Découvrez ci-dessous le texte complet de la lettre d'amour du père! Les paroles que vous allez lire sont vraies, parce qu'elle viennent directement du Père. Il t'aime. Lis donc maintenant cette lettre d'amour qu'il a écrite pour toi...
Mon Enfant,
Je regarde jusqu'au fond de ton coeur et je sais tout de toi. (Psaume 139:1)
Je sais quand tu t'assieds et quand tu te lèves. (Psaume 139:2)
Je te vois quand tu marches et quand tu te couches, je connais parfaitement toutes tes voies. (Psaume 139:3)
Même les cheveux de ta tête sont comptés. (Matthieu 10:29-31)
Tu as été créé à mon image. (Genèse 1:27)
Je suis le mouvement, la vie et l'être. (Actes 17:28)
Je te connaissais même avant que tu sois conçu. (Jérémie 1:4-5)
Je t'ai choisi au moment de la création. (Ephésiens 1:11-12)
Tu n'étais pas une erreur. (Psaume 139:15)
Tous tes jours sont écrits dans mon livre. (Psaume 139:16)
Je détermine la durée des temps et les bornes de tes demeures. (Actes 17:26)
J'ai fait de toi une créature merveilleuse. (Psaume 139:14)
Je t'ai tissé dans le ventre de ta mère. (Psaume 139:13)
C'est moi qui t'ai fait sortir du sein de ta mère. (Psaume 71:6)
J'ai été déformé par ceux qui ne me connaissent pas. (Jean 8:41-44)
Je ne me suis pas éloigné, ni fâché, car je suis l'expression parfaite de l'amour. (I Jean 4:16)
C'est mon amour de Père que je répands sur toi. (I Jean 3:1)
Parce que tu es mon enfant et que je suis ton Père. (1 Jean 3:1)
Je t'offre plus que ton père terrestre pourrait jamais te donner. (Matthieu 7:11)
Car je suis le Père parfait. (Matthieu 5:48)
Toute grâce que tu reçois vient de ma main. (Jacques 1:17)
Car je suis celui qui subvient à tous tes besoins. (Matthieu 6:31-33)
Mon plan pour ton avenir est toujours rempli d'espérance. (Jérémie 29:11)
Parce que je t'aime d'un amour éternel. (Jérémie 31:3)
Mes pensées vers toi sont innombrables comme le sable sur le bord de la mer. (Psaume 139:17-18)
Et je me réjouis de tes louanges et de ton adoration. (Sophonie 3:17)
Je n'arrêterai jamais de te faire du bien (Jérémie 32:40)
Tu es le peuple que j'ai choisi. (Exode 19:5)
Je désire t'établir avec tout mon coeur et toute mon âme. (Jérémie 32:41)
Il est en mon pouvoir de te montrer de grandes et merveilleuses choses. (Jérémie 33:3)
Si tu me cherches avec tout ton coeur tu me trouveras. (Deutéronome 4:29)
Fais de moi tes délices et je te donnerai ce que ton cœur désire. (Psaume 37:4)
Car c'est moi qui t'ai donné ces désirs. (Philippiens 2:13)
Je suis capable de faire plus pour toi que tu pourrais probablement imaginer. (Ephésiens 3:20)
Car je suis ton encouragement le plus grand. (2 Thessaloniciens 2:16-17)
Je suis aussi le père qui te console dans tous tes ennuis.(2 Corinthiens 1:3-4)
Quand tu cries à moi, je suis près de toi et je te délivre de toutes tes détresses. (Psaume 34:18)
Comme un berger porte un agneau, je te porte près de mon coeur.
(Esaïe 40:11)
J'effacerai toutes larmes de tes yeux. (Apocalypse 21:3-4)
Et j'emporterai toute la douleur que tu as subie sur cette terre.
(Apocalypse 21:4)
Je suis ton père et je t'aime de la même façon que j'aime mon fils Jésus. (Jean 17:23)
Car dans Jésus mon amour pour toi est révélé. (Jean 17:26)
Il est la représentation exacte de mon être (Hebreux 1:3)
Et Il est venu pour démontrer que je suis pour toi, pas contre toi. (Romains 8:31)
Et te dire que je ne compte pas tes péchés. (2 Corinthiens 5:18-19)
Jésus est mort pour que toi et moi puissions être réconciliés.
(2 Corinthiens 5:18-19)
Sa mort est l'expression suprême de mon amour pour toi. (1 Jean 4:10)
J'ai renoncé à tout ce que j'aime pour gagner ton amour. (Romains 8:32)
Si tu acceptes mon fils Jésus, tu me reçois. (1 Jean 2:23)
Et rien ne te séparera de mon amour. (Romains 8:38-39)
Dans ma maison, il y a tant de joie dans le ciel devant la repentance d'un pécheur. (Luc 15:7)
J'ai toujours été le Père et serai toujours ton Père. (Ephésiens 3:14-15)
Ma question est ... veux-tu être mon enfant ? (Jean 1:12-13)
Je t'attends. (Luc 15:11-32)
Ton Père qui t'aime
Dieu tout puissant
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve Gift
My family on my father's side had an unusual tradition.
Many years at Christmas we would travel to my grandparents' house in Alabama on December 23. We would be there for Christmas eve day and then head back home that night. My father was the oldest of seven children, so I had a LOT of uncles, aunts and cousins on that side of the family, most of whom lived nearby. On December 24, whenever one of the family would arrive at my grandparent's house, they would come through the door saying, "Christmas Eve gift!"
I remember wondering why they said that. Sometimes they were carrying gifts to put under the tree but at least half of the time they had nothing in their hands as they walked through the door and said, "Christmas Eve gift!"
As an adult, I asked one of my uncles about the family custom. He smiled and said that the family had been doing that since my father was a little boy. The meaning behind it was simple, yet profound. The "gift" they referred to was themselves. The gift of being together as a family was, after all, the best gift we could give each other.
Some Christmases when my father was growing up, especially during the Great Depression, that was about the only gift that they had to give each other. But even in the years when there were presents under the tree for all of us, the best gift they gave each other was being together at Christmas. So they recognized that with the tradition of saying "Christmas Eve gift!" as they arrived to share the special day together.
For the life of me, I can't recall a single material gift that I was ever given at my grandparent's house - even though there was always something under the tree for me. Whatever those gifts were - perhaps toys, clothing, or books - they have long since faded from my memory. Yet I can close my eyes and see the faces of my cousins as we talked, laughed and sang together on Christmas Eve. I can vividly remember what it smelled like in my grandmother's kitchen, and the love and patience showered on me by all of my uncles and aunts.
So they were right. The gift that we announced as we came through the door and shouted "Christmas Eve gift!" was the best gift, the most valuable gift, and the gift that has stood the test of time: the gift of time spent with those you love.
As you give presents to those you love this Christmas, keep in mind that the best gift you can give is the gift of yourself. The material things you get and give this year will soon be used up, broken and forgotten. But the gift of love and time invested in your loved ones will be kept and cherished in their hearts - and in yours - for the rest of our lives.
Some say we give gifts at Christmas to carry on the tradition of the Magi who brought gifts to Jesus. But when we give the gift of ourselves, we are truly being like the One whose birth we celebrate. The one who loves us and gave Himself for us so that we could spend eternity together with Him.
Christmas Eve gift!
Rev. Alan Riley is the Director of Web Operations for Streaming Faith and serves as the Managing Editor of StreamingFaith.com. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional
Many years at Christmas we would travel to my grandparents' house in Alabama on December 23. We would be there for Christmas eve day and then head back home that night. My father was the oldest of seven children, so I had a LOT of uncles, aunts and cousins on that side of the family, most of whom lived nearby. On December 24, whenever one of the family would arrive at my grandparent's house, they would come through the door saying, "Christmas Eve gift!"
I remember wondering why they said that. Sometimes they were carrying gifts to put under the tree but at least half of the time they had nothing in their hands as they walked through the door and said, "Christmas Eve gift!"
As an adult, I asked one of my uncles about the family custom. He smiled and said that the family had been doing that since my father was a little boy. The meaning behind it was simple, yet profound. The "gift" they referred to was themselves. The gift of being together as a family was, after all, the best gift we could give each other.
Some Christmases when my father was growing up, especially during the Great Depression, that was about the only gift that they had to give each other. But even in the years when there were presents under the tree for all of us, the best gift they gave each other was being together at Christmas. So they recognized that with the tradition of saying "Christmas Eve gift!" as they arrived to share the special day together.
For the life of me, I can't recall a single material gift that I was ever given at my grandparent's house - even though there was always something under the tree for me. Whatever those gifts were - perhaps toys, clothing, or books - they have long since faded from my memory. Yet I can close my eyes and see the faces of my cousins as we talked, laughed and sang together on Christmas Eve. I can vividly remember what it smelled like in my grandmother's kitchen, and the love and patience showered on me by all of my uncles and aunts.
So they were right. The gift that we announced as we came through the door and shouted "Christmas Eve gift!" was the best gift, the most valuable gift, and the gift that has stood the test of time: the gift of time spent with those you love.
