Scripture:
Romans 4:4-5
When people work, their wages are not a gift.
Workers earn what they receive.
But people are declared righteous because of their faith,
not because of their work. (NLT)
Observation:
The apostle Paul is telling us what God said of Abraham (Genesis 15:6) many centuries before as an illustration of faith in contrast to works. Paul is expanding on the declaration of justification by faith, saying that the act of declaring a person righteous before God is set completely apart from any kind of human works. If salvation were based on our own effort, God would owe salvation as a debt to be paid—but salvation is “always” a sovereignly given gift of God’s amazing grace (Ephesians 2:8); the gift that no one deserves, nor can be earned. For a gift is just what it is—a freely given. It is only those who relinquish all claims to goodness and acknowledge their ungodliness who become candidates for justification (Luke 5:31-32).
Application:
When a person faithfully receives the greatest gift ever given to mankind and repents of their ungodly living, the Holy Spirit of the Living God will take up residence in your heart and give you all that you need to live a righteous life that will not only benefit you, but everyone around you as well. The only way that I am able to fight the sinful nature we all inherited, is with the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within me. There is absolutely no other way that I or anyone would be able to fight the good fight well enough to win the battle for our souls without God’s sovereign strength and wisdom. And the only way to victory and everlasting life, my friends, is by accepting the gift of His saving grace, and then live your life faithfully in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Prayer:
Thank You, Father, for this greatest gift a person could ever receive. Because of Your great love for Your creation; the people You call Your own, we can now come into Your Holy Presence and walk with You again. What better gift is there than the gift of forgiveness? The Gift that has no favorites, One that cannot be earned, and certainly One that is never deserved.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Hope For All
Scripture:
Matthew 12:20-21
“A battered reed He will not break off,
And a smoldering wick He will not put out,
Until He leads justice to victory,
And in His name the Gentiles will hope.” (NASB)
Observation:
Here the apostle Matthew is quoting the words of God through the prophet Isaiah to demonstrate (contrary to the typical Jewish belief) that the Messiah would not arrive with political agendas, military campaigns, and with great fanfare, but with a gracious and gentle touch—giving hope to the entire known world. Shepherds used the reed to make their flutes, but once cracked or worn it became useless for making music. A smoldering wick is also deemed useless for it gives no light. These two examples represent people who were also deemed useless to the world. Our Savior, the Christ Jesus, came to restore and rekindle such people, not to break or quench and throw them away. We find in these verses words that speak of His tender compassion toward the lowliest of the lost. He did not come to gather the strong for a revolution, but to show mercy and grace to the weak and hopeless.
Application:
Simply knowing who our mighty and loving God is, can and will bring joy to anyone no matter who you are or what your circumstances may be. The coming of our Lord, Christ Jesus (Luke 2:11), to save the lost and hopeless and to redeem His people (Titus 2:11) gives us reason to rejoice and sing praises to His glorious name. When you know His Truth that the world hates and tries to hide in darkness, it is like a breath of fresh air or the coming of spring after a long and blistery winter. Receiving the gift of new life from the Savior of the world is the message of Christmas, my friends, and one we can celebrate with joy even when darkness and trouble are knocking at our door (1 Peter 1:6).
Prayer:
I ask You, Lord God, to continue touching my life in ways that You can only do. Thank You for the hope you bring to this world that is covered in darkness trying to hide Your Truth and rob us of the joy You bring. Help me, dear Lord, to shine with Your glory so that all who are lost will see Your magnificent Light and receive Your hope!
Matthew 12:20-21
“A battered reed He will not break off,
And a smoldering wick He will not put out,
Until He leads justice to victory,
And in His name the Gentiles will hope.” (NASB)
Observation:
Here the apostle Matthew is quoting the words of God through the prophet Isaiah to demonstrate (contrary to the typical Jewish belief) that the Messiah would not arrive with political agendas, military campaigns, and with great fanfare, but with a gracious and gentle touch—giving hope to the entire known world. Shepherds used the reed to make their flutes, but once cracked or worn it became useless for making music. A smoldering wick is also deemed useless for it gives no light. These two examples represent people who were also deemed useless to the world. Our Savior, the Christ Jesus, came to restore and rekindle such people, not to break or quench and throw them away. We find in these verses words that speak of His tender compassion toward the lowliest of the lost. He did not come to gather the strong for a revolution, but to show mercy and grace to the weak and hopeless.
Application:
Simply knowing who our mighty and loving God is, can and will bring joy to anyone no matter who you are or what your circumstances may be. The coming of our Lord, Christ Jesus (Luke 2:11), to save the lost and hopeless and to redeem His people (Titus 2:11) gives us reason to rejoice and sing praises to His glorious name. When you know His Truth that the world hates and tries to hide in darkness, it is like a breath of fresh air or the coming of spring after a long and blistery winter. Receiving the gift of new life from the Savior of the world is the message of Christmas, my friends, and one we can celebrate with joy even when darkness and trouble are knocking at our door (1 Peter 1:6).
Prayer:
I ask You, Lord God, to continue touching my life in ways that You can only do. Thank You for the hope you bring to this world that is covered in darkness trying to hide Your Truth and rob us of the joy You bring. Help me, dear Lord, to shine with Your glory so that all who are lost will see Your magnificent Light and receive Your hope!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Glory of God
Scripture:
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Soap December 28, 2010
Scripture:
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Zakery Daniel
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Soap December 28, 2010
Scripture:
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Zakery Daniel
Scripture:
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet,
and send portions to him who has nothing prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is our strength. (NASB)
Observation:
After the High Priest Ezra, with some help from the Levites, read and explained God’s Law, the people of Israel, including Ezra, were filled with sorrowful remorse and wept, not only for their rebellion against God, but also for the terrible consequences that their sin brought upon the entire nation of Israel. It was then that the governor, Nehemiah, told his people to rejoice in this day of revelation; the day when they not only came to understand both their sin and its punishment, but most importantly, the saving grace of the merciful and Almighty God.
Application:
As I ponder my days gone past, I realize that the word “joy” was a word I only heard during the Christmas season; a word that had no true significance for me other than a temporary feeling that masked my pain of living too many years without hope. For the first fifty-five years of my life I can remember times when I did feel the joy of Christmas tugging at my heart even though I could not grasp the incredible message of hope that Christmas brings. But now with humble thanksgiving, I am able to understand and believe with confidence that God has walked among us on earth, fully man, yet fully God (Luke 1:35). He came to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). It is God’s nature to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10) and there is no better reason for rejoicing, my dear friends, than celebrating the human birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Knowing the Truth of Christmas can bring the kind of joy which can be celebrated every single day of the year. It is the true joy of Christmas that gives us hope when we are hopeless; that gives us strength when we have no strength left; and gladness when there is nothing but sorrow. This amazing joy you experience in knowing that the God of all creation is the same God who loves you enough to save you from a path of self-destruction to a path that brings life, is feeling the joy of heaven, which brings such a gladness to the heart that nothing of this world will ever be able take away from you.
Prayer:
Thank You for the joy that now fills a once joyless heart. What a precious gift You have given Your people, dear Lord; the gift of Light for a world engulfed in darkness; a gift we can all truly rejoice in no matter what this world brings, because the joy this Light brings is an everlasting joy that cannot be taken away!
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet,
and send portions to him who has nothing prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is our strength. (NASB)
Observation:
After the High Priest Ezra, with some help from the Levites, read and explained God’s Law, the people of Israel, including Ezra, were filled with sorrowful remorse and wept, not only for their rebellion against God, but also for the terrible consequences that their sin brought upon the entire nation of Israel. It was then that the governor, Nehemiah, told his people to rejoice in this day of revelation; the day when they not only came to understand both their sin and its punishment, but most importantly, the saving grace of the merciful and Almighty God.
Application:
As I ponder my days gone past, I realize that the word “joy” was a word I only heard during the Christmas season; a word that had no true significance for me other than a temporary feeling that masked my pain of living too many years without hope. For the first fifty-five years of my life I can remember times when I did feel the joy of Christmas tugging at my heart even though I could not grasp the incredible message of hope that Christmas brings. But now with humble thanksgiving, I am able to understand and believe with confidence that God has walked among us on earth, fully man, yet fully God (Luke 1:35). He came to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). It is God’s nature to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10) and there is no better reason for rejoicing, my dear friends, than celebrating the human birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Knowing the Truth of Christmas can bring the kind of joy which can be celebrated every single day of the year. It is the true joy of Christmas that gives us hope when we are hopeless; that gives us strength when we have no strength left; and gladness when there is nothing but sorrow. This amazing joy you experience in knowing that the God of all creation is the same God who loves you enough to save you from a path of self-destruction to a path that brings life, is feeling the joy of heaven, which brings such a gladness to the heart that nothing of this world will ever be able take away from you.
Prayer:
Thank You for the joy that now fills a once joyless heart. What a precious gift You have given Your people, dear Lord; the gift of Light for a world engulfed in darkness; a gift we can all truly rejoice in no matter what this world brings, because the joy this Light brings is an everlasting joy that cannot be taken away!
The Christmas Message
Scripture:
Luke 2:9-11
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them;
and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (NASB)
Observation:
This “Good News” which announced the arrival of baby Jesus is indeed as joyful today as it was two thousand years ago to these lowly, yet righteous shepherds. Knowing that the Creator of life left the glory of heaven to take on a fully human existence in order to live and suffer and die so that all peoples of the world would be set free from the power of sin and death, and have the opportunity to share in His heavenly glory is truly, my friends, a reason for us to rejoice.
Application:
The hope that Christmas brings (this greatest event in human history) is for everyone who ever was or will be borne into this world; from the lowest to the highest; for the poorest to the richest, and for the worst of us to the best of us. The birth of God into this fallen world has given us the only hope there is, if we are to experience any peace at all while living this hard and unpredictable life that spares no one the pain and uncertainty that it brings. There are so many deprived people in this world who live every day of their lives in disease and hunger and in persecution and fear; innocent people who are hoping for something; for anything that will ease the darkness they are living in. But even for those who suffer unmercifully there is the Good News, for when Jesus brings the hope of heaven into their lives, it becomes their peace and joy and the one thing they can look forward to with certainty—the only Truth that will bring comfort and peace to their weary souls. Christ Jesus is the only Hope anyone has in this cruel and unforgiving world. Only Jesus has the power to truly comfort and bring peace to our weary souls; souls who long for the pain and suffering to end so that they, too, can find some joy in living.
If the Lord our God had not been borne to us, our Savior, this world would be a place without hope, without joy, and without the only Light that saves us from the dark wrath that this fallen world brings. I pray that the hand of God will touch all people this Christmas Season, so that every soul would hear the truth of why we should celebrate this special time of year. The birth of Jesus our Lord brings both joy and light to the world—a world that needed the Savior then, and a world that is still very much in need of the Savior today!
Prayer:
I now find much joy in this difficult life, dear Lord, thanks to the loving grace and mercy that show us who You are. You are truly the joy that lights the world and causes us to rejoice, even when rejoicing is the least of things we want to do. Thank You, O LORD, for the saving power that your birth and death and resurrection have given us, for without You………There would be no life.
Luke 2:9-11
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them;
and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (NASB)
Observation:
This “Good News” which announced the arrival of baby Jesus is indeed as joyful today as it was two thousand years ago to these lowly, yet righteous shepherds. Knowing that the Creator of life left the glory of heaven to take on a fully human existence in order to live and suffer and die so that all peoples of the world would be set free from the power of sin and death, and have the opportunity to share in His heavenly glory is truly, my friends, a reason for us to rejoice.
Application:
The hope that Christmas brings (this greatest event in human history) is for everyone who ever was or will be borne into this world; from the lowest to the highest; for the poorest to the richest, and for the worst of us to the best of us. The birth of God into this fallen world has given us the only hope there is, if we are to experience any peace at all while living this hard and unpredictable life that spares no one the pain and uncertainty that it brings. There are so many deprived people in this world who live every day of their lives in disease and hunger and in persecution and fear; innocent people who are hoping for something; for anything that will ease the darkness they are living in. But even for those who suffer unmercifully there is the Good News, for when Jesus brings the hope of heaven into their lives, it becomes their peace and joy and the one thing they can look forward to with certainty—the only Truth that will bring comfort and peace to their weary souls. Christ Jesus is the only Hope anyone has in this cruel and unforgiving world. Only Jesus has the power to truly comfort and bring peace to our weary souls; souls who long for the pain and suffering to end so that they, too, can find some joy in living.
If the Lord our God had not been borne to us, our Savior, this world would be a place without hope, without joy, and without the only Light that saves us from the dark wrath that this fallen world brings. I pray that the hand of God will touch all people this Christmas Season, so that every soul would hear the truth of why we should celebrate this special time of year. The birth of Jesus our Lord brings both joy and light to the world—a world that needed the Savior then, and a world that is still very much in need of the Savior today!
Prayer:
I now find much joy in this difficult life, dear Lord, thanks to the loving grace and mercy that show us who You are. You are truly the joy that lights the world and causes us to rejoice, even when rejoicing is the least of things we want to do. Thank You, O LORD, for the saving power that your birth and death and resurrection have given us, for without You………There would be no life.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Good News
Scripture:
Romans 8:1-4
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus
from the power of sin that leads to death.
The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature.
But God put into effect a different plan to save us.
He sent His own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.
God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
He did this so that the requirement of the Law would be fully accomplished for us
who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (NLT)
Observation:
The Lord Jesus singled out the apostle Paul, once an avid persecutor of the Christian faith, to teach the world the message of salvation through faith, for the Law that God had given to Moses was a law of obedience that had no saving power on its own.
