December 8, 2012

“God is With Us"

Scripture:

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But sinners stumble and fall along the way.
(Hosea 14:9) NLT

Observation:

The Lord our God neither left us to chance nor to our own demise. When God expelled man from His Holy Presence to live on his own, God was always careful to keep watch over us so He could direct our way back into His Holy Presence once again, only this time, it would be forever lasting.

Application:

The Lord created us in such a way that we would always need to depend on Him for a life that would truly be worth living. God graciously gave us His Word so that we might gain the wisdom and understanding to live smartly and righteously while living in an evil world that is merciless. God gave us His Son as our Saving Light; that we might know our Savior in an up-close and personal way; that we could physically see the path to healthy living and then follow suit. And in the most dramatic way, the Lord gave up His life so we would be forever forgiven and recipients of God’s saving grace and salvation. And finally, the Lord sent His Holy Spirit to help us achieve what would have otherwise, been impossible—to give us the strength and the courage to stay on His path, where we would show other lost and desperate souls the way into His Presence and then on to everlasting life. But we also have a God who gives us many opportunities to choose the path of our choice. God allows us to make our mistakes that help us learn from our first-hand experiences. He gives us the mental capacity and the ability to research and weigh all the different options we are given. He gives us the plain truth and the common sense to see how our choices will affect us and what the end results will bring. Many people choose to take the world’s path, opting to go after those things that satisfy our selfish human desires, which in reality, leads us slowly into a darkness that is extremely difficult to navigate in and will eventually take us into the abyss. God’s path, on the other hand, is brightly lit with the glory of God and we can see clearly where we are going and able to choose the right paths that are not only good for us, but for those around us as well. And by remaining in the Light of God, we gain access to His personal touch; where the Lord can comfort us in our times of trouble, give us confidence in the choices we make, and the solid guarantee that we will make it safely Home; a glorious destination that awaits our arrival.

Prayer:

Thank You O God, for watching over my life even while I was rebelling against You. Thank You O God, for protecting me from dying in my sin. I hate to think where I would be without Your loving grace and salvation. You are an incredibly awesome God!    Amen

November 24

 

“Hear His Voice?”

Scripture:

He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by His wounds! Once you were wandering like lost sheep. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25) NLT

Observation:

We have all, at one time or another, walked in the darkness of this world gone astray—a world that is drifting further and further away from the Holy One who created it and everything in it. I spent most of my life wandering in this darkness, grabbling for whatever I could get my hands on, trying to make sense out of a life that really made no sense at all. For when we live within the realms of darkness that covers this world, we can neither see, nor understand the glory of our God and what He accomplished for mankind (1 Corinthians 2:12)—which is the hope of personal salvation for every living person who walks upon this earth. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of our souls, left the Glory of Heaven to do for us what we nor the world could ever do; He saved the world from obliteration and its people from eternal darkness. He gave us Hope, He gave us good purpose. He gave us Himself as the perfect and final sacrificial Lamb of God, suffered for our sins, paid the full price for our disobedience and that of mankind’s, and graciously accepted the wrath of condemnation that was both fair and justly due.

Application:

This single act of our loving and merciful and gracious God was a gift freely paid for and one freely given to all the peoples of this world who would have, otherwise, never been able to afford the price tag it carried, nor ever earn the blessings it offered (Roman 3:23-24). The Good News of our Shepherd is we no longer have to wander the earth in its darkness, searching for truth and the right path that will lead us Home. For the Shepherd has come calling to follow His Voice, so He can bring us out of the darkness and heal our wounds. We have a Good Shepherd that watches over His flock day and night; One who never sleeps, but keeps His focus on the journey that will get us all Home. For all those who have turned to the Good Shepherd, we know how important it is to remain in close to His Presence, for when we do we can be sure of our safety and the direction of His Way. The road is not easy and many detours will be made, but with God’s mercy and grace leading the Way we are encouraged and strengthened and will remain steadfast. And on our journey we must remember to pray for the lost; that they will hear His Voice and follow it out of the darkness and death, and into the Light of His everlasting Glory. For it is here that we find hope and peace and comfort for our weary souls—souls that were lost, but are now so graciously found (Luke 15:32).

Prayer:

Thank You, O God, for the greatest gift ever given to us. Thank You for saving us from darkness of this world and securing our Home with You. None of us deserves what you so feely gave. What a wonderful Savior we have in You. Amen

November 17

“The Way Home”

Scripture:

“Your are My flock, the sheep of My pasture. You are men, and I am your God, says the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 34:31) KJV

Observation:

These God breathed words from the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel are like an act of foresight when God would once again walk among His people on earth, only this time to be their Good Shepherd (John 10:11-13), calling the lost out of darkness and bringing them into the safety of His Fold. From the beginning of time the Lord has never stopped searching for the lost to gather them under His wings, where He could heal their wounds, comfort their souls, and then safely usher them Home. The LORD sees through the darkness that we find ourselves lost in and He knows how helpless we are to escape on our own, and He sees the futility in our attempts to find our way home without the guiding Light of Christ Jesus, the Greatest Shepherd of all.

Application:

In this fallen world there are many false shepherds with many strange voices that are filling our minds and stealing our hearts--voices calling for us to follow—voices of empty promises—voices of many shattered dreams. There is the voice of pride that tells us that we don’t really need the Good Shepherd to find our way Home, though many have tried and many have failed. The voice of human reason whispers into our ear; “there is more than One Shepherd with whom we could follow”—they’re many good shepherds that can heal our wounds and show us the many different paths that lead the way Home. The airways are filled with many diverse voices of Satan, promising the riches of this world when we follow his ways. We hear the voice of defeat screaming over our failures—saying we’re too lost to be found—too wounded to be healed—too far gone to be saved. But amidst all the loud voices calling out for our hearts there is but One Voice that stands out from the rest—One Voice that speaks only Truth. And the Voice we recognize is that of Christ Jesus our Lord, our God, our Savior and Good Shepherd. The Lord God no longer uses a human prophet for His Voice to be heard, because the barrier between God and man has been removed by the sacrificial death of our Lord Jesus being nailed to a wooden Cross (Mark 15:37-38). It is because of His onetime, selfless act of love and sacrifice that we are able to reconnect with God, for He lives within His flock where He speaks directly into their hearts. We can trust the Good Shepherd to be the Lord of our lives—the One who’s True Voice we can recognize and follow, especially those who are lost and in fear for their lives. And with each lost one found, He gathers them up in arms and washes them clean, heals their wounds, comforts their hearts, and then leads them Home. There is no greater Shepherd, nor One more faithful than He. There is no other Savior with whom we can trust with our lives. There is only One Lord; only One God (Deuteronomy 6:4) who knows the Way Home.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for calling your people out of darkness and into Your Light. The world can only promise us temporary riches, while You offer us the richness of Your shared inheritance which is eternal. Help us drown out all voices but Yours—the Voice that comforts our souls. Amen

November 10, 2012

“Heaven’s Light”

Scripture:

A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. (Proverbs 27:12) NLT

Observation:

There have been times during my life-journey in Christ when I fell through the safety net of my salvation to become blind to the real dangers that exists in our world to date. It is from these falling experiences as a born-again Christian that I learned these slips were a result of being way too confident in my new status and much too comfortable in the Truth I had learned, and I simply overlooked the obvious precautions that help keep the evil in this world at bay. And much like the simpleton’s blindness, I found myself simply ignoring the dire consequences that sin brings into ones life—consequences that can so easily lead an unprotected soul into the darkness that consumes those who walk blindly through this life. And when this kind of carelessness transpired, it becomes quite clear that the war on my heart for God (as with all hearts for God) will continue to rage on until Christ Jesus returns to make all things right.

