Monday, August 1st, 2011
Today's Passage: Isaiah 42: 1-13
Memory Verse: Isaiah 42:6-7
Today is the first day of the eighth month of the year 2011. Seems like a perfect time to ask: have I really been walking in my purpose? Seven months have gone by. Have I been wasting time, or have I accomplished something for the kingdom? Before the enemy begins to bombard us with doubts and thoughts of failure, consider today's passage and what the Lord has to say to us.
The first thing God wants us to know is that He's called us in righteousness. Another version says He's the One Who has commissioned us to walk in a place of right standing with Him. There's nothing in us that's righteous in and of itself. Therefore, we can forget about the pressure to perform or make things happen on our own. Coupled with this promise, the Lord says He will hold our hand. How much of a blessing is THAT? Again, we're not on our own. We're not having to devise our own schemes or create plans to walk out our purpose. Like a Father, He's guiding us and showing us what He wants US to do.
As if that were not enough, God promises to keep us and use us as a sign to those who don't yet believe. The unfolding of our lives is the thing He wants to use to bring Him glory. Many believers wonder what we should be doing now that we've been called. They seem to be unclear concerning what God has called us to do. Well, today's passage makes it quite clear exactly WHAT God wants us to do on a daily basis. In exchange for our own deliverance and having His presence, He wants us to draw others to the Lord Jesus. Remember what YOU saw when others' lives reflected Him before YOU came? How long did it take YOU to finally yield? How many representatives did you have to watch before you finally gave in? It's like He's creating in us a giant billboard that points to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Everywhere we go, He wants to show them how much He loves them.
With this in mind, our concern today should not be whether God CAN use us, because He's already confirmed that He does. It should be whether WE will ALLOW Him to do so. What's your billboard going to say? When people look at you, what evidence of God's grace will they find? Will they see His love in your eyes, or will they turn away believing the lies of the enemy that there's nothing to this God we serve? Will something we say or do compel them to seek God for themselves, or push them away even farther? God has placed something in us to draw them. We just have to release it and not allow fear or insecurities to block the ministry within. Rather than worrying about God's part, why don't we just do ours? God is faithful to do His.
Prayer: Father, I walk in Your promise today that You've already made me righteous. You promise to hold my hand through this journey. May I allow Your beauty to show forth in my life from one day to the next. Write Your love on my billboard for all to see. Let me live it and show it so that the bound can be set free one person at a time. Thank You for choosing to use me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Prayers That Prevail
Sunday, July 31st, 2011
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 8
Memory Verse: Matt. 8:13
Father, Your Word reassures us over and over again that You are a God of miracles. You are the same God yesterday,today, and forever. From the beginning of time, You have used signs and wonders to show Your people that You are mighty. You created everything we see and placed us, Your children, on this earth to walk in dominion over everything. But because of sin, we've been influenced by the enemy to long for worldly things rather than for the spectacular miracles You perform for us daily.
Then You sent Jesus, the Man Who re-established the authority we lost in the garden by His blood. We can now access everything You provided for us as we surrender our lives to Him daily. He came and showed us that You desire to heal, set free and deliver ALL Your people, no matter who they are or where they come from. Jesus told the man with leprosy, "Be healed.". He said to the centurion, "Let it be done for your servant as you believe."
Jesus healed those He knew and those who were strangers alike. He drove out demons with a word. But to those whom He invited to follow after Him, the message was clear: have faith, or turn back. Give all, or give nothing. So today we declare that by faith we are following after You and giving our all. We will walk in signs and wonders, for He promised that those signs would follow us who believe.
As we arise to bring You our best worship, may every stronghold be broken in the lives of all Your people. May every hindering spirit be bound and prevented from stopping the life-giving Word from flowing freely in Your House. And may every purpose which You ordained this day be accomplished. In the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 8
Memory Verse: Matt. 8:13
Father, Your Word reassures us over and over again that You are a God of miracles. You are the same God yesterday,today, and forever. From the beginning of time, You have used signs and wonders to show Your people that You are mighty. You created everything we see and placed us, Your children, on this earth to walk in dominion over everything. But because of sin, we've been influenced by the enemy to long for worldly things rather than for the spectacular miracles You perform for us daily.
