cain was a farmer and Abel was a sheep rancher.  At some point, Cain brought an offering to the Lord from what he had harvested, and Abel’s offering was the first-born from the flock of his sheep.  God “respected” Abel’s offering but Cain’s was not. God noticed Cain’s attitude and talked to him about it.  And then to help clarify to us what God meant, we find in Hebrews 11:4 that Abel’s offering was by faith and a more excellent sacrifice than Cain’s.   God is a God of faith.  Cain was offering something up to God without faith, and that is why he was corrected.  However, Cain would not receive the correction and ended up killing his brother, Cain (4:1-10).   This was the first recorded violence and the one responsible for Cain’s death was Abel, himself.  It was not the club held in his hands, but the attitude that Cain held in his heart against his brother.  God desired unity and oneness; however, Cain could only think of himself and how he felt.  He dealt with the entire situation according to his emotions.

 

Sin has been separating people and fracturing relationships since the Garden of Eden.  However, it is also the reason God considers reconciliation so very important.  He wants to re-establish an intimate relationship with fallen humanity, and for the church to shine their light for the world to see. 

The last time that Jesus prayed for His followers was before going to the cross, and He asked “that they may all be one” as the Father and His Son are one (vs. 21).  Despite the fact that we cannot attain perfect unity with God until we reach heaven, we do have the capacity to walk in humility and harmony with Him by living in obedience to His Holy within us.

 

God desires for us are unity, with one another within His church.  We will always have difference in what we prefer, and how we interpret certain Bible passages, but our common identity as Christians is based on the essential truths of the faith as revealed in God’s Word.  The unity Christ advocates is possible only when each member of His body walks in submission to the Spirit so that together they can achieve the purposes of God and reflect Christ’s character in their behavior. 

 

Prayer—Father I ask You to forgive me for the times that I have not walked in faith and allowed sin to separate us.  I ask you to help me and strengthen me so that I may be One with You as Jesus was, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

LISTENING TO GOD IS NOT A ONETIME EVENT

“Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. “—Proverbs 19:27

 

Listening to God is not a onetime event.  We must continually keep His Word before us, or we'll begin to listen to the wrong voices.

 

 In what is commonly called the Christmas story in American culture, is the narrative of how Joseph was warned in a dream that it was God’s plan for him to marry his fiancée, Mary, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:  After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18-20).  After the dream, Joseph awoke from sleep and immediately took Mary to him as his wife (vs. 24).  In Matthew chapter two, Joseph is warned again by God to leave Bethlehem and to flee Egypt.  He was warned to stay in Egypt until the angel brought word that it was safe for the young child, Jesus (vs. 13-14).  Again, Joseph immediately obeys.  We have a record that Joseph listened to God at least twice more concerning the protection of the child, Jesus.  When God speaks to us, it is good to immediately obey for it can thwart possible danger.

 

In Genesis 2:16-17, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”  The Lord gave a command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  But Eve began to listen to another voice and did not hold steadfastly to her Creator's words.  All that Satan had to do was plant a single doubt about God's integrity and offer Eve one appealing advantage of doing things her own way—and she fell for it.  He mentioned wisdom, but Eve used natural reasoning, and added two more benefits to the temptation: the fruit is good for food and a delight to the eyes.

 

The schemes of the Enemy have not changed.  He still whispers lies and twists truth to convince us that a) God cannot be trusted and b) His ways are not the best.  In every temptation, there is a deception about the character and motive of God, plus an attractive promise of a better way.

 

The world is filled with voices that vie for our attention and influence our thoughts and actions. Throughout the day, consider the messages that are sent your way through the media and people. Consciously begin to compare them to what scripture says about God and His ways.

 

Remembering what God says in the Bible is our safeguard against deception and temptation. Daily devotions won't protect us if they're quickly forgotten during the day.   Follow Christ's example (found in Matthew 4:1-11) and, be ready with truth in your mind and on your tongue whenever temptation strikes.

 

Prayer—Father, I repent for the times that I have not listen to You and have reaped the rewards of a rebellious heart.  Today I purpose in my heart to listen to you and to put aside my own natural reasoning so that I can immediately obey you in all things, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

THE PRICE OF OBEDIENCE

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”   Romans 5:19

 

Mary was not married to Joseph when she became pregnant with Jesus. Immediately after she told the angel, “be it unto me according to your word,” she left to visit her cousin Elizabeth whom the angel had told her was also pregnant.  Mary was gone from her home town for three months before she returned (Luke 2:38, 39, 56).  Although Joseph, was considering how not to marry his finance because she was pregnant, and he knew that it was not his baby, he was obedient to the words of the angel.  “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows; when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her; planned to send her away secretly.  But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a Son; and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins…,’ And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus” (Matthew 1:18-25). 

