GRACE EMPOWERS US TO HAVE A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”—Ephesians 2:8-10

 

God extended His grace to us while we were sinners; He saved us from a death sentence, pulled us out of darkness and gave us a fresh start.  This wonderful gift of unmerited mercy is what has canceled our debt and sets us free.  And yet, there is more of this supernatural grace that stays with the believer from the beginning of their new life to the time we enter into our eternal reward; it is with us day-after-day and makes it possible for us to live.  Grace is why believers can have a spiritual transformation.  Do you need a spiritual transformation today?  Are there areas in your life that need to be re-shaped?

 

Ezekiel 36:26-27 helps us to understand how God spiritually transforms us by giving us a new heart.  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”  Although this prophetic word was given in the Old Testament it is fulfilled in the New.  When we are born-again, God takes our old heart out and puts in a new heart.  Throughout our lives we continually are learning how to live with this new heart because it is the heart of Jesus living on the inside of us.  Through thinking about the modern concept of a surgically heart transplant, we can grasp an understanding of the concept of this new heart being in us. 

 

Grace is the word that the Scripture uses to describe God’s commitment to change us—to transform (re-shape) us into the image of Christ.   So knowing that means I can not change me—I can only cooperate with God who changes me.  To help illustrate this point, in some public toilets there are special automatic faucets.  You extend your hands toward it, and without twisting any knobs, the water come out to wash your hands, and as long as you keep your hands under the faucet the water comes out.  Grace is like that; as long as we keep extending ourselves to God through faith and trust in His Word, He is at work transforming us into the image of Christ.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You are continually at work in my life.  Lord I surrender this area of ________________ in my life to be transformed by Your grace at work in me.  Lord, I trust You to show me how to cooperate with Your transformation in, Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

DISCOURAGEMENT IS A CHOICE THAT WE MAKE

“Why are you in despair, O my soul, and disturbed within me?  Hope in God, because I will again praise him, for the salvation of his presence.”—Psalm 42:5

 

Discouragement is a powerful, destructive force that is something that we choose to feel.  Nobody else can make us feel discouraged it is a choice that we alone make when we face disappointments.  Disappointments and discouragement is faced by most people, and it can reoccur.  You see, sometimes we think that we have settled an issue, but it later comes up again because we have not dealt with the root problem and it is like an old emotional wound being torn open. 

 

Discouragement can be temporary, as in King David’s case, or it can destroy our life.  The choice is ours to make.  If we refuse to deal with discouragement, we, then, are opening the door for it to completely dominate our life.  It is something that we can overcome with the Lord’s help. 

 

Psalm 61 is a picture of how King David dealt with discouragement.  Most historians agree that this Psalm was written during the time that King David was fleeing from his own son Absalom.  He does not go into detail as to what he is enduring.  We can imagine the discouragement that he faced during that period of his life. After years of separation and heartache David has been put in a place where his life was in danger from his own son and has to flee from his throne.

 

You may be in a place of discouragement or know someone who is and we trust that this devotional will encourage you to choose to deal with discouragement and to persevere.  Vincent van Gogh, a famous Dutch painter, said, “In spite of everything I shall rise again: I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing.”

 

The most important thing that I can say to you is not to quit and give up there is hope.  By following David’s example we can see hope, strength and help in the difficult situations of our lives. 

David did three things:  1). He respected the Lord’s position.  2). Rested in the Lord’s protection.  3). Reflected on the Lord’s provision. 

David says, “From the end of the earth I will cry to You.”   David feels that God is a million miles away.  He says when my heart is overwhelmed.  Here the word “overwhelmed” means to shroud, that is, clothed in darkness.  David was in a difficult situation. He was facing a time of loneliness and darkness in his life.  But notice that he knew where to go. He took his burdens to the Father.  “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.  From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  Although David was a very powerful man, a king, he was humble enough to go to the Lord for help. 

We learn from King David that we cannot overcome discouragement on our own. We must go to THE ROCK!  We must RESPECT THE LORD’S POSITION!

In verse 3 and 4, David speaks of God as being a shelter and a strong tower from the enemy. 
“For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.”  With all that David is confronted with, he can rest in the Lord’s protection.  David uses the term “strong tower” to describe God. The strong towers were there to strengthen the city walls and serve as a lookout for enemy.  We have the same protection and defense in our God today! HE IS OUR REFUGE!

When David said, “I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the shelter of Your winds,” one scholar said it like this, “David refers to himself as a everlasting guest in the tent of the Lord.”  The word “wings” is most usually mentioned in connection with the protection of God.  Just as a mother hen gathers her little ones under her wings to protect them God wraps His arms around us.  There is no need to fear for God is our protector.  “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).  To overcome discouragement, we rest in the Lord’s protection.

In David’s time of discouragement, he reflected on the Lord’s provision, by praising the Lord for His blessings on his life and the lives of the people of Israel.  “For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.  You will prolong the king’s life, His years as many generations.  He shall abide before God forever.  Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!”  Praising God in difficult times is not always easy but if we want to overcome discouragement it is a requirement.  Most of the time, we fail to remember that God gave us life, our families, friends, health, and many other things in this life. Then on top of that He sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins. God did this so we could have eternal life.  How do we thank Him for this?  Well most of the time we wait until things get real bad and difficult and then blame Him for everything going wrong.  If we are going to overcome discouragement we must reflect on the Lord’s Provision.

