I find it very sad when I hear a leader or pastor instruct their church they must pray harder or repent more or give a special offering to receive the Holy Spirit‘s filling. We know that God gives His Spirit the same as He gives His Grace.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph 6:10)
God loves to give gifts and to keep on giving. Gifts are for the taking and thanking, nothing more. We don’t have to beg God for His gifts, or repent to receive His Grace, or even make a special offering for what God wants us to have. He wants to fill us with His Powerful Spirit.
Sadly some Christians don’t understand what that can mean with their lives. More power, more prosperity, more power, more boldness, more power, more healings, all Christians are in need of more power that is theirs with the filling of the Holy Spirit. Our greatest desire as Christians should always be to want more of everything God has for us. To be receptacles of Power will so enrich our lives and our spiritual walk with Christ today. Amen.
MAR 2
THE DEVIL AND HIS TRICKS
I know that it is so easy for us to blame the devil for everything that is not going well in our lives. But come on, he is not always to blame, is he?
"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2Co 2:11)
Paul tells us that the devil has devices that we should be aware of. Honestly the devil is a whisperer, he suggests something wrong and off, we go for it. We can’t blame him because we are so weak. So how do we get smart and stronger? We can only stay closer to Jesus and listen to Him so that whisperer will not get through to us, even if he shouts. That same devil tempted Jesus and what did He do? Jesus rebuked the devil with the Word of God, “It is written.” If He can do that, so can we. We have the Word of God and we can use it when the devil whispers or shouts. Our strength against him is to declare the Word as our defence. Let the devil come with all his tricks and we can pack him and his tricks off with the Word, “Get thee behind me Satan.” Amen.
MAR 3
IS BEING RICH REASONABLE FOR US?
Everyone wants to be rich. Of course being rich is a heavy responsibility.
"That in everything you are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:" (1Co 1:5,6)
Paul is tells us we are rich, but perhaps we have lost concept of what he is telling us. We are thinking in material terms. He is telling us that our riches are not material which can age, defect, and disappear. How wonderful to know our riches are forever ours and eternal. But at the same time with these spiritual riches we still have responsibility. Paul says the testimony of Christ needs to be told. Who has that job? Yes we do, we are the rich ones that have the wealth of Heaven to spread out to others. That wealth is the Gospel. The Gospel can enrich all mankind. Can make everyone prosper and grow. The Gospel can heal the sick, restore the broken hearted and save the lost. Perhaps material riches are not reasonable for us, but spiritual riches are not only reasonable but are precious to us today. They are our goal. Amen.
MAR 4
ARE WE SLOTHFUL CHRISTIANS?
There is an animal called a Sloth. The creature moves very slowly It sleeps a lot also. It is not lazy, it is just slow.
"That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb 6:12)
We don’t have to be lazy to be slow. On the contrary we may be very busy, so how are we slothful Christians? Look at all that you're doing in the church, in your ministry, with your family etc. No one can call you lazy, so how can they call you slothful. A slothful Christian has lost his zeal, his excitement, his goal. He is doing what the Lord has asked of him, but his joy no longer exists. We need to get back to the beginning where our desire was to please God. Our desire encourages us and excites us about every task we have as His loyal servant. If others don’t see that excitement they too will become monotones and slothful. In only a short time we will be known as the slothful church. Remembering the promises of God to each one of us will bring back the excitement in our lives and our church today. Amen.
MAR 5
A LUKEWARM CONDITION
The term “lukewarm" leaves us with the question, what is it good for? In the winter you want warm and in summer you want cold, so is there any time you want lukewarm?
"So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." (Rev 3:16)
Lukewarm water doesn’t pleasure the palate, nor is it great to bath in, and it can’t make a cup of tea. John tells us it is disgusting.
No church wants to be lukewarm, accused of making the Lord spew them. How can we restore the fire of the Holy Spirit to warm up our ministries, our testimonies, our prayer groups? When the church is bound together with true fellowship like a committed family in Christ, the fire may burn again. The heat will rise and the church will strive and grow today. Amen.
MAR 6
CAN YOU MIMIC GOD?
I understand to mimic a person you must study them very well. You must know something of their character.
"Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children." (Eph 5:1)
To follow anyone in their footsteps is to get very close to them. Paul is telling us to follow God, to be His followers. Is there anyway that we can follow Him close enough to start to mimic Him? Paul says we are dear children of God, if so then we should know Him very well. After all He is our Father. Most of us know our father, most we know our father’s character, and we could mimic him.
Perhaps there are Christians that you wish to mimic; you think they are very good and holy people. That is OK if you only want to see them as a good example to follow. We can and should learn from each other. We can and should also learn from God so that we can be a good example also. Studying God’s Word will reveal His character and His person. If you want to mimic God you must study His Word, fellowship with His family and attend His church. Amen.
MAR 7
YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE THE HOLY SPIRIT MAD
Are you aware of how much the Holy Spirit desires to have us? James has a special way of telling us.
"Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy?" (Jas 4:5)
When we think of the lust that the Spirit has for us, we think wow, how can the Holy Spirit lust. For us that word refers to something bad, but it is not. The only thing bad can be what we lust for. Then James mentions envy, another word we try to stay away from. But when it comes to the Holy Spirit, He is lusting for us because He wants to make sure we belong to Him. He also is envious if anything would stop us from not listening to Him or serving another master. So to keep the Holy Spirit from getting mad is to please Him. To listen to Him, serve Him and love Him. Amen.
MAR 8
WE NEED REST WHEN WE ARE STRESSED
Do you find it is hard to get a good night sleep when you are stressed? I can’t sleep or rest when I am stressed or have a problem that occupies my mind. Paul has a nice way of telling us to rest, and relax.
"And to you who are troubled rest with us." (2Th 1:7)
We may think we have troubles, let me tell you the early church had big troubles. Those brethren were risking their lives for spreading the Gospel to others. In fact their own family and neighbours would turn them in for a price. Paul went through the same kind of persecution when he was in Asia. Now he wants to comfort the church and encourage them to have faith and relax.
We also need to learn to relax in the middle of any dilemma that has us stressed. How to take a break and let go of our problems is only accomplished with our trusting in the Lord and resting in Him. God did a lot in six days then rested on the seventh. He does not expect more of us than that either. He knows we need our rest, what can you do to relax, read God's Word, listen to worship music, or perhaps prayer relaxes you. Sometimes I try them all, and they work and I get off to sleep and have my rest when I am stressed even today. Amen.
MAR 9
THE END WE CALL “THE LAST DAYS”
Have you heard that now is the beginning of the “last days” Do you believe that, I do.
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2Ti 3:1)
Normally Paul was always encouraging the brethren of the church. But here he scares them. He knows what they are going through, and yet he is telling “this is a piece of cake” wait until you see what is coming in the last days, the end of times. Everything coming will be harmful, hurtful and horrible. His first words are “pay attention I am warning you of what is on the way.”
Paul warns that in the future there will be the ”end of times” and at that time there will be a perilous environment. Perilous refers to wild, vicious and uncontrollable. Today we see those things happening, but only a very small part of what is to come. So with this warning from Paul through the Holy Spirit, we can see how much God loves us and wants us to stay awake and alert. He wants His people to take responsibility, to warn others, minister the Gospel and
harvest in the saved for Christ. That is our opportunity today, to protect our loved ones when the end is near and the last days are here. Amen.
MAR 10
HAVING PATIENCE TO REACH YOUR GOAL
Everyone has a goal, but not everyone reaches their goal, because for them it is beyond their reach. So how do we reach our goals? First we ask God if our goal pleases Him, does He want the same for us as we want for ourselves.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. (Jas 1:2,3)
Goals are not easily reached, a lot of faith and patience is required to make it. There are always “pitfalls” in our way. Paul calls them “divers temptations” He suggests that with faith and patience you can do perfect work and you will see that your goals can be reached. Therefore you will be filled with joy in the Lord wanting for nothing. Amen.
MAR 11
WHERE DOES MY HELP COME FROM?
Are you in a church or even a business where you find "you had to do it all.” I agree sometimes because of certain knowledge this may be the case, where you are short of the people that have been trained as you have been. But in most cases we do it all because we think we know it all.