Application:

As believers in God and followers of Christ, we should know what the future holds for this rebellious world and those who choose to follow it rather than God. For this saving knowledge, which God has so graciously shared, should keep us ever-so mindful and forever grateful for the amazing saving grace that our Glorious God has chosen to pour out on this sin-filled world that is in such dire need of its Savior; Jesus Christ, our Lord and God. Although we all fall prey to sin, we must remain confident in the Truth we have received through Christ Jesus (Hebrews 10:35), no matter what. We must hang on to the Hope we have and not let our sin put a wedge between our relationship with God and His will for our lives (Hebrews 10:36). Although God allows sin in our lives with the covering of Christ, we must humbly acknowledge our sin and live moment to moment in repentance. No person borne of this world can keep from sinning—it is just the way it is for the time being. But what we have in our reach to battle the problem of sin is the Key that can unlocked the chains that hold us enslaved and condemned, and the Power of God that will keep us free and alive. You cannot escape the darkness alone, my friend; you will fail each and every time you try. The power of Satan is strong, but the Power of God is the Greatest. Our willingness to sin and reap the pleasures it brings is far greater than our ability to refrain. It is so easy to get lost in the darkness that sin brings, but not so easy when it comes time to escape. The best and only defense we have in keeping our freedom is to stay in the Light that God has provided and be mindful to walk daily in His Presence, for when you remain under His protection you will be assured the forgiveness of sin (Daniel 9:9) and His Promise of a New Life in Him. 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please help me remain close to You, especially when I am tempted to slip into the darkness. Help me remain in Your Light for protection and forgive me when I slip. Your are my Strength—there is no other, but You! Amen

November 5, 2012

“Out of Darkness” 

Scripture: 

Son of man, you live among rebels who could see the truth if they wanted to, but they don’t want to. They could hear Me if they would listen, but they won’t listen because they are rebellious. (Ezekiel 12:2) NLT

Observation: 

Christians who believe and follow the Living God of the Bible are the minority in this troubled world that reeks of sin and rebellion; a world that wages war against the Holiness of God—a world where evil is sacred and anything goes. We live in a world that’s headed for destruction—a world held captive to its own ungodly ways. We live in a world where the truth is not true —where falsehoods run ramped and to lie is the norm—where voices of deception speak loudly and often—to poison the mind and defile the heart (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The world’s wicked ways have turned the truth upside down—where bad is good and good is bad; where being wrong is right and right is wrong; where the Almighty God has been reduced to whatever or whomever we want Him to be.

Application: 

Because of mankind’s inherent rebellion we find ourselves in a moment to moment fight for survival in the clouds of darkness that gets thicker by the moment. But even though our gracious God has sent His Light to shine in darkness and His Spirit to inform us, the clouds remain. The war against God’s Church is a furious war indeed; a war that will rage on until the very end of the age. Satan and his army of followers are not only working overtime to enslave the world, but they are also working deep within the Church, trying to falsify our belief, discourage our faith, and blind us from knowing the Truth and the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Book of Revelation is one of the least read books of the Bible, because Satan is spreading his lies that the revelation of Jesus Christ is not only too hard to understand, but is nothing more than a mythical story of little value. The last Book of The Bible is the last Book in the Bible for a reason, my friends, so we could see into future days and know what lies ahead in the war against God and how Satan is defeated. King Jesus is Heaven’s Commander in Chief and He will return in all His Glorious Splendor to defeat Satan and those who have chosen to follow him into the ever burning Lake of Fire (Revelation 17:14). Satan, the Prince of the power of the air, is the evil spirit who works in the sons of disobedience to eradicate the Truth about his demise. Evil will not prevail, dear souls, even though at times it seems that it will. For we know the Hope we have while living in this cloudy and rebellious world—the Hope of our Savior, King Jesus—the One who lights the path from darkness so we can see clearly to follow our Victorious Leader Home (1 John 5:4). 

Prayer: 

Please help me, O Lord, to live a holy life and gain the strength to follow you Home. Amen

October 27, 2012

“Out of the Fog” 

Scripture:  

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. (Titus 2:12-13) NLT

Observation: 

Turning away from ungodly living that indulges in an array of sinful pleasures that this fallen world approves and embraces is much easier said than done. Unfortunately, mankind’s falling nature towards sin (like gravity) is a powerful force that must be reckoned with every single moment of our lives (Ephesians 2:1-3), whether we are recipients of God’s saving grace or not. 

Application: 

I believe the most important step in combating our sinful behavior is to first recognize what sin really is—that it is a curse on our human nature that causes us to turn away from the holiness of God to live as we see fit; believing there are no eternal consequences or that God will lovingly overlook our disobedience to the holy lifestyle He commands us to live. We grow up in this fallen world that is flooded with many kinds of false or misleading doctrine—one being; that this short life’s purpose is to quickly satisfy the pleasures sought by our humanness; and that however we attain these worldly pleasures, whether right or wrong, is of no real consequence, because we can always justify our self-seeking motives hoping they will remain hidden from sight. This world rejects God, therefore, rejects absolute truth. Instead, the world teaches truth as being whatever we want it to be and it can be changed at any moment depending on the circumstance. There are many God opposing forces in the world that are working nonstop to either scare or blind us from knowing the Absolute Truth that comes from the God who created everything that exists. But the good news is: we have a Savior amidst all the deception and there is a Way we can discover the Absolute Truth and learn just how sin decays the mind and destroys the heart and soul. The Way is found in the inherent, Holy Word’s of God, which if read and digested fully, brings truth and wisdom directly from the Holy Spirit. God’s Word not only defines our sinful behavior and the eternal ramifications, but it also brings us the revelation of Jesus Christ, which saves the soul and sets the body free from its bondage to sin. For when God’s Word is planted deep into the heart, it gives you the wisdom to successfully fight against sin, the power to remain free from its bondage, and the blessed transformation from godlessness to godliness—ways that are pure and good—ways that honor God and reveal His Glory. Sounds easy enough, but in reality this life-changing, life-saving transformation is not by any means an easy transition for anyone, because the sinful human nature in general not only fears and doubts the righteous changes that God can make, but most of us will hang on to some of our sins like hanging onto a cliff for dear life. And for the Lord to remove these sinful things that have shaped our lives can sometimes be like pulling healthy teeth that are well rooted in. And adding to the challenge, most of us find it difficult to wait on anything, especially when it comes to personal change. Our Heavenly Father always knows best, because unlike us, He sees the entire picture of creation. And it is because of His abundant mercy and grace, and His great love for people that the He has revealed the Absolute Truth, for He wants everyone to break out of the fog and into the Son, and wait patiently and faithfully for His Glory to come. 

Prayer: 

How forever grateful I am, O God, that you lifted me
out of the fog and into Your Son. Thank You! Amen

October 23, 2012

 “Pure Victory”

Scripture:

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21) NLT

Observation:

Christ’s sacrificial death was the final and complete atonement for mankind’s sin and rebellion against the LORD God (Colossians 2:13-15). For when you confess your sins to God, asking for forgiveness, and hence, accept His authority over your life, and you do this with humility and conviction, the Lord will personally cleanse you, giving you a new life and a new beginning in Him. The old sins from the past no longer have control over you and the fear of death looses its power. But in return for God’s incredible gift of salvation, we must keep ourselves pure (1 Timothy 5:22) in repentance, by continually bringing any new sins before the Lord, because although the power of sin has been broken, our nature to sin remains.

Application:

Until Christ’s return we cannot fully escape our weakness to sin—we will always fall short of God’s standard and in the interim, we need to rely on God’s amazing grace for forgiveness and His strength to fight the war against sin and the goodness of God. No human being can successfully fight the enormous evil power that Satan and his forces possess. Without the Lord we are weak and vulnerable to the dark forces of evil that has its grip on this war torn world that is screaming for peace and pleading for truth. We are borne into a world that is consumed in both physical and spiritual warfare; a world where the battles of good and evil are fought 24/7. From the moment we are conceived in our mother’s womb the battle for our existence begins, and with our first breath of life they continue to rage on, but not only for our physical survival, but for our hearts, our minds, and eventually for our eternal souls. Although Satan is the Prince of this fallen world for now, Christ Jesus is King (1 Timothy 1:17). Our God and Savior is in control of all goings on in this world—nothing happens that He does not know about, or allow, for Satan is but a mere puppet in the scheme of God’s glorious plan for His creation. The Devil knows what his fate will be, and make no mistake about it, my friends; he will go down fighting hard and he will take many with him. But God is preparing His people well by giving us the two greatest gifts of this age; His Word and His Church. Both of these incredible gifts from our Sovereign God provides the courage, strength, comfort and most importantly, the Truth, so that we, the Church, can go out into the world spreading the Good News of God’s victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord—a very sweet victory for all those battle weary saints whose Commander in Chief is the Son of God, the One who will return one day soon with fire in His eyes and a very sharp sword to clean up the mess and bring us into His pure victory!

Prayer:

You are to be praised, O Sovereign God, for the victory we find in Your Son, Jesus Christ. For Christ’s victory will prevail and not even the powers from Hell are a match for You. For all it takes is a word from Your mouth and it will be done immediately without delay. You are the Great I Am!