The key to overcoming discouragement is given in verse 8, “So I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.”  By daily choosing to Respect the Lord’s Position, Rest in the Lord’s Protection and Reflect on the Lord’s Provision, we can overcome discouragement.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that I by choosing to respect Your position and rest in Your protect and reflect on Your provision for my life, I am choosing to live walk in faith and be very courageous, in Jesus Name.  Amen, 

 

YOU HAVE ASSURANCE OF VICTORY

“You are of God little children and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world.”—1 John 4:4

 

Today you may be facing some problem or difficulty which seems impossible.  However, I want to encourage you today that instead of talking about how impossible it is, to look to the greater one who lives in you.  Begin to say to the problem, you are not bigger than God.  There is nothing greater, more powerful or smarter than God, in fact the Scripture says in Isaiah 55: 8-9, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.  ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways.  And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”

 

Set a plumb line in your life, by making a determination that God’s Word is true then all things in your life must come into alignment with the plumb line.  You, then, speak those words of faith, assurance and victory that align with what God’s Word says.  For example, many years ago, I discovered Isaiah 55:13-14.  I determined to make it a plumb line in my life and regardless of how circumstances looked, how my children acted or reacted did not have a bearing on by belief or my confession.  “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.  In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.”  Today, all of my children are born-again spirit-filled believers who love God and are serving in His kingdom. 

 

We have assurance of victory because Christ lives in us and it is He who has gotten us the victory.  No matter what we are facing or the answers that we are seeking—when we stand in faith trusting God’s Word—victory is ours.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that Jesus has defeated every foe and that there is nothing impossible with You.  I bring _______________ before You today and I thank You that You have assured me victory in every situation in my life because Your Word is the standard that I live by, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

OVERCOME SELFISHNESS: BECOME A GENEROUS GIVER

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always having an sufficiency I all things may have an abundance for every good work.”—2 Corinthians 9:6-8

 

I think that all of us are selfish to some extent; however, a truly selfish person tends to be so self-absorbed that they think only of their wants and needs.  I have notice that selfish people prioritize their needs and wants above everyone else’s even if there are really needed people around them. It is as if they turn a deaf ear to the necessities of others and they just live for themselves.

 

On the other hand, generous people give without hope of receiving compensation for their good deeds.  Although personal gain may happen, it is not the motivation factor that causes the generous person to give.   I have noticed that generous people tend to be hopeful and positive people.  They truly believe that the world, although not perfect, can be made into a much better place.  Also, trust seems to be a major quality among generous people. They truly trust those who are involved with the cause they are giving to will use the resources appropriately.

 

One of the best outcomes of being a generous giver is that we are revitalized and energized to do more good.  I think what happens to a generous giver is best summed up in the following scriptures: (Emphasis added to each scripture).

 

“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 15:10).

“The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously” (Psalm 37:21).

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice (Psalm 112:5).

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9).

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5)

 

Because of humanities selfish nature, we want to keep what we have.  However, as believer, we are called to follow the example of Christ.  To overcome selfishness and become a generous giver, remember these truths. We are . . .

• Imitating Jesus when we give sacrificially.

• Honoring our heavenly Father when we obey His commands to give.

• Providing God with opportunities to bless us as we share with others.

• Extending His work through our support of ministry with tithes and offerings.

Being a generous person requires a heart that loves the Lord above all else, a will that is submitted to Him, and a mind that desires to obey His commands.  The Holy Spirit, who helps us have victory over self, will also transform us into someone who finds pleasure in giving.  

 

Prayer—Heavenly Father, I surrender every part of me that has a tendency to be selfish in any way.  I ask You to forgive me, and quicken me whenever I want to hold on to something that You have need of for Your kingdom work.  Father, I purpose in my heart to respond generously to Your work, in Jesus Name.  Amen. 

 

GOD DOES NOT USE CONDEMNATION TO GUIDE THE BELIEVER

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak o His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”—John 16:13

 

There are times that the believer strays from the direction of the heavenly Father.  In order to help us, God has sent to us the Holy Spirit to guide us on the right path and redirect us when we are going in the wrong direction.  The Holy Spirit is sent to: “…He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged’ (John 16:8-11),

 

Our heavenly Father desires that we walk closely with Him; therefore, the Holy Spirit will convict us when we are in danger of straying.  Conviction is what God uses to steer us back to the path that leads to life.  An analogy for us to better understand this concept is seen when a parent whose small child begins to chase a toy into a busy street.  The child has only one desire at that moment: to retrieve the toy.  However, the mother would be negligent if she did not stop her child and prevent him or her from harm.

 

This is how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.  We may not know the potential danger or threat, but the Holy Spirit will convince our hearts not to do something; this is called conviction.  When we allow the working of Holy Spirit to work in our lives, He will guide us into all truth.

 

Conviction begins even before salvation. The Holy Spirit reveals our wrongs to help us recognize that we need forgiveness.  Then, once we accept Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf and choose to follow Him, we are born again.  Only then are we free from the consequences of sin. At the same time, we are still human and will make some poor choices. So, even after we are His children, God continues to redirect us.

 

Do not confuse conviction with condemnation.  Remember that “For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).  Although believers at times will sin, they are justified by Christ’s sacrifice and free from judgment, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, bur according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

 

To help guide us in our walk and relationship with the Lord, He has said that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man [or woman] of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).  The word profitable in this scripture means serviceable, helpful, and beneficial and refers to that which yields advantageous returns or results.  The word “reproof” describes the process or the action which brings something to the light and so which scrutinizes or examines carefully, exposing and setting forth.  It can also express strong disapproval. 

 

To bring correction in our lives, God does not condemn us.  He uses the Holy Spirit to impress upon our hearts and minds those things that need correction.  God may use the Scriptures, people or circumstances to begin to deal with our hearts so that we will be open to the correction that is necessary to return us to His pathway of life. Let us purpose in our hearts to be open to the Holy Spirit to help keep us close to the Father’s heart.

 

Prayer—Father I repent of any areas in my life that I have strayed from You.  Today with Your help I reject any voice that has come to me to bring condemnation into my life that tries to force me to do things their way.  I rejoice that it is Your voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit that leads and guides me into all truth.  I submit to You and Your Spirit to lead and to guide me into all the truth, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

TRUE REPENTANCE IS A COMMITMENT TO CHANGE

“For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.  

