Monday, March 19th> Ezekiel 13: 1-22
How does God feel about the man-made devices that have been set up by churches to keep their ministries running? First, let's discuss the money-making projects we come up with -- the services we hold just to invite people who will come and give an offering. Once they get there and bring what they had, the service is held hostage as we declare there's GOT to be more -- that God HAS to have given us a larger amount, but we're just not willing to be obedient.
Then there are the "all- inclusive" schemes where we preach God's acceptance of anyone no matter what their sins are-- which is certainly true. But once we come to God through Jesus, shouldn't we be preaching that God expects HOLINESS to be at the center of our walk, rather than NO CHANGE and NO FRUIT? It's convenient to keep the sermons easy on the ears to keep those people coming, and to keep their tithes and offerings coming. We certainly don't want to say anything to offend anyone.
Then I read today's passage, and Jesus' message in Luke 12:49-53 about coming to bring division and not peace comes back to me. God sacrificed His only Son, and He expects us to make a stand for righteousness, even if it means offending those who are not ready to be challenged. And so ministries have to make a tough decision: offend GOD, or offend man. Hmmmm.... Let me see... I think I'll go with the One Who has the power to take me out with just one thought.
Loose It and Let It Go!
Saturday, March 17th> John 11: 28-44
In this passage, we see that there is a difference between weeping and sobbing or crying. How does sobbing without faith to see God move rob us of the opportunity for miracles? When Jesus wept, it was out of grief that Lazarus' sisters didn't really understand who He was. But since He operated from a place of faith, there was never a moment when He didn't think Lazarus would be raised from the dead.
When Mary and Martha cried, it was from a place of regret that it was too late for Jesus to do anything about the situation. They didn't know Jesus to be the God with Whom NOTHING is impossible. So both of them made the comment when they saw Him: "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died". Not once did they allow themselves to believe that, since they were in the presence of the Messiah, God's Chosen and Sent One, there was no limit such as time. Knowing this, Jesus had to allow Lazarus to die so that He could show them -- and His disciples -- that truly there is NOTHING that God cannot do.
As we interceed for others, and even deal with hard situations in our personal lives, we will be moved with compassion to a place of shedding tears. But God will have us to know that we must not allow those tears to fall out of regret or fear that it may be too late to do anything about it. I don't care if the cancer is in the terminal stage, or if that person is on his or her deathbed. My Bible tells me that Jesus says, "If you believe, you will see the glory of God". All that stands in the way of the miracle-working power of God is our belief.
Do you have your belief bound up in that tomb, just like Martha and Mary did? Then let me speak a release to you. Take away the stone, and loose your faith. Let it go as far as the Holy Spirit gives you grace to believe for. And with your release will come the flood of miracles in Jesus' Name.
In this passage, we see that there is a difference between weeping and sobbing or crying. How does sobbing without faith to see God move rob us of the opportunity for miracles? When Jesus wept, it was out of grief that Lazarus' sisters didn't really understand who He was. But since He operated from a place of faith, there was never a moment when He didn't think Lazarus would be raised from the dead.
When Mary and Martha cried, it was from a place of regret that it was too late for Jesus to do anything about the situation. They didn't know Jesus to be the God with Whom NOTHING is impossible. So both of them made the comment when they saw Him: "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died". Not once did they allow themselves to believe that, since they were in the presence of the Messiah, God's Chosen and Sent One, there was no limit such as time. Knowing this, Jesus had to allow Lazarus to die so that He could show them -- and His disciples -- that truly there is NOTHING that God cannot do.
As we interceed for others, and even deal with hard situations in our personal lives, we will be moved with compassion to a place of shedding tears. But God will have us to know that we must not allow those tears to fall out of regret or fear that it may be too late to do anything about it. I don't care if the cancer is in the terminal stage, or if that person is on his or her deathbed. My Bible tells me that Jesus says, "If you believe, you will see the glory of God". All that stands in the way of the miracle-working power of God is our belief.
Do you have your belief bound up in that tomb, just like Martha and Mary did? Then let me speak a release to you. Take away the stone, and loose your faith. Let it go as far as the Holy Spirit gives you grace to believe for. And with your release will come the flood of miracles in Jesus' Name.
Be MOVED to Bring Change!
