Have you ever wondered after spending a lot of time praying for one thing and not seeing a good result? When we pray we must do the same as if we are ordering something.
"You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts." (Jas 4:3)
Let me explain. Today you go on the internet onto Amazon, you have a certain product you want and they have it. You find it and click on order, filling all the info they need and give your credit card number and the amount you are paying them. Have you gone to all that trouble thinking, they are not sending to me, it is not coming, I went to all this trouble for nothing, because that is what I am going to get nothing.
Sadly that is the same thinking that many have when they pray or ask for prayer. Would you have done all that on the internet, if you doubted your order would be answered. No, you put that order in with confidence that you would receive a package. You would not have gone to all that trouble in fear of receiving nothing. No, you went to all that trouble in faith that your order went through and soon you would have your product. Prayer in confidence and faith gets results. A good result from Lord, could be a yes, a no, or wait. Praying in doubt and fear gets no results. The right way is with faith and the wrong way is with fear. When you pray today which is it with, “faith or fear?” Amen.
JUN 2
THE ROOTS MUST BE STRONG
We all want to produce fruit for the glory of the Lord. The problem is the way God planned a tree to produce fruit.
"Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." (Col 2:7)
When a tree is planted the roots begin to cling fast to earth. They hold on through seasons of heat, cold, snow, rain and wind. It's not easy for a tree just planted to survive all this mistreatment. The treatment it gets is what strengthens those roots.
Those roots are the food paths that nourish the trunk and branches. While the roots are nourishing the upper part of the tree they are getting stronger and the tree is becoming more stable and firm. So when the tree is ready, which is usually in the spring, leaves and blossoms begin to appear. Much time has gone by from the day the roots were planted until there starts to be a sign of fruit on the tree.
Paul was always encouraging the church to stay strong in the faith. Even here he is telling them, what you have been taught you can build up your faith in Christ. Paul was saying give thanks, you’re rooted, and now Christ is nourishing you for the fruit you are going to produced in the right season. If you are still waiting for that season of fruit today, keep praying, it won’t be long. Amen.
JUN 3
GUARANTEE ARRIVAL
Let us go back to ordering something on the internet. What guarantee have we when our package arrives it is not broken?
"In whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." (Eph 1:13)
There are very few guarantees in the world today. In the past when a package or large parcel was sent it could be sealed. That seal was placed on the parcel with a person's seal and wax. When whoever saw the seal they could also see who had sent the parcel. In most cases the wealthy always had all the parcels with such seals. These seals were almost the senders guarantee and the receivers guarantee that what was in the parcel was not broken.
It was not a perfect guarantee, but it was better that what we have today. When the church was suffering under the terror of the Romans, their faith could falter. So Paul would send letters of encouragement to them. This verse was so perfect to overcome the fear they were having. Paul was reassuring them there is a guarantee from the Holy Spirit of promise for you all and that is also for us. God has sealed His guarantee of promise for us. Today we are sealed with the blood of Christ that we will arrive in Heaven and have eternal life. Amen.
JUN 4
QUALIFICATIONS TO SERVE GOD
Do you think God has picked out those that pass intelligent tests to serve in His Kingdom? Not true, He is looking for those who love Jesus and will obey Him here on earth as His loyal servant.
"For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (1Co 1:26)
Paul knew that it would be shepherds and farmers or maybe shopkeepers that are now the members of the churches that serve Christ. Not many wealthy noblemen or high-up authorities came to believe in Jesus. When we look at the men Jesus chose as His co-workers in life, they were all just a few normal fishermen doing days. work. Yet they left their lives as fishermen for fish and became fishers of men. When you listen to the Lord’s words, He called His followers sheep and we know that He was our Good Shepherd. Sheep have no high authority or education, they are simple and selfish. There is no nobility in a flock of sheep. But the one who leads them also protects them, feeds them and cares for them. That is why we, as sheep, turn to our King of Kings, our Good Shepherd, Jesus. He is the only Noble that loves us and can save us. Before serving or following a worldly noble, serve and follow Jesus today. He is our only Saviour. Amen.
JUN 5
ABORTIONS ARE AN ABOMINATION
You may never think that someone planned your birth, but someone did, God planned your birth and your life.
