NECESSARY ATTITUDES FOR FINANCIAL GIVING

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”—2 Corinthians 9:7

 

All of the developing nations of the world conduct business transactions through some type of monetary currency.  The financial operations and status of one nation affects many other nations.  For example, when the credit rating of a nation is down-graded the rate of interest charged to financial institution for borrowing money increases which trickles down to all levels of people who buy and sell things in that nation and to that nation—it affects everybody.  God is personally interested in the details of our life, including our financial security.   

 

The unemployment rate in America is at 7% this means that out of 315,147,097 people over 22 million are unemployed, and this does not account for people who are underemployed.   These mathematical figures could depress people; but, did you know that there are over 2,350 scriptures in the Bible about money which is more than any other topic?  Do you realize that more than half of Jesus’ parables use money as object lessons?  God wants us to handle our resources with His wisdom.  That is why His Word includes instructions about giving and the attitudes He wants us to have.

  

Generously.  According to scripture, when we give generously we will reap generously.  “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).  Because of your national circumstance (unemployment rate, etc.), I urge you—do not succumb to the temptation to hoard.  Honor God by blessings others with your abundance.  A friend of mine who lives on a fixed income told me this testimony:  She said that she is very frugal with her money, but had a desire to give to God in a special way this past summer.  As she prayed and asked God for His wisdom in what do to, she got this idea to plant a garden.  The garden produced abundantly.  She had enough for herself, and to put some back for the winter months.  The Lord showed her to take the abundance and bless the homeless people in her area.  When she sowed her seed bountifully, she began receiving unexpected rebates and reductions on her utility bills.  Wisdom will always guide us and lead us into right paths.

Cheerfully.  God knows our hearts and motives.  We are instructed to give joyfully, not with a grudge, or out of guilt.  I learned my lesson when I felt that the Lord wanted me to give a dress I had made for myself to another lady.  I really wanted that dress, but I loved the Lord and out of obedience to Him I gave it away.  Later, I discovered that the lady did not have a dress to wear to church, and she thought that she had to have one to attend services.  The face of this young woman radiated with joy when she told the church congregation how the Lord surprised her with this gift.  My prideful heart melted when I heard her testimony.  She did not have one dress; I had many and wanted more.  Because of this one lesson, I love to give whatever I have cheerfully.   

 

Confidently in Faith.  God keeps His promises.  When we give to support the Lord’s work, He will open the windows of heaven and impact ever area of our lives (Malachi 3:10).  We are to give in faith, trusting God and His promises, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).  “For we walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  I love the testimony of the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4, “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livilhood that she had.”  It takes faith and love to God to give to His work when you do not have much to give.  But God will not be mocked, for whatever a person sows, that she or he will reap (Galatians 6:7).

 

I encourage you to study to see what the Scripture teaches about the principals of handling your money wisely.  Remember, God trusts you; He paid a big price for you, He thinks that you are worth it and He wants to work with you.  You are not alone in handling your finances.  His Spirit and His wisdom are ready to impart the answers and direction that you need in every financial decision that you make, all you need to do is ask Him.  He is ready to back you up and to bless you abundantly.

 

Prayer—Father I ask you for Your Wisdom and Spirit to guide and direct the decision that I need to make concerning____________________.  Holy Spirit, I ask you to show me if I need to adjust any attitudes concerning giving.  Lord I purpose in my heart to give generously, cheerfully and confidently, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

 

EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE OF DEVINE ENCOUNTERS AND REFRESHING

“For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, ‘This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,’ And, ‘This is the refreshing;’
Yet they would not hear.”—Isaiah 28:11-12

 

Jesus told his followers that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive power (Acts 1:5, 8).  Acts 2 records the event of the Holy Spirit filling Jesus’ followers and their speaking in other tongues.  Peter proclaimed that this event was the fulfilling of Joel’s prophecy (2:28-32) which said, in part, “That I[God] will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.  I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath.”   It was after they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues that the early disciples experienced divine encounters and it was through the Holy Spirit that they were refreshed. 

 

Peter and John were going to the temple to prayer when a begging lame man was completely healed because of a divine encounter (Acts 3:1-10).  Later, Peter and John were arrested and jailed because the man was healed.  The religious leaders demanded to know by what power the healing took place, and another divine encounter took place when Peter filled with the Holy Spirit answered them.  The religious leaders understood that these men were uneducated so they were moved by the words by which they spoke, plus the healed lame man was standing with them as a testimony.  After they were threaten not to preach anymore in the Name of Jesus, they were let go.  Peter and John reported back to their companions everything that had happen.  The congregation began worshiping and praising God and they said, “‘Now Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4).  Their refreshing experience resulted in the word of God spoken with boldness.  Jude wrote a letter “To all who are called, sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ,” saying, “But you beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20).

 

Waiting before God in prayer will not only renew your strength, but it will also bring a great refreshing to your spirit.  Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:16, “That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.”  The words “renew” and refreshing” are similar in meaning.  Peter uses the word “refreshing” to describe what occurs in the Presence of the Lord, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).  Notice in this verse the expression “times of refreshing.”  We do not get just one time of refreshing in our walk with God.  We can have continual times of refreshing as we set aside time to spend in God’s Presence, praying and worshiping Him in the Spirit.  We must need these times of refreshing and renewal, or God would not have provided them for us.  Praying in tongues builds our faith and opens our spirits to divine encounters and refreshes us.