 

The Bible does not give us the details of what his or Mary’s family thought of this pregnancy out of wedlock.  But in that day and in that cultural they were likely to have suffered from cruel public opinion and rejection.  Joseph was a humble, but poor man and yet he was immediately obedient to the voice of God and was willing to pay the price of being rejected by his own people for being obedient.  Furthermore, he was willing to deny himself conjugal rights as a husband until after the Jesus was born.  Some people are not willing to be apart from their spouses to fast and pray; but Joseph chose to be obedient and pay the price.

 

As the time of the birth of Jesus drew near, Joseph was obedient to the government’s decree that every one must go and register so that a census could be taken.  He traveled about 80 miles with a very pregnant wife to the city of Bethlehem to register braving the bands of thieves and robbers.  Once they arrived, there was no place for them to stay, but in a stable.  The time for Mary’s delivery was at hand and an angel appeared to some shepherds  and said, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign for you’ you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12). 

 

The men wore a garment under their clothes called, “swaddling.”  This swaddling was used to wrap the man in if he died while he was traveling.  The “swaddling” was used to wrap the body in.  Joseph took his “swaddling” cloth and wrapped the new born babe in “swaddling,” to fulfill the prophetic word of the angel—that when they found a baby wrapped in a manger with “swaddling” clothes this would be the Savior—Christ the Lord.  Joseph was obedient to take his death clothes to wrap the tiny infant in so that prophecy would be fulfilled. 

 

There is a price to be obedient, but the reward is great.   When we place our trust in a sovereign God and wait upon His timing, we have nothing to fear from the world.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that you have a plan for my life.  I may not always understand everything that I am going through, but I trust in You and with Your help I will always be obedient, in Jesus Name. Amen.

UNDERSTAND THE VESSEL GOD HAS MADE IN YOU

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”—Hosea 4:6

 

In Luke 1: 26 - 37, is the account of the immaculate conception of Jesus.  There was and is only one Immaculate Conception; however as we read these scriptures, we can gain an understanding of the vessel that God chose to make His deposit in that would change the world. 

 

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’   But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’  Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’  And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.  For with God nothing will be impossible.’  Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word.’  And the angel departed from her.”

 

The Vessel must be Spiritual Fit—In verse 28, we learn that Mary was spiritual fit, “And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’  Herbert Lockyer writes in his book, All the Women of the Bible that when the angel, Gabriel, declared to Mary that, “the Lord is with you,” he was saying that Mary was spiritual fit to receive that honor.  He went on to say that, “Augustine says that, ‘Mary first conceived Christ in her heart by faith, before she conceived in the womb,’ and the testimony of Elisabeth expresses and stamps the whole character of the Virgin, ‘Blessed is she that believeth,’ implying that she wore the crown of faith above all others.”

 

The Vessel is Selected by God—verse 30 tells us that God had selected the vessel who would carry His son, “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”  You have been selected by God, not rejected.  Scripture tells us that humankind, meaning male and female were created in the likeness of God, “male and female, created He them.”  You are a result of precise, careful, expert planning.  You are a remarkable special individual.  You are the only one God has like you.  There is a distinct purpose for you life.    I love the line in the movie “The Help” where the maid is teaching the little girl about self-value.  She taught her to say out-loud to herself, “I is smart, I is beautiful, I is important.”  You are one of a kind custom made individual created for a purpose.

 

The Vessel Trust’s God—verse 34-37, “Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’  And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.  Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.  For with God nothing will be impossible.’”  Mary knew God and trusted Him. She had heard prophesies concerning the coming Messiah, and immediately went to see her cousin Elizabeth after the angel left.  The issue with most individual’s today is that they do not trust God.  When you have a deep intimate relationship with the Father God, trust is not an issue.  Redemption helps us to discover the true nature of trust.  The true nature of trust does no mean that we are taken in by other people or false spirits that are pretending to be something that they are not. 

 

The Vessel must Activate God’s plan—verse 38, “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord!  Let it be to me according to your word.’  And the angel departed from her.”  Mary agreed with God’s plan.  She did not question what the details or her life would be like—pregnant with out marriage.  Or what impact that her decision would have on her relationship with Joseph, her finance, her parents and family members.  What the people of the village would say or think about her.  She did not question if her parents would still love her, or if she would have an easy labor, or where the money would come from to support this child.  She did not delay.  Delay is a tactic of the enemy to keep us unfulfilled and frustrated.  It can even kill us.  Mary did not confer with flesh and blood.  She recognized that she was an individual and that she had a choice.  She chose to go with God and His way.  Mary trusted God that He would not destroy her life.

 

Prayer—Father I give myself to You.  Thank You for my spiritual fitness and if there is any area that needs to be corrected I ask that the Holy Spirit shine His light on that area so that I can correct it.  Lord thank You for selecting me.  I trust You Lord and I choose to activate Your plan in my life by saying, “be it unto me according to your Word,” in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

 

RELEASE THE POWER OF PROPHETIC WORSHIP

“…Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”—Revelation 19:10

 

The heart of the worshipper is changed when it is engaged in prophetic worship.  Moses and the children of Israel engaged in prophetic worship in Exodus chapter 15.  Prophetic worship releases the power of God in our lives by declaring  who God is, what He has done and what He will do. 