"According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." (Eph 1:4)
I have heard people comment, “I was an accident, my folks didn’t want to have another child,“ or perhaps, "I was a surprise completely unexpected.” First how wrong to say such a thing to a child, and how wrong those parents were to begin with. Perhaps they didn’t plan a new baby, but God planned it for them. In the Psalms, David said, “God’s eyes were fixed on us in our mother’s womb." He was watching us before we were born, or even thought of by our parents.
When we were a “substance,” in other words, without form God knew us. Paul even goes deeper into our history, he says, ”We were chosen before the world was formed." We were chosen also to be holy and full of love. That is our “pre-history, personal history." Oh no! We were not even a surprise to God. The comment “Pro Life” is actually another way of claiming how precious life is. ”Pro Choice” is claiming that man can make better decisions than God over our flesh over our lives, in other words there is no God other than man. "Pro Choice" is an abomination to God. Our governments are asking us to vote for "Pro Life" or "Pro Choice." Of course today there is only one way to vote with God. Amen.
JUN 6
DILIGENT DISCIPLES
Do you ever question yourself, could I have done that better? When we are very sure we are doing our best at any task, then are we diligent and not lazy?
"And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mat 25:30)
Being a good disciple is the same as being a good servant. No man can be a good servant that is lazy. Jesus wanted His disciples to be well prepared for the future they would have to face without Him. Jesus knew He was going to the Cross. He tells this parable about the three servants to teach them how important all they have learned from Him must be invested. They are to spread the Gospel and harvest the fruit. After the Cross their lives will never be the same.
There is no time to be lazy, when they have the message of Jesus, the Cross and the resurrection to tell everyone. Their message is gold and their harvest is souls. Jesus wants us also to be diligent disciples until His return. Our message of the Cross is also gold for us and our harvest is also souls. Today can be the beginning of our labour for Christ, today we can stop being lazy and be diligent disciples. Amen.
JUN 7
LOSERS ARE LAZY
We have two choices in eternity, Heaven for winners or hell for losers.
"And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mat 25:30)
The third servant that got a talent from his master was lazy, he buried it and was not concerned in investing it, so he was the unprofitable servant. The other two were well rewarded for their efforts and results. They were loyal and wanted to see their master prosper. The first one and second one doubled their investments, that took hard work they had no time to be lazy, pleasing their master was their goal and they worked for it. In return they were given a great reward for their heartfelt tasks.
We know what happened to the lazy one. This lesson was not only for twelve of Jesus' disciples it is for us also. Serving Christ must be a heartfelt task for us. We must offer all our ambitions and desires to pleasing our Master. Whatever task we have to serve others with the love of Christ we must do it well. Jesus has given each of us a ministry, big or small; we need to work at it with a heartfelt spirit. Today ask the Holy Spirit what you can do together. Amen.
JUN 8
COMPASSION COUNTDOWN
When Jesus looked at a crowd of people He had compassion on them. Sometimes we know people so well it is not easy to have compassion for them.
"And of some have compassion, making a difference." (Jud v22)
When we know of a Christian that has backslid, no longer comes to church, no longer fellowships with Christians and no longer wants to fellowship with you, how do we feel? Do we want them back so much that we are praying for their well being? Perhaps we feel they have those problems because they left the church and are backsliders. That is a normal way to feel. On the other hand Christians are not normal to their flesh if they are filled with the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit has not given up on them, why should we? It is our compassion countdown that has failed us and them. We need to build ourselves up with more love for the fallen, more compassion for the unbelievers. We need to pray for those suffering no matter if it is their fault or not.
Can you have compassion for someone coughing all the time with COPD and not stop smoking? Compassion is an emotion that moves when we are faced with something sad or painful. If we begin to look around us or remember someone we knew in church that has fallen away, we can open our hearts and wake up our compassion for them, we may even see a difference with them, and if we try it today, we will definitely see a difference in ourselves. Amen.
JUN 9
CENTER CONTROL
If I asked you, “What is the center control of your life?” Would you answer, “My mind.”
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph 6:12)
You would be right. Your thinking, your thoughts, your mind is what controls your life. Paul was very concerned with “spiritual warfare” in the church. The brethren in the church were in constant danger, always watching out for an enemy with the Romans and Jews. Paul knew their lives could come to an end within a day. He wants to encourage them, don’t be fearful for your lives in the flesh as you are for your spirit, mind and soul.
