When you give confidential information you are quite sure that it is only for the person you have spoken to. But sometimes we can be betrayed. The worse is internet; there is no security with the internet nowadays. What about friends and family, are they ok with your confidential facts?
"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (Jas 3:8)
When James was speaking of the tongue, of course, he was speaking of the one closest to you. When you confide in another person that can be a big mistake. Yesterday we spoke of “gossiping” and today we are almost in the same area. If we tell someone something in confidence we do it believing they go no further with it. But if we are a gossiper telling tales on others, we should just say “keep it to you” I don’t want to be with that kind of gossip. If the gossip is good and perhaps a pleasant surprise, joyfully join in and be confident that others can rely on you.
James was the leader of a church and perhaps he had those who wanted to confide in him, but he had to always judge the gossip or information he was getting, to make sure no one would get hurt from it. Also as a leader he had to make a decision on whether it was something to be prayed about and corrected in time. James wrote this verse to make it clear to his church; he wanted no “stinking thinking gossip” in his church. The same responsibility he had in his church we have in ours. Today it might be a good idea to start evaluating what you want to be confidential about. Amen.
JUL 2
THE TONGUE IS SNEAKY
We are still on the subject of gossip and the power of the tongue.
"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (Jas 3:8)
This time I am getting a little stronger on just how evil the tongue can be. We know the Word says, “life and death are in the tongue.” Therefore it is easy to understand there is power in the tongue. James tells us no man can tame the tongue. No man but the man that has the tongue. You and you alone can tame your tongue. You and you alone can decide how must good power or evil power will come from your tongue.
The tongue that James is speaking of is as a serpent, a snake full of deadly poison. Paul tells us our tongue can be full of joy and praise, edifying others. In other words we always have a choice of how we want to use our tongue. We have a choice of the kind of power we give our tongue for good or evil. Still the problem for us is how sneaky the tongue can be when we are in fellowship. "OPPS," we meant to say. Only with our desire to have the Holy Spirit leading our tongue on a daily path with love and goodness is the way we should use our tongue. Today would be a good day to be careful on how we use it. Amen.
JUL 3
TUGGING AT YOUR HEART
Did you know that the Holy Spirit tugs at your heart long before you are saved? You may think it is your idea to be saved and give your life to Christ, but sorry, the Holy Spirit has been at work on you for quite a while before your decision.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." (Rom 8:14)
Yes, so true, we are first tugged by the Holy Spirit. Just try to remember some of the things going on in your life before you were saved. Those things were instigated by the Holy Spirit tugging at you to get on your knees and give your life to Christ. Of course after your salvation the real work of the Holy Spirit started when He moved into your heart and soul and started not having to tug any longer, but now just leading you as a child of God.
A shepherd has to be a little bold at times leading his sheep to a good pasture or to safety. The Holy Spirit is our shepherd leading us and caring for our wellbeing according to the will of the Father. Today you can speak with him and ask Him where He wants you to take the next step. Amen.
JUL 4
FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY
Have you ever thought that encouraging fellowship could be a calling? As you know a pastor is a shepherd for his flock. Therefore he is very concerned about the fellowship in his church.
"But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb 3:13)
When a fellow member of your church feels unwelcome or uncomfortable because of not being included in Christian fellowship, that dear brother or sister could fall into a depression and back to their former life in sin. The pastor has his job looking after all the needs, but he could use some help also and that person or persons that help him, will know that they have a gift and develop a ministry for encouraging a good fellowship unity in their church.
When love is spread around, everyone is happy and blessed. Such a ministry must be a seeker from the heart, and revealed from the Holy Spirit. In this ministry it helps with a confirmation from others. Perhaps this ministry is for you today. Prayer and seeking from your heart the love for your fellow family in Christ may be where you are needed. Amen.
JUL 5
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
When the Lord gave commandments to spread the gospel, He was talking with His disciples. The gospel was new and the Bible hadn’t been written yet. So now the gospel is 2000 yrs old and we do have many versions of the Bible today. Is that to say we have no excuse for not doing what He commanded?
