LIFE-- OR DEATH?

Wednesday, May 30th> Philippians 3: 12-16 What should we do to create an environment for the incorruptible seed to grow? This is literally a LIFE or DEATH situation. If we want our earthly vessels to house, foster and grow such an amazing gift of new life, we must FIRST recognize the threat of evil around us with only ONE goal: to cause us to abort the seed, or at the very least stop it from growing. With that being said, we must be sober and mindful of what we let in, who we allow to influence us, and what we choose to dwell on from one day to the next. No-one-- absolutely no-one-- can be ruled out as a SOURCE of death for our seed. This simply means we must not be so wrapped up in the outward appearance of those we surround ourselves with that we ignore the warning signs when our faith is slowly but surely being replaced with doubt, our joy with sadness or depression, or our on-fire walk with a lukewarm substitute. We must NEVER take our eyes off the prize-- to get to the NEXT milestone in order to position ourselves on e step closer to our purpose and destiny. Nothing else must become more important than this goal-- no person, no place, and certainly no part of our past is worth holding on to. As long as we have this mindset, we will begin to set up the right environment for the incorruptible seed. All that's left to be said is will you choose LIFE, or DEATH?

What Do You Think?

Monday, May 28th> Philippians 4: 8-9 What is it about the way we think that makes it so difficult to believe what God's Word says about who we really are? We have this double problem. On one hand, we were created in the image of God. That means we have His creative ability. Unfortunately, this ability is housed in the earthen vessel of our flesh. Pastors Chad and Nette call this our "fallen state". So, while we have been given the tremendous gift of seeing what we believe come to pass, this will not happen unless we change the way we think. God's format is quite simple: think on THESE things: praiseworthy, pure, good, TRUE, and of good report. If we follow this format, we WILL walk in and accomplish God's will. The question that remains is: do we THINK it is possible?

What's the Purpose?

Tuesday, May 22nd> Ephesians 4: 11- 16 What is the ultimate purpose of our development? Why would God go through all this trouble to get us new DNA, then position His Holy Spirit inside of us? The ultimate purpose is for us to become MATURE and WHOLE,  lacking nothing in order to FIT our part inside the body of Christ.  God's desire is for us to GROW at the expected spiritual rate so that there is no void in the body when it's each Believer's turn to PRODUCE what every joint supplies.  Our prayer is simply-- Father, You expect me to grow.  May I walk worthy of what You've put on the inside of me so that I might bring Your WILL to pass on this earth.

The Fivefold Ministry

Monday, May 21st> Ephesians 4: 1-11 Do you think the fivefold ministry guarantees a place for the ENTIRE body of believers, or are there only certain people who are called to fulfill those roles?  More specifically, what role do YOU play in the body?  Without a doubt, we must tread carefully with the titles "Apostle" and "Prophet".  The accountability associated with these two is nothing to take lightly.  But did you know that we are ALL called to be evangelists, preachers and teachers?  Did you know that daily we are called to take the gospel of the kingdom -- the "GOOD NEWS" of what He has provided for us -- to others wherever we go?  Just in case you didn't know, your pulpit is whatever platform you establish in your life where God's Name is exalted.  That includes your office desk, the grocery store aisle... And your Facebook page.  It doesn't matter what people call you when you walk into the church.  What matters is the heart you have about giving others what was freely given to you.  And THAT'S what we will all be judged by when we stand before the Father.

Danger... FIRE!

Saturday, May 19th> 2 Corinthians 6: 14-18; 2 Timothy 3: 1-9 In a natural inspection, all furnaces, boiler rooms, and electrical outlets of any kind must be kept free from combustible storage (anything that could catch fire and destroy this investment).  What "combustible storage" exists in the spirit realm that we must stay away from? Hmmm... Let me see...being in covenant with and taking advice from those who don't know Christ. Even those who "claim" to be saved but aren't showing any fruit that He dwells within. If we attach our lives to these things, we're in danger of attracting a fire to our lives that will be hard to put out. If you find it easy to compromise in a certain area when you're around certain people, your wires just might be in "combustible storage". We are called to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Christ. ANYONE who steers us in the opposite direction is on the list marked "Danger of Fire.". We must be willing to get rid of ANYTHING that will bog us down and blow up what GOD is building. I'd rather please HIM and have humans disappointed in me rather than the other way around. Wouldn't you?

Prune Away, Lord!

Friday, May 18th> Matthew 13: 1-9 What does the pruning of roots around a natural and spiritual house have to do with the success of that house?  Root pruning is the process of severing the roots of an established tree that is going to be dug up and transplanted.  It is also used to encourage flowering of a fruit tree or a vine that is slow to bloom.  It involves severing the roots immediately around the base of the tree or plant. What does this process have to do with the success of a house?  Pruning, if done properly, adds to the beauty and value of the house.  If not done correctly, the roots become overgrown and get into the sewage system, which interferes with the plumbing of the house.  Spiritual pruning is also necessary so that we can be released to start a new cycle of growth.  I can tell you this: it's NOT always easy to just succumb to the cutting, tugging and pulling that our trees must endure.  But oh, the rewards!  Not only will we spring forward, but we will contribute to the strength and life of others.