As you give presents to those you love this Christmas, keep in mind that the best gift you can give is the gift of yourself. The material things you get and give this year will soon be used up, broken and forgotten. But the gift of love and time invested in your loved ones will be kept and cherished in their hearts - and in yours - for the rest of our lives.
Some say we give gifts at Christmas to carry on the tradition of the Magi who brought gifts to Jesus. But when we give the gift of ourselves, we are truly being like the One whose birth we celebrate. The one who loves us and gave Himself for us so that we could spend eternity together with Him.
Christmas Eve gift!
Rev. Alan Riley is the Director of Web Operations for Streaming Faith and serves as the Managing Editor of StreamingFaith.com. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional
The True Meaning of Christmas
Christmas is one of the most important days among Christians. This day commemorates and celebrates the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is more than just a holiday. It is the remembrance of the fact that God so loved the world that He have His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus' birthday - Christmas is about God's love. It is about God's love for you and me. It is God expressing His great love for mankind, through the giving of the greatest gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves us not because of what we are, but He loves us because of what He knows we can become, if we'll allow Him to get involved in our lives.
John 1:1-3, 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
This passage from the Book of John tells us what Christmas is all about. It is about Jesus coming into the world. It is about the Word of God, the Living Word; Jesus is called the Logos, or the Word of God, and it says, "In the beginning was the Word."
Notice that verse 1 says "the Word was with God". This verse shows Jesus' separate and distinct personality. Then it says "the Word was God." Now, I can't explain this to you. I can't explain it in a rational way so that you can understand it intellectually, but that's what the Bible says, it says that the Word was with God and then it says that the Word was God. Praise God that He doesn't require us to understand it mentally in order to gain the benefits from it; all we have to do is simply believe it.
Romans 8:1-3: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
This is the purpose of Jesus' coming. His purpose was to come and take away our sin. To come and pay the penalty that all of us should have rightfully paid as a result of Adam's sin in the garden of Eden. Jesus came to do it for us; that's what this season is all about. That's the true meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came to do what the flesh could not do and that is to bring us back into fellowship and communion with the Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 2:10-15: For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Jesus came to set us free from the ravages of death. Praise the Lord! The real meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ: crucified, dead, risen, ascended, and coming again!
Jesus' birthday - Christmas is about God's love. It is about God's love for you and me. It is God expressing His great love for mankind, through the giving of the greatest gift, the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves us not because of what we are, but He loves us because of what He knows we can become, if we'll allow Him to get involved in our lives.
John 1:1-3, 14: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
This passage from the Book of John tells us what Christmas is all about. It is about Jesus coming into the world. It is about the Word of God, the Living Word; Jesus is called the Logos, or the Word of God, and it says, "In the beginning was the Word."
Notice that verse 1 says "the Word was with God". This verse shows Jesus' separate and distinct personality. Then it says "the Word was God." Now, I can't explain this to you. I can't explain it in a rational way so that you can understand it intellectually, but that's what the Bible says, it says that the Word was with God and then it says that the Word was God. Praise God that He doesn't require us to understand it mentally in order to gain the benefits from it; all we have to do is simply believe it.
Romans 8:1-3: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
This is the purpose of Jesus' coming. His purpose was to come and take away our sin. To come and pay the penalty that all of us should have rightfully paid as a result of Adam's sin in the garden of Eden. Jesus came to do it for us; that's what this season is all about. That's the true meaning of Christmas, that Jesus came to do what the flesh could not do and that is to bring us back into fellowship and communion with the Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 2:10-15: For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: "I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You." And again: "I will put My trust in Him." And again: "Here am I and the children whom God has given Me." Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Jesus came to set us free from the ravages of death. Praise the Lord! The real meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ: crucified, dead, risen, ascended, and coming again!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Forgotten At Christmas
Forgotten At Christmas
My father was born on this day- December 22. For his entire life, he was always getting "combination" presents - birthday and Christmas. Every year on his birthday, there weren't balloons and birthday streamers. His birthday decorations were Christmas trees, Christmas lights and Santa Claus stuff. When he did get a separate present for Christmas, chances are it would be wrapped with... you guessed it- Christmas paper.
I remember him telling me how as a child he couldn't help but feel a little cheated. People were so busy celebrating Christmas that his birthday got overlooked.
A couple of years ago, I saw a cartoon in the Atlanta paper that really touched my heart and made me think. It was drawn by Mike Luckovich, the Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. It showed a little girl with a birthday hat on standing in the middle of a sea of gaudy Christmas decorations. The dejected looking little girl says, "You know, when your birthday comes at Christmas time, people just forget all about it."
Standing behind the little girl, looking equally sad, is Jesus.
"Tell me about it," he says.
Just like the little girl in the cartoon - and my dad in real life - Jesus' birthday is all too often forgotten about because of Christmas. How ironic! What started out as an observance of His birth has somehow morphed into gaudy decorations, parties, shopping, songs about decking halls and jingling bells, and some vague acknowledgment of peace on earth and good will among men.
The real Christmas is remembering the greatest and most costly gift we will ever be given. It is when we stop to take in the awe of the only child Who ever chose to be born. It is when we stop to remember this child would soon also choose to give His life up. For you. For me.
Let's purpose in our hearts that this year we won't get so caught up in Christmas that we forget Jesus' birthday.
Rev. Alan Riley is the Director of Web Operations for Streaming Faith and serves as the Managing Editor of StreamingFaith.com. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional.
My father was born on this day- December 22. For his entire life, he was always getting "combination" presents - birthday and Christmas. Every year on his birthday, there weren't balloons and birthday streamers. His birthday decorations were Christmas trees, Christmas lights and Santa Claus stuff. When he did get a separate present for Christmas, chances are it would be wrapped with... you guessed it- Christmas paper.
I remember him telling me how as a child he couldn't help but feel a little cheated. People were so busy celebrating Christmas that his birthday got overlooked.
A couple of years ago, I saw a cartoon in the Atlanta paper that really touched my heart and made me think. It was drawn by Mike Luckovich, the Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. It showed a little girl with a birthday hat on standing in the middle of a sea of gaudy Christmas decorations. The dejected looking little girl says, "You know, when your birthday comes at Christmas time, people just forget all about it."
Standing behind the little girl, looking equally sad, is Jesus.
"Tell me about it," he says.
Just like the little girl in the cartoon - and my dad in real life - Jesus' birthday is all too often forgotten about because of Christmas. How ironic! What started out as an observance of His birth has somehow morphed into gaudy decorations, parties, shopping, songs about decking halls and jingling bells, and some vague acknowledgment of peace on earth and good will among men.
The real Christmas is remembering the greatest and most costly gift we will ever be given. It is when we stop to take in the awe of the only child Who ever chose to be born. It is when we stop to remember this child would soon also choose to give His life up. For you. For me.
Let's purpose in our hearts that this year we won't get so caught up in Christmas that we forget Jesus' birthday.
Rev. Alan Riley is the Director of Web Operations for Streaming Faith and serves as the Managing Editor of StreamingFaith.com. He is an ordained Baptist Minister and a frequent contributor to the Streaming Faith Daily Devotional.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Reach Out to Others this coming Christmas
Among the Christmas Eve congregation at 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church was a recovering alcoholic named Jim. It was his first Christmas alone, and when a young family sat down beside him he couldn’t handle it. Leaving the church he met Pastor Thomas Tewell who asked where he was going. “Out for a drink,” he replied.
Knowing Jim’s history, Tewell said, “You can’t. Where’s your sponsor?” “On vacation,” he replied. “I came tonight needing a word of hope and ended up sitting beside this family. If I had my life together, I’d be here with mine.”
As the pastor walked to the pulpit he prayed, “God, give me a word of hope for Jim.” Then after welcoming the congregation he said, “I have a request. If anyone here is a friend of Bill W.’s, and if you are you’ll know it, please meet me in the vestry. (Bill Wilson, better known as Bill W., co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous)
Immediately people from all over the congregation began to respond. Dr. Tewell says, “While I was busy preaching about the Incarnation, the Word was becoming flesh before my eyes!”
As you celebrate Jesus’ birth, remember that many around you are hurting; they’ve lost hope. Don’t forget, “The Word became flesh” only because Jesus went out of His way to redeem sinners, lift the fallen, encourage the despairing, and minister to the sick, the lonely and the forgotten.
He said, “In as much as you’ve done it unto the least…of these…you’ve done it unto me” (See Mt 25:40). So instead of keeping to yourself this year, reach out to others – go ahead, make it your best Christmas ever!
Source : The Word Became Flesh and Moved Into the Neighborhood
Bishop Donald Hilliard
Knowing Jim’s history, Tewell said, “You can’t. Where’s your sponsor?” “On vacation,” he replied. “I came tonight needing a word of hope and ended up sitting beside this family. If I had my life together, I’d be here with mine.”
As the pastor walked to the pulpit he prayed, “God, give me a word of hope for Jim.” Then after welcoming the congregation he said, “I have a request. If anyone here is a friend of Bill W.’s, and if you are you’ll know it, please meet me in the vestry. (Bill Wilson, better known as Bill W., co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous)
Immediately people from all over the congregation began to respond. Dr. Tewell says, “While I was busy preaching about the Incarnation, the Word was becoming flesh before my eyes!”