"And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mar 16:15)
"Go you therefore, and teach all nations." (Mat 28:19)
No we have no excuse. We have every reason to follow His commandment and to spread the gospel. How do we do that? We tell our neighbours, ”Jesus loves you and so do we.” We say, “God bless have a blessed day,” when we are in public places paying for something or getting service. We may have tracts that can be left a public places or given to a neighbour or friend. All these things have to be practiced, remembered and done for us to obey His commandment. Today we may be able to get some tracts and start in a street ministry, spreading the gospel in our neighbourhood or at work. Amen.
JUL 6
OFFICAL SPOKESMAN
When the Lord commanded us to go out into the world, He was sending His official spokesmen to tell the world who He was and is, King of kings.
"And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mar 16:15)
Have you ever thought of yourself a herald of a king? We are just that for King Jesus. When we obey Him and go out heralding the King of kings to all mankind we are in the greatest ministry and answering the greatest call to God people.
When we are doing street evangelism, tell others who Jesus is and who He can be in their life, which is the greatest sermon given from a pulpit. Preaching from the pulpit should not be anything but edifying the King of kings. A preacher has only one message of the Cross to tell his congregation and that is the gospel. All sermons given from the pulpit should only have the message of the Cross and Resurrection. This same message can be given on the streets, workplace and school. Today we have that opportunity to “go out into the world and preach the gospel,” so what are we waiting for. Amen.
JUL 7
YOUR IMAGE IN CHRIST
How do others see you? When others see us do they see ”WWCD” (What Would Christ Do) through us. Jesus was a man with the image of Christ, the Son of God. We are children of God so our image should also be Christ like.
"And these signs shall follow them that believe." (Mar 16:17)
We, who love the Lord and want to follow in His footsteps, should also strive to develop signs for others to want to do the same. Signs of the believer encourages other believers and is an invitation for unbelievers. Our signs that reveal our love and faith in Jesus, by our testimonies and prayers, should always encourage others to believe. When John was in prison, he sent word to Jesus asking Him, if He was the Messiah, Jesus answer was look at the signs, He heals the sick, the deaf, the blind, and the lame, these were Jesus' signs. These are also the signs of the believer, our signs.
We pray for many things, the sick, finances, provision, and deliverance, we see many miracles, and answered prayers, which are our signs. The Lord was on the streets and public places, that is why all His signs were seen by the multitudes. When our signs and testimonies are available for others to see, then they will see that by our faith we follow Jesus. Do you have a testimony or miracle to share? Do others see and hear that you follow Jesus? What can you do about your Christ like image? Amen.
JUL 8
SIGNS AND WONDERS
Yesterday was signs, today we are with wonders. How wonderful when we can see a person with a demon is delivered. Jesus said those that believe will cast out demons.
"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." (Luk 10:17)
These 72 apostles were uneducated fishermen and farmers. How they cast out demons was with the faith that Jesus said to us, we must have faith “the size of a mustard seed.” There are many young people today that have a demon, and that need deliverance. The Holy Spirit knows at once when He has come in contact with someone needing deliverance. That same wonderful Holy Spirit lives within us and is our protector when we meet the demon.
What did the seventy-two answer Jesus? "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." The seventy –two came back full of joy after Jesus had sent them out to evangelize and preach on the streets. What He asked them to do was not an easy task, but they obeyed, because they believed. The same task is ours and the same result can be ours, the key to the signs and wonders, healing the sick and casting out demons, is our obedience and our faith. Today you can ask the Holy Spirit where He wants you to be, obey His lead and believe in Jesus Name with your signs and wonders. Amen.
JUL 9
PENTECOST WAS FULLY COME
Pentecost was a Jewish holiday and feast, and still is, 50 days after the Passover. For us that are saved and surrendered our lives to Christ it means a great deal more than just a holiday.
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (Act 2:1)
In Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost the believers that gathered as Jesus had instructed them to do were in one accord. In other words they were all praying. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Act 2:4) In their church all that were there were filled with Spirit. Our churches are not like that today. In fact most churches do not encourage tongues. I am blessed my church encourages singing and praying in tongues.