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom 12:3)
My son had this happen at his work .He was trained and had been there for many years but he got tired of doing everything and said, “Why hasn’t somebody else had this training? Where is my help coming from?” But he had no help until he asked for it. Lesson learned and now everything has changed, he is much happier and now he will speak up.
The same thing can happen in a church. There are many that attend and are there to serve or help but aren't. There are others that serve and don’t ask for help. Still another group are those who truly think no one can do this as well as they do, so they don’t want help. These groups are not really working in unity the way God wants the church to be. So Paul addresses them all. He says that all three of groups if they are in our church, think to highly of themselves, as too highly to serve or help, too highly to ask for help and too highly to share with helpers. A quick fix could be when Group 1 says IF, I come a little earlier on Sunday I could help with setting up the church. Group 2 IF I approach someone and ask them to come
a little earlier to help me I wouldn't get so stressed. And Group 3 IF I recognized some of the talents we have in the church we may work together very well. Paul said every man is given a measure of faith. IF we turn to each other no man will be higher than his brother we will know where our help is coming from and with that unity we will all glorify Jesus. Amen.
MAR 12
GOD’S ROCKS
We always have someone that we recognize in our life that seems to be like a very strong person that just can always be relied on. They are always there helping others and organizing a perfect home and family. Also everyone knows them in church and loves them.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1Co 15:58)
There is no doubt that in our churches there are those that attend every meeting and Bible Study and Prayer group. Surely they are those Paul is speaking of. They are dependable to take their place in the church. But I also see others as "reliable rocks." They are not always present in church. They are steadfast in service to the Lord. They have given up everything that we consider comfortable; they have given up family and friends to serve the Lord, travelling to undeliverable places where all the comforts they find normal no longer exist in their lives. Missionaries throughout the world have been martyrs and prisoners. So we have ”rocks” that are steadfast in one place, one church. Then we have “rocks” who are steadfast in many places, many missions. Most important is that God’s “rocks” do not get broken, they must stay strong. Amen.
MAR 13
MUST YOU BE WORTHY OF GOD’S GIFTS?
Well we all know the answer to this, we can’t be worthy of His gifts. OK then, if we can’t be worthy, how do we rightly use them?
"Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2Ti 2:1)
Timothy was up when he was the senior pastor of the church of Ephesus. Before Nero the church was flourishing and more Christians came. But then this crazy Nero threatened them all and they fled to save their own lives. The church went way down and so did Timothy. The problem was not his fault, but he felt he had failed them all. Timothy had changed, but the gift and the power of the Holy Spirit had not changed. Paul knew Timothy needed encouragement to get his confidence back.
At times we to find ourselves feeling guilty and unworthy of God’s gift, because we face walls of opposition. The power of the cross has never changed; the power of the Holy Spirit has never changed. We need the encouragement in God’s Word that Timothy needed from Paul. Through the grace of God, He sees us worthy and when we thank Him for His gift, we will know how to rightly use them. Amen.
MAR 14
GIVING TO GOD
We know that in God’s Word, He asks for gifts from us. He asks for tithes and offerings, but more than that He tells us that He will reward us for our obedience.
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward." (Heb 10:35)
When we are truthful with our giving to God is it only to give to the church? When we are giving offerings is it only to give to Christian charities? Well first we work for our income or have worked for it when we retire. So we make every effort to give rightly to church or charity, but are there more ways that we should consider in giving?
We need to organize our lives to where we have time to give in the Name of Jesus, our witness, our evangelism, our testimony. The Lord said that we are to spread the Gospel, that takes our energy. Paul is telling us all that God has for us in His plan, we must guard our confidence. To give to God what He truly is waiting for, it us is to give to others our time and our love. Then wait to see what God gives back. Amen.
MAR 15
SHOES MADE BY GOD
As you know we have an armour that is Spiritual and protective if we put it on daily. When we get up in the morning we put on our slippers and when we get dressed we put on shoes. Slippers were not made to go outside in, and shoes were not made to wear in the house. Both of them were made for special purposes and God made shoes for us for special purposes also.
"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." (Eph 6:15)
Paul refers to a Roman soldier’s sandals. Now when I say sandals, believe me they were nothing like what we have wear today. First there is a shield of metal on the calf to protect the legs and calves. They were protected from their adversary as well as the rough environment they may have to trudge through .I like the idea that in God’s shoes I am protected from the rough environment I have to be in when I leave the safety of my home.