 

Prayer—Father, as I pray in the spirit today, I am expecting experiences in Your presence that You have just for me.  I believer I shall have an increase of divine encounters and experiences in Your glory.  Even now, as I pray in the spirit, I am being refreshed, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

TAKE YOUR ASSIGNMENT SERIOUSLY

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”—Matthew 28:19-20

 

A good student takes the assignment that a teacher gives seriously.  The student does what is required, going the best that they can and completes the assignment in the time allotted.

 

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His followers a commandment—an assignment—to share the good news of the gospel.  Are you taking the assignment seriously and are you using your best efforts in completing the task?  

 

Christ told His followers to share the good news about salvation and make disciples of all nations.  Are you praying and waiting for God to do what He told you to do?  The Scripture tells us that “the glorious gospel…has been committed to our trust” (1 Timothy 1:11). 

 

Jesus told us that we are to follow His example and when we do then our actions and words should touch people as His did, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).   Recipients of Christ’s love were forever changed.  As His followers, we have the Holy Spirit residing within us, which means we have access to the same power that raised Christ from the dead, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).  

 

God ordained that ordinary people like you and like me are to communicate the good news to every creature, to all the nations.  God depends upon us to communicate the good news to every creature in all the nations, and sadly, if we do not, people will not hear the message of Christ and His love will not be communicated.  However, Paul speaking by inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote in 1Timothy 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” 

 

Christ wants to visit the incarcerated, the sick, the lonely, the infirmed of our community, but He needs human beings to function through. He has enabled us to do what He did.  When we visit those in prison, He visits them.  When we visit the lonely, those in the hospitals, those sick at home He visits them.  We are impacting lives by allowing Jesus to touch through us, to love through us, to heal through us, to encourage through us, to bring assurance, deliverance and so much more—it is all done through Jesus loving and living through us. If we can not go personally to other nations, we can assist those who do go by financially and prayerfully supporting kingdom efforts on foreign soil.

 

Our Lord was serious about telling His followers to share the gospel.  Consider how you spend your time and your money.   Does this indicate obedience to the most important assignment you have ever received?  What changes must you make to give Jesus’ commandment top priority?

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for helping me to refocus my priorities this year.  Holy Spirit I ask you to show me any areas of my life that I need to make adjustments so that I can fully cooperate with Your plan in sharing the gospel to all the world.  Lord, I surrender a new to You today, to use me as an instrument of Your peace and love to ministry love in a hurting world, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

GODLY CONVICTIONS CAN WITHSTAND THE OPINIONS OF MEN

“Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”—John 8:9

 

Our Scripture reference today demonstrates the power of our convictions.  Convictions are beliefs or opinions that we hold firmly too.   A person is said to hold a conviction because he or she has become convinced, by either evidence or argument, that his or her beliefs are true. Have you noticed that a lot of people choose to live by their preference rather than their conviction?  Their belief is based on certain conditions and circumstances and when the situation changes, so does their loyalty.  In other words, a lot of people waver on issues that require a firm resolve.

 

Contrast this vacillating approach with the mindset of the great men and women of Scripture. Contrary to many years of unfair treatment, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to godly principles.  As a result, he was in the right place at the right time to ensure Israel’s survival, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive”(Genesis 50:20).  Daniel, another righteous man in an idolatrous land, earned the trust of foreign kings by standing firm in his beliefs (Daniel 1-2). When his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also refused to compromise their beliefs, they influenced a king to recognize Jehovah as the one true God, “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-Nego shall be cut to pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this” (Daniel 3:29).

 

As these biblical heroes show, godly convictions can withstand the changing view points of opinion and persuasive reasoning of men. If we are grounded in the Word and trust what God has said, we can stand firm in our beliefs.   Confidence produces the courage to remain strong during times of conflict. 

 

There are so many martyrs world-wide who have suffered at the hands of their accusers, but they do not go against their convictions.  We, in the western “civilized” hemisphere, have not suffered at the hands of those who physically torture those who preach in Christ’s name.  However, we waver in our convictions in the name of “what is socially acceptable.”  The Scriptures warn us about such apathy and how it “waters” down our faith.  Paul urged Timothy to hold fast to faith, “Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith” (1 Timothy 1:4).

  

Today I urge you to examine your heart to see if your convictions are anchored in Jesus or in the opinions of others.  We can only hold steady in a storm to what we personally believe in.  The Scriptures have much to say about the most important aspects of your life.  Through prayer and study, allow your heart to be firmly rooted in solid biblical convictions that can withstand the storms of life and the opinion of men.

 

Father—During times of adversities in my life, I thank You for helping me to hold steady to my convictions of what Your Word says.  May Your Word be a strong anchor for me to cling to in the time of trouble, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

EXTENDING YOUR PRAYERS FOR OTHERS IMPACTS YOUR OWN LIFE

“Knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”—Ephesians 6:8

  

There are many scriptures that encourage us to pray for others; however, I think one of the greatest is found in John 17 which records the great prayer that Jesus prayed for all those who would believe in Him through the words of His disciples.  Every time I read this prayer I am awed and amazed at what an impact that this has made on my personal life and all those who believe on the Name of Jesus.  Did you know that Jesus prayed this prayer just before He was crucified?  His prayer sowed in faith reaped eternal rewards, and so will ours. 