Today speaking in tongues is a very personal choice, not like the day of Pentecost with Peter and 120 believers. They all were baptized with the Holy Spirit in one accord. Today the answer is, "I am fine without tongues." Wrong answer, we are not completely fine with the Holy Spirit until we are baptized with Him. When we are saved, a new creation in Christ, then we should welcome a new language also. Today can be the day of Pentecost for you, pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit with tongues and as the Spirit gives utterance. Amen.
JUL 10
A MUSTARD SEED
How far can we go as Christians with so little faith as a mustard seed? Hallelujah the answer is, ”from here to eternity.”
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luk 10:19)
First the Lord tells His disciples they are children of little faith when they are in a storm. Then He says with “mustard seed faith” they can move a mountain. Here He goes even further to say that it is He that has given them power to resist the enemy and anything that could hurt them. That power in Jesus Name is ours. That authority in Jesus Name is ours. The signs and wonders we have read about this week is ours with power and authority we have in Jesus Name.
There is absolutely nothing for us to fear in this world, because we have Jesus. There is no need that can fail or no sickness that can prevail, with our authority in Jesus Name. All goodness and righteousness is in the Name of Jesus. Believing in Him with the faith of a mustard seed provides us with victory over the enemy. Whatever enemy is rising up in your life today, whack him and declare him gone in Jesus Name. Amen.
JUL 11
FOOD POISONING
Sadly I have heard many friends say they believe the reason they are ill all of a sudden with the stomach aches is caused by ”food poisoning.” I believe they mean food with salmonella poisoning. This can be a result of contaminated food.
“ And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mar 16:18)
Living in Spain we find that eating in the cafes and restaurants can be cheaper than making the same meal at home. And perhaps we like leaving the dishes to them as well. But very true, food can be quickly contaminated in a hot country like Spain. Not blaming my favourite places, not their fault, but it can happen.
I am so happy that our Lord covers all our needs, even to the words “if “ and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;" we don’t think of this as a promise from the Lord, but that is exactly what it is. He verses in Mark 16: 17-18 are promises from our Heavenly Father to us His Children. Just this one is enough to give thanksgiving every day. We cannot survive without food and drink, and here the Father promises us that what we eat and drink cannot and will not harm us. When we give thanks for our food and drink that promise is His favour on us at that meal time. How many times do we eat and drink in a day? Today all those times will give you an opportunity to thank the Lord for His blessing of food and drink. Amen.
JUL 12
MORE PROMISES
Promises from the Lord throughout His Word do not always apply to me or you according to our lifestyles and professions. But the verses here in Mark 16: 17-18 are mostly practical things we may come up against in our lives.
"They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mar 16:18)
Yesterday we read about ”food and drink,” today we read about “the sick.” I said that these verses covered most of our practical needs. What is more needed in our lives than healing the sick? A promise here in this verse tells us when we lay our hands on the sick, they will recover. Amen. So why doesn’t that always happen? Jesus looked on all the people with compassion, no that is not right.” He saw the great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them.” Matt 14:14
Do you see the diffidence? Not having compassion for someone hinders faith in healing. Jesus had compassion toward them, facing their dilemmas and healing them. Having compassion is an emotion and that emotion is what produces faith and banishes doubt. Laying hands on the sick and them being restored is the result of authority in the Name of Jesus and our compassion. Rebuking sickness is done with a full declaration of faith in Jesus and seeing them restored through the Spirit. If you are asked to lay hands on the sick, eliminate yourself from their condition and surrender them to Christ. Amen.
JUL 13
THE KING AND I WALK TOGETHER
If you are walking along a street with someone, do others glace your way because they see who you are with. Look at Hollywood the streets are full of well known names and how those commoners would like to be seen with the stars.