 

 

While the modern church places emphasis on confession when the believer sins; it often does not offer a good understanding of what repentance means.  James 5:16 and 1 John 1:9 are the only two places mentioned in the New Testament concerning the confession of sin. (“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” James 5:16).  (“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9). However, repentance is talked about much more. It is necessary not to confuse the two, because a believer can confess sin without true repentance but we can not repent without confessing.

It is possible for people to feel sorry and confess sin but change nothing.  Repentance can be described as having a deep and genuine feeling of guilt or remorse and being determined not to commit the same sin in the future.  Repentance (also known as contrition) means taking responsibility for sin and committing to change a wrong action or attitude; this is essential for spiritual growth.  True confession—agreeing with God’s perspective about our transgression—goes hand-in-hand with repentance, because if we know God hates what we are doing, then we will make every effort to stop.

By means of confession and repentance, the believer accepts responsibility for ridding her or his life of a sin through the Holy Spirit’s power. Simply because a believer knows that Jesus is ready to forgive does not give the believer the right to keep on sinning and treat out relationship with the Lord casually.   We must do more than superficially saying, “Hey God it is me I have messed up again—I am sorry.”  Although Satan may keep tempting us, to triumph over habitual sin, we must choose to resist temptation and obey God.  I can testify that sincerity, perseverance, humility and a willingness to confess and repent gives us victory.

Remember that repentance is not just feeling sorry or claiming weakness in the face of temptation, but it is a condition wherein our spirit understands the Lord’s grief over sin, grieves with Him, and commits to changing our behavior to please Him. 

 

Prayer—Father today I make a true commitment to change___________in my life.  I sincerely ask You to forgive me of ___________________.  I thank You Holy Spirit for strengthen me as I resist _______________.  I trust You Lord for the victory, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.”—Ephesians 1:3

 

Too many times the average Christian is pleading with God to bless her or him; but, according to our scripture reading today, we are already blessed because everything that we have need of is in Him.  And then we find that in Ephesians 1:3 that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.”  Notice that the scripture does not put the blessings in the future tense, but in the past tense; the blessings have already been given.  This means that in Christ Jesus, from the time you are born-again and throughout eternity, He has already made provision for you.  Everything that you need, He has blessed you with.  It is yours.  In the mind of God every spiritual blessing is yours.    

 

God has given to you every spiritual benefit.  The word "blessing" has the idea of grace, of kindness, of advantage.  So we could say it like this:  Every spiritual benefit, every spiritual advantage has been given to us in Christ Jesus.  It is not something we take ourselves, or have to obtain by works or self effort.   It is something He gives to us.  

Many Christians spend their time asking God for something that they already have. They pray for love, but the spirit of Christ is already within them.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22 emphasis added). When peace is prayed for, we do not realize what Jesus has already said in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you."   We pray for joy, but Jesus said in John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."

 

We pray for strength; however the Scripture tells us that he is constantly infusing strength within us.  "I can do all things through" Christ who consistently and constantly infuses His strength within us” (Philippians 4:13).  In fact 2 Peter 1:3 shows us that God’s, "divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence."

 

When we couple Colossians 2:10, “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” with our text Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ” we can see that there is nothing left that He can give us.  He has given it all. 

 

However we must get the revelation of what this means to us.  Paul prayed for the church in Ephesians 1:18, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”  Today I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.  Our resources in Christ are beyond what we can comprehend. Every Christian has what Paul speaks of in Ephesians 1:3.   God cannot give us any more that He has already given us in Christ Jesus.  Outside of Him there is nothing.

 

Today ask the Lord to enlighten your spiritual eyes so that you can apprehend every spiritual blessing that Christ has provided

 

Prayer—Father thank You that You have given me everything that I have need of in Christ Jesus.  I ask you to enlighten my spiritual eyes so that I can understand and apprehend every spiritual blessing that Christ has provided for me, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

AMAZING LOVE IS MEANT TO BE SHARED

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”—John 4:11

 

I remember how my friend Sudah’s face radiated with happiness when she told me that she was engaged to be married.  Her feelings of happiness, excitement and joy were contagious as she explained to me how she had met her fiancé and what their plans were.  It was wonderful to see this young woman and mother of two sons that had tragically been widowed a few years earlier, beaming with love and happiness.  

 

So many times we tend to think of love in human earthly terms that is connected to a sexual type of love.  But the love that Jesus expressed to humanity was not based on human emotions or ideas; He talked in terms of agape love.  The love as expressed by the heavenly Father for humanity.  Billy James Foote expressed in his song, Amazing Love the very essence of this type of agape love.

 

Amazing Love

 

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.

 

Chorus

You are my King

Jesus You are my King

 

Recently, I read a testimony about a man who lives in Montreal, Canada.  He loves to share about the love of Christ to whomever he can.  In his younger years he had a real zeal to evangelize.  Referring to his drive and ambition that he felt in sharing the gospel, he stated that, “I was probably obnoxious.”  Several years later he has learned to “uncomplicated” sharing the gospel.  He no longer pushes so hard to share with every person that he meets, but he has learned to be led by the Holy Spirit and to go to where He shows him to go.  He then related the following testimony:

 

Talking to a tow truck driver, he mentioned Jesus. 

The man asked, “Who?” 

He replied, “Jesus, God’s son.”

The tow driver asked, “God had a son?”

When the man told the tow driver that Jesus loved him so much that He died on the cross for his sins, he stated to cry, and said, “Jesus loves me that much?”

 

Sharing the amazing love of Christ does not have to be complicated.  We just share what is in our heart jesus!

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for the gift of Your amazing love.  Love gave Himself for me, so that I could be forgiven and accepted by You and now I purpose in my heart not to complicate Your message of love as I share it with others, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

ARE YOU TALKING FOR CHRIST OR FOR RELIGION?