Then You sent Jesus, the Man Who re-established the authority we lost in the garden by His blood. We can now access everything You provided for us as we surrender our lives to Him daily. He came and showed us that You desire to heal, set free and deliver ALL Your people, no matter who they are or where they come from. Jesus told the man with leprosy, "Be healed.". He said to the centurion, "Let it be done for your servant as you believe."
Jesus healed those He knew and those who were strangers alike. He drove out demons with a word. But to those whom He invited to follow after Him, the message was clear: have faith, or turn back. Give all, or give nothing. So today we declare that by faith we are following after You and giving our all. We will walk in signs and wonders, for He promised that those signs would follow us who believe.
As we arise to bring You our best worship, may every stronghold be broken in the lives of all Your people. May every hindering spirit be bound and prevented from stopping the life-giving Word from flowing freely in Your House. And may every purpose which You ordained this day be accomplished. In the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
Keep Your Heart Clean
Saturday, July 30th, 2011
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 7
Memory Verse:
God is about the business of making sure His people know what He loves, and what He just won't tolerate. And one thing God hates is when His people judge one another. One definition for the verb "judge" is "to pass judgement on another", as if we were ourselves completely perfect ourselves. I think the main thing that hurts the Father's heart is OUR hearts on the matter. We know that we, too, struggle with certain issues. So we try to make ourselves look and feel good by focusing on the areas where others struggle.
The Word is very clear that, if our intention is only to look down our noses at the people we should be in the battle with, God doesn't want us doing it at all. Pastor Chris always tells us after a praise team rehearsal: "Be in prayer for the people you minister with, and the people you minister to. They need you." That statement always convicts me because it reminds me of how little time I spend actually praying for the people who are trying to live for God, but find themselves struggling to get out of the enemy's grasp.
On the other hand, there is a certain standard God is holding all of us to. Especially when we're in a ministry where He's using His servants, our pastors, to teach us His Word, God expects us to bear fruit showing what's been sown into us. So although we are not to judge others with the heart to put them down for their shortcomings, the Word says in Zechariah 3:7 that we CAN judge God's house when we honor Him by walking in His ways with a clean heart. That said, as believers we are to pull others out of the fire when we see them playing with sin.
Today, ask the Lord to give you the burden of praying and lifting up others who are struggling with sin. Pray that the Lord will destroy yokes and make them too slippery to stay in the enemy's trap. When our hearts are in the right place, we can be assured that He'll allow us to judge nations.
Prayer: Father, thank You for showing us that You care about the brokenness of Your children. You are calling us to be more concerned with our place with You than with that of others. Draw us all closer to Yourself, and we will give You praise. We live to bring You glory, in Jesus' Name. Amen!
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 7
Memory Verse:
God is about the business of making sure His people know what He loves, and what He just won't tolerate. And one thing God hates is when His people judge one another. One definition for the verb "judge" is "to pass judgement on another", as if we were ourselves completely perfect ourselves. I think the main thing that hurts the Father's heart is OUR hearts on the matter. We know that we, too, struggle with certain issues. So we try to make ourselves look and feel good by focusing on the areas where others struggle.
The Word is very clear that, if our intention is only to look down our noses at the people we should be in the battle with, God doesn't want us doing it at all. Pastor Chris always tells us after a praise team rehearsal: "Be in prayer for the people you minister with, and the people you minister to. They need you." That statement always convicts me because it reminds me of how little time I spend actually praying for the people who are trying to live for God, but find themselves struggling to get out of the enemy's grasp.
On the other hand, there is a certain standard God is holding all of us to. Especially when we're in a ministry where He's using His servants, our pastors, to teach us His Word, God expects us to bear fruit showing what's been sown into us. So although we are not to judge others with the heart to put them down for their shortcomings, the Word says in Zechariah 3:7 that we CAN judge God's house when we honor Him by walking in His ways with a clean heart. That said, as believers we are to pull others out of the fire when we see them playing with sin.