"This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." (Gal 5:16)
So Paul is telling us when we walk with the Holy Spirit, humble ourselves. In the first place if we were with a Hollywood star we would have to have been invited to join him. Well I would say that this verse in Galatians is an official invitation. The Holy Spirit is our great comforter, so anytime we need comforting He is there for us. He is our leader so when we are confused what direction to take, He will guide us. He is our protector, so when we are fearful, He gives us peace. He is our provider, so when we are lacking something, He will provide it.
Walking with the Spirit is a wonderful place to be and stay. He also is our “rod of righteousness,” He will convict us when we get out of line and bend toward our lustful temptations. When I am walking with the Spirit, I am walking with my King. I am the one that others take notice of, Wow, how does she get that invitation? Today is your day to walk with the King of kings, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This verse in Galatians is your invitation, to take Him by the hand and enjoy your walk with the King. Amen.
JUL 14
THE ENEMY’S WORKMANSHIP
We know that the enemy is always working against God and His children, that is us. We all have the same enemy God has, the devil. God created Satan to be the leader of the worshipping angels and all he did was rebel against God and Jesus.
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest." (Gal 5:19)
Paul was always aware of Satan’s presence in any place he was preaching, teaching or healing. He knew that Satan had a goal to destroy or kill Paul. Everywhere Paul went he faced the works of the flesh, the workmanship of Satan using others, believers and unbelievers to bring Paul down. Not everyone that had faith in Jesus believed Paul had a great commission from Christ. The manifestation of the flesh was the lies that Satan was feeding those around Paul, which although they did not stop him from Christ’s work, they did hinder him at times from an easier path to his goal of preaching the message of the Cross.
The same kind of works that Satan worked on Paul, he is working on us today. The same goal Satan had in those days to stop believers preaching the Truth, “Jesus is Lord,” is the same goal he has now to stop us preaching the Truth. The works of Satan are always manifested in the flesh, whether it is physical or spiritual, he attacks us through others around us. "Satan is a chain maker while Jesus is our chain breaker.” Whatever has you bondage can be broken and you can be free with Jesus. Pray for deliverance today. Amen.
JUL 15
IMMORAL STANDARDS JUSTIFIED
Today the world has every excuse to sin; the world justifies sinful and immoral standards to just get on defying God’s Word.
"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery" (Gal 5:19)
We have three natures, one as we were born in the flesh with the needs of the flesh. The second nature is our sinful nature, which tells us we need things that we really don’t need things that are sinful in the eyes of God. Things like, adultery, fornication or lasciviousness. Then we have another nature, at the time we repent for our sins and take Christ as our Lord and Saviour, which is our divine nature. These natures are always in a battle with in us.
Our flesh is always looking for more and the sinful nature says, ”I want what you have.” The divine nature says “no you don’t want to listen to him; he is only going to hurt you.” Then the battle begins and we are in the middle of all this warfare. This is spiritual warfare that wars within our thoughts and flesh.
Paul tells us that what we give to our mind will be our master Rom 6:16. We need to open our day with prayer and thanksgiving so the sinful nature will back away from our thinking. When wake in the morning, or say goodnight our only thoughts should be on Jesus. Today we can get closer to Him in our morning prayer time and sleep in perfect peace as we let Him be the last one we say “Good night” to. Perhaps today is the day you need to begin with this new journey with Christ. Amen.
JUL 16
WATCH WHO YOU WORSHIP
Have you thought that you could make an idol, something that was more important to you than God? We can do that, we can make things, in our lives more important than Him and we can even worship these idols we have made for ourselves.
"Idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition." (Gal 5:20)
Paul has a list of things that we can have in our lives that take the place of God, we can be so dedicated to these things that we end up serving them and worshiping them. They are all a part of our old sinful nature and the flesh. The two things we wanted to surrender to Christ when we got saved.
Just look at the list Paul gives of our old man and his lifestyle. We can work so hard serving the church that in time we are serving man only and forgotten God. We are building up our position in the House of God without Him being there. If you watch some of the churches and preachers on the television, you can see for yourself so many of them have new idols, mansions and all the material things that they can worship and work for. If you look closer into their lives you will find money is their God now. And they don’t get the money without the sinful nature taking charge of their lives.
