Jesus is Lord!

Ephesians 4:20-24
20 But that isn’t what you were taught when you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, 22 throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. 23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. 24 You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness-righteous, holy, and true.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

Our old way of life before we believed in Christ is completely in the past. We should put it behind us like old clothes to be thrown away. When we decide to accept Christ’s gift of salvation, it is both a one time decision, as well as a daily conscious commitment. We are no longer a slave to our old desires and are now free to live our life with the power of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit within us desires to please God and when we surrender to that Spirit within us, we please God. Our thinking is to be based on the truth of God’s word. When your past is paraded through your mind like an old movie, speak the truth of God’s Word, “Because you are a new person, created in Gods likeness-righteous, holy, and true.”  If you allow your past to stay on your mind, you will feel the pain you were saved out of and your attitude will be one of defeat. But if you refuse to remember past failures and to think on what is true, then your attitude will be one of victory. The choice is yours and you have the power within you to throw off your old nature and put on the robes of righteousness given to you by Christ Jesus.

Have a God Day!

Luke 1:28-38
28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be frightened, Mary,” the angel told her, “for God has decided to bless you! 31 You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he, will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin.” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! people used to say she was barren, but she’s already in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” And then the angel left.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House publishers, Inc.) 1996.

If we truly want God’s will, then we must be willing to accept the results of it, whether we can fully understand those results or not. When God tries to use us in a way that doesn’t fit into what we’ve learned as acceptable and humanly permissible, we tend to turn Him down. We have been taught by human standards and can only understand with limited understanding, so we may not be open to what God would have for us. We need to completely surrender to anything that God would direct us. This is total and complete dependence on Him and the direction of His Word. God will not ask you to do something that contradicts His Word. Mary didn’t understand what she was about to face and surely she must have been concerned about being an unwed, pregnant woman in a culture that would cast her out for being in such a state. And yet as she listened to Gabriel, her sprit made the choice to accept the will of God regardless of what would happen to her. Mary was as human as you and I and held no special power. She needed the grace of God to forgive her sins, just like anyone else. But she made a choice to go forth with God regardless of the natural human consequences and God blessed her greatly. Are you as willing as Mary was to allow God to work through you in anyway He chooses? Or are you still relying on your own human understanding to move forward? Hear what the Spirit of God is saying to you today and move out in faith to accomplish the work He wants to do through you. Be willing to do that thing you are not so sure of, but are sure that God is in it.

Have a God Day!

1 Peter 1:17-21
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners here on earth. 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this for you.  21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

Because God is judge of all the earth, we dare not ignore Him or treat Him casually.  We should not assume our privileged status as children of God gives us freedom to do whatever we want.  Our fear is a healthy respect for the all-powerful God who could have just as well destroyed us all. But because of His love for us, He ransomed us with His Blood, and we are to be forever grateful to Him.  Christ’s sacrifice for our sins was not an after thought.  The plan had been set in motion by the all-knowing God long before the world began.  Luke 22:20 states, “…This wine is the token of God’s new covenant to save you-an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you.” What a comfort for those who love Him to know that He has always had and will always have everything under control.  We can confidently place our trust in Him, as we respect Him for who He is.

Have a God Day!

1 Corinthians 13: 11-13
11 It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. 13 There are three things that will endure-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

There are days when everything goes right and I feel like I can accomplish everything I do. I feel strong and confident. The Spirit of the Lord is in me and all around me. On other days, nothing goes right and I feel like a failure. I think and feel down and depressed. The weight of all of my problems is heavy on my shoulders. And the Spirit of the Lord is in me and all around me. My feelings do not change the truth of God. On both days, I am His child and He lives in me. It is my perception that changes and that decides if Christ will be seen in me or not. My feelings have nothing to do with the truth of God’s love for me. It is because we all have such limited vision and see through a cloudy glass. We cannot see all of the supernatural power of God working all around us for our good. But the more we trust Him, the clearer the glass will become. We trust Him when we step out in faith and ignore our “feelings” and act on His truth. Knowing that our vision is limited will help you do this. We have to believe in His Word and trust Him that He will do as He has promised. And we have His promise in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  So on the days I don’t “feel” Gods love and concern, I can still act like it.

Have a God Day!

Luke 21:20-24
20 “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Let those in Jerusalem escape, and those outside the city should not enter it for shelter. 22 For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled. 23 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for mothers nursing their babies. For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 They will be brutally killed by the sword or sent away as captives to all the nations of the world. And Jerusalem will be conquered and trampled down by the Gentiles until the age of the Gentiles comes to an end.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

Jesus gave us information about the end times and spoke of the Age of the Gentiles.  This began with Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and the first exile of the Jewish people.  This was the last time the Jewish people were under their own rule until 1948 when Israel became a nation once again.  But the Age of the Gentiles will continue until Jesus Christ is ruling the earth from Jerusalem. Jesus was telling the Jews that they would be dominated by the Gentiles until this time.  And we have seen this come to pass, as the Jews have been conquered and trampled down by Gentiles for thousands of years.  Jerusalem is surrounded by enemies today and they will continue to try and destroy her until Christ returns.  As a believer in Christ we should not fear these times we live in, but have great peace because we know that Christ’s return is near.  We rejoice not over all of the trouble in the world, but that God has everything under control.  These terrible times of war, hurricanes and strange tides were all predicted by Christ and only show us that His Word is true and that He is in control.  Rather than being terrified by what is happening in our world we should confidently wait Christ’s return to bring justice and restoration to the entire world.

Have a God Day!

