The Best "You" Ever!

Wednesday June 15, 2011

Today's Passage: 1 Peter 5:5-11
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 5:6

Geez!  The world can really put pressure on a guy.  People often say it's hard to live the Christian life, but I beg to differ.  I personally think living by the world's standards is the difficult thing.  That life is literally like chasing a shadow in that you can see it but you'll never get your hands on it.

My heart goes out to my neighbors who strive to live without Christ.  The struggle can be seen everywhere.  For example, sit down and watch a reality show.  The people being featured seemingly have everything they want, yet they live in such misery.  Although they have unlimited resources, they have the same problems people with limited resources do.  Anyway, no matter the socio-economic status, life without Christ is nothing to play with.  What can people in the world hang their hat on?  Who can they identify with?  By the time one settles in to a certain identity, it's no longer the popular one.  It's hard to be proud of who you are if who you are is always being pressured to change.  Verse 5 of today's text says "So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs.  God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time".  Imagine that!  God's wants you to be who you are.  You don't have to look like them, or act like them.  God loves you because you're you.  No pressure.  When God made you He broke the mold.  There's no one else like you.  So if you spend your life trying to be someone else, who's going to be you?  The world needs you.  There's a purpose and a plan for your life.  Don't throw away your destiny in order to try to live out someone else's.  Everyone has their own place to fill.  Therefore, let your plan consist of being the best "you" you can be.  With God's word, you can maximize every gifting you have, and become the person you see in your dreams. 

Finally, stay on guard My Friends.  If you allow your gaze to be moved away from God you'll get off the path.  Know that the devil is always looking to destroy your relationship with the Father.  Question things that don't line up with God's commandments.  If you live this way, you'll never have to be pressured to improve yourself; you'll already be the best "you" God ever made!!!

Prayer:  Father, we like who You made us to be.  We will never again question Your creation.  If we want to be better, however,  we'll choose to be better in You, not the world.  We fall out of agreement with the world and its standards in order to become more and more like You, in Jesus' name. Amen

Make War!!!!!!

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Today's Passage: Ephesians 6:10-18
Memory Verses:Eph. 6: 11-12

The lyrics to Christian rapper's long "Make War" express perfectly our message for today's blog:

" I hear so many Christians, murmuring about their imperfections, and their failures, and their addiction, and their shortcomings. And I see so little war! Murmur, murmur, murmur. Why am I this way? Make War!

Verse 1 (Tedashii): Bang with me/ba-bang bang, ba-bang with me/ No more playing games man/cause this thang can get risky/ So man if you in Christ/TAKE UP!!/your cross quickly/ Stand fearless on the frontline/time to come with it/ Do the right thing/WAKE UP!!/and lets get it/ I ain't even in the ring/they throwing blows like Riddick/ Persistently attacking me/they're even in the back of me/ It's either fight or lose my life and I can't take this passively/ So what you think I'm bout to do/I'm bout to do what I can do/ Trust the ONE who got me through/and fight like it was after school.

Never giving up/steady, standing on the battle field/ Feet firm to the ground like I stepped on Chappel Hill/ Flesh feeling frisky, sin persuades and tempts me/ Satan cheers me on/guilt followed by conviction/ It's the same ol' trap/and we fall like we defenseless/ Work your senses/grow in wisdom/stand firm and be relentless/ I MAKE WAR!/Cause sin never sleeps/ It's got me in a trance/you can see it in my dreams/ I MAKE WAR!/Man I beat my flesh/ to the death/every breath/like I beat my chest/ I MAKE WAR!

Well, TD Nation, there you have it. Two words that do NOT go together are "believer" and "coward". We've been equipped with armor that makes us literally invincible. But the enemy we need to watch out for is OURSELVES. Our thoughts, our feelings, and our desires can be the things that the enemy uses to put chinks in our holy armor... if we let them. But when put in their place, they only serve to be used to defeat the enemy. As we pray boldly, exposing whatever lies within that gives the devil a foothold, and putting ministering spirits on assignment to fight forces on the outside, we really ARE invincible. So what are you waiting for? MAKE WAR!!!!!!!

Prayer: Father, You have given us the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, and the sword of the Spirit to protect our heads, hearts and lives. We have the belt of truth , the shield of faith, and the shoes of the gospel of peace to keep us firmly standing against the enemy's tricks. We stand now with the whole armor, declaring that we are victorious over every attack of the enemy. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Spiritual Warfare

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Today's Passage: 2 Corinthians 10: 1-7
Memory Verse: 2 Cor. 10: 3-4

Okay. I know that we are not to focus on the flesh or pay attention to it in any way when it comes to spiritual matters. But I have to admit: I find myself eye- balling men and women of God who walk in supernatural power. You know-- not to judge them or anything of that nature; I simply study them out of curiosity to see what makes them tick, and how they are able to command such anointing.