Evil, darkness and spiritual wickedness was constantly around them, if they opened their minds to it. The power of darkness only manifested power through their thinking. The church needed to understand that only through cleansing, purification of their minds and their thinking could wrestle, battle and declare victory over evil and the spirit of darkness. The church must stay in prayer, and the Word at all times or the moment they were off-guard the enemy would strike, and someone would fall. Today we need to investigate our mind, what is in there, our thinking, what is going on in there, our thoughts, what are you full of? This is the day to take control with repentance, and renewing our minds for our victory in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
JUN 10
LOOPHOLDS FOR THE DEVIL
In our thinking is where the Devil finds loopholes to enter in. Remember it is in our mind we have center control of our lives. Letting in the evil thoughts from the Devil is also releasing control to him.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph 6:12)
Once again speaking of “spiritual warfare“ is very serious business when coming to controlling your life, as a disciple and child of God. The Kingdom of God is the highest rank we can receive as Christian soldiers. It is there that we desire to abide for eternity. There is also another kingdom the one of evil and darkness of the lowest rank.
The Devil wants us there for eternity. Therefore there is “spiritual warfare.” This is what Paul wanted to warn the church, “Watch out and stay on watch.” Evil beings and demons exist, they want to control us and they want the human race to bow down to them. They are looking for any weakness in our faith in Christ, for them that is a loophole for them to enter our minds. If we retain the “mind of Christ” there is no room for them to enter with their evil and wickedness. Take your place on the wall to stay on watch with prayer that no evil can enter in our mind today. Amen.
JUN 11
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN UNFRIENDED
We lost a lot of friends in Norway when we got saved. We were very social and well known in our fishing community, until my husband said, “He was now going to be a fisherman for Christ.”
"But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of afflictions." (Heb: 10:32)
Paul knew that the Jewish believers had been walking in faith for many years. Naturally they had all the brethren in the church as their social companions, but perhaps they were being a little naive about their past. Their Holy Huddles could be leaving some of the new Christians out. If they need reminding that being a new Christian was not easy for anyone. They had friends and family that would persecute them for their new faith and lifestyle.
Paul wanted these baby Christians to be cared for. Perhaps the words of Jesus were forgotten. "So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me more than these? He said unto him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said unto him, Feed my lambs." (Joh 21:15) This command from
Jesus is for us all being disliked which can be hard on the lambs. Today perhaps you could contact a lamb and feed them as Jesus commanded, so they know they have a Friend in Jesus and you. Amen.
JUN 12
TASTELESS FRUIT
When Jesus was hungry and looked at the fig tree to get some fruit to eat, He was so disappointed with the tree that He cursed it and the next day it was dead. I have always wondered how big was that tree?
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Mat 7:20)
If Jesus had not been hungry would He have noticed the fruitless tree? I think when we look at trees with fruit we only notice the ones with bending branches with fruit, so we presume that these trees must have the best fruit. They look strong to carry so much on them. But Jesus didn’t say, "Look at the trees," because they look strong and healthy. Perhaps the fruit is not as tasty because there is too much on the one tree and not all the fruit is getting nourishment that is need for them to be fully grown and tasty.
Sometimes we too look at those very strong and overbearing with fruit in the willingness to serve and the church. We might find if we look to the small tree, greener and more nourished, that their fruit will be more tasty and rewarding. Many have a number of talents and gifts, but are their lives revealing fruit. Are they more attractive to look at, than live with? Do they speak with a gentle voice, but have no gentleness for their spouse and children. Do they have a gift of prayer, but no hug, no touch, no smile? What is wrong with them is that they are not being nourished by the Holy Spirit by the Word of God?
Before we are taken in by the appearance and actions, let us follow Paul’s instructions to taste everything and refuse that which is tasteless. Make today your day to pray for discernment and knowledge when choosing your co-workers in Christ. Amen.
JUN 13
FULLY COMMITED
Have you ever competed in a sport? If you were competing on your own, running, jumping, hopping, or may even throwing something, you were using all your strength to win.
"Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain." (1Co 9:24)
You might think it strange that the apostle Paul would be referring to a footrace when speaking of our walk with Christ. Let's look at a runner’s life. First he eats healthy, second he trains daily, and third he studies the competition. When we watch a footrace we might not know all the runners, but they know each other very well. Not personally but by their training they have learned each other's technique. Some like running inside, others outside with more room to move up. These runners are fully committed to one thing, to win their next race. Sometimes they run for years before the gold medal, but they don’t stop running because they lost a race.