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”—Colossians 4:6

 

In some areas of the world, people are asked what religion they are; however, other places may phrase the question as “What church do you go to”?  The meaning of the question is usually the same; the person asking the question wants to find out if the answer agrees with their religious beliefs.  Jesus asked questions so that people could be directed to a solution to their problem, not to the nearest temple (church or religious idea in today’s terminology).   For example, when the Scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders of the day) asked a question they were expecting His answer to agree with their religious beliefs.  One time, they brought to Him a woman caught in adultery and asked Him what did He have to say in the matter, He said one simple statement, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”  He taught the people that religion kills; but that His message of the Gospel brings life by forgiving, healing and restoring (John 8:1-12).

 

I have compiled some notes to help us understand what religious looks like. I took them from a sermon preached by Dr. Daisy Osborn entitled The Rare the Ridiculous the Religious.  I trust that these will be a blessing to you as they are to me in helping to discern if we are talking religion or are we talking Christ to people.  When we lift Him up He will draw all people to Himself, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).

 

Religion always sees the dark side of every picture.  Religion sees the burden of society.

 

Religion sees the violation of a religious rule.  Instead of rejoicing with someone, religion will always find some reason or excuse to tear the person down.

 

Religion and God do not mix at all.

 

Religion and God’s love are not bed-fellows.

 

Jesus is the rare one.

 

All kinds of religion were abounding when Jesus came.  God did not see this as a handicap.

 

God looks at you as an individual one-to-one.  Religion groups you into a mold. 

 

Religion has twin attitudes—Culture and Tradition

 

Dr. Daisy gave an acronym for the word “religion.”

 

R — reserved, cautious, established

E — envious, can not stand free people in the spirit

L — lonely, ceremonious, dull, boring, long face, sober countenance, no creativity

I — intolerant, no understanding, religion can not meet you half-way

G — guilty, blocks people from seeing Jesus

I — indoctrinated, narrow minded; mind no longer has room for creative ideas

O — opinionated, force opinions on people out of fear which restricts the people

N — negative and nasty, cruel with tongue

 

A natural tongue does not have the ability to testify of Jesus.  An anointed tongue alone can testify of Jesus.  Where there is Jesus there is life.

 

Christ is revolutionary.

 

Jesus was a need muter.  (When you are speaking for Christ you are muting the needs and meeting the needs of the people because you are speaking life into their situation).

 

Religion sees imperfection.  Love looks beyond the imperfection.

 

I exhort you today to remember that religion always excludes, but Christ always includes.  If you have responded to people and/or situation with a religious attitude, I encourage you to repent today, ask the Father for His forgiveness, and persist in your faith to present the presence of Christ in every situation.

 

Prayer—Father I repent and ask You to forgive me for responding to people and situations with religious attitudes that do not represent Christ or Your kingdom.  I now understand that this is not a true representation of Christ and how You think, and I ask you to help me to respond in Christ’s love instead of religion, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

PRESS FORWARD TO HIGHER GROUND

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”—Hebrews 12:1-2.

 

The message of the gospel is to lift and to inspire people.  The gospel announces freedom and forgiveness instead of condemnation.  The good news helps people discover the plan that God has for them His plans for good and not for evil and to bring them to an expected end, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”  (Jeremiah 29:11).  Jesus summed up what His Father’s will for you when He said, “I have come that you might have life…and abundance of it” (John 10:10). 

 

I want to encourage you today to reject the voices that pull you back into accepting mediocrity, lack and fear.  Press forward in your faith for higher ground “the Father will not hold any good thing from those who walk uprightly’ (Psalm 84:11).  “Delight yourself in Him and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4).  “God has now begun a good work in you; he will complete it” (Philippians 1:6).

 

 

Henry Ward Beecher wrote that, “There is not a heart but has it moments of longing, yearning for something better, nobler, holier than it knows now.”  What is your heart yearning for?  What ever it is Jesus said, “All things whatever you desire, you can have them” (Mark 11:24).  He said, “With God, all things are possible” (Mark 10:27).     

 

Jesus lifted people and helped them become more than they could by themselves.

 

Jesus found a fisherman and lifted him up and made him a leader.

He transformed a demon-possessed abused woman into a lady and one of His most productive followers.

He lifted a naked maniac from living in torment and shame into an effective representative for Him.

He changed a cheating taxpayer into a gentleman with respect.   

Ordinary people became extraordinary when they discovered who Jesus was. 

 

Today allow Him to lift you higher.  See things from His perspective, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-6). 

Paul did not boast in the thing he had accomplished, so as not to be content with past trials or present measures of grace.  He pressed forth toward the prize.  “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” (Philippians 3:13).

Dr. T. L. Osborn says that when we keep our focus on the Father, then we are “Reassuring Him that we believe in Him, that we trust His word, that we will never bow to any other influence than His, that we commit our lives to the integrity of His word above everything else in the world.”  The Apostle Paul says it this way, “And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:2

 

Let the following hymn be our prayer today as we press forward to higher ground:

Higher Ground

 I’m pressing on the upward way, New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, “Lord plant my feet on higher ground.”

My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fear dismay;

Tho’ some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

 I want to live above the world, tho’ Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height, and catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found, “Lord lead on to higher ground.”

 

Chorus:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand, by faith on heaven’s table land,

A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

BE TRANSFORMED INTO A SERVANT LEADER

“But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren”.—Luke 22:32

 

Mostly when the word transformation is used people have a tendency to think of personal appearance not character.  Most people agree that they are not perfect, but do not give any thought as-to-how they could improve themselves.  Little, if any, effort is used to transform our characters.   

 

Peter is an example of someone whose character was transformed from being an impulsive, self-absorbed know-it-all, to a servant-leader who was used mightily for kingdom purposes.  Peter’s pride got in the way of God’s purposes.  When Jesus’ words conflicted with Peter’s opinions, the disciple boldly rebuked the Teacher, “Then He came to Simon Peter.  And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’ Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’  Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me’” (John 13:6-8).

 

 Christ had need of a servant-leader to guide believers in the new-found Church after His return to heaven.  The Lord saw through Peter’s arrogance to his potential.   “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:1-6).