 Exodus 15:1-19

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: “I will sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!
² The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
³ The Lord is a man of war;
The Lord is His name.
⁴ Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea;
His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea.
⁵ The depths have covered them;
They sank to the bottom like a stone.

⁶ “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power;
Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
⁷ And in the greatness of Your excellence
You have overthrown those who rose against You;
You sent forth Your wrath;
It consumed them like stubble.
⁸ And with the blast of Your nostrils
The waters were gathered together;
The floods stood upright like a heap;
The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.
⁹ The enemy said, ‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be satisfied on them.
I will draw my sword,
My hand shall destroy them.’
¹⁰ You blew with Your wind,
The sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

¹¹ “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
¹² You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.
¹³ You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.

¹⁴ “The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
¹⁵ Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.
¹⁶ Fear and dread will fall on them;
By the greatness of Your arm
They will be as still as a stone,
Till Your people pass over, O Lord,
Till the people pass over
Whom You have purchased.
¹⁷ You will bring them in and plant them
In the mountain of Your inheritance,
In the place, O Lord, which You have made
For Your own dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

¹⁸ “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”

¹⁹ For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

 

When we engage in prophetic worship, we experience a supernatural exchange with the Lord.  Our hearts open to Him and we are able to receive and experience the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  Our hearts cannot contain Him, and thus out of the abundance of our hearts our mouths cannot help but to glorify Him.  We may experience a new way of worship as we abandon our wills to His.  We will bring forth a symphony of music led by the Holy Spirit.  The power of prophetic worship is fully experienced when we as worshipers come together in the unity of Spirit with an open heart and a willingness to completely offer our praise to Him.

 

The prophet Samuel said the following to Saul about a supernatural worship experience: "You will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you and you will prophesy with them and you will be turned into another man" (I Samuel 10: 5-6).  Prophetic worship can change us into “another man.”

 

Furthermore, when we engage in prophetic worship guided by the Holy Spirit the realms of the spirit are being expressed.

Prayer—Father I yield to the presence of the Holy Spirit to lead me into the release of prophetic worship in my life.  Lord I thank You for the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in my life as I yield to releasing prophetic worship, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

THE POWER OF BROKENNESS

“And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So Peter went out and wept bitterly.’”—Luke 22:62

 

Sometimes we are so sure that we are too strong to be broken and do not understand the purpose that brokenness can serve in our lives.  Peter, one of Jesus’ first disciples was such a man.  He was so sure of himself that even when Jesus told all of the disciples that they would stumble Peter said, “…even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.  Jesus said to him, ‘assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And so said all the disciples” (Matthew 26:33-35). 

Scripture records that Peter did deny Jesus three times and yet through the brokenness that occurred in his life God was able to use his genuine repentance in a most powerful way.  God used this man who had denied His Son to preach the first sermon after Pentecost.  Peter was the disciple that received the revelation that salvation was not just for the Jews, but it included the Gentile world too.  God continues to use individual’s that have experienced true brokenness in their lives.

 

The Power of Brokenness is never Weakness.  It is coming to the end of one’s self-life.  Jesus said that the broken man is truly a blessed man, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).  Through brokenness we comprehend that we are finite people in tremendous need of a Savior.  A person will surrender herself or himself to the Redeemer only when she or he grasps the reality that she or he deserves divine judgment for sin and that the only hope is Christ’s mercy.  The life of brokenness begins when the individual is quick to repent.  Sin is not swept under the carpet, nor are excuses given; such as, time heals all things.  No, the broken soul rushes into the presence of God and cries out to Him saying, Lord, I have sinned.

The Power of Brokenness produces true Humility.  Until our pride is broken we will not humble ourselves before God or men.  Brokenness and humility are the results of a deep consciousness of personal guilt before God over sin, seeing our overwhelming need of a Savior, and then clinging to Christ as a result.  People who are in a right relationship with their Creator will grow in brokenness and humility until their dying day. “He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah. 6:8).  Humility and brokenness are inseparably interwoven so as to bring a person to surrender, repentance and victory.

The Power of Brokenness causes true revival.  Revival is birthed through humble and broken saints who yearn to see the glory of God.  In many nations of the world, Christians are suffering tremendous persecution.  God is using the persecution to ignite revival.  Because the Christians have lost virtually everything, they have no other hope than to desperately seek God’s face. 

 

Where there is pride, there is no confession of sin and no forgiveness.  When you are broken, you have no pride.  When you are broken you are willing to ‘give in,’ you do not find your identity in always being right.

 
Brokenness heals relationships, pride and unforgiveness destroys them.  The splintered American church will find healing and anointing when brokenness defines her character.

Matthew 14:19 shows us a wonderful example of brokenness, “Then he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  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 multitudes.”   Until God breaks your will, He will never use you. You will remain only a nice loaf of bread.  The power of brokenness let’s us lay down our lives for people who are not perfect, but need the love of God in their lives.

