The analogy pictured in the title verse of a person with divided loyalty as being as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown, and tossed by the wind is a very good one. But why is that in the Word of God? Why is it important? What is the application for our lives?
It is in the Word of God because it describes so many believers. Over and over again I have people tell me, 'my walk with the Lord is all over the place, one minute I'm on fire and having my daily quiet time and the next thing I know I'm not reading the Word, I'm not praying, why is this happening to me?' Or some have described their relationship with the Lord like a roller coaster ride; up to the mountain tops and down into the valleys, not really going anywhere just around in circles.
The answer is in the Word and it is a choice of our will that we choose to make. It is found in John 15:5, 8; "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples." To abide in Jesus is to stay connected to Him, all the time, daily in the Word and in prayer. The Word of God is Him speaking to us and in prayer we respond to what He has said and obey it. There are times you don't feel like getting up and reading the Word, but you do it anyway, you choose to obedience. And Jesus defines love as obedience, read John 14:15,21, 31. Life application; I will choose to put God first in my life, the first thing everyday.
This is one example of divided loyalty. If we wait until we "feel" like doing anything in regards to the Kingdom of God we would never do anything! Romans 8:7-8; "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." And that is why it is important because divided loyalty in His children will never please Him!
There is another divided loyalty that the Word of God very forcibly warns us about, it is found in James 4:4-5 The Message; "You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. And do you suppose God doesn't care?" Friendship with the world means we care more about what the world values, money, fame, me, me, me, those things mean more to us than our Lord. We are our own idol when we put our desires above God's divine plan for our lives. Life application; I choose to take my eyes off of the temporal things of the world and keep them loyally focused on God and His eternal kingdom work.
Which brings us to another thing that causes divided loyalty in a child of God. Jesus warned very plainly about this one in Matthew 7:21,24 The Message; "It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both." Worship of money leads to greed and greed is never, ever, satisfied! True soul satisfaction is found in having peace with God through Jesus Christ. Life application; I choose to be obedient to the last stronghold preventing me from total surrender to Christ, tithing! Everything I have came from Him and I am only returning 10%, not because He needs the money, but because tithing breaks the hold that money held on me! Tithing sets me free from money and greed for things.
The last one is the most insidious because it seems so harmless but in reality it causes every believer as many problems in their relationship with the Lord than any other. What is it? Doubt. Does God really love me? Will God really take care of my needs? Does God really care about me or my spouse or my children? Can I trust God?
Doubt is what Satan used against Eve in the garden of Eden; "Did God really say..." Genesis 3:1. When Eve didn't know enough of what God truly said, to challenge that, then Satan lied to her, Genesis 3:4. You know the rest of the story.
Doubt is the opposite of faith and Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." Need more faith? Romans 10:17; "So faith comes through hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ." Life application; Read your Bible, everyday, ask God to speak to you, call to Him and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know. The very things that cause us to have divided loyalties can be overcome and conquered through the living Word of God! And they will be as we daily abide in Jesus Christ.
"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17. "If you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32. Believe it!
Divided loyalty or a disciple which do you choose to be?
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
"By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 ESV
Currently in Washington D.C. our lawmakers have become ineffective due to their refusal to legislate in a bipartisan way. The Bible warns us about this in Matthew 12:25, the context is entirely different but the truth is the truth! And Jesus said; "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand." Words of warning for our beloved country in 2011.
Everyone of us knows that there is strength in numbers so why are we so divisive in the things that matter the most? Jesus made the unity of His church, His body of believers through out this world a matter of prayer to His Father in heaven. John 17:11; "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are." Jesus is praying for His disciples that they would function as one, just as Jesus and the Father did while He was on earth! That is a unity that we cannot fathom but that is God's revealed will for Christ's body, His church through out the world!
Jesus was not just praying for His disciples, He was praying for all believers, John 17:20-21; "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us..."
Consider this what would happen if our legislators put aside partisanship in favor of doing what was right? What would happen if they viewed themselves as a unified group serving the best interests of all the people? Stable the donkey and the elephant for a term, seek God's face in prayer and watch what happens when there is unity.
