Wednesday February 1, 2012
Today's Passage> Ezekiel 44:15-24
How do the Levites in this passage exemplify what God wants the "dividing line" to look like through our lives?
Tuesday January 31, 2012
Today's Passage> Psalms 51
Another part of the process, "purging", means "to purify as with gold or silver". Although many believers want to be displayed by God as vessels of honor, why do we fight the purging process?
Today's Passage> Psalms 51
Another part of the process, "purging", means "to purify as with gold or silver". Although many believers want to be displayed by God as vessels of honor, why do we fight the purging process?
Pure Gold!
Monday January 30, 2012
Today's Passage> Malachi 3:1-5
To refine means to "test" and/or "prove to be true or authentic". Why is this process necessary in the believer's life in order to establish and maintain the dividing line?
Today's Passage> Malachi 3:1-5
To refine means to "test" and/or "prove to be true or authentic". Why is this process necessary in the believer's life in order to establish and maintain the dividing line?
Shake The Foundation!
Sunday January 29, 2012
Today's Passage> Acts 16:25-39
How has the church responded to opposition in the past? What should our standard response be as Jesus' coming draws near?
Today's Passage> Acts 16:25-39
How has the church responded to opposition in the past? What should our standard response be as Jesus' coming draws near?
Trouble The City!!!!
Saturday January 28, 2012
Today's Passage> Acts 16:1-24
As we go forth to spread the gospel, what should we expect from the kingdom of darkness?
Today's Passage> Acts 16:1-24
As we go forth to spread the gospel, what should we expect from the kingdom of darkness?
The Power...Inherited
Friday January 27, 2012
Today's Passage> John 14
What guarantee do we have that we will be able to do the same works that Jesus did?
Today's Passage> John 14
What guarantee do we have that we will be able to do the same works that Jesus did?
Blaze The Trail!
Thursday January 26, 2012
Today's Passage> Mark 1:21-45
When we study Christ's life, what example did He set concerning the impact we should have on the world around us?
Today's Passage> Mark 1:21-45
When we study Christ's life, what example did He set concerning the impact we should have on the world around us?
Character Counts!
Wednesday January 25, 2012
Today's Passage: Acts 5:1-11
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:13-16
What part does character play in the lives of those whom God has chosen to represent Him?
Today's Passage: Acts 5:1-11
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:13-16
What part does character play in the lives of those whom God has chosen to represent Him?
Hindrances to Mobilizing
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
Today's Passage> Mark 4: 1-20
Memory Verse> Mark 4: 20
Today's Question: what are some things that stop us from being ready to take the gospel to the world?
Today's Passage> Mark 4: 1-20
Memory Verse> Mark 4: 20
Today's Question: what are some things that stop us from being ready to take the gospel to the world?
The Great Commission
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Today's Passage> Mark 16: 9-20
Memory Verse> Mark 16: 15
Today's Question: What does the Great Commission mean to us in the twenty-first century church?
Today's Passage> Mark 16: 9-20
Memory Verse> Mark 16: 15
Today's Question: What does the Great Commission mean to us in the twenty-first century church?
The Next Moses
Saturday, January 21st, 2012
Today's Passage> Psalm 37: 1-22
Memory Verses> Ps. 37: 15-16
The faces of hate and oppression seem to have changed since the days of slavery in the 1800's and Jim Crow laws in the '40's. But there is still hate and oppression. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived in a time when men and women of color were no longer shackled with physical chains, but were shackled nevertheless -- to the back of churches, public buildings, and public forms of transportation. Although African Americans fought proudly in World Wars 1 and 2 to defend the idea of freedom and equality for all, they were not given the benefits of their sacrifice on American soil. In spite of their plight, people like the man we honor this week had a revelation of who they were created to be and would not cower down before the bullies of hate and oppression.
Dr. King's dream expanded beyond the level of freedom, comfort and equality he envisioned for his children to include every person who could not share the prominent seats in a restaurant or hotel, and who could not drink from the same water fountain as a white person. He didn't just see his four babies going to the same schools and enjoying the same privileges of education as the white children; he saw the children of ALL Americans despite the color of their skin. And because of this kingdom- minded vision, God allowed the doors of opportunity to be open for the spirit of Moses to be spread everywhere, and for the then infamous notion of segregation to gradually die out.