                                                                                                                                                 October 23, 2012

                                                            Soap

                                         “Pure Victory”

Scripture:

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil

God can use for His purpose.  Your life will be clean,

and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21)  NLT

Observation:

Christ’s sacrificial death was the final and complete atonement for mankind’s sin and rebellion against the LORD God (Colossians 2:13-15).  For when you confess your sins to God, asking for forgiveness, and hence, accept His authority over your life, and you do this with humility and conviction, the Lord will personally cleanse you, giving you a new life and a new beginning in Him.  The old sins from the past no longer have control over you and the fear of death looses its power.  But in return for God’s incredible gift of salvation, we must keep ourselves pure (1 Timothy 5:22) in repentance, by continually bringing any new sins before the Lord, because although the power of sin has been broken, our nature to sin remains.

Application:

Until Christ’s return we cannot fully escape our weakness to sin—we will always fall short of God’s standard and in the interim, we need to rely on God’s amazing grace for forgiveness and His strength to fight the war against sin and the goodness of God.  No human being can successfully fight the enormous evil power that Satan and his forces possess.  Without the Lord we are weak and vulnerable to the dark forces of evil that has its grip on this war torn world that is screaming for peace and pleading for truth.  We are borne into a world that is consumed in both physical and spiritual warfare; a world where the battles of good and evil are fought 24/7.  From the moment we are conceived in our mother’s womb the battle for our existence begins, and with our first breath of life they continue to rage on, but not only for our physical survival, but for our hearts, our minds, and eventually for our eternal souls.  Although Satan is the Prince of this fallen world for now, Christ Jesus is King (1 Timothy 1:17).  Our God and Savior is in control of all goings on in this world—nothing happens that He does not know about, or allow, for Satan is but a mere puppet in the scheme of God’s glorious plan for His creation.  The Devil knows what his fate will be, and make no mistake about it, my friends; he will go down fighting hard and he will take many with him.  But God is preparing His people well by giving us the two greatest gifts of this age; His Word and His Church.  Both of these incredible gifts from our Sovereign God provides the courage, strength, comfort and most importantly, the Truth, so that we, the Church, can go out into the world spreading the Good News of God’s victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord—a very sweet victory for all those battle weary saints whose Commander in Chief is the Son of God, the One who will return one day soon with fire in His eyes and a very sharp sword to clean up the mess and bring us into His pure victory!

Prayer:

You are to be praised, O Sovereign God, for the victory we find in Your Son, Jesus Christ.  For Christ’s victory will prevail and not even the powers from Hell are a match for You.  For all it takes is a word from Your mouth and it will be done immediately without delay.  You are the Great I Am!    Amen

October 13, 2012

“Harbinger”

Scripture:

“This is My warning to My people,” says the LORD Almighty. “Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD! They keep saying to these rebels who despise My Word, ‘Don’t worry! The LORD says you will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own evil desires, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’” (Jeremiah 23:16-17)

Observation:

This warning from thousands of years ago, from our merciful and gracious God to His people Israel, is also a message of warning for His Church and all peoples in America. Much like in Israel’s final days God’s Word is being misrepresented and misinterpreted by many false prophets in our churches, in our schools, through books, television, radio, and now through the internet. The ungodly hope that is found in manmade religion, government intervention, and promised entitlements are leading this great nation down a very dangerous path I call complacent secularism—thinking that everything will be just fine because this is America, and although it’s governing is not always the best, it will always survive.

Application:

This is not so, my friends! For just as Israel turned their backs on God and He allowed them to be destroyed because of their ungodly, detestable sins, so, too, is the Lord’s anger burning against the detestable sins of His American Nation. How can He not be? We are loosing our morality by turning our backs on God and His righteousness to do whatever our sinful natures crave. We have, as a nation, legally sacrificed millions of our unborn children to be thrown away like garbage. We have slowly removed God’s Word from our homes, from our schools, from our governing, and sadly the truth of God’s Word is even being removed from our churches as well. Many people will never really know the truth because their minds are being poisoned with lies and false hope from an evil world engulfed in a darkness that is also consuming this great nation. But those who belong to the LORD God know the Truth and with His Truth comes an enduring peace that comforts our burdened and weary souls until that day when God’s glorious restoration is complete. The future for this country and the world looks rather bleak in the eyes of mankind and even bleaker yet for those who live in darkness without the Hope of Christ. Can God save this country? Of course He can! Will He save this country? His Word tells us not! So what can American Christians do for God, our country, and this dark world? We can live godly lives in our homes, in our schools, in our work place, in our communities, but most importantly in our hearts, for by living as true disciples of Christ the world will see the powerful hand of God graciously at work. And amidst all the bad news that consumes the airways and media, we must not only spread the Good News of redemption and salvation that is found only in Christ Jesus our Lord God, but we must also sound the trumpet of warning (Ezekiel 33:3-6). We must not hide ourselves in the Truth we know. Instead, we must reach out to the lost and misinformed, helping them understand God’s plan and what the future holds for mankind. We cannot afford to hide our faith from the world, my friends, we must let our voices be heard by voting for men and women who walk the walk with God and not just talk the talk for votes. We must return to the Lord our God (Malachi 2:7). We must return to the American Covenant that our founding fathers made with the Lord God and once again become a self-governing Christian people under God.

Prayer:

Help Your people, O God, to let our voices be heard in a world that needs Your Hope. For without Your Truth so many will fall victim to the lies of the Enemy and then perish into Hell unaware of their fate. Amen

October 6, 2012

“The Makers Plan”

Scripture:

“My people are foolish and do not know Me,” says the LORD. “They are senseless children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no talent at all for doing right.” (Jeremiah 4:22) NLT

Observation:

Much like God’s chosen nation of Israel and the Jewish people (Jeremiah 10:16) is the United States of America; a Christian nation made by God for God. America was founded in His Name and became the richest and most powerful nation the world has ever known—a nation that would stand strong in defending freedom and the Truth of God’s Word; a nation that would help millions of oppressed people who would have otherwise lived in hunger, hopelessness, and without ever knowing the True and Living God; a Christian people that would lead the way in spreading throughout the world the Good News of salvation in Christ—a nation that would help bring the scattered Jewish nation back into the land that God had given them. And just as Satan, the prince of this fallen world, poisoned the Jewish people and its leaders with lies and deception, leading the nation away from God and His protection, so, too, is Satan poisoning the peoples of America and attacking God’s Church, leaving them both misinformed and unprotected.

Application:

The prosperity gospel’s and many other false doctrines that are being preached in the Church today are not only leading people to worship themselves and other gods, but they are also spreading lies that there are no eternal consequences for sinful behavior—that Hell does not exist—that “all good people” go to Heaven and what’s left just ceases to exist. The only problem with this teaching is that God’s Word tells us different; that no one does good (Psalm 14:2-3); that we all sin and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). We need God’s glorious plan to make us right, and Christ Jesus is that plan (Romans 3:25). No matter what the leaders of this fallen world promise, only Christ can fix the problems we face. Only Christ will create perfect living conditions—a world without wars, without famine, and without disease and death. Only the Creator can create the perfect utopia here on Earth. And only the LORD our God and Savior can save us from the burning consequences of sin that lead into the Lake of Fire. There are dire consequences for living apart from God, my friends, because He did create a place called Hell just as He created a place called Heaven. Both are very real. Heaven or Hell are the only eternal choices we have to choose from. There are no others. If you want to escape the horrors of Hell and live eternally with the Living God who loves you, you must have faith in the Cross of Christ. If you want to be fully sanctified and holy, you must live in obedience to God. Don’t be one of the many that will be left behind. Instead, escape the coming darkness of God’s terrifying wrath by returning to your Maker, and live according to His Plan.

Prayer:

I pray, dear Lord that you would open the eyes of the blind so that they can see the Truth; that they would return to You. Help us to always know what path to follow; that we would return to trusting Your Word. For our eternal life depends on it. Amen

September 29, 2012

“Saving Peace”

Scripture:

“I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.” “There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God. (Isaiah 57:15, 21)  NLT

Observation:

When people choose to live their lives apart from the Lord God, they will selfishly live according to the lusts of their sinful flesh—doing as they please, whenever they please, and use this fallen world and its self-centered ways as their justification. And when a person lives out their life in this manner they are walking a path that seems right and good for them, but in reality when their earthly life is over it will end in an eternity of darkness, forever separated from God and His Light—a dark and lonely place—a place without end, without God, and without hope (Proverbs 14:12).