What would happen if born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ dropped their labels, Moral Majority, Tea Party, Evangelicals, Catholic, Independent, Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Lutheran etc? I'm not suggesting a mass exodus from brick and mortar churches but rather a casting aside of divisive labels. There are born again believers in all these and others, how can we as believers unite?
As I was praying the answer came, what if anything connects us now? The Holy Spirit!!! He is what we have in common no matter where we worship, He is the power that answers Jesus prayer for unity because we can never pull it off on our own.
Again this is not a call for inclusion with all other religions, this is unity within the body of Jesus Christ no matter where in the world they are. "In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." Ephesians 1:13.
"Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit and there are varieties of service but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one Spirit. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 12-13, 27.
Father God, may Christ's body of believers cry out to You, seek Your face, confess our sins and pray as one, that Your Holy Spirit would move in all of us and unit us as Jesus prayed. It is in His name I pray. Amen.
Imagine what would happen if we stand united in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit...eye has not seen what is possible for those who believe and ask.
Everyone of us knows that there is strength in numbers so why are we so divisive in the things that matter the most? Jesus made the unity of His church, His body of believers through out this world a matter of prayer to His Father in heaven. John 17:11; "I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are." Jesus is praying for His disciples that they would function as one, just as Jesus and the Father did while He was on earth! That is a unity that we cannot fathom but that is God's revealed will for Christ's body, His church through out the world!
Jesus was not just praying for His disciples, He was praying for all believers, John 17:20-21; "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us..."
Consider this what would happen if our legislators put aside partisanship in favor of doing what was right? What would happen if they viewed themselves as a unified group serving the best interests of all the people? Stable the donkey and the elephant for a term, seek God's face in prayer and watch what happens when there is unity.
What would happen if born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ dropped their labels, Moral Majority, Tea Party, Evangelicals, Catholic, Independent, Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Lutheran etc? I'm not suggesting a mass exodus from brick and mortar churches but rather a casting aside of divisive labels. There are born again believers in all these and others, how can we as believers unite?
As I was praying the answer came, what if anything connects us now? The Holy Spirit!!! He is what we have in common no matter where we worship, He is the power that answers Jesus prayer for unity because we can never pull it off on our own.
Again this is not a call for inclusion with all other religions, this is unity within the body of Jesus Christ no matter where in the world they are. "In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit." Ephesians 1:13.
"Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit and there are varieties of service but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, and all were made to drink of one Spirit. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 12-13, 27.
Father God, may Christ's body of believers cry out to You, seek Your face, confess our sins and pray as one, that Your Holy Spirit would move in all of us and unit us as Jesus prayed. It is in His name I pray. Amen.
Imagine what would happen if we stand united in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit...eye has not seen what is possible for those who believe and ask.
Monday, November 28, 2011
"Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life." 1 Corinthians 3:1 NLT
In today's title scripture from Corinthians Paul is talking to believers yet he said he couldn't talk to them as he would talk to someone who is spiritual! He went on to say that he had to speak to them as though they were carnal Christians, an expression meaning a believer that still thinks, looks, talks and acts just like someone in the world, someone who doesn't know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He told them they were infants, babies in the Christian life.
There is nothing more precious, more adorable than a baby! I have never seen an ugly baby, each one is a miracle, a gift from God! They are a lot of work but I've never known a worn out Momma that would ever seriously consider giving their baby back. Well maybe a severely sleep deprived Mother might occasionally dream about it, okay I'm just kidding. It is so wonderful to cuddle a baby, to kiss and love on them, feed them, sing to them and rock them to sleep, nothing compares to that. But what if when they were two or three and they still acted like an infant? You would be concerned and rightfully so, you would take them to the pediatrician to be evaluated.
