We are finishing up summer vacation. The last three months was “fun and sun.” Now we all are getting back to work, school and our Bible classes. We need someone with us to guide us and strengthen us for the coming season.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.” (Joh 16:13)
This time of the year everything will be picking up the pace, everything going faster. We all need the Holy Spirit to guide and quicken our steps. When we go into the Gospels we can follow the footsteps of Jesus in His three years of ministry. We can follow His teachings, His miracles and His last words in the Garden of Gesetheme. Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit and gained His strength from the Holy Spirit to walk the Viva Rosa to Calvary.
Jesus could not have survived or endured His three years of ministry throughout His journey in Israel without the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. When I say Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, don’t you think we also need Him? The Holy Spirit led Christ, He led the disciples and the apostles, and He undoubtedly led Paul. None of them could do what they did and endure what they endured without the Holy Spirit. They all prayed for the Holy Spirit to be with them. Starting this new season we must also inquire, through our prayers to the Holy Spirit, what we do faster, where do we go faster and how do we follow the steps of Christ in our daily lives. Today is the most important day of your life, because the Holy Spirit wants to be with you and be your Spiritual guide and answer all your questions. Amen.
SEP 2
MISREPRESENTATION
It is very easy to forget to tell the whole truth or to add on something that can be a little more exciting when telling a story. We tell stories because we want to spend time with other people and to perhaps impress them at the same time.
“Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds.” (Col 3:9)
When we want to talk with other Christian we should be able to have their attention when we are speaking of the Cross and Salvation. That is a subject all Christians like talking about. When you are using the Word of God as your storybook, you don’t have to worry about the truth. God’s Word is the truth. As a new Christian all the books of fiction should be left on the shelf and the Bible will be your constant reading material. As you learn Gods Word, all your stories will not carry anymore importance in your life.
Misrepresenting the truth whether it is about you or someone else will now prick you like a pin, “ouch” that was a lie. Lying will cease with those painful pin pricks. It is the Holy Spirit that pricks you, that is His way of convicting you of sin, and lying is sin. If you are misrepresenting yourself or someone else you need to pray today to the Lord for help and His conviction through the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SEP 3
DON’T LOOK BACK
One of the tricks the Devil uses to break down our faith in the Lord is to constantly remind us of our mess in the past.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1Pe 5:8)
We all have messes from the past. That is why we repent and ask forgiveness so He can repair the messes and we can start over again. The enemy, that Peter calls our adversary, doesn’t want to see us repent or start over again. Peter tells us to be awake and on watch for the enemy. He refers to the Devil as a roaring lion, looking for his prey. The Devil wants us as his prey, he wants to devour us, chew us up and spit us out so we will be worthless to serve the Lord. He is a nasty fellow and he wants to remind us of our nasty past.
Peter says the Devil is our adversary, like in a courtroom where we are being accused of all the things we have done, but now are forgiven for. The adversary is trying to get the judge to sentence us to failure. On the other hand we have Jesus, we have faith and therefore we are not failures we are winners. Today on our knees we can put the past out of our lives and never look back except to give thanks to Jesus for His forgiveness and the Cross. Amen.
SEP 4
THE BITTER TASTE OF BITTERNESS
Did you know that the smallest thought of jealousy can plant a seed in your heart to grow to bitterness?
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Heb 12:15)
Paul was always concerned with the attitudes of the brethren leading in the church. Ambitions can be good for the church if done for the right reasons which would exclude pride. The churches Paul was concerned about were all being persecuted and in danger from the Romans. The slightest controversy in the church could be fatal for the body. Paul says that the brethren must always be an example of God’s Grace, to the whole body. Each brother has a task to do to make the church run smoothly. Not all the tasks are pleasant, but must be done. This is where the words of Christ come alive speaking of servant-hood. Humility is a main factor in servant hood. Are we humble or do we think that some else should do the lower tasks. Don’t think like that or you could become bitter. Check yourself today and be happy in your servant hood position. Amen.
SEP 5
PREPARING FOR PURPOSE
Have asked yourself, “What is God’s purpose for me?” God has a purpose for all of us, but are we equipped to take on the purpose He has for us?