Then there are more unusual aspects with these divine sandals. The Roman soldier had spikes under his sandals, so he could place himself in a stable position if he was to have combat with his enemy. Paul tells us these shoes represent the peace of God when we must be steady and stand for Christ and the Gospel. Then there is a deadly aspect with these sandals which is the spike at the toe which could kill or severely damage their enemy with just one kick. That is good to know that as soon as the devil gets to close, wham! You can kick him, damage him, kill him and put him out of business. Hallelujah. When you get ready in the day take out those God made shoes in the Word of God, put them on and give thanks to Him for that daily protection He has provided you with. Amen.
MAR 16
OUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS
You might think that the only spiritual leaders for you to follow, are big, well known evangelists or preachers, but that is not what Paul was telling us.
"That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." (Heb 6:12)
Paul was telling us be close to your spiritual leaders. That is not much of a possibility if we have only one from the TV or radio. No doubt they are very important in God’s work, but are they the answer for the work God has for us?
Do not be lazy or slothful, but be consistent and persevere with our strength in Christ. We may be in a small church, but even in our own home church we have spiritual leaders. Leaders that God appointed there to manage His House, whether big or small, God has His hand on your leaders. Paul tells us to be strong not lazy. Therefore we must use our energy to support our spiritual leaders, help them and most of all listen and learn from them. We can learn very quickly that those close to us are those God has for our benefit to get closer to Him. Elisha did not leave Elijah because he knew if he stayed with him he would be blessed. The same for us, if we stay with our spiritual leaders we will be blessed. Amen.
MAR 17
HURTING TO THE CORE OF YOUR HEART
I have been very fortunate, I have only had one person disappointment me in the last 25 yrs, and I believe that to be a good record. I know and hear of broken hearts and I feel very sorry for these people.
"And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2Ti 2:2)
Poor Timothy, he had done everything for his church, for his leaders and all the Christians there. Just as soon as Nero started his campaign to gather up Christians, Timothy was abandoned, he found himself with no friends and no brethren. How painful for him. Perhaps you also have experienced pain like that. People you love and have invested into the relationship with all your heart, then broken and abandoned, hurt to the core of your heart. What to do? Paul said to Timothy there are still faithful that are with you. That is a lesson for us; there are still others in our lives that have not left us. Those are the witnesses’ Paul speaks of to Timothy and us. When we are broken to the core of our heart we need the others that are still there with us. We need also to know that the ones that never left need us also. When the church of Ephesus was suffering such great pain Timothy had faithful followers and friends and when your life is suffering you also have faithful followers and friends. Stay with them and love them. Amen.
MAR 18
BEING DISAGREEABLE
I like watching old movies about court cases, usually the person being disagreeable in the jury room is the one that has the truth and has to stay on their conviction. But that is not always the case with disagreeable people.
"From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling." (1Ti 1:6)
Looking back at some of the reality in one’s life, I can remember people that were disagreeable and they certainly were not in the right, just very unpleasant to be with. It was like they always had a “bone out of joint” and never found anyone else's ideas or opinions to agreeable. They are very concerned with only themselves and their agenda. How can we change the situation? How can we change this kind of nuisance in our lives? One way is to pray for them, try to encourage them to think of others rather than only themselves. Tell them how much Jesus loves them. There are many ways to work out a better relationship. I believe that when you have a relationship with Jesus, everything else can work out for you. Amen.
MAR 19
DREAMS CAN COME TRUE
I am writing a year book, that is my dream to leave my family a book so they have every day with the Word of God. To make the dream come true it takes a lot of my life and my perseverance each day.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1Co 15:58)
If you have a dream, believe me they don’t come true with wishing. They can come true with praying. But to make sure they come true is with working. Any dream you have should be to glorify God in your life, whether you are at home, at school, at work or in the church. Dreams take a lot of work to come true. The more you are doing for Christ the more your dreams have a chance. The devil doesn’t want them to come true, he will put obstacles in the way, some will seem impossible to overcome. But with God all things are possible, and so are your dreams. Keep praying and keep working until your dreams come true. Amen.