Today, ask the Lord to give you the burden of praying and lifting up others who are struggling with sin. Pray that the Lord will destroy yokes and make them too slippery to stay in the enemy's trap. When our hearts are in the right place, we can be assured that He'll allow us to judge nations.
Prayer: Father, thank You for showing us that You care about the brokenness of Your children. You are calling us to be more concerned with our place with You than with that of others. Draw us all closer to Yourself, and we will give You praise. We live to bring You glory, in Jesus' Name. Amen!
What Are You Ready For?
Friday, July 29th, 2011
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 6
Memory Verse: Matt. 6:19-21
Without even realizing it, we've become impressed by the wealthy of this world and their riches. We watch them acquire more and more things that they couldn't possibly use in their lifetime. Oh, we talk a good game about how wasteful they are-- for spending millions of dollars on one-time purchases that will never be worthwhile -- but secretly we admire them for the ease with which they bask in seemingly unlimited resources.
Question: What's the first 5 things you'd do if someone gave you 10 million dollars? The answer to this question determines whether you are ready for the next financial level of life. When this question was posed to me, 4 out of the 5 things I thought of were about me. Essentially, I would've used the money to show God what a lousy job He does taking care of me. Think about it. One million to tell Him my house was too small, five to show Him how I need to retire, and another half million to show Him what a real wardrobe looks like. That's when I realized I had a lot to learn about wealth. You see, God is not a fool. He'll never raise a person up to have to compete with who they are. When He makes one wealthy, they first have to understand the reason they're wealthy. Wealth is given to God's people in order to expand HIS kingdom. If you're going to be wealthy, you want your wealth to be useful, movable, and workable. Wealth that is under the control of some outside entity is what is considered stored up. And as you know, the wealth of the wicked is stored up.....for the righteous. Having wealth requires great responsibilty like finding creative ways to build the kingdom
of God. How many people would a million dollars feed? These are the questions God wants us to ask Him. Listen: If God can get it through you, He'll get it to you.
Finally, as you become a giver (because God's getting to bless you as you change your mindset) remember to make sure God gets the glory. The left hand doesn't have to know what the right one is doing. Start small by being a blessing to someone in your neighborhood or church. After doing so, privately give God praise for the ability to do it. And make sure the one you blessed know that the blessing came "by God's grace". Now get ready! You're about to experience a whole new level. Make sure you handle it with extreme care. Be blessed!
Prayer: Father, You have a specific plan for blessing Your people. You want those who don't yet know You to encounter Your love through us. I pray today that You will take the sacrifice we make now by multiplying the works of our hands. And more than anything, let the people who receive from us know that they have received from You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 6
Memory Verse: Matt. 6:19-21
Without even realizing it, we've become impressed by the wealthy of this world and their riches. We watch them acquire more and more things that they couldn't possibly use in their lifetime. Oh, we talk a good game about how wasteful they are-- for spending millions of dollars on one-time purchases that will never be worthwhile -- but secretly we admire them for the ease with which they bask in seemingly unlimited resources.
Question: What's the first 5 things you'd do if someone gave you 10 million dollars? The answer to this question determines whether you are ready for the next financial level of life. When this question was posed to me, 4 out of the 5 things I thought of were about me. Essentially, I would've used the money to show God what a lousy job He does taking care of me. Think about it. One million to tell Him my house was too small, five to show Him how I need to retire, and another half million to show Him what a real wardrobe looks like. That's when I realized I had a lot to learn about wealth. You see, God is not a fool. He'll never raise a person up to have to compete with who they are. When He makes one wealthy, they first have to understand the reason they're wealthy. Wealth is given to God's people in order to expand HIS kingdom. If you're going to be wealthy, you want your wealth to be useful, movable, and workable. Wealth that is under the control of some outside entity is what is considered stored up. And as you know, the wealth of the wicked is stored up.....for the righteous. Having wealth requires great responsibilty like finding creative ways to build the kingdom
of God. How many people would a million dollars feed? These are the questions God wants us to ask Him. Listen: If God can get it through you, He'll get it to you.