 

Scripture tells us that Job suffered many trials and afflictions; but, it was not until he prayed for his friends that he experienced a turn-around in his circumstances and his future was better than his past, “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends.  And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). 

 

We are instructed to pray for all people, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people” (1 Timothy 2:1).  Even when we do not know how to pray for others, we can because of the help of the Holy Spirit, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts know what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26,27). 

 

Sowing prayers for others, especially during your own times of difficulties and trials, will reap a harvest of answers to your own needs. Give someone the seed of prayer today and watch what God will do for you!

 

Father—I pray for____________________today.  Father will you please move powerfully on ________behalf?  I ask that You meet their needs and that you will keep them safe and protected.  Lord, I ask that they would experience a fresh touch of Your presence in their life, a fresh revelation, and complete peace.  Lord, I ask that Your peace would be present in each decision that they make today and that Your wisdom and understanding would guide and keep them today, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

YOU ARE THE LIGHT THROUGH WHICH GOD LEADS TODAY

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”.—Matthew 5:16

 

When God created the heavens and the earth, the first recorded words that He spoke were, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3 emphasis added).  Light is what illuminates the darkness, makes something visible and to make something easier to understand.  Jesus said “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46 emphasis added).  Jesus, the light of the world, is not a temporal light that can be turned on and off.  He is not like a light switch.  Science has discovered that light travels and that it is a continuum—it goes on and on and on…. He is the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end.

 

No darkness can destroy God’s plan for eternity. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5 emphasis added).  If there is darkness in any area of your life, do not settle for it.  Do not allow sickness, fear, doubt, worry or anything else to cloud your light.   Darkness cannot stamp out light unless it is allowed.  Do not settle for a flickering of light in your life.  Let the light of Jesus to continually shine through you.
 

When Jesus comes into your life, it is His light that descends into you.  “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

 

God uses people to guide others to their destination.  Philip, the evangelist, is an example of a person used by God to guide someone else, “And he [the eunuch] said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Read the full account in Acts 8:26-40).  Light does not put its finger in people’s faces condemning them.  Light always guides.   “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).  True light will always guide you to Jesus.  If you are following a light that is not pointing you to Jesus, you are, then, following the wrong light. 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You sent Jesus to be the light of the world and that light now lives and shines through me.  Today I purpose to allow my light to shine in a greater way then it ever has before so that others may see You, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

ARE YOUR PRAYERS ATTACHED TO THE POWER SOURCE

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”—Colossians 2:9-10

 

Just before Jesus was crucified, He instructed His disciples that after His death that they were to pray in His name to the Heavenly Father—in other words, to make requests according to His will.  He very pointedly said that there was power attached to prayer offered this way: “…The Father will give you whatever you ask in My name” (John 15:16 NIV).  Praying in Christ’s name means we are declaring (legally stating) our . . .

 

• Relationship with the Savior. What makes it possible for us to approach God through prayer is our relationship with Jesus. At salvation, we went from being foreigners and aliens to being children of God, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians. 2:19).   God has become more than our Creator He is now our heavenly Father.  He hears our requests because we have been made family through the redemptive work of His Son.  The presence of Christ’s Spirit within us proves we are one of His own.

 

• Legal right to approach the Father.  Jesus’ death opened the way for us to have immediate, unhindered admittance to the Father’s presence.  When Jesus finished His work in making the final priestly sacrifice, “For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever (Hebrews 7:28), the veil in the temple, which closed off the Holy of Holies from man, was torn in two, “Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom”(Mark 15:38).   This symbolized the spiritual truth that access to God was now open to all who believe.  Through the Holy Spirit, we have the right to talk to God directly without a human intermediary, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).

 

Jesus Christ fully paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross.  Accepting His atoning death on our behalf means we are in a new family relationship and we have unhindered access to the Father.

 

Never allow the enemy to discourage you by causing you to think that your prayers are not powerful and that you are not accomplishing anything when you pray.  When we pray using the Name of Jesus our supplications and prayers are powerful because of who we are related to and the legal access to the Father.   Let’s remember to give thanks to God for the incredible privilege of prayer!

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for the privilege that I have in prayer.  Forgive me for taking this privilege lightly and help me to remember that when I ask any thing according to Your will in Jesus Name, You will do it, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

A FRESH AWAKENING TO GOD IS POSSIBLE

 ^“[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]  That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].”—Philippians 3:10-11

When Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, he was a prisoner at Rome, A.D. 62.  Paul was instrumental in planting this church; in fact, he received the “call” to go preach the gospel at Philippi through a vision in the night (Acts 16:9).  The beginning of the church was very small; Lydia, a business woman who was the first European convert, a jailer, and a few others.   Paul suffered very hard things at Philippi; he was scourged, and put into stocks (Acts 16:23-24); yet Paul was determined not allow the difficulties he experienced to dull his spiritual senses and intimacy with Christ. 