MAR 20
NEVER LET GO
Yesterday we spoke of dreams coming true. Today we speak of not letting go of your dreams.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)." (Heb 10:23)
Do you think God speaks to us through dreams? Sometimes, even when we are asleep, He can speak to us in our daydreams. God uses dreams to tell us His plans in our life. In most cases we don’t realize that it is God speaking.
Well if you had a dream from God, what would you do? The best thing to do first is get a confirmation that God wants the same as you do. Then you have to begin to build on your dream. Your dreams are very powerful, because they can change your life and the lives of others.
The more you desire your dreams to come true the more your faith will grow and the sooner your dreams will succeed. Perseverance is the key to holding on to dreams. Work is the answer to see dreams come true. Faith is the power to build your dreams on. With all this going for you, you must be very sure not to let go. Paul says hold fast, without wavering. Your dream should be on a straight path, no waving from side to side. Get a dream today, hold fast to it, in the faith of Jesus Christ. Amen.
MAR 21
ORDER IN OUR LIVES
Well, order in our lives is not an easy subject. At times there is no order in my home so that definitely affects my life. But on the other side of the coin decency is a big part of the order I do have in my life.
"Let all things be done decently and in order." (1Co 14:40)
Paul tells the church what he expects of them and of us. Sadly their houses, they called church, does not follow God’s Word. In fact their doctrines and teaching disrespected God’s Word. Then there are churches that use music that is unacceptable for worship. Also there are churches that make social activities a priority over their Sunday meetings, Bible Study and prayer groups.
Everyone has an opinion on what they think covers decency and order in God’s House. Paul only considered what glorified God in His House and our house. Well do you have what glorifies God in your house? Are there any flaws in your home concerning God? I find that people do not recognize reading material as an abomination to God. They can turn off the TV, radio, change relationships but how do you purify your mind from the wrong books.
OK this is where I suggest you return order and decency in your life and in your home, check the reading material you have. Make sure your life is ordered to glorify God by reading His Word today. Amen
MAR 22
RECOGNIZING LOYALITY TO CHRIST
Perhaps you are asked to pray for a servant of the Lord. Paul was praying for Timothy, but more than requesting the help he needed Paul was reminding the Lord first of all the years Timothy had served the church in the past and how he was living under persecution from the leaders, was abandon by them. Paul would remind the Lord of Timothy’s broken spirit and confusion and fear now present.
"I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day." (2Ti 1:3)
When it is our time to pray for other Christians, it is good to remind the Lord of their journey in the past. How they became loyal to Christ. You don’t have to be a leader, or pastor to have a righteous past with Christ. Whatever you have surrender in your past life is a testimony of faith and needs to be remembered, and given thanks for.
If we are in the valley or on the mountain we know we are never there alone, Jesus is with us, and He still loves us and is our helper. We sometimes forget to give thanks for our past life with Him, always just thinking of the present. When we look back to our first steps with Christ, and follow up with recognizing our walk with Him and our loyalty to Him, we can’t do anything other than start to give Him thanks and praise.
I know you have your prayer time, but how about maybe once a week, start having your memory time. Go back and look at your mental photos of when you were born-again, water baptized or baptized in the Spirit. Just like your baby pictures you will begin to smile and thank God and say” Thank You Jesus that I have come this far,” Praise God! Amen.
MAR 23
ASK WHAT YOU WILL
Are you bold when request something from God in prayer? Being bold is a very good asset for a Christian as long as faith is with it.
"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." (Joh 15:7)
John starts with big “if” in this verse. That “if“ has to do with born-again Christians. Only when we are born-again can the Holy Spirit abide in us. So therefore only when we are born-again can God’s Words abide in us. That is a way of saying, no matter how bold you are demanding or requesting from God in prayer, if you are not born–again they are your words and not from the Spirit.
God hears the prayer of repentance; He hears the crying of forgiveness and surrender, because the Holy Spirit has convicted a sinner and brought him or her to the cross. Praise God! So now the Holy Spirit abides in you, now the Words of the Holy Spirit abide in you, now you can ask what you will because your will is now the will of God. Today that request can done in boldness and authority in the Name of Jesus “it shall be done unto you." Amen.