Finally, as you become a giver (because God's getting to bless you as you change your mindset) remember to make sure God gets the glory. The left hand doesn't have to know what the right one is doing. Start small by being a blessing to someone in your neighborhood or church. After doing so, privately give God praise for the ability to do it. And make sure the one you blessed know that the blessing came "by God's grace". Now get ready! You're about to experience a whole new level. Make sure you handle it with extreme care. Be blessed!
Prayer: Father, You have a specific plan for blessing Your people. You want those who don't yet know You to encounter Your love through us. I pray today that You will take the sacrifice we make now by multiplying the works of our hands. And more than anything, let the people who receive from us know that they have received from You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
The Extra Mile
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 5
Memory Verse > Matt. 5:16
Jesus was the most loving person on earth. Yet even He had little tolerance for religion. I've often wondered what it was that made Jesus hate religion so much. Then He revealed to me that religion focuses on the outward appearance of a thing, whereas relationship focuses on the heart. No wonder He told us in today's passage that if we want to be counted as one of His, we'd have to be willing to go the extra mile required of those in relationship with Him.
Even with that understanding, though, I found myself still wondering what was so important about the distinction between the two types of individuals. Then the Lord began to break it down to me even more. He told me to picture the following scenario: two people on my job claiming to know God. One is always mean- looking, appears stand-offish, and readily jumps to the defensive whenever there is a discussion (whether she has heard both sides or not). The other person is much more pleasant, quick to listen, and slow to wrath.
Once I had that picture in my mind, the Lord ministered to me about the reason He hates religion. "When people focus only on doing just enough of the law to satisfy its rigid requirements, all they're doing is drawing attention to the fact that they are living self-sufficient lives," He explained to me. "Those actions of the negative person are a sure sign that she is neither dependent on nor submitted to me. But the other person... Now, that's a life of surrender. Anyone watching knows within no time that we cannot command our emotions to come into line on our own, especially during opposition."
You see, God reminded me that it takes no effort in the human flesh to follow the law. Anyone can love only those who love them back. But it takes relationship with God to make sure our attitudes with our brothers and sisters are right. It's not enough to just follow the law, but to keep our hearts right and free of the hidden things that no-one but He can see: malice, envy, lust, and anger. Here's the key: if God had to choose between a person who lives by religion, and one who lived a relationship with Him, which one do you think He'd rather have represent Him? You got it!! The one who goes the extra mile.
Prayer: Father, here I am. My relationship with You is the most precious possession in my life. It's not just because of how good Your Name makes me look, but definitely because my life has no meaning without You. Please forgive me for the times when I haven't made good choices to represent You well on this earth. May I now be used of You to draw others as I depend on You to help me go the extra mile for others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 5
Memory Verse > Matt. 5:16
Jesus was the most loving person on earth. Yet even He had little tolerance for religion. I've often wondered what it was that made Jesus hate religion so much. Then He revealed to me that religion focuses on the outward appearance of a thing, whereas relationship focuses on the heart. No wonder He told us in today's passage that if we want to be counted as one of His, we'd have to be willing to go the extra mile required of those in relationship with Him.
Even with that understanding, though, I found myself still wondering what was so important about the distinction between the two types of individuals. Then the Lord began to break it down to me even more. He told me to picture the following scenario: two people on my job claiming to know God. One is always mean- looking, appears stand-offish, and readily jumps to the defensive whenever there is a discussion (whether she has heard both sides or not). The other person is much more pleasant, quick to listen, and slow to wrath.
Once I had that picture in my mind, the Lord ministered to me about the reason He hates religion. "When people focus only on doing just enough of the law to satisfy its rigid requirements, all they're doing is drawing attention to the fact that they are living self-sufficient lives," He explained to me. "Those actions of the negative person are a sure sign that she is neither dependent on nor submitted to me. But the other person... Now, that's a life of surrender. Anyone watching knows within no time that we cannot command our emotions to come into line on our own, especially during opposition."