“That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Ti 3:17)
We know that Paul has said we must have on our armour daily. Here in this verse he says we must be perfect, “thoroughly furnished.” Another way to say this is to say “you must be thoroughly equipped.” We need to learn how to fight and protect ourselves from the enemy. Putting on our armour is not enough to face our enemy in battle. Each soldier is properly trained for his position in the army, not just as a member of the army, but as an instrument fully instructed ready to battle against his foe, or adversary.
So each Christian soldier is called to minister in different areas, serving and surviving with praying, laying on hands, healing, worshiping, teaching and preaching, each one is in need of the others. No ministry can survive on its own. In your prayer time today perhaps you need new instructions from the Holy Spirit to complete your task or ministry the Lord has called you for. We also need to learn to handle our equipment, as we take on our calling and know who has God assigned to be with us? Amen.
SEP 6
SAFE BEHIND THE SHIELD
In most cases when one stands behind something for protection it is because they believe they are being protected from something stronger than they are.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph 6:16)
Paul was writing with a different thought about this shield. The darts from the devil were not stronger than us, but they were agitating us, and we have the power with faith to protect ourselves from this agitation. When we have our shield of faith up we are able to get on with our daily tasks.
Not many of us are constantly facing a giant in our lives like a deadly sickness or poverty, those things need more than just our shield they need the Army of God in faith to face the enemy. But we have our daily tasks and family, work and church and it is there that the enemy tries to agitate us so we cannot get on serving the Lord and our loved ones. Our faith on a daily basis is in place when we start the day in prayer and the Word of God. Putting on the armour of God in His Word and picking up our sword and shield equips us so we “quench” any and every thing the devil has planned to distract or agitate us from following God’s plans for us today. In your prayers today ask the Lord to strengthen your faith and be safe behind the His shield all day. Amen.
SEP 7
LAY LOW THEN STRIKE
When I was young I was not afraid of snakes, in fact living in the country we liked to catch grass snakes and make them pets.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be you therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Mat 10:16)
Sometimes when we read the Word of God, we get it very quickly, but at other times we need to spend more time with the Holy Spirit to get the full meaning of what it says. These words from Jesus also need to be studied to understand His full intentions for His disciples and us. We know a little about sheep and how dumb they are, always in need of their shepherd to get them to their food during the day and back home in the evening.
So I think of Jesus saying, ”Be as sheep always in need of your shepherd, the Holy Spirit.” Then He changes our image from a dumb sheep into a wise serpent. I thought when I was young catching grass snakes I was smarter than they were, but how many did I catch and how many got away? They got away because they were smarter than me. So I think the Lord was saying when we make it our life’s agenda to join the flock then we become one of them, but we mustn’t forget that it is the Holy Spirit (Shepherd) we need to follow not just the flock. He will not lead us in the wrong direction but they can.
I thought grass snakes lived in the grass because they safe there and that is their best environment where they can grow. That too is for us, wisdom does not come with the flock it comes with the territory. We learn from the Holy Spirit what is best for us and we move in that territory, until we are full grown. If all the grass snakes lived in one place, we couldn’t step in the grass. No, they grow and move on to new territory to where they can slowly inhabit (lay low) a new environment. They are growing into adulthood, so they can find their food and live. As we grow in our life with Jesus we too will grow wise and will know when it is time to change our environment. If you are in a time of your life where you are asking God for a change, you need to be very sure you have grown in wisdom with the Spirit enough to make that change, so you won’t starve and die, spiritually. We are all dependent on the Holy Spirit for our growth in Christ, for our survival every day. Amen.
SEP 8
A CHILD OF GOD DOESN’T COMPETE
Perhaps when you hear others telling their testimonies or sharing a time they spent with the Lord, you think I must not be a very good Christian, because those things don’t happen to me.
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1Co 1:27)
When we look back in the Old Testament to all the stories of people’s lives there we would not think of them of being leaders in our church. I mean they were thieves, murders, prisoners and outcasts, and God called on them to lead His people and His nation. Paul even goes further and says, none were smart, none were mighty or none were noble when God called them.