 

Prayer—Father I repent of pride in my life.  Holy Spirit will you please shine your light onto any areas of my heart where I harbor pride?  And I ask you Father to forgive me.  Lord will you please help me to walk in true humility in my life?  Father show me the people who need to know Your love and I ask You to use me in demonstrating Your love to them, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

THE ATTITUDE OF FAILURE IS A POVERTY MINDSET

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.’”—Numbers 13:30

 

The Israeli people needed a separate place in which to thrive as a God-centered nation.  He chose an exceptionally good country for their development, and gave them a commission to go in and possess the land of Canaan.  So at the Lord’s direction, Moses sent 12 men to spy out the land. (You can read the whole account in Numbers 13, 14).   What a surprise when ten of them returned with frightening negative stories.  All that these spies could see were the obstacles to taking ownership. 

 

“And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.  Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.  Then they told him, and said: ‘We went to the land where you sent us.  It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.  Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.  The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan’” (Numbers 13:25-29)

However, Caleb was certain that they would “surely overcome,”  “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it’” (Numbers 13:30).   Because he was focused on God’s promises rather than the obvious difficulties, his attitude was one of confidence that was based on God’s words to Abraham, “To your descendants I will give this land” (Genesis. 12:7).  His attitude of faith helped to create a mindset of abundance and not poverty.  A poverty mindset will keep you stagnant and hold you in bondage, and can keep you tied to a certain geographic location so that you will never leave a certain area.  Some people never move from where they were born.  They will stay there tied by poverty to the land.  Never allow yourself to be tied to anywhere when God is telling you to move.  “Where God guides He will provide”—Rev. Billy Joe Daughtery

The people did not share Caleb’s faith.  Their attitude of failure when they heard the tales of giants and fortified cities scared them, and held them in bondage so that they did not want to move out in faith with God.  The Israelites served a God who had proven that He could overcome anything: He had parted the Red Sea to facilitate their escape from Pharaoh.  And He fed them for two years in the desert.  Over and over again He proved His provision and guidance for them, and yet they chose to focus on difficulties.

Focusing our attention on obstacles distorts our vision, and then we begin to have an attitude of failure which leads to a poverty mindset.   Focusing on the obstacle causes it to loom so large in our minds that we can not see to take the next step in faith.   In reality, if God has called us to do something, the only hindrance is our mindset!  He has already planned a way around, over, or through any barriers that might lie on the path to fulfilling His purpose.  Walk in the abundant provision of His grace keeping your focus on Him and what He has promised to you in His Word.

Prayer—Father I repent of having an attitude of failure and a poverty mindset.  I ask You to forgive me, and help me keep my focus on You and the promises that You have made to me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

THE INTIMATE CONNECTION: THE CURE FOR LONELINESS

“…for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”—Hebrews 13:5

 

People all over the world struggle with loneliness; however human beings were not designed to walk through this world alone.  God said that it was not good for man to be alone so He created him a helper, “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him’” (Genesis 2:18).  Loneliness can cripple a person emotionally and spiritually.  We are made for relationship, which God gladly supplies.  

 

Have you ever noticed that throughout Jesus’ life that He would say things like, “I must be about my Father’s business,” and “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working?” (Luke 2:49, John 5:17).   He was the first person that ever called God His Father, and through this we see how His life demonstrated that intimate connection with the Heavenly Father.  The Heavenly Father desires our companionship just like He did in the Garden before the fall.  In the Garden, He called out to Adam and Eve seeking them, “Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).  God has not changed; He is still seeking those who are separated from Him and feel alone, “For the son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  Only Christ can fill the void of loneliness in your life.  No man, no woman, no child, no object, or animal was ever created to take the place in our hearts that is reserved for God Himself.  He has said, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3).

 

Although our source of intimate connection is to the Father, He has provided for our need to have emotional support and companionship through people.  The church is designed to meet our need for person-to-person intimacy.  A spiritual body works much like a human body—parts are both independent and interdependent, each needing others in order to function well.  We require support from our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Paul admonished people to accept one another, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God,” bear each other’s burdens, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill he law of Christ,” and avoid judging, “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:13). 

 

During the Christmas season, you may be experiencing the enemy’s pressure of loneliness and isolation; however, the Lord stressed His constant presence because He knows our need for assurance, especially when we feel deserted or isolated (Matthew 28:20; Joshua 1:5).  Even when we feel that we are alone and that no one cares, nothing can compare to drawing near to God “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” (James 4:8).  God wants every believer to completely trust that He is near.  And in case we forget that the Lord is near, He gave the Bible this consistent theme: I love you and I am with you always.  People need one another—Look around you and allow the Holy Spirit to use you to bear another’s burden in some way.  When we help others, our problems do not look as big.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for reminding me that You are with me always.  I ask You to open my eyes to see someone that I can help with the resources that You have given to me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

SOLVING CRISIS SITUATIONS INVOLVES CHRIST

“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility.”—Proverbs 15:33
 
Emergency and crisis situations arise in people’s lives.   It may be the death of a loved one, not having enough money, problems in relationships, etc.; however, most Christians tend to stop what they are doing and turn their whole focus onto the situation.  In our effort to handle the situation, we switch priories.  We make solving the problem our highest priority, and least priority is Christ.  I find that most Christians tend to stop what they are doing, when facing a crisis.  They stop attending church, they stop serving—they draw back from the life giving source, and have a tendency to panic and run to every one asking for help, or their opinion.  However, this is just the opposite of what Christ did when faced with a crisis situation upon the death of his cousin, John the Baptist, a forerunner of Christ.