Now from infant babies to infant believers. There is nothing precious or adorable about an adult acting like an infant! What are the signs? Well in today's title verse they are someone who has been born again but they are still acting like someone who doesn't even know Christ, someone in the world. They still show fear and anxiety, their words aren't words of faith but murmuring and complaining just like the world. They are self absorbed, looking out for number one, not concerned or interceding for others. They may attend church but worship isn't with their heart but their lips, tithing, witnessing, serving is for others in the church, they have their own agendas.
Just as there is a cause for a baby not to grow and develop so too there is a definite root cause as to why a believer never grows and develops into a mature godly believer in Jesus Christ.
The answer is found in 1 Peter 2:2 "Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." There it is we grow as we study, memorize, meditate and obey the Word of God the Bible. Over thirty-five years ago my pastor told me something I have never forgotten and pass on to others all the time. He said, you will never know Jesus better than you know His Word!
We can read all the christian books we can get out hands on, we can listen to sermons on Sundays, on the radio, on TV or the Internet, seven days a week, and we gather knowledge about Jesus from those who spent time alone with Him in His Word and in prayer. But to know Jesus Christ, to plumb the depths of His love, to know His will, to discover His will for you and your life, to experience His promises, His discipline, and His encouragement requires time alone with Him and a lot of it! Daily time, seeking Him, listening to Him in His Word, obeying what He shows you, He will open your mind and your heart and totally transform them, that is the power of the Word of God!!
I gave my life to Jesus Christ when I was a very young teenager but I never grew because I didn't know about the importance of reading God's Word, I attended church infrequently and hung around with non-believers. When I was 28 I gave my life again to Jesus Christ and He gave me the richest gift, He gave me a hunger and thirst for His Word!! I couldn't get enough of it, I drank like someone who just crawled out of the desert, I ate like I had never seen food before and the funny thing was I hadn't, not this kind of food and drink! I'm still eating and drinking all these years later and the Word of God is the desire of my heart, I am still learning new things everyday and the more I learn, the more I discover the more sure I am that I have only just begun!!
Please begin today to seek the Lord with all of your heart by reading His book, the Bible, ask Him to speak to you and He will, ask Him to reveal Himself to you and He will, ask Him to show you His plan for Your life and He will, He wrote it just for you!
Remember; you will never know Jesus any better than you know His Word...and I'm here to tell you that is the truth.
There is nothing more precious, more adorable than a baby! I have never seen an ugly baby, each one is a miracle, a gift from God! They are a lot of work but I've never known a worn out Momma that would ever seriously consider giving their baby back. Well maybe a severely sleep deprived Mother might occasionally dream about it, okay I'm just kidding. It is so wonderful to cuddle a baby, to kiss and love on them, feed them, sing to them and rock them to sleep, nothing compares to that. But what if when they were two or three and they still acted like an infant? You would be concerned and rightfully so, you would take them to the pediatrician to be evaluated.
Now from infant babies to infant believers. There is nothing precious or adorable about an adult acting like an infant! What are the signs? Well in today's title verse they are someone who has been born again but they are still acting like someone who doesn't even know Christ, someone in the world. They still show fear and anxiety, their words aren't words of faith but murmuring and complaining just like the world. They are self absorbed, looking out for number one, not concerned or interceding for others. They may attend church but worship isn't with their heart but their lips, tithing, witnessing, serving is for others in the church, they have their own agendas.
Just as there is a cause for a baby not to grow and develop so too there is a definite root cause as to why a believer never grows and develops into a mature godly believer in Jesus Christ.
The answer is found in 1 Peter 2:2 "Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." There it is we grow as we study, memorize, meditate and obey the Word of God the Bible. Over thirty-five years ago my pastor told me something I have never forgotten and pass on to others all the time. He said, you will never know Jesus better than you know His Word!
We can read all the christian books we can get out hands on, we can listen to sermons on Sundays, on the radio, on TV or the Internet, seven days a week, and we gather knowledge about Jesus from those who spent time alone with Him in His Word and in prayer. But to know Jesus Christ, to plumb the depths of His love, to know His will, to discover His will for you and your life, to experience His promises, His discipline, and His encouragement requires time alone with Him and a lot of it! Daily time, seeking Him, listening to Him in His Word, obeying what He shows you, He will open your mind and your heart and totally transform them, that is the power of the Word of God!!