Samuel was called when he was about six years old, Samson was a rebel, David a small shepherd boy, and Daniel in exile, all of them became great men for God. Paul also tells us that the weak and foolish gain strength and wisdom when they answer God’s call as Paul did on the road to Damascus. God’s gift of grace is for His precious child, which is for you and me. Each gift can be quite different and at no time has the Lord thought of us competing with each other with our Spiritual gifts. If you are not sure what God’s gift is for you or what He has called you to do for Him? Today, you can bow down to Him and ask Him, “Lord what can I do for You today? And give it my very best shot.” Amen.
SEP 9
LOVE FIRST
Jesus was a very Spirit filled man in the flesh. What I just said most Christians have forgotten, they have forgotten that He was a man in the flesh before His ministry and filling of the Spirit. His humility was His known character until the day He changed water into wine. From that day He was full ministry and His name was being spread throughout the country.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, (agape love) I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” (1Co 13:1)
This was the humble man Jesus who walks throughout the land of Israel, loving thousands of suffering people, or bound with sickness. Yet this was the Son of God who never put His royal position before the love of the people.
Do you know those Spiritual sisters and brothers that only have time for their positions in the church, but little time to show Christian love to the flock? They mostly use the comments “me, me and I.” They tell others how good God is to them but have no time to be good to others. In your prayer time today ask the Lord, “Is there something I can do less for myself and do more for others in their needs?” Amen.
SEP 10
LOVE IS ALL WE NEED
We need to sometimes look back to the cross, to find true love.
“Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up.” (1Co 13:4)
I know everyone has their own picture in their spirit of Jesus on the cross, the picture of our Saviour, the Lamb of God and the son of Mary that died for the sins of the world. These things are all true, but the picture that Paul saw when writing this chapter was Christ on the cross as the “unfailing love of God.” Love that suffered for hours on the cross. No man has lived that has the agape love of God except Christ Jesus. So there is a picture for us to follow, a goal for us to fight for, a heart that is filled with the love of God. When we prayer daily we need to pray for that heart of God to be our heart. Amen.
SEP 11
SOUNDING BRASS
Do you happen to know a “so called Christian?”
“Love does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.” (1Co 13:5)
Unseemly behaviour in the church indicates the same bad behaviour we would find in the home, school or work place. So with rudeness, loud and self centred, all those kinds of behaviour would be unseemly. But the most unseemly behaviour of a Christian is with the tongue, pride and jealousy, which lacks kindness, to the point that what others have to say or want to share is ignored or rejected. Kindness, goodness and love are not found in a “so called Christian.” Jesus on the cross at Calvary was and is the ultimate picture of love which should be the ultimate goal of a Christian. What is your goal today, have you prayed concerning your behaviour in your church or as a Christian? Amen.
SEP 12
MESSED UP WITH PRIDE
Have you looked back at instincts that made unhappy days in your life?
“Love is not easily provoked, thinks no evil.” (1Co 13:5)
You might not have thought that with all those things that happened in the past were mostly based on pride, yours or some else’s pride. What pride is rooted in is the lack of love for others, only love for myself. Pride taking root in a relationship is provoked with fear. The reason we get proud is because we are fearful of rejection in a relationship.
When we look at our needs in a relationship, when they are not met, we become fearful, and then we look differently at the relationship and begin to let a proud and controlling spirit change us. That spirit is from the depts. of darkness and evil. This condition in darkness pride, control and fear, stamps out love. These relationships can exist in our church, home, work, and with loved ones. If there are any hurt or unhappy feelings within you today in a relationship, you can pray for the Lord to set you free and heal the pain. Amen.
SEP 13
REAL LOVE
How do you feel when you see or hear of people who have done something wrong to you or others. Do you ask God to punish them because of their wrong doing?
“Love rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” (1Co 13:6)
Paul writes in this chapter about the “agape love.” I wonder if we really understand just what that is. We know the agape love represents the love of God. We believe that like the young rich man who followed Jesus and spoke with Him in Luk 18:19-23. This young man told Jesus he was and is always doing the right thing.
We believe when we are kind and generous to others praying for their needs, we are showing the love of God to them. That is only half true, because the love of God is not only for those who love but it is also for the sinner who has sinned against us and Him. The question is, “Do you love your enemy and pray for them?” That is what Paul was saying in this verse, we are not to rejoice when someone that has done something wrong to us “gets back their own.”