Application:
There is no greater blessing in this life, than receiving and believing in the Good News of our Lord, Christ Jesus, for this is when true life begins—as it did for me six years ago today. It was not until the Lord came knocking at my door and offered me His free gift of salvation that I discovered the real meaning of living a life with joy and gratitude (Revelation 3:20). It was only after the Lord opened my eyes to His Truth and filled my heart with His Peace that I was finally able to live this life with thanksgiving in my heart and experience the joy of living by walking in the Spirit of the Lord our God, Christ Jesus. Like most people of this world, there have been many dark and difficult circumstances in my life that I was unable to look beyond, which, without God, held me in bondage to sin and depression—a depression that took away any joy I found in living, even though the Lord had given me plenty that I could rejoice in. And like many, I looked for the joy of living in all the wrong places and for all the wrong reasons, and then when discovered, I was unable to recognize it and where it came from. My, dearest friends, we deserve nothing but condemnation for our rebellion against God’s holiness. It is only because of God’s mercy and grace that any of us have been spared the full consequences of our sin (Ephesians 2:4-7). It is only by the love of the Father that we have any hope at all in a world that is infected with sin and death. Even the poor and suffering souls who have no reason to believe in hope, there is Hope in Jesus, especially when you have the Spirit of God living in your heart and directing your path. We know that life in this world is short, but what many do not know is that the eternal life we find in Christ Jesus is forever. And by the Word of His promise, it will be worth any suffering that we will endure in this hard and difficult life-journey (Romans 8:18). For those of us who are alive in Christ, we can set our eyes on what lies beyond our painful circumstances, and what we see brings us a joy that is far above and beyond any joy that the world is able to give.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for setting me free from the power of sin over my life and the fear of death which rules this world. Thank you for covering me in righteousness so I can now come into the very presence of the Living God. I am so grateful that You have taken those heavy burdens that weighed me down into the depths of depression so I could come back into the Light which has given me a new and fresh breath of life.
Romans 8:1-4
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus
from the power of sin that leads to death.
The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature.
But God put into effect a different plan to save us.
He sent His own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.
God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
He did this so that the requirement of the Law would be fully accomplished for us
who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (NLT)
Observation:
The Lord Jesus singled out the apostle Paul, once an avid persecutor of the Christian faith, to teach the world the message of salvation through faith, for the Law that God had given to Moses was a law of obedience that had no saving power on its own.
Application:
There is no greater blessing in this life, than receiving and believing in the Good News of our Lord, Christ Jesus, for this is when true life begins—as it did for me six years ago today. It was not until the Lord came knocking at my door and offered me His free gift of salvation that I discovered the real meaning of living a life with joy and gratitude (Revelation 3:20). It was only after the Lord opened my eyes to His Truth and filled my heart with His Peace that I was finally able to live this life with thanksgiving in my heart and experience the joy of living by walking in the Spirit of the Lord our God, Christ Jesus. Like most people of this world, there have been many dark and difficult circumstances in my life that I was unable to look beyond, which, without God, held me in bondage to sin and depression—a depression that took away any joy I found in living, even though the Lord had given me plenty that I could rejoice in. And like many, I looked for the joy of living in all the wrong places and for all the wrong reasons, and then when discovered, I was unable to recognize it and where it came from. My, dearest friends, we deserve nothing but condemnation for our rebellion against God’s holiness. It is only because of God’s mercy and grace that any of us have been spared the full consequences of our sin (Ephesians 2:4-7). It is only by the love of the Father that we have any hope at all in a world that is infected with sin and death. Even the poor and suffering souls who have no reason to believe in hope, there is Hope in Jesus, especially when you have the Spirit of God living in your heart and directing your path. We know that life in this world is short, but what many do not know is that the eternal life we find in Christ Jesus is forever. And by the Word of His promise, it will be worth any suffering that we will endure in this hard and difficult life-journey (Romans 8:18). For those of us who are alive in Christ, we can set our eyes on what lies beyond our painful circumstances, and what we see brings us a joy that is far above and beyond any joy that the world is able to give.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for setting me free from the power of sin over my life and the fear of death which rules this world. Thank you for covering me in righteousness so I can now come into the very presence of the Living God. I am so grateful that You have taken those heavy burdens that weighed me down into the depths of depression so I could come back into the Light which has given me a new and fresh breath of life.
Comfort
Scripture:
Psalm 119:81-82
My soul languishes for Your salvation: I wait for Your word.
My eyes fail with longing for Your word;
While I say, “When will You comfort me?” (NASB)
Observation:
Much like King David is doing in this Psalm, our hearts and souls also long for God to deliver us from this hard and difficult life. We long for that day when all the pain and disappointment will cease; the day when there will be no more death and destruction; the day when we are no longer loaded down with all the doubt and fear that hold us captive to sin and then robs the joy that God has for us. And like David, many of us cry out night and day for God to deliver us from our times of darkness, praying for the comfort and the answers that only our Creator can provide.
Application:
But unlike David and all God’s people of the Old Testament times, we have the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has provided us with the salvation that was prophesied from the beginning of time (Genesis 3:15). We now have in our hands, both the New and Old Testament with words that can be read or listened to and understood by most peoples of our world today. And unlike David, we need not look too much further into the future for the return of our Savior, for His return is so much closer now than it was when David wrote this Psalm. There is also no need to rely solely on the words of the prophets any longer, for our Lord has not only come and fulfilled His promise to us (John 3:16), but He has also given us the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts for eternity, and to comfort us with His peace (Romans 8:16) until He returns to take us Home. Although the hour is rapidly approaching, my dear friends, there is still time to prepare our hearts and share the Good News of Hope to the hopeless and lost, because the LORD our Savior wants no one left behind.
Prayer:
O Lord, how I praise You for the blood You shed for the salvation I do not deserve. And as I walk this righteous path that leads to everlasting life, I will rejoice in thanksgiving for all that You have done and all that You are. There is no other god like You, O Lord; One who forgives fully and saves us from the self-destruction that living for this world brings.
Psalm 119:81-82
My soul languishes for Your salvation: I wait for Your word.
My eyes fail with longing for Your word;
While I say, “When will You comfort me?” (NASB)
Observation:
Much like King David is doing in this Psalm, our hearts and souls also long for God to deliver us from this hard and difficult life. We long for that day when all the pain and disappointment will cease; the day when there will be no more death and destruction; the day when we are no longer loaded down with all the doubt and fear that hold us captive to sin and then robs the joy that God has for us. And like David, many of us cry out night and day for God to deliver us from our times of darkness, praying for the comfort and the answers that only our Creator can provide.
Application:
But unlike David and all God’s people of the Old Testament times, we have the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has provided us with the salvation that was prophesied from the beginning of time (Genesis 3:15). We now have in our hands, both the New and Old Testament with words that can be read or listened to and understood by most peoples of our world today. And unlike David, we need not look too much further into the future for the return of our Savior, for His return is so much closer now than it was when David wrote this Psalm. There is also no need to rely solely on the words of the prophets any longer, for our Lord has not only come and fulfilled His promise to us (John 3:16), but He has also given us the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts for eternity, and to comfort us with His peace (Romans 8:16) until He returns to take us Home. Although the hour is rapidly approaching, my dear friends, there is still time to prepare our hearts and share the Good News of Hope to the hopeless and lost, because the LORD our Savior wants no one left behind.
Prayer:
O Lord, how I praise You for the blood You shed for the salvation I do not deserve. And as I walk this righteous path that leads to everlasting life, I will rejoice in thanksgiving for all that You have done and all that You are. There is no other god like You, O Lord; One who forgives fully and saves us from the self-destruction that living for this world brings.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Word of Life
Scripture:
Psalm 119:49-50
Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life. (NKJV)
Observation:
There is no greater Hope, than the hope we have in the Creator of life and the God of our salvation, Christ Jesus (Psalm 146:5). Who else can better comfort our discouraged souls and give us peace amidst the afflictions we suffer in this world, than the One who voluntarily took upon Himself the sins of the world and the wrath of God in order that we could stand righteous in our sin before the LORD? My dear friends, when you begin to understand and believe in the Truth that our gracious God has given us, you will learn to pray with confidence and put your hope in the mercy and grace of our Loving God (1 Chronicles 16:34), because the Word of the LORD is “Truth” itself and all of His promises hold true (Psalm 119:160).
Application:
There have been many people throughout the age of man who have spent their entire lives without experiencing the joy of God’s Truth and go to the grave never knowing the Hope of true joy in this life that was created in and for God’s glory. But because of God’s incredible mercy and grace there have also been many, like myself, who were once living a life (dead in sin) without any hope but death itself, that have now been made alive in Christ who gives us hope and peace in all our circumstances. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit can breathe into any dying soul the precious gift of eternal life that He, the Author of Life, has promised to all who humbly come to Him believing in the Truth that He has so graciously given to us.
Prayer:
Thank You, O Lord, my God, for the Hope that brings life to those who are walking dead in their sin. It is such a blessing to be able to see Your Truth come alive even in the mist of all the chaos in this world. How awesome it is to be able to walk in Your Light with confidence, knowing that our faith in you is our saving grace.
Psalm 119:49-50
Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life. (NKJV)
Observation:
There is no greater Hope, than the hope we have in the Creator of life and the God of our salvation, Christ Jesus (Psalm 146:5). Who else can better comfort our discouraged souls and give us peace amidst the afflictions we suffer in this world, than the One who voluntarily took upon Himself the sins of the world and the wrath of God in order that we could stand righteous in our sin before the LORD? My dear friends, when you begin to understand and believe in the Truth that our gracious God has given us, you will learn to pray with confidence and put your hope in the mercy and grace of our Loving God (1 Chronicles 16:34), because the Word of the LORD is “Truth” itself and all of His promises hold true (Psalm 119:160).
Application:
There have been many people throughout the age of man who have spent their entire lives without experiencing the joy of God’s Truth and go to the grave never knowing the Hope of true joy in this life that was created in and for God’s glory. But because of God’s incredible mercy and grace there have also been many, like myself, who were once living a life (dead in sin) without any hope but death itself, that have now been made alive in Christ who gives us hope and peace in all our circumstances. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit can breathe into any dying soul the precious gift of eternal life that He, the Author of Life, has promised to all who humbly come to Him believing in the Truth that He has so graciously given to us.
Prayer:
Thank You, O Lord, my God, for the Hope that brings life to those who are walking dead in their sin. It is such a blessing to be able to see Your Truth come alive even in the mist of all the chaos in this world. How awesome it is to be able to walk in Your Light with confidence, knowing that our faith in you is our saving grace.
Believing The Unseen Truth
Scripture:
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?
Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Observation:
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is speaking to the Apostle Thomas who was not present the first time Jesus had appeared to His disciples after His death and resurrection. Doubting Thomas, as he is often called, had told his fellow disciples that He would have to see and touch Jesus in order to believe that Jesus had conquered death.
Application:
As imperfect human beings living in this imperfect world , many of us have difficulty believing in things that we cannot actually see with our own imperfect eyes. For example; even though we are in the mist of a raging spiritual warfare for our very souls (Ephesians 6:12), the unbelieving people of this world pass it off as a myth of the disillusioned religious fanatic, or just another great theme for a science fiction novel. Or how about the day when Christ will return to Earth in all His glory to judge both the living and the dead (Revelation 20:11-13); Fact or fiction? The unseen Truth of not?
I wonder how many times you have said, “I’ll have to see it to believe it?” I know there are many new Christians out there who struggle with their faith wishing that Jesus would some how show Himself so they could be sure that His Word is the absolute Truth. But I also know there have been many lost souls, like myself, who were so lost and so hopeless and had so given up that when the Savior called we reached out in blind faith to grab hold of the hand of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. For many of us this was our last hope, because any other option would have had the same unfulfilling results as before. Because everything in our fallen world has been infected with sin, the world can only temporarily satisfy the hungers of our sinful nature. The world, with all its recourses and will never be able to fulfill the deep desires of our hearts, because it is only God who can satisfy completely (John 6:35). My dear friends, until the King of kings and the Lord of all lord’s returns to take us Home, we must trust with as much human faith as we can possibly muster, for only then will our imperfect eyes be changed so that we will be able to see and touch and experience the Perfect Truth of our Glorious God.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord God, for the Hope you have given our world through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Never before have I ever been able to identify anything that could satisfy my deepest desires until you came into my life. Although the struggles of life remain, my desperate search has finally ended. For it is only You who can fill the emptiness that once engulfed my heart. You are the only Hope this world has and so I put my trust in You alone!
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?
Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Observation:
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is speaking to the Apostle Thomas who was not present the first time Jesus had appeared to His disciples after His death and resurrection. Doubting Thomas, as he is often called, had told his fellow disciples that He would have to see and touch Jesus in order to believe that Jesus had conquered death.
Application:
As imperfect human beings living in this imperfect world , many of us have difficulty believing in things that we cannot actually see with our own imperfect eyes. For example; even though we are in the mist of a raging spiritual warfare for our very souls (Ephesians 6:12), the unbelieving people of this world pass it off as a myth of the disillusioned religious fanatic, or just another great theme for a science fiction novel. Or how about the day when Christ will return to Earth in all His glory to judge both the living and the dead (Revelation 20:11-13); Fact or fiction? The unseen Truth of not?
I wonder how many times you have said, “I’ll have to see it to believe it?” I know there are many new Christians out there who struggle with their faith wishing that Jesus would some how show Himself so they could be sure that His Word is the absolute Truth. But I also know there have been many lost souls, like myself, who were so lost and so hopeless and had so given up that when the Savior called we reached out in blind faith to grab hold of the hand of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. For many of us this was our last hope, because any other option would have had the same unfulfilling results as before. Because everything in our fallen world has been infected with sin, the world can only temporarily satisfy the hungers of our sinful nature. The world, with all its recourses and will never be able to fulfill the deep desires of our hearts, because it is only God who can satisfy completely (John 6:35). My dear friends, until the King of kings and the Lord of all lord’s returns to take us Home, we must trust with as much human faith as we can possibly muster, for only then will our imperfect eyes be changed so that we will be able to see and touch and experience the Perfect Truth of our Glorious God.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord God, for the Hope you have given our world through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Never before have I ever been able to identify anything that could satisfy my deepest desires until you came into my life. Although the struggles of life remain, my desperate search has finally ended. For it is only You who can fill the emptiness that once engulfed my heart. You are the only Hope this world has and so I put my trust in You alone!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Knowing The Truth
Scripture:
John 17:3
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ( NASB)
Observation:
This verse comes from the farewell prayer of our “High Priest” Jesus Christ; a prayer that is essentially an intercession for all believers, especially for those who will go on to form the future church. This was the prayer that Jesus prayed before He and His disciples went into the garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives where Jesus was arrested, and soon after crucified. The eternal life that Jesus is speaking of in this verse is basically His definition of our salvation and the way that we, as believers, can receive it.
Application:
Jesus, our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12), is the only One who can intercede with God on our behalf. It is only through Jesus, our Lord and Savior, that we can come into the Holy Presence of God the Father. There is no other way, my friends. Good deeds won’t get us there; good behavior won’t get the job done. We cannot buy our way in, nor can we trick our way into Paradise. The only option we have is our faith (Romans 5:1-2) in believing God’s will for us. And the only way that we can know what God’s will is, is through our life-line to God, Christ Jesus.