1 John 3:7-10
7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it is because they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the Devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not sin, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the Devil. Anyone who does not obey God’s commands and does not love other Christians does not belong to God.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

There is a difference between committing a sin and continuing to sin.  Even the most faithful believers sometimes commit sins, but they do not cling to a particular sin or choose to continue in that sin. A believer who sins repents, confesses and finds forgiveness. A person who continues to sin, by contrast, is not sorry for what they have done and continue to do it.  They never confess or feel the need to do so.  They are not connected to Christ.  John is not talking about Christians who are still incomplete in Christ, he is talking about those who make a practice of sinning and look for ways to justify it. For those in Christ who struggle with a particular sin, the Spirit of God continues to work with us to help us to be like Him and gives us victory over any sin.  We are not powerless to overcome areas of sin in our lives because of the power Christ gave us when He defeated sin.  Romans 8:2 states, “For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.”  Those who love Him seek the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to remove sin from their lives.  They stay away from tempting situations and seek help from the body of Christ.  Christians are open to each other to hold us accountable and to pray for each other.  “They can’t keep on sinning” means that believers do not make a practice of sinning. Because the Spirit of God is within them directly and guiding them away from sin.  What sin are you struggling with today?  Know that Christ has already defeated the power that would keep you in that sin.  Confess before Him and move forward in peace of mind that Christ has already given you victory.

Have a God Day!

Matthew 25:1-13
“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. 6 At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!’ 7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ 12 But he called back, ‘I don’t know you!’ 13 “So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

Knowing about Jesus and knowing Him are two different things.  One is having some understanding of what He did and who He is, but the other is having a personal relationship with Him.  On the Day that Christ returns for His church, many will think He is coming for them, but will be disappointed when they are left behind.  Only those who have accepted His free gift of grace and are living out that faith will be prepared for His return.  James 2:14 states: “Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone.” And in James 2:17-19, ” So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all-it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.” 19 Do you still think it’s enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! 20 Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?”  Only those prepared for Christ will meet Him.  God is the only One who can judge a heart to know if you are working to become more like Him.  We cannot be saved by our works, but our works prove we are saved.  Accepting His grace is just the start.  Many know about Him, but few love and serve Him.  To serve Him, we must know His Word plant it in our minds and obey it.  Obedience is the key to being prepared to meet Him when He returns. It is the oil for our lamps. Are you ready to meet Him today?  Are you prepared?  Is there enough oil in your lamp?  These are questions you must ask yourself and then go before God and ask Him.  If your heart is open to obeying His Word you will hear from Him and He will direct you.  So examine yourself today and put some oil in you lamp!

Have a God Day! 

John 15:5-8
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! 8 My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

There are some who claim to be a part of Christ, but feel that they do not need to belong to His body.  This would be a group of people who believe that Christ is Lord and gather together to worship and serve Him by serving each other. But Christ has told us that to be a part of Him; we need to be a part of His body.  1 Corinthians 12:12 tells us, “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.” So to claim to belong to Christ, but not be a part of a group of believers will eventually lead you away from Christ.  In order to remain in Christ, we must know Him by knowing His Word and we must belong to His body by worshipping with those who also serve Him.  If you are apart from His body, you are apart from Him.  1 Corinthians 12:27 goes on to say, “Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” Being a part of a group of believers that come together regularly and worship Christ is not an option.  Those who think they can serve Christ outside of His body are only being deceived.  We must encompass all parts of Him.  And that includes His people, His Word, and His truth.  Outside of this you cannot be attached to Christ.  Where are you going today to worship Him?  Are you a part of His body?  If not, then you cannot be a part of Him.  And outside of Him, you will wither and die.  Know the truth of His Word by reading and studying it, and be a part of His body.  All of us together are stronger than each of us individually.  Look only to His Word for truth and you will not be separated from Him.

Have a God Day!

Romans 8:12-16
12 So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family calling him Father, dear Father. 16 For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we will share his treasures for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

Being lead by God is primary to our Christian walk. Many do not hear the voice of God within but only because they do know His voice. It is our privilege being a child of God, to be lead by Him. When we come to salvation our spirit is connected to the Spirit of God and we know that we know that we know that we are His. This is our spirit communicating with Him. This is being lead by the Spirit of God. All of His children are lead by Him. Psalm 23 2-3 tells us, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness.” All who are lead by the Spirit of God are His children. Connecting with God through prayer and reading His Word are one way we hear His leading within us. All are lead by Him and all will hear His voice. Jesus told us in John 10:3, “He goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” His Spirit speaks to all of His children deep in our hearts and we know His voice. This is great peace and joy because we are connected to our Lord. If you are not hearing the voice of God within you, stop and listen to what His Word tells you and believe His promise that all of His own are lead by Him.

Have a God Day! 

Philippians 3:12-21
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. 15 I hope all of you who are mature Christians will agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God  will make it plain to you. 16 But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already. 17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.) 1996.

Are you everything that God knows you can be? If you are then you are dead! Not one of us will achieve perfection in this life. But that does not mean we do not keep on working toward that goal. Jesus Christ started this work in you when you were saved by faith. He will complete the work one day but until that day, we are to keep allowing His Spirit to live Christ through us. God will keep revealing to us areas of needed growth. We are to keep moving toward the goal of becoming more like Christ and this means removing more and more of ourselves until there is nothing left. God will not come to us and demand perfection. All He wants is for us to be obedient to His work in us. The more we know of Christ, the more we will be like Him.  But it is not just knowledge of Him, but also a personal relationship with Him. Listen to what the Spirit of God is telling you today. What layer of self needs to be peeled off and discarded?  When you complete that layer, there will always be another to be removed. When we are with Him in Heaven, the work will
be complete but until then keep peeling.

Have a God Day!