STAND FIRM IN THE STANDARD OF GOD’S WORD TO AVOID COMPROMISE

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”—Matthew 6:24 

 

To compromise is to make concessions or accommodations for someone who does not agree with a prevalent set of standards or rules.   We, as believers, are susceptible to compromise; however we do not have to give in, regardless of the world’s concession to godlessness. 

 

To avoid compromise it is imperative to recognize that it is dangerous.  Once that first step of compromise is taken it leads to a downward progression, and ultimately we must face the consequences of our actions.  Former San Diego mayor, Maureen O’Conner, is a recent example of a person who progressed on the downward spiral of compromise.  It was reported that she became so addicted to gambling that she stole $2.1 million from her late husband’s charity.  Although she expressed regret about her actions, stating that she had never intended to steal, she still faces potential jail time as consequences to her actions.

 

We are tempted to compromise when others pressure us to take part in what we know God has forbidden.  It is easy to give in because we do not want to feel rejected.  But anyone who is committed to living a godly life must be willing to stand alone and face ridicule or even persecution, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).

 

At other times we consent to activities that violate our conscience just to avoid conflict, but peace at any price means we have compromised to the obedience of God.

 

The temptation to compromise does not always originate with others; in fact, James 1:14 says that we are tempted when we are carried away by our own lusts.  Many Christians have fallen into sexual immorality or pornography by desiring a second look.  Greed is another motivation that drives us to compromise.  If you take a few things home from the office, you have stepped over the line of obedience to God and have compromised opening the door for a greater temptation next time.  Our choices should be based on scriptural truth, not on our feelings and desires.

 

In order to stand firm against compromise, we must make God’s Word the standard for our conduct.  If you begin each day with the Lord in His Word, He will guide your way.  Then when the Holy Spirit gives a warning, obey immediately, because giving consideration to the temptation opens the door for Satan.

 

The following is a good confession / prayer to make to avoid compromise:

“With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!”

(Psalm 119:10).  Today I receive the Word of God and treasure His commands within me.  I incline my ear to wisdom and apply my heart to understanding.  Lord, I ask and seek for discernment and understanding.  Thank You for Your wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  Thank You for being my shield, guarding my paths and Your discretion preserving me, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

SPIRITUAL SHORTSIGHTEDNESS BASES DECISIONS ON IMMEDIATE NEED

“Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear.  What can flesh do to me?”

—Psalm 56:3-4

 

In today’s fast-paced world, often times we make decisions without much thought given to the long-term repercussions that could occur.  So many times, decisions are made to fulfill an immediate gratification.  That is exactly what happened with Esau.  He was famished when he returned from a hunting trip. His brother Jacob offered a bowl of soup in exchange for Esau's birthright.  And the trade was accepted.

So the boys grew.  And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents.  And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.  Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the filed and he was weary.  And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.”  Therefore his name was called Edom.  But Jacob, said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”  And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”  Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”  So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.  And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose and went his way.  Thus Esau despised his birthright.—Genesis 25:28 -34.

 

When we read the account of the older brother making a swap for some food, it sounds foolish. Yet we, too, can give up what is excellent for temporary satisfaction, if we are not careful—that is, if we are spiritually shortsighted.

 

A person acting in this way exhibits certain characteristics. For one thing, she or he makes decisions based on today, without considering tomorrow's consequences. Next, she or he is blind to life's essential values, giving higher priority to one’s appetites and emotions than to the Lord. In addition, the person is willing to sacrifice what is lasting for something that brings only fleeting satisfaction. Similarly, her or his focus is on things that are temporal and not eternal. Finally, the decisions are made in times of physical, emotional, or spiritual weakness.

 

At the time, it may seem desirable to base a decision upon an immediate want; however, are you willing to pay the price for that kind of shortsightedness?   It will never satisfy your heart.   Our hearts are satisfied when we rely on God’s Word and allowing His Spirit to guide us into making the right choice.

 

Prayer—Father I ask You to forgive me for making decisions that were based on shortsightedness, and will You please turn the consequences of these decisions around for me?  Lord I ask You to quicken me and to teach me to make good decisions, in Jesus Name. Amen.

USE THE RIGHT KEY TO UNLOCK HEAVEN’S ANSWER

 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”—John 16:23

 

There is a key to prayer that will unlock the doors and windows of heaven and grant your every need.  Without this key we can not get an answer to our prayers. This key is found in John chapter 16: “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (vs. 23-24). 