Well, as soon as I start asking those questions, new ones pop up in their place. Questions like -- how come it's so easy for some people to operate in the spirit and win? This time, in response to my questions, the Holy Spirit asks the most obvious question of them all: How come YOU'RE not warring in the spirit realm? What makes you think you're not qualified?

That's when it hits me: a believer is only as effective as his or ability to see past who and where he/she is at the moment. Those who remember that at any given time, the enemy can influence someone we may know, love and even trust, are the ones who don't lose their calm in the battle. Furthermore, when you find yourself in a flat-out attack, the thing to remember is that the enemy is afraid of something you have on the inside of you. He's also afraid that we'll get to our destination in victory -- which he hates.

So today, know that operating in the spirit realm is just as natural as breathing. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the real forces behind the faces you can see in the natural. And most of all, remember that all we have to do is start to fight with our spiritual weapons-- our own mouths. With them, we can pull down every demonic force that stands in our way. Quite simply, we have a choice: stay on the ground and fight in vain, or be lifted up in the heavenlies and win.

Prayer: Father, so many forget that our weapons are made for mighty warriors. Help us to engage in the battle, rather than get sidetracked into letting people who allow themselves to be used by the enemy steal our witness. We declare that we are warriors, and that the battle has already been won. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Prayers That Prevail

Sunday, June 12th, 2011

Today's Passage: John 15: 1-10
Memory Verse: John 15: 4-5

Father, the more I see Your hand at work in the lives of the people around me, the more I realize how much we all need You.  The more I see how miserably I fail without You, the more I desire to abide in You.  The word "abide" means to continue, to stay, and to remain.  

Today, I determine to continue in Your ways like never before.  Since You came into my life, You've required me to change everything.  My way of thinking has had to go; my attitude of only looking out for myself, my goals, and my dreams.  You've changed my idea of conditional love to that of selfless love, seeking first Your kingdom and its righteousness.

I do repent for the times when I have tried to go back to that person who thought she knew what was best.  I ask You to guide my thoughts and actions as I depend more and more on You.  I will stay in You by staying in Your Word and making it more of a part of my life.  No longer do I have the option to decide when to obey and when not to; it's all or nothing.

As I prepare to worship You in the assembly of the saints, may the fruit only You can produce through me come forth.  As I submit to You will and way, let the creativity and newness flow from me and my brothers and sisters of TD Nation.  Let us produce new songs to invite Your glory into our lives, and may our pastors minister from Your heart to change us even the more.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.  

To The Battle!

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

Today's Passage: Joshua chapter 1
Memory Verse: Joshua 1: 6-7

Every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening before leaving the green room for praise and worship, we shout out: "To the battle!". Earlier this year, we received the revelation that what we were getting ready to do before the Word came was not merely singing songs. On the contrary, it was about going before our brothers and sisters on a spiritual battlefield to take new territory for them and eventually for ourselves.

But what we have found on this journey of fighting with and for one another is that it's very easy to get sidetracked, as today's passage suggests. One of the things that causes a loss of focus is fear of failure. Joshua watched Moses live a very successful life with God speaking to Him and leading him and the Israelites through every battle. Now that it was his turn, it would've been very easy for him to let fear overtake him and keep him paralyzed. Rather than move forward in faith, we may not be able to participate in our victory.

Another thing that we need to watch out for is selfishness. God told Joshua to tell the Israelites from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh that they would have to wait for their portion of the land until all the other children of Israel received theirs. That meant THEY couldn't enjoy wealth and peace until everyone else did. What?! Does God really expect us to leave our place of complacency and war in prayer, praise and worship for others--even those who may not understand what we're fighting for? Yes. It is a requirement.

If I understand this passage correctly, then God is calling us to put away all fear, laziness and complacency in order to go to a new place He's taking us to. The reign of Moses (the old way of accessing God and receiving blessing from Him) is gone. Now He wants total obedience, unity and boldness in order for us to take new territory-- for others as well as for ourselves. This requires the basic understanding that WE MUST COME OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONE. We can't be stuck in the way we've always seen it done. If we let go of the fear, we will see untold growth in this new season of power and anointing. Everywhere our feet tread, God has already given it to us. But we must engage in the battle for one another. So, let's all go... TO THE BATTLE!!!!!