As you celebrate Jesus’ birth, remember that many around you are hurting; they’ve lost hope. Don’t forget, “The Word became flesh” only because Jesus went out of His way to redeem sinners, lift the fallen, encourage the despairing, and minister to the sick, the lonely and the forgotten.
He said, “In as much as you’ve done it unto the least…of these…you’ve done it unto me” (See Mt 25:40). So instead of keeping to yourself this year, reach out to others – go ahead, make it your best Christmas ever!
Source : The Word Became Flesh and Moved Into the Neighborhood
Bishop Donald Hilliard
O God, You are my God
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your loving kindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Psalm 63:1-3 (NKJV)
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your loving kindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Psalm 63:1-3 (NKJV)
Monday, December 17, 2007
Thank God for Everything?
Ephesians 5:20: giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (KJV)
As a Christian, am I supposed to thank God for everything that comes my way? There is a lot of discussion about this verse in churches today. However, we need to be scripturally discriminating about this and analyze what we are giving thanks for.
Are you supposed to give God thanks for your little child getting hit by a car and dying? When your husband dies of cancer and leaves you with five children to raise. Do you thank God? There are many churches that preach that we are to give thanks in these and other evil situations. They say, "Well, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." No!
I can't thank God when someone dies and goes to hell. I can't thank God when someone is crippled with some paralysis and he can't even feed himself. Is this what the scripture is asking me to do? Am I to thank God for everything that happens - good or bad?
The Spirit of God gave me a revelation regarding this scripture which I want to share with you today. Look at the twentieth verse again, "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Notice that the things we are to give thanks for are those that are "unto God."
In Matthew 22:16-21 we read, And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? "Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. (NKJV)
We are supposed to give thanks to God always for the things that He has done, not for what the devil has done. Do you understand? We give God thanks, credit, praise and glory for what He has done! You don't thank God for what the devil has done. You don't thank God that somebody died and went to hell. You don't thank God that somebody is sick and helpless or because somebody was killed or murdered. Don't blame God for what the devil does.
I know that the idea of a devil is far fetched for some intellectuals. However, whether you believe it or not, the devil still exists. The Word of God says it and I believe God's Word. Some of you are in denial and that is why the devil has been whipping your heads. He has tricked you into believing that he doesn't exist and you have been calling the things that the devil has been doing in your life, "the works of God."
Even as a society we have been blaming God for all manner of destruction. The insurance companies write into their insurance contracts, "Acts of God." There are certain things they won't insure because they say that the flood, hurricane, tornado and earthquakes are "Acts of God."
First John 3:8 says: He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, then the devil must have some works. Is this right? Jesus described the devil and his works in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
The devil has some works and when the devil does his works you are not to give God thanks for what the devil has done. You give thanks unto God for what He has done. Render unto God the things that are God's and render unto Satan the things that he has done. Stop blaming God for the things that the devil is doing!
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "Thank God For Everything?"
As a Christian, am I supposed to thank God for everything that comes my way? There is a lot of discussion about this verse in churches today. However, we need to be scripturally discriminating about this and analyze what we are giving thanks for.
Are you supposed to give God thanks for your little child getting hit by a car and dying? When your husband dies of cancer and leaves you with five children to raise. Do you thank God? There are many churches that preach that we are to give thanks in these and other evil situations. They say, "Well, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." No!
I can't thank God when someone dies and goes to hell. I can't thank God when someone is crippled with some paralysis and he can't even feed himself. Is this what the scripture is asking me to do? Am I to thank God for everything that happens - good or bad?
The Spirit of God gave me a revelation regarding this scripture which I want to share with you today. Look at the twentieth verse again, "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Notice that the things we are to give thanks for are those that are "unto God."
In Matthew 22:16-21 we read, And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? "Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. (NKJV)
We are supposed to give thanks to God always for the things that He has done, not for what the devil has done. Do you understand? We give God thanks, credit, praise and glory for what He has done! You don't thank God for what the devil has done. You don't thank God that somebody died and went to hell. You don't thank God that somebody is sick and helpless or because somebody was killed or murdered. Don't blame God for what the devil does.
I know that the idea of a devil is far fetched for some intellectuals. However, whether you believe it or not, the devil still exists. The Word of God says it and I believe God's Word. Some of you are in denial and that is why the devil has been whipping your heads. He has tricked you into believing that he doesn't exist and you have been calling the things that the devil has been doing in your life, "the works of God."
Even as a society we have been blaming God for all manner of destruction. The insurance companies write into their insurance contracts, "Acts of God." There are certain things they won't insure because they say that the flood, hurricane, tornado and earthquakes are "Acts of God."
First John 3:8 says: He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, then the devil must have some works. Is this right? Jesus described the devil and his works in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
The devil has some works and when the devil does his works you are not to give God thanks for what the devil has done. You give thanks unto God for what He has done. Render unto God the things that are God's and render unto Satan the things that he has done. Stop blaming God for the things that the devil is doing!
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "Thank God For Everything?"
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Recapture Your First Love !
Revelation 2:5
(5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 2:5 instructs us to remember from where we have fallen, to repent, and to do the works we did when we had our first love. We have three commands here: remember, repent, and do. If we fail to follow through on these, God says very bluntly, "I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place." This is serious!
Individually, then, we must compare our present attitudes, efforts, zeal, and love to what they were when we were first converted. We should have no trouble doing this because, for most of us, our first months or years in the church are still vivid in our minds. We probably all had similar experiences.
We expressed our first love by diligently obeying all we learned. We took great pains to study, fast, pray, and meditate regularly, giving up valuable time we had once used for our recreation or entertainment. We stood up for the Sabbath and argued with the school system and our employers over Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. We tithed carefully, and the holy days, especially the Feast of Tabernacles, were such a thrill!
We hungered for God's Word and could never get enough of the Bible and the church's literature. We had faith in the ministers God sent to us, seeing them as helpers of our joy. We really worked to overcome every little sin we found, not wanting to disappoint God in the least matter. We had supreme faith in God's purpose, both for mankind as a whole and for us as individuals. We were very serious about our calling.
We would have done none of these things before being called. Our first love was a wonderful thing to behold—true devotion and dedication to God, manifested by zealously bending every effort to conform to His will. We outwardly loved God and trusted Him. He was always in our thoughts.
Some people in this world get a kind of first love for a political party, a team, or a cause. But our first love came upon us because God opened our minds and revealed Himself to us, and what we saw we recognized as truly awesome and wondrous. When we learned that such a magnificent Being wanted us to be members of His Family forever, we caught the vision! This opened our minds to new thoughts, new ideas, new horizons—and so we were filled with first love.
Years may have passed. The "newness" of God's way has worn off. Friends, family, and ministers have let us down. So much has changed in our lives and in the church that those heady days seem impossible to recapture. But God commands us that we must remember what it was like and return to them in spirit, in attitude, and in works because God has not let us down nor has His purpose changed.
Paul tells Timothy to "stir up the gift of God which is in you" (II Timothy 1:6), and in a sense, this is what Christ reminds us to do in His brief message to the Ephesian church. We have to stir ourselves to rekindle our love for God and the brethren and serve them in humility and kindness.
Once we regain this godly love, we will probably notice that it is somewhat different from what we had just after conversion. Most of us have had many years of experience and growth in the meantime. This will tend to produce a more seasoned, mature "first love," which is exactly what God wants. We will be able to pursue godliness with the zeal of youth and the wisdom of maturity.
John O. Reid
From Recapture Your First Love!
(5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 2:5 instructs us to remember from where we have fallen, to repent, and to do the works we did when we had our first love. We have three commands here: remember, repent, and do. If we fail to follow through on these, God says very bluntly, "I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place." This is serious!
Individually, then, we must compare our present attitudes, efforts, zeal, and love to what they were when we were first converted. We should have no trouble doing this because, for most of us, our first months or years in the church are still vivid in our minds. We probably all had similar experiences.
We expressed our first love by diligently obeying all we learned. We took great pains to study, fast, pray, and meditate regularly, giving up valuable time we had once used for our recreation or entertainment. We stood up for the Sabbath and argued with the school system and our employers over Christmas, Easter, and Halloween. We tithed carefully, and the holy days, especially the Feast of Tabernacles, were such a thrill!
We hungered for God's Word and could never get enough of the Bible and the church's literature. We had faith in the ministers God sent to us, seeing them as helpers of our joy. We really worked to overcome every little sin we found, not wanting to disappoint God in the least matter. We had supreme faith in God's purpose, both for mankind as a whole and for us as individuals. We were very serious about our calling.
We would have done none of these things before being called. Our first love was a wonderful thing to behold—true devotion and dedication to God, manifested by zealously bending every effort to conform to His will. We outwardly loved God and trusted Him. He was always in our thoughts.
Some people in this world get a kind of first love for a political party, a team, or a cause. But our first love came upon us because God opened our minds and revealed Himself to us, and what we saw we recognized as truly awesome and wondrous. When we learned that such a magnificent Being wanted us to be members of His Family forever, we caught the vision! This opened our minds to new thoughts, new ideas, new horizons—and so we were filled with first love.
Years may have passed. The "newness" of God's way has worn off. Friends, family, and ministers have let us down. So much has changed in our lives and in the church that those heady days seem impossible to recapture. But God commands us that we must remember what it was like and return to them in spirit, in attitude, and in works because God has not let us down nor has His purpose changed.