 

Jesus is our Mediator, Intercessor, Advocate, and Lord.  He stands between us and the Father.  There is no where in Scripture that it is ever recorded that Jesus told His disciples to pray to Him.  They were always told to pray to the Father in Jesus’ Name.  Therefore if we want to be sure our prayers reach Heaven and the throne of God, we pray according to what is written in the Word of God.  Jesus said to ask the Father in His Name.  This is the key that will unlock heaven in our behalf.

 

Prayer should be addressed to the Father in Jesus’ Name.  This is the key to seeing our prayers answered.  You see Jesus’ Name is exalted above every name in heaven, in earth, and under the earth.    “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2: 9-11).  So whatever we ask in Jesus’ Name, our hearts are assured that the Father hears and answers.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that my heart is assured—has confidence because You have given to me the key that unlocks heaven’s answer when I pray in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.    

 

 

 

 

 

DECEPTION THE ENEMIES PLOY

“And the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” Genesis 3:13

 

In the King James translation of the Bible, the word “beguile” is used instead of “deceived” for our Scriptural text.  According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, #5377 beguile means to lead astray; to delude, or seduce to greatly deceive. This is the first time that the word is used in scripture.  “And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”

 

You see God had given to Adam very specific instructions as to what he could eat in the Garden of Eden.   “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.  And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;  but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:15-17).  God specified to Adam that He was not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Now let’s read on, “And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”  Through the rest of chapter 2, we discover how God made woman as a helper for Adam; however, in Chapter 3 we read about Satan’s deception, his punishment and humanities penalty for distrusting that God did not mean what He said.  When questioned by God, Eve responded in Genesis 3:13, “And the Lord God said to the woman, ‘what is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘the serpent beguiled me, and I ate.’”  So once again, we see the word beguile is used in reference to being greatly deceived.

Satan tried to “deceive” Jesus when he tempted Him in the wilderness, “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  “And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’ But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”  Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: “‘He shall give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

The difference between Satan’s attempt to deceive Jesus and the deception he employed in the Garden of Eden is that Jesus responded with the Word of God.  Eve and her husband did not respond to Satan’s deception by quoting God’s Word; instead they gave into the cravings of their bodies. 

 

In order for us not to be deceived by Satan’s ploys, we must first know God’s Word.  Secondly, we must speak God’s Word.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).

 

I encourage you today to take a stand against the enemy’s deception and speak God’s Word.  You will have the same results Jesus did….Satan took up his weapons and fled.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You for opening my eyes so that I am not deceived by the enemy and that I use the mighty weapon of Your Word against him, in Jesus Name. Amen.

YOU ARE THE PRODUCT OF LOVE

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”—1 Corinthians 13:13

 

God created us in His image and His likeness (Genesis 2:26-27).  You are created by God, so you are the product of love, “…for God is love” (1 John 4:8).  Jesus said in John 15 that He abided in His Father’s love and that we abide in His love when we keep His commandments.

 

It is hard for our minds to comprehend that God’s love is in our “hearts”—in our spirits.  Our natural mind has difficulty accepting the fact that love is in our inner most being.  When we were born-gain, we were begotten of love.  Because our natural mind can not comprehend the things of the spirit, we must renew our minds according to Romans 12:2. 

 

One of the ways that is helpful in renewing your mind concerning the love of God is to confess (rehearse to the hearing of your ears) certain scriptures that speak of God’s love.  I  Corinthians 13:4-11 helps us to comprehend that we are a product of God’s love; therefore, we are to produce these same attributes.

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

⁵ It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

⁶ It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

⁷ Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

⁸ Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (^[a]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

⁹ For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).

¹⁰ But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).

¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

Once we change the self-image that we have of ourselves, we begin to produce the product of love.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You made me in Your image and in Your likeness and that I am a product of Your love.  I ask You to help me to grow and develop in Your love and that I produce Your love to others, in Jesus Name. Amen.

IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP

“Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep—rouse to reality. For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed—adhered to, trusted in and relied on Christ, the Messiah.”—Romans 13:11 (Amplified)

 

Many people turn over and go back to sleep when their alarm clock goes off in the morning, and as a result, the rest of their morning is spent rushing through their morning routine.  Our scripture reading for today tells us that it is past time to wake up out of spiritual sleep.  We are to wake up to spiritual reality. 

 

The Greek word for sleep in Romans 13:11 is hoop-nos and it means spiritual sluggishness, spiritual apathy, spiritual lethargy, mental or physical inactivity or insensibility.  Everyday that you wake up your enemy, Satan, is going to try to convince you that you do not have any right to the things of God.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Satan will not be able to convince you, if you wake up every morning spiritually alert.  One of the ways that we can remain spiritually alert is to go to the throne room of grace every day.