It is my belief that understanding Jesus’ farewell prayer to His disciples is a prerequisite if we, as Christians, are to successfully minister to the peoples of this fallen world. For after we have spoken from God to them, through the Truth of His Word, we need to then follow through by speaking to God on their behalf through our prayers and petitions (1 Timothy 2:1-7).
Prayer:
With a thankful heart, O Lord, I know that You are our only Hope for salvation. I am so grateful for providing the only High Priest who can bring us into Your Presence with our prayers and petitions so that we can be faithfully heard and answered. The glory is Yours alone, O God, now and forever!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving To God
Scripture:
1 Chronicles 16:8-11, 34
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (NASB)
Observation:
King David (through the Spirit) composed this thanksgiving psalm to be sung upon the entry of the Ark into a special tent that was prepared for it. The Ark had been stolen and returned to Israel but sat obscure in a country village until that time when David ordered it to be moved.
Application:
As I sit here this Thanksgiving morning pondering the things that fill my heart with thanksgiving and gladness, the one thing that stands apart from the multitude of blessings I am so gratefully thankful for is the lovingkindness and the mercy and grace of God the Father for sending into our world God the Son, Lord Jesus Christ who sent us God the Holy Spirit.
Thanksgiving is traditionally an American holiday set aside from all other days to give thanks to the LORD our God for His many blessings, which has made us a unique nation in a dark and rebellious world that despises His Son. Our mighty nation under God has given more of itself to help the deprived souls of this wicked world than any other nation in the history of man. God has used U.S. for His purpose and it gives me great honor to have been able to defend our God and be called an American. But more importantly I am even more honored to be called a child of the Living God, who has given me the true meaning of what it means to be thankful, for without Him in our world we would be engulfed in total darkness without the Light that gives us life. Without Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior we would be without the hope of better things to come; without a meaningful purpose to satisfy our longing hearts; without the Way that brings true joy and understanding; without the Comforter who gives us peace and confidence to trust during our afflictions. We, my friends, would be raw meat in the jaws of the Enemy who shows no mercy, for He would devour us in his contempt for God and we would never have the chance (know matter how hard we may try) to experience the goodness of who our Creator is and what He has planned for those who believe and trust in the Son He has so graciously given to us. For He is our Light in this dark world and when you take His mighty hand with thanksgiving, my friends, He will lead you into the Presence of God where you will discover His True Majestic Glory face to Face.
Prayer
Giving thanks to You, O LORD, is not only the right thing to do but it is a privilege of honor for all those who call You Father. For You have been our Protector and Provider since the dawn of our creation. You alone, O God have shown Your lovingkindness even though we do not deserve the blessings you so graciously hand out to us. My thanksgiving to You is beyond any words that I can find, but it fills the most inner parts of my heart with a joy that exceeds all other joy. It is only because of You that I can now write these words of truth in the safety of Your Holy Presence.
1 Chronicles 16:8-11, 34
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
Speak of all His wonders.
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face continually.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (NASB)
Observation:
King David (through the Spirit) composed this thanksgiving psalm to be sung upon the entry of the Ark into a special tent that was prepared for it. The Ark had been stolen and returned to Israel but sat obscure in a country village until that time when David ordered it to be moved.
Application:
As I sit here this Thanksgiving morning pondering the things that fill my heart with thanksgiving and gladness, the one thing that stands apart from the multitude of blessings I am so gratefully thankful for is the lovingkindness and the mercy and grace of God the Father for sending into our world God the Son, Lord Jesus Christ who sent us God the Holy Spirit.
Thanksgiving is traditionally an American holiday set aside from all other days to give thanks to the LORD our God for His many blessings, which has made us a unique nation in a dark and rebellious world that despises His Son. Our mighty nation under God has given more of itself to help the deprived souls of this wicked world than any other nation in the history of man. God has used U.S. for His purpose and it gives me great honor to have been able to defend our God and be called an American. But more importantly I am even more honored to be called a child of the Living God, who has given me the true meaning of what it means to be thankful, for without Him in our world we would be engulfed in total darkness without the Light that gives us life. Without Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior we would be without the hope of better things to come; without a meaningful purpose to satisfy our longing hearts; without the Way that brings true joy and understanding; without the Comforter who gives us peace and confidence to trust during our afflictions. We, my friends, would be raw meat in the jaws of the Enemy who shows no mercy, for He would devour us in his contempt for God and we would never have the chance (know matter how hard we may try) to experience the goodness of who our Creator is and what He has planned for those who believe and trust in the Son He has so graciously given to us. For He is our Light in this dark world and when you take His mighty hand with thanksgiving, my friends, He will lead you into the Presence of God where you will discover His True Majestic Glory face to Face.
Prayer
Giving thanks to You, O LORD, is not only the right thing to do but it is a privilege of honor for all those who call You Father. For You have been our Protector and Provider since the dawn of our creation. You alone, O God have shown Your lovingkindness even though we do not deserve the blessings you so graciously hand out to us. My thanksgiving to You is beyond any words that I can find, but it fills the most inner parts of my heart with a joy that exceeds all other joy. It is only because of You that I can now write these words of truth in the safety of Your Holy Presence.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Father We Can Trust Completely
Scripture:
Daniel 9:18-19
“O my God, listen to me and hear my request. Open your eyes and see our wretchedness. See how your city lies in ruins—for everyone knows that it is Yours. We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.”
“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, for Your people and Your city bear Your name.” (NLT)
Observation:
Daniel’s prayer for his people did not go unanswered even though he knew from reading the Scriptures that Jerusalem must lay in ruins for seventy years. Yet, he cried out to God for mercy and confessed the wickedness of Israel. Daniel was well aware that it was Israel’s rebellion against God that had caused their downfall, but he longed for understanding and mercy, therefore, petitioned God through prayer. And while Daniel was deep in prayer God sent His angel Gabriel with visions of what was to come.
Application:
As Christians, our prayer life is an intricate part of our relationship with God, our Creator. God delights in our prayers because they not only show God that we are putting our trust in Him, our Father, but we are also acknowledging our dependence on Him, who loves us. When we humbly bow before Him in faith filled prayer we are relying on God’s wisdom, His love and compassion, His goodness and power. The Lord God is our Father and so as His children we should always turn and rely on our Father (Luke 11: 11-13) to provide and protect so that we can gain the wisdom that will not only give us an abundant life in all its fullness, but will also honor and glorify our Gracious Father who has provided us with the priceless, precious gift of undeserved salvation.
Setting aside all the reason’s we should pray, I believe that the most fulfilling aspect of our personal prayer life is the fact that it brings us into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God; not only an increased love and devotion to Him, but a true fellowship that draws us into His Presence with an everlasting friendship that has no bounds. Our prayers are the way we communicate with our loving, merciful, Almighty God and Father. And ever doubt, my friends, that when you humbly come into God’s Holy Presence (with sincere faith in your hearts) to pray, that He will answer you according to His will (Matthew 21:21-22).
Prayer:
How thankful I am, O Lord, that I can come into Your Presence knowing that You hear my every prayer, and gives only what is best. What honor it is to be called a child of the Living God; a Father who has provided more than I could ever deserve. I love you, my Father!
Daniel 9:18-19
“O my God, listen to me and hear my request. Open your eyes and see our wretchedness. See how your city lies in ruins—for everyone knows that it is Yours. We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.”
“O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, for Your people and Your city bear Your name.” (NLT)
Observation:
Daniel’s prayer for his people did not go unanswered even though he knew from reading the Scriptures that Jerusalem must lay in ruins for seventy years. Yet, he cried out to God for mercy and confessed the wickedness of Israel. Daniel was well aware that it was Israel’s rebellion against God that had caused their downfall, but he longed for understanding and mercy, therefore, petitioned God through prayer. And while Daniel was deep in prayer God sent His angel Gabriel with visions of what was to come.
Application:
As Christians, our prayer life is an intricate part of our relationship with God, our Creator. God delights in our prayers because they not only show God that we are putting our trust in Him, our Father, but we are also acknowledging our dependence on Him, who loves us. When we humbly bow before Him in faith filled prayer we are relying on God’s wisdom, His love and compassion, His goodness and power. The Lord God is our Father and so as His children we should always turn and rely on our Father (Luke 11: 11-13) to provide and protect so that we can gain the wisdom that will not only give us an abundant life in all its fullness, but will also honor and glorify our Gracious Father who has provided us with the priceless, precious gift of undeserved salvation.
Setting aside all the reason’s we should pray, I believe that the most fulfilling aspect of our personal prayer life is the fact that it brings us into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God; not only an increased love and devotion to Him, but a true fellowship that draws us into His Presence with an everlasting friendship that has no bounds. Our prayers are the way we communicate with our loving, merciful, Almighty God and Father. And ever doubt, my friends, that when you humbly come into God’s Holy Presence (with sincere faith in your hearts) to pray, that He will answer you according to His will (Matthew 21:21-22).
Prayer:
How thankful I am, O Lord, that I can come into Your Presence knowing that You hear my every prayer, and gives only what is best. What honor it is to be called a child of the Living God; a Father who has provided more than I could ever deserve. I love you, my Father!
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Living God
Scripture:
Daniel 6: 25-27
Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the Living God, and He will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end.
He rescues and saves His people;
He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (NLT)
Observation:
After King Darius, the successor of King Nebuchadnezzar, was tricked into signing a deliberate and irrevocable law that would condemn Daniel, the king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. But the Sovereign God protected Daniel throughout the night and rescued him from being devoured by the lion’s. And so it was that King Darius was overjoyed in God’s miraculous intervention that he ordered his men to remove Daniel from the lion’s den and sent this message throughout his kingdom, which was the known world in its time.
Application:
Throughout the age of man God has been very active in the lives of His people. We know this because His Holy Word, the Bible, is living proof of this. All words in Scripture are God’s words, and therefore, speak the absolute truth (2 Samuel 7:28), (John 17:17). Just as it was in biblical times, our Gracious God is still very active today protecting and saving His children from the jaws of the roaring lion, Satan, who is always searching for some poor, unprotected soul to devour (1 Peter 5:8). My dear friends, without our sovereign God and Savior and His gift of salvation, this fallen world and its entire population would be unprotected and at the hands of the Destroyer; Whereby, every soul would suffer the sting of death and the final wrath of our Holy and Sovereign God. This healthy fear of God should motivate us all to turn away from the lies of the Enemy and his world view and focus on the only Truth that will save our weary souls.
As for myself, I will never let a day go by without thanking my gracious God for saving me from the devouring jaws of Satan, which would have condemned me to an eternal life of being totally separated from the goodness that the LORD our God has planned for all those who cry out to Him for help, and trust fully in the Word of Life that He has given us!
Prayer:
You are the only living God, my Lord and Savior. You alone, O God, hold the power of life and death in your hands and you use your power justly. You are the Holiest of Holy. And what an honor it is to know that you have made a way so that we could come into Your Presence—A gracious blessing that no human being deserves. Thank You Father, for the gift of salvation!
Daniel 6: 25-27
Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the Living God, and He will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end.
He rescues and saves His people;
He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (NLT)
Observation:
After King Darius, the successor of King Nebuchadnezzar, was tricked into signing a deliberate and irrevocable law that would condemn Daniel, the king had no choice but to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. But the Sovereign God protected Daniel throughout the night and rescued him from being devoured by the lion’s. And so it was that King Darius was overjoyed in God’s miraculous intervention that he ordered his men to remove Daniel from the lion’s den and sent this message throughout his kingdom, which was the known world in its time.
Application:
Throughout the age of man God has been very active in the lives of His people. We know this because His Holy Word, the Bible, is living proof of this. All words in Scripture are God’s words, and therefore, speak the absolute truth (2 Samuel 7:28), (John 17:17). Just as it was in biblical times, our Gracious God is still very active today protecting and saving His children from the jaws of the roaring lion, Satan, who is always searching for some poor, unprotected soul to devour (1 Peter 5:8). My dear friends, without our sovereign God and Savior and His gift of salvation, this fallen world and its entire population would be unprotected and at the hands of the Destroyer; Whereby, every soul would suffer the sting of death and the final wrath of our Holy and Sovereign God. This healthy fear of God should motivate us all to turn away from the lies of the Enemy and his world view and focus on the only Truth that will save our weary souls.
As for myself, I will never let a day go by without thanking my gracious God for saving me from the devouring jaws of Satan, which would have condemned me to an eternal life of being totally separated from the goodness that the LORD our God has planned for all those who cry out to Him for help, and trust fully in the Word of Life that He has given us!
Prayer:
You are the only living God, my Lord and Savior. You alone, O God, hold the power of life and death in your hands and you use your power justly. You are the Holiest of Holy. And what an honor it is to know that you have made a way so that we could come into Your Presence—A gracious blessing that no human being deserves. Thank You Father, for the gift of salvation!
Power In Prayer
Scripture:
Daniel 2:19-20
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Daniel answered and said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.”
Observation:
Daniel went to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, in order to request more time to discover what the king’s dream was and its interpretation so that he, his three friends, and all the wise men of Babylon would not be put to death for not knowing Nebuchadnezzar disturbing dream. After speaking with the king, Daniel went back home to pray and to ask his three friends to also pray for God’s mercy and to reveal the dream to Daniel. And so it came to be on that very night, a vision from God giving Daniel every detail of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and what it all meant.
Application:
Our most powerful God; the One who spoke the universe into existence and create life itself, is the same God who delights and takes a personal interest in all His children’s lives. Because of His character and sovereignty, the LORD sees and hears (both believers and unbelievers) our every cry for His mercy and grace (2 Chronicles 16:9). And just as we see here with Daniel and his friends, all Christians everywhere have this same awesome power that prayer in faith can unlock. Our prayers become a mighty tool for those believers who are humble of heart, for our Mighty God in His providence can work miracles in any life by doing the impossible; things that we cannot accomplish on our own. The LORD is completely sovereign and controls everything in both the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm and there is absolutely nothing that He cannot accomplish (Jeremiah 32:17). And this, my friends, when realized, can do miraculous wonders for those who pray in faith. And just as God answered Daniel and his friend’s prayers, so too, will God answer those who freely bring Him all their troubles and concerns when believing that He will listen and respond in His own time and in His own way according to His will. Then like Daniel, we will be able to sing praises and give thanks to the LORD our God no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in at any time. Understand this dear brothers and sisters that the Lord our God is your Eternal Father (Isaiah 9:6); a Father who loves you beyond all human understanding. He desires a loving relationship with you, but He will not force it upon you. It is your decision to make. So get to know your One True Father in heaven while you still have time, and with a humble and thankful heart talk with Him in faithful prayer, for when you do you can be sure that He will answer in a way that is forever in your best interest.