Today's passage reminds us that oppression is not a thing of the past, but a spirit that finds its way into the hearts of selfish people in every nation. But as long as there is a remnant of people who are willing to dream of God's Will coming to pass on this earth, oppression cannot stand. We are told in Psalm 37 verses 12-16 that evil men plot against the godly and oppress those who have no-one to speak for them. But God has a plan for them that will cause their very seed to be wiped off the face of the earth, while the oppressed will possess the land. These promises have no way of coming to pass without the determination of righteous men NOT to accept things as they are.
Fast-forward to present-day life. The millennium has birthed a new form of hatred and oppression in our society. Drugs, guns and prostitution are practically free, while a quality education has been rendered virtually impossible through the systematic separation of church and state. In a public school classroom, a young lady can be given information about birth control, but it is against the law for her to be told that she can maintain her purity through Jesus Christ. Teenage pregnancy, dropout rates and sexually-transmitted diseases are rampant while the rich keep acquiring more money. Who will dream again? Who will be the next Moses? Who will rise up and refuse to accept the status quo, driven by the desire to see ALL walk in freedom? God's people must answer the call, and HE will respond with healing and victory.
Prayer: Father, we are not blinded to the cries of oppression ringing out in our cities from those who cannot get out of satan's grasp. We ask for the courage to dream and be bold in our declaration of Your Will in our land. We commit our plans to You, and stand on Your Word that You will bring them to pass because they are infused with love and hope. May we rise up and conquer territory for Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage> Psalm 37: 1-22
Memory Verses> Ps. 37: 15-16
The faces of hate and oppression seem to have changed since the days of slavery in the 1800's and Jim Crow laws in the '40's. But there is still hate and oppression. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived in a time when men and women of color were no longer shackled with physical chains, but were shackled nevertheless -- to the back of churches, public buildings, and public forms of transportation. Although African Americans fought proudly in World Wars 1 and 2 to defend the idea of freedom and equality for all, they were not given the benefits of their sacrifice on American soil. In spite of their plight, people like the man we honor this week had a revelation of who they were created to be and would not cower down before the bullies of hate and oppression.
Dr. King's dream expanded beyond the level of freedom, comfort and equality he envisioned for his children to include every person who could not share the prominent seats in a restaurant or hotel, and who could not drink from the same water fountain as a white person. He didn't just see his four babies going to the same schools and enjoying the same privileges of education as the white children; he saw the children of ALL Americans despite the color of their skin. And because of this kingdom- minded vision, God allowed the doors of opportunity to be open for the spirit of Moses to be spread everywhere, and for the then infamous notion of segregation to gradually die out.
Today's passage reminds us that oppression is not a thing of the past, but a spirit that finds its way into the hearts of selfish people in every nation. But as long as there is a remnant of people who are willing to dream of God's Will coming to pass on this earth, oppression cannot stand. We are told in Psalm 37 verses 12-16 that evil men plot against the godly and oppress those who have no-one to speak for them. But God has a plan for them that will cause their very seed to be wiped off the face of the earth, while the oppressed will possess the land. These promises have no way of coming to pass without the determination of righteous men NOT to accept things as they are.
Fast-forward to present-day life. The millennium has birthed a new form of hatred and oppression in our society. Drugs, guns and prostitution are practically free, while a quality education has been rendered virtually impossible through the systematic separation of church and state. In a public school classroom, a young lady can be given information about birth control, but it is against the law for her to be told that she can maintain her purity through Jesus Christ. Teenage pregnancy, dropout rates and sexually-transmitted diseases are rampant while the rich keep acquiring more money. Who will dream again? Who will be the next Moses? Who will rise up and refuse to accept the status quo, driven by the desire to see ALL walk in freedom? God's people must answer the call, and HE will respond with healing and victory.
Prayer: Father, we are not blinded to the cries of oppression ringing out in our cities from those who cannot get out of satan's grasp. We ask for the courage to dream and be bold in our declaration of Your Will in our land. We commit our plans to You, and stand on Your Word that You will bring them to pass because they are infused with love and hope. May we rise up and conquer territory for Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Changed In God's Presence
Saturday, January 14th, 2012
Today's Passage> Luke 19: 1-10
Memory Verses> Luke 19: 8-9
In the book of 2 Timothy chapter 3, Paul describes the state of a society that looks an awful lot like ours. People are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion, but deny its power" (verses 2-4). And the scary thing is he was NOT talking about unsaved people. The words "saved" and "believer" doesn't seem to have the same meaning as it did a few years ago.