Application:

But for those who choose to put their lives fully into God’s care and control, He gives them the Way, the Truth, and a life that is worth more than anything we could ever dream of asking for. When you have the Father of Life as your Provider, the Savior as your Protector, and Holy Spirit as your Power, you have a Sovereign God that will give you the courage to stand strong in your faith and a saving peace when you fall short (Deuteronomy 31:8). Those who turn away from God to live as the world lives will live in fear of death, uncertainty about the future, and will never experience the peace of God that suppresses the anxiety in which this dark and dying world brings to every living soul. Having God’s peace in this unbalanced and violent world will comfort any weary and battled scared soul (John 14:26). Having the Lord leading the way will send you boldly into battle knowing the victory is yours. With God on your side, not even the powers of Hell can keep you down, for when God is with you He is all you need, for His power and greatness has overcome this dark world and given us His Light, His Truth, and His everlasting Hope. When we bow down before God’s Authority and submit to His righteous ways, He provides us with the strength to win our battles with sin so we can live a righteous life that honors, glorifies, and pleases our God in Heaven. So walk with God and live humble and brave, my friends, and as you walk through your life-journey, the Lord God will fill your heart with His amazing Peace; Peace that not only saved your eternal soul, but the same Peace that saved the world as well.

Prayer:

Thank You dear Lord, for Your amazing peace. Thank You Lord for the courage You give us. But most of all I want to thank You for saving this world from total destruction and death. Your promises give us hope and joy. There is no other God but You! Amen

September 23, 2012

“Most Holy One”

Scripture:

But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-2, 3) NLT

Observation:

Although the LORD is speaking to His people Israel through the prophet Isaiah, these Living Words from God are also speaking to His Church today. This incredible, life changing truth is God’s promise to everyone who belongs to Him.

Application:

When we become a part of the Body of Christ, His Church, we are no longer like a lone wolf hungrily searching to satisfy its instinctive animal appetites to survive. But unlike the wolf that is driven by survival, we choose to consciously feed on the worldly things that bring pleasure to our sinful flesh, rather than feeding on every word of God in order to nourish our eternal souls (1 Peter 2:2). As sinful human beings we tend to spend more time feeding on the things that are spiritually unhealthy and lead us away from the Savior. But when we give our lives to God, He breaks the chains that hold us captive to the pleasures of sin that lead to Hell. Instead, we are adopted into God’s family, receiving everything we need to satisfy our spiritual hunger and thirst for God and eternity. And once we accept Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross as the price paid for our sin-filled rebellion against God, we become His very own possessions—our lives are no longer our own, for we have not only been set free from our bondage to sin and death, but we are also made a new creation in Christ Jesus, our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:17). The price for your redemption has been paid in full, my friends. Your life has now been purchased by God and all He really wants in return is your love and obedience (1 Peter 1:14) and to live your life in ways that bring Him glory. One of the most incredible sensations you will ever experience is when you realize that you now belong to the Kingdom of God—you are now a citizen of Heaven. You will feel such an awesome sense of belonging to Something and Some One that is so incredibly greater than anything this fallen world has to offer. You will find yourself joyously praising the LORD Almighty—the Living God who saved you, for He will begin immediately rewarding you with an everlasting peace amidst the chaos, an everlasting joy in your deepest sorrow, and the unshakable confidence in knowing that you are a child of God. Realizing these amazing things about our Most Holy God allows you to be bold and unafraid, for He will give you both the Wisdom and Power to not only live righteously with the unrighteous, but to tell other lost souls about their desperate need to surrender to the Savior—the Most Holy One of Israel.

Prayer:

Thank You O God, for paying the price for our redemption. Thank You for setting us free from the power of sin and death. Thank You for giving me another chance to live righteously for You.  Amen

September 15, 2012

“A Time to Choose”

Scripture:

So we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be accepted by God because of our faith in Christ—and not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be saved by obeying the law.
(Galatians 2:16) NLT

Observation:

No living person has the ability nor the power to stand justified before the Most Holy One of Israel. In order for anyone to stand holy and blameless in the eyes of the Living God, we, too, must be holy as He is Holy. And the only way for our justification and holiness (so we can escape God’s final punishment) is through His forgiveness of sin and the holy covering of our Lord, Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-25).

Application:

Because of the sinful nature we all inherit, we are cursed with the human weakness to fight the evil, God hating power of sin, and thus, we need the blood of Christ to cleanse us and His holiness to save us. There is no other Way, for our inherent human weakness to sin is our condemnation. We cannot save ourselves no matter how righteous we try to be, or how righteous we think we are. We all have the tendency to do whatever we feel like doing, rather than doing what is righteous and pleasing to God. Many of us only come to God when we are in desperate need of something greater than ourselves, because we hate to admit that we are powerless in our own circumstances. And God hates pride! Pride is the reason that Lucifer, the greatest and most beautiful of God’s angels was thrown out of Heaven and condemned to the eternal Lake of Fire with no chance for redemption. It was the human pride of Jewish leaders that led to the murder of the Son of Man. It is our stubborn pride that is our ticket to Hell. But there is very good news, for we now live in the Age of the Church and we know there is only One Truth, because the Lord our God has poured out His Holy Spirit to reveal His Truth and give us the Resurrection Power that not only helps us walk through the sanctification process, but gives us the strength to maintain the holiness that God calls us to have (Leviticus 19:2). Upon our acceptance of God’s redemptive plan through Christ Jesus, we have the sacrificial blood of Christ to cleanse us, His sacrificial death that saves us, God’s resurrection power to sustain us, and God’s promise of eternal life to reward us. God had His plan for mankind before the foundation of the earth was laid. And unlike the waves of the sea, the Creator does not waver in His ways. Unlike the finite creatures that we are, God knows that we cannot live without Him. His infinite Wisdom and Power and Mercy is all the grace we need. For He knows that we are mere humans, not god’s; that we are weak and vulnerable, and are lives are but a dream—once realized, but soon forgotten. Our earthly lives are just a blink of an eye, but our souls (our very spirits themselves) are eternal. This is why our Holy and Just God has given us all fair warning—why He has given us the Way and the time to choose. God wants no one to perish, but the time is growing dangerously close to the completion of His redemptive plan. It’s time to choose, if you have not already done so. Don’t wait, dear friends—don’t let the Perfect and Holy Justice of God decide for you— for if you do, you will not be pleased.

Prayer:

What a glorious and awesome God you are, O LORD. Your love and faithfulness is unending and has no bounds. You are, the Great I Am—You are our Great Gift Giver—You and You alone are our only hope for salvation, for You are the only Savior of Creation. Amen

September 8

“Most Trustworthy”

Scripture:

Stop putting your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. How can they be of help to anyone? (Isaiah 2:22) NLT

Observation:

Trusting in ourselves or other flawed human beings to do for you what only God can do is not only short-sighted, but foolish as well (Proverbs 28:26). Relying on anyone but the LORD God Himself will always leave you feeling either letdown or unsatisfied at best. Putting your hope in this dying world and those who belong to it will only bring you even more disappointment than you have already experienced from trusting in your own abilities and others to gain whatever it is that you don’t have.

Application:

The sinfulness that human pride brings into this world becomes so misleading that it blinds us from the Truth of who God is, of what God can do, and what God has planned for mankind! It is God’s will that will prevail. He is sovereign over all things. There is nothing bigger, or mightier, or more trusting than our triune God and Creator. God’s truth is absolute. His Word is the final authority. His ways are always best and God can be trusted fully with anything in our lives. No one on this earth will ever love you as completely as God loves you. No one knows you better than the One who formed you in your mother’s womb. There is no one better for you to trust than the King of the Universe—your Advocate—the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb of God who died every sinners death so you would not have to. There is no one more forgiving, more understanding, or more dedicated to your life than the One who gave you this life. The many lies that Satan rules this sin filled world with are hopeless and futile and cannot be trusted for anything good, especially for your ever-living needs. When we go to God first for whatever it is we need, we can trust and rely on Him, because whatever He gives us will not only be sufficient, but will be exactly what is best for us (Micah 7:7-8). God will not withhold from you any good thing when you belong to Him (Psalm 84:11). He is your Father, the One who brought you into this life—the One who gave up the glory of Heaven to live and die in a dark and evil world so that you could live and live forever. Our Mighty God is, was, and always will be—Most Trustworthy.