People do things that are bad and very unkind to others; therefore the Lord says “pray for them not against them.” Can you rejoice that God still loves those who have hurt you; can you still pray for their well being? The Lord tells us, “The truth will set you free,” that truth is that God still loves them as He loves you. That should be our prayer today, “Lord help me still love them as You still love them.” Amen.
SEP 14
ANOTHER SHIELD OF GOD
We already know Paul has given us a shield of faith in Eph.6:16 for protection against the fiery darts of the devil.
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1Co 13:7)
In Greek the translation for this word “bears” means ”to cover” like a shield. So Paul was telling us that the love of God covers us with complete protection. When we are covered with this verse from Paul, what can harm us? Nothing! In this verse he says the agape love of God covers us, in truth, faith and strength.
The love of God is not blind to our difficulties and problems but His love gives us the faith in a protected place to regain the truth of who we are in Christ. When a storm is blowing against us we need the shield, we need a place of safety where we can rest and regain the strength of truth, spend more time with Lord at His feet and listen to His words, “Peace, be still,” so the storm will cease and we can continue our walk with Him in the sunshine. Perhaps you need that rest in the protection of God’s love today. Pray for that peace, faith and truth that will shield you until the storm has passed. Amen.
SEP 15
LOVE NEVER FAILS
We know love in a relationship can fail us, and we at times feel the same of God’s love when we pray.
“Charity never failed: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1Co 13:8)
Paul always wrote to the church and brethren to encourage them. He knew their lives were very difficult and they were always in danger. How do you tell the church God’s love never fails when one of their brothers are in prison in Rome. Paul goes to the extent to say that even the prophecies can fail us, the tongues can fail us, as well as our own intellect of God’s word can fail us, but not His love. All the things Paul mentions here in this verse are from man seeking God. Therefore we can get it wrong.
The prophets of old were still the words the church believed in, and the Lord said all these things will come to pass. The persecuted church of Paul’s time began to doubt these prophecies of the prophets and the Lord’s return. Some of them were even falling away. “Hang in there” was always Paul’s message, stay strong, and here he goes even further saying, ”The love of God will not fail you.” Perhaps that is the same message you need today. If you are feeling alone or with a problem, speak to the Lord, He is ready to comfort you, to embrace you and to listen to you in your prayers, because, ”He is the agape love” that never fails. Amen.
SEP 16
CHOICES CAN BE CHALLENGING
How many times have you thought, “Do I really have a choice?”
“For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Php 1:23-24)
How many ministers that have suffered for Christ as Paul did? Paul was surely tired at times in the appalling conditions of his life in prison. Paul would have like to change his environment from prison to Paradise. He longed for the comfort and warmth of Heaven, the tasty food and clean atmosphere. Then on the other hand he was not finished with his vision for the seven churches.
Paul knew it was OK to dream of Heaven then, arise and get on with what God had called him to do from the visit he encountered on the road to Damascus. You see actually Paul said in verse 23, ”I have a choice,” then in verse 24 he confesses, he doesn’t have a choice. He was committed to the Lord and serving Him to the end, whenever that will be. Now how is your commitment to the Lord? Are you dreaming of Heaven instead of harvesting? Do you need a boost from the Holy Spirit to help you stay in the race? Repenting today and asking for more presence of the Lord in your life would be a very good start. Amen.
SEP 17
A SPLIT TONGUE
Who do you know that always agrees with you? I am a little wary of someone who has no opinion, but always agrees with me.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” (Eph 4:25)
Sometimes people agree with you, because they are fearful to speak their mind. In that case your relationship is not very good, brotherly love is missing. Trust is missing between two people. With brotherly love no man should be fearful to speak his mind to another. Perhaps they are not lying but also they are not telling the truth, in other words they have a “split tongue.” If your opinion is from your heart then by all means it should be spoken. Do you have an unfinished conversation with a brother or sister that lies heavy on your heart? So now you can pray and take it to the Lord today for an answer. Amen.
SEP 18
THE MANNA FELL
Have you ever thought about how God provides for us every day? The farmers bring in the produce, the fruit, the vegetables and the wheat, but who provides them with their harvest? God does.