Prayer:
Thank You my Father, for both your mercy and grace that you so abundantly give freely. Thank You for the wisdom that keeps me safe and free from the sting of death. You are a Father who is worthy of all my praise and honor, both now and forever more!
Daniel 2:19-20
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; Daniel answered and said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.”
Observation:
Daniel went to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, in order to request more time to discover what the king’s dream was and its interpretation so that he, his three friends, and all the wise men of Babylon would not be put to death for not knowing Nebuchadnezzar disturbing dream. After speaking with the king, Daniel went back home to pray and to ask his three friends to also pray for God’s mercy and to reveal the dream to Daniel. And so it came to be on that very night, a vision from God giving Daniel every detail of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and what it all meant.
Application:
Our most powerful God; the One who spoke the universe into existence and create life itself, is the same God who delights and takes a personal interest in all His children’s lives. Because of His character and sovereignty, the LORD sees and hears (both believers and unbelievers) our every cry for His mercy and grace (2 Chronicles 16:9). And just as we see here with Daniel and his friends, all Christians everywhere have this same awesome power that prayer in faith can unlock. Our prayers become a mighty tool for those believers who are humble of heart, for our Mighty God in His providence can work miracles in any life by doing the impossible; things that we cannot accomplish on our own. The LORD is completely sovereign and controls everything in both the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm and there is absolutely nothing that He cannot accomplish (Jeremiah 32:17). And this, my friends, when realized, can do miraculous wonders for those who pray in faith. And just as God answered Daniel and his friend’s prayers, so too, will God answer those who freely bring Him all their troubles and concerns when believing that He will listen and respond in His own time and in His own way according to His will. Then like Daniel, we will be able to sing praises and give thanks to the LORD our God no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in at any time. Understand this dear brothers and sisters that the Lord our God is your Eternal Father (Isaiah 9:6); a Father who loves you beyond all human understanding. He desires a loving relationship with you, but He will not force it upon you. It is your decision to make. So get to know your One True Father in heaven while you still have time, and with a humble and thankful heart talk with Him in faithful prayer, for when you do you can be sure that He will answer in a way that is forever in your best interest.
Prayer:
Thank You my Father, for both your mercy and grace that you so abundantly give freely. Thank You for the wisdom that keeps me safe and free from the sting of death. You are a Father who is worthy of all my praise and honor, both now and forever more!
Monday, November 15, 2010
To Whom Will You Go?
Scripture:
John 6:68-69
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go?
You alone have the words that give eternal life.
We believe them, and we know You are the Holy One of God.” (NLT)
Observation:
Jesus was asking His twelve disciples if they, too, were going to abandoned Him. Jesus had just finished teaching them who He was; the True Bread of Life. All of His followers, except the twelve, could not understand what Jesus was saying when He said, “All who eat my flesh and drink my blood remain in Me, and I in them (John 6:56). Those who had abandoned Jesus at that point could only see the humanistic, literal meaning of Jesus’ words, for they were unable to comprehend the spiritual message. On the other hand, eleven of the men that Jesus had hand picked to be His disciples had learned through His teachings that Jesus was who He said He was; the Son of the Living God, and all who came to believe in His every Word would have eternal life in Him.
Application:
As I look back on my life-journey at all the times I half-heartedly tried to draw close to God and learn His take on this life, there were just too many things (at that time in my life) that I just could not wrap my mind around, because they seemed so out-of-touch with the world in which I was struggling to survive in. And with each failed attempt I turned and walked further away from God and the Truth, feeling more empty, more unsatisfied, and more hopeless in my quest to find the answers that I so desperately needed; answers that would give true meaning to this hard and difficult life; a life that, thus far, had given me no viable answers and little joy.
The Lord our God is sovereign over all His creation (Colossians 1:17) and there are many things in this life that our finite minds will never understand, but I believe that when a person becomes totally discouraged with the world’s ways of copping with this difficult life and humbly puts his or her life into the mighty and loving hands of our Lord God, Jesus Christ, that He ( our Savior and the Author of Life) will open their eyes to the absolute Truth of God’s Word, and they will begin to see what the Lord wants them to see and understand one day at a time. So it was with me; I had totally given up on my quest for the truth and walked away from God, focusing all my energy on drinking myself to death. But our loving and gracious God had a different plan for me and in His mercy intervened at the last moment; sparing me the death I had once so desired and prayed for.
We have a God, my dear friend, who knows precisely how desperately we need Him (Matthew 6:8). We have a Savior who has made it possible for “everyone” to find the peace about this life, which in time, will sustain our hearts in joy until He comes again to restore our world, and all those who believe in Him, to its full glory.
Prayer:
You, O LORD, are the only One we can trust with our lives. You are the only One who can transform our sinful lives to righteousness. You alone are our only Hope. And it is because of these things that I can joyfully give you thanks and praise. So be glorified, dear LORD, and hear the songs of my heart and the praises of my lips.
Faithful Is The LORD
Scripture:
Psalm 78:56
Yet though He did all this for them,
they continued to test His patience.
They rebelled against the Most High
and refused to follow His decrees. (NLT)
Observation:
The psalmist here was talking about God’s faithfulness to His people Israel; having led them safely out of Egypt, the LORD provided and protected them throughout their wandering in the wilderness until He brought them into the Promised Land. Yet they turned their backs on Him in rebellion. Even though we have a gracious and loving God, sin has its devastating consequences. Like His people Israel, the LORD will turn away and allow our enemies to defeat us, and if we are wise, we will learn from our mistakes by understanding why God has allowed this to happen and then ask for His forgiveness and repent.
Application:
We live in a sinful world; in a sinful body and no matter how thankful we are for God’s grace and forgiveness, we will always fall short of God’s glorious standard. There are times in my life when I feel much like an Israelite; one moment…praising and thanking God for saving me from the sin that can so easily take a hold of me, and the next moment… falling prey to one of the many temptations that robs from me the opportunity to glorify and honor God. Ever since God created man to walk upon this earth the story has been the same—we walk with God and praise Him for a time, then we falter and rebel against Him, and He graciously forgives and saves us. After awhile it should become quite apparent that as imperfect, sinful human beings, we are helpless in our quest to do what is right without God’s help (Romans 7:24, 25). We simply do not have the power to survive on our own—we cannot save ourselves from the enemy of our souls, nor can we earn our way into God’s grace. We must fully understand and live by this truth, for it is our only hope. When I came to the realization that I was powerless against the forces of evil and that I had to rely on the mighty power of God to live, He gave me the ability to humbly surrender both my will and my life to Him, and also the wisdom to know that I would always sin and fall short of His glorious standard, and when I did—He would forgive and forget (Romans 3:23-24).
There is no One more gracious, nor One more loving than our Almighty God. And there is no One who is more compassionate and forgiving than Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior (Psalm 86:8). And when this fact is written on your heart you will gain the wisdom of knowing that while you live in this fallen body you will fall short of God’s glory but God has made a way for you to be forgiven and transformed. And when this happens, it will then become amazingly clear who you are and who you are not.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for your gracious favor you bestow upon us—even in all our sinfulness. Because of Your faithfulness we now have the hope of a better life to come—one that we can share face to face with You in all Your glory. What a hopeful picture this paints for Your people, who struggle to survive in this fallen world. All the praise and the glory belong to You, O LORD, both now and forever!
Psalm 78:56
Yet though He did all this for them,
they continued to test His patience.
They rebelled against the Most High
and refused to follow His decrees. (NLT)
Observation:
The psalmist here was talking about God’s faithfulness to His people Israel; having led them safely out of Egypt, the LORD provided and protected them throughout their wandering in the wilderness until He brought them into the Promised Land. Yet they turned their backs on Him in rebellion. Even though we have a gracious and loving God, sin has its devastating consequences. Like His people Israel, the LORD will turn away and allow our enemies to defeat us, and if we are wise, we will learn from our mistakes by understanding why God has allowed this to happen and then ask for His forgiveness and repent.
Application:
We live in a sinful world; in a sinful body and no matter how thankful we are for God’s grace and forgiveness, we will always fall short of God’s glorious standard. There are times in my life when I feel much like an Israelite; one moment…praising and thanking God for saving me from the sin that can so easily take a hold of me, and the next moment… falling prey to one of the many temptations that robs from me the opportunity to glorify and honor God. Ever since God created man to walk upon this earth the story has been the same—we walk with God and praise Him for a time, then we falter and rebel against Him, and He graciously forgives and saves us. After awhile it should become quite apparent that as imperfect, sinful human beings, we are helpless in our quest to do what is right without God’s help (Romans 7:24, 25). We simply do not have the power to survive on our own—we cannot save ourselves from the enemy of our souls, nor can we earn our way into God’s grace. We must fully understand and live by this truth, for it is our only hope. When I came to the realization that I was powerless against the forces of evil and that I had to rely on the mighty power of God to live, He gave me the ability to humbly surrender both my will and my life to Him, and also the wisdom to know that I would always sin and fall short of His glorious standard, and when I did—He would forgive and forget (Romans 3:23-24).
There is no One more gracious, nor One more loving than our Almighty God. And there is no One who is more compassionate and forgiving than Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior (Psalm 86:8). And when this fact is written on your heart you will gain the wisdom of knowing that while you live in this fallen body you will fall short of God’s glory but God has made a way for you to be forgiven and transformed. And when this happens, it will then become amazingly clear who you are and who you are not.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for your gracious favor you bestow upon us—even in all our sinfulness. Because of Your faithfulness we now have the hope of a better life to come—one that we can share face to face with You in all Your glory. What a hopeful picture this paints for Your people, who struggle to survive in this fallen world. All the praise and the glory belong to You, O LORD, both now and forever!
Blessed Be The LORD
Scripture:
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. (NASB)
Observation:
For those people who have totally surrendered their lives to the LORD their God, relying on Him to guide their life-journey, it becomes quite natural to praise and give Him thanks for all that He has done and will continue to do, but specifically for the price He paid for our salvation—the saving grace of salvation that no one deserves, nor could ever accomplish on their own. And just knowing that you have in the Lord, Christ Jesus, a personal Savior with whom you can trust and unload those heavy burdens that weigh you down, will give you the peace you need in order to rest and gain the strength it takes to live in this cruel world that wants to constantly beat you down and rob from you the precious gift of a glorious new life in heaven.
Application:
My dear friends, I believe that the best gifts we can bring to the LORD our God are our lives and our praise. It delights the LORD when we humbly open our hearts and share every detail of our lives with Him, and it honors Him greatly when we live in thanksgiving regardless of our circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). During my faith walk with the LORD, I have discovered that He not only takes delight in these things, but He also makes a point of walking at our side doing the things that we cannot do for ourselves (Proverbs 16:7). What I find so incredible is that we have, as God’s children, the same Saving Power that raised our Lord Jesus from the grave, and the same Mighty Power that created and holds the universe together, available to help us in our times of need. We have many reasons to praise and worship the One who formed us with His very hands and gave us life, but it is our salvation that we should be most thankful for, because without it, living in this sin-filled world that is spinning out of control would have no lasting meaning nor value, and we would all be without the Hope of a better world and a better life to come (Romans 6:23)!
Prayer:
I am so thankful for Your grace and forgiveness, Lord, for I now have a hope and a future; something I never had before You touched my life. And now that You have given me the gift of life, I pray that you will give me the strength and courage to remain steadfast in Your Truth so that others who have no hope will one day find their everlasting hope in You through my example.
Zakery Daniel
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. (NASB)
Observation:
For those people who have totally surrendered their lives to the LORD their God, relying on Him to guide their life-journey, it becomes quite natural to praise and give Him thanks for all that He has done and will continue to do, but specifically for the price He paid for our salvation—the saving grace of salvation that no one deserves, nor could ever accomplish on their own. And just knowing that you have in the Lord, Christ Jesus, a personal Savior with whom you can trust and unload those heavy burdens that weigh you down, will give you the peace you need in order to rest and gain the strength it takes to live in this cruel world that wants to constantly beat you down and rob from you the precious gift of a glorious new life in heaven.
Application:
My dear friends, I believe that the best gifts we can bring to the LORD our God are our lives and our praise. It delights the LORD when we humbly open our hearts and share every detail of our lives with Him, and it honors Him greatly when we live in thanksgiving regardless of our circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). During my faith walk with the LORD, I have discovered that He not only takes delight in these things, but He also makes a point of walking at our side doing the things that we cannot do for ourselves (Proverbs 16:7). What I find so incredible is that we have, as God’s children, the same Saving Power that raised our Lord Jesus from the grave, and the same Mighty Power that created and holds the universe together, available to help us in our times of need. We have many reasons to praise and worship the One who formed us with His very hands and gave us life, but it is our salvation that we should be most thankful for, because without it, living in this sin-filled world that is spinning out of control would have no lasting meaning nor value, and we would all be without the Hope of a better world and a better life to come (Romans 6:23)!
Prayer:
I am so thankful for Your grace and forgiveness, Lord, for I now have a hope and a future; something I never had before You touched my life. And now that You have given me the gift of life, I pray that you will give me the strength and courage to remain steadfast in Your Truth so that others who have no hope will one day find their everlasting hope in You through my example.
Zakery Daniel
Monday, November 1, 2010
Blind Faith
S
Mark 10:50-52
Throwing his cloak aside he jumped to his feet, and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go" said Jesus. "Your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
O
Why did Jesus turn and address the blind man who sat by the side of the road and hollered out as He passed by? First, he called out for Jesus. The blind man couldn't see Jesus. He couldn't see the other miracles Jesus had been doing. He could only hear about them, but he believed what he'd heard to be true. He had never seen a miracle, yet he believed that Jesus did work miracles and he wanted a miracle for himself. Jesus didn't pray for the healing to happen; the healing happened because Jesus found a man who believed that it could happen. After the miracle, the blind man followed Jesus.
A
Jesus is looking for us to believe in Who He is for our need, for our redemption. Jesus wants us to believe before we can see. He wants us to ask Him, to cry out to Him for our need. If the blind man had sat quietly and waited, Jesus would have passed him by. Jesus is looking for those who passionately want Him, not those who are satisfied to sit quietly by the wayside and watch. Jesus touches those who will follow Him after their eyes are opened, who don't turn back to their old ways, but follow in His footsteps.
P
Jesus, open my eyes to the sin that has so bogged me down it has immobilized me. Open my eyes so I can throw off the blanket of blindness to be able to see clearly so I can follow you wholly. I don't want to be left behind.