 

God commands us to come to the throne room of grace where we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  “…Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14-16).  A word study of the word awake in the Greek reveals that it means collecting one’s faculties, arise from obscurity, raise up, stand, rise again, rise, rouse from sleep, from sitting or lying, rouse from disease, rouse from inactivity. 

 

Inactivity of prayer life is past.  The Father has commanded us to Rouse from sleep, Awake, Arise, to Stand up, to rise from obscurity to Call upon Him.  Many scriptures command us to pray, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee” (Psalm 50:15), “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9) are just a few. 

 

The reason that we are commanded to pray is because our Heavenly Father has chosen to work through human vessels like you and I to carry out His plan and purposes.  He has need of us.  When we are sluggish, refuse to pray, or even become mentally and spiritually sluggish, we are allowing the enemy to control our lives. 

 

Here is a prayerful confession to help reawaken you and rouse you from inactivity.

 

“Father, I confess anew that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  Lord, you are the head of my life.  I completely yield myself to You.  My will is now Your will.  My plans are now Your plans.  I repent of any and all spiritual sluggishness, and I ask You to forgive me, and restore me to a right relationship with You.  I accept your gift of righteousness and all that it includes; health, prosperity, peace, joy and life in abundance.  I put aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets me.  And I now look unto Jesus, the author and Finisher of my faith, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

THE ANCHOR HOLDS IN THE MIDST OF TURMOIL

“[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it—a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil.”—Hebrews 6:19

 

Although I do not have any experience with sailing, ships, boating or the anchor that is used to hold them in place, I do have some experience with anchors that hold buildings in place during storms with high winds.  For many years, we lived in southwestern Kansas where there is rarely a day that the wind does not blow.  As my friends in Kansas can attest too, there are times that wind storms are liken to a gale force that will move anything that is not anchored down. 

 

The apostle Paul wrote in Acts 27 about his experience of a terrible storm that seemed like it would take his life and all the men who traveled with him.  However during this terrible experience, the angel of God appeared to Paul and told him that neither he nor any of his traveling companions would die. Although the circumstances appeared that they would all perish, Paul was so confident in His Lord that he ate food and encouraged all of his travel companions to eat.  You see they had been fasting for three weeks, but Paul encouraged them with Hope and Direction; he told them to eat so that they would not be physically weak.  Seeing Paul eat, and hearing his encouraging words his companions ate.  In other words, they changed their attitudes—how they thought about the trouble they were in.  I believe that hope began to come alive in their hearts.

 

Anchors symbolized hope in Greek secular world.   The Greek word for hope, agkura, is used by the writer as vivid picture of that which supports and keeps one steadfast in the midst of waves of doubt or stormy trials.  The anchor was an ancient Christian symbol for safety, security, and hope.  If you fear, if you doubt, place all your trust in Christ: the "Anchor" who holds forever.

 

The anchor is out of sight, but it holds and that is what matters. Within the veil, in our Scripture for today, is the unseen, eternal reality of the heavenly world.  A ship’s anchor goes down to the ocean; the Christian’s anchor goes up into the heavenly sanctuary and "moors" us to God Himself.  We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll.

 

Since our hope is the anchor, the meaning is that our hope is secured in God’s very Presence behind the veil where Christ ever lives to make intercession for the Saints according to the will of God.  “Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).  

 

What an anchor is to a vessel in its tossing’s, so hope is to us in our times of trial, difficulty and stress.  Put your faith in the Blessed Hope—Jesus he will hold you steadfast and secure.

 

 Prayer—Father I put my hope and trust in You and I ask You to help me to never loose sight that my anchor is held firmly and securely in Jesus Christ, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

HELP IS ON THE WAY

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” –3 John 2

 

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul states how the help that he received from them was like a “sweet-smelling aroma an acceptable sacrifice.”   “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.  Indeed I have all and abound, I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God, shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:15-19).  Furthermore, he pointed out that they were the only ones who had helped and partnered with him in these efforts.

 

Although there are difficulties in life, God has promised to us help.  In our scripture, the Greek word (euodoo) “prosper” means to get help on the road, to succeed in business affairs and to have a prosperous journey.  As Christians, we are, “to walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7).  Our heavenly Father knows that while we are walking by faith it will not be easy and euodoo promises us ‘help on the way.’ 

 

Whatever you may be facing today begin to say with all confidence, help is on the way. The psalmist wrote, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted I Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him’ (Psalm 28:7).