We, as believers, must follow Paul’s example if we are to pursue a deep personal relationship with Christ.  The daily rituals of living in a fallen world can take a toll and dull our spiritual senses.  So, instead of longing for a deeper intimacy with Christ, our attention becomes distracted to find fulfillment in the things of the world.  The end result is that we go through our days, and weeks robbed of the joy and satisfaction of a close relationship with the Lord, and in need of a fresh spiritual awakening.

 Do you desire to have a fresh awakening to God and His presence in your life?  Do you yearn for an awareness of His holiness?  Are you longing for a love relationship in which your Love talks to you and you to Him?  If you do, it is then time to return to Him with all of your heart.  “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1).

“As the Deer” is the title of a well-known worship song by Martin Nystrom that was written in 1981 and is based on Psalm 42:1.  The lyrics are:

As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

Chorus

You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You

You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a king
And I love You more than any other
So much more than anything

I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye

 

Most Bible commentaries agree that the word used for “deer” in this verse means a female deer. The word rendered in the text "panteth," occurs only in this place and in Joel 1:20, where it is applied to the beasts of the field as "crying" to God in a time of drought. The word properly means to rise; to ascend; and then, to look up toward anything; to long for. It refers here to the intense desire of the deer, in the heat of day, for water; or, in Joel, to the desire of the cattle for water in a time of drought. 

 

The psalmist so beautifully and appropriately described the earnest longing of a soul after God.  There is no desire of the soul more intense than that which the humble heart has for God; there is no want more deeply felt than that which is experienced when one who loves God is cut off by any cause from communion with him.

 

Jesus assured us that He is the water that will never run dry and that when we seek Him we will find Him. “But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).  “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?  Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11: 9-13).

 

Prayer—Father I repent of worldly distractions and all unclean filth of this world and I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  I ask You for a fresh awakening of You and Your presence in my life.  Lord I long for a love relationship with You and I ask You to touch and awaken my heat, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

LIVING WATER SATISFIES THE SOUL

 “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word; that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”—1 Peter 2:2-3

 

One day as Jesus and His disciples were walking from the city of Judea to Galilee they came to the city of Samaria.  Jesus was very tired, so He sat down to rest by a water-well while His disciples went into the city to buy some food. It is here, by what is known as Jacob’s well, that Jesus asked a Samaritan woman to give Him a drink of water. Because their two cultures did not speak to one-another, she was puzzled and asked Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me a Samaritian woman? For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.”  Jesus went on to tell the woman that if she knew who she was talking to that she would have asked Him to give her living water (John 4:3-10). 

 

Have you ever had a time when you experienced unbearable thirst?  You probably would have traded anything for a drink. There is nothing that taste’s better than that cold, refreshing glass of water.  Now compare this physical need to spiritual thirst.  Jesus referred to Himself as "living water" because He knew that we have a deep need for fulfillment.  It is only the living water that can truly satisfy.

 

When asked why people all over the world long to come to America, a high school class came to the conclusion:  “To fulfill the American dream of owning their own home, having a vehicle to drive, having a family and money in the bank.”  Isn't it interesting that no matter what country a person may live in that there is so much dissatisfaction?   In Christ, we have everything necessary to be complete, content, and fulfilled.  Yet our world deceptively tells us to seek after wealth, glory, and other empty dreams.  These seem to gratify for a short time, if at all.  Yet we often do not recognize our actual needs. The Enemy continues to deceive by telling us that his poor substitutes will satisfy the hunger inside us.

 

Jesus is the only thing that can satisfy our souls.  He called Himself "the bread of life" and "living water” (John 6:34-35; 7:38).  These are the sustenance’s our soul requires to survive and thrive.   His Word is alive, able to teach, convict, and redirect us toward a godly path, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any tow 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 spiritual milk of God’s truth provides the nourishment our souls need to be satisfied.

 

All of us have an emptiness within us—a longing for something more. The question then, becomes, what are you attempting to use to satisfy your soul?  Are you using other things to try to satisfy the longing in your soul?  I heard someone say that our hearts are like a jigsaw puzzle and no matter how hard you try to force a wrong piece, it will never fit correctly.  Today I urge you to turn to Jesus, and His living water will satisfy your soul.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for substituting other things in my life to satisfy the longings of my soul and I ask You to forgive me.  Lord I turn to You with my whole heart seeking You and You alone to satisfy my yearnings, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

DO NOT BE SATISFIED WITH A LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP

“The glory which you have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one.  I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”—John 17:22-23

 

Many times, we often let our past shape our future.  How we think about certain things is based on our past experiences and somehow we get a mind-set of future failure.  This past year you may not have ended up where you would like to be in your relationship with the Lord. Does it seem that you are having a long-distance relationship with Him?  Perhaps there were some things that were not completed some failures, and some mistakes; however, because Jesus has took our sins, failures, weaknesses, and problems out of our way we are able to say to the past: “You will no longer hold me back—You are not longer relevant.”  “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

 

Rev. Brenda Kunneman gave the following prophetic word, Monday, December 31, 2012:    “The Spirit says, know that the past is no longer relevant to your future. Your past mistakes, problems, and even the things that did not turn out like you hoped are now over.  So as you look at the year to come, say of the past, It is not relevant!” 

 

Because you made a decision not to allow the past to be relevant to your future, this year can be the best year of your relationship with the Lord.  Jesus said in John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.  Having a close relationship to the Lord allows Him to manifest Himself to you.

