Power July 7, 2016

Deuteronomy 8:17-18(NIV)

17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

There are two stories in the Old Testament that demonstrate Adonai as the One who gives us power to accomplish the things He calls us to do.

Joshua, after experiencing a great victory at Jericho, anticipated a victory at Ai, but God’s people were defeated due to sin in the camp. Joshua called out to his Master, Adonai, reminding Him that he needed His power to conquer the Promised Land. (Joshua 7:1-8) His prayer is based on his servant relationship with God. Another man named Gideon was fearful of the Midianites who were oppressing his people. When the angel of the Lord came to Gideon, he said, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? (Judges 6:13) Gideon recognized that his Master could give him guidance and power. The angel of the Lord promised Gideon God’s help and gave him the directions to be victorious. The Lord Adonai, our Master, wants to give us His power that is available through our relationship with Him.

Joshua and Gideon knew that only with God’s power could they defeat their enemies. What enemy do you face that requires the power of God? Remember that it is God who defeats our enemies and gives us the power to face all opposition.

Thought for today: How do you utilize the power of God?

Risk Taking July 6, 2016

Luke 9:24 (NIV)

24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

The Israelites had to take a risk when they stepped into the swollen waters of the Jordan River. Such a risk involves trusting God to go before us even when we do not see Him. Wandering in the wilderness brought about the death of an entire generation of people. They were unwilling to surrender and trust God to take them into the Promised Land, which was to be a place of freedom. It was the next generation who chose to believe God’s promise and obey. They were the ones who entered into the freedom and new life that God had promised them.

In the same way, before we actually risk taking the first step in obeying what God wants us to do, we must be willing to trust God that He will be faithful to buoy us as we carry out the decision to be obedient. Just as God went with the Israelites, He will go with us. It is risky to step out in faith, believing with our “spiritual eyes” and not seeing with our physical eyes.

We have been taught to see and then believe, but faith means that I believe, then I see. The Word teaches us that if I want to save my life, I must lose it.

This is another “kingdom principle” that defines our spiritual life. The world teaches us to preserve our lives; the Lord teaches us to be willing to lay our lives down. Again, risky business!

As the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and went into the Promised Land, they did it together. Today, we need Christian companions on our journey of faith to help encourage us along the way. As you cross the swollen rivers of your circumstances, take a friend along in prayer to assist you as you lay down your life and cross over. Jesus Christ has promised that He will lead the way.

Thought for today:  Do I limit my blessings by my lack of faith?

Remembering Our Spiritual Milestones July 5, 2016

1 Chronicles 16:12 (NIV)

12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

Whether you have just embarked on your spiritual journey or have been journeying for many years, I hope that you have recognized the importance of remembering spiritual milestones. It is important not only to remember these milestones, but also to share them with others. In the book of Joshua, we learn about God’s protection, His promises, and His principles that assist us in our spiritual journey as they did the Israelites. We have seen God’s hand at work in memorable ways as He guided the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to claiming their inheritance of the Promised Land.

Throughout their journey, they established different memorials that they continued to share with each other and with their children. They set the example for us the importance of sharing with others what wonderful works God has accomplished in our lives.

Take the time to begin a journal for remembering spiritual milestones.

For example, recently my sister got married. For years I had prayed that the Lord would send her someone who would love her as Christ loves the church. After several months of dating, she told me that her husband-to-be told her that his wish was to love her in that way. The Lord not only answered our prayers, He answered them in a specific way! For both my sister and me, this was a spiritual milestone. God increased our faith in prayer, and His faithfulness will be forever ingrained on my heart.

As you journey with the Lord, write down your spiritual “markers” – those things that have helped you grow in your faith – so that when you think you are not growing in your faith, you can look back and see that the Lord has always been at work.

Thought for today: How do I monitor/measure my spiritual growth?

The Christ Revealed July 4, 2016

Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus asked His disciples: Who do people say the Son of Man is?(Matthew

16:13) They replied: Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others,

Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Jesus asked the question a second time, directing it this time to the disciples, and Peter responded: You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus replied that God the Father revealed this profound truth to Peter. We also know Christ as He is revealed to us through the Holy Spirit. He opens our eyes to know Christ is the Son of God. After Peter revealed that he knew Jesus was the Son of God, Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom. As Jesus is revealed to us, the keys to the kingdom are given to us. (Matthew 16:19)

Today I noticed that one of my keys had fallen on the floor. I sensed the Lord saying, “Joanne, remember you have the keys to my kingdom.” One of the keys that unlocks the doors of His kingdom rule on earth is faith.