Friday, March 16th> Luke 19: 41-48
In what way does Jesus reveal God's heart about how we should be concerned about our cities?Jesus shows us that God is heartbroken over the fact that His own people rejected Jesus, His precious Gift to them. They chose the curse that He came to break by choosing NOT to believe He was the Messiah. But Jesus didn't just grieve over the problem; He got up and did something about it.
Today, our focus needs to be similar. When we see broken lives around us in the cities that we live in, we should grieve that they haven't accepted the free gift of life and hope that's in Jesus Christ. And that revelation should spur us on to ACTION. We should WANT to do something about the destruction we see around us, one person at a time.
Rather than judge their choices, how about choosing to show them THE WAY? We have the best-kept Secret inside of us, while the world is blindly searching for everything else that we already KNOW won't satisfy them. Our prayer today is to be broken about what breaks God's heart -- and to be MOVED to do something about it.
In what way does Jesus reveal God's heart about how we should be concerned about our cities?Jesus shows us that God is heartbroken over the fact that His own people rejected Jesus, His precious Gift to them. They chose the curse that He came to break by choosing NOT to believe He was the Messiah. But Jesus didn't just grieve over the problem; He got up and did something about it.
Today, our focus needs to be similar. When we see broken lives around us in the cities that we live in, we should grieve that they haven't accepted the free gift of life and hope that's in Jesus Christ. And that revelation should spur us on to ACTION. We should WANT to do something about the destruction we see around us, one person at a time.
Rather than judge their choices, how about choosing to show them THE WAY? We have the best-kept Secret inside of us, while the world is blindly searching for everything else that we already KNOW won't satisfy them. Our prayer today is to be broken about what breaks God's heart -- and to be MOVED to do something about it.
The Spirit of Religion
Thursday, March 15th> Luke 7: 36- 50
One of the results of weeping is CHANGE. How do the Pharisees exemplify the way the spirit of religion resists change? I think what causes people who stick to the FORM of godliness the most fear is the unknown. They become so comfortable with "doing" church the same way it's always been done that they feel threatened when something changes.
Yet we see that the Pharisee who invited Jesus to his home did not even follow the tradition for honoring a special guest. That speaks to the fact that he did not regard Jesus as a person of honor, but only invited him out of obligation, or even to see whether Jesus would slip and reveal Himself for the fake they thought He was.
I guess what that communicates to me is that the spirit of religion serves to keep things the way they are so that we do not become accountable for recognizing who we really are in the face of God's holiness. What the woman with the alabaster box did was scary; she opened herself up to change by acknowledging how wretched and in need of a Savior she was. That's why she left a totally different way than she came. And that's why many of us don't.
One of the results of weeping is CHANGE. How do the Pharisees exemplify the way the spirit of religion resists change? I think what causes people who stick to the FORM of godliness the most fear is the unknown. They become so comfortable with "doing" church the same way it's always been done that they feel threatened when something changes.
Yet we see that the Pharisee who invited Jesus to his home did not even follow the tradition for honoring a special guest. That speaks to the fact that he did not regard Jesus as a person of honor, but only invited him out of obligation, or even to see whether Jesus would slip and reveal Himself for the fake they thought He was.
I guess what that communicates to me is that the spirit of religion serves to keep things the way they are so that we do not become accountable for recognizing who we really are in the face of God's holiness. What the woman with the alabaster box did was scary; she opened herself up to change by acknowledging how wretched and in need of a Savior she was. That's why she left a totally different way than she came. And that's why many of us don't.
I Want More
Wednesday, March 14th> Psalm chapter 51
How can we keep our hearts in a state of readiness to receive God's correction and direction so that we don't become hard and calloused? The worst state a believer can be in is one of rebellion and stubbornness, refusing to acknowledge those areas where we fall short. Only in a constant state of readiness to be corrected can we be fully used.
It boils down to this simple thing: do we want to just EXIST with the name Christian, or do we want to be active? Do we want God to use us to interrupt the lives of others by showing up in their situations with signs and wonders? Or do we just want to occupy a church pew every now and then? I want more from God, and to whom much is given, even more is required. I'm required to not be satisfied with just having my "big sins" forgiven, but to be willing to let God deal with the "little", hidden ones I think I can get by with. I want no doors left open that can give the enemy a foothold into my life.
How can we keep our hearts in a state of readiness to receive God's correction and direction so that we don't become hard and calloused? The worst state a believer can be in is one of rebellion and stubbornness, refusing to acknowledge those areas where we fall short. Only in a constant state of readiness to be corrected can we be fully used.