This is what Paul is telling our walk with Christ after a lot of study and commitment becomes a footrace. Slow at first but after a time of desiring to win the gold, which is our Heavenly home, we want to move faster. Our training is with other Christians, in church or in our prayer closet. We nourish ourselves with the Word of God, our daily bread. Staying on the track of truth and righteousness. We can see our goal and our gold. That is all Paul wants us to do. Perhaps you have been a little sluggish, speak to your trainer Jesus today, He will get you on the right footpath with Gold at the end of this race. Amen.
JUN 14
CRACKS IN THE CHURCH
Everyone has heard of the boy that saved Holland, by his conscious discovery of the crack in the dike protecting Holland. Why was it a little boy who found the leak? If the dikes were being maintained correctly, then the watchman would have found the leak.
"Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1Co 10:12)
When we read about the great city of Sardis, where everyone was so busy prospering with their lives and businesses, they took no notice of the cracks in the walls surrounding their city. So because the cracks got big enough that their enemies could enter the city and take control.
Paul was always concerned about the church. He knew that if pride and gain was able to enter the minds of the brethren that the consequence could be tragic. Cracks will make their way into church and there will be conflict and confusion. The message of the Cross will be silenced by the enemy. The church must be lovingly and graciously maintained and at all times protected. The brethren must stay humble and follow the words of Jesus and the teachings of Paul. In that manner, no one will be neglected by the leadership. And the witness will be strong though out that city.
The same is for today and the church of today. The problems of the churches that Paul was caring for and guiding are still the same problems the church has today, pride and gain. Today perhaps, the family in Christ in your church, needs a reminder of the message of Cross. Perhaps you could bring that message and mend the cracks. Amen.
JUN 15
HOW TO HELP AND NOT GET HURT
Helping others can result in you getting hurt. So there is a definite lesson to learn here. Everything you have as a child of God is Holy. So everything you share with others is Holy. So we must take in account just how we want to share our Holy things.
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Mat 7:6)
If you are giving to help the homeless, how willing are they to help themselves? Are they listening to your witness while you are severing them a meal. Are they asking you to spend time with them to tell them about Jesus and His love? Jesus said, “that man cannot live on bread alone” they love the and bread. But there are those that want to deceive you, they don’t want a share of what you have they want it all.
Only through the Holy Spirit can you know who is to share your Holy things, because there is thanksgiving in their hearts. Wild dogs don’t want a share they want it all, and they are dangerous they may attack you just because you are kind to them. Stay away from them. Pray today and ask the Holy Spirit where and with whom you should share your Holy things, your money, your food, clothing and perhaps even your home. Don’t share before your prayer. Amen.
JUN 16
YOUR PEARLS ARE PRECIOUS
When Jesus was speaking to the poorest famers and workers He was talking about pearls. That is a little strange considering these people could never afford a pearl, perhaps the fishermen could find one, but that was very likely.
"Neither cast you your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Mat 7:6)
Jesus had been with them a while. They had seen many miracles, healings and even the dead brought back to life. These are the pearls Jesus speaks of. Just like us our testimonies are so precious to us. They are like a string of pearls that we want to increase daily. We must be wise and on watch.
Jesus warns us about, being foolish and casting our pearls to swine, in others words, unbelievers, who would trample us under their feet. For our witness to be strong we must know through the Holy Spirit who He wants us to witness to. We must have His guidance, so we don’t get stepped on. Today in your prayers ask Him for a longing heart that you could comfort with the Gospel. Amen.
JUN 17
THE SOURCE OF STRIFE
When we are feeling strife in a relationship we are also in a state of judging those we love. That is the way the devil uses strife, he is the source of this miserable feeling.
"But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth." (Jas 3:14)
This verse will not make anyone feel very good, and at the same time if this verse is convicting you, you need to repent. The enemy is a constant user of the minor things, to build them up to destroy loving relationships. First we find a little something about our dear ones that we are a little uncomfortable with. That should be our first sign for prayer and repentance so we “nip it in the bud” and it has no more possibility to grow and gain our judgments against our dear ones.
We love those we find fault with, because that it the enemy’s source of strife in our lives. Sometimes we speak out and hurt the other person who we love, or we just let it lie with our thoughts to make us more miserable. Have you strife in your heart against someone you love? Check it out today, and cast it out today in Jesus name. Amen.
JUN 18
SUCCESS AND SWEAT
Lazy people cannot be successful, they lie back and let others do the work and sweat. We see that in the world, man strives to be successful by commitment to his job or profession. Success comes with sweat and commitment.