I gave my life to Jesus Christ when I was a very young teenager but I never grew because I didn't know about the importance of reading God's Word, I attended church infrequently and hung around with non-believers. When I was 28 I gave my life again to Jesus Christ and He gave me the richest gift, He gave me a hunger and thirst for His Word!! I couldn't get enough of it, I drank like someone who just crawled out of the desert, I ate like I had never seen food before and the funny thing was I hadn't, not this kind of food and drink! I'm still eating and drinking all these years later and the Word of God is the desire of my heart, I am still learning new things everyday and the more I learn, the more I discover the more sure I am that I have only just begun!!
Please begin today to seek the Lord with all of your heart by reading His book, the Bible, ask Him to speak to you and He will, ask Him to reveal Himself to you and He will, ask Him to show you His plan for Your life and He will, He wrote it just for you!
Remember; you will never know Jesus any better than you know His Word...and I'm here to tell you that is the truth.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
"And Enoch walked in habitual fellowship with God; and he was not, for God took him (home with Him.)" Genesis 5:24 AMP
I've always been fascinated by the accounts in the Word of God of people that walked with God. Enoch walked with God for 300 years! Noah walked with God, Abraham walked with God, Levi walked with God. This list is not meant to be all inclusive but rather representational. There is something very special that happens when we walk with God!
So what does that look like? Amos 3:3 says; "Can two walk together except they be in agreement?" Here was my first clue as to what it looks like to walk with God. I discovered there are at least ten parts to walking with God and here they are.
1. We must be in agreement and alignment with God. John 3:16; "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) that whosoever believes in Him does not perish but has everlasting life." We trust in Christ alone for our salvation and now we are at peace with God, sins are forgiven and we are in agreement with Him.
2. I intentionally choose to meet with Him daily. Psalm 5:3; "In the morning O LORD You will hear my voice; in the morning I will offer my prayer to You and eagerly watch." We will never walk with God unless and until we deliberately choose to meet with Him daily, in His Word and in prayer.
3. God determines the location of our walk. We have come into agreement with Him, we are meeting daily with Him and now things really begin to happen. God shows up in the strangest places to walk with us, at Curves, at sporting events, even shopping in your favorite store. But don't try to anticipate Him, you never will for His ways and thoughts are not like our ways and thoughts. Read Isaiah 55:8-9.
4. God never chooses the same location, nor will He lead in the same way as in the previous location. This time He may show up on a cross country red eye flight, or on vacation or at your daughter's dance recital. Always be ready, always be watching for Him.
5. Never try to erect a tabernacle because of the way God healed, or lead, or saved, or witnessed, or showed up! God will never be bound by our limited thinking. Matthew 17:4; "And Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah." Don't laugh we act just like Peter.
6. God alone will set the pace of our walk. Psalm 23:2; "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."
7. God will sometimes have us wait, and yes most of the time with absolutely no explanation. He doesn't answer to us, waiting, helps me to remember that. And waiting brings its own reward; strength, and stamina! Isaiah 40:31; "They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
8. God other times expects us to sprint! I know, isn't it great that the times of waiting are the very thing that prepares us to be able to sprint or to go the distance? God always knows what He is doing and where He is leading us and what is up ahead. Obedience to Him and to His commands is always to be immediate! Matthew 4:18-20; "While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fisherman. And He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him."
9. When God says move, we move and don't look back. Luke 9:61-62; "Then another said, I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home. Jesus said, No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."
10. God never, ever follows. Exodus 13:21-22; "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people." If we run out ahead of God, not waiting on Him, doing our own thing, we are putting ourselves in great danger for we forget that apart from Him we can do nothing! Read John 15:5.
Today LORD I choose to follow where You lead, I choose You! I desire to walk with You all of the days of my life, I've tried it on my own and why should I settle for that, when I can soar with you, God!!
