Front Lines June 30, 2016

2 Samuel 5:2 (NIV)

2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”

David led the people in battle while Saul was king over Israel. The Lord told David that he would shepherd the people of Israel and become their king. David continued to fight with his army as their leader when he became king. II Samuel 5 describes how David and his men captured the

“fortress of Zion,” the city of David, known as Jerusalem. Courageous leaders are willing to fight alongside their soldiers. They are willing to be on the front line of battle while fighting for their beliefs. When David chose not to go with his army to war, he got into trouble. His leadership suffered as he sought to cover up his affair with Bathsheba and made plans to have her husband killed. 

Leaders who are unwilling to be part of the battle to which they are called can find themselves in compromising positions. Temptation overtook David when he left his place of obedience. As leaders, we must be willing to fight on the front lines until the battle is won!

Where has God called you to be a leader? Have you been willing to lead others as a fellow worker, or have you been unwilling to get in the middle of the work and the battles? As a leader, we must never set ourselves above others. We are called to work humbly with others, setting an example of servant leadership. David fought alongside those he led because he did not consider himself more highly than others. Jesus is our prime example of servant leadership: Who being in the nature of God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant… (Philippians 2:6-7)

Who are you leading? Are you willing to take front line leadership and humbly serve others?

Thought for today:   Do I lead by example

Our Provision and Example June 29, 2016

Genesis 15:2 (NIV)

2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”

The first time we see the name Adonai used is in Genesis 15:2 where Abram calls on Adonai Jehovah to give him the assurance that God’s promise to bless him would be fulfilled. He cries out to Adonai and says, “What can you give me since I remain childless?” Adonai begins to reveal that He is Abram’s Provision as He promises to give him a son and offspring as numerous as the stars. As we grow in our understanding of Adonai as our Provision, we learn to trust Him. We become confident that He has the resources and ability to provide for our needs, and we learn that we can call on Him when we are in need. In many ways, the parent/child relationship is similar to our relationship with Adonai. I remember a time when one of my children asked me to do something that was out of the range of possibility for me. When I hesitated, she said, “But Mom, you can do anything!” She had complete confidence that I could, would, and had the resources to do it!

The Old Testament Hebrew Adonai is the counterpart for the Greek New Testament “Kurios” (Lord). Jesus Christ is the Christian’s Lord and Master.

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am” (John 13:13 KJV).

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Master? You may know Him as Savior and as Redeemer, but do you know Him as Adonai? Today, He is calling you into a deeper relationship with Him as Lord. Are you willing to surrender?

Thought for today: Do I allow God to reign over all of my life?

The Parable Of The Mustard Seed June 28, 2016

Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

The mustard seed that is planted in this parable has two inherent qualities. First, it is the smallest seed used by the Israelites, yet it could grow into a plant as large as a tree. Second, the seed has pungent, biting, burning properties. Both of these traits have significance as Jesus compared a mustard seed to His kingdom. The mustard seed’s unusual growth is unnatural, and so it is with believers as we grow in Christ. It is a supernatural growth, both in individual believers and in the Church worldwide – the Church that provides shelter and a haven for a lost world. Also, just as the pungent, biting, and burning trait of the mustard seed is used in seasoning, so the message of God’s kingdom is used in transforming society.

When I think of the smallness of the mustard seed, I think of humility. God’s Word teaches us that He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6) and produces growth and power beyond human reasoning so that we can have an impact on the world in which we are sown. When I look at my mustard seed of faith I am reminded of God’s Word: If you have the faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mulberry tree be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it will obey you. (Luke 17:6) Jesus told this to his disciples after they asked him to increase their faith. I can identify with mustard seed faith because at times my faith seems so small. It is harder, however, for me to identify with my mustard seed of faith as being able to move a tree! Yet this is what Jesus says.

Our faith may be as small as a mustard seed, but like that little seed, it can grow supernaturally into a huge tree by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps you have looked at your faith as being so small you might as well bury it and not bother to water it. Pray for God to increase your faith, water it with prayer and the reading of God’s Word, and like the mustard seed in the parable, it will grow. Remember that it only takes the faith of a mustard seed to move mountains: I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move.

Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)

Thought for today:   Do I limit my faith potential based on my insecurities?

Living in Harmony June 27, 2016

1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

We are to live in harmony with sympathy, compassion and humility. Scripture encourages us to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10) Earlier, Peter told the readers to live their lives before men abstaining from sin, and becoming an example to the unbeliever. Christ becomes a person with human hands and a human heart when we show His love by reaching out to others. What a privilege it is to share Christ with others and to love people where they are. This does not mean that as Christians we are to compromise our beliefs in any way. I Peter continues by exhorting us not to repay evil for evil or insult for insult. This is difficult to do, but that does not excuse us from being obedient to God’s Word.