Paul tells Timothy to "stir up the gift of God which is in you" (II Timothy 1:6), and in a sense, this is what Christ reminds us to do in His brief message to the Ephesian church. We have to stir ourselves to rekindle our love for God and the brethren and serve them in humility and kindness.
Once we regain this godly love, we will probably notice that it is somewhat different from what we had just after conversion. Most of us have had many years of experience and growth in the meantime. This will tend to produce a more seasoned, mature "first love," which is exactly what God wants. We will be able to pursue godliness with the zeal of youth and the wisdom of maturity.
John O. Reid
From Recapture Your First Love!
An OX & a DONKEY !!!
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
2 Corinthians 6:16
Commentary
An ox and a donkey put in a double yoke were unequally yoked (see Deut. 22:10). They could not pull the load evenly and might want to go different directions. So Christians are not to form close or permanent, marital, social, or business ties with unbelievers. These relationships might pull them into sin. God does not ask that we cease contacts with the world, but that we not make any contracts that would compromise the integrity of our faith. righteousness with lawlessness: This and the other mismatches named here make impossible the most effective building of God's kingdom. Belial: Satan. you are the temple (v. 16): The community of believers who are open to God is the place where God chooses to dwell and walk on this earth.
The Open Bible : New King James Version. 1998, c1997. Includes indexes. (electronic ed.) (2 Co 6:14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Did you know?
In the Old Testament God's dwelling place with His people was the tabernacle and later the temple built by Solomon. When Christ came, He was Himself the true temple or dwelling place of God (Matt. 1:23; John 2:21; Col. 2:9). Now God the Holy Spirit lives in us, and for this reason we are the new temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Pet. 2:5).
2 Corinthians 6:16
Commentary
An ox and a donkey put in a double yoke were unequally yoked (see Deut. 22:10). They could not pull the load evenly and might want to go different directions. So Christians are not to form close or permanent, marital, social, or business ties with unbelievers. These relationships might pull them into sin. God does not ask that we cease contacts with the world, but that we not make any contracts that would compromise the integrity of our faith. righteousness with lawlessness: This and the other mismatches named here make impossible the most effective building of God's kingdom. Belial: Satan. you are the temple (v. 16): The community of believers who are open to God is the place where God chooses to dwell and walk on this earth.
The Open Bible : New King James Version. 1998, c1997. Includes indexes. (electronic ed.) (2 Co 6:14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Did you know?
In the Old Testament God's dwelling place with His people was the tabernacle and later the temple built by Solomon. When Christ came, He was Himself the true temple or dwelling place of God (Matt. 1:23; John 2:21; Col. 2:9). Now God the Holy Spirit lives in us, and for this reason we are the new temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19; 1 Pet. 2:5).
Friday, December 14, 2007
Receive the LORD Today
He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Proverbs 29:1 (KJV)
The Lord is merciful. He is reaching out His hand for all to receive Jesus today, not tomorrow. Don't think simply because you are young that means you then have a visa card of life to do whatever you want without consequences. Not true. God is against sin because sin will kill you.
Often reproved means that he's been warned and warned and warned. The Holy Ghost will warn you not to do this, not to go this way, not to be with these people, not to be in this place. He'll keep warning you. As he keeps warning people, there are people who will listen and then there are people who will not. They keep going their own way. Yet God keeps trying to get to them. You may have been rejecting God. God keeps calling for you, and you keep on rejecting him b ecause you want to do what you want to do, the way you want to do it, and still think you're going to get into heaven. Well, the scripture says that he that is often reproved shall be destroyed suddenly without remedy.
Suddenly he will be destroyed, and without remedy. I heard R. W. Schambach talked about how a 15 or 16 year old boy came to a church that he was pastoring. He drove a motorcycle. And the spirit of God moved on him to minister to that young boy and told him, "Son, you need to get saved today; Get saved today." The boy was being drawn by the Holy Ghost and shrugged it off. He said, "I'm not ready yet. I'll do it when I'm ready." He walked on out of that church. He got on his bike heading home. The pavement was wet and he therefore lost control of that bike and wound up in the grill of an 18 wheeler truck. He met eternity suddenly. He wasn't prepared. He thought he had all day.
I submit to you that you don't have all day to decide to follow God. Who are you to tell God to wait? Who are you to tell God, when you're ready? When God calls you, you'd better answer and come. He loves you, and His mercy is out there. So come to Him now while it is called today.
Scripture References: Hebrews 4:1-16; Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37
The Lord is merciful. He is reaching out His hand for all to receive Jesus today, not tomorrow. Don't think simply because you are young that means you then have a visa card of life to do whatever you want without consequences. Not true. God is against sin because sin will kill you.
Often reproved means that he's been warned and warned and warned. The Holy Ghost will warn you not to do this, not to go this way, not to be with these people, not to be in this place. He'll keep warning you. As he keeps warning people, there are people who will listen and then there are people who will not. They keep going their own way. Yet God keeps trying to get to them. You may have been rejecting God. God keeps calling for you, and you keep on rejecting him b ecause you want to do what you want to do, the way you want to do it, and still think you're going to get into heaven. Well, the scripture says that he that is often reproved shall be destroyed suddenly without remedy.
Suddenly he will be destroyed, and without remedy. I heard R. W. Schambach talked about how a 15 or 16 year old boy came to a church that he was pastoring. He drove a motorcycle. And the spirit of God moved on him to minister to that young boy and told him, "Son, you need to get saved today; Get saved today." The boy was being drawn by the Holy Ghost and shrugged it off. He said, "I'm not ready yet. I'll do it when I'm ready." He walked on out of that church. He got on his bike heading home. The pavement was wet and he therefore lost control of that bike and wound up in the grill of an 18 wheeler truck. He met eternity suddenly. He wasn't prepared. He thought he had all day.
I submit to you that you don't have all day to decide to follow God. Who are you to tell God to wait? Who are you to tell God, when you're ready? When God calls you, you'd better answer and come. He loves you, and His mercy is out there. So come to Him now while it is called today.
Scripture References: Hebrews 4:1-16; Matthew 11:28-30; John 6:37
Monday, December 10, 2007
How Can I Maintain Faith When Everything is Going Wrong? Billy Graham
Question: I've had a lot of problems pile up over the last few months, but my cousin keeps telling me just to have faith that everything will work out, and it will. I suppose she's right, but how can I have that kind of faith when everything is going wrong? - M.S.
Answer: Your cousin sounds like an optimistic person, and I'm sure she wants to encourage you and cheer you up. The Bible says that "A cheerful heart is good medicine" - and that's true not only for the person who is cheerful, but for those around them (Proverbs 17:22).
The problem, however, is that simply having faith "that everything will work out" isn't enough. You and I know that things don't always work out the way we wish they would; sometimes they do - but sometimes they don't. Life isn't easy, and sometimes it brings us disappointment and heartache. In the midst of his suffering, Job rightly said that "man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
The key, you see, isn't just to have a vague "faith" - but to have faith in God! When our faith is in Him, we know that He knows all about our problems and burdens, and we know also that He loves us and wants what is best for us. We know too that we can bring every concern we have to Him in prayer, and He will hear us.
How do I know this is true? I know it because His only Son came into the world to show us God's love. He died on the cross to save us, and He rose again from the dead to give us hope. Turn to Christ today and give your life to Him. Then commit your problems to Him, and trust Him to help you deal with them.
Answer: Your cousin sounds like an optimistic person, and I'm sure she wants to encourage you and cheer you up. The Bible says that "A cheerful heart is good medicine" - and that's true not only for the person who is cheerful, but for those around them (Proverbs 17:22).
The problem, however, is that simply having faith "that everything will work out" isn't enough. You and I know that things don't always work out the way we wish they would; sometimes they do - but sometimes they don't. Life isn't easy, and sometimes it brings us disappointment and heartache. In the midst of his suffering, Job rightly said that "man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
The key, you see, isn't just to have a vague "faith" - but to have faith in God! When our faith is in Him, we know that He knows all about our problems and burdens, and we know also that He loves us and wants what is best for us. We know too that we can bring every concern we have to Him in prayer, and He will hear us.
How do I know this is true? I know it because His only Son came into the world to show us God's love. He died on the cross to save us, and He rose again from the dead to give us hope. Turn to Christ today and give your life to Him. Then commit your problems to Him, and trust Him to help you deal with them.
A Divine Revelation of Hell. Time is Running Out
Please Read and Listen to this Important Revelation, then Share and Distribute to everyone you know.
A Divine Revelation of Hell by Mary BAXTER
http://spiritlessons.com/Mary_K_Baxter_A_Divine_Revelation_of_Hell.htm ( available in English, French, Chinese, Spanish and other languages )
http://spiritlessons.com/Documents/burn_your_own_cds/burn_your_own_cds.htm ( available in English, Chinese, Spanish version )
Have a blessed week.
A Divine Revelation of Hell by Mary BAXTER
http://spiritlessons.com/Mary_K_Baxter_A_Divine_Revelation_of_Hell.htm ( available in English, French, Chinese, Spanish and other languages )
http://spiritlessons.com/Documents/burn_your_own_cds/burn_your_own_cds.htm ( available in English, Chinese, Spanish version )
Have a blessed week.