"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God." (1Co 4:1)
Paul was a very successful man, as a minister of Christ Jesus. He never experienced success, he was a prisoner of Rome and executed in Rome. But throughout Christianity’s journey he is the most known teacher in our church next to the Lord himself. Paul’s letters were written by the Holy Spirit to teach the church of old and of the church of today. His writings are the most known and used in all Christian churches. They are the most successful writing of one man, in the world next to the words of our Lord.
Paul never was lazy; his stewardship to God was his life’s work. His contribution to the church transformed legalism to the teachings of God’s grace. Perhaps for you to be a successful steward of Christ, you may have to sweat a little and work for your church and brethren there. Working as a minister or elder in your church can only be done well with a heart of humility and servant hood. Is this something you need to pray about today, do you need to be more humble to be successful in your ministry? Amen.
JUN 19
IT COULDN’T GET MUCH WORSE
Sometime when we are being tested or not things still can be very bad. Bad health and worrying finances can give us sleepless nights. We can get into situations where we feel that things are not going to get any better.
"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life. But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raises the dead." (2Co 1:8-9)
Paul and his team getting back from Asia was definitely not a victory march. In other words they were blessed to even get home again. They had suffered many physical sufferings which made it difficult to keep their faith in Christ. Paul admits he was being “pressed out of measure” when he even despaired his life. That is so true with torture, the victim wishes death. But Paul and his team did make back home to tell the church, only with their trust in Christ who overcame death, did they survive.
We know that the same evil that Paul faced in Asia exists today in our world also. With the presence of God with us 24/7 we will also overcome our enemies. Paul spread the Gospel in the market place and was arrested for it; we see how that happens to other Christians every day. When I say other, it could be us. The question is, do we love Jesus enough to spread the Gospel in our market place, school, or work place? As long as we hold our eyes on Jesus and the Cross we will overcome the evil that faces us today and tomorrow. They won’t go away, but through the Cross and the name of Jesus we will overcome them. Amen.
JUN 20
I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THE FLESH
How many times do we say we want to do something to improve our home or ministry, but we don’t do it, we get lazy or change our minds. Either way it does not get done? All improvements in our lives that are directed by the Holy Spirit should get done. So what is the problem?
"Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom 6:11)
Our problem is the flesh, when the flesh takes over; all the promises to God fade out of our minds. The flesh slowly takes away our joy, hope and victory. All the happiness that we have when we have been obedient and done our task given to us by God does not exist with the flesh. Listening to the flesh and follow its lead is sin.
Paul tells us to be alive in Christ. That means the flesh, “sin,” is dead. What is on our list that we have not completed because of our laziness and disobedience to God? Today we can start to strengthen our selves to be larger than the flesh and more like the Spirit. Begin by checking our list of “to do’s” today and get started pleasing God. Amen.
JUN 21
TO TELL THE TRUTH
Sometimes we can be surprised by the response when we compliment someone. We are very positive in our compliment and their response is so negative.
"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness... because I go to my Father, and you see me no more." (Joh 16:8&10)
We are guilty of doing the same thing to God, responding negatively to His Word. God says we are His beautiful and wonderfully made child and we deny it. We say we are ugly and unworthy of such a gracious Father. The Word tells us through the blood of Christ that we are saved. We still cling to the sinful nature and deny salvation.
Here in this verse from John we are told that as the Holy Spirit has come, He will reprove us but at the same time He will strengthen our faith and convince us of our right standing with God through Christ. Today is the day to be more positive about our relationship with God. He is our Heavenly Father loving us like no other father. Today is the day to claim our righteousness in Christ and the truth of who we are in the image of God. Amen.
JUN 22
MAKE YOUR REQUEST AND WAIT FOR IT
It is easy to give up on God because we make our request to Him and it seems as He has put it on the bottom of the list and will never answer it.
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." (Heb 10:35)
We know how Paul suffered and yet he writes he is convinced he will receive his reward. Not only he but he is writing this verse to the church being persecuted daily. Paul and the brethren of the church were confident that one day God’s promises would be manifested. Paul knew how the brethren were losing faith because of all the suffering they saw in the church daily. We invest our lives into living for Christ, it is to Him we make our request and with complete confidence we wait for His answer. Today it would be good to give the Lord thanks for the cross and His faithfulness to His children. Amen.