This past Wednesday in our worship service, the Lord spoke over us that there needs to be evidence of being in His presence when we come out. More than ever before, as a result of moral values being consistently erased, people need to be able to tell us apart from those who are in the world. But how will this happen if many of us don't aspire to change? We don't realize that, no matter how long we've been believers, there are still things about us that don't reflect the nature of God in our lives. And rather than be indifferent about getting rid of those things, there's a certain attitude of desperation that should drive us to seek and be changed in God's presence.
Today's passage is a wonderful example of the attitude God is looking for in His children. Zaccheus is a well-known, wealthy Jew, but he is not well-liked because of what he does for a living. When he hears that Jesus is on His way, he does something that someone of his stature should never be seen doing. He runs ahead and climbs into a tree so that he can see and hear Jesus minister. Although he has every natural thing he could desire, he knows his heart and soul need a change. This type of desperation is so pleasant to Jesus that He invites Himself to Zaccheus' house. Against the will of the religious ones who saw Jesus all the time but had no clue who He really was, Jesus goes to visit Zaccheus, and the conviction to change was immediately evident.
For those who call ourselves the totally devoted, change should be the thing we strive towards like nothing else. Our desperation to see Him should come out in our dedication to worship Him on a daily basis, not only when we get to church. Zaccheus was confronted with his sin when he encountered Jesus. At the end of this encounter, repentance occurred. The closer we get to Christ, the greater our desire should be to change. Just maintaining where we've always been only reveals devotion to ourselves. May we run ahead to meet our Lord, sup with Him, and come away changed.
Prayer: Father, You are my desire. Spending time in Your Presence has become a priority for me. In Your Presence I have found everything I need. I ask You to strip me of my secret faults and let Your Holy Spirit reveal those things that separate me from You. I live to worship You alone. Change me in Your Presence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage> Luke 19: 1-10
Memory Verses> Luke 19: 8-9
In the book of 2 Timothy chapter 3, Paul describes the state of a society that looks an awful lot like ours. People are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion, but deny its power" (verses 2-4). And the scary thing is he was NOT talking about unsaved people. The words "saved" and "believer" doesn't seem to have the same meaning as it did a few years ago.
This past Wednesday in our worship service, the Lord spoke over us that there needs to be evidence of being in His presence when we come out. More than ever before, as a result of moral values being consistently erased, people need to be able to tell us apart from those who are in the world. But how will this happen if many of us don't aspire to change? We don't realize that, no matter how long we've been believers, there are still things about us that don't reflect the nature of God in our lives. And rather than be indifferent about getting rid of those things, there's a certain attitude of desperation that should drive us to seek and be changed in God's presence.
Today's passage is a wonderful example of the attitude God is looking for in His children. Zaccheus is a well-known, wealthy Jew, but he is not well-liked because of what he does for a living. When he hears that Jesus is on His way, he does something that someone of his stature should never be seen doing. He runs ahead and climbs into a tree so that he can see and hear Jesus minister. Although he has every natural thing he could desire, he knows his heart and soul need a change. This type of desperation is so pleasant to Jesus that He invites Himself to Zaccheus' house. Against the will of the religious ones who saw Jesus all the time but had no clue who He really was, Jesus goes to visit Zaccheus, and the conviction to change was immediately evident.
For those who call ourselves the totally devoted, change should be the thing we strive towards like nothing else. Our desperation to see Him should come out in our dedication to worship Him on a daily basis, not only when we get to church. Zaccheus was confronted with his sin when he encountered Jesus. At the end of this encounter, repentance occurred. The closer we get to Christ, the greater our desire should be to change. Just maintaining where we've always been only reveals devotion to ourselves. May we run ahead to meet our Lord, sup with Him, and come away changed.
Prayer: Father, You are my desire. Spending time in Your Presence has become a priority for me. In Your Presence I have found everything I need. I ask You to strip me of my secret faults and let Your Holy Spirit reveal those things that separate me from You. I live to worship You alone. Change me in Your Presence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Retreat... Or Rise?
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Today's Passage: Mark chapter 2
Memory Verse> Mark 2: 21-22
Okay. I've got a new favorite movie. I've seen some pretty good ones lately, but the one that impacted me the most is "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". If you haven't seen it yet, I give you permission to stop reading so that I don't spoil it for you. But for those of you who have seen it, I'm sure you'll agree that it has such awesome revelation. Yet again, principles from God's Word come shining through something meant merely for secular entertainment.