Prayer:

Thank You, dear Lord, for the Truth we can live by and one that is trustworthy indeed. It is comforting to know that when we lay down to sleep we can sleep in peace! Amen

September 1, 2012

“Unstoppable”

Scripture:

Then Job replied to the LORD; “I know that You can do anything,
and no one can stop You.” (Job 42:1-2) NLT

Observation:

I believe that knowing and accepting this absolute truth about the Creator is the beginning of sincere human humility. For without the solid foundation that this truth brings to life, life itself is not only disturbing, but confusing at best. Man cannot successfully navigate through this life without a point of reference that is both constant and reliable—ways that will guide us in the right direction—ways that remind us of who we really are, especially in our relationship with God and His supreme scheme of things.

Application:

We cannot possibly begin to understand the depths of our existence and why things are what they are (Romans 11:33-34) without God’s true purpose and destination in mind. Fact: God created man in His own likeness and for His glory. Fact: God, the Creator, personally owns everything that He creates, including each and every precious human life that He forms in the womb. Fact: God does what God must do! We have a Father in Heaven, my friends, an Infinite Father who wants the best for every person He creates; even those who continually deny Him. We have a High Priest who sits at the right hand of God in Heaven; One who saved all humanity from God’s wrath and the only One who can successfully advocate on our behalf (Hebrews 10:12). And we have a Holy Spirit who is alive and working in our fallen world, changing hearts, changing lives, and bringing much needed peace of mind and hope to the people of this world; even amidst the seemingly unending chaos that sin-filled rebellion against God brings to this world. Our Triune God wants no one to perish, and it is for this reason that He gives us a choice and a time to choose Him. And when we do, He instantly becomes for us everything we need, and then guides us to achieve our dreams of a better future filled with joy rather than pain. He becomes our Strong Tower—a Place where we can escape the daily assaults from our enemies—a Place of safety and comfort—a Place where we will find a much needed rest for our tired and weary souls (Proverbs 18:10). When we know that God is on our side and for us, nothing can stand in His way—nothing will stop Him from doing what He wants to accomplish. When is comes to saving His creation from destruction, the LORD our God is totally and inequitably the unstoppable Power that you need by your side. Walking with God is an unstoppable journey to Heaven.

Prayer:

One of the greatest gifts You have given us, O Lord, is the gift of Your Presence—knowing that we can run to You for all our needs, especially when trouble and sorrow comes our way. Just knowing that we can find peace and rest is something that is beyond my ability to express gratitude for You. Amen

August 25, 2012

“Living Redeemer”

Scripture:

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! (Job 19:25-27) NLT

Observation:

I believe one of the most important questions that all Christians should ask themselves is this: If your life circumstances were that of Job’s—where you lost your family, your home, your health and all that you had, would you, too, stand strong in our faith that God is truly God? Could you still love and honor Him, or would you hate and turn against Him?

Application:

I’m not trying to diminish anyone’s difficult circumstances or am I implying that God intentionally causes us great grief, but just as Job was singled out by God to get His point across, we, too, may find ourselves singled out by God and thrown into circumstances that we don’t understand—trials that will test our faith—trials that bring us down. This short and difficult life has its ways of making us feel like we have personally been singled out and oppressed, causing us to doubt God and this life. We, for the moment, must live in a world cursed with sin and ruled by the powers of darkness—those unseen enemies who hold the powers of fear and death, (Ephesians 6:12), and hate the God of the Bible. And until Jesus returns to set up His earthly Kingdom, living on this earth will continue to decay morally and get even more difficult and dangerous to live in. No one will be immune. And yes, all living things will suffer. But, there is Hope—Hope for the world, for we have a Redeemer, my friends, we have Christ Jesus—God in the flesh—the Living God who physically lived as a man, untarnished by sin, and became the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb who redeemed all of mankind (Isaiah 53:6). Unlike Job, we know that God walked upon the earth bringing us hope in salvation. And we know that no matter how we suffer or how difficult this life becomes, we will live on to see God Face to face. Focusing on this incredible promise will always give you peace in your trials and the strength to faithfully carry on—taking on each difficult circumstance and trusting God’s Power with each one (Ephesians 6:10). Without the blessed Hope that God has given us in the resurrection of His Son, this life is meaningless. Without God’s Guiding Light, we live groping in darkness in a desperate search for truth. In all circumstances, if you have faith in your Redeemer, you have it all. For when you doubt (and you will), you can take the Hand of Living God and walk in His Presence, and by focusing on the Author and the Finisher of Life, you will experience the joy and freedom of knowing that our Redeemer lives!

Prayer:

Thank You, dear Lord, for taking my pain and suffering, and for giving me new life. How I look forward to that day when I will see You Face to face. Until then you will continue to live in my heart doing what only You are able to do. Amen

August 14, 2012

 

“Worthy Callings”

Scripture:

Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (Ephesians 4:1-2) NLT

Observation:

As Christians, we have been called by God to live our lives that not only bring honor to God, but to our calling as well—ways that bring glory to God—the glory and goodness that He has called us to receive (2Peter 1:3). And because the Lord has chosen His Church to be the beacon of light in this lost world covered in darkness, we must be transformed into the likeness of the Son of God—the true and everlasting “Light of the World” (John 8:12), if we are to fulfill our special calling from God. But because of our sinful, self-centered nature, a Christ-like transformation must take place; a process that cannot be accomplished on our own or without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Application:

We must have this transforming power of God working in us and for us (24/7), if we are to become a new creation…a new and holy person in Christ Jesus our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:17). Most of us who come into Gods Light and calling come lacking both humility and patience because this world is all about self-reliance and quicker is better, which in many cases ends up in failure and fear, which leads us even further away from the love, and the knowledge, and the protection of the Father, our Sovereign Creator. Without God’s help and direction we inevitably begin drifting dangerously closer to the decadence that ends in deeper darkness and death; the fate of all those who stubbornly follow the senseless paths that this lost world sets before us. Only when we are driven by the love of God do we humble ourselves before the Lord, allowing Him to soften our hardened hearts, so we can learn to be gentle rather than harsh, to be more understanding instead of condemning, and a willingness to love and help others in spite of our own circumstances. None of us are perfect and we all share many of the same weaknesses, but when we live for God and His calling, He will give us exactly what is needed, at the very moment it is needed, in order to fulfill His purposes through us (Psalm 37:5). We must step out in faith and trust that God is who He says He is and that He does what He says He will do. You can fully trust in our Infinite God, dear friends, and when you do He will transform your self-centered life in ways that will be worthy of this crucial life or death calling; a calling this condemned world so desperately needs!

Prayer:

Install in me, O LORD, the abilities to carry out Your calling for me. And not just me, dear Lord, but for Your Holy Church that is spreading throughout this fallen world. Help us unite in ways that are worthy of Your Calling.

Amen

August 11, 2012

 

“Infinite in Truth”

Scripture:

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard,
or we may drift away from it. (Hebrews 2:1) NLT

Observation:

In our fallen state of sinfulness it can be really easy to let the voices of this busy world drown out the Truth of God—Truth that saves our eternal souls from eternal darkness—Truth that brings us into the very Presence of the Living God Himself.

Application:

In order to escape the seemingly harmless, yet deadly traps that Satan deliberately sets for God’s children, we must stay connected to the infinite Source of all Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4), least we find ourselves drifting aimlessly in an ocean of lies that promises our demise. It is absolutely dangerous to our spiritual health when we become so comfortable in our salvation that we become lazy or negligent in the things of God (Ecclesiastes 10:18)—things that protects us from the decadence that eats away at this world and everyone who belongs to it. If we, as God’s holy people, are to fulfill the Lord’s Commission, we must first and foremost listen very carefully and everyday for the Still Small Voice that speaks through God’s Word by the Holy Spirit. And we must do this consistently and faithfully with love as our motivation, for when we do it out of obligation or for any other reason other than pure love we are neither being loyal to God, nor are we being the salt and light that God calls us to be in this difficult life that cries out for God’s intervention. It is easy for us to get so rapped up in our own spiritual development that we either fail to recognize the urgency that spiritual warfare brings to this world, or we lack the confidence in God to act upon our mission in faith. Not everyone is destined to do great deeds of faith that catch the eyes of the world, but we are called to live our lives for God and others—to love our God and others, and to sacrifice for God and others, and do it one day, one soul at a time! It is never easy to live out God’s priorities for our lives, for we are both sinfully weak and handicapped by our finite humanness. But by trusting in Christ Jesus as our Redeemer and loyal Advocate; the One who is (at this very moment) sitting at the right hand of God in the current Heaven covering our sins with His righteousness, and by relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us into action, we can, indeed, do the work and the will that the Father calls His children to do. Listen carefully and listen often, my friends, for the Truth is not only eternal, but like God, is infinite as well ((John 1:14).

