Thursday, April 12th> 2 John 1:7-11
In this new age of "tolerance teaching", what must the believer's position be? The Lord's answer to His people is to STAND against the kingdom of darkness. We are called to walk in LOVE for the broken, but DENOUNCE the sin that is causing that brokenness. The Word of God would not have us to walk in ignorance concerning this matter. While we've been so busy slumbering, retreating behind the walls of our churches and being consumed with competing with one another, the enemy of our King has been at work. The spirit of the antiChrist has been going into the hedges and highways, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of darkness.
But the Bride of Christ is awaking from her slumber. We are awakening to the POWER of the ONE Who loved us and gave Himself for us. While we were yet sinners, He drew us with His love. It's that same love we will declare to those who don't know Him. We will NOT be deceived into being silent, afraid to speak out against the things that break the Father's heart. What we will NOT tolerate is the idols that have been launched even into our churches to distract and render us ineffective: love of money, popularity with the "in" crowd, and the pursuit of worldly success. ARISE, Church of the Living God! Declare only that which God has said, not your opinions. Only His Word will stand and never return to Him void. And only obedience to the Lord of the Harvest will draw the Lost.
Sweet Communion
Saturday, April 7th> Matthew 26: 20-35
Has communion lost its importance in the church today? Do we really understand what it means when we take that piece of bread and that cup of wine? Well, the disciples didn't understand either when Jesus told them that His body and blood were being given for all. They didn't get it until the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of the Man they loved so dearly. And when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, He revealed to them even more deeply the importance of communion.
Every time we partake of the Lord's Supper, we're really reminding ourselves of all He did for us. It's an opportunity to replay the beating, the humiliation, the rejection, the terrible pain and suffering He endured for every trial WE would have to bear. Sadly, communion has just become another religious exercise for many believers -- something to take up space in our services. But now that my eyes have been opened, I praise God for offering the Spotless Lamb for all my sins, the curses inflicted upon me, and for every sickness in my past, present, and future. May those of us who live out the Resurrection daily find communion a Sweet reminder of Jesus' sacrifice.
Has communion lost its importance in the church today? Do we really understand what it means when we take that piece of bread and that cup of wine? Well, the disciples didn't understand either when Jesus told them that His body and blood were being given for all. They didn't get it until the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of the Man they loved so dearly. And when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, He revealed to them even more deeply the importance of communion.
Every time we partake of the Lord's Supper, we're really reminding ourselves of all He did for us. It's an opportunity to replay the beating, the humiliation, the rejection, the terrible pain and suffering He endured for every trial WE would have to bear. Sadly, communion has just become another religious exercise for many believers -- something to take up space in our services. But now that my eyes have been opened, I praise God for offering the Spotless Lamb for all my sins, the curses inflicted upon me, and for every sickness in my past, present, and future. May those of us who live out the Resurrection daily find communion a Sweet reminder of Jesus' sacrifice.
Dying to Live
Friday, April 6th> John 12: 23-26
Why is the economy of the kingdom (dying to live, and losing to save, etc.) a requirement for every believer? Millions flocked to the cross, myself included, because we needed to be SAVED or delivered from the certain death and destruction that we deserved. But once we receive that salvation, we fail to realize that it stops being about us. As soon as we step into the kingdom of light, we are compelled by the sacrifice Jesus made to live sacrificial lives ourselves. We're not TRULY ready to LIVE with God in the heaven He's preparing for us until we are committed to DYING -- dying to our own selfish desires, and denying ourselves so that Christ can be seen and glorified in us.
Father,thank You for sending the Christ to show us how to die. We lay everything about ourselves on the altar of sacrifice, putting it to death, letting it go and releasing everything we are tempted to save in our lives. We lose ourselves in You, asking that You destroy our identity so that Only Yours can be revealed in us. Be glorified today and everyday in Jesus' Name! Amen.
Why is the economy of the kingdom (dying to live, and losing to save, etc.) a requirement for every believer? Millions flocked to the cross, myself included, because we needed to be SAVED or delivered from the certain death and destruction that we deserved. But once we receive that salvation, we fail to realize that it stops being about us. As soon as we step into the kingdom of light, we are compelled by the sacrifice Jesus made to live sacrificial lives ourselves. We're not TRULY ready to LIVE with God in the heaven He's preparing for us until we are committed to DYING -- dying to our own selfish desires, and denying ourselves so that Christ can be seen and glorified in us.
Father,thank You for sending the Christ to show us how to die. We lay everything about ourselves on the altar of sacrifice, putting it to death, letting it go and releasing everything we are tempted to save in our lives. We lose ourselves in You, asking that You destroy our identity so that Only Yours can be revealed in us. Be glorified today and everyday in Jesus' Name! Amen.