 

God sees each believer as the person he or she will be when fully yielded to Jesus Christ.  He then sets about achieving that complete renovation by transforming the individual’s present self into the image of His Son.  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 emphasis added).  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30 emphasis added).

An essential step in our transformation involves removing whatever is unnecessary, damaged, or outmoded.  In our case, what must go are the areas of self-will.  God, the master-builder, targets habits, attitudes, and even relationships where we act independently of His purposes.  The end result of our transformation is that we, like Paul, can regard ourselves as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God and that we be found transformed trustworthy servant-leaders (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

 

If the Holy Spirit is quickening you in some areas that need to be transformed in your character, get a piece a paper and write them down.  Next lift them up to the Lord by praying:

 

Prayer—Father I lift this (these) _______________ up to you.  Holy Spirit you have shown me that You desire for me to be transformed in these areas.  By faith, I yield myself to You, Lord Jesus, the master Craftsman, to shape and mold me into what you want me to be as a servant-leader, in Jesus Name. Amen.   

 

 

 

THERE ARE NO TRIUMPHS WITHOUT TRIALS

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”—2 Corinthians 2:14

 

Recently, my husband and I were reflecting on some of the trials we have encounter in over 46 years of marriage and how we came through them.  Because we chose to believe in a living, loving heavenly Father, a risen Christ, and the Holy Spirit who enabled us to stand in the midst of adversity on so many levels, we were able to triumph each time.   

 

Connie Ruth Christiansen writes about Rev. Tyng (1825-1858) who inspired the poem, Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus that he was, “A dynamic preacher known for taking strong stands against evil, no matter what the cost.  On Tuesday, March 30, 1858, Tyng preached a sermon on Exodus 10:11, “Go now ye that are men and serve the Lord”, at a YMCA noon mass meeting. Tyng delivered his message to 5,000 men that day.  More than 1,000 of those men responded to the altar call, to receive Jesus as their Savior.  Just over a week later, Tyng lay dying as a result of a tragic accident.  His final statement, whispered to friends and family, was ‘Let us all stand up for Jesus.’”

Christiansen goes on to say that, “Following Tyng’s death, his friend Pastor Duffield preached a sermon taken from Ephesians 6:14 (Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness”) as a tribute to the final words of his friend and concluded his sermon with a six-stanza poem.  This poem Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus has since become one of the most recognized hymns in all English-speaking Christendom.”

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the solemn watchword hear;
If while ye sleep He suffers, away with shame and fear;
Where'er ye meet with evil, within you or without,
Charge for the God of battles, and put the foe to rout.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, each soldier to his post,
Close up the broken column, and shout through all the host:
Make good the loss so heavy, in those that still remain,
And prove to all around you that death itself is gain.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor's song.
To him who overcometh a crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.

Confess your concerns and fears to God. Turn your burdens over to Him. He wants to help you overcome them. He wants to give you a great victory, but first you must put your trust in Him. When we try to face the battle on our own, we are likely to fail.  But with God at the heart of our battle plan, we can succeed.  Only when our trust is in God will we find peace and rest during troubled times and we able to triumph.  “For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes” (Psalm 54:7).

Prayer—Father, I thank You for the reminder today that without the trial, there can be no triumph.  Lord I ask You to help me to trust You in turning my burdens over to You, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

THERE IS ALWAYS JOY IN THE MIDST OF EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE

“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy”—Colossians 1:11

 

Joy is not possible outside of Christ.  Joy is always there in the midst of every circumstance.  When a Christian experiences difficulties, we do not loose hope because our faith and joy is in Christ.  This is what causes our lifestyle to be appealing to those who do not know Christ.  When we sincerely live this life of Christ, people take notice because we look and act differently.

 

Christians have the countenance of Christ. We do not carry the same countenance of people who are lost and have no hope.  In the midst of circumstances, we are not grouchy, we are not sad, our actions are not temperamental, and we are not easily offend.  We are not selfish, angry, or jealous—none of these things are the lifestyle of the believer who is walking in the life of Christ.   Our hope and trust in the Lord. 

 

Isaiah 35:10 -11 gives us the answer why we as Christians can always have joy in the midst of every circumstance.  “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads.  They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

 

Ransomed—that is us—the believer.

 

Zion—this is a picture of what happens through Christ to those who were lost.  We, who were afar off and have returned to the Lord with a song on our lips.  We returned with everlasting joy on our heads. 

 

Our inheritance—joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

 

Whenever I feel sorrow coming upon my heart, or when I hear myself uttering a sigh; I have learned that this is an indication in the natural of a spiritual burden or a weight that I am carrying.  Also, my back or shoulders will feel heavy or I may even experience pain in that area.  This scripture comes to my mind as a reminder of God in the midst of the circumstance.  It becomes my faith standard so that I resist that sorrow and tendency to sigh in the midst of circumstances.     

 

I encourage you today to take hold of this joy.  You will want to mark this scripture in your Bible so that you can go back and read it whenever the enemy comes to you and tries to depress you in a variety of ways.  You may sense that something has happened or you have heard some news that could be devastating.   Perhaps something has occurred that has caused you to have sorrow.  Or you hear yourself sighing with a heaviness of a weight that you are carrying.  Read it out loud like I love to do.  And remember that as you read to make it personal to you, “I am the ransomed of the Lord and I have returned” with singing and everlasting joy upon my head. I have obtained joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away, in Jesus Name.”   

 

Come to every circumstance with a song in you heart and everlasting joy.   Say out loud, “Look at me it is from the top of my head joy flows down through every part of my being and my life.   I have obtained joy.   I have obtained gladness sorrow and sighing has had to flee.  Claim it walk in it everyday in Jesus Name.  

 

 Prayer—Father I thank You that I have your joy on my head running down into every fiber of my being.  I am saturated with Your joy sorrow and sighing have to flee from me because I have obtained joy and gladness, in Jesus Name. Amen.