 

Prayer:

Thank You, O God, for the Spirit of Truth that makes the world’s truth sound foolish indeed. Help us to understand and remain steadfast in the things of God that is revealed by His Spirit in us. For when we do the Light of Christ shines brightly in this world that is covered in darkness.

Amen

August 4, 2012

“Sacrifice in Love”

Scripture:

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is Love.
(1 John 4:7-8) NLT

 

Observation:

Our Creator endowed us with the ability to love—an attribute of our gracious God that we should never take lightly and one that we should aspire to and try to live by. The Lord our God loved us first
(1 John 4:19) and because of His unconditional love, He took it upon Himself to save us from our own self-induced destruction (Romans 5:8). As finite, imperfect creatures we tend to search for love that makes us feel good, rather than seeking others that need our love. And most often, the love that we search for is not the kind of love that brings us closer to God.

Application:

When the Lord created us, He created us to love and honor Him first and above all else, but because of the first man’s disobedience to God, mankind fell into self-love instead. We live in a fallen state that screams: “this life is all about me and what makes me feel good about myself.” And these good feelings we are trained to attain can only come by loving ourselves first, because the world tells us that if we don’t love ourselves first how can we love anyone else? My dear friends, if we refuse to love the Lord our God above all else, we will never experience the greatest attribute of all—Godly Love (1 Corinthians 13:13). For love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Can anyone love this way on their own? The answer is empathically no! We are selfish by nature and self-centered by osmosis, so we tend to put ourselves in the first seat. It is only by the gracious power of the Holy Spirit and by our Lord Jesus’ example that we can truly love, for true love is characterized by humility, obedience to God, and sacrifice. I don’t believe it’s possible to find any joy in living if we don’t sacrifice ourselves for others. Happiness is better found when we are actively doing something good for someone else—focusing selflessly on others who are in need of God’s mercy and grace as well. To further the Kingdom of Jesus Christ our Everlasting King, we must first love God and then put to death our own self-centered love and be borne again of the Spirit. If you truly love the Lord, my friends, and you desire some peace and joy, you should begin by prioritizing your love life according to the riches of His grace, by humbly submitting to His Word, and then sacrifice in love!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please help us, Your children, to love as You love. Fill our hearts with the kind of love that glorifies You and brings honor to Your people. For it is easy to love You, but not so easy to love those who are loveless. And thank You Father for teaching us by Your Perfect Example.

Amen

July 28, 2012

“No More”

Scripture:

Romans 8:23
And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as His children, including the new bodies He has promised us. (NLT)

Observation:

Just about every person that has ever lived knows how difficult this life is; that no matter how much we have or how hard we try to enjoy our lives there is always something that eventually ruins it for us—things that can take away even the simplest pleasures of living the life that God has so graciously given us. And there are vast numbers of people living today who find very little pleasure in living; who will inevitably experience even more hardships that make living even harder to enjoy. Because of the fallen condition that sin brought into this world, the trials and tribulation, all the pain and sufferings, and the feelings of defeat and hopelessness that causes us to doubt God’s goodness, are just as a part of living in this fallen world as breathing is for our survival. Even those who seem to have everything, such as good looks or perfect health or great wealth—temporary things that tend to make one happy in this life—they, too, suffer from the effects of sin and the battles within; battles that leave us all with that same empty, hopeless feelings that feeds the fear and doubts that plague the world we live in. For when we are uncertain what lies beyond this short and difficult life it leaves us fearful, unprepared, and living in vain.

Application:

But for the time being we live in a fallen universe, on a fallen world, with a decaying body where Satan reigns and death is imminent—a condition that will remain until the Day of the Lord (Romans 8:21). And absolutely no one can escape the consequences of this sin-filled world. But there is Hope (1 Peter 1:21); there is Good News! That no matter what degree of suffering you are experiencing now, or are going to experience in the coming days, there is a true sense of joy and peace amidst this suffering life for everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus. You don’t have to experience your decadence alone or without hope, for there is One Savior who can help you face your sufferings with courage, and help you persevere in your discouragement with an incredible peace and joy while anxiously waiting for God’s amazing Promises of restoration. Our Messiah, Christ Jesus, the Savior of all creation, has defeated both sin and death so that we, too, can be victorious over this sin infected life. In His inspired Holy Words, God promises everyone who comes into His family, that whatever our sufferings may be in this life, they are nothing compared to the glory that is ours after this fallen state of existence is no more (Romans 8:18).

Prayer:

What amazing hope you bring to this troubled world, O God; hope that overcomes whatever our troubles may be. Thank You, O Lord, for Your sacrifice that saved believing mankind.

Amen

July 21, 2012

“Good is God”

Scripture:

Psalm 16:2
I said to the LORD, “You are my Master! All the good things I have are from You.” (NLT)

 

Observation:

In truth, whatever fills our minds is usually the driving force behind our actions, which in reality becomes our master and we become its slave (or servant if you will). Even though in our culture it is not politically correct but racist to label the master-slave relationship to anything, it is the reality of life and has been ever since God created mankind. In other words, the created is never greater than the creator and the creator is the one in charge. This type of life-relationship is a reality in everyone’s life and it’s not going away anytime soon. The Word of God says that everything good comes from God above (James 1:17). The Lord our God and Creator is not only the highest form of goodness, but the final standard as well.

Application:

Absolutely nothing unholy or unjust comes from our God in Heaven, for He is perfectly holy and just in all things. God’s character and attributes cannot be anything but perfect and just. So where then does all the bad and evil in our world come from if God is the Creator? It comes from the most powerful angel gone bad; the greatest enemy of God and everything good that flows graciously out of Heaven at God’s command. This dark world, filled with all its evil and trouble is orchestrated by Satan—the master of all evil and deceit and everything else that draws us away from the Truth of the Living God. The reality is, dear people, that everyone who refuses the Gospel of Jesus Christ is held in bondage to sin (John 8:34), which is everything this fallen world professes to be good and right, but is in reality both empty and deadly. Because of our sinful nature it is easy to fall into the traps that Satan sets for us--traps that can eventually lead to bondage and a state of hopelessness. The power that sin holds over our flesh belongs to Satan and goes against the very fibers of God’s being. For God’s mercy is His goodness to those who feel trapped in their sin, His grace is His goodness toward those who don’t deserve it, and His patience is His goodness toward those who continue to blatantly rebel against God and His standard of goodness, for He wants no one to perish in everlasting Hell. It is because of the LORD’S goodness that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die and take the punishment we all deserve, and who is now in the current Heaven above sitting at the right hand of the Father graciously pleading the cases for His flawed people on Earth (Hebrews 9:24), whom Satan (the destroyer) is trying to condemn. How good is God really? Perfectly good!

Prayer:

Thank You Lord, for Your goodness; for Your abundant mercy and grace that you pour out each and every day to all peoples world wide. Please help us, O God, to fight off the attacks of the Enemy so that we can sleep in peace knowing You are close by.

Amen

July 14, 2012

“One True God”

Scripture:

And we know that the Son of God has come, and He has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we are in God because we are in His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and He is eternal life. Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. (1 John 5:20-21) NLT

Observation:

There are many false gods in this world; some that we cannot see, but many that we can. There are many falsehoods that compete with God’s Truth and our loyalty—lies that all come from Satan our adversary, who wants only to deceive and destroy God’s creation (1 Peter 5:8). Because of our inherent nature to sin against the One True God, it is easy for people to follow the many paths that offer the lest resistance—ways that promise to satisfy our many self-indulgent fantasies—ways that cause us to slip slowly and comfortably into the darkness that this fallen world embraces.