MAR 24
THE LOIN-BELT OF TRUTH
When we look at the armour of a Roman soldier, we can barely see his loin-belt, which is the most essential part of his armour for battle.
"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth." (Eph 6:14)
Let us just have a look at what is so important about this belt. First it holds the ”breastplate of righteousness” in place on the chest of the soldier. There are hooks on the belt, one that is for the sheath of the “sword of the Spirit” to hang on and another hook for his ”shield of faith," as well as a hook for his bag of arrows, and still another for a water pouch. So you can see that his belt was holding everything in place.
If the belt, which was made his size, did not fit him perfectly, nothing would be hanging correctly. His breastplate would be loose and not protecting him properly. The ”belt of truth” is a very essential piece of armour that must be in place correctly. If we do not own the Truth of Christ, we cannot go into battle. If we don’t wear the “breastplate of righteousness" covering our heart we could die in battle. If the “sword of Spirit” is not quickly available in our hand, we would have no weapon against our enemy. If the “shield of faith” was not in our hand we would not be protected or have confidence against our enemy.
Without our loins being girthed up with the belt we cannot be a soldier for Christ. Also this belt must always be in perfect condition. Just like the pieces of your armour. Is your "breastplate of righteousness" shining? Is your ”sword of the Spirit” sharp? Is your “shield of faith” ready for battle? How is your armour today? Amen.
MAR 25
LOOK UNDER YOUR FOOT
I would like to think that if I could get my problems in a little pile, then just stump them to bits, they would be gone for good.
"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." (Rom 16:20)
Actually Paul tells us that is exactly what the Holy Spirit has said to him, that God shall stamp Satan under His foot. As I remember Jesus told us that in His Name we have the same authority to overcome Satan. So Paul just reminds us of that authority we have in Christ.
Now this world is in chaos, so the God of Peace can and will bring back harmony when He stamps out Satan. We each have our own little worlds and to keep them peaceful is at times a challenge, but now we have the answer. We have authority, we have God on our side and we have our “shoes the Gospel of Peace." So let us begin, stamp, stamp. Look under your feet; have you definitely stamped Satan out of your life, home, workplace, church? Only when the Peace of God is in control can the devil come under God’s feet.
We use Jesus Name as our weapon. God uses His peace as His weapon. When we can look under our feet to all our problems and see them as God sees them, with peace, only until then can we stamp them out of our lives. Amen.
MAR 26
GOD WILL RECKON WITH US
I am always a little curious about statements like this title. I love Jesus, I asked for His forgiveness and I gave Him my life, I laid everything from my past life at the foot of His cross, and I have never gone back to pick them up.
"After a long time the lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them." (Mat 25:19)
I am a born–again Christian, and believe when Jesus said He is my friend, that is the truth. I gladly serve the Lord in various areas of my life and I have since 1975. But here I am with this verse from Matthew, saying that God is going to reckon with me in the future. That makes me think of Santa with the “naughty and nice ledger." I read this verse and want to say, “But Lord, let me tell You how good I am and good I have been.”
There is only one problem with my thinking, He knows me better than I know myself and I am content with that. You can see how curious this all is. The only thing I can add to this daily nugget is how do you stand with Jesus? Have you followed in the same pattern I have lived my life for Him? Step one is, ask His forgiveness and be saved. Step two is, to be water baptized. Step three is, ask the Holy Spirit where He wants you to step and follow Him. At least by that time you will have the promise of eternal life and you will live in that promise today. Amen.
MAR 27
RUN TO WIN
Have you ever run a race? I ran track when I was younger. I can honestly say I used every bit of energy to pass the next runner. I was not the best, but I persevered and I was only interested in winning.
"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)
I like what Paul said here. He is telling us if we run with all our confidence and strength that we need to get to our goal, as long as we stay in the race, we win. When the race is on, there are observers that are watching to see your performance. That is fine, because those that are observing will be encouraged by watching the runners.
When we encourage other Christians, we are serving Christ and He sees us in the winner's circle. If you have ever watched the Olympics you see there a several kinds of foot races. So when God tells you which race you are to participate in, you want to go there and run with all your might, to win. Remember today Paul says, “You may obtain your prize.” Amen.