“When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.  But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.   And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.  When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.’   But Jesus said to them, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’  And they said to Him, ‘We have here only five loaves and two fish.’  He said, ‘Bring them here to Me.’    Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  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 multitudes.  So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.   Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children” (Matthew 14:13-21).

Notice that the first thing Christ did when he heard the news about John the Baptist’s death:  He separated Himself unto God and got God’s focus on the problem.  He did not turn to His disciples and ask what they thought He drew away to hear what God thought.  In the midst of a crisis situation, the first thing we are to do is to turn to God and ask for physical, emotional and spiritual strength and wisdom. 

Secondly, the crisis did not cause Jesus to withdraw from ministering to people.  Crisis is never an excuse to stop serving.  Remember, you control the situation—not that you are controlled by it.

Thirdly, even if another crisis breaks out while you are in the midst of the first one keep your focus—do not be apart of the problem.  In our text, Jesus had ministered to the crowd of people until evening time and the people were hunger.  The disciples’ solution to the problem was to send them away hungry; however, through this discourse we learn the lesson: God expects us to be apart of the solution; not the problem.  Jesus told His disciples, “You feed them.”

Fourth, do not worry about the quantity of your resources in finding a solution to the problem. Little becomes much when given to God. 

Lastly, Give thanks to God, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

All of us face crisis and problems in our life.  But God has already given us the guidelines how to keep our focus and find a solution.  The following acronym will help to keep your focus in every crisis:

C ─ Christ

R ─ Risen

I ─  In

S ─ Situation

I ─  Immediately

S ─  Solved

 Prayer—Father I lift up the _________________situation to You today.  I repent for focusing on the problem instead of turning towards You, and I ask You to forgive me.  Lord, today I affirm that the problem does not control me, and with Your help I will not be a part of the problem.  I ask that You show me what I have that is the seed to the solution to the problem, and I thank You for taken the crisis out of the problem and that it is immediately

HAVE PEACE IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”—Isaiah 9:6

 

At the time of Jesus’ birth, Israel was in the iron grip of the all-powerful Roman Empire and they hated it.  The Jews remembered the covenant of Abraham and the promises concerning the coming Messiah; however they were expecting an earthly ruler, a political leader and one who would restore the glory years of King David and King Solomon.  They were not expecting the Savior of the world, the Prince of Peace to come in the form of a servant.  Perhaps they were thinking of an earthly overthrow of the Roman Empire; instead, the Son of God overthrew the kingdom of Satan.  

 

According to Webster’s dictionary, peace is a state of tranquility, quiet, calm, freedom from civil disturbance.  A state of security-being secure within a community, freedom from oppression, strife and disorder.  In harmony in personal relations, and untroubled by conflict, agitation or commotion.  It is our Lord’s desire for us to have peace in the midst of turmoil, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).   Real peace can be known in the midst of turmoil, chaos, or confusion.  The surface of the water during a storm at sea is quite violent; however, the deeper you go below the surface the calmer things become.  Far below the surface, deep in the ocean, is a quiet that is totally unaware of the chaotic disturbance that is felt on top of the waves. 

 

Jesus provided that kind of peace for us “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).  Ephesus 2:14 says, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”  When Satan throws everything against us, and it seems like hell has broken through on the surface of our life—health, finances and relationship may crumble and toss us about like a violent wave; remember that by sinking down deeper into Him, we experience His peace as an anchor of security.

 

The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote to his dear friends saying, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  Allow the peace of God to be your guard heart and mind in the midst of chaos in turmoil.  The enemy comes against our mind and our emotions; however we do not continually go over the bad things that have happen to us in our mid, nor allow our emotions to rule us.  Christ’s Peace will calm every conflict in our lives.

 

Prayer—Father I ask You to help me turn to You in every conflict of my life today.  Lord help me to keep my mind on You because in You there is peace in the midst of all that is going on in my life, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

IT IS NOT WHAT YOU DO: IT IS WHAT HE DID

“And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”—Matthew 19:16

 

The rich young ruler seemed to approach Jesus to seek salvation, in Matthew 19:16-22.  He ran kneeled down to Him, and openly professed Him as a Good Master.  What could be wrong with that?  First, he acknowledged Jesus as good, but not God.  Every major religion of the world acknowledges Jesus existed and that He was a good man, but they would not recognized Him as God.  If Jesus was only a good man, He could not save anybody.