So what does that look like? Amos 3:3 says; "Can two walk together except they be in agreement?" Here was my first clue as to what it looks like to walk with God. I discovered there are at least ten parts to walking with God and here they are.
1. We must be in agreement and alignment with God. John 3:16; "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ) that whosoever believes in Him does not perish but has everlasting life." We trust in Christ alone for our salvation and now we are at peace with God, sins are forgiven and we are in agreement with Him.
2. I intentionally choose to meet with Him daily. Psalm 5:3; "In the morning O LORD You will hear my voice; in the morning I will offer my prayer to You and eagerly watch." We will never walk with God unless and until we deliberately choose to meet with Him daily, in His Word and in prayer.
3. God determines the location of our walk. We have come into agreement with Him, we are meeting daily with Him and now things really begin to happen. God shows up in the strangest places to walk with us, at Curves, at sporting events, even shopping in your favorite store. But don't try to anticipate Him, you never will for His ways and thoughts are not like our ways and thoughts. Read Isaiah 55:8-9.
4. God never chooses the same location, nor will He lead in the same way as in the previous location. This time He may show up on a cross country red eye flight, or on vacation or at your daughter's dance recital. Always be ready, always be watching for Him.
5. Never try to erect a tabernacle because of the way God healed, or lead, or saved, or witnessed, or showed up! God will never be bound by our limited thinking. Matthew 17:4; "And Peter said to Jesus, Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah." Don't laugh we act just like Peter.
6. God alone will set the pace of our walk. Psalm 23:2; "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."
7. God will sometimes have us wait, and yes most of the time with absolutely no explanation. He doesn't answer to us, waiting, helps me to remember that. And waiting brings its own reward; strength, and stamina! Isaiah 40:31; "They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
8. God other times expects us to sprint! I know, isn't it great that the times of waiting are the very thing that prepares us to be able to sprint or to go the distance? God always knows what He is doing and where He is leading us and what is up ahead. Obedience to Him and to His commands is always to be immediate! Matthew 4:18-20; "While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fisherman. And He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him."
9. When God says move, we move and don't look back. Luke 9:61-62; "Then another said, I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home. Jesus said, No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."
10. God never, ever follows. Exodus 13:21-22; "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people." If we run out ahead of God, not waiting on Him, doing our own thing, we are putting ourselves in great danger for we forget that apart from Him we can do nothing! Read John 15:5.
Today LORD I choose to follow where You lead, I choose You! I desire to walk with You all of the days of my life, I've tried it on my own and why should I settle for that, when I can soar with you, God!!
Friday, November 25, 2011
"They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." Mark 4:19 ESV
When this blog posts it will be Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year in America. This traditionally begins the 30 day slide culminating on Christmas Day. I say slide because of the flurry of activities that dramatically escalate into a blur of; buying, wrapping, eating, cooking, baking, parties, special programs at church, Christmas trees, decorating your home, etc, leaving very little time for anything else.
It isn't an accident that this time of year begins with Thanksgiving, a time to pause, reflect and give thanks to God for the things He has done. And it culminates on Christmas Day which is the day that we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ! If the enemy can't defeat a believer, he just keeps him or her so busy that Jesus, the reason for this glorious season just takes a back seat to all of the activities.
It is amazing how innocuous things, activities, even church activities, and shopping can distract our attention from the Lord.
Jesus says in Luke 8:14; "And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life and their fruit does not mature." Now hear what Jesus says in John 15:8; "By this is My Father glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples."
If we aren't careful the cares, riches and pleasures of life will prevent us from bringing fruit to maturity. Fruit that isn't mature or ripe is worthless, good for nothing. Have you ever taken a bite out of unripened fruit, you spit it out of your mouth! We can look good on the outside but God looks on our hearts and He isn't fooled.