MAR 28
AMATEUR OR PROFESSIONAL
Have you considered that there can be amateur and professional Christians? Maybe you don’t think “that is not a very Godlike talking about Christianity like that.” Well Paul does it.
"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." (2Ti 2:5)
Paul has said that as Christian we need to strive for our Master’s degree. Now the one thing I can tell you this means to me, is that we must work hard at getting closer to the Master Jesus. That the only way one can get to the stage of professional-ship is hard work and perseverance.
So how about Christians that come to church on Sunday only? We have church that has Sunday services, weekly Bible Study and Prayer groups, Men's Breakfast, Ladies Breakfast etc., but you only see a certain group on Sunday. So what does Paul says about them? He said the reason they’re not crowed is because they are not being lawful with Christ.
How are we lawful with Christ? Well the fact is Jesus wants your life. So if you have little time for Him and the church and fellowship with others Christians that want to grow, you are not being lawful because you are not being obedient. The Holy Spirit has given us in God’s Word, what He wants from us, our obedience. So here we have Christians that struggle at hard times because of their disobedience and the lives as amateur Christians. Then there Christians that direct their lives to obey God to read His Word and persevere to follow Christ.
It is not an easy task to work for your Master degree staying in the presence of the Master. All of us Christians need to work for our crown as a reward for our obedience. Amen.
MAR 29
SUPERNATURAL MINISTRY
When we think of supernatural, do we think of Heaven? For me, I know nothing that is supernatural, other than the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
"Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Rom 8:26)
When we get saved we become ministers for Christ. We need growth in the Word of God and need to learn from Paul teachings. Paul was so concerned about the church and his beloved brethren there. He wanted them to understand that the Holy Spirit was always there for them.
Have you ever wanted to pray and found it very hard to find the words to cover the needs in your heart? Paul says that was the same way it was with him and he knew the brethren always would come up against this problem in prayer. Paul said the Holy Spirit heals us, He can speak through our prayers and they become supernatural because the Spirit has a supernatural ministry for us to share with Him.
This ministry of the Holy Spirit is ours as we request it from Him. We know as we obtain this supernatural ministry we can rely on Him for prayer and intersession. Intersession through His supernatural ministry is far advanced than our prayers .Therefore we should want it for our own prayer time and growth in ministry. If you want a supernatural ministry from the Holy Spirit, ask Him for it today. Amen.
MAR 30
WHY ARE WE IN A HURRY
What a great question, when it seems that God is never in a hurry. Why is it we ask for something and in most cases we find ourselves in a waiting room? God always answers, in one of three ways, yes, no or wait.
"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts." (1Th 2:4)
Waiting for God to answer prayer is the way He teaches us patience. Now with illness He can move quicker and usually does with the fervent prayer. But then there are other prayers such for ministry or tasks in the church. Paul says, “we are allowed to put our trust in the gospel."
In other words we have the privilege to serve the gospel for the glory of God. That task has to be carefully taught to us through the Holy Spirit, which once again may cause us to have to wait. God uses many areas of our Christian walk to teach us the ministry and tasks He has had planned for us from the beginning of time. He is in no hurry. We need to learn patience and perseverance to complete those plans. Wait upon the Lord and He will answer you today. Amen.
MAR 31
WHO REPLACED JESUS
After Jesus returned to Heaven who replaced Him here on earth? We know that the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost and He spoke through those120 that were in the upper room on that fine day. Do you think that the disciples understood that the Holy Spirit was here to replace their precious master?
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." (Joh 14:16)
Naturally the disciples missed Jesus, He was gone. They knew they would no longer be walking with from village to village, listening to every word He would say. How sad for them, and yet He made them a promise, that they would not be forgotten. That promise was kept on the day the Holy Spirit came to be with them and to comfort them during this time of loss. They had 40 days to be sad, but now they must rejoice because the power of the Holy Spirit was now on them and they had the Name of Jesus as their authority over evil.
When they received the power of the Holy Spirit ,they were joyful and thankful, and now understood that when 3000 that day repented and were ready to go back to the homes with Gospel, that Jesus was there also with His last words, ”go out and spread the Gospel." That was what was happening and should continue happening today. Jesus has not really gone, His Spirit is still here and with us, so we can be His disciples and continue His work here on earth today. Amen.