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You care for me and today by faith I declare that help is on the road, that I succeed in business affairs and I have a prosperous journey, in Jesus Name. Amen.

DO NOT IGNORE YOUR ENEMY

“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”—Luke 10:19

 

Satan does exist—our broken society testifies to his reality.  Those who ignore him do so at their own safety.  This is also true of Christians, because we are all at war against him.  Satan is our enemy.   In fact Scripture likens him to a roaring lion, “Be sober, and be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

 

From these and other scriptures, we can gain an understanding that spiritual warfare is personal; Satan designs specific attacks for each individual.  Though he cannot steal a believer’s spirit from God, he can and does harass us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  Every ambush and frontal attack is meant to defeat our witness so we can not live a victorious Christ-centered life.

 

Our enemy is not omniscient, but he is cunning.  He observes our strong and weak points to determine the best areas for attack.  As soon as his prey becomes comfortable and least expects trouble, the adversary springs a trap.  Among his most deceptive tactics is hiding behind familiar faces in order to misguide us and send his arrows of deception.  Instead of focusing on the person, we need to focus on who are real enemy is—Satan.

 

The first rule of warfare is to know one’s enemy, and thanks to Scripture, we can.  As believers, we are instructed to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).  The Bible also contains an important assurance; “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

 

The forces of hell cannot equal the supernatural power of a single believer.  “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10).  We have Christ living within us—the same Christ who was triumphant on the cross and whose final victory over Satan is prophesied in Revelation.  Through Him, we reinforce Satan’s defeat and win our battles.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that Jesus has defeated my enemy, Satan.  Today I purpose in my heart to be alert to his deception and to reinforce is defeat by using the powerful Name of Jesus, His shed blood, and the word of my testimony, in Jesus Name. Amen.

COMPASSION COMPELS THE INTERCESSOR TO REACH OUT

“And he [Jesus] came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still.  And he [Jesus] said, ‘Young man, I say unto thee Arise.”—Luke 7:14

 

In Luke chapter 7, we read of an account of a young man being taken outside of the city’s gate to be buried.  The widowed mother along with a great number of other people, were in the funeral procession when Jesus, his disciples and a crowd of people who were following Him, came upon the scene. 

 

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd.   And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.   When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”   Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”  So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.—Luke 7:11-15

 

An intercessor is someone who takes the place of another and brings upon the other person, situation, or circumstances, what they could not bring upon themselves.   God sent Jesus, His Son, to bring salvation upon humanity (intercession).  We can not save ourselves, but it is the sacrificially blood of Jesus who saves us from eternal separation from God when we accept by faith what He has done in our behalf.   “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 7:24). 

 

You and I now have the privilege to intercede for others.  “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8 emphasis added).

 

Here are some principles that we can glean from Jesus’ action of compassion as recorded in Luke 7.

 

1)      No matter how grim the situation may appear an intercessor moves with compassion to bring God’s goodness into the situation.  “And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow.”

2)      An intercessor is not focused on the crowd—she or he focuses on the solution to the need.  Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd… And a large crowd from the city was with her.   

3)      Words of peace and calm are spoken by the intercessor.  “Do not weep.”   

4)      Intercessors reach out with compassion into dead situations and speak life.  He came and touched the open coffin, He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”  

5)      Intercessors restore broken people so that lives can be mended.  He who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

Allow God’s compassion to rise up in your heart today and reach out with intercession to those who are in need.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that Your compassion, Your heart for people lives in me. With Your help, I purpose in my heart, today, to look at the world around me and see where You want to reach out and touch people.  I thank Your that I have courage to speak Your words of calm and peace into difficult situations and I am not afraid to speak Your words of faith and power to restore people, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

THE GRACE TO WAIT IN PRAYER

“Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.”—Psalm 62:1

 

In our culture, one of the least pleasurable things we like to do is to wait in line.  We arrive at a doctor’s appointment on time or a little early only to sit-and-sit-and sit in the waiting room.  We go to the grocery store for just a few things and get stuck in an endless checkout line.  And there is the delay in the drive-through lane at the bank or the fast-food restaurant.   It seems as though nobody in our culture likes to wait.

 

When we take our petitions to the Lord in prayer, often, we bring our human impatience with us.  We frequently make a request and expect an answer as soon as we say amen.  If God does not immediately spring into action, many people begin to think something like this, Well, I tried praying, but the Lord just did not do anything.  Prayer does not really work.  And then there are those who think that they did not receive an answer to their prayer because the out-come was not what they imagined it should be.  So, they begin to think that prayer does not work.  I have always been fascinated with the account in Scripture about the birth of Moses and how his mother went against the king’s order to kill her male child at birth.  Her grace to wait is an encouragement to our faith.