So as believers we can start today on this Black Friday and determine that this next 30 days won't end up like so many other years, where we lose our focus on Jesus and get caught up in the distractions. Let's be intentional with our time and use it wisely. Putting God first in our day will never cause us to lose any time, but ignoring Him because we are too busy always ends up costing us way more than just time!
The next 30 days are very special, full of divine opportunities, the harvest field is always white at this time of year, so let's stay focused on the reason for the season; Jesus Christ and share Him, the Good News and His love everywhere we go. All other gifts pale by comparison, let's give our very best!
It isn't an accident that this time of year begins with Thanksgiving, a time to pause, reflect and give thanks to God for the things He has done. And it culminates on Christmas Day which is the day that we celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ! If the enemy can't defeat a believer, he just keeps him or her so busy that Jesus, the reason for this glorious season just takes a back seat to all of the activities.
It is amazing how innocuous things, activities, even church activities, and shopping can distract our attention from the Lord.
Jesus says in Luke 8:14; "And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life and their fruit does not mature." Now hear what Jesus says in John 15:8; "By this is My Father glorified that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples."
If we aren't careful the cares, riches and pleasures of life will prevent us from bringing fruit to maturity. Fruit that isn't mature or ripe is worthless, good for nothing. Have you ever taken a bite out of unripened fruit, you spit it out of your mouth! We can look good on the outside but God looks on our hearts and He isn't fooled.
So as believers we can start today on this Black Friday and determine that this next 30 days won't end up like so many other years, where we lose our focus on Jesus and get caught up in the distractions. Let's be intentional with our time and use it wisely. Putting God first in our day will never cause us to lose any time, but ignoring Him because we are too busy always ends up costing us way more than just time!
The next 30 days are very special, full of divine opportunities, the harvest field is always white at this time of year, so let's stay focused on the reason for the season; Jesus Christ and share Him, the Good News and His love everywhere we go. All other gifts pale by comparison, let's give our very best!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
"The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory." Psalm 97:1,6 ESV
Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!
Worship the LORD with gladness.
Come before Him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are His.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving;
Go into His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
And His faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100 NLT
Make a joyful shout unto Hashem, all ye lands.
Serve Hashem with simchah;
Come before His presence with joyful singing.
Know ye that Hashem He is Elohim;
It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves,
His people, the tzon of His pasture.
Enter into His she'arim (gates) with todah,
And into His khatzerot (courts) with tehillah;
Be thankful unto Him, and bless Shmo.
For Hashem is good; His chesed is I'olam;
And His emunah (faithfulness) endureth dor vador.
Psalm 100 OJB
Aclamen alegres al Senor, habitantes de toda la tierra;
adoren al Senor con regocijo.
Presentense ante el con canticos de jubilo.
Reconozcan que el Senor es Dios;
el nos hizo, y somos suyos.
Somos su pueblo, ovejas de su prado.
Entren por sus puertas con accion de gracias;
Vengan a sus atrios con himnos de alabanza; denle gracias;
alaben su nombre.
Porque el Senor es bueno y su gran amor es eterno;
su fidelidad permanece para siempre.
Salmos 100 NVI
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Worship the LORD with gladness.
Come before Him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the LORD is God!
He made us, and we are His.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving;
Go into His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
For the LORD is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
And His faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100 NLT
Make a joyful shout unto Hashem, all ye lands.
Serve Hashem with simchah;
Come before His presence with joyful singing.
Know ye that Hashem He is Elohim;
It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves,
His people, the tzon of His pasture.
Enter into His she'arim (gates) with todah,
And into His khatzerot (courts) with tehillah;
Be thankful unto Him, and bless Shmo.
For Hashem is good; His chesed is I'olam;
And His emunah (faithfulness) endureth dor vador.
Psalm 100 OJB
Aclamen alegres al Senor, habitantes de toda la tierra;
adoren al Senor con regocijo.
Presentense ante el con canticos de jubilo.
Reconozcan que el Senor es Dios;
el nos hizo, y somos suyos.
Somos su pueblo, ovejas de su prado.