“When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.” (Heb 3:9)
We know that the children of Israel wondered around in the desert for forty years, and were provided for every day with manna and quail. That is incredible when you look at a film or picture of a desert, nothing but sand. We know that there are people, Nomads that live in the desert, but they go to cities for their provisions. The only cities in Moses’ travels in the wilderness were all their enemies, no chance in shopping in one of those cities.
Paul always writes to encourage the church and the church leaders. He is saying here in this verse, ”The children of Israel tested the Lord (trusted Him) and gave account of what He had done for them.” Paul wanted the church to trust the Lord for their provisions also. Paul was in prison and the church was providing for him and he wanted them to understand that the Lord will provide for them. At times we need that same encouragement, “God Provides, Jehovah Jireh.” Perhaps you are in need today physically, financially or spiritually. When you pray give thanks for God’s provision, “manna.” What you need can come like a miracle in the desert. Amen.
SEP 19
FAITH IS A LOCATION
We can live in faith or out of faith, just like we can live in our home or we can be homeless.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6)
Paul tells us we cannot please God if we do not have faith. For us faith is even much more, because we cannot be safe, covered and warm. Without faith we would be like a homeless person fighting against the cold and weather, we would be outside uncovered. Also we would not have any safety against evil and thieves. We would have to look for provisions and a place to keep them. What a sad thought to be homeless. With faith we are in a safe location, covered, warm and provided for with the pleasure and presence of God. We don’t only want to have faith we want to live there in faith (our safe house).
Knowing we are pleasing God in faith is the beginning to understand His Grace. Paul always wants to encourage the church, here in this verse of faith, he also includes the reward He gives to them that pray and seek Him. How is your faith today? Are you feeling warm and safe or are you feeling cold and hungry? All of us need to work on our faith, just as we work on our homes, we need to be reminder we have an address a location where we can live in faith. Perhaps today in prayer you can seek the Lord and upgrade your faith. Amen.
SEP 20
DEVIL KNOCKING
Have you ever thought that person is not right for the task, I know better how to do that, I could do that better.
“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (2Ti 2:26)
Paul knew Timothy was struggling with a lot of discord in his church. He had a brother in the church that wanted to be the leader. Paul had given Timothy the leadership after spending time with him and his mother, so he knew the family when he appointed him as the leader. He knew his heart for Jesus and his passion for others to know Jesus. Timothy lived the gospel. Now he had interference in the church that was causing discord. Pride and judgment are two things that man can let into their spirit and not be aware of the sin lying there.
Because one loves the Lord it gives the devil a very good reason to knock and wait to be let in and stamp his evil in the mind of a believer. This must be recognized and prayed about to keep peace in the church and the devil out. When the leadership appoints a task to the brethren he has seeked the Lord for the right person and that needs to be respected and accepted by the body. Perhaps there is something in your church similar to Timothy’s church. There may be believers (or if it is you) who are victims or captives and are listening to the enemy while thinking it is the Lord speaking to them. In that case he or she (or you) needs prayer and forgiveness to set them (or you) on the right path and to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit and be liberated starting today. Amen.
SEP 21
KEEP THE DOOR SHUT
There are many emotions that can enter our thinking and make us fearful and anxious. We need to keep those thoughts out with prayer.
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Php 4:6)
Paul was saying in this verse, “Keep the door shut,” be aware that can be dangerous. Be careful with what you let in your thinking. He is saying stay in prayer, stay in thanksgiving, always submitting to the Lord and then bringing Him your needs. When we can occupy our thinking with prayer and thanksgiving, we can keep out emotions that can hurt us or kill us.
Our spirit is very delicate, only with the strength of the Holy Spirit, can our spirit be strong. Anxiety and fear are very harmful; they can become rulers in our minds if we don’t quickly rebuke them and throw them out, keeping the door shut. Are you suffering today with worry and anxiety over yourself, family, work or your church? Paul has given us the answer to overcome these emotions and following his words we can get them out and keep them out. Amen.
SEP 22
WORRIES BEWILDER
It is not easy living in the world and not worrying about something.