Who today needs your sympathy, your compassion, your love? God’s Word is clear that you must reach out to those in need, especially to the family of believers. Ask the Lord to show you who needs you to come alongside them and be willing to go the extra mile to show them Christ’s love.

Thought for today: Do I consistently shop compassion?

Given Righteousness June 26, 2016

Genesis 15:4-6 (NIV)

4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Paul writes that if justification by faith proved true for Abraham, it was also true for the Jews and the Gentiles and for us today. When we put our hope and faith in Jesus Christ, when we choose to believe that He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised from the dead (Romans

4:24), we are given a credit statement that says “paid in full.” I am always elated when my credit card statement has a zero balance. By believing in Jesus Christ, God writes across the statement of our lives “debt canceled!”

We are credited with righteousness and justified before God. God’s grace and His unmerited favor are imputed to us, and we can only offer ourselves back to Him in gratitude. Undeserving as we are, we can offer ourselves to the Lord as “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1) and freely surrender to the God of grace.

Each time I read Genesis 15: 4-6, I am reminded that Abraham not only believed in God, He believed God. You see, we can believe that God exists, that He is the Creator of the universe. We can believe in His Son, sent to die for our sins, but we must go one step further and believe God – that is, believe in His promises and believe that His Word is true. Abraham was an old man and his wife Sarai was beyond child bearing years, but Abraham, knowing and believing in God, also believed God’s Word, and he was credited with righteousness.

Do you believe God? Do you believe that what He has told you He will fulfill? What promise are you waiting for God to fulfill? Today chose to trust and believe God.

Thought for today: Can I surrender my will enough to trust God?

Go With God June 25, 2016

Judges 6:14 (NIV)

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

The first assault that King Sennacherib of Assyria used against the people of God began with the question, “On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” (Isaiah 36:4) This is the same question posed to us today as believers, and it would be wise for us to evaluate exactly in what or in whom we place our confidence. The field commander serving as spokesperson for King Sennacherib pointed out that the people of Jerusalem were depending on Egypt, a splintered reed. (Isaiah 36:6) Egypt was known for her resources, particularly her massive army and chariots of horses. If the people of Jerusalem had put their confidence in Egypt, they would have failed. But through the strong godly leadership of their king, Hezekiah, they chose to believe that God would deliver them. It is an easy trap for us to fall into when we look at our meager or seemingly weak resources to defend ourselves against the assaults of the enemy. But we must remember, like Hezekiah, that He will surely come and save us!

The question still remains today: “on what are you basing this confidence of yours?” If we are fearful, tired, stressed or frustrated, it is easy to see that we have placed our confidence in ourselves. Whatever you are facing today, place your confidence in the Lord and remember to go in the strength you have. Where God sends you, HE gives you the resources you need to complete the job. If you are finding yourself in a losing battle, take a moment to evaluate in what or in whom you have placed your confidence.

If it is in God, and He has sent you to battle, He will never fail you.

Thought for today: Who or what do I place my confidence in?

Fading Memories June 24,2016

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)

9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

We read in Judges 2:8-15 that it only took one generation after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River for the people to forget what the Lord had done for them. It is no wonder that the Israelites had to be reminded over and over again of God’s laws and His faithfulness. The ease with which the Israelites forgot God’s faithfulness emphasizes to us the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness. One way to remember what God has done is to continue to thank and praise Him. Tell your children what He has done.

A grateful heart is a sure remedy for remembering what God has done and for building up our faith. We must face the fact that it is also easy for us to move away from God’s precepts and from recognizing and remembering His faithfulness. We are like sheep, prone to wander away from our Shepherd, and we must be diligent to remember the things that our eyes have seen

(v.9).

Keep a daily journal of the ways that God has answered your prayers.

When you are prone to wander, read through your entries. The Israelites witnessed an awesome miracle when the Jordan River was parted at flood tide, enabling them to pass through into the Promised Land. It is hard to believe that it only took one generation for them to forget what He had done.

Today begin your journal of “remembrance.” Teach your children to remember what God does daily, and thank the Lord for all He has done.

Thought for today: Am I mindful of my blessings? How do I show gratitude?

Disobedience to God June 23, 2016

John 15:10 (NIV)

10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Ananias and Sapphira were disciples of Christ who sold their land to help fulfill the mission of the early church: None claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had (Acts 4:32). Ananias and Sapphira kept part of the money for themselves and lied about it, claiming to have given it all. Peter rebuked them saying, You have not lied to men, but to God. Over the past few weeks, I have been more aware of how easy it is to stretch the truth to make a point or to avoid the truth so that I do not have to deal with something. As Christians, we need to be committed to being 100% truthful all of the time! When we are not, we are lying to God, not just to men.