Caesar, the chimpanzee, is so cute and harmless at the beginning of the movie. Even though he has genetically enhanced traits from his mother that cause him to perform at the same level as a human with the intellect of a genius, he doesn't really realize there's something different about himself until he sees a dog on a leash. The questions begin to plague him about who he is and why he's not free. Then he attacks his father's neighbor and is sent to an animal shelter, where all of his innocence is soon lost as he becomes the object of everyone's wrath. In his past, he has never been exposed to living among other apes, so his entire existence is turned upside down to find he is no longer the object of affection.
In turmoil, he is heartbroken to discover that he won't be going home anytime soon. Does he retreat into himself and allow the defeat to overpower him? Should he accept that he is nothing? Or does he use the adversity to rise to the new place of authority and destiny he was created to occupy? Pretty soon, Caesar comes to the conclusion that his old ways of thinking and living are of no use in this new, hostile environment. He must learn to adapt and be transformed from having a victim's mentality to one of a victor who was meant to walk in freedom-- but not only that. He must begin to think and act like one who was meant to lead others to this new place of freedom.
The parallel with our spiritual walk is crystal clear. We stand on the verge of our new season, having been pushed there by adverse circumstances. Because we are by nature creatures of comfort, we would never desire change unless our "Father" orchestrated it by allowing us to experience turmoil. It's in this place of discomfort that we really begin to ask ourselves the tough question: is this all I was meant to accomplish? Or is there more? Then and only then can we begin to step out of old mind sets, realizing that our old ways of thinking, responding and acting have no place in the promised land where the milk and honey is flowing, but the giants are just as plentiful. Just like Caesar, the choice is ours. We can retreat into fear and insignificance, or we can rise into relevance and purpose. But no-one-- not even God-- can do it for us. The end to the story has yet to be written. We decide what it will say. May we choose what God intended all along.
Prayer: Father, You have blessed us with all spiritual blessings. You desire for us to take our place and live meaningful lives, leading others into freedom. Give us the grace to want that more than sympathy for our current circumstances. May we dare to be different, realizing that the road to destiny is paved with one decision of devotion and obedience at a time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Mark chapter 2
Memory Verse> Mark 2: 21-22
Okay. I've got a new favorite movie. I've seen some pretty good ones lately, but the one that impacted me the most is "Rise of the Planet of the Apes". If you haven't seen it yet, I give you permission to stop reading so that I don't spoil it for you. But for those of you who have seen it, I'm sure you'll agree that it has such awesome revelation. Yet again, principles from God's Word come shining through something meant merely for secular entertainment.
Caesar, the chimpanzee, is so cute and harmless at the beginning of the movie. Even though he has genetically enhanced traits from his mother that cause him to perform at the same level as a human with the intellect of a genius, he doesn't really realize there's something different about himself until he sees a dog on a leash. The questions begin to plague him about who he is and why he's not free. Then he attacks his father's neighbor and is sent to an animal shelter, where all of his innocence is soon lost as he becomes the object of everyone's wrath. In his past, he has never been exposed to living among other apes, so his entire existence is turned upside down to find he is no longer the object of affection.
In turmoil, he is heartbroken to discover that he won't be going home anytime soon. Does he retreat into himself and allow the defeat to overpower him? Should he accept that he is nothing? Or does he use the adversity to rise to the new place of authority and destiny he was created to occupy? Pretty soon, Caesar comes to the conclusion that his old ways of thinking and living are of no use in this new, hostile environment. He must learn to adapt and be transformed from having a victim's mentality to one of a victor who was meant to walk in freedom-- but not only that. He must begin to think and act like one who was meant to lead others to this new place of freedom.
The parallel with our spiritual walk is crystal clear. We stand on the verge of our new season, having been pushed there by adverse circumstances. Because we are by nature creatures of comfort, we would never desire change unless our "Father" orchestrated it by allowing us to experience turmoil. It's in this place of discomfort that we really begin to ask ourselves the tough question: is this all I was meant to accomplish? Or is there more? Then and only then can we begin to step out of old mind sets, realizing that our old ways of thinking, responding and acting have no place in the promised land where the milk and honey is flowing, but the giants are just as plentiful. Just like Caesar, the choice is ours. We can retreat into fear and insignificance, or we can rise into relevance and purpose. But no-one-- not even God-- can do it for us. The end to the story has yet to be written. We decide what it will say. May we choose what God intended all along.
Prayer: Father, You have blessed us with all spiritual blessings. You desire for us to take our place and live meaningful lives, leading others into freedom. Give us the grace to want that more than sympathy for our current circumstances. May we dare to be different, realizing that the road to destiny is paved with one decision of devotion and obedience at a time. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)