Application:

The entire world is now infected with more lies than we can shake a stick at. Most of the mainstream media; the internet, television, radio, news papers, movies, books, music, magazines, computer games, advertisements, and even many Christian Churches are bombarding us with so much false information and garbage that is not only confusing, but is also extremely tempting and very believable as well. It can be so easy to fall into these traps set by Satan himself, for he is the prince of darkness and is directing much of what is happening in this fallen world today. His power is such a driving force behind all the events that are coloring our world in darkness (Colossians 2:8). The only hope anyone has to escape the deadly traps of the Enemy is through the power of the only True and Living God, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is only through His resurrection power that we can escape the death of our eternal soul in Hell. It is by His Spirit living in us that we can find truth and everlasting life. There is no other Way, my friends. Jesus is… the only Way! The world is doing its best to convince you otherwise, but do not listen. The world will do its best to draw you away from the Living God by taking advantage of your frail, human weaknesses. The only way to survive this onslaught of evil is to turn off your computer, or television, or radio and spend more time with the One True God; filling your heart with His life-giving words of truth. And once your heart is filled with God and His Truth there will be no more room for any other gods, and you will have secured your place in Heaven where you will walk and talk with God and spend an eternity discovering His awesome Glory (Psalm 138:5).

Prayer:

Thank You, Jesus, for the Truth that sets us free from the chains of this world and its leader; that is Satan. Help us, dear Lord, to discern Your Truth from the sly false truth of this world. Help us drown out the world’s voice so we can listen to Your Voice, so that we may live forever with You.

Amen

July 7, 2012

“Looking to Heaven”

Scripture:

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set you sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let Heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. (Colossians 3:1-2) NLT

Observation:

When you really think about the brevity of human life on this earth, the amount of time spent from birth to death passes by rather quickly (Psalm 103:15-16); a reality everyone must face. Prophetically said, “this life is but a breath (Job 7:7), because our days are few when compared to the ages. This reality is absolute in its truth, and one that has motivated mankind since the beginning—one that dictates how we actually live our lives. So what lies beyond this life… if anything? Do our lives just simply cease to exist? Is there another life awaiting us after this one so quickly passes by? And if there is more life (more existence), are we held accountable for how we live this life? And if so, how do we live as we move through this life and into the next? These are very legitimate and crucial questions that need an answer, for the truth to these and similar questions, is what sets us free from living in doubt and fear. Knowing the truth about where you came from and why you are here, and where your human life-journey is headed is more than a matter of life and death; whether you will joyously live on with God in Heaven, or whether you suffer and exist in Hell forever. The Truth also brings us peace and hope for the future—A Truth that is neither hidden if asked for, nor is it difficult to find.

Application:

But beware of manmade, self-indulging truth, for it is not only bogus but deadly to boot. One must look to the True Source of Life—to the One who created it all. The Living God has graciously given us a clear and simple picture into the absolute realities and truths about this life and the one to follow. And once you know and understand God’s Truth it makes perfectly good sense to keep your focus on the longevity of God’s plan rather than on temporary plan of the here and now, because the LORD created man to be eternal creatures (Matthew 10:28). He created us living beings that are both physical and spiritual in nature. And so it would behoove us to keep our focus on Heaven and prepare ourselves for the next life rather than putting all our hope and energy into this short life that will eventually end in our body’s death and decay. The LORD has given us a wonderful gift called life, but because of one mans disobedience we all live in a sin-invested world that pulls us away from the Truth and into the deadly traps of Satan where we are easily deceived and become prey to the darkness that will eventually swallow us up forever. But there is a Way; there is Good News! Our Creator came into this world as a man and saved our souls from the grips of sin and sure destruction. Now, because of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection, the atonement for the world’s sins is complete and final. Now every man, woman, and child is able to escape the second death in the pits of Hell to receive a new resurrected body that is perfect, which will live on a new resurrected earth that is even more perfect than the original one, which will take its place in the new resurrected universe. And when this renewed creation is complete, we will physically live with the physically resurrected King of the Universe, Jesus Christ our Lord. For the New Jerusalem and the New Heaven will come down to the New Earth where God’s redeemed people will live and reign with Him for the rest of our eternal life-journeys. Remember, my friends, that when you are truly heavenly minded and trusting in the Lord, you will bring hope to some of those lost souls who are desperately searching for answers that will bring them peace in their difficult life-journeys and satisfy the true longings of their heart for God.

 

Prayer:

Thank You for the Truth, dear LORD…the Truth that saves…the Truth that gives new life.

Amen

July 2, 2012

“Safe & Sound”

Scripture:

The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; and the godly run to Him and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

Observation:

There is no better Person with whom we can call out to, nor are there any stronger arms that we can run into than the LORD our God, for He keeps watch over and protects His entire creation.

Application:

There is absolutely nothing that is unknown to the Mighty and Sovereign One who created everything that exists; including the very life we breathe. He keeps the universe perfectly tuned and balanced (Hebrews 1:3), protecting this world from the incredible energy of the universe that could so easily annihilate our solar system. And our gracious and merciful God will continue this protection until the end of ages. The Father of Life hears every desperate cry that is poured out from the mouths of His people (2 Chronicles 16:9). He sees each and every tear that drops from every eye that He so masterfully created. He feels the pain of our every hurt, for He knows very well what it means to suffer. But our Loving God also notices and takes great delight in our laughter and joy, for He rejoices when we are alive and vibrant in Him, enjoying the world that He personally created for us to live in. Although we cannot physically see our mighty and awesome God at this time, we can be confident that He is very much a part of our everyday lives and is constantly interacting on our behalf—even in the lives of those who refuse to know or accept Him. Our Living God speaks to every heart, for the life of every soul is so very precious to Him. That is just the Way God is and always will be. So to all you precious children of the Living God I say; until you become truly one with the Creator and Savior of the World, Christ Jesus, you will remain enslaved in the darkness of this fallen world, and blind to its deadly and deceitful ways. Until the living Spirit of God is dwelling in your heart you will never know the Truth about life, nor will you experience the true joy of knowing all that the Lord has planned for you. And unless you confess and repent of you rebellion against God and gladly receive His gift of salvation, you will never experience the Peace of God which trumps any and all that this fallen world offers. For without God’s gracious protection, you could very well face Hell on Earth when the Almighty God unleashes His burning anger on a rebellious mankind that loves and worships this earth so dearly (Revelation 20:9). Don’t be duped into becoming one with Satan’s fallen world and burn; rather escape the coming night by becoming one with Christ Jesus our Lord and know what it is to truly live and love like Jesus!

Prayer:

Thank You, O LORD, for being our Rock and our Fortress where we find strength and protection. Thank you for the salvation that we do not deserve. Thank You for setting us free from the condemnation that belongs to all unrepentant sinners, for without You…we have no hope!

Amen

June 16, 2012

“Light Speaking”

Scripture:

 

1 Kings 17:24

Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the LORD truly speaks through you.” (NLT)

Observation:

We don’t have to produce spiritual miracles of healing the sick or raising the dead back to life in order to prove to the world that we belong to God—that we truly are His children. With the fallen state of darkness that this world is experiencing it’s never easy living in God’s Light, for we must function in a world that denies the Truth and hates the very Name of Jesus Christ. And no matter how great the desire or how hard we try to walk with God, it will always be a daily challenge until that day of our Lord’s return. Because of our sinful nature all people borne into this world become children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3) and without the saving power of God found only in the life and death of His Son we will die children of wrath as well. While the incarnate Jesus Christ lived on this earth He set the standard for all people to live by—standards that go against the very grain of the world’s self-centered standards. And as believers in God’s redemptive plan we can choose to speak the good fight and back up our words by living them, or we can speak the good fight to impress others and continue living as the world does.

Application:

With the power that Satan has over this world we have the ability to easily fool other people, but it is utterly impossible to fool the Creator because He knows what is in every heart He creates, and will surely put to test every believer (Proverbs 17:3) that will show the world (and the one tested) where they truly stand. You are either with God or against Him and being lukewarm is a dangerous game to play, my friends (Revelation 3:15-16). The surest way to draw others into the saving Light of Christ is by speaking the truth in love and then living in that Truth for others to see. And if you ever begin to slide back into the darkness of this world (which is easy to do), you can be sure that if your heart is right, the Lord will snatch you back into the Light where you belong. And knowing we will always fall short of God’s Glorious Standard until our sanctification is complete, we can trust that when we speak and live in the Truth, we have God as our Rock and the Son as our Hope. For when we live and love like Jesus our Lord, the world around us will not only watch and listen a bit more closely to the Truth that pours out from our lives, but miraculously we will see the most unlikely people drawn into God’s Light to be forever changed for the Glory of the Most High!

Prayer:

Thank You, O God, for showing us how to live right in a world that believes living wrong is right. Thank You for the Light that exposes the darkness of this world for what it truly is—disobedience to You, our perfectly righteous Creator who, because of Your Power and abundant mercy and grace and love for us made a way for anyone to defeat this world and live in Your Presence forever!