Obedience to God’s commands, according to John 15:10, has the benefit of causing us to remain in God’s love. God never stops loving us, but when we are disobedient, we draw away from His love. We may be ashamed or our hearts may be hardened, but whatever the reason for our disobedience, it causes us to be apart from His love.

What has God asked you to do that you are unwilling to do? Have you disobeyed God and find yourself struggling to know His love? He is waiting for you to return to Him in obedience. He longs for you to know the extent of His love. Paul puts it this way: For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels nor demons, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39) If God’s love is ever present and you are not experiencing that love, ask Him to show you if you are being disobedient to his commands. If so, return to Him in repentance and obedience, and you will remain in His love.

Thought for today: How am I resisting God’s instruction?

This Old House June 22, 2016

Nehemiah 2:17 (NIV)

17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.”

Nehemiah inspected the walls of Jerusalem and discerned what needed to be done. He gathered the people and prepared a plan of action to accomplish the work. Godly leaders not only delegate the work to be done, but also are involved in the work themselves: Come let US rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace. (Nehemiah 2:17b) Nehemiah simply told the people there was work to be done and together they could do it.

Some of the people began directly in front of their houses. Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of their own house. (v.28)

Sometimes the walls of our house are in disrepair and the enemy has come in to wreak havoc. The Lord has given us His Holy Spirit to bring healing and repair to the damaged places of our lives so that we can more effectively have the freedom to serve the Lord. The people of Jerusalem repaired the walls in front of their own houses, implying that we must not neglect our own household and repair the broken-down places in order to more effectively serve others. At the end of the day, I am so tired and sometimes it is easy to neglect my husband. I know that he will understand, so I make him my last priority. If I allow this attitude to continue, I begin to see walls break down, that is, relationship walls. God is forever reminding me that I must rebuild the walls of our relationship by investing the time.

Take an inventory of your life. Are there any areas of your life in need of repair? Don’t wait until the wall is completely broken down. Broken down walls allow the enemy to easily come in. In Nehemiah’s time, there were watchmen on the walls who looked to see if the enemy was approaching.

The Holy Spirit is your watchman. Allow Him to show you any places of vulnerability that need repair.

Thought for today: Do I resist repair (correction)?

Fighting God’s Battles June 21, 2016

2 Samuel 5:10 (NIV)

10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.

David became more powerful because the Lord was with Him. Matthew

6:33 reminds us to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. David’s vision and the purpose of his life was to seek the Lord: One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. (Psalm 27:4) As courageous leaders, our one goal and our whole purpose should be to seek the Lord, to love Him more each day, and to serve Him with our whole heart. We are warriors for God when we pursue Him and actively follow His commands. The wars in which David participated as he led God’s people give us a picture of the spiritual war that we fight as we allow the Lord to grow His kingdom in us. Jesus made it clear that we would need His Holy Spirit when He left the earth. His Spirit would lead us into truth, convict us of error, and give us the power we need to struggle against the opposition. (John 16) Praise God that we are able to be courageous warriors for Christ as His Holy Spirit enables us to fight the good fight! (I Timothy 6:12)

The Lord is always with you fighting your battles. What battle do you face today that you need to remind yourself that it is His to fight? Our greatest weapon of warfare is staying close to Christ, seeking Him daily.

As our life’s purpose becomes intimacy with Christ, we will find ourselves immune to the battles of life. Yes, the struggles of life will still come, but we will see that our God goes before us and fights for our lives.

Thought for today: What distracts me from my purpose?

Our Place of Surrender June 20, 2016

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Abram met El Shaddai face to face when he was 99 years old. The Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1) What hope that gives us as we seek to know this divine side of God as our El Shaddai. The Lord never stops revealing Himself to us no matter how old we are! God told Abram that after that day his name would be changed to Abraham. The Hebrew letter “h” was added to his name – the chief letter of His own name, Jehovah, the letter that when pronounced sounds like a breath of air. We, too, must receive God’s breath of life, His Holy Spirit, in order to know El Shaddai. The Lord may reveal Himself to us as El Shaddai, our Protector and our Fruitfulness, but only when we are willing to surrender ourselves completely to His breath of life (Holy Spirit) will we know the fullness of El Shaddai. El Shaddai means

“many breasted one,” like a woman who offers breast milk to her baby. All of the nutrients the child needs are available in the mother’s milk. El Shaddai is our place of nourishment, the place where we hide, the place where we are secure. As we offer ourselves to the Lord as living sacrifices, let us be ever mindful that El Shaddai will carry and sustain us. (Romans 12:1)

Are you burned out with work, with your family, maybe even with your spiritual walk with Christ? We all go through the valleys of life where we need to regroup, be refreshed and hide in the arms of our El Shaddai.

Like a mother nourishes her child, so the Lord will nourish you. If you are in a valley today, seek the Lord and run into His loving arms.

Thought for today: Where/what do I go to recharge?