 

Jesus did not come just to show us the way to God; He was the way—the only way—to the Father, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way the truth and the live.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).  Jesus had made this point publicly many times, and so He responded to the rich, young ruler accordingly.  He said, “God is the only one who is good.  You must accept me as God or not at all.”  Jesus was either who He claimed to be or He was the biggest fraud that ever lived.  He has to be one or the other, He cannot be both.

 

Second, the young man asked what he could do to produce his salvation.  He trusted in himself and believed he could accomplish whatever good work Jesus might request.  This is completely opposite God’s plan of salvation.  Jesus obtained salvation for us by substituting for us on the Cross, and He offers salvation to us as a free gift.  All we must do is believe and receive.

 

This rich, young ruler was not looking for the Savior; he was trying to be his own savior.  Sometimes we get saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and then we try to live our Christian lives saving ourselves.  It doe not work that way!  His is the salvation that just keeps on giving.  Are you trying to save yourself today?  All you have to do is look to Him for everything you need.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for not trusting You, and trying to be my own Savior.  Lord, I turn over all selfishness and Self ambition  in Jesus Name.  Amen.

THE SEASON TO REJOICE

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, and angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”—Luke 2:8-14

 

Although it is difficult to determine the first time anyone celebrated December 25 as Christmas Day, historians are in general agreement that it was sometime during the fourth century.  This is an amazingly late date.  Christmas was not observed in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, until about 300 years after Christ's death.  Its origins cannot be traced back to either the teachings or practices of the earliest Christians.  In saying of all this, the point is that for many Christians who celebrate December 25 as Christ birthday, and for those who do not the season to rejoice is the same.  We should take joy and delight that Christ came to the earth to save mankind from their sins.

 

Matthew 1:21 is often read in ministering the story of Christ’s birth, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  You see the people of Israel wanted a deliverer-a Messiah but they weren't expecting him to save them from their sins. They wanted to be saved from their bondage to Rome; they were tired of being under Roman rule.  In their view sin was not their problem; Rome was their problem.

 

When they realized that Jesus was not their kind of Messiah, the Bible tells us that his own received him not.  It is true today as well. The baby we hear so much about during Christmas is rarely presented as the One who came to deliver us from our sins.  We hear that he came to bring peace and love, and that sounds really good, but how many people realize that their real problem is sin?

 

For those of us who have been born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, the best news for us this Christmas season is that he came to save us from our sins.  I am more and more aware that the main problem for people is their sin nature.   Aren't you glad that:  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

Enjoy and rejoice in that the birth of the only One who could and did save us from our sins!

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You sent Jesus to save me from my sins so that I might become the righteousness of God.  I choose to rejoice in the birth of Christ and celebrate the season that brought me my deliverance from sin, in Jesus Name. Amen.

DO NOT SACRIFICE YOUR FUTURE FOR IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION

“The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. “—Proverbs 21:25
 

In the book of Genesis there is a story of two twin brothers, Jacob and Esau.  In their day and culture, the oldest son received the blessings of the father and got the inheritance.  This scripture reading gives us a picture of how an individual sacrificed his future for immediate gratification because he was hungry.  “Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.   And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom.  But Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’  And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’  Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.   And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:29-34).  As you read over this scripture you probably thought, I can not believe that Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.  You may have thought, how foolish!  However, stop and think beyond birthrights and a bowl of soup.  Is there anything of true value that you are trading for something of lesser worth?  In other words, what is you “bowl of soup?”
 

Have you pursued wealth and a career at the expense of family?  Maybe your busy schedule   has kept you from spending time with God in His Word each day.  Some people become involved in extra material affairs, trading the well-being of their family for the satisfaction of lustful desires.  Other sacrifices their health by consuming harmful or addictive substances, or even by overindulging in food.  The list of ways we make foolish, shortsighted choices is endless.
 

Some of the decision we make today could rob us of the blessings God wants to give to us.  When you yield to temptation in a moment of weakness, you are actually sacrificing your future for momentary pleasure.  We can not afford to live thoughtlessly, basing our decisions on immediate desires or feelings.  Since the principle of sowing and reaping cannot be reversed, we need to carefully consider what we are planting.  The harvest will come, and we will reap what we have sown—and more than we have sown.


Are you contemplating anything that could have serious long-term ramifications if you yield to the yearning?  A wise person evaluates choices by looking ahead to see what negative consequences could follow a course of action.  Do not let “a bowl of soup” hinder God’s wonderful plans for you.


Prayer—Father I repent for making bad choices based on graining immediate gratification and I ask You to forgive me.  Lord I ask You to deliver me from making wrong choices, in Jesus Name. Amen.

THE BITTER FRUIT OF SELFISH AMBITION

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteems others better than himself.”—Philippians 2:3

 

Selfish ambition means to be self-seeking and always looking out for one’s own interests above the interests of anyone else.  Selfishly ambitious people are those who will do anything to win votes for a public office and court popular applause by deceit.  They are always putting themselves forward without reference to truth. 