Daily Bible Verse
Dear Friends ,
Subscribe to theDailyBibleVerse.org and get your verse every morning.
God Bless you.
10th Dec
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1
Commentary
The uncertainty of health, circumstances, and life itself point to the truthfulness of this maxim. Nowhere is the urgency of immediate action more crucial than in the matter of one's eternal destiny (Is. 1:18; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7, 8). Of the future even the wisest of men are ignorant, for all time beyond this very moment is known only to God (James 4:13, 14).
Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (Pr 27:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Related Parable
[Jesus speaking]
16 And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18 "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Luke 12:16-21 (NIV)
Subscribe to theDailyBibleVerse.org
God Bless you.
10th Dec
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1
Commentary
The uncertainty of health, circumstances, and life itself point to the truthfulness of this maxim. Nowhere is the urgency of immediate action more crucial than in the matter of one's eternal destiny (Is. 1:18; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:7, 8). Of the future even the wisest of men are ignorant, for all time beyond this very moment is known only to God (James 4:13, 14).
Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (Pr 27:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Related Parable
[Jesus speaking]
16 And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
18 "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
Luke 12:16-21 (NIV)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Examine your ways!
"Let us examine our ways." Lamentations 3:40 NIV
A guy rushed into a service station one day and asked the manager if he'd a pay phone. The manager nodded, "Sure, over there." The guy inserted a couple of coins, dialed and waited for an answer. Finally someone came on the line. "Uh, sir," he said in a deep voice, "could you use an honest, hard-working young man?" The station manager couldn't help overhearing the question. After a moment or two the guy said, "Oh, you already have an honest, hard-working young man? Well, okay. Thanks all the same." A broad smile stretched across his face. He hung up the phone and started back to his car, obviously elated. "Hey, just a minute," the station manager said, "I couldn't help but hear your conversation. Why are you so happy? I thought the man said he already had someone and didn't need you?" The guy smiled. "Well, you see, I am that honest, hard-working young man. I was just checking up on myself!"
If you're serious about walking with God, examine yourself regularly. Are you praying, reading God's Word and renewing your mind daily? How about your attitudes? Are they slipping? Your attitudes send a signal before you've said a word. They're like traffic lights. Sometimes they flash red, which means 'stop, don't get in my way, I'm too busy to love, help, or care.' Sometimes they flash yellow, which means 'I'm touchy and out-of-sorts, I could go either way.' Sometimes they flash green, which means, 'Let's go, I'm with you, you can count on me.' The Bible says, "Let us examine our ways...and...return to the Lord."
What needs to be examined regularly? "Our ways!"
A guy rushed into a service station one day and asked the manager if he'd a pay phone. The manager nodded, "Sure, over there." The guy inserted a couple of coins, dialed and waited for an answer. Finally someone came on the line. "Uh, sir," he said in a deep voice, "could you use an honest, hard-working young man?" The station manager couldn't help overhearing the question. After a moment or two the guy said, "Oh, you already have an honest, hard-working young man? Well, okay. Thanks all the same." A broad smile stretched across his face. He hung up the phone and started back to his car, obviously elated. "Hey, just a minute," the station manager said, "I couldn't help but hear your conversation. Why are you so happy? I thought the man said he already had someone and didn't need you?" The guy smiled. "Well, you see, I am that honest, hard-working young man. I was just checking up on myself!"
If you're serious about walking with God, examine yourself regularly. Are you praying, reading God's Word and renewing your mind daily? How about your attitudes? Are they slipping? Your attitudes send a signal before you've said a word. They're like traffic lights. Sometimes they flash red, which means 'stop, don't get in my way, I'm too busy to love, help, or care.' Sometimes they flash yellow, which means 'I'm touchy and out-of-sorts, I could go either way.' Sometimes they flash green, which means, 'Let's go, I'm with you, you can count on me.' The Bible says, "Let us examine our ways...and...return to the Lord."
What needs to be examined regularly? "Our ways!"
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Blame Game
"The woman you put... with me...gave me... the fruit, and I ate it." Genesis 3:12-13 (CEV)
A man smokes 3 packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years, dies of lung cancer, and his family sues the tobacco company. A woman crashes while driving drunk, then blames the bartender. Your kids are out of control so you blame violence on TV, lack of discipline in school or the influence of their friends.
Excuses - we've got hundreds of them! Our parents failed us...our friends let us down...somebody gave us bad advice...our mate doesn't understand us. The blame game isn't new; we've been playing it since the dawn of creation. In Genesis the first couple offered God every excuse in the book to avoid responsibility for their actions. Adam actually blamed God by saying, "It was the woman you put...with me." And Eve was no better, she said, "The snake tricked me."
Solomon says, "The wise are glad to be instructed...fools fall flat on their faces" (Pr 10:8 NLT), because the ability to accept responsibility is the measure of your character and maturity. But more importantly, God can't forgive and restore you till you acknowledge and turn away from your sin. Nowhere in Scripture does He ever excuse your sin because of somebody else's behavior. In fact, when you make a habit of blaming the other guy you'll never reach the place of honest repentance.
The Bible says we'll all "appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions" (2Co 5:10 TM).
Acknowledging your sins and shortcomings here and now frees you to receive God's forgiveness and move on to maturity.
A man smokes 3 packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years, dies of lung cancer, and his family sues the tobacco company. A woman crashes while driving drunk, then blames the bartender. Your kids are out of control so you blame violence on TV, lack of discipline in school or the influence of their friends.
Excuses - we've got hundreds of them! Our parents failed us...our friends let us down...somebody gave us bad advice...our mate doesn't understand us. The blame game isn't new; we've been playing it since the dawn of creation. In Genesis the first couple offered God every excuse in the book to avoid responsibility for their actions. Adam actually blamed God by saying, "It was the woman you put...with me." And Eve was no better, she said, "The snake tricked me."
Solomon says, "The wise are glad to be instructed...fools fall flat on their faces" (Pr 10:8 NLT), because the ability to accept responsibility is the measure of your character and maturity. But more importantly, God can't forgive and restore you till you acknowledge and turn away from your sin. Nowhere in Scripture does He ever excuse your sin because of somebody else's behavior. In fact, when you make a habit of blaming the other guy you'll never reach the place of honest repentance.
The Bible says we'll all "appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions" (2Co 5:10 TM).
Acknowledging your sins and shortcomings here and now frees you to receive God's forgiveness and move on to maturity.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
pas un cheveu de votre tête ne sera perdu
Evangile de Jésus-Christ selon saint Luc 21,12-19.
Mais avant tout cela, on portera la main sur vous et l’on vous persécutera ; on vous livrera aux synagogues, on vous jettera en prison, on vous fera comparaître devant des rois et des gouverneurs, à cause de mon Nom. Ce sera pour vous l'occasion de rendre témoignage. Mettez-vous dans la tête que vous n'avez pas à vous soucier de votre défense. Moi-même, je vous inspirerai un langage et une sagesse à laquelle tous vos adversaires ne pourront opposer ni résistance ni contradiction. Vous serez livrés même par vos parents, vos frères, votre famille et vos amis, et ils feront mettre à mort certains d'entre vous. Vous serez détestés de tous, à cause de mon Nom. Mais pas un cheveu de votre tête ne sera perdu. C'est par votre persévérance que vous obtiendrez la vie.
« Pas un cheveu de votre tête ne sera perdu »
Si nous sommes appelés au martyre, il nous faut confesser avec constance le Nom précieux, et si nous sommes châtiés pour cela, réjouissons-nous car nous courons vers l'immortalité. Si nous sommes persécutés, n'en soyons pas attristés, « n'affectionnons pas le monde présent », ni « les louanges des hommes » (2Tm 4,10;Rm 2,29), ni la gloire et l'honneur des princes, comme certains. Ils admiraient les actions du Seigneur, mais ils ne croyaient pas en lui, par crainte des grands prêtres et autres dirigeants, car « ils préféraient la gloire des hommes à celle de Dieu » (Jn 12,42). En « affirmant la belle affirmation de la foi » (1Tm 6,12), non seulement nous assurons notre salut, mais nous affermissons les nouveaux baptisés et nous consolidons la foi des catéchumènes...
Que celui qui est jugé digne du martyre se réjouisse donc d'imiter le maître, puisqu'il est prescrit : « Que chacun soit parfait comme son maître » (Lc 6,40). Or notre maître, Jésus, le Seigneur, a été frappé à cause de nous, il a enduré patiemment calomnies et outrages, il a été couvert de crachats, souffleté, roué de coups ; après avoir été flagellé, il a été cloué à la croix, on lui a fait boire du vinaigre et du fiel, et après avoir accompli toutes les Ecritures, il a dit à Dieu son Père : « En tes mains je remets mon esprit » (Lc 23,46). Celui donc qui demande à être son disciple, qu'il aspire à lutter comme lui, qu'il imite sa patience, sachant que..., quoi qu'il subisse, il en sera récompensé par Dieu s'il croit à l'unique et seul vrai Dieu...