Parable Of The Weeds June 19, 2016

Matthew 13:25 (NIV)

25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.

In the first parable about sowing, the Word of God was sown and fell on four different conditions of soil. The parable of the weeds, however, is not about sowing the Word of God; it is about Jesus sowing the good seed, “the sons of the kingdom,” into the world. The “sons of the kingdom” are scattered to preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) In this parable, the field represents the world. Into this field of good seed (the wheat), the evil one planted his seed (the weeds), the “sons of the evil one.” Thus, the people of the kingdom live side by side with the people of the evil one until the end of the age when Jesus separates them out and the weeds, the “sons of the evil one,” are burned. 

Are you a “son of the kingdom,” influencing your world with the truth of Christ? Jesus teaches us in this parable that “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (v.42) As sons of the kingdom, we grow up next to the weeds of the world, but we are called to shine with Christ’s light in the harvest fields.

Where is your harvest field? We are called to bloom where we are planted – in our workplace, in our homes, and in our relationships. This week, consider where God has planted you and remember that as a “son of the kingdom” you are bringing Christ’s Presence everywhere you go.

Thought for today: Can I thrive where I’m planted?

Submitting To Authority June 18, 2016

1 Peter 2:13 (NIV)

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority,

The word “submit” comes from the Greek word hupeiko, meaning

“to yield.” The culture in which we live suggests to us that we must be in control of our own destiny. Leading submitted, humble lives seems to be synonymous with being weak in character. However, yielding to the Lord and to those in authority actually strengthens us to live successful lives.

When we yield ourselves completely to Christ, we love others and have their best interest at heart. We become people who are God-centered and not self-centered. Yielding to the authority of God allows us to live in peaceful surrender to a loving God who knows what is best for us and for others.

The verses in this section of I Peter challenge us as we seek to understand the meaning of submission in our lives.

Where are you struggling with submission to authority? I remember teaching one of my children to yield at an intersection when she was learning to drive. My child, who always tested me, would come to yield at a stop sign or intersection and always inch her way out without first coming to a stop and looking both ways. Yielding requires us to slow down or perhaps stop and allow others to go ahead of us. The Lord has given us people in authority such as parents, government officials and our bosses, to whom we must be willing to submit. God is our ultimate authority, and as we learn to yield and surrender ourselves to Him, we will likewise learn to submit to others. We are actually strengthened as we learn to humbly do so.

Thoughts for today:  can I yield? How do I show humility?

Aligning With God June 17, 2016

Psalm 23:3 (NIV)

3     he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.

Once the Lord shows us that we are on the wrong path, it is essential that we agree with His plan, change our course, and follow His way. Isaiah warned the people that they were obstinate because they carried out their own plans rather than the plans of the Lord, forming an alliance not by His Spirit. (Isaiah 30:1) They consulted with the Pharaoh of Egypt, aligning themselves with ungodly advice (human wisdom and reasoning) and sought the protection of the Pharaoh. Their sin, according to Isaiah, was like a high wall, cracked and bulging, collapsing suddenly. (Isaiah 30:13) We, too, have our

“high walls” built on human reasoning and unholy alliances. The Lord is calling us to depend on Him, to trust Him, and to come into agreement with His Word laid forth in the Scriptures. The rebellious people in Isaiah’s day told the prophets to tell them only pleasant things and to stop confronting them with the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 30:10).

In our nation today and in our personal lives, we can hear the cry of many saying, “Don’t tell me any more bad news about God’s judgment; don’t confront me with the truth of Scripture.” I pray that the Lord will help us to be willing to align ourselves with His truth. May we also be willing to confront the places of complacency in our own spiritual lives and be willing to agree with His purposes and plans.

Thought for today:  Do I listen to God and follow His direction?

Unshakable Faith June 16, 2016

Romans 4:18-22 (NIV)

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”

What causes your faith to waver? What circumstances are beyond your control? Do you have disappointments in life or health or financial issues that seem insurmountable? God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, yet he and his wife were childless and Sarai was beyond the child-bearing years. Paul writes that Abraham did not waver in his belief regarding the promise of God and that he was fully persuaded that God would fulfill His promise. His faith credited him with righteousness. If God told me at hundred years old that I was going to have a child, I think I would fail the test of unwavering faith! I would think that perhaps He was talking about adoption, or I would be like Sarai and laugh. One thing is for certain, I would not give my handmaiden to my husband in order to have a child!! And besides, the last time I looked, I didn’t have any handmaidens.

Although those things sound preposterous to me, there are other ways that I have disregarded God’s promises or tried to take things into my own hands to make them happen. Take, for example, my desire for my son to marry a godly woman. The Lord has made it clear in His Word that He will protect and watch out for my children, but that has not stopped me from trying to pick out his wife! Paul, by using Abraham’s faith as an example to us, shows us that God will credit us with righteousness when we believe in Jesus Christ, and He will fulfill His promises to us when we have the faith to believe.