Mark 10:50-52
Throwing his cloak aside he jumped to his feet, and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go" said Jesus. "Your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
O
Why did Jesus turn and address the blind man who sat by the side of the road and hollered out as He passed by? First, he called out for Jesus. The blind man couldn't see Jesus. He couldn't see the other miracles Jesus had been doing. He could only hear about them, but he believed what he'd heard to be true. He had never seen a miracle, yet he believed that Jesus did work miracles and he wanted a miracle for himself. Jesus didn't pray for the healing to happen; the healing happened because Jesus found a man who believed that it could happen. After the miracle, the blind man followed Jesus.
A
Jesus is looking for us to believe in Who He is for our need, for our redemption. Jesus wants us to believe before we can see. He wants us to ask Him, to cry out to Him for our need. If the blind man had sat quietly and waited, Jesus would have passed him by. Jesus is looking for those who passionately want Him, not those who are satisfied to sit quietly by the wayside and watch. Jesus touches those who will follow Him after their eyes are opened, who don't turn back to their old ways, but follow in His footsteps.
P
Jesus, open my eyes to the sin that has so bogged me down it has immobilized me. Open my eyes so I can throw off the blanket of blindness to be able to see clearly so I can follow you wholly. I don't want to be left behind.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Our Rock of Ages
Scripture:
Psalm 62:5-6
I wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my Rock and my salvation,
my Fortress where I will not be shaken. (NLT)
Observation:
Because of our fallen nature it can be quite a struggle for us to wait in silence for God to reveal His will, especially when we are hurting and discouraged and fearfully in doubt that God will intervene on our behalf. David realizes that he is nothing without God’s power and grace, and this gives him the confidence to remain steadfast in his faith that God’s will, will be done.
Application:
To have this kind of faith as David did, does not happen overnight. It comes by learning who God really is and what part He plays in our world and in our own personal lives. It comes by learning the Truth that is found in God’s Holy Word (Psalm 119:73). When you learn and believe in all the amazing things God has done through ordinary people (like you and me) since the creation of man, you will understand that our sovereign God is “in control”. He knows all things, my friends, and nothing will alter His plans for us, His creation—plans for good; plans for a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Whenever we build the foundation of our lives on the solid Rock of Creation, we will systemically grow in our faith and learn to rely on the LORD our God, especially during the raging storms of life (Luke 6:47-48). And when you know that God is near and you have the hope of salvation stamped forever on your heart, you will fear less of this unstable world and have the Peace of God to comfort your weary soul and His strength to get you through!
Prayer:
O God in heaven, help develop in me the confidence of David, a man after Your own heart, so that I may rely on You in all circumstances. I give you all my thanks and praise for the good works You have already done in my walk with You and during this difficult life-journey that has not been an easy one thus far and will continue to be difficult until You come again. But knowing that You are near brings both comfort and peace to our souls—those who live in You!
Heart of the Matter
Scripture:
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (NASB)
Observation:
Because Saul, Israel’s first king, had openly defied God’s commands, the LORD told Samuel to anoint a new king for His people and this new king was to be chosen from the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. Like most humans, when Samuel saw the first of Jesse’s sons Eliab, he looked at Eliab’s appearance and thought that this must be God’s choice, but the LORD told him different. Samuel had to go through all of Jesse’s sons in order to find God’s choice for Israel’s next king. God knew that Jesse’s youngest son David was the right choice, because He knows each of us perfectly, both inside and out (Psalm 139:13-14).
Application:
God not only created us as physical beings, but because He breathed His breath of life into us (Genesis 2:7), we have a spiritual life as well. And it is because of this single act of love and compassion that we cannot hide anything from the LORD our God. He knows us far better than we know ourselves; He knows what is in our hearts and minds. Our God is so much more than an all powerful, all knowing God; He is also all loving and all caring and takes a personal interest in each of our individual lives.
Are we not all guilty of judging a person by their appearance before we have the opportunity of getting to know them? How blessed we are that God is not like us (Isaiah 55:9), for if He were, most of us would never have the gracious opportunity of drawing close to the LORD our God and find the new life in Christ Jesus that He desires for all His created peoples.
Prayer:
How I thank You, LORD God, for the abundant love and grace that You continue to pour out on Your people, especially those who have been deceived by this fallen world into believing that You are not who You say You are. But for those of us who know the Truth, we know where our joy lies, for You are the Giver of new life—one that will never end and one that will be glorious as You are glorious! Thank You for all that You are.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Peace In Christ
Scripture:
Psalm 50:13-14
I don’t need the bulls you sacrifice;
I don’t need the blood of goats.
What I want instead is your true thanks to God;
I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. (NLT)
Observation:
The LORD God no longer requires people to sacrifice the blood of His animals because the blood of the Perfect Lamb, Christ Jesus, was shed “once and for all” as the final sin offering. What the LORD now wants from His people; is that we humbly bring before Him all our sin and rebellion asking for His forgiveness, then walk in repentance with thankful hearts, for it is far better to walk in obedience, trusting and giving Him our thanks and praise, than the offering of sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22).
We live in a fallen world, my friends, and there are many people who say they have the answers that will lead us out of the chaos that man has created in this world, but there is only One with whom we can entrust our lives to and He is our Creator and the only Savior of our world, Lord Jesus, the Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:26). The sacrifice that God really wants is our broken spirits—our broken and repentant hearts (Psalm 51:17).
As a Christian nation we have taken our eyes off the LORD, being lulled into a comatose state of comfort while the world creeps in to destroy what God as made. As a nation build by God, we have become disillusioned with the world around us saying, “it could never happen to us”, but in reality the evil in this world has been infiltrating our churches, our schools, and our government for many years.
Application:
The best Hope we have, my friends, is to focus on the Truth found in the Holy Book of God’s Words and be ever so thankful for the salvation we do not deserve. When you “let go and let God” direct your paths it may not be the easiest road to follow, but it will fill your heart with a peace about this difficult life that will enable you to comfort those troubled hearts who live in fear of the days ahead. Don’t listen to the lies that question the goodness of God, for He hears every cry of His people and He is true to His Word! He is…coming to rescue us!
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for the salvation we don’t deserve. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of Your Presence in our lives, so that we can boldly come before you with all our sin and rebellion. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your amazing grace.
Psalm 50:13-14
I don’t need the bulls you sacrifice;
I don’t need the blood of goats.
What I want instead is your true thanks to God;
I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. (NLT)
Observation:
The LORD God no longer requires people to sacrifice the blood of His animals because the blood of the Perfect Lamb, Christ Jesus, was shed “once and for all” as the final sin offering. What the LORD now wants from His people; is that we humbly bring before Him all our sin and rebellion asking for His forgiveness, then walk in repentance with thankful hearts, for it is far better to walk in obedience, trusting and giving Him our thanks and praise, than the offering of sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22).
We live in a fallen world, my friends, and there are many people who say they have the answers that will lead us out of the chaos that man has created in this world, but there is only One with whom we can entrust our lives to and He is our Creator and the only Savior of our world, Lord Jesus, the Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world (John 1:26). The sacrifice that God really wants is our broken spirits—our broken and repentant hearts (Psalm 51:17).
As a Christian nation we have taken our eyes off the LORD, being lulled into a comatose state of comfort while the world creeps in to destroy what God as made. As a nation build by God, we have become disillusioned with the world around us saying, “it could never happen to us”, but in reality the evil in this world has been infiltrating our churches, our schools, and our government for many years.
Application:
The best Hope we have, my friends, is to focus on the Truth found in the Holy Book of God’s Words and be ever so thankful for the salvation we do not deserve. When you “let go and let God” direct your paths it may not be the easiest road to follow, but it will fill your heart with a peace about this difficult life that will enable you to comfort those troubled hearts who live in fear of the days ahead. Don’t listen to the lies that question the goodness of God, for He hears every cry of His people and He is true to His Word! He is…coming to rescue us!
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for the salvation we don’t deserve. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of Your Presence in our lives, so that we can boldly come before you with all our sin and rebellion. Thank You for Your forgiveness and Your amazing grace.
God Is Holy
Scripture:
1 Samuel 16:20
Who is able to stand in the presence of the LORD,
this holy God?” they cried out.
Observation:
After the Ark of the LORD was captured by the Philistines, the LORD inflicted plagues of tumors upon the Philistine people wherever their leaders sent the Ark. So in their fear, these kings sent the Ark back to Israel. But while the Ark of the LORD was in Beth-shemesh, seventy Israelite men looked into the Ark, and the LORD promptly killed them. So the people mourned, crying out, “who is able to stand in the presence of the holy God?”
Our Mighty and Holy God cannot be in the presence of anything that is not holy as He. Because His holiness is so pure and so good no human being, in their fallen state, is able to stand before Him and live. And it is because of this that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to intervene—so that our lives would be hidden in the One who is without sin and perfectly holy (Colossians 3:3). What an amazing gift this is, my friends, to be able to come before the living God (in our sinful and rebellious state) with all our concerns and questions and not be struck down or ignored, but forgiven and loved!
Application:
We have in our Lord, Christ Jesus, the only Way to God the Father. The world will tell you differently and try to convince you otherwise, but Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There is no other way, dear friends, that we will find face to Face fellowship and everlasting life with God other than entering heaven’s Most Holy Place with the Most Holy One, who is no longer separated from us because of the precious blood of Christ, our Lord and Savior (Hebrews 10:19-2o).
Prayer:
What an awesome blessing it is, dear LORD, that we can confidently and fearlessly come before you with all our sin and failures. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace and for the Hope we have in You. I pray that You will help me remain strong in my faith and that You will touch my life in ways that bring you honor and glory.
1 Samuel 16:20
Who is able to stand in the presence of the LORD,
this holy God?” they cried out.
Observation:
After the Ark of the LORD was captured by the Philistines, the LORD inflicted plagues of tumors upon the Philistine people wherever their leaders sent the Ark. So in their fear, these kings sent the Ark back to Israel. But while the Ark of the LORD was in Beth-shemesh, seventy Israelite men looked into the Ark, and the LORD promptly killed them. So the people mourned, crying out, “who is able to stand in the presence of the holy God?”
Our Mighty and Holy God cannot be in the presence of anything that is not holy as He. Because His holiness is so pure and so good no human being, in their fallen state, is able to stand before Him and live. And it is because of this that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to intervene—so that our lives would be hidden in the One who is without sin and perfectly holy (Colossians 3:3). What an amazing gift this is, my friends, to be able to come before the living God (in our sinful and rebellious state) with all our concerns and questions and not be struck down or ignored, but forgiven and loved!
Application:
We have in our Lord, Christ Jesus, the only Way to God the Father. The world will tell you differently and try to convince you otherwise, but Christ Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There is no other way, dear friends, that we will find face to Face fellowship and everlasting life with God other than entering heaven’s Most Holy Place with the Most Holy One, who is no longer separated from us because of the precious blood of Christ, our Lord and Savior (Hebrews 10:19-2o).
Prayer:
What an awesome blessing it is, dear LORD, that we can confidently and fearlessly come before you with all our sin and failures. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace and for the Hope we have in You. I pray that You will help me remain strong in my faith and that You will touch my life in ways that bring you honor and glory.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Honor That Is Due
Scripture:
Malachi 2:1-2
“And now this commandment is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,” says the LORD of hosts, “then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. (NASB)
Observation:
Even though this message from the LORD was given to the priests of Judah who were using their influence in corrupt ways to hurt God’s people rather than help them, I believe it still speaks to us today, because as Christians, we are all disciples of God’s Truth and the LORD holds us accountable in our spheres of influence. This especially holds true for the leaders of the Church, who God has set apart to shepherd His people.
The moral decline within America is a perfect example of how our leaders and the media can influence a nation. The LORD has exposed many evangelical leaders and Catholic priests in our country who have defiled the Lord’s name by their corrupt and immoral actions. Not only is the Church seeing a moral decline but our country as a whole is suffering this affliction as well, because many of our leaders in Government, the very people we voted into office, are corrupt, immoral, and are leading our great nation down a destructive path. All the turmoil that has engulfed our world is the consequences of moral decay and worldwide rebellion against our LORD God. And these consequences are running their course, my friends, just as God’s Word has been telling us for thousands of years.
Application:
With that said, there is indeed some Good News—our Almighty and All Loving God is alive and well and has provided us with a Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (John 3:16). He is our ticket out of this hellish turmoil that is dominated by Satan and those who are enslaved by the sinful pleasures of their flesh. Our Lord, Christ Jesus, will come again to save both the living and the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), restoring them and all His creation (Revelation 21:5) to its original glory so that we can live eternally in the presence of our Holy God. Imagine……sitting down and talking face to Face with our Creator. What a “Wonderful Life” it will be for those who persevere with faith in God’s Amazing Grace.
Prayer:
I ask You, LORD, to continue transforming my life into one that honors you in all that I do. I know that because of my sinful nature, many of my old habits tend to die hard, but I also know that anything is possible with You as my Transformer. Thank You for the opportunity to walk in Your forgiveness and grace. You are the answer to my prayers of many years and there is not One I honor more than You, my Creator and my God!
Malachi 2:1-2
“And now this commandment is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to My name,” says the LORD of hosts, “then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings; and indeed, I have cursed them already, because you are not taking it to heart. (NASB)
Observation:
Even though this message from the LORD was given to the priests of Judah who were using their influence in corrupt ways to hurt God’s people rather than help them, I believe it still speaks to us today, because as Christians, we are all disciples of God’s Truth and the LORD holds us accountable in our spheres of influence. This especially holds true for the leaders of the Church, who God has set apart to shepherd His people.
The moral decline within America is a perfect example of how our leaders and the media can influence a nation. The LORD has exposed many evangelical leaders and Catholic priests in our country who have defiled the Lord’s name by their corrupt and immoral actions. Not only is the Church seeing a moral decline but our country as a whole is suffering this affliction as well, because many of our leaders in Government, the very people we voted into office, are corrupt, immoral, and are leading our great nation down a destructive path. All the turmoil that has engulfed our world is the consequences of moral decay and worldwide rebellion against our LORD God. And these consequences are running their course, my friends, just as God’s Word has been telling us for thousands of years.
Application:
With that said, there is indeed some Good News—our Almighty and All Loving God is alive and well and has provided us with a Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (John 3:16). He is our ticket out of this hellish turmoil that is dominated by Satan and those who are enslaved by the sinful pleasures of their flesh. Our Lord, Christ Jesus, will come again to save both the living and the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), restoring them and all His creation (Revelation 21:5) to its original glory so that we can live eternally in the presence of our Holy God. Imagine……sitting down and talking face to Face with our Creator. What a “Wonderful Life” it will be for those who persevere with faith in God’s Amazing Grace.