Chronicles of a Food Addict

Thursday, May 10th > 2 Corinthians 3: 7-18 How does the process of being transformed into the image of God work on a day- to- day basis? Day 1: Good morning, Father!  I heard the Word on Sunday about how we all are subject to reconstruction and renovation, and that Your Holy Sprit will do it all if I just trust Him.  So here I am, Lord.  I'm trusting You to break the addictions off my life and help me depend totally on You Day 2: Good morning, Lord.  I  thank You for walking with me and showing me what I needed to put in my lunch pail yesterday.  I felt so good when I fixed that healthy meal-- and even better as I was eating it.  I see that You desire for me to be whole in EVERY area, so I will trust You EVERY step of the way. Day 3: Good morning, God.  Let me start out by repenting for only allowing Your Holy Spirit to be my Helper for PART of the day.  How foolish of me to think that I could do the rest on my own!  After lunch, my students got so restless and needy -- which I thought I handled pretty well.  I managed to answer their questions and tend to their needs calmly.  I didn't even raise my voice once!  But as soon as they left, I dove into that cookie jar like it was an oasis in the desert to a man dying of thirst.   It was almost as if I was a puppet being controlled by something... Or someone.  All I know is I got lost in the comforting sensation of devouring those cookies, and by the time I came to myself, the jar was empty.  Now I see why you want me to be led by the Spirit rather than my flesh.  Next time, I'll stop to consult You before letting my emotions rule.  Thank you for not hating me even though I deserve it. Day 4: Another day, Father.  PAYDAY!  Thank You for providing for my family.  I think I'll be able to splurge a little and get that dress I saw two weeks ago.    It's not much, but at least all our bills are paid and I thank You.  Hubby and I might even be able to do dinner and a movie.  Ahhhhh!  Life IS good.... Oh, that's my hubby on the phone.  I'll talk to You later. Day 5:  Help, Lord!  I can't seem to shake this feeling of helplessness I  experience every time something unexpected comes up!  I can't even begin to tell You how sorry I am that I dropped the ball again.  I just felt so disappointed that we didn't even have enough money left to do anything special for ourselves!  What are we doing wrong?  We are tithers and givers.  We live totally devoted to You.  Why do we have to go without so many times? Please don't think I'm making excuses for what I did.  But I WAS mad-- mad at the devil for controlling the financial aspects of this world.  When my hubby told me he had to use the extra money to replace all four tires on our car, I was just discouraged.  It felt so natural to wander to the fridge and consume ice cream.  I'm starting to think this attempt to give You complete control is not going to work.  Not because YOU are a failure.  Because I AM. I'm such a mess.  How can I get past this?  I really DO believe You are able to bring healing to my life.  Show me where all this started.  I'm ready to confront these demons.  Will You help me?  I need You...

The Developer

Tuesday, May 8th> Titus 3: 1-8 Who is responsible for beginning and accomplishing the important task of developing us? The same One Who was responsible for renewing Sarah's womb and accomplishing the miracle of birth in her. The same One Who fulfilled Hannah's destiny by healing her barrenness and facilitating the conception of Samuel, one of the greatest prophets who ever lived. The very same One Who carried out the Immaculate Conception in which He took the holiness of God Himself and embedded it inside the womb of a very ordinary girl and produced the Word of God in flesh. The Holy Spirit is the Person of the Trinity assigned to accomplish impossible tasks. He is the One Who takes God's visions and dreams and brings them to fruition. He was the One hovering over the waters when there was noting on the Earth. This same Holy Spirit was there, breathing life into the lifeless form that was humanity, making us living souls. He was the same One Who breathed power into the 120 on the day of Pentecost, creating the windstorm of anointing that shook the world, causing it to never be the same. Is there any doubt, then, that this same Holy Spirit is capable of looking at the total wretch that I am and, taking the precious blueprints for my life that were designed by the Master Architect, transforming me into the image of the Father on this earth? The Word reassures me that He has been "poured out on us in full measure" -- not halfway or sparingly. This is the truth of the matter. All that remains is my agreement to what the Holy Spirit has been sent to accomplish in my life. The Developer has His work cut out for Him. My house started out as a condemned facility-- not fit for ANYONE to dwell in. But by the time He's done, I'll be fit for the Father's purpose.

Power To Overcome

Saturday, May 5th> 1 John 5: 1-13 How are we able to go through trials and tribulations because of our adoption?  We carry inside of us the POWER to OVERCOME.  We have our Father's DNA, which means there is no earthly situation we can encounter that can overwhelm or defeat us.  Did you hear that, child of the Most High God?  We have been given everything we need to outlast and conquer every enemy that comes against us.  We have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony. So what stops us from walking and living in victory?  For one, we could be ignorant of who we really are -- in which case, we might as well be dead if we don't have a revelation of God's gift of sonship through the blood of the Lamb.  Secondly, we could be allowing sin to render us incapable of receiving this free gift.  Ask yourself: am I truly an overcoming believer?  In spite of the trials Jesus said we would face, He also said HE has overcome the world.  Where are you?  On top rather than on the bottom?  Seated in heavenly places where Christ dwells?  Or barely able to put two sentences together concerning our authority?  Whatever the case, it's available.