We can only worship God by keeping our priorities in order and that is to put Him first. How are your priorities today? Is there something you can place further down your list so you can put God at the top of your list and worship Him only? Amen.
JUL 17
SINFUL NATURE OF THE FLESH
Paul covered the sinful nature very well starting with the flesh. He also includes three things he lists together.
"Hatred, discord, jealousy." (Gal 5:20)
The most dangerous emotions in our sinful nature is these three things, these emotions start wars. They start wars within family or friends. You have to have a present relationship to hate, be jealous and cause discord in others lives. When I say present relationship, I mean it has never been forgotten. The hate has never gone away. The jealousy has just gotten bigger and therefore both lives are in discord, there cannot be peace when such a relationship exists. Only the love of Christ can melt a heart full of
hatred, only when you forgive and ask to be forgiven can that love of Christ bring peace into your lives. I hope you have not got such a relationship with anyone, but if you do, you need to pray today for Lord to enter in to the hearts of both of you. You need to pray for Christ’s peace in your lives. Amen.
JUL 18
STILL SINFUL
Paul is still writing to us about the sinful nature and the flesh. The flesh is manifested in many areas of the sinful nature and most of them come with our emotions.
"Wrath, strife, seditions, heresies." (Gal 5:20)
We know that all the words from Paul were given to him from the Holy Spirit. Although the verses we have here in Galatians chapter five are things that we really don’t want to be a part of, the Holy Spirit had a good reason to have them here. Some of them we have written about early in the year.
The unfortunate emotions of wrath and strife can destroy one’s life. Wrath which is another word for anger makes us spiritually ill. We cannot find peace and love when we are angry of full of strife. At the same time we are angry we are rebellious or defiant, Paul says it is seditions, we are angry and want our own way.
When we involve other in our strife and defiance this is also the start of heresies. All these emotions will destroy you in time and will put up a separation between you and Christ. Have you strife or anger within your heart today, through prayer that can go away. Through repentance that has not to be any longer an emotion you have, because the closer you get to God and His divine nature the further you lose your sinful nature desires. Where are you with the Lord today, how close are you to Him, do you need to pray? Amen.
JUL 19
MORE SINFULNESS
These last few days we have looked at the flesh manifested in all the sinful nature that Paul writes about. We may think that when we read this in Galatians that we are exempt from all this sinful emotions. We think about them in the flesh as the world sees them and names each one.
"Envying, drunkenness, revelling, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21)
Paul was not writing about the way the world sees these emotions in the flesh, he was writing about what these emotions can do to our spiritual lives, which determines are we Christians following in Christ’s example. We suffer under these emotions in seasons of our walk with Christ. Perhaps envying only a small manner of someone else’s ministry, and with that we murder our own chances to be what Christ wants us to be. Although we don’t get drunk, fight, steal or the other things on Paul’s list, we only have to be practicing one of them to hinder our inheritance of the Kingdom of God.
Only one that is not repented can hinder our eternal life with Christ. Perhaps you have repented this week for one. Praise God. We actually have one problem with these emotions, sometimes we are not aware of them being a part of us, so repenting should be the most important part of our daily prayers. Have you repented today for the sins you do not remember you have committed yesterday. You can pray now and repent now. Amen.
JUL 20
DO YOU PRACTICE YOUR SIN?
To end the verse from Paul about the sinful nature in the flesh that we do not want to practice in our Christian lives.
"They who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21)
These last few days we had to investigate our hearts and our souls to which nature of the three, the flesh nature, the sinful nature or the divine nature is our daily goal. Our daily desire should be close to Christ and His nature which we work on with our new creation in Him, our divine nature. We don’t want to leave this world into a life of suffering and hell. Paul is warning us for that very reason.
When we investigate the list he has given us we begin to repent, because we find that some of those sinful nature emotions still lie within us and for that reason we must repent. We can deny the flesh but we cannot live without of it until the Lord comes and takes us home. Paul’s list gives us the opportunity with our hearts and souls to repent and live closer to Christ. We all want to go to Heaven, we all want to live in the Kingdom of God, so we all need to look closely to our emotions and if we have them under control or which ones need to be readjusted and repented. These last few days we have had a deep look at ourselves, so today we can correct the things we have found in our emotions that do not please God. Pray to the Father and repent and walk close to Him today. Amen.