JUN 23
AN ENEMY TO OUR LORD
James was Jesus' stepbrother, and he only accepted Jesus as the Messiah and salvation after the resurrection. He was an unbeliever and didn’t surrender his life to Christ until after the resurrection and seeing Jesus alive again. Yet in the book of James he is very hard on backsliders. He calls them "adulterers.”
"You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (Jas 4:4)
I guess we all know someone we love that once was with the Lord and now isn’t. I do have someone that I miss everyday that has left the church and then me two years ago. From what I see on her Facebook page, she has return fully to her past life. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters. We have to choose to serve the Lord or to serve the world.
James says having friendship with the world presents an enemy of God. Wow that is scary. I would never want to be an enemy of God. Although it only takes a backward step, back into your past life, to begin a new friendship with the world. In most cases adulterers are married or engaged, therefore they have committed themselves to one person and they are having an affair with other person. The same for a Christian committed to their Saviour Jesus, but compromising their relationship with Him and another it won’t work. Our lives would be in shambles, perhaps our health will fail or our finances and our relationships will never really work because we have given up our first love Jesus. If things are not going very well in your life perhaps you need to repent and return to Jesus today. Amen.
JUN 24
LEARNING PATIENCE
When we are with those we love and perhaps have something to share with them that is on our mind but they are not receiving. Our patience can be tested in such a situation.
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach patience." (2Ti 2:24)
The closer they to us the more we love them the more we want them to receive what we a saying to them. Our relationship with them may not be as united in our thinking as we would hope for. This situation comes up if you are a parent speaking to a rebellious child, perhaps a boss speaking to an employee or a pastor speaking with a brother or sister in his church.
Love can come in many areas of our lives, and in all these areas we need patience. Also we may face one of them who only wants to defend themselves and not agree with us. In this situation kindness and gentleness is needed to keep the peace. Timothy says that as a Christian we are all servants of the Lord and we must not strive with these loved ones. We must be an example of love and patience. Perhaps we need to spend more time with them and listen to them as well. Is it possible that this kind of a thing is now in your life, in one of your relationships with someone you love? If so try to make today a day of being closer to them and perhaps there will both have a better day for it. Amen.
JUN 25
SHAKE IT OFF
How is your faith, when you face your adversary? Paul was bitten by a snake. With one strong shake of his arm the snake was flung into the fire, and Paul was not harmed.
"And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm." (Act 28:5)
What I find is that those that saw what happened had their own idea of what was happening. First, because he was bitten they thought he was cursed, then seeing no harm came to him from the snake thought he was a god. Well we know God let it happen, so Paul could begin ministering to them.
So what has happen in your life that you can just shake off and get on severing the Lord today? Perhaps you think I can’t serve Christ, not true, you have faith and with that you are serving Him. Your faith is the key to your ministry serving Christ in this environment of unbelievers. They see you shake off your problems, shake off your adversaries. Your faith builds a foundation with joy and thanksgiving. Others notice that about you and they want the same as you have. Then you can minister to them about Jesus and the change they can have in their lives. Who do you know who you can share Jesus with today? Perhaps you can give them call. Amen.
JUN 26
OBSERVE ONE ANOTHER
Sometimes it is not easy getting involved with others. There are those that are timid, proud or just unfriendly. After observing others around us we normally have concluded our own thoughts about them.
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" (Heb 10:24)
I have found when I make an effort to know more about my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am surprised most of time. I usually have gotten a wrong picture, now I know better.
Paul was always concerned about the church. He was mostly concerned about how the brethren were doing. It was so important that there was always unity in their brotherhood. As Christians their lives were always in danger. They needed each other for their own safety and their families. We are not in that danger as Christians, so far. We are in the last days also on alert for our safety. This verse from Paul is a very good beginning for the church to practice to bring us in a complete unity. The needs of each other can be a priority on our list of “what to do today.” Paul is saying, don’t take no for an answer, provoke love and good works to others. Perhaps a task for today could be who can I help and show my love to them. Amen.
JUN 27
RUNNING STRAIGHT
In the days of the Bible men wore robes or coats that came down below their knees. They could walk fast but they couldn’t run in these clothes. Therefore we find the comment “gird up your loins” throughout the Bible. This is a direct order to lift up your clothes and tuck them in your waistband so you can move swiftly or run.