 

And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi.  So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months.  But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank.  And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.  Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it.  And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”  Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.”—Exodus 2:1-10

Even when it seemed impossible to keep her child, Moses’ mother trusted in the Lord’s grace to keep him.  When she no longer could keep the child on her own, again she trusted in the Lord’s grace to keep him.  She did her part—she built an ark which is a symbol of God’s safe keeping and protection.  Then she put Moses in the ark, and again she trusted in the Lord’s grace to keep him.   I think that in response to Moses’ mother’s faith—God grace flowed prophetically back to her:  Moses was returned back to his mother until God’s appointed time came for Moses to fulfill his God appointed destiny, although Moses’ mother may have wanted a different out-come for her son, she trusted in God’s keeping grace when she gave him back to Pharaoh’s daughter.

The spiritual application that we can glean is: (1) We must trust in the Lord’s grace to keep our prayer request even when we are impatient.  (2) Realize that His grace is sufficient to keep us and carry us through even when we want something different.

Prayer—Father I repent for being impatient for answers and giving up when I pray and I ask You to forgive me.   Lord, cleanse me from all unrighteousness and restore unto me the joy of my salvation.  I purpose in my heart to trust in Your grace at work in the petitions that I bring before You, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

EFFECTIVE PRAYER IS BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD

“For assuredly, I say to you whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”—Mark 11:23

 

It is the prayer of faith based upon God’s Word that will bring results in your life, because the Word of God is the will of God.  The only way that we can get to the point in our lives to pray the Word of God is to understand that God does nothing outside of His Word.  You see God and His Word are One.  To establish the integrity of God’s Word in your heart, you must believe that God said what he meant and meant what He said.  As your faith and confidence in the scripture Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away,” becomes absorbed into your very being, then doubt and unbelief will have no place to call home. 

 

Your spiritual maturity level has risen to the point where you believe God’s Word more than you believe the news, symptoms in your body, the educational process of the world, what any government says, and all the world’s facts and figures.  You believe that God’s Word is the final authority in the earth.  When it is settle in your heart and mind that God’s Word is true and it is final authority, it is not hard to pray, according to the will of God and for your prayers to be effective.  

 

Words are keys that unlock the powers of God’s universe.  When the words we speak are in line with His Word, His power is released.  Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). On the other hand, if we agree with our enemy, Satan, and speak forth his thoughts of doubt, we unleash his power, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21). 

 

The Scripture tells us in Jeremiah 1:12 what God thinks about His Word, “I will hasten my word to perform it.”  God is committed to fulfill what He has already promised.  If He has promised to do something, then He is looking for someone who will believe His Word so He can manifest it.

 

Believing His Word + Speaking His = Effective mountain moving Prayer!

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You are committed to fulfilling what you have already promised.  Today I purpose in my heart to speak Your Word in faith to see mountains removed when I pray, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED

“That we should no longer be children, tossed to and from and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things unto Him who is the head—Christ.”—Ephesians 4:14-15

 

Spiritual growth should not be taken for granted.  It is a good idea to assess our spiritual maturity and growth by comparing our attitudes and beliefs to the Word of God.  I heard an older minister say one time chronological age has nothing to do with spiritual maturity.  I agree with that statement, and add this from a twenty-something-year-old man who said, “I have been raised in church all my life, but it was not until I made a decision to seek out biblical truth for myself that I began to grow out of my sin nature and manifest the nature of God.”

 

Some spiritual benchmarks to help us evaluate our spiritual growth and development are:

We can know that we are growing spiritually when we become increasingly aware of who Christ is in us and who we are in Christ.  This awareness begins to manifest Christ’s qualities to the world around us.  Instead of being fearful, we become faith-filled.  Instead of hateful, we become loving and kind.  We become fruit bearers; instead of, fruit inspectors.

 

 

We lay aside self-reliance and become reliant upon the grace of God working in our lives.

 

Growing in spiritually maturity we turn away from wrongdoing and embrace righteousness.  Our desire to live righteously intensifies and the attraction of sin lessens.

 

We view difficulties as opportunities for spiritual growth and development.   