 

I have read somewhere that when Michael Angelo was in the height of his fame, a boy named Raphael, destined to be his worthy successor --was introduced to him as a promising-pupil.  At first the lad was employed in the simplest duties of the studio, cleaning brushes and mixing paints, but as he developed the qualities of exactness, punctuality, and sympathy, he became entrusted with increasing responsibility, until the master painter made him his friend and confidant.  So we come to Christ, first, as redeemed from the slavery of Satan, to be His Servants, and He calls us His friends.

 

A friend will reveal himself and you will hear from his own lips items of confidential information. Thus it is with the Lord Jesus. He manifests Himself to those who love Him, and keep His word.

 

A friend will interest his friends in his undertakings.  It is a joy to Christ when those whom He loves are able to take a share in His world-wide redemptive schemes.  A friend will be interested in our failures and successes.  So to it is with our Lord. When He sees some peril menacing us, does He not make intercession?  If we fail, He meets us with the same tender affection, not alienated from us, but only intensely sorry, ready to point out the cause of our failure and to encourage us to try again.  If we stand our ground, He meets us as we come forth from the fight, glad for us, eager to refresh us in our weariness, careful to heal any wound that we may have received.

 

Such is the relationship that we have with Jesus.  He is always the same, His love never wanes, His compassion they fail not, His mercy is new every morning.   

 

Prayer—Father I pray that Jesus Christ may become dearer to me. May I love Him as a personal Friend, and hide myself in the hourly consciousness of His presence.  May I have no taste or desire for things which He would disapprove and let His love constrain me not to live unto myself, but to His glory, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

ALLOW THE WIND OF THE SPIRIT TO SET YOUR COURSE

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”—Genesis 2:7

 

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Wind of God, and the very Breath of God.  It is interesting to note that in both the Hebrew and Greek languages the same word in both have the same three meanings.  In the Hebrew, ruach means spirit, wind and breath.  The context in which the word is used dictates which word best fits.  In the Greek, pneuma also means spirit, wind and breath.  When God formed Adam of the dust of the ground, it was the breath of God that caused him to live.  It is the same Spirit of God that causes us to live this new life when we repent of our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  However, unless we are constantly being replenished with His Life, we soon find that in ourselves our natural reserves are limited and we become exhausted and have nothing more to offer—we are worn out, breathless…winded. 

 

Nearly a half-century ago, a Scottish pastor, James S. Stewart, published a book of sermons that went by the title of the first sermon, "The Wind of the Spirit."  His text for that message was something the Lord said to Nicodemus, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

 

In my opinion, Stewart's outline on this powerful truth gives us an understanding of the depth of the Lord’s teaching about the Wind of the Spirit.

 

"The wind blows" = That bare, simple statement affirms the ceaseless action of the Spirit. Never has there been a time, never a moment, when the Spirit of God has not been actively at work.

"The wind blows where it wishes" = This is the sovereign freedom of the Spirit. Just as it is impossible to control the wind or dictate its direction, so no man, no Church, can domesticate the Spirit of God.

"...and you hear the sound of it" = This is the indisputable evidence of the Spirit. He makes Himself evident, His presence felt. You know the living God is at work in this place.

"...but cannot tell where it comes from" = This is the inscrutable origin of the Spirit. We do not know what God has been doing before beginning His work at this point and in this place, only that He has.

"...and where it goes" = This is the incalculable destiny of the Spirit. You cannot tell where He is liable to carry you.

 

The Wind of the Spirit is a resource for believers beyond all measure. The Spirit is God's strength for our weakness, His sight for our blindness and His supply for our need.

 

Some years ago, I was on a plane flying back from Florida when the captain came on the intercom. He greeted everyone and said what altitude that we were flying at and then said, “I thought you'd be interested in knowing that we have a tailwind of 200 knots. This means that instead of flying along at 400 miles an hour, we are doing something over 600."

 

He paused to let that sink in, and then said, "A few minutes ago, the pilot of a plane headed in the opposite direction said that same wind is a headwind to him. So, instead of doing 500, he's doing 300 miles an hour."

Resist the Lord and He becomes a headwind to us, slowing us down, making our way hard. The Lord said to Saul of Tarsus, "It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 9:5).

 

Go "with the Wind of God" and we soon find we are being lifted and carried along by an incredible power beyond ourselves. The best prayer any of us can pray is the first one Saul prayed that day outside Damascus: "What do you want me to do?" (Acts 9:6).

 

This year I pray that you allow the Spirit of God to set your course and run with Him.

 

Prayer—Father I repent of doing things my own way and in my own strength, I ask You to help me Spirit of God and lead me in the pathway of life; help me to put my trust in You and not in man.  Lord I thank You that You make Your presence known and that You will carry me through to my final destination, in Jesus Name.  Amen.  

 

 

PURPOSE TO INTIMATELY KNOW CHRIST

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”—Philippians 3:10

It is the beginning of a new year and we have an opportunity to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ.  No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, it is never too late to begin seeking Him on a more intense level.  Whether you are already passionate about Jesus or know Him only on a surface level, everyone is welcome to join Paul and “Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).   If you are ready to begin to know Christ more intimately, put into practice the following which will help you in your journey.