Peter exercised his faith when he believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and in turn Jesus entrusted him with the keys of the kingdom.

What are some of the other keys besides faith? Prayer is a key to kingdom rule. When we pray to ask God to bring heaven to earth – Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10) – we pray to invite God’s perfect will and His kingdom rule into the situation that is our point of prayer.

What about you? Who do you say that Jesus is? Is He just a teacher, a prophet, a miracle worker, or is He the Son of Man? Like Peter, when we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, we are given the keys to the kingdom.

Thought for today: Who/what is The Christ in your life?

Approaching The Throne of Grace July 3, 2016

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The first two verses in Romans 5 celebrate our access into the Presence of God: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. It is through our faith in Jesus Christ that we have the right to approach His throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy.

(Hebrews 4:16) Having laid the foundation for justification by faith, Paul writes that we can access the grace of God and His powerful Presence where God’s love, peace, and hope are poured out on us. The God of all creation desires to have a personal, intimate relationship with us and has provided a way for us to enter in through His Son. I am utterly amazed at the love of God the Father who seeks to lavish His children with the promise of peace, joy, goodness, and love! How great is such a love!

As a child when I had been disobedient, my mother told me that she would tell my father what I had done when he got home. Although I feared that he would be angry with me, I always knew that whether I had been good or bad, I could always approach him and find a place of mercy. Although there would be consequences to my behavior, I could approach him with confidence knowing he would still love me. Our Father in heaven has given us access to His throne of grace. Do you have the confidence to approach him knowing you will receive His grace and mercy?

Thought for today:  Can I be brutally honest in my physical life and my prayer life?

Boldness For Christ July 2, 2016

Acts 6:10 (NIV)

10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

Acts 6:10 tells us that opposition to the gospel could not stand up against his (Stephen’s) wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke. I remember a turning point in my walk with Christ when I was faced with standing up for what I believed God was telling me to do. For years I avoided conflict; I was a people-pleaser and would even get stomach aches if I had to take a stand. After I broke through my fear of man, my life in Christ changed significantly. The enemy tries to hold us back from boldness in Christ by reminding us that we may be rejected, not liked, or misunderstood. Breaking free of his tormenting thoughts was like being delivered by an angel similar to that in Acts 5:19 when the prison doors were opened for the Apostles. When they got out of jail, they were free to preach the full message of life in Christ. (Acts 5:20)

Are you free enough to do this? Proverbs 29:25 says that the fear of man will prove to be a snare. Are you ensnared by the fear of man? Ask the Lord to make you a God-pleaser and not a people-pleaser. God will deliver you from fear of man, and no opposition will be able to stand against the wisdom of God in you. You will be free to share the full message of life in Christ.

Thought for today: What prevents me from talking boldly about what I believe?

Using God Given Gifts July 1, 2016

Romans 12:6 (NIV)

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

No one person could have accomplished the work of repairing the walls and gates of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s effective leadership helped him survey the damage, prepare a plan, and seek the cooperation of the people to carry it out. He formulated a plan and then sought people for assignments according their gifts. He knew it would take craftsmen, priests, and a vast array of people to accomplish the task. As the leader, he had the awesome job to identify who was to do what job according to their skills and gifts. As the body of Christ, we must work together to do the work of the kingdom.

We must identify our gifts and be willing to use them for the glory of God.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, describes the body of Christ and how it functions: Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4)

Recently I attended a conference in St. Louis, Missouri. I am not a seasoned traveler, and my friend, a flight attendant for almost 30 years, accompanied me. Due to poor weather conditions, our plane was delayed, and suddenly there was pandemonium as thousands of people were going to miss their connections. My friend used both her professional experience and her communication gifts to negotiate alternative plans. Watching her during this real-life turmoil reminded me of the body of Christ and the value of working together. She used her travel experience to ensure our return home. It was a negotiation for which I had no experience, and had I been by myself, I would still be in St. Louis! Nehemiah joined the people in the work of rebuilding the walls, each using his or her gift to the glory of God. We are also called to work together as members of one body, each with different gifts to build God’s kingdom.

Thought for today:  How do I utilize my gifts?