Prayer: Father, You've already prepared us for this new season by making us uncomfortable in the old places. Like a mother eagle that ruffles up the twigs in the nest, we can't stay where we are. We must go and take by force what You've so richly provided for us. May we remember to be strong, courageous, selfless, and obedient, following Your every step into new territories. As we claim them for Your kingdom, may Your great Name be exalted in this earth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

It's Graduation Time!!!

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Today's Passage: Hebrews 5:12-14
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:20

As we enter the season of graduation, we'd like to take time out to acknowledge all our graduates (on every level).  Your hard work has finally paid off.  We, your parents, family members, and friends have watched you grow since your very first day of school.  Now, God has produced in you the maturity we always knew you'd possess.  We're so proud of you.  And we pray you continue to grow while accomplishing everything God has for you!

This is truly a special time of year.  This season is marked by upward movement.  It is the culmination of hard work, diligence, and commitment.  All the challenges have been faced and met.  The hours of homework and study have paid off.  It is now time to recieve the credentials that say you're responsible for what you've learned over the last nine months.  You are either being promoted to new challenges, or you're graduating altogether.  You know Who else likes graduation?  God does.  He has always wanted His children to grow and mature.  God says in Hebrews: "By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics of God again, starting from square one--baby's milk; when you should have been on solid food long ago.  Milk is for beginners, inexperience in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong". 

Just like we want our children to grow, God wants us to also.  If you and your wife gave birth to a child five years ago, you wouldn't expect to still be carrying them and/or feeding them with a bottle, would you?  Then what good is it for us not to "graduate" from certain things?  We've been Christians for a little while now, but God has to keep feeding us the "milk" of our faith: love your neighbor/enemies, keep my commandments, and hate evil.  He does that because we continuously love our evil, hate our neighbors, and keep our enemies.  Let's graduate, People of God!  Let's move forward to our next level.  The graduation season is significant in that it shows that you did it.  You passed!  No more falling victim to the devil's traps.  You can now recognize (discern) his games from a mile away.  No more walking around that same mountain over and over again.  Your faith is strong, and you're living in the benefits of righteousness and obedience.  Dah, dah-dah-dah--dah, dah (grad song)!  Remember, 1st Corinthians 14:20 says: "To be perfectly frank, I'm getting exasperated with your infantile thinking.  How long before you grow up and use your head--your adult head"?   The time is now.  It's graduation day!!!!

Prayer: Father, You are so good to me.  Not only do You give me divine protection, You nourish me with Your awesome word.  I never miss a meal.  Day and night, You prepare Your table before me.  All I have to do is come, and You'll give me more than I can handle.  Let me feast on it for the rest of my days, and grow mature enough to bring others to the table. In Jesus' Name, Amen.    

 

Yes, We CAN!!!!!

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Today's Passage: Psalm 119: 1-16
Memory Verse: Ps. 119: 9

Who do people see when they see us?  Do they see a bunch of spineless, aimless and wishy-washy individuals who can't tell from one minute to the next whether they're sure about this thing called Christianity?  Or do they see bold go-getters who're head- over-heels in love with their Lord, Jesus Christ, Who is equally worth living for?  

I ask the question because we live in a society where believers are seen in a negative light.  We are even portrayed by other believers as weak and incapable of standing firm and walking out the principles of God's Word.  But in today's passage, the believer I want to be is one who has confidence only in the Word of God.

Not only are we required to completely obey God's every Word, but we're expected to live it out  loud.  Why else would He have sent His Son if His blood only partially covered our failure?  No matter the struggle, the answer is cleaving to HIS way of doing things.  From relationships to health, answers can be found in the Word.  Whether or not we take heed will determine our success or failure.

Today, whether you're a brand new Christian, a backslidden one, or a sold-out veteran, rejoice in the fact that obedience to the Word has untold benefits.  He causes His blessings to unfold on our behalf to show the skeptics that yes, the Christian life CAN be walked out in all its fulness.  He overwhelms us with His grace when we fall short, and crowns our heads with glory so that the accuser cannot heap shame upon us.  Be encouraged wherever you are in your walk.  Hold your head up high and STRIVE to go all the way.  Nothing shall be impossible to them that believe.

Prayer: Father, I live, move, and have my being in You.  I rejoice in the hope that I will be like You one day.  In the meantime, I lean on Your grace and receive strength through the Holy Spirit's power to be victorious in my walk.  May I never cease striving to bring glory to Your awesome name.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.