 

1.       Study to Scripture to show yourself approved.  He speaks to us through His Word, revealing who He is and what He does. 

2.      Spend time alone with the Lord in prayer and worship. Jesus withdrew from people to send time with the Father.  Likewise, we develop a close relationship with Jesus when we are willing to invest the time to get to know Him.

3.      Rely on the Lord.  The depth of any relationship depends on the level of trust which is developed over time spent with Him.

4.      Be obedient to Him.  As we take each step of obedience, God reveals more of Himself.

5.      Heed how Christ works in your life.  Paying attention to how the Lord operates, you will become familiar with His ways and goals.

6.      Make Jesus the greatest importance.  Be willing to lay aside anything that competes with your loyalty and devotion to Him.

 

Knowing Christ intimately is an attainable goal.  These are some things that have helped me.  Persistence—the key is persistence, so forget past failures and press on.  Thankful—because I was go thankful to be delivered from drugs and alcohol, I yearned for an intimate relationship with the One who loved me so much and I began to cultivate that type of relationship with Christ.  Examples—also, I found examples of whom I could follow through reading books and then later through personal mentors who are inspirations to me in my quest to know Christ intimately. 

 

Prayer—Father I lay down my preconceived ideas of who You are and I ask You to reveal Yourself to me in a clearer and deeper way this year as I yield myself to You, in Jesus Name. Amen.

IN THE MIDST OF A CRISIS THERE IS A FIRM FOUNDATION

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation o the rock.  And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it for it was founded on the rock.”—Luke 6:47-48

 

God has ways of shaking the world when He is at work. He literally caused the ground to quake when Jesus died on the cross, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up his Spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:50-51).  Hebrews 12:26 describes a time still future when the earth will undergo a similar display of His power and presence.

 

Likewise in our present day, He often lets the foundations of our world be shaken—whether political alliances, financial systems, or other forms of human security.   Then we can see the flimsiness of the structures on which we have based our pride and hopes.   Individual lives are also often shaken when a family experiences crisis or a marriage begins to unravel.   If we have built on the fragile cornerstones of human wisdom, pride, and conditional love, things may look good for a while, but a weak foundation causes collapse when storms hit.

 

While adversity affects everyone, we can have peace in knowing that God always has a greater purpose when He allows upheaval and crisis in our world.  Hard times can also shake believers out of apathy and self-focus, reminding us not to trust in ourselves or the temporary structures of this world.  There is only one secure firm foundation: a genuine, deep relationship with Jesus Christ, which will carry you through any and all turmoil.  No matter what storms are raging all around, you'll stand firm if you stand on His love.

 

It is not enough for believers to simply enjoy the security of knowing that our "house" is built on a solid foundation. As God's ambassadors on earth, we have a responsibility to extend His compassion to people whose lives are crumbling.  Be a living message of hope to those around you today so that they too can stand on a firm foundation.

 

Prayer—Father I repent for the times that I have panic in the midst of a crisis in my life and have trusted myself and others for the answer, and I ask You to forgive me.  Lord, today with Your help I purpose in my heart to stand firm on the foundation of our relationship, knowing that You will never leave nor forsake me, and that You are always helping me even when I cannot see it in the natural realm, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

UNDERSTAND THE FRUIT OF WAITING

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors”— Proverbs 8:34

 

In America, the season of winter has set in.  During this time in much of our country, the cold north winds blow, ice and snow make driving and walking difficult.  The long wait for spring has begun.  Perhaps you are waiting an answer to prayer—for a job, improved finances, better health, or the salvation of a loved one.  Maybe you are anticipating the next step in God’s plan for your life, or the strength to finally overcome some habitual sin.

 

Whatever the case may be, as we look forward to the changes in the landscape that spring time will bring around us, it is a good time to also consider what seeds we have been sowing in our lives.  In our season of waiting, have we sown righteousness or sin?  Have we prepared to reap a harvest of spiritual fruit or the weeds of compromise? 

 

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh, will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:7-9).  A man who had been sick with an infirmity for thirty-eight years lay at a pool of water.  He was waiting for an angel to stir the water hoping that one day he would be the first one to get into the water and be healed, but every time someone else would get into the water first because he had no one to help him.  One day Jesus saw him lying there and asked him a most important question, “Do you want to be made well?”  The sick man replied I tried to get to the water to be healed while the waters were being stirred, but each time someone get’s their before me.  Jesus said to him, “Rise take up your bed and walk.” The man was immediately healed.  (John 5:2-9). The waiting time for this man’s relief had come to an end.  A new season had begun in his life.