What promises do you doubt that the Lord will fulfill? Are you willing to believe and put your hope in His fulfillment of them?

Thought for today:  Can I push past doubt and trust in my faith?

Remembering The Past June 15, 2016

Joshua 4:4-7 (NIV)

4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

Setting up memorial stones was a common Old Testament practice.

Many times when a significant event occurred in the life of the people of Israel, they would use stones to mark the place where an event occurred. The Israelites had left Egypt, wandered for 40 years, and now were at the dawn of a new day as they entered the Promised Land. The Lord wanted them to remember that God had been with them from their departure from Egypt to the parting of the Red Sea; from their wanderings in the desert to the edge of the Jordan River. He had supplied them with food and with shoes that never wore out. Although the Israelites grumbled and complained, He never forsook them. Their idolatry denied one generation of Israelites entrance into the Promised Land, but their descendants crossed over. Joshua had seen how quickly the Israelites forgot their God both in good times and in difficult times. Joshua wanted them to remember what God had done. He wanted their children to know what the stones signified. Today, we use memory markers such as pictures, souvenirs, or gifts to remind us of special events that are especially meaningful. I often write down in my journal answered prayers so that I can remember the faithfulness of God. Memorials help us to remember God’s blessings and encourage us to go forward in our journey of faith.

Can you recall a time when the Lord opened up a river of blessings for you? After the Jordan River parted and the Israelites crossed over, the memorial stones were a reminder that God had delivered them from the bondage of Egypt into the Promised Land. God’s promises in His Word are true for us today. He parts the rivers in our lives and asks us to enter into His promises. In order to grow in our faith, we must trust God to part the sea and remember to thank the Lord for what He has done.

Thought for today: How do you remind yourself of your blessings ?

The Kingdom Announced June 14, 2016

Acts 5:42 (NIV)

42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

In the early church, the Apostles devoted themselves to prayer, teaching, fellowship, and the “breaking of bread.” The results of their lives together celebrating the Kingdom of God turned the world upside down.

Their lives were radically devoted to Jesus and to each other, and the church grew rapidly. Miraculous signs and wonders were commonplace, and most importantly, The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42) If we are willing to experience our faith together, modeling the early church and proclaiming the Kingdom, I am convinced we will see the radical power of God at work and people giving their lives to Christ in ways we have not seen before. The key elements that were catalysts for growth were: devotion to the teachings of Christ, fellowship, sharing bread, and prayer. 

This describes groups of people who were willing to “do life together.”

They were a community that shared the gospel, had meals together, and were dedicated to prayer. Christian community is essential to the development and nurturing of our faith. We need the body of Christ to help us grow through studying the Word, prayer, and fellowship. Are you a part of a body of believers that offers you this kind of community? Attending church is essential to our spiritual growth, but the real work is done in community and fellowship within a small group of devoted followers of Jesus Christ where you have accountability in the working out of your faith.

Thought for today: Like the Sesame Street song goes “ Who are the people in your neighborhood?”

Gates As A Point Of Entry June 13, 2016

Nehemiah 2:13 (NIV)

13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.

Nehemiah inspected the walls and discovered that the gates had been burned down (2:17). He encouraged the Jews to rebuild the walls so that they would no longer be in disgrace and reminded the people that the gracious hand of the Lord was on them to help them accomplish the task. Grace is a state of unmerited favor, and disgrace is loss of grace. Nehemiah said that the burned down gates caused disgrace, and it was the grace of God that enabled them to rebuild the gates. The Lord offers us grace as He builds back the broken-down gates of our lives. Gates represent an opening, a place of entry in our spiritual lives, where the enemy seeks to come into our lives to wreak havoc or destruction. He goes after the vulnerable places – places of hurt, disappointment, bitterness, and discouragement. The easiest entry point or gateway is through our thought life. If the enemy can enter our thought life, he then has access to our lives. Agreement with God’s Word rebuilds the gate and closes it to the harmful effects of the world, the flesh and the devil. Jesus refers to Himself as the gate. (John 10:7) He is the gate through which we enter as believers, and His Word guards the gates of our lives.

Are there broken-down gates in your life? Does the enemy have access to any part of your life? Claim the promises of God, and He will rebuild every broken-down gate of your life.

Thought for Today: Can I recognize the point of entry for negativity?

Taking Hold Of The Kingdom June 12, 2016

Matthew 11:12 New International Version (NIV)

12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it.

Jesus told the followers of John the Baptist, From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it. In Greek, “forcefully advancing” can be taken as active or passive. In the passive sense, it refers to “suffering violent attacks.” This means that violent people were attacking the kingdom. This is certainly true. However, in the active sense, it would mean that people were actively advancing the kingdom of God. The idea here is that the Church has been in a war throughout the centuries. Opposing forces have sought to destroy the Church, or at least to limit the advancement of the message of the gospel.