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1Pe 1:13)
In this verse Peter is using the comment concerning our minds or our thinking. If a runner let his garment get loosened from his belt, his legs could get entangled, and he would not be able to continue until he repairs his clothes again. When his loins were girded tightly, he could run freely. But here Peter is not referring to our garments; he is referring to our thinking. If we do not gird our minds we can get in trouble for sure.
Our minds can take us to places that are not good for us to be and we can get entangled in sin, just from letting go of our thinking on a straight and direct path, led by the Holy Spirit. Girding up our thinking is easily done if we start our day with prayer and the Word of God. Remember Paul says our armour belt is the “belt of truth.” Keeping our minds and emotions on truth and not let them get entangled with the world we must face daily.
Our race in life can at times be blocked by evil thinking or just a lie from our enemy. Jesus said “the truth will set us free”; free to run our straight race on the path of righteousness with Christ. Jesus will always be with us on the track until we reach our goal. Ask the Lord today for a new revelation, to give you strength and mind control while you are running today. Amen.
JUN 28
HIS BAG OF TRICKS
Have we a full understanding about the tricks the enemy has to pull on us. I don’t think so. Here are some of them. Always attacking our thinking with imaginations and illusions of how bad things could be or how bad they are. He captivates, paralyzes and destroys all our good thoughts. Just one bit of bad news or bad report from our doctor and we are under the enemies spell.
"For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says." (Mar 11:23)
What a wonderful verse. Jesus was speaking to His disciples, whom He knew would be facing very dark days after He had gone. What encouragement, speak with all the heart and faith and what you ask you will receive. Wow. We know our tongue controls life and death, so we had better be careful what we ask for. The key to receiving is “what is in your heart and what do you believe”.
Believer’s can ask for the wrong thing, get it and wish they had not asked for it in the first place. In other words, what they had asked for was not lead by the Holy Spirit. Believer who loves Jesus can still listen to a lie and be under the enemy control. Prayer and supplication is the way to get the right information from the Holy Spirit of what you should ask for. Beware today of your words and desires; ask the Lord “is this what You want for me, will this be good for me?” Remember to ask Him before you ask for anything. Amen.
JUN 29
PRAYING FOR LEADERS
If you are in ministry then you already know the pressures that can occur on us. Whether you are a minister, teacher or worship leader, we are always in need of prayer from others. These ministries involve others in your church. Therefore as leaders we need their prayers.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me." (Rom 15:30)
Was there anyone at the time after the cross who we have counted on that suffered like Paul as the leader of many churches? There he was in chains in a cold dungeon, as the leader of his church. Only with the prayers of his brethren did he overcome his sufferings and dangers.
Paul needed prayer and here he asked his brethren to pray for him. Paul was in prayer 24/7 in prison and who was he praying for, he was always praying for the brethren, as well as himself to be strong enough to continue with the call he had on his life from his Damascus experience. Although Paul was full of faith, with the physical condition he was having a “spiritual warfare,” he asked them to strive together with him. When we are to pray for our leaders we also need to “strive together,” which means we are in complete unity in our prayers for them. Paul's greatest suffering came from “unbelievers” and quarrelling in the churches with his brethren. Paul's desire was to be with them in joyous fellowship. That should also be our desire for our churches and our leaders. Today when you pray direct special prayer for your leaders and ask them to pray also for you. Amen.
JUN 30
GOSSIP GET’S YA
My problem is judging with my eyes the clothing. I was in fashion in the States so my eyes fall naturally on how people dress or are dressed. Shame on me! I say nothing, but my brain is working all the time. Gossip is when the brain controls the tongue in an unhealthily manner. Gossip is not only unpleasant for people it is also unpleasant for God.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Eph 4:29)
In this verse Paul is saying two things. Both are very important to being a good Christian. He first starts with the evil of gossip. Corrupt communication is another way to say “gossip,” which hurts the Holy Spirit as well as others. That is the foundation of gossip is to judge and to criticize others. And that is sin, and controlled by the devil himself.
What happens when the same person you are gossiping about appears, wow, does the Holy Spirit convict you then. Your heart falls, you are so convicted, and yet you smile a sheepish smile to cover your guilt. Paul says that if you want to be known as a gossiper, change your thinking, from “stinking thinking” to “sweet thinking.” What is that you ask? When you gossip on someone tell about all the good things you know about them. If you have taken a great interest in their lives, take an interest in their good sides. That is what Paul is saying, “edifying them,” telling all you know about their goodness, kindness and love. So today let your goodness, kindness and love be the foundation of you being a great gossiper of “good news.” Amen.