 

Waiting on God can seem like a long time, full of both temptations and blessings.  During this time of waiting it is important to have eyes to see and ears to hear how the Lord is leading you, as you trust Him for the future.  Spend as much time as possible reading His Word, in prayer and in fellowship with like-minded believers.   Other like-minded believers can be a source of encouragement and strength during your time of waiting.  As you spend time preparing your heart for the answer from your loving heavenly Father, make changes in your life according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.  If you do, it will not be long until you will experience the joy of a fully ripened fruit and the days of your waiting will have come to and end.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You are with me all of the time even in the darkest hour of my life.  I thank You that You never leave me or forsake me.  Lord, I ask you to strengthen me during this time of waiting in my life and I ask You to show me any needed changes that are needed, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

IN EVERY SITUATION ALLOW YOUR FAITH TO GROW

 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.”—Habakkuk 2:4

 

Jesus spent time developing His disciples’ faith because He knew it would be essential for the tasks ahead of them.  For over three years, they attended a school of faith with Jesus as their instructor and the Bible as Jesus knew it consisted of some twelve to twenty scrolls of different sizes. On those scrolls were written 39 books which were divided into three major groups - Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim.  Most often Christ used parables in His verbal instruction, but many of the lessons were taught through demonstrations.  He healed the sick, cast out demons, fed thousands, and calmed the sea.  Their training even included tests that revealed if they truly believed Jesus was the Messiah.

 

At times the disciples’ understanding was slow or faltering, but Christ never gave up on them.  He reproved them whey exhibited a lack of trust, “But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’” (Mark 4:40).  He also commended signs of progress, “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’   Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:15-17).   His objective was to firmly establish their faith so He could accomplish His work in and through them.  After His ascension, He commanded His men to spread the gospel of salvation to the remotest parts of the earth.  Without faith, they would have failed.

 

The Lord has the same goal for us—to increase our faith so we can do the work He has planned for us.  If our faith is great, He will entrust us with challenges and achieve amazing things through us.  But small faith limits God’s activity in a believer’s life.  He uses us only to the degree that we trust Him.

 

Faith building is essential in a believer’s life, and God has two primary means of doing this.  Scripture tells us what to believe about Him, and tests place us in difficult situations that stretch us to believe and rely on God instead of our own understanding.  Each time we believe Him, our faith grows.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that in each circumstance that I can trust You knowing that the outcome is sure because my faith is in You not in the circumstance—good or bad.  Today I purpose in my heart not to limit Your activity in my life, but I will fully trust and confidently rely upon You, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

THE BIRTHDAY THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

“And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”—Matthew 1:21

 

I want to encourage you today to think on Christ’s birthday as an on-going event in your life, and not just a one-day-a-year event that we as Christians celebrate His birth.  The day of His coming was prophetically declared by Isaiah, the prophet, centuries before the actual occurrence, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).  Sometimes we receive prophetic words but anticipate and pray about the fulfilling of God’s plan.  Many people have done the same thing concerning the birth of Christ and are still looking for the Messiah to come; however, He has already come and we must recognize His birth.

 

When we accept the virgin birth of Christ, his death, burial and resurrection, we are saying yes to everything that He provided for us.  His birth is on-going in our life by faith.  Salvation and our personal relationship with Him are by faith.  He is the Good Shepherd, who cares for us individually, unconditionally, and with great passion.

 

His unconditionally love, is the gift that keeps on giving in our lives that no matter what it is never taken away.  He loves us so much.  He is faithful, trustworthy, available at all times.

 

Jesus is our Shepherd, Friend, and indwelling Teacher.  His gift of redemption allows us to live abundantly now and also promises eternity in His presence.  Take the time to explore some to the countless benefits of His gift so you can enjoy and be grateful for all the blessings we have in Him.

 

Prayer—Father thank You for Your gift of Jesus to me, Lord help me never to take You for granite and to always be aware that You are my faithful trustworthy friend, in Jesus Name. Amen.

GOD BESTOWED THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”—Luke 2:11

 

The word, bestow, means to present something, especially something valuable or undeserved to somebody.   What amazing love we see bestowed to the shepherds when the angel came and talked with them.  The shepherds were the lowest in society had there been a caste system in those days.  No one talked to them they slept with animals.  And yet, God chose these people to receive vital information from an angelic being with a specific message.  God came and talked to people who were significant in His plan signaling to the world that no one is left out and that hope had come unto the world—Christ the Savior!  “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 find 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!’  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the lord has made know to us.’  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2:8-20).

 

The angel announced to the shepherds that Christ had come for all people (v. 10).  For the first time everyone had a chance for joy, regardless of family back ground, how much money a person had, gender, race or any number of other stigmas—it is for everyone.  Have you taken up His offer for this joy?

 

God came down in flesh as a baby (Matthew 1:23).  How many kings have given up their throne?  How many kings have chosen to entrust themselves to a teenage mother?  This gift of Jesus Christ was truly bestowed upon us.

 

This story is now entrusted to us, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely know the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And tall those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (v. 17-18).   “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

 

Christ Tomlin’s song Amazing Love describes what it means to accept God’s greatest gift to humankind—Jesus.

 Amazing love,
How can it be
That You, my King, should die for me?
Amazing love,
I know it’s true.
It’s my joy to honor You,
In all I do, I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,
I’m accepted, You were condemned.
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,
Because You died and rose again.

 

You are my King
Jesus You are my King

 

Christians all over the world are celebrating the birth of Christ.  I encourage you no matter what traditions that you may or may not have take time to mediate on what it means to have the greatest gift—Jesus living inside of you.  If you have not already accepted Christ as your Savior visit our page entitled Salvation.

 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You bestowed Your gift Jesus Christ to the world.  Today I purpose in my heart to draw closer to Him and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, in Jesus Name. Amen.

WHAT DOES THE NAMES IMMANUEL AND JESUS MEAN TO YOU TODAY?