JUL 21
ABIDE WITH ME
Paul has made this verse in Galatians, to have the Holy Spirit convict us and for us to be more open to what the sinful nature can do in our lives.
"Whosoever abide in Him sin not." (1Jn 3:6)
Yes, after these last few days of strong teaching, we have the love that John writes to us. John is like a father giving us a hug, saying, ”it is going to be OK. Christ died for you and the sin was paid for on the cross, He lives in you and will always be there for you.” Jesus is our Saviour; we are re- born as new creations through His blood on the cross and the new covenant He gave us through His blood, the Lamb of God.
We can go to Him daily and spend quality time with Him in prayer and His Word the Bible. We don’t have to suffer with guilt of our sins; we have the cross to go to for redemption and healing. We have Christ to abide in us and us to abide in Him. We are blessed and loved. Thanksgiving after our repentance and our salvation is a great way to end this Paul’s teachings this week. We can be happy and free of that old sinful nature today and give thanks to our Saviour on the cross for paying for it all. Whatever chains have held you to your sinful nature are now broken and you are in Christ and in your divine nature. Amen.
JUL 22
NEW CREATION
Yesterday we got a hug from John; today we get one from Paul. He is going to reassure us of the goodness of Christ and the Holy Spirit. After a week of repentance we need some reassurances which come in our divine nature.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Gal 5:22-23)
In our divine nature these are some of the foundation and makeup that is in our new creation in the Holy Spirit. First is Love and after the week of teaching on our sinful nature, we need that hug Paul and that love. Paul was full of joy while writing these verses. Remember he was writing to the churches for encouragement.
These two verses give us all the encouragement we need to be joyful and full of peace. The goodness of the Holy Spirit that has given us our divine nature has built in us, also a new temple of faith. Where would we be if we had not all come to the cross and believed? Our faith grows as we nourish ourselves with the “bread of life” the Word of God. Cherishing the Word of God, gives us that daily presence with Him and we can feel those hugs and His love. That same Holy Spirit that has filled Paul with joy and peace is ours today. Paul tells because of Christ and the cross all these emotions, the fruits of the Holy Spirit is ours in our divine nature. Standing strong in our divine nature is done with daily prayer, declaring that, ”Jesus is Lord. “ Amen.
JUL 23
LOVE IS NUMBER ONE
We all want love. Actually we need love. Even Scrooge was loved, but it took him most of his life to learn about love. That can be true about others also. Everyone knows the word love, but does everyone knows what love is.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love." (Gal 5:22)
Paul was very sure about his teachings to the church. He tells us about love in Galatians. He tells us that there are four types of love the first is the physical kind of love. From a little baby we need to be touched and hugged and kissed, we need that kind of love that is the kind we get from others and can give to others. Also man and woman need to have intimate love as man and wife. Then we have the love that we have for our parents, our family and our very close friends, we need that love also. That love is what gives us confidence growing up and encouragement when we are grown up.
The third kind of love is affection we all need. Affection does not mean physical love, affection is compatibility, when we are well suited for each other and we complement each other with our friendship. We need that kind of love. Then the fourth kind of love is the love of God, the love of Jesus at Calvary on the cross. The agape love is our goal as Christians. All of these kinds of love God made for His child. The first love can be selfish. The second love is completely unselfish. The third love is when you forget yourself, because you enjoy the company of someone else. The four love is the one we need from our Heavenly Father and need to practice in our walk with Christ, is the agape love, the most unselfish love, because it is paired with grace. What kind of love are you practicing today? We need all four. Is there one kind you need to pray about and start practicing daily, pray for that today and remember family, ”Jesus loves you and so do I.” Amen.
JUL 24
JESUS‘ JOY
Is it possible to be filled with joy when things are not going well? There was a “supernatural” joy that was given to Paul and Silas when they were sitting in a cold damp prison cell with chains on their hands and feet and singing glory to God.