 

In today’s world selfishly ambitious behavior is greatly applauded.  The worldly ambitious people express approval for those who look out for themselves.  However, our heavenly Father considers selfish ambition as evil.  It is one of the works of the flesh, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies” (Galatians 5:19-20 emphasis added), and in Romans 2:8,  we see that God’s wrath awaits those who are selfishly ambitious, “But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”  The Apostle James writes that the wisdom of a selfishly ambitious person comes from the devil, “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.   Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:14-16).  Paul even warns that ministers of the gospel can be self-seeking and vainglorious, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill; the former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains” (Philippians 1:15-16 emphasis added).  Finally, we receive a very stern warning from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:3-5, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (emphasis added).

 

An individual characterized by selfish ambition lives to glorify herself or himself, but there is a problem in doing that.  In the process of seeking her or his own interests first and seeking to glorify her or him rather than others, a selfishly ambitious person will destroy herself or himself.  Selfish ambition yields bitter fruit. 

 

Absalom, King David’s son, is an example of an individual who can be characterized as having selfish ambition.  Absalom wanted to be king, and rejected the needs of others and what God had chosen for his nation.  He promoted himself personally and politically to be king.  He valued his physical good looks and in the end that is what was used to entrap him so that others would kill him, “Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men.  He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s head got caught in the tree.  He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going” (2 Samuel 18:9).    His selfish ambition yielded bitter fruit (2 Samuel 13 -18).    A selfishly ambitious person is one who wants what God does not want for her or him and refuses to function in the calling of God for her or his life.  Such a person is always reaching for and working for something greater, but in the process of doing so, she or he destroys herself or himself. 

 

The Apostle Peter instructs us that there is a due time for God’s people who are not self-seeking and who trust God’s unfailing promises, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).  Jesus was such a man who humbled Himself, and in Philippians 2:9 we read, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place, and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee would bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God the Father.” 

 

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:14 - 26 that the body of Christ is not to be filled with selfish ambition, but we are to understand that God arranged all of the parts in the body of Christ just as He wants them to be and one member is not more important than another, but each has it’s place.  In fact, we are to honor each part so much that, “if one part suffers, every part suffers with it.  If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” 

 

Let us purpose in our hearts to give up all areas of selfish ambition and live our lives in humility and love.

 

Prayer—Father I pray that I will be always satisfied with Your gifts and callings in my life.  I ask You to help me to be fully satisfied in whatever position in the body of Christ that You have placed me in.  Father, I repent of selfish ambition and I ask you to clothe me in humility and love, and I trust that You will exalt me in due season.  I thank You that no power in the universe shall be able to frustrate You eternal plans for me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

DEAL WITH ANGER IMMEDIATELY

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him”—Colossians  3:8-11

 

In our scripture reading for today we find that, Christians are called to put aside "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech."   The command is clear, but the process of achieving and maintaining freedom from anger may seem confusing and overwhelming.

 

The first step is to recognize anger in your heart. This may seem unnecessary to those who readily express their feelings, but for those who have buried their anger deep within, an extended time of soul-searching before the Lord will be necessary.  Although hidden, the cancer of resentment has been growing and slowly infesting the heart.  This growth of anger has caused people to miss out on God’s plans and purpose for their life. 

 

The sharp sword of God's Word needs to be allowed to do some surgery so that anger can be cut off, “For the word of God powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

The next step is to confess unrighteous anger as sin and then begin to deal with it immediately. Because anger is often a response to hurt, care must be taken not to excuse or defend it in the name of justice.   According to Frank and Ida Mae Hammond, authors of Pigs in the Parlor, anger is linked to demon groupings of bitterness, resentment, hatred, unforgiveness, violence temper, retaliation and murder, and is associated with perfection, pride, vanity ego frustration, criticism, irritability, and intolerance; all which may need to be dealt with in deliverance.   Although someone may have sinned against you, holding onto anger in response is also a sin.   Scripture tells us to overcome evil with good, not to repay it, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17, 21).

 

Management of an irate lifestyle is not optional; anger must be put aside. We can not expect to live in the new nature Christ has created for us while retaining our "right" to be angry and hold grudges.

 

God's solution to an anger problem is a new Christ-like personality which He has created for us. Our responsibility is to put it on and seek deliverance when necessary.   He invites us to cooperate with Him in this process of transformation.  With each step of obedience, the peace of Christ will increase and anger will diminish.

 

Prayer—Father I ask You to help me deal with anger immediately when it comes.  Lord will you please help me to walk in your meekness, gentleness, and kindness?   Father I receive by faith all of Your capabilities in dealing with anger when it arises in m life, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

ANGER CAN BE CONTAGIOUS

“Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways, and set a snare for your soul”—Proverbs 22:23-24

 

Anger can wreak havoc on both the body and soul, but its tentacles reach beyond the individual and wrap around everyone in close proximity.   Bitter outbursts and silent resentment are not just our own personal issues.