POSITIVE THOUGHTS REPLACE EVIL THOUGHTS

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”—Philippians 4:8

 

It is not possible to get rid of negative thoughts by rebuking them or praying and fasting.  Unwanted thoughts must be placed with new ones.  What makes it possible for us to take charge of our thinking is that although human beings can think only one thought at a time, we are able to switch thoughts so rapidly that it seems as though we are thinking many things at once. Every thought is accompanied by an emotion - at any given moment we can have either a positive or a negative thought in mind, but we cannot have both together.

 

Try this:  Picture an apple in your mind, see yourself taking a bite out of the apple.  See yourself taking another bite.  Rebuke the thoughts of eating.  Do not think of apples. Refuse to think of apples.  Are you still thinking about apples?  Of course you are!  Trying not to think about something only cause you to think about it more.  Any effort to resist negative or sinful thoughts actually strengthens their hold on you. 

 

The cumulative effect of many little negative thoughts, each seemingly insignificant, is what does the damage.   The following is an example of some types of negative thoughts. 

I never have enough money – I do no have enough money to give in the offering and go out with my friends after church; I will only put a little in the offering the Lord knows I want too

I feel sick – My mother had kidney problems and I guess I do too – The flu is going around, I hope I do not get sick

I might as well not even try – nobody likes me – nothing I ever do comes out right anyway

I will no go - I would not enjoy it - I will not like it –

I wonder why they are being nice to me - If I try this, I wonder why she invited me?

I will mess it up - I can not do it – I am so unattractive –

 

We are usually totally unaware of the fact that our thoughts are so negative - evil. Thought by thought, we build up a destructive pattern of thinking. Negative thoughts are like an insidious and slow-growing cancer, creeping up on us without our knowledge or awareness.  If we indulge in this type of thinking day after day and week after week, it is no wonder that we feel less than happy and confident. We are feeding our anxieties with our negative thoughts, which is why we can end up depressed and in the same mental and emotional rut.  Each seemingly unimportant thought has an effect and contributes to our overall habit of thinking about ourselves.

 

Replace evil thoughts with positive thoughts.

 

Make a conscious effort to feed positive messages to your mind.  Just as your body responds positively to correct feeding, so your mind responds to being fed constructively.  Everyone knows the long-term results of overindulging in a diet without nutritional value, yet many people feed themselves a diet of negative, self-defeating thoughts for years then wonder why they tend to feel anxious, depressed, inadequate or unsuccessful.  It makes sense that we can only be what we think we are.  Proverbs 12:25 says, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” 

 

You are largely in control of what you think. You alone have the power to decide what you will or will not accept and feed into your mind.  The first thing you must do is believe that you can change the way you are thinking and, through that, the way you are feeling.  The Word of God gives us hope and encouragement for every situation that we face in life.  Feed on the Word of God use it as your source for positive thoughts for yourself and others.  Use the Scriptural resources that we have available on our website or use someone else’s.  The important thing is to do what you can and God will do the rest.  He will work with you, He will help you.

 

When you begin to think positive thoughts certain things begin to happen. You will feel more confident and you will find that you start to handle stressful situations better. You will develop a more optimistic outlook on life and begin to enjoy it more. You will become more cheerful and find it easier to motivate yourself.

 

Things you previously thought were beyond you will seem more within your reach as you believe that you can succeed.  Life will look better and you will feel better about yourself because the old negative evil thoughts no longer have control over your emotions.

 

Remember to monitor—check what you are thinking and to kill negative evil thoughts as soon as they arise by replacing them with positive ones.  For example, if you catch yourself thinking, I do not feel well, I must be coming down with something.  Replace that thought with a positive scriptural one, “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness.” 

 

Above all, do not blame or get annoyed with yourself for having negative thoughts. Blaming and feeling annoyed with yourself does not help to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.  It makes you dwell on the negative thoughts and helps to make you feel bad.  At the very least, it leads to self-pity.

 

Prayer—Father I repent and ask You to forgive me for thinking evil thoughts—discouraging thoughts about myself and others.  Lord, I ask You to help me replace every negative evil thought that does not represent how You think about me, others or any situation, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

UNDERSTANDING GOD IS POSSIBLE

“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.”—Isaiah 43:10

 

Knowing God’s ways is the same as knowing God, and it is one step deeper than knowing “about” God.  God is not separate from what He does.  Everything He does speaks of Him.  His every action declares His name and nature.  This means that we can look at our circumstances, both good and bad, expect to see a deeper meaning within them.  If our minds are closed, clouded, cluttered or committed makes the difference in how we understand Him.

 

A closed mind is not an exclusive description of an unbeliever.  When Christians listen passively, without intending to apply what they hear, then the seed can not germinate because the soil’s surface is too hard.  Such believers will remain shallow in their understanding of God until they decide to pay attention to God and obey.

 

A clouded mind will hear God’s Word and get excited, but the person does not take the time necessary to study, grow roots, and let the truth sink into his or her heart.  With little doctrinal foundation or knowledge of God’s promises, the individual has difficulty withstanding the problems that arise in life.

 

A cluttered mind is one that is filled with the worries of life.  Their hearts are filled with briers, thorns, and thickets.  A preoccupied main has little or no room for God’s word to sprout and to thrive; therefore, little understanding of God is possible.

 

A committed mind is one much like fertile soil. The most intellectual person in the world, if not teachable, will miss the truth of the gospel, whereas even a young child who is willing to listen and learn will be transformed in their understanding and thinking of God.

 

Why is it important to understand God and His ways?  Life is all about God and His ways.  As we begin to understand why He does what He does.  We begin to understand His heart, and as this occurs, we find ourselves experiencing the “life more abundant” that Jesus talks about.