 

I encourage you to keep pressing toward the goal for the prize of your upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us leave behind the unfruitful works of the flesh and press for the spiritual maturity that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Prayer—Father I thank You that You are leading me in the paths of righteousness for Your name sake.  Today, I purpose in my heart to lay aside every weight of sin and press for the prize and I ask You Lord for Your grace, mercy and help so that I can be spiritually mature, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

SPIRITUAL MATURITY CONTRIBUTES TO POSITIVE RESULTS IN PRAYER

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”—Hebrews 5:13-14

 

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to prayer; sadly, however, it seems to be one of the weakest areas in some Christian’s lives.  I think that one of the contributing reasons can be found in an individual’s spiritual maturity.  If they are weak in faith and weak and in their understanding of their redemptive identity in Christ, then it follows that they will produce weak and ineffective prayers that produce little if any positive results.  In the book of Romans chapter four verses 13-20, Paul writes how Abraham is an example of positive strong faith.  Because Abraham believed and hoped in what God had spoken to him concerning having an heir, Paul writes, “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.  He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.”

 

Effective prayers that bring positive results are governed by spiritual laws. A spiritual mature disciple can leave the time of prayer with confidence because:  “…he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).  And because, the prayer asks in faith, “Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven, with the wind and tossed; let not man expect that he shall receive anything of the Lord”(James 1:6).   Faith “obtains promises, unbelief goes empty-handed.”  The prayer that avails most with God and produces positive results is the prayer of one who believes that God will hear her or him and who, therefore, asks with confidence. 

 

Prayer—Father I desire positive results when I pray and I ask, will You please shine Your illumination upon any area of my heart where I am spiritually immature?  I ask for Your help Lord, to be a strong vibrant Christian whose prayers avail much and produce positive results in the Your Kingdom, in Jesus Name.  Amen. 

 

TAKE HEED TO YOUR MINISTRY

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.”—2 Timothy 1:6-8

 

In our Scriptural reference, Paul is saying, “I remind you to stir up the gift of God (eternal life).   Take the task that God has given you seriously.  God has not given you a spirit of fear—there are no timid spirit-filled believers.  You have a sound mind, sound judgment, sound control—you have self discipline.  Your ministry is according to the power of God; therefore, get the “knots” out of your “cans.”  You are vital and important in the Kingdom of God.  The nations need you. 

 

Your testimony of the Lord is inspired by love.  Your testimony is your gospel—what you know—that is what your share.  You can begin to say, “Christ’s mind in me gives me the sound discipline that gives to me sound judgment that gives to me the knowledge of whether I am trusting in my emotions or in His leading.  I am called according to His purpose for my life.” 

 

Jesus taught us that in taking heed—giving attention—we are to ask the Heavenly Father to, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25).  Dr. Daisy Osborn said, “People and nations that have been hurt—injured very deeply become one of two things:  They either become much callused and mean, or become very compassionate.”   Jesus explains in Luke 7:47 that to whom much is forgiven, the same love much, “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.”  Forgiveness is conditional; to receive God’s forgiveness we must forgive.  The only way that we can heal is through forgiveness. 

 

I was in a church service in Tulsa, Oklahoma February 26, 1988 when the Holy Spirit spoke these words to me: “Women will be released for duty, for pursuit, for happy living as they forgive those who pursue after them.  The evilness of this world that has attached itself to their lives can only be turned back through My love and power that will flow out of them and through them as they release My healing power through forgiveness.”

 

Our heavenly Father has need of us and He wants to release His fullness to us, but can not because we harbor unforgiveness.   I encourage you to take heed to your ministry, your life by forgiving. 

 

Prayer—Father today I repent of _________________and I ask You to forgive me, cleanse me, make me new again as You promised in Your Word that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and righteous to forgive me of my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  Thank You Lord that because I am taking heed to my ministry You are releasing your power, love and sound mind in me, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

KEEP GOING: PERSEVERE IN THE HARD TIMES

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit who was given to us.”—Romans 5:3-5

 

There are many inspiring true stories of people who have accomplished wonderful and impressive things, but rarely do we hear how hard they have worked achieving their success. Frequently, it is average people who through perseverance against insurmountable odds who attain victory.  Successful people agree that perseverance is the main ingredient in every success story.

 

Thomas Edison who invented the incandescent light bulb failed 10,000 times before he was successful.  He said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."   I visited with another minister recently who told me that another minister we both knew had closed up his church.  I asked him, “Why do you think he closed?”  He replied, “He gave up too soon.” 

Perseverance is steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, especially in spite of difficulties or discouragement. Determination, tenacity and patience also are closely related qualities.