You see, God reminded me that it takes no effort in the human flesh to follow the law. Anyone can love only those who love them back. But it takes relationship with God to make sure our attitudes with our brothers and sisters are right. It's not enough to just follow the law, but to keep our hearts right and free of the hidden things that no-one but He can see: malice, envy, lust, and anger. Here's the key: if God had to choose between a person who lives by religion, and one who lived a relationship with Him, which one do you think He'd rather have represent Him? You got it!! The one who goes the extra mile.
Prayer: Father, here I am. My relationship with You is the most precious possession in my life. It's not just because of how good Your Name makes me look, but definitely because my life has no meaning without You. Please forgive me for the times when I haven't made good choices to represent You well on this earth. May I now be used of You to draw others as I depend on You to help me go the extra mile for others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Testing, Testing 1,2,3....
Wednesday July 27, 2011
Today's Passage: Matthew 4
Memory Verse: Matthew 4:10
Testing, testing 1, 2, 3! Doing a sound check before praise and worship can be hit and miss sometimes. We can rely so much on technology that it often comes back to bite us. Our sound director (bless his heart) is stuck with the task of setting the sound for a whole group of people (and instruments), and when he's done, we test him. Tests are producers of great anxiety for some. But, if we use them the way God wants us to, we can see our purpose from His perspective.
A test is defined as a means by which an assessment is derived. Essentially, it is the way one finds out what someone (or something) has or knows. We immediately identify tests with teachers and doctors. Teachers use them to find out if the students are learning. Doctors use them to find out if the body's working, or, if the medicine's healing. God, on the other hand, uses test in a slightly different way. His definition of test is better described this way: the means by which the presence, quality, and/or genuineness is determined. See, in reference to most teachers, you can still pass the class if you fail a test. And you can fail a doctor's test and still live. However, failing God's tests can be dangerous. We can fool teachers but we can't fool God. Get it? All we have to do for the teacher is "act" the part and do the required seat work (go through the motions), but acting won't convince God of anything. It's the decisions we make in the heat of the moment that determines if we're ready for the next level or not. You can't attend enough church services to convince God. You can't sing enough songs to trick Him. It's what comes out of you when you're confronted with the opportunity to sin or stand that matters. In Matthew chapter 4, Jesus was tested by the devil. The test was administered in 3 phases. We'll call them Faith, Pride, and Lust. Part 1 of the test challenged Jesus to either remain on His fast, or turn the stones into bread (in order to eat). Ah, I bet that bread would've tasted so good, especially after a 40-day fast. But Jesus stood on the belief that God's word is what nourishes us. Meaning, we walk by faith, not sight. Part 2 challenged Jesus to throw Himself off a cliff to see if God would leave His throne for a hasty rescue. Mature Christians have to stop creating problems in the hopes of making themselves relevant in ministry. Answer to part 2, don't "fall" so easily for anything or anyone, stand only for God. In part 3, the devil tried to use the lust for power and possession to lure Jesus away. However, Jesus knew that power belongs to God. The devil was offering Him something that he himself did not possess.
Finally, we have to change our mindsets about the "tests" of life. Testing the microphones before singing doesn't offend our sound director (he's a great guy). As a matter of fact, he requires it because he realizes if there's no test, how will we know the sound will be present and of genuine quality? If you don't have tests in your life, how will God know that about you? Be Blessed....
Prayer: Father, this life gets difficult sometimes. But I rest in You because Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore, I choose to stand on Your Word. No matter what challenges I face, I know trusting in You will get me through it. You are all I need to get through this life. So draw me ever so closely to You, in Jesus' name, Amen.
You Can Do It, Too!
Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 3
Memory Verse:Jeremiah 1:5
I greatly admire evangelistic ministries that have been called and anointed by the Lord to draw people to His kingdom. They invest much time and quite a few resources in training and equipping people of all ages and backgrounds with the strategies to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they go. In my days without the saving knowledge of Jesus, I myself encountered groups of young people from one of those ministries, Campus Crusade for Christ. Now that I think back to my time with them, I realize that the training they had received, coupled of course with a deep passion for God, gave them the boldness to share their faith.