Prayer:
I ask You, LORD, to continue transforming my life into one that honors you in all that I do. I know that because of my sinful nature, many of my old habits tend to die hard, but I also know that anything is possible with You as my Transformer. Thank You for the opportunity to walk in Your forgiveness and grace. You are the answer to my prayers of many years and there is not One I honor more than You, my Creator and my God!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Scripture:
Zechariah 10:2
Household gods give false advice, fortunetellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce comfortless falsehoods. So my people are wandering like lost sheep, without a shepherd to protect and guide them. (NLT)
Observation:
Just as it was in the days of Zechariah, God’s people are still looking to the many false gods of this fallen world for truth about the how’s and why’s of living this difficult and challenging life. We may not have carved figures in our homes that we bow down to and worship, but just the same, we have many other man-made objects that we give our full attention to hoping they will give us the joy and fulfillment that our hearts long for. Many of the world’s people still go to fortunetellers, use Tara cards, perform séances, schedule their day by the horoscope found in the daily newspaper, and join various religious cults instead of looking to the only reliable source for Truth. And the only Reliable Source for absolute Truth, my friends, is the LORD God our Creator (John 14:6). And when you completely surrender your life to the LORD and His will, you will no longer find yourself wandering aimlessly through the darkness headed for hell, instead, He gives you both the desire and the ability to live a righteous life worth living—a walk in the Light that leads to Heaven.
Application:
This fallen world seems to have an endless supply of false hope and frivolous ways to obtain happiness and peace of mind that seem good at the time, but these schemes of the Enemy will only lead you further from the goodness that God wants for you (Matthew 7:15). We must remember and believe, my dear friends, that we are all God’s guests in this life; travelers just passing through (Psalm 39:12) on our way to an eternal life. You are given the choice to use your limited time depending on God’s Word to lead you Home or you can spend your allotted time searching for the things that will make you feel good in this life while ignoring where it leads to in the next.
Prayer:
Thank You, dear LORD, for the Light that leads us in Truth. It can be so easy to follow the lies of this fallen world that want us to focus on the pleasures of the flesh, rather than on the battle for our soul. It is hard to follow the Truth and go against the gods of this world, but when it is all said and done, Your children will reign with You, Lord, and experience the pleasures of Heaven that surpass anything this world has to offer!!
Zechariah 10:2
Household gods give false advice, fortunetellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce comfortless falsehoods. So my people are wandering like lost sheep, without a shepherd to protect and guide them. (NLT)
Observation:
Just as it was in the days of Zechariah, God’s people are still looking to the many false gods of this fallen world for truth about the how’s and why’s of living this difficult and challenging life. We may not have carved figures in our homes that we bow down to and worship, but just the same, we have many other man-made objects that we give our full attention to hoping they will give us the joy and fulfillment that our hearts long for. Many of the world’s people still go to fortunetellers, use Tara cards, perform séances, schedule their day by the horoscope found in the daily newspaper, and join various religious cults instead of looking to the only reliable source for Truth. And the only Reliable Source for absolute Truth, my friends, is the LORD God our Creator (John 14:6). And when you completely surrender your life to the LORD and His will, you will no longer find yourself wandering aimlessly through the darkness headed for hell, instead, He gives you both the desire and the ability to live a righteous life worth living—a walk in the Light that leads to Heaven.
Application:
This fallen world seems to have an endless supply of false hope and frivolous ways to obtain happiness and peace of mind that seem good at the time, but these schemes of the Enemy will only lead you further from the goodness that God wants for you (Matthew 7:15). We must remember and believe, my dear friends, that we are all God’s guests in this life; travelers just passing through (Psalm 39:12) on our way to an eternal life. You are given the choice to use your limited time depending on God’s Word to lead you Home or you can spend your allotted time searching for the things that will make you feel good in this life while ignoring where it leads to in the next.
Prayer:
Thank You, dear LORD, for the Light that leads us in Truth. It can be so easy to follow the lies of this fallen world that want us to focus on the pleasures of the flesh, rather than on the battle for our soul. It is hard to follow the Truth and go against the gods of this world, but when it is all said and done, Your children will reign with You, Lord, and experience the pleasures of Heaven that surpass anything this world has to offer!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
A Song Worth Singing
Scripture:
Psalm 30:1, 12
I will praise You, LORD, for you have rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
O, LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever!
Observation:
What an honor it is to be able to sing this song. What an incredible blessing it is to know that the victory is yours and that no matter how this fallen world may try to deceive and discourage you, the children of God have a glorious future ahead of them—One so glorious that our Creator, who loved His creation so much, put a plan into place that would keep the people who put their trust in Him out of the grips of eternal death and damnation (Jeremiah 29:11). We have in our LORD, a loving and gracious Savior; a faithful Shepherd who never gets tired of calling out to His lost ones. And once His call has been heard, the promise is this: If we return to Him, He will return to us (Zechariah 1:3). And this, my dear friends, is a promise that we can count on no matter how far we have gone astray.
Application:
As far as my own life is concerned, the Enemy came so close in completely taking my eternal life, which would have, forever, separated me from the Glory of God. What an amazing joy it brings me just knowing that all of my sins have been truly forgiven and forever forgotten by our Loving and Gracious and Merciful God (Isaiah 43: 25). This inner joy, which forever fills the heart, is what makes Christians everywhere stand apart from the rest of the world, because there is no doubt, whatsoever, that we, too, just as our Lord Christ Jesus, will be given a glorious new body that is void of death and decay, and pain and suffering. Our everlasting new life will be without shame or guilt. It will be abundantly happy, void of sadness and without the tears of frustration and grief. It will be an eternal life of seeing God face to face and walking hand in hand with our Savior. There is nothing of this world, my friends, which has the ability to fulfill this kind of joy. It is only through the Word of God and His Amazing Grace that we can find the Joy that gives us Everlasting Life in Him!
Prayer:
Thank You dear Lord, for this song of joy we can now sing—a glorious song that sings about Your gift of salvation that we do not deserve—a gift that was so dearly paid for by Your blood and sacrifice. Thank You for going to the Cross and giving us the peace and hope we do not deserve. You are so amazing and gracious, LORD God, and I will forever sing praises to Your Name.
Psalm 30:1, 12
I will praise You, LORD, for you have rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
O, LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever!
Observation:
What an honor it is to be able to sing this song. What an incredible blessing it is to know that the victory is yours and that no matter how this fallen world may try to deceive and discourage you, the children of God have a glorious future ahead of them—One so glorious that our Creator, who loved His creation so much, put a plan into place that would keep the people who put their trust in Him out of the grips of eternal death and damnation (Jeremiah 29:11). We have in our LORD, a loving and gracious Savior; a faithful Shepherd who never gets tired of calling out to His lost ones. And once His call has been heard, the promise is this: If we return to Him, He will return to us (Zechariah 1:3). And this, my dear friends, is a promise that we can count on no matter how far we have gone astray.
Application:
As far as my own life is concerned, the Enemy came so close in completely taking my eternal life, which would have, forever, separated me from the Glory of God. What an amazing joy it brings me just knowing that all of my sins have been truly forgiven and forever forgotten by our Loving and Gracious and Merciful God (Isaiah 43: 25). This inner joy, which forever fills the heart, is what makes Christians everywhere stand apart from the rest of the world, because there is no doubt, whatsoever, that we, too, just as our Lord Christ Jesus, will be given a glorious new body that is void of death and decay, and pain and suffering. Our everlasting new life will be without shame or guilt. It will be abundantly happy, void of sadness and without the tears of frustration and grief. It will be an eternal life of seeing God face to face and walking hand in hand with our Savior. There is nothing of this world, my friends, which has the ability to fulfill this kind of joy. It is only through the Word of God and His Amazing Grace that we can find the Joy that gives us Everlasting Life in Him!
Prayer:
Thank You dear Lord, for this song of joy we can now sing—a glorious song that sings about Your gift of salvation that we do not deserve—a gift that was so dearly paid for by Your blood and sacrifice. Thank You for going to the Cross and giving us the peace and hope we do not deserve. You are so amazing and gracious, LORD God, and I will forever sing praises to Your Name.
Monday, September 27, 2010
God Hears Our Cry
Scripture:
Habakkuk 1: 2, 4
How long, O LORD, must I call for help?
But you do not listen! I cry, but you do not come to save.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
And justice is perverted with bribes and trickery. (NLT)
Observation:
With all the problems that the human race is faced with today, I find it rather easy to understand why so many of the world’s people are crying out to God for help. And I believe the reason we cry out to God is because when we finally admit that man is incapable of fixing the problems it becomes quite obvious that it will take the Almighty God to get us out of the mess we have created. What is hard to understand, though, is why our gracious and loving God does not seem to hear our many cries for help! No matter where in the world you live, your physical well being (the very life that God has given you) is threatened with each new day, and there seems to be no end in sight. This is the very reason, my dear friends, that we must take our concerns to the LORD, for His sovereignty allows Him to see and hear all the cries of His people (Psalm 34:15), and it is only through our faith and trust in Him that we will ever find the kind of peace that will help us persevere in this confusing and difficult life journey with joy in our hearts and the hope of better things to come (Romans 5:1-2).
Application:
The LORD God is the Creator. We were created for His purpose and to give Him glory. If we are to remain steadfast in His purpose, we must believe that “God is in control.” Our Father in heaven gives us all that we need to know—all that we can handle in this life. He desires that we come to Him with our concerns and question Him for knowledge and understanding, but what He does not want us to do; is to question His sovereignty.
Remember, my friends, we are all destined to suffer in this life, just as our Lord Jesus suffered, and just as Jesus was raised into eternal life with a new and glorious heavenly body, so will you if you would only believe and trust in Him no matter what this fallen world does! For you will not only find joy in this Truth, but He will also give you great strength and the peace (Psalm 29:11) to wait patiently for His return.
Prayer:
What a blessing it is that you, the LORD Almighty, the Creator of all things, hear our every cry. How thankful I am that you not only hear our cries of helplessness and hopelessness, but you act upon them as well. I know that you will answer our cries of distress in your own perfect timing. And I ask You, LORD, to comfort our souls and transform our doubtful hearts to hearts of trust, and to change our fear into joy by knowing that the victory is ours when we live in You! Amen
Habakkuk 1: 2, 4
How long, O LORD, must I call for help?
But you do not listen! I cry, but you do not come to save.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous,
And justice is perverted with bribes and trickery. (NLT)
Observation:
With all the problems that the human race is faced with today, I find it rather easy to understand why so many of the world’s people are crying out to God for help. And I believe the reason we cry out to God is because when we finally admit that man is incapable of fixing the problems it becomes quite obvious that it will take the Almighty God to get us out of the mess we have created. What is hard to understand, though, is why our gracious and loving God does not seem to hear our many cries for help! No matter where in the world you live, your physical well being (the very life that God has given you) is threatened with each new day, and there seems to be no end in sight. This is the very reason, my dear friends, that we must take our concerns to the LORD, for His sovereignty allows Him to see and hear all the cries of His people (Psalm 34:15), and it is only through our faith and trust in Him that we will ever find the kind of peace that will help us persevere in this confusing and difficult life journey with joy in our hearts and the hope of better things to come (Romans 5:1-2).
Application:
The LORD God is the Creator. We were created for His purpose and to give Him glory. If we are to remain steadfast in His purpose, we must believe that “God is in control.” Our Father in heaven gives us all that we need to know—all that we can handle in this life. He desires that we come to Him with our concerns and question Him for knowledge and understanding, but what He does not want us to do; is to question His sovereignty.
Remember, my friends, we are all destined to suffer in this life, just as our Lord Jesus suffered, and just as Jesus was raised into eternal life with a new and glorious heavenly body, so will you if you would only believe and trust in Him no matter what this fallen world does! For you will not only find joy in this Truth, but He will also give you great strength and the peace (Psalm 29:11) to wait patiently for His return.
Prayer:
What a blessing it is that you, the LORD Almighty, the Creator of all things, hear our every cry. How thankful I am that you not only hear our cries of helplessness and hopelessness, but you act upon them as well. I know that you will answer our cries of distress in your own perfect timing. And I ask You, LORD, to comfort our souls and transform our doubtful hearts to hearts of trust, and to change our fear into joy by knowing that the victory is ours when we live in You! Amen
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Scripture:
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, and to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God? (NAS)
Observation:
We have such a gracious God (2 Chronicles 30:9), my dear friends; for He has never held back those things that bring about “right living” which not only pleases Him, but ourselves and others as well. The LORD our God gives us all that we need to live a righteous life in this world so that we can enjoy a holy life with Him forever in the next.
Is it such a difficult formula to understand? Is it so hard to act justly and show kindness to others? Is it possible to accept that there is a Power much greater than our own—a higher, Divine Power who is in control of our lives, and One we must bow down to?
None of these things takes someone of superior intelligence to comprehend, but it is because of our sin and prideful nature that these very things become extremely difficult to believe and act upon. Unfortunately, for those people who have never heard the words of God, the world is in control and it is the world that they submit to. For those who deny the existence of God, it is survival of the fittest that fuels their motivation. And for those who believe in God but refuse His sovereignty, they become their own gods and believe it is their right to control others for their own personal gain.
Application:
Believe this, my friends; that Satan, the ruler of all evil, has much power and control over our world, and has succeeded in deceiving many of its inhabitants into believing that God is dead and His Truth is not really the truth at all (1 John 2:22) . Too many people today believe that they have only one chance at life and, therefore, they must achieve all that they can while they can and sadly, if anyone stands in their way, they discard them and continue on with their quest with little or no remorse at all.
The ways of this world stand against the very fiber of God’s Being (Psalm 145:17), but when the His love fills your heart, you will find that acting justly with lovingkindness is the better way and when you walk humbly in faith, our loving and gracious LORD will honor that and bestow upon you the blessings of an eternal lifetime of peace and joy!
Prayer:
Thank you, LORD God, for Your mercy and grace. It is beyond human words to express the thankfulness that I have because you have not given me what I truly deserve, instead, you have given me all that I do not deserve. What a merciful and gracious God you are, dear LORD, for I can now lay my head down to sleep without the fear of tomorrow when I awaken.
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, and to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God? (NAS)
Observation:
We have such a gracious God (2 Chronicles 30:9), my dear friends; for He has never held back those things that bring about “right living” which not only pleases Him, but ourselves and others as well. The LORD our God gives us all that we need to live a righteous life in this world so that we can enjoy a holy life with Him forever in the next.