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (Mat 6:25)
Jesus so loved his disciples and followers, He wanted the very peace of the Holy Spirit to abide with them and in them. In other words He wanted them to be worry free. He also knew what He wanted for them was not completely possible at that time. They were following Him, so their families were mostly on their own to survive. His followers did worry about their homes and families, but at the same time they knew that they had to follow Him and leave their homes. What a calling to follow Christ and leave all behind you and not worry about them. That is because Jesus wanted them to recognize the provision of the Lord for them, was the same for all the others as well.
That same provision from the Lord Jesus was speaking of is also ours today. We can begin to count our blessing and the way in which the Lord provides for us, and our worries will dwindle away. Faith will overcome fear, peace will overcome turmoil, and victory will overcome defeat. In other words we will be thankful and free of worry. Look at the list the Lord gave us in this verse, we can start with them. Then we give special thanks for the cross and Calvary, for that reason alone, we can praise God for a blessed and worry free day. Amen.
SEP 23
YOU ARE BETTER THAN GOOD
How much to you love yourself? Do you always think of yourself as a failure or a winner? If you claim the Holy Spirit has filled you with His wonderful power and peace, how can you think of yourself as a failure?
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” (Phm 1:6)
So here in God’s word it says that there must be several good things in us that love the Lord and are filled with His Holy Spirit. Paul is giving us this statement, but it is up to us to make good things happen. We make good things happen with our faith. Paul says that with communication of our faith we will recognize, or in other words acknowledge our good things given to us from the Holy Spirit.
I am sure that God has already done great things in your life. So it is up to you to believe that your future also has great things coming from God. With the communication we need to have with faith we will get the energy to activate our faith. Our faith activated means God’s blessings will become manifested in our daily lives. As we see those blessings we will be encouraged to increase our faith. Is it possible you need to take an inventory of your lists blessings? I am sure as you recall all of them and all the good things in your life. You will see yourself, better than just good. Amen.
SEP 24
BLOCKING YOUR BLESSINGS
Are you suffering with a money problem? My first question is do you tithe into your church weekly or monthly?
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)
So Paul knows how difficult things are for the churches and he is in prison, so things are difficult for him also. But yet as always he wants to encourage his brethren, so he writes this verse of encouragement. He is saying, ”Don’t get tired of your giving, because the time is at hand for your blessings, if you stand strong in your faith.” That was a nice thing to hear from your pastor in prison. But it is the truth, and we can hold fast as well in our faith waiting for our season of reaping.
What about other methods to reap blessings from the Lord, forgiving others is a ”biggie” with the Lord. How are you standing with relationships with your brothers and sisters, any controversies with them? Obedience to the Lord is also very important, if you wish to reap His blessings, and naturally obedience is what we have to follow in our tithing. Then one more thing that can block our reaping, do you need prayer to bring peace in your life, because you are under attack from the enemy. So number one is forgiveness or repentance, number two, is obedience and tithing, number three is prayers and peace. How are these three working in your life today? Perhaps you need to change something, to stop the blocking of your blessings. Amen.
SEP 25
TURN THE OTHER CHEEK
Whoops! How many times have you found that you have been misunderstood? Have you offended someone without the knowledge that you did it, until it was revealed to you?
“Wherefore receive you one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” (Rom 15:7)
Sadly that has happened to me many times; I have been offended and offended others. Paul was so gracious in this verse. We needed the encouragement that is in this verse. I am so grateful when there is something wrong in a relationship with one of my brothers or sisters, I can repent and meet them with Jesus and we can share the wonder of His mercy.
If you are in the middle of a relationship difficulty in the church, work place or family, that problem can be gone when you turn the other cheek and ask Jesus to heal the relationship, you can repent or perhaps both of you can repent, what is so great is that for the glory of God you can be together again. Is there someone today, which you need to turn the other cheek to, as you offer your love and a big hug? Amen.
SEP 26
IS HUMILITY HARD
If someone says to you, “You must be humble,” what do they mean? Humility is not hard for those that can love others as they love themselves.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Php 2:3)
When I speak of others, I am putting Jesus first; can you love Him as much as you love yourself? Can you love your earthly family or your church family as much you love yourself? If you can do that you are humble. You will not have time to be boastful, or proud. Paul says in this verse “lowliness of mind” indicates we have little time to be so concerned about ourselves, always thinking about our own needs and achievements. Oh no! When we focus on Jesus, we see others at their best and beautiful. That is what makes us humble. Perhaps today you need to focus more on Jesus so you will be able to see His beauty in others. Easy this way humility is not hard for you. Amen.