Many examples of this kind of resolve can be found in the Bible. Genesis gives the account of Noah who built the ark over the course of 120 years, surrounded by corrupt and contemptuous unbelievers. Moses led the hardhearted Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness. The Apostle Paul, however, serves as an outstanding example of perseverance.

Paul's ministry spanned about 30 years. During that time he took three missionary journeys. According to Christian History Magazine, he covered about 14,000 miles, mostly on foot. In two years and three months, under the ministry of Paul, all Asia Minor heard the word of the Lord Jesus, according to Acts 19:8-10. Throughout his travels Paul was constantly dealing with obstacles. Some scholars say he was stoned to death, but was revived and continued to preach.

Second Corinthians 11:24-27 describes in vivid detail the hardships that Paul endured: "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."   In addition to all of this, Paul always had in mind a concern for all of the churches and the people he had won to the Lord.

Throughout church history, men and women have persevered for years while suffering religious opposition and persecution. For example, Martin Luther, considered by many the father of the Reformation, preached, wrote and raised a family over the course of 25 years, all while coming under the scrutiny of the Church. 

I want to encourage you today to persevere through obstacles and tests.  Take a deep breath and say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I am a world over-comer because the faith that I need to overcome lives in me, and my victory does not rest in my abilities but the Greater One who lives in me.  It is Christ who has gotten me the victory!” 

 

Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, "Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did."

 

Prayer—Father I repent of giving up to easily.  Today I refocus not on my own efforts, but the Greater One who lives in me and I trust You for putting me over every obstacle in, Jesus Name.  Amen

 

MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”——Jude 1:20

 

The human body can not live without water.  A vehicle requires oil to function. Likewise, to have a vital union with Christ our relationship with Him must be maintained. “Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:4, 5,7). 

 

Christians can become spiritually weak.  Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.”  To become spiritually strong, we must daily feast on His Word.  The consequences to the flesh of not eating and drinking can lead to extreme malnutrition and death.  Because of not eating and drinking of the spiritual manna (the Word of God and drinking of His Spirit), we may not die spiritually; however, as a result, we will be stunted in our spiritual development and not be able to produce any fruit. 

 

I encourage you to read the book of Jude, so that you may discover several ways that prevent spiritual malnourishment and to maintain your life with God.                                                              

The following are some maintenance procedures that we can do:

·         Do not allow your heart to become selfish, seeing only the temporal.

·         Be compassionate to others.  In doing so, you not only help them, but you enrich your life in Christ because you are acting on His behalf and making His heart part of your own.

·         Above all, do not forget His promises; they are what make His love for you so sure.

 

Prayer—Father I ask You to forgive me for not maintaining my relationship with You. Holy Spirit I ask You to examine my heart and show me areas where I need to improve, and I ask You for Your help so that I can produce fruit in Your Everlasting Kingdom, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

THE TIME FOR THE TRUE PROPHETIC WORD OF THE LORD TO BE SPOKEN IS NOW

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”—Psalm 18:30

 

Many people are relying on their conscience to discern right from wrong. Our conscience, from the moment we begin processing instructions and warnings, is developing a code of conduct by which we will live, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).

 

Scientist’s have discovered that the conscience is a flexible tool; it can absorb new data and adjust a person's values and perspective. This is good news for those who begin with poor programming but find valuable biblical guidance later on. Yet flexibility is potentially bad news for those who expose themselves repeatedly to falsehood and vain philosophies. If they ignore wisdom and truth, they will assimilate the deceptive viewpoints of modern culture. 

 

Through out church history we can see that deceptive viewpoints have led God’s chosen people into captivity time-after-time.  Hosea 12:13 explains the need for the true prophetic word, “The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.”   The Israelites were given God’s laws to live by, they continually broke His commands and their conscience was not a good moral compass for them to live by.  So God sent Moses, His prophet to deliver them from Egypt.

 

 

Today, in the New Covenant, being delivered from Egypt applies in a totally spiritual context.  The people of God, in the Old Covenant, were the children of Abraham.  In Galatians 3:7-9, we find that now the Children of Abraham applies spiritually to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Today the term, “Egypt,” spoken in a spiritual sense means the “flesh,” and dealing with the carnal appetites of the flesh. 

 

Many people are failing in dealing with their carnal appetites of their flesh because their conscience has been seared through repeatedly violating God’s Word and they cannot get deliverance. “Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2).   

 

There are times that we need to have a righteous prophetic word spoken into our lives to bring us into our promised land of deliverance.  The prophetic word brings deliverance when the one delivering the message has the spiritual license, authority and anointing of the Lord Jesus Christ. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13).