But although ministries of this kind exist to produce witnesses for the kingdom, does this mean that the rest of the believers who never had the privilege of receiving such training should remain silent? Are we to believe that God really expects us to hush until we get formerly trained to share our faith? I think not! On the contrary, I believe that God already gives us what we need, according to the power that works within us, to accomplish the Father's Will on this earth.
Let's look at the life of John the Baptist. He is known as the voice crying in the wilderness to those who didn't know to look for the Messiah. He came out in Matthew chapter 3, wearing weird clothes and eating weird foods, not to draw attention to himself, but to let the people know that God's plan of salvation was about to be revealed. Did he receive the formal training of the Pharisees and Saducees? No. But look a little closer in the first and second chapters of Luke. The prophecy of who John was and what he was being sent to do was given, and the anointing to spread the news of repentance in order to receive salvation was given to him in his mother's womb.
God told Jeremiah in so many words, "Everything you need to serve me has already been placed on the inside of him before his mother even knew he would be born. And this is the same promise that we can claim about our own lives today. If you have an opportunity to sit under training where you can receive the information that would help you share your faith in Christ more boldly, by all means, do so. But never for another day let the enemy make you think you don't have what it takes, right now, to be used of God in a mighty way to bring the gospel to those who are lost. Every moment we take to yield your life for the kingdom will forever be recorded in eternity, but I would do it for Christ even if that were not a possibility. You can do it, too.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the giftings and anointing that You have placed inside of each of us. But more than that, I'm so grateful for a heart to do Your will. Please fill us now with Your Spirit and His power to share the love and good news of Your kingdom. May every word be used to populate heaven and take from hell what already belongs to You -- the souls of many. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Matthew chapter 3
Memory Verse:Jeremiah 1:5
I greatly admire evangelistic ministries that have been called and anointed by the Lord to draw people to His kingdom. They invest much time and quite a few resources in training and equipping people of all ages and backgrounds with the strategies to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they go. In my days without the saving knowledge of Jesus, I myself encountered groups of young people from one of those ministries, Campus Crusade for Christ. Now that I think back to my time with them, I realize that the training they had received, coupled of course with a deep passion for God, gave them the boldness to share their faith.
But although ministries of this kind exist to produce witnesses for the kingdom, does this mean that the rest of the believers who never had the privilege of receiving such training should remain silent? Are we to believe that God really expects us to hush until we get formerly trained to share our faith? I think not! On the contrary, I believe that God already gives us what we need, according to the power that works within us, to accomplish the Father's Will on this earth.
Let's look at the life of John the Baptist. He is known as the voice crying in the wilderness to those who didn't know to look for the Messiah. He came out in Matthew chapter 3, wearing weird clothes and eating weird foods, not to draw attention to himself, but to let the people know that God's plan of salvation was about to be revealed. Did he receive the formal training of the Pharisees and Saducees? No. But look a little closer in the first and second chapters of Luke. The prophecy of who John was and what he was being sent to do was given, and the anointing to spread the news of repentance in order to receive salvation was given to him in his mother's womb.
God told Jeremiah in so many words, "Everything you need to serve me has already been placed on the inside of him before his mother even knew he would be born. And this is the same promise that we can claim about our own lives today. If you have an opportunity to sit under training where you can receive the information that would help you share your faith in Christ more boldly, by all means, do so. But never for another day let the enemy make you think you don't have what it takes, right now, to be used of God in a mighty way to bring the gospel to those who are lost. Every moment we take to yield your life for the kingdom will forever be recorded in eternity, but I would do it for Christ even if that were not a possibility. You can do it, too.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the giftings and anointing that You have placed inside of each of us. But more than that, I'm so grateful for a heart to do Your will. Please fill us now with Your Spirit and His power to share the love and good news of Your kingdom. May every word be used to populate heaven and take from hell what already belongs to You -- the souls of many. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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