Today, some people point to the seemingly intolerant stance that Christians have taken, that of believing that the only way to enter God’s kingdom is by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving Him into your life. Increasingly, there is a greater emphasis on and acceptance of other religions. Jesus tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

(John 14:6) As a body of believers, we have the advantage of living on this side of the cross, knowing that Jesus Christ, the Son of David, came to bring salvation. The church must stand firm in this truth and continue to advance the kingdom of God forcefully.

Have you found yourself in situations with people who find Christians intolerant? Do you find yourself defensive of your faith rather than being on the offense? As you live your life for Jesus, there will always be people who do not wish to believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father; however, He clearly said: I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) Opposing forces have tried to limit and even extinguish the message of the kingdom, but the message and the Church have prevailed. The King of the kingdom will return some day, and His question will be: …when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

(Luke 18:8) As we advance the good news of Jesus Christ and His kingdom, we exhibit genuine faith that will stand the test of time.

Thought for today: Have I become hyper-critical and judgmental? 

Our Protector June 11, 2016

Psalm 91:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”  and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,  no disaster will come near your tent.

Psalm 91 describes El Shaddai, God Almighty, as our place of protection, our refuge, and our fortress. El Shaddai means “many breasted one,” and inherent in the meaning is a mother who nourishes her child. El Shaddai is the One who will cause the godly not to fear and provide a safe haven for those who trust Him. The men and women of faith came to know God as El Shaddai when they were faced with trials and tribulations. Think about Joseph, thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, thrown into prison, yet was always hidden under the shadow of the Almighty. What about King David who was ruthlessly pursued by his enemies, and yet God protected and hid him? Today, I read an e-mail from an amazing woman of God who shared her story of knowing God as El Shaddai. She has been like Job, afflicted with physical suffering and yet is always looking to her God as her security, her safe haven. She writes that in every trial, Her God is with her, sustaining her and keeping her under the shadow of His Presence.

What about you? Have you allowed the Lord Almighty to reveal Himself to you as your Protector? Do you fear that you are all alone, left vulnerable to circumstances or people beyond your control? Look to El Shaddai and know that He will care for you as a mother cares for her child:

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me. Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never forget you. See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.

(Isaiah 49:15-16) God is with you; God is your shelter and the One who nourishes you. His name is El Shaddai.

Thought for today: Have I experience God in His fullness?

The Sower June 10, 2016

Matthew 13:23 New International Version (NIV)

23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Jesus began to teach the disciples from a boat on the Sea of Galilee.

This is sometimes known as His Sermon on the Sea. It is very likely that it was springtime when the Lord was telling this story, and probably those listening could see a sower on the hillside going forth to sow. Perhaps they could see where the seeds were being scattered: on a path, on rocky places, among thorns and thistles, and on good soil. Jesus explains the parable of the sower first by telling them that the seed represents the message of the kingdom, an invisible, spiritual, heavenly kingdom that goes beyond what we can comprehend with our five senses. The seed of the kingdom refers to God’s promise of power and righteousness for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16-17) The key to the seed bearing fruit is the condition of the soil. Similarly, our hearts must be prepared if we are to receive the Word of God. Jesus explains the parable: When anyone hears the message of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. (Matthew 13:19) The seed that falls on rocky places is the man who hears the Word and receives it with joy, but because he has no root, he quickly falls away when trouble comes. The seed that falls among thorns is the man who hears the Word, but the worries of this life choke it out. But the seed that falls on good soil is the man who hears the Word and understands it. The Word bears fruit in his life yielding thirty, sixty or one hundred times what was sown.

Has the Word of God born fruit in your life? Is the soil or the condition of your heart tilled and ready to receive God’s Word? Or is your heart hardened so that the seed is choked out by the cares of the world? If you are willing to allow the Lord to prepare your heart, you will find that His Word will transform your life, and you will know the joy that His Word brings.

Thought for today: What is the evidence of God in my life?

Promises Received By Faith June 9, 2016

John 6:28  New International Version (NIV)

28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

God’s promises are true and He is the Promise Keeper. Hebrews 10 tells us that He who promised is faithful. We sometimes use human standards to consider what faithfulness means. In today’s society, we see marriages that have failed due to unfaithfulness, friendships that have been lost because of broken promises, and businesses that have failed because they have been proven untrustworthy. Paul writes to the Jews and Gentiles using Abraham as an example of a man who was considered righteous because he believed God and his promises. When the crowd asked Jesus what they must do to be right with God, He responded that they must believe in Him. The first promise we have from God is that all the promises are ours if we simply believe. Seem too easy? In today’s world of “doing” and “performance,” it does seem too easy to simply believe and receive God’s promises by faith. Paul explains in the fourth chapter of Romans that before Abraham underwent circumcision, he believed. Circumcision did not make him “right” with God. Abraham’s faith alone justified him, and in turn he was the beneficiary of God’s promises.