Car le Dieu tout-puissant nous ressuscitera par notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, selon sa promesse infaillible, avec tous ceux qui sont morts depuis le début... Même si nous mourons en mer, même si nous sommes dispersés dans la terre, même si nous sommes déchirés par des bêtes féroces ou des rapaces, il nous ressuscitera par sa puissance, car tout l'univers est tenu dans la main de Dieu. « Pas un cheveu de votre tête, dit-il, ne sera perdu. » C'est pourquoi il nous exhorte en ces termes : « C'est par votre persévérance que vous obtiendrez la vie ».
Mais avant tout cela, on portera la main sur vous et l’on vous persécutera ; on vous livrera aux synagogues, on vous jettera en prison, on vous fera comparaître devant des rois et des gouverneurs, à cause de mon Nom. Ce sera pour vous l'occasion de rendre témoignage. Mettez-vous dans la tête que vous n'avez pas à vous soucier de votre défense. Moi-même, je vous inspirerai un langage et une sagesse à laquelle tous vos adversaires ne pourront opposer ni résistance ni contradiction. Vous serez livrés même par vos parents, vos frères, votre famille et vos amis, et ils feront mettre à mort certains d'entre vous. Vous serez détestés de tous, à cause de mon Nom. Mais pas un cheveu de votre tête ne sera perdu. C'est par votre persévérance que vous obtiendrez la vie.
« Pas un cheveu de votre tête ne sera perdu »
Si nous sommes appelés au martyre, il nous faut confesser avec constance le Nom précieux, et si nous sommes châtiés pour cela, réjouissons-nous car nous courons vers l'immortalité. Si nous sommes persécutés, n'en soyons pas attristés, « n'affectionnons pas le monde présent », ni « les louanges des hommes » (2Tm 4,10;Rm 2,29), ni la gloire et l'honneur des princes, comme certains. Ils admiraient les actions du Seigneur, mais ils ne croyaient pas en lui, par crainte des grands prêtres et autres dirigeants, car « ils préféraient la gloire des hommes à celle de Dieu » (Jn 12,42). En « affirmant la belle affirmation de la foi » (1Tm 6,12), non seulement nous assurons notre salut, mais nous affermissons les nouveaux baptisés et nous consolidons la foi des catéchumènes...
Que celui qui est jugé digne du martyre se réjouisse donc d'imiter le maître, puisqu'il est prescrit : « Que chacun soit parfait comme son maître » (Lc 6,40). Or notre maître, Jésus, le Seigneur, a été frappé à cause de nous, il a enduré patiemment calomnies et outrages, il a été couvert de crachats, souffleté, roué de coups ; après avoir été flagellé, il a été cloué à la croix, on lui a fait boire du vinaigre et du fiel, et après avoir accompli toutes les Ecritures, il a dit à Dieu son Père : « En tes mains je remets mon esprit » (Lc 23,46). Celui donc qui demande à être son disciple, qu'il aspire à lutter comme lui, qu'il imite sa patience, sachant que..., quoi qu'il subisse, il en sera récompensé par Dieu s'il croit à l'unique et seul vrai Dieu...
Car le Dieu tout-puissant nous ressuscitera par notre Seigneur Jésus Christ, selon sa promesse infaillible, avec tous ceux qui sont morts depuis le début... Même si nous mourons en mer, même si nous sommes dispersés dans la terre, même si nous sommes déchirés par des bêtes féroces ou des rapaces, il nous ressuscitera par sa puissance, car tout l'univers est tenu dans la main de Dieu. « Pas un cheveu de votre tête, dit-il, ne sera perdu. » C'est pourquoi il nous exhorte en ces termes : « C'est par votre persévérance que vous obtiendrez la vie ».
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Attitude of Gratitude
There were ten of them in all. They were friends who were bound together by a shared tragedy: they all had leprosy--a horrible, disfiguring disease. There's really no way to explain the horror of watching your body slowly rot away. But that was only half of the heartache. Because it was thought that leprosy was contagious, those who suffered from it had to not only endure the ravages of disease, but also to face scorn, disgrace and loss of all dignity. They were made to live apart from the rest of society, apart from their family and friends with only fellow lepers to lean on for support and encouragement.
Lepers in Jesus' day were not only forced to live in colonies, they also had to yell out "Unclean!" whenever they approached anyone. Sometimes they were made to wear bells on their clothing to warn others of their approach.
At the leper colony, they heard stories of this man named Jesus who not only spoke of God's love for everyone, but He healed all those who came to Him. I can imagine the stories of miraculous healings came in one after the other... Jesus opened the eyes of a man blind since birth; He told a lame man to rise up and walk; He even stopped a funeral procession and gave a woman her child back. I can imagine them hearing the story of the centurion's servant who was healed. They must have thought if Jesus healed a Roman centurion's servant, certainly He would heal us, after all, we are children of Abraham!
At some point the ten came up with a plan. They would travel in a group to find Jesus. Together they would ask Him to heal them.
Finally, the moment came when they stood before Jesus. They asked Him to make them whole. "Go and show yourselves to the priests," Jesus told them. As they turned to go, they realized for the first time that their dream had just come true. They stared at their hands in disbelief. Where a moment ago there was decay and stubs, there now were fingers and hands free from leprosy. They walked their first couple of steps, then they began leaping in the air, shouting praises to God! They ran off quickly to establish their healing with the priests so they could return to their homes and families.
But one of the ten stopped in his tracks and realized he'd forgotten something very important. While his nine friends ran down the road, he turned and ran back to Jesus, falling on his face in front of the Lord. Sobbing and laughing at the same time, he kept saying it again and again... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
"Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" Jesus asked. The man didn't know what to say. He couldn't answer for them. He just knew the immense sense of gratitude that was swelling up inside him. This man has just given him his life back.
Then Jesus told him, "Go your way, your faith has made you whole."
Far too often, you and I are like the nine who ran down the road leaping and praising. We receive God's grace and mercy, we experience His healing touch on our lives. He restores what the devil has caused to decay. And off we run, leaping, shouting and praising, but forgetting to simply say "Thank you."
I want to be like the one who turned and ran back to Jesus, falling on his face and saying thanks. Lord, give me the attitude of gratitude!
Lepers in Jesus' day were not only forced to live in colonies, they also had to yell out "Unclean!" whenever they approached anyone. Sometimes they were made to wear bells on their clothing to warn others of their approach.
At the leper colony, they heard stories of this man named Jesus who not only spoke of God's love for everyone, but He healed all those who came to Him. I can imagine the stories of miraculous healings came in one after the other... Jesus opened the eyes of a man blind since birth; He told a lame man to rise up and walk; He even stopped a funeral procession and gave a woman her child back. I can imagine them hearing the story of the centurion's servant who was healed. They must have thought if Jesus healed a Roman centurion's servant, certainly He would heal us, after all, we are children of Abraham!
At some point the ten came up with a plan. They would travel in a group to find Jesus. Together they would ask Him to heal them.
Finally, the moment came when they stood before Jesus. They asked Him to make them whole. "Go and show yourselves to the priests," Jesus told them. As they turned to go, they realized for the first time that their dream had just come true. They stared at their hands in disbelief. Where a moment ago there was decay and stubs, there now were fingers and hands free from leprosy. They walked their first couple of steps, then they began leaping in the air, shouting praises to God! They ran off quickly to establish their healing with the priests so they could return to their homes and families.
But one of the ten stopped in his tracks and realized he'd forgotten something very important. While his nine friends ran down the road, he turned and ran back to Jesus, falling on his face in front of the Lord. Sobbing and laughing at the same time, he kept saying it again and again... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
"Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" Jesus asked. The man didn't know what to say. He couldn't answer for them. He just knew the immense sense of gratitude that was swelling up inside him. This man has just given him his life back.
Then Jesus told him, "Go your way, your faith has made you whole."
Far too often, you and I are like the nine who ran down the road leaping and praising. We receive God's grace and mercy, we experience His healing touch on our lives. He restores what the devil has caused to decay. And off we run, leaping, shouting and praising, but forgetting to simply say "Thank you."
I want to be like the one who turned and ran back to Jesus, falling on his face and saying thanks. Lord, give me the attitude of gratitude!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thank God For Everything?
Ephesians 5:20: "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (KJV)
As a Christian, am I supposed to thank God for everything that comes my way? There is a lot of discussion about this verse in churches today. However, we need to be scripturally discriminating about this and analyze what we are giving thanks for.
Are you supposed to give God thanks for your little child getting hit by a car and dying? When your husband dies of cancer and leaves you with five children to raise. Do you thank God? There are many churches that preach that we are to give thanks in these and other evil situations. They say, "Well, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." No!
I can't thank God when someone dies and goes to hell. I can't thank God when someone is crippled with some paralysis and he can't even feed himself. Is this what the scripture is asking me to do? Am I to thank God for everything that happens - good or bad?
The Spirit of God gave me a revelation regarding this scripture which I want to share with you today. Look at the twentieth verse again, "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Notice that the things we are to give thanks for are those that are "unto God."
In Matthew 22:16-21 we read, "And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? "Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (NKJV)
We are supposed to give thanks to God always for the things that He has done, not for what the devil has done. Do you understand? We give God thanks, credit, praise and glory for what He has done! You don't thank God for what the devil has done. You don't thank God that somebody died and went to hell. You don't thank God that somebody is sick and helpless or because somebody was killed or murdered. Don't blame God for what the devil does.