"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." (1Th 1:6)
We must have that same joy fill us also when we find that we are chained to a worldly situation that we have been placed in by the enemy. The afflictions that come in our lives can cause us emotions that are all superficial. The joy of Jesus that Paul had that burst out in song in prison was not superficial it was supernatural from within his heart. His heart was so full of love for Christ that, that love produced joy. Supernatural joy that overcame the obvious situation Paul was in at the time.
Jesus said I am going to send you a comforter when I am gone. The Holy Spirit filled those two in prison with the joy of Jesus, which not only removed their pain but it brought them freedom and their chains fell off. Today if you are going through a situation, that you are praying about, ask the Lord for joy. We make the mistake thinking that happiness brings joy, but no, truly happiness is superficial, what we need is supernatural, and that is joy. Today ask the Lord for that supernatural joy from the Holy Spirit that overcomes the world. Amen.
JUL 25
LONG-SUFFERING
Have you ever felt like someone is using you or taking advantage of your kindness? There seems that there is no end to what they expect you to do for them. Paul has a word for this “long-suffering”.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith." (Gal 5:22)
You might have thought that word meant you are suffering. What it means is that you are expected to be gentle and kind to those others who are suffering. Paul says that “long-suffering “is a fruit of the Spirit. That when the Holy Spirit is working through you, you are producing His fruit; you are showing “long-suffering.” There is a special good feeling in us that follows an act of kindness or generosity. We feel good about ourselves. And the Lord feels the same. When we produce fruit from the Holy Spirit, our spirit is fed and flourishes. So today I am sure we have someone to be concerned about with their needs, their suffering. What a good idea it is to pray for them and find a way to bless them again, even if we are making it 101 blessings. Amen.
JUL 26
DOING GOOD
I have heard a comment like, ”They are do gooders.” When I look to the Word of the Lord I find that Jesus was a “do gooder.” Luke in Acts10:38 tell us that Jesus went about doing good.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." (Gal 5:22)
Paul says that to do good is also one of the fruits of the Spirit. Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit, He went about doing good. To do good as Paul was saying is to be a benefactor to another. To really be so concerned in others needs that you would put them before yourself. We don’t really think of the Lord as a benefactor to the poor.
When Jesus went out from His home to become a minister, he was not poor ,the kings had given Him as a baby, gold and riches. So although He travelled, mostly by foot, and had no house, He had funds to keep His ministry moving successfully throughout Israel. Remember Judas was the treasurer, in Joh 12:5 it says Judas had the purse; he was in charge of the finances. Also there were believers that financially supported Jesus' ministry. Again in Luke 8:3 tells of wealthy women that supported Jesus.
Through the Holy Spirit we can have His fruit of “goodness.” When we pray for God to tell us where He wants us to place our “offerings” as benefactors of God’s work. Our tithes are to the church we attend, but our offerings are to do good in other places. If you are not a benefactor for the Lord doing good, with the blessings He has already given you, perhaps today you need to ask the Holy Spirit, “Where do You want me to give my offerings?” So I can also be a “do gooder.” Amen.
JUL 27
SELF CONTROL
When we want to burst out with our emotions from our heart and mind, we may have to hold back and be more in self control.
"Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (Gal 5:23)
When Paul was telling us that meekness was a fruit of the Spirit, we may get the idea that we must be very timid and weak. No, that is very wrong; Paul meant that when we have the emotion of weakness we have little ability to be meek. Meekness is strength and self control under difficult circumstances. Those circumstances could bring our emotions to a boiling point if we did not have the Holy Spirit to soothe us. Meekness is a very high quality of the Holy Spirit. It comes with kindness, goodness and friendliness. In other words it is matched with love.
In the flesh, self control is from the mind, where in the Spirit meekness is from the heart. Also coupled with meekness is temperance. Temperance is where our patience is lodged. You may think yourself as a patience person, until the enemy presents you with an example of “hell on earth.” You simply cannot tolerate it and you lose your peace. That is when the strength of meekness and temperance takes control and keeps you in your peace, not your peace but the peace of God. These wonderful two fruits of the Spirit are ours when we ask in prayer for them. Do you think your life would be more peaceful with them, you can ask in prayer today, and the Holy Spirit will fill you today. Amen.