 

An excellent way for us to become more knowledgeable and familiar with God’s mind and heart is to meditate the scriptures as we read the Word of God. I often read the Scripture as it would apply towards me—that is, I pray His Word and put myself in it.  This makes it much more personal to me and it gives me a clearer picture of what God is doing:

You are gracious and full of compassion toward me.

You are slow to anger and great in mercy toward me.

You are good to me.

Your tender mercies are over me.

You have redeemed me from the enemy’s hand.

You deliver me out of my distresses.

 

Declarations such as these have a powerful impart on our ability to know God as He is—to understand His ways.

 

Father—I ask You to help me understand more about You and Your ways.  I purpose in my heart to have a committed mind and to experience life in abundance with You, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

THE POSITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF PRAYER

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”—Ephesians 6:18

 

Jesus taught His disciples on this earth for a little over three years, and what they learned from Him they taught the early Church disciples.  The apostles were all Jewish men so that means they were taught about the tenets, principles and religious laws of Judaism and emphasized the Torah.  They were men who knew how to pray; and yet, they saw something so different in their prayers and Jesus’ that they asked Him to teach them to pray, “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).  The following verses details what Jesus taught (Luke 11:2-4), and is commonly knows as the “Lord’s Prayer.”  “So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us day by day our daily bread.
 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.’”

 

Dr. T.L. Osborn, writes in his book, The Message that Works, “That pagans pray and cry; they scream and pound their chests.  They contend against evil spirits which they believe they must chase away by offering blood sacrifices, by lengthy incantations, by drums, dancing and noise, and by the intervention of mediating witchdoctors engaged to officiate at rituals.”  What a marked contrast we see in the characteristics of praying in Acts 4:23-31.  “And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.

For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together  to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 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.” 

Here we see that the Apostles had taught the early Christians three important characteristic of prayer :

To understand God’s bigness, And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.  So when they heard that they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, ‘Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant have said.  (v. 23-24 emphasis added).

To identify scripturally in prayer.  “Who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things?  The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.”  Prayer based upon Scriptural truth and in faith will always receive the answer—prayer based on unfounded wishes and desires will not see any results.

 

Another important characteristic is:  Concern for connecting people with God.  “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.”  We are to use all manner of prayer and to pray at all times for the saints of God.  When we pray in behalf of someone else, we are praying in Christ’s stead—connecting people with God.

Prayer—Father I thank You for teaching your body how to pray.  I ask You to open my spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear how Jesus’ prayed and when I follow His example I will have His results, in Jesus Name.  Amen. 

 

 

 

 

 

FAITH AND FINANCES ARE PERMANENTLY INTERTWINED

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.”—Psalm 24:1

 

A serious error is alive in the thinking of many Christians. Some Christians think that their beliefs and their wallet belong in separate areas. However, the truth remains the same:  financial health and obedience to God are inseparable.  He owns everything, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:8).  Cash, possessions, and ways to earn more are gifts from the Lord; we are simply stewards, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).)

 

A steward oversees the use and care of someone else’s riches.  “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” 1 Corinthians 4:2.  A wise steward bases financial decisions upon the owner’s rules for using and multiplying material goods.  In our case, God has woven financial principles into the fabric of Scripture.  Since money touches nearly every aspect of life, it is mentioned over 2,000 times in many different contexts.   For example, God urged the Israelites to stay faithful to His teachings and to avoid the trap of self-reliance, “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 8:18).  He reminded them that the power to make wealth resides with Him rather than in their own hands, and remember everything that we do in the kingdom of God involves faith.

 

The minute a steward presumes that he owns the money he manages, mistakes are made.  He stops consulting the Owner and spends as he sees fit.  Even in trying to do well, the wayward steward is ruled by his shortsighted perspective rather than God’s omnipotent view and gentle guidance.  He will suffer the consequences of violating Scripture’s financial principles.

 

Faith and finances are permanently intertwined.  A believe must understand that he or she cannot keep his or her  money out of God’s hand, because He holds it all—he or she is simply managing it.  

 

Prayer—Father I repent and ask You to forgive me for the times that I have not used wisdom in my financial decisions and mismanaged Your money.  I surrender my finances to You and I thank You for Your wisdom directing me in all of my decisions, big and small. I purpose in my heart to remain faithful in what You have entrusted to me, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

THERE IS POWER IN POSITIVE DESIRE

 “I will give you a new heart.  I will give you new and right desires.  I will put a new spirit within you.”—Ezekiel 36:26(LB)

 

Are you willing to dare to dream?  Or is fear of failure or rejection keeping you shut down and imprisoned.   You are an important creation of God, and He wants you to desire His best.  “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them …” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).  You were created for a particular purpose!  Go ahead and dream and ask God to direct you.  Remember, many great visions start with small dreams.   Michelangelo, the great sculptor, bought a chunk of marble which others thought was inferior.  When asked why, he replied, “Because there is an angel locked in that marble, and I must set it free.”

 

Many of us feel that we have not “made it” in life, or for that matter, we were not “made” for dreaming big.  I have heard some people say, “I wish I had a sense of humor.  I can not sing or act or think up clever things.”  Some may have had parents who thought they did not amount to anything.  I can remember when I went back to school as an older adult that I was not sure if I would be smart enough.   Have you ever thought like that?  A few of us may have achieved great goals or made a lot of money, but we still feel insecure inside.  Perhaps we have asked ourselves, “Who am I?” and not heard a clear answer.

 

No matter where we are in our self-evaluation today, we can move on.  We can dare to dream.  Dr. T.L. Osborn, once said, “When I think of any one who is imprisoned by a sense of inferiority because of race, color, social, academic or economic status, or when I see someone who is lonely, abused, discouraged or afraid, I know that inside that individual is a super person whom I must find the way to set free.”  Because Dr. T.L’s messages are so uplifting and positive, they help to remind me of God’s original idea for me: to share His life and His abilities with me, to make me happy, healthy, talented and prosperous.  Jesus summed up the Father’s will for me when He said, “…I come that you might have life and that more abundantly” (John 10:10).