I know that the idea of a devil is far fetched for some intellectuals. However, whether you believe it or not, the devil still exists. The Word of God says it and I believe God's Word. Some of you are in denial and that is why the devil has been whipping your heads. He has tricked you into believing that he doesn't exist and you have been calling the things that the devil has been doing in your life, "the works of God."
Even as a society we have been blaming God for all manner of destruction. The insurance companies write into their insurance contracts, "Acts of God." There are certain things they won't insure because they say that the flood, hurricane, tornado and earthquakes are "Acts of God."
First John 3:8 says: "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."
If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, then the devil must have some works. Is this right? Jesus described the devil and his works in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
The devil has some works and when the devil does his works you are not to give God thanks for what the devil has done. You give thanks unto God for what He has done. Render unto God the things that are God's and render unto Satan the things that he has done. Stop blaming God for the things that the devil is doing!
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "Thank God For Everything?"
As a Christian, am I supposed to thank God for everything that comes my way? There is a lot of discussion about this verse in churches today. However, we need to be scripturally discriminating about this and analyze what we are giving thanks for.
Are you supposed to give God thanks for your little child getting hit by a car and dying? When your husband dies of cancer and leaves you with five children to raise. Do you thank God? There are many churches that preach that we are to give thanks in these and other evil situations. They say, "Well, the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord." No!
I can't thank God when someone dies and goes to hell. I can't thank God when someone is crippled with some paralysis and he can't even feed himself. Is this what the scripture is asking me to do? Am I to thank God for everything that happens - good or bad?
The Spirit of God gave me a revelation regarding this scripture which I want to share with you today. Look at the twentieth verse again, "giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Notice that the things we are to give thanks for are those that are "unto God."
In Matthew 22:16-21 we read, "And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? "Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." (NKJV)
We are supposed to give thanks to God always for the things that He has done, not for what the devil has done. Do you understand? We give God thanks, credit, praise and glory for what He has done! You don't thank God for what the devil has done. You don't thank God that somebody died and went to hell. You don't thank God that somebody is sick and helpless or because somebody was killed or murdered. Don't blame God for what the devil does.
I know that the idea of a devil is far fetched for some intellectuals. However, whether you believe it or not, the devil still exists. The Word of God says it and I believe God's Word. Some of you are in denial and that is why the devil has been whipping your heads. He has tricked you into believing that he doesn't exist and you have been calling the things that the devil has been doing in your life, "the works of God."
Even as a society we have been blaming God for all manner of destruction. The insurance companies write into their insurance contracts, "Acts of God." There are certain things they won't insure because they say that the flood, hurricane, tornado and earthquakes are "Acts of God."
First John 3:8 says: "He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."
If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, then the devil must have some works. Is this right? Jesus described the devil and his works in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
The devil has some works and when the devil does his works you are not to give God thanks for what the devil has done. You give thanks unto God for what He has done. Render unto God the things that are God's and render unto Satan the things that he has done. Stop blaming God for the things that the devil is doing!
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "Thank God For Everything?"
Friday, November 16, 2007
How Jesus Meets the Deepest Longings of Your Heart
More than likely, you've heard the story out of the New Testament of the chief tax collector, a man named Zacchaeus.
As I have read his story over and over, I have come to realize that Zacchaeus' story is everyone's story-including yours and mine.
As you read his story, you come to realize that Zacchaeus illustrates the four basic weaknesses and needs of every human heart: the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of loneliness, the weight of guilt, and the fear of death.
There really are some great life-lessons you and I can learn as we look at this man. Let's pick up his story in Luke 19:1-9:
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Zacchaeus was a wealthy man in his day, but he was empty inside. His story is a great reminder that it doesn't matter how well off you are financially or physically, there is a need deep within every human heart to be filled with something that will last...something that will fill that emptiness we feel in souls.
Friend, you and I were made to know God, to love God, to experience grace, and to know true, saving faith in Him.
It doesn't matter how much money you have...how much status you achieve...or how many things you have. You need God because you were made to know Him...just like Zacchaeus was.
But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was lonely. He was a Jew working for the Romans to collect taxes, one of the most hated professions of that day.
He was skimming off the top, swindling and scandalizing his friends. Zacchaeus was a man who seemingly had no conscience-and no friends. He was an outcast of society!
As a result, he was a very lonely man...just like so many people today. We were made to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so we naturally feel lonely without Him. And this is how Zacchaeus felt.
Along with that loneliness, Zacchaeus carried around a huge weight of guilt...a feeling everyone experiences.
Some people try to numb the pain of guilt with excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or unhealthy relationships.
But no matter how you try to hide it...no matter how far you may try to run, you will never be able to dissolve that sense of guilt apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, just like anyone who doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus was afraid to die. And while most people don't admit this fact, it's true.
Even though many considered Zacchaeus a waste case, Jesus knew that he was empty and lonely...Jesus knew that he felt guilty...and Jesus knew that he was afraid to die. And that's why Jesus stopped!
I don't know where you may be in life today, my friend. Maybe you can relate to one or more of Zacchaeus' weaknesses.
Whatever your station may be today...good, bad, rich or poor...I hope you have come to realize all that God is offering you through Jesus Christ...the Friend of the wounded heart.
Because through Jesus you can indeed know fullness for your emptiness, forgiveness for your guilt, and intimacy with God for your loneliness. And through Him you have the ultimate victory, the victory over death.
By Dr. Jack Graham's passion is to lead men and women from all walks of life into a more intimate and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
As I have read his story over and over, I have come to realize that Zacchaeus' story is everyone's story-including yours and mine.
As you read his story, you come to realize that Zacchaeus illustrates the four basic weaknesses and needs of every human heart: the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of loneliness, the weight of guilt, and the fear of death.
There really are some great life-lessons you and I can learn as we look at this man. Let's pick up his story in Luke 19:1-9:
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Zacchaeus was a wealthy man in his day, but he was empty inside. His story is a great reminder that it doesn't matter how well off you are financially or physically, there is a need deep within every human heart to be filled with something that will last...something that will fill that emptiness we feel in souls.
Friend, you and I were made to know God, to love God, to experience grace, and to know true, saving faith in Him.
It doesn't matter how much money you have...how much status you achieve...or how many things you have. You need God because you were made to know Him...just like Zacchaeus was.
But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was lonely. He was a Jew working for the Romans to collect taxes, one of the most hated professions of that day.
He was skimming off the top, swindling and scandalizing his friends. Zacchaeus was a man who seemingly had no conscience-and no friends. He was an outcast of society!
As a result, he was a very lonely man...just like so many people today. We were made to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so we naturally feel lonely without Him. And this is how Zacchaeus felt.
Along with that loneliness, Zacchaeus carried around a huge weight of guilt...a feeling everyone experiences.
Some people try to numb the pain of guilt with excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or unhealthy relationships.
But no matter how you try to hide it...no matter how far you may try to run, you will never be able to dissolve that sense of guilt apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Finally, just like anyone who doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus was afraid to die. And while most people don't admit this fact, it's true.
Even though many considered Zacchaeus a waste case, Jesus knew that he was empty and lonely...Jesus knew that he felt guilty...and Jesus knew that he was afraid to die. And that's why Jesus stopped!
I don't know where you may be in life today, my friend. Maybe you can relate to one or more of Zacchaeus' weaknesses.
Whatever your station may be today...good, bad, rich or poor...I hope you have come to realize all that God is offering you through Jesus Christ...the Friend of the wounded heart.
Because through Jesus you can indeed know fullness for your emptiness, forgiveness for your guilt, and intimacy with God for your loneliness. And through Him you have the ultimate victory, the victory over death.
By Dr. Jack Graham's passion is to lead men and women from all walks of life into a more intimate and life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Do Your Actions Reflect Transformation?
Consider for a moment, an earthly example of the tremendous transformation we undergo when we commit our lives to Christ. Imagine that before knowing Jesus you were a caterpillar and after inviting him into your life as your Lord and Savior you have become a butterfly. Now consider your life as a Christian. Do you always act as the new creature you've become? Or do you sometimes grovel as a caterpillar instead of soaring as a butterfly? Imagine seeing a beautiful, graceful butterfly groveling on the ground amidst the dirt and a leaf, feeding as a caterpillar does; devouring everything in its path, seeing as a caterpillar does; only what is in front of him, walking as a caterpillar does; unable to soar above his circumstances. That doesn't mean that accepting Christ exempts us from experiencing hardships and sorrows. Walking with Jesus won't transform our lives into carefree perfection. In fact, our butterfly wings may even become bruised or broken but as Christians we are forever transformed through His grace and mercy. It is our job to remember that we are new creatures and to act as new creatures do.
While our actions may not always reflect the transformation God has promise, He has given us a standard for our actions. The popular phrase WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) has become a trendy slogan that adorns bumper stickers and t-shirts, but it actually strikes at the heart of the matter. It asks of us the simple question: Are my actions Christ-like? Much more than what we say, our growth and strength in Christ is measured by what we do-What do your actions say about you? And more importantly, what does God expect of our actions? In His Holy Word, God provides us with a remarkable guide; He has given us an instruction manual for transforming our actions. In our Christian walk, God wants us to:
-Act with thanks. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
-Act with the knowledge that Jesus is with you. Matthews 28:20 says, "...lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world."