JUL 28
HEAVY LADEN
I think all of us have felt that we have had burdens on us that were very heavy and difficult to get free from. When we feel like a load is on our shoulders, Jesus tells us we can put them on Him.
"Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Mat 11:28)
These words from Him give us all hope. We can be in a situation that seems hopeless, but not true because we have this promise from Jesus. We can come to Him, and He alone can give us rest. This verse has to increase our faith in Him, with this promise. Yes, He said if we come to Him we will receive rest with Him.
Have you carried something very heavy and felt the relief of the weight going away from your arms? What a relief to be rid of that weight. Although there was a precise reason you were carrying that heavy load you were happy to let it go. The same is with us carrying heavy burdens, perhaps not knowing why we have them, but the Lord knows He wants us to give them to Him, whether they are physical, financial, or spiritual How wonderful when we get the relief of ridding ourselves of the heaviness at the cross.
Perhaps we are not being burdened but have a family member or loved one that is under a heavy load. Thank You Lord that we can bring their burden to You also. Today we can come to Jesus with our burden or someone else’s burden; we come to Him at the cross in prayer and repentance. Repentance lifts away a heavy load and He will give us rest. Amen.
JUL 29
ONLY ROOM FOR ONE
We are God’s children so we are covered and filled with His love. His love that starts for us with His grace, so for God’s children there is only room for one, His Grace.
“But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom 5:20)
Although grace is for the saved, sin always tries to move in and take over. Paul tells us that sin is multiple, in other words there is no end to it. But that does not mean that we Christians have to bow down to the enemy where sin exists. Oh no, we don’t have to bow down to the world or the flesh. We have the grace of God that is also multiple, in fact grace can fill all the room in our lives, so there is no room for sin. It is like we are inside a house and sin is a wolf huffing and puffing at the door. Jesus tells us that He is the door, so this enemy at the door has no passage or entrance; there is only room for one and that is grace. The grace of God protects us from all the sin that is abounds. Today is a good day to give thanks for God has grace for all of us, His children. Amen.
JUL 30
THE ENEMY HAS A PLAN
With the grace of God we can upset any plan the enemy has with our name on it. John tells us words from the Lord for our encouragement.
"The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (Joh 10:10)
The first part of this verse tells us a clear picture of what the enemy has planned for us. But praise God, Jesus tells us that He will come to us and give us life. We are not stupid we can see clearly how the world is always mistreating Christians. John says the thief wants to steal our peace, our joy and our life. Jesus says everything the enemy wants to steal He will give to us in abundance. Even Christians that have given their lives to Christ must daily account for what we want. We too can be weak and give in to that weakness, which will bring us to a great deal of unhappiness and confusion. Being strong to obtain the abundant life is a prayer life and to stay clothed in our Amour of God and hold our weapons ready for battle against Satan. Today we must be clothed in our amour "Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph 6:11) so we can make zero of the enemy’s plan he has for us. Amen.
JUL 31
SELF IDOLS
Were you aware that we can make an idol of ourselves, is that confusing for you?
"Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1Ti 3:6)
Timothy was concerned on who would be appointed to what ministry in the church. As the pastor or leader he needed the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. He needed those who would humbly take their ministry to serve Jesus and the church. To serve in this manner, was very unselfish and always expressing his or her love for all the brothers and sisters. Humility and unselfishness was badly needed their persecuted church.
The church and the Christians were in constant danger. So self made idols only existed with those that expressed pride in their appointments, they would look in the mirror proud and content with what they had accomplished. They were working for themselves and idolizing themselves. Only with prayer and staying close to the cross in repentance and thanksgiving can any man humbly serve Jesus and the church. We must repent of our pride. Perhaps today we need to ask the Holy Spirit for more guidance and direction and follow Him only. Amen.