Amen

June 9, 2012

 “From Listener to Doer”

Scripture:

James 1:22
Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (NASB)

Observation:

We cannot not truly call ourselves “children of God” and expect to enjoy the many blessings that our salvation in Christ Jesus brings without actually doing the will of God, because thinking otherwise is not only foolish, but deadly as well. It is delusional and dangerous to think you can hear God’s Word, and then knowingly disobey it without retribution. It is written in Scripture that there is a price to be paid for those who claim to hear the Word of God but blindly go about their everyday lives in total disregard of what it says (Matthew 7:21).

Application:

The Church gatherings around the world are filled with people who listen to the sermons, but their lives never really change—and sadly, they spend their short lives here on the earth going about the business of this fallen world believing their salvation is in the bag. And how terrible it will be on the “Day of the Lord” when they hear Jesus say; “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22-23). It is impossible to understand the true meaning of God’s Word without the Holy Spirit as our Interpreter, who takes up residence in our hearts when we selflessly take up the Lord’s offer and live as God’s children should. Apart from ourselves, only God knows the motivation found in our heart, for we cannot hide in our darkness from Him. Our flawed human hearts are deceitful and malevolent in its fallen state (Jeremiah 17:9-10), especially when it comes to things which we know are righteous and godly—even when our conscience opposes our sinful behavior. We cannot win the battles against our sinful nature if we don’t apply the Word of God to our lives, and it is useless going into battle against the evil forces that rule this world without the armor of God and the Holy Spirit leading the way. If you truly believe in the Word of God and replace your own flawed will with the perfect will of the Father you will be changed from a listener to a doer, and in the process your life will experience a transformation that lasts forever—For one day you will hear Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” rather than, “I never knew you.”

Prayer:

Thank You, O God, for Your mercy and grace for forgiving my sins and giving me life. There are many voices calling for my allegiance to the world. But you have opened the eyes of my heart so Your Truth drowns them out. You are our only Hope in this decaying world—our eternal Hope!   Amen

June 2, 2012

 

 “Living Anew”

Scripture:

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again. Your new life did not come from your earthly parents because the life they gave you will end in death. But this new life will last forever because it comes from the Eternal Living Word of God. (NLT)

Observation:

The Son of God tells us clearly in His own Words that in order for anyone to receive the gift of eternal life in the Kingdom of God they must be born again (John 3:3), and this rebirth comes not from this dying world but from the infinite Almighty God Himself (John 1:13). Experiencing true rebirthing means that you have been chosen by God the Father, cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and renewed by the Holy Spirit, who does the good work of transforming our hearts and minds until our sanctification is completed to perfection and we are glorified—perfect in every way and in union with God forever.

Application:

I still find it so incredibly amazing that after all of my dysfunctional behaviors and many years of rebellion against God that He would cleanse my ugly past and give me a new beginning that has no end. Not long after my rebirth, as the Holy Spirit began to reveal the true meaning of life and what my new future held, did the thought of eternal life really hit me hard, for I had no problem accepting the renewing of my lost and troubled life in the here and now, but the thought of having to continually live forever appealed to me about as much as swimming with hungry sharks did. But as the Lord transformed my heart and my dysfunctional world view I began to see how wonderful and exciting this forever new life was going to be. And as I keep on learning and changing and realizing how infinitely big our God is, the more I look forward to living in His Presence for eternity. As God’s redeemed people we should all be excitedly awaiting that glorious day when Jesus physically returns to the Earth with His angles and saints to eradicate the evil forces that rule this world and establish His Kingdom on Earth for a millennium. And after His thousand year reign the Lord will restore His creation to perfection, bringing the New Jerusalem and the New Heaven down to Earth where His glorified people will reign with Him forever (Revelation 22:5). And this, my friends, is how all of God’s redeemed people will forever live—reigning with Christ in new glorified bodies, never bored, never sad or lonely, and never in pain—exploring the immensity of our infinite and sovereign God who has made it possible for us to, once again, physically live in His Presence forever!

Prayer:

Thank You, dear LORD, for this new life and bright future in Your Presence. Thank You for rescuing me from the fate of this fallen world to give me a clearer picture of who You are and who I am not. Life without knowing these things has a tragic end indeed.   Amen

May 26, 2012

 “Staying Alive”

Scripture:

John 15:4
Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from Me. (NLT)

Observation:

It is absolutely essential for every Christian, no matter where they are in their walk with the Lord, to stay connected to God and His will by daily reading and meditating on every Word of God. For it is not only infallible in its truth, but it’s the heavenly food that nourishes our hearts, minds, and souls as we develop and share the kind of fruit which helps us remain as clean as freshly fallen snow and as white as wool even though our sins are as deep as crimson red (Isaiah 1:18).

Application

In order for our lives to grow and produce this heavenly fruit which is filled with the transforming power of God, we must have the Holy Spirit living in us to prune out that which is diseased and rotten and growing in the wrong direction, and to nourish our new growth with God’s life-giving food. Without this everyday spiritual nourishing the stems of our new life will weaken and the fruit which began to develop will soon shrivel up and die, dropping away from the Branch to lie rotting and useless. And it is there, back in the decaying world from which we came, that we await the burning (John 15:6). Without this nourishing power from Heaven helping us stay healthy and connected to the Branch, we are destined to fall away and return to the world to partake of its deadly poisonous food which kills and condemns our eternal life. Many hungry souls will taste of God’s Heavenly food only to feed upon it when it’s convenient or desperately needed, then sadly will return to the lust filling diet of the world when it’s not. Don’t be one of those who uses the Word of God to pacify their worldly feeding frenzy, because the Truth tells us that we would be better off never having tasted of God’s heavenly food in the first place (2 Peter 2:21-22). Instead, bathe in the glory of God’s goodness and mercy and grace and be nourished by His Word, which will keep you alive during this difficult life-journey. And one day you will partake in God’s true fruit from the Tree of Life that will be found in the new Heaven on the New Earth. Reject the addictive and poisonous food of this evil world ruled by Satan, my friends, and replace it with the Word of God. For if don’t you will surely die an unrepentant sinner’s death, which is far more deadly than the first death that is a reality for everyone living on this earth.

Prayer:

Thank You O God, for taking care of my every need. Now help me stay strong and committed to You and Your Way. And help me discern what is healthy for my soul and what is not, for when I know the difference I will remain connected to You and be able to stay alive!           Amen

May 20, 2012

 “Our Every Breath”

Scripture:

 

Psalm 116:12

What can I offer the LORD for all He has done for me? (NLT)

Observation:

There was a time, not so long ago, that all I could offer the LORD was nothing, but a broken down shell of a man with an awful distaste for life and everything it had to offer. I was displeased with God, myself, and the world I was forced to live in. I hated God, myself, and most of everything that the world was. I was hopelessly lost on a journey I didn’t like and didn’t want; a journey that didn’t really have a destination. So I had nothing to offer the LORD even if I wanted to, for very little good had come my way.

Application:

I always thought that I did my best to do the right things, while never really understanding why I did them. I tried to live the golden rule, but never seemed to benefit from it. But deep within my heart I knew there was a meaningful reason for this life (that it was no accident), but could never really put my finger on it. This life was indeed a mystery to me and the next life was even more so……Then our Savior revealed Himself to me and changed the direction of my life-journey forever, discovering that I actually had something worth giving that I could offer the LORD—something that I always had but never realized what they were really capable of. And that dear friends, was my heart, mind, and soul and the very life that I breathed. I could now offer God my love, trust, and deepest thanksgiving, for I had His promise and commitment to see me safely Home, no matter what (Psalm 118:13-14). The LORD, our gracious and merciful God, shined the Light of Truth into my life which set me free from the bondage that kept me in darkness most of my life. What the LORD did for me was give me the right reasons I needed to keep on living, and a Heaven bond purpose that keeps me traveling in the right direction. What I can now offer the LORD for all He has done in my life is every living part of my being which is His and His alone. When we truly belong to God we will live in ways that honor His commands and glorify His Name (Hebrews 13:15). The LORD needs nothing from mankind, but we are in dire need of everything that God is (Acts 17:24-25). For the LORD has given us the Way to everlasting life in Paradise if we surrender to His will and give back to Him what He has so graciously given us—our every breath of life.

Prayer:

Thank You, my Lord, for the precious gift of life that keeps on living. How I praise Your Holy Name and proclaim Your awesome glory. There is no other God like You and my life is but a small offering compared to all the wonderful things you have done.

Amen