Our unwavering faith in Jesus Christ puts into our “accounts” the promises of God in His Word. What promises are you waiting for because you have failed to believe?

Thought for today: What have you missed out on because of weak faith?

Grace and Truth June 8, 2016

John 1:17  New International Version (NIV)

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

The Pharisees (the keepers of the law) were trying to trap Jesus to see if He would obey the law and agree to the stoning of the woman caught in adultery: If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. (John 8:7) Jesus demonstrated a higher law of grace by pointing out that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve. It is easy to see how the Pharisees were so caught up with the law that they did not apply grace, but as Christians, we also fall into the trap of being self-righteous and legalistic. Why is it so easy to point a finger at others while refusing to see our own wrongdoings? Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of this: Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3) The Pharisees were accusing the adulterous woman of her sin, but they refused to look at their own sin.

Jesus exhibited grace, undeserved by the prostitute, and He spoke truth to the Pharisees. They must have been cut to the quick when He showed them their guilty sinful hearts.

What about you? Do you quickly judge others of their sin and disregard the sin in your own life? Have you judged someone harshly, attempting to remove the “sawdust” out of their eye when a plank remains in your own eye? The Lord is full of grace and truth, and as we seek to be more like Him, we will relate to others through the lens of grace.

Thought for today: Am I quick to judge?

God’s Leading June 7, 2016

Joshua 3:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.

The Israelites had to cross over the Jordan at flood tide. The river was swollen by the spring rains and melting snow from the Lebanon Mountains.

During most of the year, the Jordan River was about 100 feet wide. However, during the spring flood season, the usually narrow river overflowed its banks and swelled to be a mile wide. The Israelites had no physical way to cross the Jordan. They needed the power of God to do what they were helpless to do.

In the same way, God works in our lives today. God promises to go before us in times of transition, preparing the way for us and remaining with us each step of the way. I imagine that the Israelites looked at the swollen Jordan River and back at the shore again and were afraid. The Promised Land was just ahead on the other side of the Jordan, but was it worth the risk? God promised them that if they would trust Him, He would send His Presence (represented by the ark) ahead of them. His Presence would part the river and lead the way.

It is often when things seem impossible, when the rivers of life are at a breaking point, that fear immobilizes us. Consider those things that seem impossible to you today. Perhaps your child is rebelling or your marriage is failing. Look up and see the ark of God’s Presence beckoning you to follow.

He will lead the way and part the turbulent waters. Your part is to step out in faith; His part is to carry you across.

Thought for today: Do I trust God’s leadership?

Abstaining June 6, 2016

1 Peter 2:11-12 New International Version (NIV)

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

The passage in I Peter 2:11 urges readers to live as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. We also must live in submission to the Holy Spirit, seeking to live in such a way that those who do not believe in Christ will see our good deeds and glorify God. (v.12) In order to live as strangers in the world, we must be familiar with God’s ways, and our standard must be God’s Word. Last summer I kayaked in a river off the ocean. When I got to a certain place in the river, the tide of the ocean began to pull me and I had to use all of my strength to steer the kayak back into calm waters. Eventually, I pulled over to the shore because I was too tired to fight it any longer. The tide pulling me to danger is like the world trying to lure us into being disobedient to God’s Word. God’s Word is like the river, gently leading us, teaching us God’s ways and keeping us out of harm’s way. We may fight the tide, but sometimes the tide pulls at us so hard we are forced to go to shore and leave the peace of the river. Jesus told the woman at the well that He was living water. He is still living water today that gives us peace in the tides of the world in which we live.

Do you have a sin that is pulling you further and further away from the security of God’s loving river? I Peter 2 challenges us to live as strangers in this world, conforming to God’s ways and His will. It is not always easy to go against the tide, but the benefits far outweigh the struggle.

Thought for Today: Do I negotiate with sin?

Places of Vulnerability June 5, 2016

John 10:10  New International Version (NIV)

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life. When we live our lives in brokenness, we are only able to live partially. Jesus came to set us free from the power of sin and death and to destroy the works of the devil. He set us free through His shed blood on the cross and has called us to live in that freedom. Our hurts and our brokenness keep us in bondage and prevent us from living the abundant life. We have areas of vulnerability in our lives.

It is the desire of Christ to set us free and to close the door where the enemy has access. One particular area of vulnerability is our thought life. The battle begins there because it is often the most vulnerable part of our being. If the enemy can get us to agree with him, and not with the Word of God, then he brings us death. If we agree with God’s Word, then the Lord imparts life to us. That is why it is so important for us to study and meditate on God’s Word, so that when our thought life tries to deceive us, we can stand firm on God’s truth. We must keep in mind that Jesus Christ paid a high price to bring us freedom: Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. (II Corinthians 3:17)

Ask the Lord to heal areas of vulnerability in your life. Often that must begin with forgiveness. We are most vulnerable in areas where we need to forgive. Examine your thought life to see if your thinking is being influenced by unforgiveness. The Holy Spirit longs to direct your thoughts, and where He is, there is complete freedom!