SEP 27
IF YOU ARE WRONG CAN YOU CONFESS IT?
Has the Devil shot a thought into your mind, that you can’t rid yourself of?
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (Jas 5:16)
I know if this happens to you, you would be praying to rebuke the sin the Devil wants you to follow. So what do you do? James has the answer, when we are under attack from the enemy we go to the elders or someone we can pray with. Paul says we must confess to one another. That means that we must trust others with confidence and prayers. When we are under attack to do a sinful act that is badgering our thoughts, in most cases this could be sexual or verbal. When we listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance of who and when we must follow James command to confess and pray, we will receive that last blessing in the verse, healing. Is there something you need to confess? Pray today and be healed. Amen.
SEP 28
DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT WHISPER OR SHOUT?
When has the Holy Spirit spoken to you and you ignored Him, you didn’t listen, what happened then?
“After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” (Act 16:7)
Paul was in Asia, but God wanted him elsewhere. Paul had to learn to listen to the Lord the same as we do. We need to learn to listen when the Holy Spirit speaks. The problem is sometimes He whispers and we are too occupied with other things, we don’t hear His whisper. Then other times we hear Him and don’t think that what He tells us could be right, because it doesn’t fall well in our agenda. So perhaps He has to shout, and stop us in our tracks and turn us around to His guidance.
He loves us, He doesn’t give up with a whisper, He knows what we need and sometimes He has to shout, just like a parent to get a child’s attention. I heard of a pastor that heard from the Holy Spirit to not leave his room in the hotel to go to the evening meeting, he went anyway, but being heavily convicted he return just in time to see he had been completely robbed of everything. The Holy Spirit always has our best interest as number one priority. If He has spoken to you today, listen and if not wait on Him to speak in your prayer time. Amen.
SEP 29
YOUR CALLING
Do you know what your calling is? Do you apply your strength and efforts to what God has called you to? The way He has called you to serve Him?
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Php 3:12)
I like the idea that Christ has not only called but He has taken hold of me, and in that way I know I am not working alone. Serving the Lord in this world of darkness can be very difficult spiritually and physically. We may find the darkness moving in on our lives more every year we get closer to the “last days of Jesus return.” Also the work gets hard and more dangerous. In fact the environment that was in the time of Paul and the disciples will be the same before His return.
Our servant hood to Christ will be so important also because so many can perish without our commitment to the calling Christ has planned for us. If you look around you, you will see so many that do not know Him and they will perish for that reason. Christ has called us all to spread the gospel, in others take the light that those in darkness are so desperate to have. Have you taken sometime in your busy day to prayer for those that today are lost. I asked, “What is your calling?” Your first calling as a newborn Christian is prayer for the lost and prayer for yourself, for more filling of the Holy Spirit, to press on, take hold of Christ, who has taken hold of you. Amen.
SEP 30
DEEP BITTERNESS
It really hurts when a friend will not forgive you, that feeling they have for you develops into deep bitterness.
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” (Heb 12:15)
Paul was concerned with the brethren’s fellowship. He knew there were temptations for money to turn in names of Christians to the Romans or at the leaders of the temple. Yes, those friends and neighbours could get a lot of money just for names of Christians, and it was happening all the time. Christians were being arrested and put in prison just because of bitter roots taking hold of the soul of many. Perhaps for their own protection Christians were secretive and others were jealous. That was Paul’s concern for the church.
But then as we look at this verse it is also personal for each of us. If in any way we are offended or hurt from the words or actions of others, we must take this very seriously and quickly ask God to help us with our feelings. We must pray for forgiveness for our emotions concerning that person, and we must pray for them also. We must not let the smallest emotion of bitterness take root in our heart. Paul goes so far as to say, ”We can fall from Grace.” One thing we know is whatever we feel the other person is feeling also. If the offence lies with us, we must talk to them and pray for them to forgive us. If there is any bitterness in you, or another person you know, pray about it today, asking the Lord to bring you together again melted in the love of Christ. Amen.