 

Prayer—Father I acknowledge that I need stronger help in my life dealing with________________________.  I ask You to send a clear precise divine message to me and I ask that the person that You choose to use has the spiritual license, authority and the anointing of the Lord Jesus Christ to effect the deliverance that I need, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

 

 

AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS WE BECOME SERVANTS

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”—Matthew 20:28

 

 

When we are born-again and become a “new creature,” (“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17), it is our spirits that are made new.  It takes time for our “outward-man” to become increasingly like Christ, (“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” 2 Corinthians 4:16).  Jesus said if you want to become great in the kingdom of God then we must lean to be servants of all, “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’”(Mark 9:35).

 

As a follower of Jesus, we are to serve others.  Recognizing the principles of servant hood found in Luke 19:1-10 will help us to understand how the role of servant hood works our lives.

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.  And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.  So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Awareness:  Being aware of people, in our surroundings, helps us to recognize opportunities for ministry.  Jesus looked up into a tree and saw an opportunity to bring salvation to a man that society had labeled a “sinner” and not worthy of being ministered to.

 

Availability:  When Jesus saw the tax collector, He did not wait to make an appointment with him to come back later.  He made himself available immediately to go to Zaccchaeus’ home.  Whatever may have been on Jesus’ agenda that day did not take priority over the directive of the Holy Spirit.  We must not be so rigid in our busy schedules that we do not allow ourselves to be available for God to use.

 

Acceptance:  Jesus went into Zacchaeus’ home and accepted him just the way he was.  And this is the way Jesus accepts us and how we are to accept other people—just the way they are. 

 

Abiding:  At the moment that we are “born-again” the Scripture tells us that we are engrafted into the vine of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5).  Abiding in Christ is the only way that we can find the resources necessary to serve others.  And when we do, we are assured that we will bear much fruit.

 

Abandonment:  When we are truly serving others, we leave abandon our selfish ideas and desires so that the Father’s desires can be expressed. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).

 

 

Jesus came, not to be served, but to be a servant of all.  He came as a servant who gave His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).  When we have received Him as our Savior and then yield to Him as Lord, we, then become followers and our lives become a living expression of the One who came to be a servant of all.

 

 

Prayer—Father today I recommit my life to You.  I ask the Holy Spirit to quicken me to be aware of those who need Your loving touch.  I give myself to You so that Your life can flow through me to bring Your desire into people’s lives, in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST YOU MUST BE COMMITTED

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’”—Mark 1:17

 

When Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover, John's Gospel tells us that many believed in His name after they saw the signs He did. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because "He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man" (John 2:24–25).  Many believed in Him in a shallow, superficial sort of way, without any real commitment attached. They were interested in Him, curious about Him, drawn by Him, and perhaps even felt affection for Him. But, they were not loyalty or committed to Him. Jesus knew that when difficulties came the multitudes would simply drift away. For that reason, Christ did not commit Himself to them.

There are many people who say they want to follow Jesus. And that's good. But that commitment will be challenged. We must decide to follow Jesus-not because our best friend is, not because our boyfriend or girlfriend is, not because our parents are, but because we have chosen in our own heart-of-hearts to follow Christ.

Many of us can get caught up in the moment.  For example, it is like watching Olympic completion and then become inspired to become an athlete.  But do we realize the hours, days, months, and years these that athletes dedicate to one competition?  We get excited about the ceremonies and the national attention that is given, but are we willing to go through the training? Are we willing to count the cost?  Is our commitment to Christ and Him alone? Are we willing to be real followers of Jesus?

To be a follower of Jesus we must first trust Him, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believer also in Me” (John 14:1).  We will not follow someone that we do not trust.  Trust develops as we abide in Him and discover His character and the depth of His love.

Secondly, to follow means to be obedient, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:5).  When it comes to obeying God, there are only two responses that we must think about:  I will or I will not. A true follower of Jesus combines trust with obedience saying, “Yes Lord,” even in difficult times of heartache and suffering. 

Lastly, to follow Jesus means to serve Him.  As God’s children, we are not to be observers; we are to participate actively in the Lord’s work.  “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1 Corinthians 12:27).  As members in the body of Christ, we are called to use our spiritual gifts so that His body can be built up. 

Take a moment and reflect—ask yourself, “Are there areas in my life where I am not being a follower of Christ with true commitment?  Allow the Holy Spirit to point out areas that may need work, and those that you are confident in.

Prayer—Father I ask You to give me a trusting servant’s heart and an obedient spirit in every area of my life, in Jesus Name.  Amen.