Thought for today: Can I recognize my weaknesses?

Ordinary People with Extraordinary Power June 4, 2016

Acts 4:13  New International Version (NIV)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13 describes the reaction of the people when they realized that Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men. They were astonished that these ordinary men had been with Jesus. This passage gives both hope and courage to live boldly and to follow Christ where He leads. When I spend time with the Lord, I gain confidence and feel as though I could climb Mount Everest. That may be a bit of an exaggeration; however, when I cling to the Lord, spending time in His Word and talking with Him in prayer, my perspective changes from saying “I can’t do it,” to I can do all things through God who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

When I sensed the Lord calling me to teach His Word, I felt so inadequate. I was like the disciples in many ways – unschooled (had not been to seminary) and very ordinary! I have been so dependent on the Lord to teach me His Word and to give me the ability to teach others. The more I depend on Him, the more He shows up! My hope is that people will be astonished at how the Lord can use an ordinary, untrained woman to teach His Word! I also hope that others will know that I have been with Jesus.

What hope we have in knowing that the Lord uses ordinary men and women to accomplish His purposes on earth!

What about you? Do you sense that the Lord is calling you to do something but you feel inadequate? Hang out with Jesus and He will equip you and anoint you to do whatever He calls you to do. People will be astonished at how He uses ordinary people like you and me.

Thought for today: What am I being called to do?

Willingness To Assume Responsibility June 3, 2016

1 Samuel 20:8  New International Version (NIV)

8 As for you, show kindness to your servant, for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill me yourself! Why hand me over to your father?”

David questioned Saul’s son, Jonathan, regarding the wrongs he committed against his father. He knew that he was innocent but was willing to ask the hard questions. Courageous leaders ask the hard questions. They are willing to right a wrong and to assume responsibility for their actions.

In other words, a leader must realize that the buck stops with him or her.

In Courageous Leadership, Bill Hybels explains that one of the principles of becoming an effective leader is self-leadership. He describes how leaders must have “checks and balances” in their development by asking, “Am I developing my gifts?” “Is my character submitted to Christ?” “Is my vision clear?” The one question that stood out to me as I read the list was, “Is my pride subdued?” David’s questions to Jonathan reflected an attitude of humility and self-examination. Courageous leaders must be willing to continually ask themselves and others under their leadership if they are on course, then assume the responsibility to adjust when they have veered.

Are you guilty of doing something that would not be pleasing to the Lord? Be willing to have Him examine your heart like David: Search me, O

God, and know my heart; test me and see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Thought for Today: Do I place my all under the authority of God?

The Work Of The Holy Spirit June 2, 2016

John 14:25-26  New International Version (NIV)

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Before Jesus left this earth, He told his disciples that He would send His Holy Spirit to instruct them and to remind them of all that He had taught them. He told them that they would be at peace knowing the Holy Spirit would be their constant companion and guide into truth. The Holy Spirit also searches our hearts to see if there is any damage that is hindering our spiritual growth. Nehemiah, like the Holy Spirit, searched out the damaged walls in Jerusalem in order to repair them. Repairing the walls would protect the city from their enemies. The walls had been nearly destroyed by the conquering Babylonians, and now his task was to assess the damage and plan a strategy to rebuild. As he set out at night to view the damage, he went through the Valley Gate. Likewise, the Holy Spirit “inspects” our walls. The Lord says that our walls are ever before Him: See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. (Isaiah 49:16) The Holy Spirit often works in the times that we are in the “valley,” those times of despair, frustration, and hopelessness. He examines the dark places, assessing the damage, and sets out to repair and restore the broken-down places. Paul understood that the difficult times are opportunities for the Lord to work

“good” in us, growing in us the character of Christ. (Romans 5:1-5) Nehemiah understood that when examining the damage to the walls, it was necessary to first examine the gates. The gates are the entry points for the enemy. If the gates are broken down, the enemy has access to the city. If our gates are broken, the enemy has access to our thought life, and this will be reflected in our actions. Nehemiah represents the Holy Spirit, systematically seeking to build and repair any place where the enemy could potentially enter our lives.

Ask the Holy Spirit to inspect your heart and identify areas that may be broken – in need of forgiveness or in need of giving forgiveness – any area where you harbor bitterness, anger, lack of self-control, or hurt. Invite Him into those areas to repair the brokenness, and He will deliver you out of the hands of the enemy and into the loving arms of God.

Thought for Today:  How is the security at the gate?