Entren por sus puertas con accion de gracias;
Vengan a sus atrios con himnos de alabanza; denle gracias;
alaben su nombre.
Porque el Senor es bueno y su gran amor es eterno;
su fidelidad permanece para siempre.
Salmos 100 NVI
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..." James 1:17 ESV
Today's title verse has been running through my head all day. It got me to thinking about everything that is good in my life, every perfect gift I have been given and wow they did indeed come from the Lord!
Have you ever received a perfect miracle? I have, two of them, sons, gifts from my heavenly Father when the doctor told me I only had a 50/50 chance of even conceiving! My sons are gifts that keep on giving and I thank You Lord with all of my heart for both of them!! Thank You Lord for six additional miracles, my grandchildren that You blessed my sons and their wives with!! Children truly are gifts from God! "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3
Have you ever been in awe of a sunset or sunrise? How about the oceans or the mountains? Perhaps the stars and the planets are what thrills you. Consider the hummingbird and the Blue Whale, the four seasons, the ant and the elephant, rain, ice, snowflakes, mist, dew, thunder, lightening, gentle breezes and typhoons, dinosaurs and butterflies. "Who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, "Thus far shall you come,and no father and here shall your proud waves be stayed." Job 38:8-11. When creation brings tears to your eyes or takes your breath away, thank the Creator!
I thank God for the freedom I have to worship my God, Jesus Christ! I thank Him that I can choose to go to any church I please without fear of reprisal. I thank Him that I can openly have a Bible study anywhere I please, I thank Him with all of my heart for His Word, the Bible and that I can own one or twenty and not have to hide them.
I thank God for my brothers and sisters in Christ, the family of God, what a blessing they are!
I thank God that in Christ I have total peace, fulness of joy and love that is everlasting!! I have forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ!! No I'm not living in some parallel universe, I'm aware of the situation in our country and around the world, painfully aware but to be in Christ is to be in the Eye of the Hurricane, absolute peace in the midst of the most destructive winds swirling all around you! Thank You Lord!!!
I thank God every morning for giving me another today! I'm so thankful for a roof over my head, food on my table, clothes to wear and the freedom to write this blog.
Thank You God for every good and perfect gift in my life. "You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:16
Have you ever received a perfect miracle? I have, two of them, sons, gifts from my heavenly Father when the doctor told me I only had a 50/50 chance of even conceiving! My sons are gifts that keep on giving and I thank You Lord with all of my heart for both of them!! Thank You Lord for six additional miracles, my grandchildren that You blessed my sons and their wives with!! Children truly are gifts from God! "Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Psalm 127:3
Have you ever been in awe of a sunset or sunrise? How about the oceans or the mountains? Perhaps the stars and the planets are what thrills you. Consider the hummingbird and the Blue Whale, the four seasons, the ant and the elephant, rain, ice, snowflakes, mist, dew, thunder, lightening, gentle breezes and typhoons, dinosaurs and butterflies. "Who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, "Thus far shall you come,and no father and here shall your proud waves be stayed." Job 38:8-11. When creation brings tears to your eyes or takes your breath away, thank the Creator!
I thank God for the freedom I have to worship my God, Jesus Christ! I thank Him that I can choose to go to any church I please without fear of reprisal. I thank Him that I can openly have a Bible study anywhere I please, I thank Him with all of my heart for His Word, the Bible and that I can own one or twenty and not have to hide them.
I thank God for my brothers and sisters in Christ, the family of God, what a blessing they are!
I thank God that in Christ I have total peace, fulness of joy and love that is everlasting!! I have forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Jesus Christ!! No I'm not living in some parallel universe, I'm aware of the situation in our country and around the world, painfully aware but to be in Christ is to be in the Eye of the Hurricane, absolute peace in the midst of the most destructive winds swirling all around you! Thank You Lord!!!
I thank God every morning for giving me another today! I'm so thankful for a roof over my head, food on my table, clothes to wear and the freedom to write this blog.
Thank You God for every good and perfect gift in my life. "You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:16
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