“And she will bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel’, which is translated, ‘God with us’”—Matthew 1:21, 23

 

Throughout ancient human history, heaven was God’s dwelling place, and except for a few personal encounters (as with Abraham, Hagar, and Jacob), He seemed far away to most people. Then He came to be in the Israelites’ midst, first in a pillar of cloud and fire, then in the tabernacle and temple.  But now, the angel announced that He was about to do something totally new.  His presence would be with people in the form of God’s Son, a man who would literally live among them.

 

Even before Jesus was born on earth, He was given two names, which both indicated His identity and ministry.   Immanuel tells us who He is—“God with us.”  Christ took on human flesh while retaining undiminished deity and became the perfect God-Man.  He lived on earth, walked among men, and suffered the weaknesses of humanity.  Yet He also displayed the power of Almighty God as He healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed the sea, and raised the dead.

 

Jesus means “The Lord is salvation,” which describes what He came to do—to save us from the bondage of sin through His death on our behalf.  This explains why He had to become Immanuel.  Since the Father is immortal and cannot die, His Son had to take on a human body in order to offer Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

 

But what do these two names of Christ mean for you today?  Through the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Jesus still lives with you and has the power to deliver you from the grip of any bondage.  No sinful habit, painful past or present struggle is too difficult for the God-Man to overcome, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, not height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 38-39).

 

Prayer—Father thank You that You have sent Jesus to save me from the bondage of sin through His death on the cross for me, and that Immanuel is always with me.  You have said that You would never leave me nor forsake me, thank You that Your are with me always even until the end, and that I can trust You for everything that I have need of because You sent Your Son, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

THE MARKS OF A TRUE HERO

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.  And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”—1 John 3:16

 

Our definition of what marks a hero has drastically changed over the past ten years.  Today the majority of the time, the word is used to linked selfless acts with people.   Some of the dictionary’s definitions of hero include:  a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent, or a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities, one who shows great courage, or the central figure in an event, period, or movement.  In America, the media has used the name “hero” to describe people who pull others from life threatening situations, or giving selflessly to help others in need.  It is also used in comic books and cartoons; however, rarely do we hear the word “hero” used in connections with Jesus—the child.

 

As the date for Christians to celebrate the birth of Christ is nearing (December 25), I have been pondering what does Christ’s birth mean to us, personally.   And as I pondered, I became aware that we as Christians reflect upon His birth and seem to conjure up an idea of what that must have been like for a young woman.  During this time, the hymns that we sing and our traditional Christian plays help to reinforce the icon images that come to our minds.  As we celebrate the birth of Christ, reflect on these facts about the child who grew up to become a hero.

 

Jesus the child was “Immanuel”—God with us.  Jesus left His home in heaven to come to earth to manifest the will of the Father.  God, the Father, has wealth beyond counting, He owns everything He owns it all.  2 Corinthians 8:9 describes what Jesus left in heaven, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 

 

Jesus the child “hero” came in seed form, “concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3).

 

Jesus our true hero has power to forgive sin, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house” (Luke 5:24).

Our hero gave selflessly—even to the point of death, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.  And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

 

Jesus demonstrated to us what a hero must do:  He did not allow religion to compromise His faith.  He did what He knew was right even in the face of sorrow, loneliness and being deserted by His close friends, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29).

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You sent Jesus in the form of an infant to teach us that we can all be “heroes” by having faith on Him and that we can do the works that He did.  Lord, I surrender anew to You that my heart will always remain tender and pliable so that I will follow Your direction and leading for me, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

KEEP YOUR FOCUS SINGLE MINDED

“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”—2 Timothy 2:4

 

In our scripture reading for today, the Greek word for "entangle" is used only here and in 2 Peter 2:20, “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them that the beginning” .   It means to be so wrapped up in something that movement is hindered.  This is the term the Greeks would have used to describe a rabbit ensnared in a thorn patch.

 

Peter's letter admonished followers not to return to past sins, but Paul, writing to Timothy, had a different lesson in mind.   He warned Timothy against allowing essential daily pursuits to supersede a commitment to Christ.   For example, taking up a vocation is a necessary task.  Even Paul had a day job as a tent maker, which allowed him to support his ministry, but he always kept his focus on the prize—souls and establishing the body of Christ in the foundational truths of Christ. However, an occupation and the money it produces can become all-consuming to the detriment of a person's spiritual life, and something that we must guard against.

 

God wants us to provide for our family, to grow spiritually, manage wealth, and take advantage of leisure time. However, these blessings are not to become distractions that draw believers away from church or regular prayer and Bible study.  Nor are we to compartmentalize our life into "Christian ministry" and "regular work/play."  We are Christ's soldiers, no matter where we are or what we are doing.  There is no such thing as a part-time warrior!

 

It's important for believers not to draw artificial boundary lines between what they define as "secular" and what is "sacred."  Everything God gives—from vocation and wealth to leisure time activities—is to be used for His glory.  By keeping priorities straight and activities in balance, you can prevent hobbies, interests, and even your family responsibilities from becoming a snare and keep your focus single-minded.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for delivering me from the snares that would entangle me and keep me from serving You with singleness of mind and focus.  Lord I ask You to help me keep my focus on You, in Jesus Name. Amen.