Is it such a difficult formula to understand? Is it so hard to act justly and show kindness to others? Is it possible to accept that there is a Power much greater than our own—a higher, Divine Power who is in control of our lives, and One we must bow down to?
None of these things takes someone of superior intelligence to comprehend, but it is because of our sin and prideful nature that these very things become extremely difficult to believe and act upon. Unfortunately, for those people who have never heard the words of God, the world is in control and it is the world that they submit to. For those who deny the existence of God, it is survival of the fittest that fuels their motivation. And for those who believe in God but refuse His sovereignty, they become their own gods and believe it is their right to control others for their own personal gain.
Application:
Believe this, my friends; that Satan, the ruler of all evil, has much power and control over our world, and has succeeded in deceiving many of its inhabitants into believing that God is dead and His Truth is not really the truth at all (1 John 2:22) . Too many people today believe that they have only one chance at life and, therefore, they must achieve all that they can while they can and sadly, if anyone stands in their way, they discard them and continue on with their quest with little or no remorse at all.
The ways of this world stand against the very fiber of God’s Being (Psalm 145:17), but when the His love fills your heart, you will find that acting justly with lovingkindness is the better way and when you walk humbly in faith, our loving and gracious LORD will honor that and bestow upon you the blessings of an eternal lifetime of peace and joy!
Prayer:
Thank you, LORD God, for Your mercy and grace. It is beyond human words to express the thankfulness that I have because you have not given me what I truly deserve, instead, you have given me all that I do not deserve. What a merciful and gracious God you are, dear LORD, for I can now lay my head down to sleep without the fear of tomorrow when I awaken.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Grace of Hope
Scripture:
Joel 2:21, 23
Don’t be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice
because the LORD has done great things.
Rejoice in the LORD your God! For the rains He sends
are an expression of His grace. (NLT)
Observation:
I think I can speak for the multitudes of people around the world when I say that it is not hard for the world we live in to discourage and get us down, and that Christian people are certainly not immune to the hardships of living in a fallen world. I believe that when it comes to the perseverance of trials in this hard and difficult life, the most obvious difference between people who are Christians and those who are not is this: the Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit and has the only Hope for a better tomorrow, which is (in this day and time) a reason to truly rejoice. And the reason Christians world wide can rejoice and be glad, my friends, is because they can confidently live each and everyday relying on God’s unending grace; for they have learned that relying on the world’s view for hope is not only disappointing, but has devastating consequences as well.
Application:
When people begin to know and understand the Christian Faith, they start relying on God’s sovereignty (instead of their own abilities) to get them through the difficult choices that must be made, for they know and believe that He does great and amazing things for those who put their trust in Him. We live in a world of uncertainties that threaten us everyday of our lives, but this should not keep you discouraged and fearful, dear friends, because just as the rain God sends to sustains us, so do the everyday miracles of His gracious favor. By trusting and relying on the LORD our God, there is really no need to fear this world (Psalm 27:1) and what it can do to you, because no matter what your circumstances may be, the Lord’s grace will always be more than sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9), and nothing can ever separate you from His unconditional, abounding love (Romans 8:38-39).
Prayer:
I thank you Father for Your never ending grace. I am so grateful for all the loving grace and mercy that You have given Your people throughout the ages. It is because of Your grace and mercy that we can live with the kind of peace that gives joy in all our circumstances. Your are an incredible and amazing God and there is none as great as You.
Joel 2:21, 23
Don’t be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice
because the LORD has done great things.
Rejoice in the LORD your God! For the rains He sends
are an expression of His grace. (NLT)
Observation:
I think I can speak for the multitudes of people around the world when I say that it is not hard for the world we live in to discourage and get us down, and that Christian people are certainly not immune to the hardships of living in a fallen world. I believe that when it comes to the perseverance of trials in this hard and difficult life, the most obvious difference between people who are Christians and those who are not is this: the Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit and has the only Hope for a better tomorrow, which is (in this day and time) a reason to truly rejoice. And the reason Christians world wide can rejoice and be glad, my friends, is because they can confidently live each and everyday relying on God’s unending grace; for they have learned that relying on the world’s view for hope is not only disappointing, but has devastating consequences as well.
Application:
When people begin to know and understand the Christian Faith, they start relying on God’s sovereignty (instead of their own abilities) to get them through the difficult choices that must be made, for they know and believe that He does great and amazing things for those who put their trust in Him. We live in a world of uncertainties that threaten us everyday of our lives, but this should not keep you discouraged and fearful, dear friends, because just as the rain God sends to sustains us, so do the everyday miracles of His gracious favor. By trusting and relying on the LORD our God, there is really no need to fear this world (Psalm 27:1) and what it can do to you, because no matter what your circumstances may be, the Lord’s grace will always be more than sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9), and nothing can ever separate you from His unconditional, abounding love (Romans 8:38-39).
Prayer:
I thank you Father for Your never ending grace. I am so grateful for all the loving grace and mercy that You have given Your people throughout the ages. It is because of Your grace and mercy that we can live with the kind of peace that gives joy in all our circumstances. Your are an incredible and amazing God and there is none as great as You.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A God Unlike Any Other
Prayer:
Isaiah 64:4, 8
For since the world began, no ear has heard,
and no eye has seen a God like You,
who works for those who wait for Him!
And yet, LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, and You are the potter.
We are all formed by Your hand. (NLT)
Observation:
We can choose to believe it or not, but the LORD Almighty is the God and Creator of everything that exists. And unlike everything else that He has made, our God specially created us as His children by breathing the Spirit of life into our souls (Genesis 2:7).
Although God chose Abraham to father the nation of Israel to be His people (Genesis 17:5), we are all children of the Sovereign God who takes a personal interest in every person that He forms with His hands. Our God has always been and always will be a relational being. And because He is a Father who does what is best for His children, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to be the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb, so that all believers, both Jewish and Gentile, can share in the inheritance He has promised.
Application:
We have, my friends, a majestic Father in Heaven who has created a universe so big that it will take an eternity to discover it all. We have a God who is unlike any other god, for His Spirit is alive in everyone who calls Him “Abba” and because of His great love for us; He has chosen to share the glory of His inheritance with His children. (Romans 8:15-17).
Prayer:
Thank you, LORD God, for adopting me into Your family so that I can share in the inheritance of Your Son, Christ Jesus. At times I feel so unworthy to be called Your son, but because of Your abundant grace and mercy I can accept Your forgiveness and put my hope in You.
Isaiah 64:4, 8
For since the world began, no ear has heard,
and no eye has seen a God like You,
who works for those who wait for Him!
And yet, LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, and You are the potter.
We are all formed by Your hand. (NLT)
Observation:
We can choose to believe it or not, but the LORD Almighty is the God and Creator of everything that exists. And unlike everything else that He has made, our God specially created us as His children by breathing the Spirit of life into our souls (Genesis 2:7).
Although God chose Abraham to father the nation of Israel to be His people (Genesis 17:5), we are all children of the Sovereign God who takes a personal interest in every person that He forms with His hands. Our God has always been and always will be a relational being. And because He is a Father who does what is best for His children, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to be the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb, so that all believers, both Jewish and Gentile, can share in the inheritance He has promised.
Application:
We have, my friends, a majestic Father in Heaven who has created a universe so big that it will take an eternity to discover it all. We have a God who is unlike any other god, for His Spirit is alive in everyone who calls Him “Abba” and because of His great love for us; He has chosen to share the glory of His inheritance with His children. (Romans 8:15-17).
Prayer:
Thank you, LORD God, for adopting me into Your family so that I can share in the inheritance of Your Son, Christ Jesus. At times I feel so unworthy to be called Your son, but because of Your abundant grace and mercy I can accept Your forgiveness and put my hope in You.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The Journey Home
Scripture:
Isaiah 57:15
The high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this:
“I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite
and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with
repentant hearts.” (NLT)
Observation:
Our God is a faithful God, my friends, One who does everything that He promises His children (Deuteronomy 7:9). And knowing that the God of all creation is always faithful with His children, who closely watches over them, is indeed refreshing, especially in this dark and troubling world that wants to swallow you up. When we humbly admit that our hearts are wicked by nature and that we need God’s forgiveness and grace to change, our gracious and loving God will not only comfort us, but give us both the courage and strength( Psalm 46:1) to fight the battle for our souls. Having a deep desire to change our hearts and minds so that we can life a godly life that brings glory to God in the highest is not an easy task for anyone, especially for those of us who have lived most of our lives apart from God. Changing the way we think and act from a world view to a godly view can be a difficult journey indeed, for the evil that consumes this world is a powerful force to be reckoned with, and one that is very hard to break away from.
Application:
My dear friends, our Mighty Lord promises us victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57), but in order to secure this promise we must rely on Him for the courage and strength, because our own abilities will never sustain us in battle. Let Him, your Redeemer and Refresher, do what only He can do—give you renewed hope when you fail, and the courage to walk humbly in faith knowing that the victory is yours.
Prayer:
Dear LORD, I ask you in the name of Jesus to guide me in the wisdom that will lead me Home. And help strengthen me with the courage to speak Your Truth with those who are lost and wandering aimlessly in the wilderness trying to find their way Home. Refresh all of Your faithful servants, LORD, so that we can withstand the dangers that lurk around every corner trying to lure us away from the path that will lead us Home to You.
Isaiah 57:15
The high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this:
“I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite
and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with
repentant hearts.” (NLT)
Observation:
Our God is a faithful God, my friends, One who does everything that He promises His children (Deuteronomy 7:9). And knowing that the God of all creation is always faithful with His children, who closely watches over them, is indeed refreshing, especially in this dark and troubling world that wants to swallow you up. When we humbly admit that our hearts are wicked by nature and that we need God’s forgiveness and grace to change, our gracious and loving God will not only comfort us, but give us both the courage and strength( Psalm 46:1) to fight the battle for our souls. Having a deep desire to change our hearts and minds so that we can life a godly life that brings glory to God in the highest is not an easy task for anyone, especially for those of us who have lived most of our lives apart from God. Changing the way we think and act from a world view to a godly view can be a difficult journey indeed, for the evil that consumes this world is a powerful force to be reckoned with, and one that is very hard to break away from.
Application:
My dear friends, our Mighty Lord promises us victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57), but in order to secure this promise we must rely on Him for the courage and strength, because our own abilities will never sustain us in battle. Let Him, your Redeemer and Refresher, do what only He can do—give you renewed hope when you fail, and the courage to walk humbly in faith knowing that the victory is yours.
Prayer:
Dear LORD, I ask you in the name of Jesus to guide me in the wisdom that will lead me Home. And help strengthen me with the courage to speak Your Truth with those who are lost and wandering aimlessly in the wilderness trying to find their way Home. Refresh all of Your faithful servants, LORD, so that we can withstand the dangers that lurk around every corner trying to lure us away from the path that will lead us Home to You.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Faithful and Gracious Is He
Soap
9/4/10
Scripture
Psalm 145:13, 14
The LORD is faithful in all He says;
He is gracious in all He does.
The LORD helps the fallen
and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
Observation:
I have heard that the Christian faith is nothing more than a crutch to lean upon (Halleluiah!) or a cop-out when things get tough. What many non-believers do not seem to get is that we humans are extremely weak and fragile when compared to the reality of this fallen world, which is ruled by the seen and unseen forces that hate God and everything He stands for, and that we all need something greater than ourselves ( or anything the world has to offer), when this reality shows its ugly head (2 Peter 1:2-4).
Application:
As God’s created beings, we depend on Him for everything we need to sustain us, both our physical needs as well as our spiritual needs (Acts 17:25). It is only by His grace that we have everything we need (2 Corinthians 12:9) and it is out of His abundant love that He watches over us (including those who want nothing to do with Him or His ways). Much like a human creator does with his creation, our sovereign God, even more so, carefully puts us together with His loving hands wanting only the best for His people by perfecting in us what we were intended to do; and that, my friends, is giving Him glory in all that we do. And we can be assured that when something goes wrong, He is right there doing what He does best—fixing us, the most precious of all His amazing creation, so that we can, one day, share in His Majestic Glory.
Prayer:
Thank you, dear LORD, for the Truth that speaks to our hearts, for the Grace that sustains us in a world that hates us, and for Your Love that saves us. Learning the Truth of who You really are is the only Hope we have in a world that can only promise us death. A world apart from You, the LORD Almighty, would indeed be a world of total senselessness—a world of utter chaos.
9/4/10
Scripture
Psalm 145:13, 14
The LORD is faithful in all He says;
He is gracious in all He does.
The LORD helps the fallen
and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.
Observation:
I have heard that the Christian faith is nothing more than a crutch to lean upon (Halleluiah!) or a cop-out when things get tough. What many non-believers do not seem to get is that we humans are extremely weak and fragile when compared to the reality of this fallen world, which is ruled by the seen and unseen forces that hate God and everything He stands for, and that we all need something greater than ourselves ( or anything the world has to offer), when this reality shows its ugly head (2 Peter 1:2-4).
Application:
As God’s created beings, we depend on Him for everything we need to sustain us, both our physical needs as well as our spiritual needs (Acts 17:25). It is only by His grace that we have everything we need (2 Corinthians 12:9) and it is out of His abundant love that He watches over us (including those who want nothing to do with Him or His ways). Much like a human creator does with his creation, our sovereign God, even more so, carefully puts us together with His loving hands wanting only the best for His people by perfecting in us what we were intended to do; and that, my friends, is giving Him glory in all that we do. And we can be assured that when something goes wrong, He is right there doing what He does best—fixing us, the most precious of all His amazing creation, so that we can, one day, share in His Majestic Glory.
Prayer:
Thank you, dear LORD, for the Truth that speaks to our hearts, for the Grace that sustains us in a world that hates us, and for Your Love that saves us. Learning the Truth of who You really are is the only Hope we have in a world that can only promise us death. A world apart from You, the LORD Almighty, would indeed be a world of total senselessness—a world of utter chaos.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Seek Him While He Is Near
Scripture:
Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while you can find Him.
Call on Him while He is near.
Let the people turn from their wicked deeds.
Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong!
Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (NLT)
Observation:
With all the uncertainties we face in this life and with all the untruths that are thrown at us, there is One Truth that stands apart from all others; that the LORD will not always be near and available for us (Romans 13:12), for once our earthly bodies die, so does our ability to find a Savior who will snatch us out of the grips of Satan and put us in the everlasting, loving arms of God. Because the dominion of the Devil is such a driving force in our world, it becomes extremely hard for people to discern what is true and what is not (Ephesians 6:12). And since we all have within us a sinful nature that is prone to side with what is wrong, we start thinking that wrong is right. The Devil is the best at what he does, and that is… deceiving God’s people.