 

In Barbra Streisand’s powerful film, YENTL, an intelligent young woman grows up under her rabbi father’s religious dominance.  As a female, she is forbidden an education, prohibited from reading rabbinical books, predestined to a lifetime of female inferiority and servitude.  Her hunger and thirst for knowledge coupled with her determination caused her to break sacred rules…she dared to read the Talmud.  She went as far as, disguising herself as a male in order to pursue Talmudic studies as a yeshiva—the sacred domain of male’s only.  She is finally alienated from her people and journeys off into the distance with a boatload of seemingly displaced nonpersons in search of a land that is free of religious bigotry.

 

Her sin?  She dared to desire and look beyond religious limitations.  She dared to dream that God must be as good to women as He is to men.  As Yentl struggles with her free spirit and struggles with religious prejudice, she expresses her desperation in some awesome songs. 

 

She asks:  Where is it written that I cannot be the person I am meant to be?  Describing the narrow views religion has permitted her to glimpse, she realized that she had only been allowed to see a piece of sky.  Now she had stepped outside and looked around, having never dreamed the sky was so wide or so high.  Because of her new found knowledge, Yentl is now born into a new world.  She has a voice now.  She has a choice now.   

 

Some of her additional lines include:  What is wrong with wanting more?  Why settle for just a piece of the sky?  Yentl sings about certain things which once you have, no wind can blow away, nor tide can turn away, no fire can burn away, nor time can wear away.  She asks the question, why is a bird given wings, if not to fly?  Why have eyes to see and not see? Or arms to reach, and not reach?  Or a mind unless you are meant to question why?  Or why have thirst if not to drink? 

 

The entire, moving story, dramatizes the glorious enthusiasm of a person who has at last understood that God gives us the power of positive desire.  When at last you understand that you are a new creature and that old things have passed away, at last you can say with Paul, “Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there” (Galatians 5:24 LB).

 

You believe in the new creation—the new you that He has made you to be.  F.F. Bosworth said, “Always desire what God desires, and desire it for the same reason He desires it, and then His Holy Spirit will work with you to achieve what you want.” 

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for the power of positive desire.  Today, I examine my desires and I ask the Holy Spirit to shine His illumination upon anything in me that is not from You.  Lord, I repent of __________________and I ask You to forgive me.  Help me Father to desire what You desire for the same reason that You desire it, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

BE COMFORTABLE GIVING AND ACCEPTING PRAISE

“Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”—Romans 13:7

 

It is important for us to compliment, praise, and thank others.  However, equally important is learning how to graciously accept compliments, praise and thanks from others. All too often, we tend to brush aside the kind words of others, either because we are embarrassed, do not feel worthy, or simply do not know how to handle it.  One of the worst ways to handle compliments is to brush it aside with a casual “it’s nothing” or “oh, I don’t really deserve it.”   For example, I might compliment someone by saying, “That’s a lovely linen suit you are wearing today.”  Some possible response might be:

            “This old thing”

            “This is not linen; it is rayon.”

            “I picked it up at a resale shop.”

            “It is a reject from my sister.”

Any of these comments show I have no taste and remind me never to say a nice word to you again.  Those words belittle the belief and esteem of the person extending the compliment.

 

We mean to be humble, but we insult the intelligence of the givers when we refuse their compliments.  How much happier we can make others when we express gratitude for their comments.  We should always honor the opinions of others, and when we received compliments, respond in a way that shows we appreciate the kindness and thoughts that went into it.  The easiest way to respond to a compliment is with a simple thank you and a smile.  If the situation requires it, a few additional words may be added.  When you are receiving a compliment, it's important in American culture to look the other person in the eye and give a sincere, “thank you.” Whether you’re giving or receiving compliments, you show respect by being real to the other person.

 

Here are a few sample responses to compliments or praise.

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, I had a lot of help from others in reaching this milestone.
Thank you; I’m honored by your words.
Thank you, your words mean a lot to me.
Thank you, that’s very kind.

 

Try out a few of these responses until you find one that you can make your own. Then practice it until it is second nature.

 

Examine your own responses to compliments.  Do compliments make you uncomfortable?  Are your responses continually negative? 

 

Accept each compliment as you would a present.  Make the choice to respond in gratitude.  Begin by allowing the Heavenly Father to fill your heart with gratitude—for out of your heart flow the issues of life.

 

Prayer—Father I humble myself before You today and put aside every negative attitude that I have held concerning accepting true honor and praise, and I ask You to forgive me for the times that I have not had a right attitude.  Lord, please help me to learn to be comfortable giving and receiving honor and praise out of right motives, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

OBEDIENCE IS ROOTED IN TRUST

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”—Deuteronomy 30:19

 

Obedience is fundamentally rooted in trust, and shows our worship and appreciation to Christ.  We identify with Christ as our Lord not just in words, but also in deeds that demonstrate our words through practice and action, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22-25).

 

In Deuteronomy chapter 30, we can see a clear comparison of the blessings of obedience, and the curse of disobedience.  Our human sinful nature leads us to do our own thing, and the society that we live in thrives upon it.  However, God is calling us to love, trust and obey Him.  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

 

When we practice obedience, it means we are not ashamed of the Gospel, as Paul proclaimed in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believers, for the Jew first and also for the Greek,” so that our devotion becomes contagious to those around us.

 

Obedience is not something we dread, or feel we have to do, nor is it bondage in a negative sense. It is the joy of knowing our Lord, trusting and staying with Him so we can partake in His love and grow in Him further, deeper, and stronger. The result is that we become more mature and become willing to express His love with eagerness to others.

 

Prayer—Father I repent of the times I have not trusted You and have chosen to be disobedient to Your will for my life.  I ask you to forgive and cleanse me from all unrighteousness according to your Word.  Lord I ask You to help me fully trust You and be obedient to You.  I choose to worship you in every area of my life, in Jesus Name.  Amen.