 

An angry spirit is contagious.   It is passed from one person to another—and from one generation to the next.  Workplaces can become tense environments full of caustic words and attitudes.   Anger turns homes into battlegrounds of verbal explosions or silent hostility.   Even churches suffer from malicious gossip and fights over personal preferences.

 

God created us to live in fellowship with others, but anger can poison our relationships. Tragically, those closest to us are the ones who suffer the most.   Children learn to respond to life's situations by observing their parents' example.   They then develop similar attitudes and patterns of behavior.   We need to give serious thought to what kind of heart we are passing down to our sons and daughters.

 

Thankfully, God is in the heart-changing business.   Just as we learn an angry person's ways by association, so we can learn right-eous ways by walking closely with the Lord.   Christ calls us to come, learn from Him—and find rest for our souls “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest fro your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

 

Which would you prefer: churning anger or Christ's peace? Both require sacrifice.   To maintain anger, you might have to forfeit healthy relationships and a godly heritage for your descendants.   But to acquire peace, ask God to help you leave your grudges, personal rights, and insults on the altar.  Why not do that today?

 

Prayer—Father I give you my anger towards_________________.  I repent for harboring ill feelings, resentments, grudges, and anger and I ask You to forgive me.  I ask You to deliver me from a spirit of anger and that Your peace to flood my mind and heart, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

 

ANGER HAS CONSEQUENCES

“A man of great wrath shall suffer the penalty; for if you deliver him [from the consequences], he will [feel free to] cause you to do it again.”—Proverbs 19:19

 
Anger is a common emotion that arises when one encounters a threat, insult, injustice, or frustration.   God Himself feels anger, and He has given us this same ability.   “Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath,” (Ephesians 4:26).  However, because of our fallen nature, we often respond in a sinful manner when this intense feeling overwhelms us.


One prevalent sinful response is to hold onto anger until it becomes part of our character.   It takes up residence in the innermost being and starts to twist thinking and agitate emotions.  Peace and joy are noticeably absent because they cannot coexist with the anxiety and frustration that accompany bitterness.


After poisoning the character, an angry spirit spills over into other relationships.   Hurtful words are thrown like flaming arrows, even at those who aren't the cause of the rage.  Psalm 64: 1-4 paints a graphic picture of words thrown like arrows "Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; preserve my life from fear of the enemy.  Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity, who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows--bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear" (emphasia added).  Shields of self protection are raised in an effort to avoide any future hurts.  Unfortunately the results of these behaviors is stressed relationships and isolation.

While anger can damage character and connections with others, its most tragic consequence is broken fellowship with God.   Wrath not only hinders His work in and through believers; it also grieves the Father's heart.   He desires to shower His children with blessings, but fists full of anger cannot receive His riches of character and calling.


Are you harboring anger?   It could be so deeply buried within your soul that you are unaware of its presence.   But sustained, unresolved bitterness will affect every area of your life.   Ask God to reveal any hidden resentment.   Release it, and take hold of the riches of Christ

 
Prayer—Father I ask You to forgive me for giving into anger and not practicing self-control.  Lord will you please remove the sting of the arrows that I shot by the words that I have spoken out of anger, fear and hurt towards people, objects and any other thing?  I ask You for Your help, guidance, sufficiency, and deliverance in breaking the spirit of anger, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

UNMET NEEDS PRODUCE QUESTIONS

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trust in You!”—Psalm 84:11-12

 

If the Lord has promised to provide and is able, why does He not always meet our needs when we ask?  Since He is completely faithful to His Word, the problem is obviously with us, not Him.  In today’s devotional scripture, His promise of provision has a condition—it is given to “those who walk uprightly” (v. 11).   So if God is not providing for our needs as we think that He should, He may have a different plan for us.   But we should also examine our lives for possible hindrances.

 

Sin—one reason our prayers may not be answered is because we have allowed sin in our lives and are not walking uprightly.  If the Lord ignored disobedience and granted our requests, He would be affirming a sinful lifestyle.

 

Laziness—another possible explanation for unmet needs is that we have not done our part.  Although God is the ultimate source of all that we have, He is given us the responsibility to work in order to provide basic necessities, “For even when we were with you, we command you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.  For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11).   If you are an able-bodied person who is unwilling to work and wants something for nothing, the Lord is not going to reinforce your laziness.

 

Wants—Perhaps God has not provided as you expected because your “needs” are really wants.  Recently, I asked my grandchildren to give me a list of things that they would like to have as gifts.  As I read through each child’s list, I came across one who had put a “star” sign next to needs, and a “circle” sign next to wants.  At first I was amused, but then on reflection I could see how at a young age we are learning that needs get a higher priority rating than wants.  Additionally, we need to realize that if God knows that what we want will not fulfill His plans for our life, He will withhold it in order to provide something better.

 

To avoid disappointment with God, understand that His actions and character always align.  He will not reward rebellion or laziness, and His answers to prayer fit with His goal of conforming us to Christ’s image. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that any unmet needs in my life are being realigned so that all that I am is being conformed into the image of Christ, in Jesus Name. Amen.