Our God
Tuesday, April 3rd> Matthew 22: 1-14
What does this passage reveal about God's heart for the lost, and His plan to destroy the enemy? I think this passage gives us a clear picture of the amazing grace (NOT a cliché) of God. The world loves to depict God as a wrathful Grouch Who can't wait to crush those who oppose Him. They use words like "Intolerant" and "Hateful", but ignore the heart of the matter. They're being given one opportunity after another to accept His love for us. Talk about a guilt-free life! They don't understand that being guilt-free is not about pretending you didn't do the crime in the first place, but acknowledging you're guilty, confessing it, and having your sins washed away-- completely. That's the kind of God we serve. And what's even better, the one responsible for all the sin to begin with? He's in for the worst of all treatment. Only a little while, and he's done. Only a loving God can take care of all that.
What does this passage reveal about God's heart for the lost, and His plan to destroy the enemy? I think this passage gives us a clear picture of the amazing grace (NOT a cliché) of God. The world loves to depict God as a wrathful Grouch Who can't wait to crush those who oppose Him. They use words like "Intolerant" and "Hateful", but ignore the heart of the matter. They're being given one opportunity after another to accept His love for us. Talk about a guilt-free life! They don't understand that being guilt-free is not about pretending you didn't do the crime in the first place, but acknowledging you're guilty, confessing it, and having your sins washed away-- completely. That's the kind of God we serve. And what's even better, the one responsible for all the sin to begin with? He's in for the worst of all treatment. Only a little while, and he's done. Only a loving God can take care of all that.
God's Love Letter
Saturday, March 31st> Ephesians chapter 5
How can we amplify God by our lifestyles? Well, it pretty much starts with what we allow to enter our thoughts. The Holy Spirit being our Guide, we have the opportunity to display the character of our Father wherever we go. The world is watching those of us who claim to be saved, and the true difference of how we amplify Him does NOT take place on Sunday, when we're in our best attire. It happens in the day-to-day goings-on of our lives: while we're in traffic, at the grocery store counter, getting fast food, or shopping at the mall. We amplify our Lord by oozing the grace, compassion and love that we've been so freely given. We don't have to work up anything-- just BE who God is making us -- His love letter to the world.
How can we amplify God by our lifestyles? Well, it pretty much starts with what we allow to enter our thoughts. The Holy Spirit being our Guide, we have the opportunity to display the character of our Father wherever we go. The world is watching those of us who claim to be saved, and the true difference of how we amplify Him does NOT take place on Sunday, when we're in our best attire. It happens in the day-to-day goings-on of our lives: while we're in traffic, at the grocery store counter, getting fast food, or shopping at the mall. We amplify our Lord by oozing the grace, compassion and love that we've been so freely given. We don't have to work up anything-- just BE who God is making us -- His love letter to the world.
Rile Him Up!
Thursday, March 29th> Matthew 8: 28-34
What should be our most important reason for wanting to amplify God and His kingdom? Why, to aggravate the enemy, of course! His aim is to silence us, push us into a corner, and render us totally ineffective. So what does he do to accomplish this? Petty problems, distractions, and afflictions arise seemingly from nowhere. But we know that ALL things work together for them that love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose. So walk tall today and everyday, letting your light shine, and NEVER be afraid to "rile up" the enemy. After all, he spends all his time looking for ways to do the same to you.
What should be our most important reason for wanting to amplify God and His kingdom? Why, to aggravate the enemy, of course! His aim is to silence us, push us into a corner, and render us totally ineffective. So what does he do to accomplish this? Petty problems, distractions, and afflictions arise seemingly from nowhere. But we know that ALL things work together for them that love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose. So walk tall today and everyday, letting your light shine, and NEVER be afraid to "rile up" the enemy. After all, he spends all his time looking for ways to do the same to you.
Who Matters More?
Wednesday, March 28th> John 12: 1-19
Why are we so much more bashful about declaring our belief in God than we are about everything else we identify with? One good reason is PRIDE. We somehow think the reputation we've built as an upstanding member of society was earned by us, and can therefore be taken away if we do or say anything that would cause us not to appear "sound". Many of us associate the things of God with things that are too radical, or the opposite of being level-headed.
The truth of the matter is, the things of God are filled with nothing but LIFE, peace, wisdom, joy, grace, and beauty. WHY wouldn't we want to advertise that we belong to Him? Another reason is we don't know the WORTH of our God and what He has done for us. That's why in Ephesians 1, Paul prays that "the eyes of our understanding would be open" for us to see these things. Beware of thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, and of thinking even more highly of others, placing them where God should be.
Why are we so much more bashful about declaring our belief in God than we are about everything else we identify with? One good reason is PRIDE. We somehow think the reputation we've built as an upstanding member of society was earned by us, and can therefore be taken away if we do or say anything that would cause us not to appear "sound". Many of us associate the things of God with things that are too radical, or the opposite of being level-headed.
The truth of the matter is, the things of God are filled with nothing but LIFE, peace, wisdom, joy, grace, and beauty. WHY wouldn't we want to advertise that we belong to Him? Another reason is we don't know the WORTH of our God and what He has done for us. That's why in Ephesians 1, Paul prays that "the eyes of our understanding would be open" for us to see these things. Beware of thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, and of thinking even more highly of others, placing them where God should be.
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