Application:
Do you know for certain that you will be alive tomorrow? Have you made a conscience effort to find the whole Truth? If not, there is no better time than now, for tomorrow may never come your way. The Lord our God wants no one to suffer His final wrath upon a world gone bad, so He gives us the time to make a choice, but the time my friends, will one day and without notice, run out ( Luke 12:40) and with it... the opportunity of an eternal lifetime of happiness!
Prayer:
Thank you dear Lord, for opening my eyes to Your Truth, and I ask You in the name of Jesus to give me both the power and the courage to stand strong in the faith You have so graciously given me, so that I, too, can spread the Good News of the salvation You offer all people of this fallen world, which groans for Your return.
Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while you can find Him.
Call on Him while He is near.
Let the people turn from their wicked deeds.
Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong!
Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (NLT)
Observation:
With all the uncertainties we face in this life and with all the untruths that are thrown at us, there is One Truth that stands apart from all others; that the LORD will not always be near and available for us (Romans 13:12), for once our earthly bodies die, so does our ability to find a Savior who will snatch us out of the grips of Satan and put us in the everlasting, loving arms of God. Because the dominion of the Devil is such a driving force in our world, it becomes extremely hard for people to discern what is true and what is not (Ephesians 6:12). And since we all have within us a sinful nature that is prone to side with what is wrong, we start thinking that wrong is right. The Devil is the best at what he does, and that is… deceiving God’s people.
Application:
Do you know for certain that you will be alive tomorrow? Have you made a conscience effort to find the whole Truth? If not, there is no better time than now, for tomorrow may never come your way. The Lord our God wants no one to suffer His final wrath upon a world gone bad, so He gives us the time to make a choice, but the time my friends, will one day and without notice, run out ( Luke 12:40) and with it... the opportunity of an eternal lifetime of happiness!
Prayer:
Thank you dear Lord, for opening my eyes to Your Truth, and I ask You in the name of Jesus to give me both the power and the courage to stand strong in the faith You have so graciously given me, so that I, too, can spread the Good News of the salvation You offer all people of this fallen world, which groans for Your return.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
He Knows Me, Yet Loves Me
Soap August 29, 2010
Scripture:
Psalm 139:1
O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
Observation:
Our sovereign LORD is as much a personal God to us as He is perfect. He is not a God who stands apart from His creation, but a loving and merciful God who only wants the best for His people (Isaiah 62:5). I find it amazing that with all of the Lord’s wisdom and power and greatness that He even takes the time to know each one of us personally and puts into place those things that we need and are best for our salvation (Hebrews 4:16). We are all unique beings with our own personal cross we must bear—one that is made to fit our strength, and one that we can manage with the help of our LORD, who knows first hand what its like to carry the weight of a cross so heavily burdened with all the sins of the world that only He, our Mighty LORD and Savior, could bear and live through it. How wonderful it is to have a God who knows us fully and yet, loves us so dearly with a love so great that He allowed mere men to humiliate Him, the Creator, and be nailed to a wooden cross to die.
Application:
I spent a good deal of my life despising some of those hidden things about myself that I could not share with anyone, not even with the One who created me. To be honest, I thought that these areas of my life where hidden so deep that even God Himself had no idea what they were. And with each day the guilt and shame I had to carry kept getting heavier and heavier until eventually they took their toll and I collapsed under the weight. But while I was laying in the muck of my life, buried in the burdens that were suffocating me and oblivious to the grace of God, the LORD reached down at the last moment to pull me up and slowly, one by one, began to remove those burdens that had wearied me to the brink of death. My dear friends, we were not meant to carry our burdens alone, for when we do, they always become too great for us to bear. I cannot explain what a relief I find in knowing that our God is someone I can trust with my deepest and darkest moments; someone who not only has the power, but is always willing to remove any and all of those burdens that tend to weigh me down and threaten my life.
We have a loving God, my friends, who loves us in spite of all our deep dark secrets and He is a God who will never change (Malachi 3:6).
Prayer:
O Lord God, how humbling it is for me to know how great your love for me is when I realize that you have loved me even when I did not love you—even when all that I did and thought brought you sadness. At times it is so hard to understand your love for me because I am so unworthy, but even in my unworthiness, I am thankful for your love and understanding. Your love and unchangeableness, dear LORD, is a blessed mystery that I can, with confidence, put all of my hope in.
Zakery Daniel
Scripture:
Psalm 139:1
O LORD, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
Observation:
Our sovereign LORD is as much a personal God to us as He is perfect. He is not a God who stands apart from His creation, but a loving and merciful God who only wants the best for His people (Isaiah 62:5). I find it amazing that with all of the Lord’s wisdom and power and greatness that He even takes the time to know each one of us personally and puts into place those things that we need and are best for our salvation (Hebrews 4:16). We are all unique beings with our own personal cross we must bear—one that is made to fit our strength, and one that we can manage with the help of our LORD, who knows first hand what its like to carry the weight of a cross so heavily burdened with all the sins of the world that only He, our Mighty LORD and Savior, could bear and live through it. How wonderful it is to have a God who knows us fully and yet, loves us so dearly with a love so great that He allowed mere men to humiliate Him, the Creator, and be nailed to a wooden cross to die.
Application:
I spent a good deal of my life despising some of those hidden things about myself that I could not share with anyone, not even with the One who created me. To be honest, I thought that these areas of my life where hidden so deep that even God Himself had no idea what they were. And with each day the guilt and shame I had to carry kept getting heavier and heavier until eventually they took their toll and I collapsed under the weight. But while I was laying in the muck of my life, buried in the burdens that were suffocating me and oblivious to the grace of God, the LORD reached down at the last moment to pull me up and slowly, one by one, began to remove those burdens that had wearied me to the brink of death. My dear friends, we were not meant to carry our burdens alone, for when we do, they always become too great for us to bear. I cannot explain what a relief I find in knowing that our God is someone I can trust with my deepest and darkest moments; someone who not only has the power, but is always willing to remove any and all of those burdens that tend to weigh me down and threaten my life.
We have a loving God, my friends, who loves us in spite of all our deep dark secrets and He is a God who will never change (Malachi 3:6).
Prayer:
O Lord God, how humbling it is for me to know how great your love for me is when I realize that you have loved me even when I did not love you—even when all that I did and thought brought you sadness. At times it is so hard to understand your love for me because I am so unworthy, but even in my unworthiness, I am thankful for your love and understanding. Your love and unchangeableness, dear LORD, is a blessed mystery that I can, with confidence, put all of my hope in.
Zakery Daniel
Listen To Me
Soap August 28, 2010
Scripture:
Isaiah 46:3-4
Listen to Me, all you who are left in Israel.
I created you and have cared for you since before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (NLT)
Observation:
These words spoken by the only true Living God were not only for His people Israel to hear at the time, but they are also meant to be heard by all people throughout the ages—both those who put their hope and trust in the Lord God, their Creator, and also for all those who have been deceived into putting their hope and trust in the many man made gods of this world.
As God’s created people we must come to the realization that we were created by God (Genesis 1:27) and for God (Colossians 1:16). We must humbly except that we are powerless against the forces that rule this world and when we separate ourselves from God we are guaranteeing our failure no matter how successful we become in the eyes of the world. We were created above all else to proclaim the Glory of God. Our sole purpose is to live for God in ways that bring Him glory and the only way we can accomplish this purpose is by opening our hearts and minds to the Truth and live accordingly. And when we live for God, He will draw us close and protect us (James 4:7, 8). And as a recipient of God’s promises I can proclaim that apart from the Living God our lives are free game for the world’s gods to conquer and destroy.
Application:
I lived 55 years believing and trusting in the world’s ways and it left me feeling empty and hopeless and a sorry excuse for a human being. My life was filled with darkness and I sinned against God and others to escape the pain of hopelessness and defeat. But when I redirected my focus and put my hope and trust in the One who created me, He gave me the confidence to face the world as it is knowing that this life, with all its trials and tribulations, is controlled by its Maker and as long as I trusted in God’s sovereignty and purpose I could not go wrong. And now that my hair is gray and I’m getting closer to the end of this life, I have peace and joy in my heart no matter how this fallen world tries its best to discourage me into believing that there is not a God who loves and cares for His creation, especially His people.
Prayer:
How I thank You, LORD God, for all that You are and for all that You continue to do, so that Your people can put their confidence in the only One who can save us from the grips of Satan. You are our Hope and Joy—the Truth that brings us life everlasting. What an awesome God You are!
Zakery Daniel
Scripture:
Isaiah 46:3-4
Listen to Me, all you who are left in Israel.
I created you and have cared for you since before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (NLT)
Observation:
These words spoken by the only true Living God were not only for His people Israel to hear at the time, but they are also meant to be heard by all people throughout the ages—both those who put their hope and trust in the Lord God, their Creator, and also for all those who have been deceived into putting their hope and trust in the many man made gods of this world.
As God’s created people we must come to the realization that we were created by God (Genesis 1:27) and for God (Colossians 1:16). We must humbly except that we are powerless against the forces that rule this world and when we separate ourselves from God we are guaranteeing our failure no matter how successful we become in the eyes of the world. We were created above all else to proclaim the Glory of God. Our sole purpose is to live for God in ways that bring Him glory and the only way we can accomplish this purpose is by opening our hearts and minds to the Truth and live accordingly. And when we live for God, He will draw us close and protect us (James 4:7, 8). And as a recipient of God’s promises I can proclaim that apart from the Living God our lives are free game for the world’s gods to conquer and destroy.
Application:
I lived 55 years believing and trusting in the world’s ways and it left me feeling empty and hopeless and a sorry excuse for a human being. My life was filled with darkness and I sinned against God and others to escape the pain of hopelessness and defeat. But when I redirected my focus and put my hope and trust in the One who created me, He gave me the confidence to face the world as it is knowing that this life, with all its trials and tribulations, is controlled by its Maker and as long as I trusted in God’s sovereignty and purpose I could not go wrong. And now that my hair is gray and I’m getting closer to the end of this life, I have peace and joy in my heart no matter how this fallen world tries its best to discourage me into believing that there is not a God who loves and cares for His creation, especially His people.
Prayer:
How I thank You, LORD God, for all that You are and for all that You continue to do, so that Your people can put their confidence in the only One who can save us from the grips of Satan. You are our Hope and Joy—the Truth that brings us life everlasting. What an awesome God You are!
Zakery Daniel
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Promise
Scripture:
Isaiah 48:16-17
Come closer and listen. I have always told you plainly
what would happen so you would have no trouble understanding.
And now the Sovereign LORD and His Spirit have sent me with this message:
The LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says; I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow. (NLT)
Observation:
The LORD our God created us to walk in His presence as Adam and Eve did in the garden. He wanted to draw us close to Himself as a Father is to his children. But because sin entered into the picture we can no longer walk in His presence, for He is a Holy God and cannot co-exist with sin and ungodliness. But because of His great love for us He sent His Son, the Holy Spirit, and His Holy Word to guide us in our life-journey so that we could once again stand in His presence and be His children.
When we humbly ask God to forgive us our sins, He does. When we ask Him to transform our lives, He will. When we ask Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives, He becomes our Shepherd. When we ask Him to create in us a new life and free us from the bondage of sin, He unleashes His Mighty Power to redeem us!
Application:
When I turned my life over to God, He opened my eyes so I could see and soften my heart so I could understand the world around me. And amazingly, the Holy Spirit gave me the ability to discern His truth from the lies of the world—lies that pull us deeper into darkness to hide the Truth. When I humbly decided to trust God with my life, He slowly and lovingly revealed the Truth and began to teach me all that I needed to transform my old sin filled life of darkness into a brand new life filled with the Light of God’s glory. Understand this, my friends; Our awesome God, the LORD Almighty, is all knowing (1 John 3:20) who stands for everything that is good (Luke 18:19) and holy (Isaiah 6:3). And when we follow the ways of our LORD, we are assured an abundant life that will richly prepare us for an eternal life of fellowship with the Father of Life; forever walking in His presence as His children and He…forever being our God—A bond that will never again be broken!
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord God, for being our Redeemer, our Teacher, and the One who saves us from death and becomes our eternal Guide. I am so grateful that you are transforming my life into a life that brings hope and glory to You. Nothing will ever lead me away from the Truth, even in my darkest moments of doubt, for the hope You bring into my life is the strength that keeps me alive and persevering with joy in my heart!
Isaiah 48:16-17
Come closer and listen. I have always told you plainly
what would happen so you would have no trouble understanding.
And now the Sovereign LORD and His Spirit have sent me with this message:
The LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says; I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow. (NLT)
Observation:
The LORD our God created us to walk in His presence as Adam and Eve did in the garden. He wanted to draw us close to Himself as a Father is to his children. But because sin entered into the picture we can no longer walk in His presence, for He is a Holy God and cannot co-exist with sin and ungodliness. But because of His great love for us He sent His Son, the Holy Spirit, and His Holy Word to guide us in our life-journey so that we could once again stand in His presence and be His children.
When we humbly ask God to forgive us our sins, He does. When we ask Him to transform our lives, He will. When we ask Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives, He becomes our Shepherd. When we ask Him to create in us a new life and free us from the bondage of sin, He unleashes His Mighty Power to redeem us!
Application:
When I turned my life over to God, He opened my eyes so I could see and soften my heart so I could understand the world around me. And amazingly, the Holy Spirit gave me the ability to discern His truth from the lies of the world—lies that pull us deeper into darkness to hide the Truth. When I humbly decided to trust God with my life, He slowly and lovingly revealed the Truth and began to teach me all that I needed to transform my old sin filled life of darkness into a brand new life filled with the Light of God’s glory. Understand this, my friends; Our awesome God, the LORD Almighty, is all knowing (1 John 3:20) who stands for everything that is good (Luke 18:19) and holy (Isaiah 6:3). And when we follow the ways of our LORD, we are assured an abundant life that will richly prepare us for an eternal life of fellowship with the Father of Life; forever walking in His presence as His children and He…forever being our God—A bond that will never again be broken!
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord God, for being our Redeemer, our Teacher, and the One who saves us from death and becomes our eternal Guide. I am so grateful that you are transforming my life into a life that brings hope and glory to You. Nothing will ever lead me away from the Truth, even in my darkest moments of doubt, for the hope You bring into my life is the strength that keeps me alive and persevering with joy in my heart!
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