It boils down to this simple thing: do we want to just EXIST with the name Christian, or do we want to be active? Do we want God to use us to interrupt the lives of others by showing up in their situations with signs and wonders? Or do we just want to occupy a church pew every now and then? I want more from God, and to whom much is given, even more is required. I'm required to not be satisfied with just having my "big sins" forgiven, but to be willing to let God deal with the "little", hidden ones I think I can get by with. I want no doors left open that can give the enemy a foothold into my life.
A Broken Heart
Tuesday, March 13th> 2 Chronicles 34: 1-28
What mindset does weeping put us in, and how does it draw God's attention to us? Weeping causes our hearts to be tender towards God and His ways. We know that because of our sinful nature, our thoughts are not God's thoughts, and we are not naturally inclined to follow His ways. But when we see our dreadful state, and cry out for God to help us be conformed to His ways, it does something to God. It softens HIS heart towards us and moves Him to make the change happen without delay. It also moves Him to reward us-- much like that enthusiastic parent who sees that his or her child has the heart to be obedient.
Today's passage describes the heart of Josiah, who became king when he was only eight years old. Imagine such a young person making it his priority to walk before God in a way that his ancestors had failed to do! At sixteen, he began to "seek God" and remove the high places that had been built for other gods. In his seeking and desire to please God, he found the Word which had pretty much been misplaced because the kings before him had given their hearts to idols. When he set his heart to do all that God commanded, God could not resist drawing near to Josiah.
We have the same challenge today. The passion to live for God in our nation has been replaced by the idols of self, money and worldly pleasures -- even in the church. We must begin to seek God again, crying out to Him in humility, repentance and weeping. Then He will turn back to us and heal us, restore us and answer us. Nothing draws God more than a broken and repentant heart.
What mindset does weeping put us in, and how does it draw God's attention to us? Weeping causes our hearts to be tender towards God and His ways. We know that because of our sinful nature, our thoughts are not God's thoughts, and we are not naturally inclined to follow His ways. But when we see our dreadful state, and cry out for God to help us be conformed to His ways, it does something to God. It softens HIS heart towards us and moves Him to make the change happen without delay. It also moves Him to reward us-- much like that enthusiastic parent who sees that his or her child has the heart to be obedient.
Today's passage describes the heart of Josiah, who became king when he was only eight years old. Imagine such a young person making it his priority to walk before God in a way that his ancestors had failed to do! At sixteen, he began to "seek God" and remove the high places that had been built for other gods. In his seeking and desire to please God, he found the Word which had pretty much been misplaced because the kings before him had given their hearts to idols. When he set his heart to do all that God commanded, God could not resist drawing near to Josiah.
We have the same challenge today. The passion to live for God in our nation has been replaced by the idols of self, money and worldly pleasures -- even in the church. We must begin to seek God again, crying out to Him in humility, repentance and weeping. Then He will turn back to us and heal us, restore us and answer us. Nothing draws God more than a broken and repentant heart.
Why Men Won't Weep
Monday, March 12th> 1 Samuel 30: 1-20
What is it about weeping that is considered weakness, especially among men-- even Christian men? Men don't like to seem vulnerable or appear feminine in any way. It's not a "masculine" thing to do. I've heard quite a few guys tell their sons what their fathers told them: real men don't cry. Yet in this passage, we see David and the people with him weeping openly over the injustice that has been done to them. How many times do men miss out on the healing God has provided by holding back their tears? And so they carry those open wounds around for most of their lives, resisting the very thing designed to bring them peace. Here's the real deal from my husband, one of the most "manly" men I know: real men don't ignore the opportunity to be moved by the Holy Spirit.
What is it about weeping that is considered weakness, especially among men-- even Christian men? Men don't like to seem vulnerable or appear feminine in any way. It's not a "masculine" thing to do. I've heard quite a few guys tell their sons what their fathers told them: real men don't cry. Yet in this passage, we see David and the people with him weeping openly over the injustice that has been done to them. How many times do men miss out on the healing God has provided by holding back their tears? And so they carry those open wounds around for most of their lives, resisting the very thing designed to bring them peace. Here's the real deal from my husband, one of the most "manly" men I know: real men don't ignore the opportunity to be moved by the Holy Spirit.
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