-Act with the knowledge that God will- "Strengthen and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will;" Hebrews 13:21AMP
-Act with the knowledge that both good and bad circumstances will work out on your behalf "..we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
-Act like over-comers. Romans 8:37 says, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
-Act like victorious Christians. I Corinthians 15:57 says, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
By continually seeking God, studying and applying His Holy word, we will experience a transformation in our Actions! And when our actions become more Christ-like, we grow stronger in our faith, become closer to God, and learn to soar above any and every circumstance that comes our way.
Source : Minister Mia Wright has learned to trust God for total forgiveness. Raised in a Christian home, she wandered from the church during her teenage years and found herself searching for fulfillment in relationships, achievement and material things. After reaching her lowest point, God saved her from a potentially dangerous lifestyle and revealed that He was always with her. It was then that God touched her life and created the desire for her to know and love Him. Today Minister Mia has a special call to minister to women on self-worth in Christ.
While our actions may not always reflect the transformation God has promise, He has given us a standard for our actions. The popular phrase WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) has become a trendy slogan that adorns bumper stickers and t-shirts, but it actually strikes at the heart of the matter. It asks of us the simple question: Are my actions Christ-like? Much more than what we say, our growth and strength in Christ is measured by what we do-What do your actions say about you? And more importantly, what does God expect of our actions? In His Holy Word, God provides us with a remarkable guide; He has given us an instruction manual for transforming our actions. In our Christian walk, God wants us to:
-Act with thanks. I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
-Act with the knowledge that Jesus is with you. Matthews 28:20 says, "...lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world."
-Act with the knowledge that God will- "Strengthen and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will;" Hebrews 13:21AMP
-Act with the knowledge that both good and bad circumstances will work out on your behalf "..we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
-Act like over-comers. Romans 8:37 says, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
-Act like victorious Christians. I Corinthians 15:57 says, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
By continually seeking God, studying and applying His Holy word, we will experience a transformation in our Actions! And when our actions become more Christ-like, we grow stronger in our faith, become closer to God, and learn to soar above any and every circumstance that comes our way.
Source : Minister Mia Wright has learned to trust God for total forgiveness. Raised in a Christian home, she wandered from the church during her teenage years and found herself searching for fulfillment in relationships, achievement and material things. After reaching her lowest point, God saved her from a potentially dangerous lifestyle and revealed that He was always with her. It was then that God touched her life and created the desire for her to know and love Him. Today Minister Mia has a special call to minister to women on self-worth in Christ.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Repeat Offenders: Breaking the Sin Cycle
While it is true that every human being is born into sin because of Adam's treason in the Garden of Eden, once a person becomes born again, sin doesn't have to rule his or her life. Christians have a choice to either obey the Word of God or yield to the temptations of the enemy. By accepting Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, we are translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into God's kingdom. To remain in bondage to sin would be like sitting in a jail cell with an opened door. When we realize that sin is a choice and use the Word as a weapon against the enemy, we can break the sin cycle forever.
There will be many temptations in life. You may feel vulnerable at times, but one of the greatest benefits of salvation is the fact that through Christ, you are saved from sin and its eternal effects. Sin is a curse, a hindrance to God's blessings and the very obstacle that adds to and often causes the difficulties of life. Rather than subscribing to the belief that you "just can't help it," accept that you can! Whether or not you sin is based on the daily, conscious decisions that you make to obey or disobey God and His Word.
While it is possible to live a virtually sin-free life by focusing on the Word and practicing the presence of God, there will be times when you miss the mark. The temptation to sin does not magically disappear when you accept Jesus. Believers of all spiritual levels still have to deal with the temptations and suggestions of the devil and make a choice. You have authority over Satan, and when you are born again, you have a responsibility to uphold the Word of God. In doing so, you prove the Word and the promises of God to be true and you can defeat the enemy when he comes to tempt you.
Strive at all times to live in a way that is pleasing to God. He holds you accountable for your actions. Jesus said, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin" (John 15:22, The Amplified Bible). Once you know the truth, sin becomes a matter of personal choice. You demonstrate your faith and respect for God by exercising your willingness to choose His way of doing things over your own.
God is a loving Father and He has made provision to forgive you of every sin or mistake. First John 1:9 says that if you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse you of all unrighteousness. If you are born again, you can be forgiven as often as you ask. Yes, at times you will make decisions that fall short of the standards God has set in His Word but don't beat yourself up about it. Instead, exercise your right to be free from sin through repentance and forgiveness, and immediately begin renewing your mind so that you can make the right choices. Remember, no one just "falls" into sin without first thinking about it.
Being honest and admitting your shortcomings are the first steps on the road to freedom from the sin that binds you. God can't do anything for you if you are in denial about behavior that opposes His Word. If you gossip, lie or are involved in other forms of sin, admit that you have a problem and ask God to help you. Get in the Word of God and renew your mind in the area in which you have challenges. Confess your sin and move on. "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Romans 10:10, The New International Version).
The Word is your divine resource to combat sin. It is the source of answers to all of life's problems; there is nothing that you face that the Word does not cover. Life is a test. The enemy will use sin to try and distract you from God's plan, but you can break the sin cycle today. When you know who you are in Christ Jesus, and use the Word as your weapon against him, you will be spiritually prepared for any attack.
Source : Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide.
There will be many temptations in life. You may feel vulnerable at times, but one of the greatest benefits of salvation is the fact that through Christ, you are saved from sin and its eternal effects. Sin is a curse, a hindrance to God's blessings and the very obstacle that adds to and often causes the difficulties of life. Rather than subscribing to the belief that you "just can't help it," accept that you can! Whether or not you sin is based on the daily, conscious decisions that you make to obey or disobey God and His Word.
While it is possible to live a virtually sin-free life by focusing on the Word and practicing the presence of God, there will be times when you miss the mark. The temptation to sin does not magically disappear when you accept Jesus. Believers of all spiritual levels still have to deal with the temptations and suggestions of the devil and make a choice. You have authority over Satan, and when you are born again, you have a responsibility to uphold the Word of God. In doing so, you prove the Word and the promises of God to be true and you can defeat the enemy when he comes to tempt you.
Strive at all times to live in a way that is pleasing to God. He holds you accountable for your actions. Jesus said, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin [would be blameless]; but now they have no excuse for their sin" (John 15:22, The Amplified Bible). Once you know the truth, sin becomes a matter of personal choice. You demonstrate your faith and respect for God by exercising your willingness to choose His way of doing things over your own.
God is a loving Father and He has made provision to forgive you of every sin or mistake. First John 1:9 says that if you confess your sin, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse you of all unrighteousness. If you are born again, you can be forgiven as often as you ask. Yes, at times you will make decisions that fall short of the standards God has set in His Word but don't beat yourself up about it. Instead, exercise your right to be free from sin through repentance and forgiveness, and immediately begin renewing your mind so that you can make the right choices. Remember, no one just "falls" into sin without first thinking about it.
Being honest and admitting your shortcomings are the first steps on the road to freedom from the sin that binds you. God can't do anything for you if you are in denial about behavior that opposes His Word. If you gossip, lie or are involved in other forms of sin, admit that you have a problem and ask God to help you. Get in the Word of God and renew your mind in the area in which you have challenges. Confess your sin and move on. "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Romans 10:10, The New International Version).
The Word is your divine resource to combat sin. It is the source of answers to all of life's problems; there is nothing that you face that the Word does not cover. Life is a test. The enemy will use sin to try and distract you from God's plan, but you can break the sin cycle today. When you know who you are in Christ Jesus, and use the Word as your weapon against him, you will be spiritually prepared for any attack.
Source : Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Practising the Presence of GOD
Hi Brothers & Sisters,
This is an interesting book revealing you on how to practice the presence of GOD
Click on the link below:
http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/index.html
Enjoy GOD's presence...
This is an interesting book revealing you on how to practice the presence of GOD
Click on the link below:
http://www.practicegodspresence.com/brotherlawrence/index.html
Enjoy GOD's presence...
Look Out for One Another
An unusual event occurred at the Special Olympics in Seattle. Nine mentally and physically handicapped runners took their places at the starting line of the 400-meter race. The race began and they ran as hard and fast as they could. About half way through the race one boy fell. He got up and started to run again. Then he fell again.
This time he lay there and started to cry. The other runners heard him and one by one they stopped running and went back to help him. They picked him up and all of them had to give him a reassuring hug. Then they joined hands and finished the race together.
The crowd and the judges were puzzled. Who won the race? After deliberation, the judges decided to award all nine runners the gold medal.
The world's system says, "Look out for number one." Christ says, "Look out for each other."
Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2).
As you go throughout your activities of the day, be on the lookout for someone to pick up who has fallen down in the race of life.
Source: Dr. David C. Cooper serves as Senior Pastor of Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, GA.
This time he lay there and started to cry. The other runners heard him and one by one they stopped running and went back to help him. They picked him up and all of them had to give him a reassuring hug. Then they joined hands and finished the race together.
The crowd and the judges were puzzled. Who won the race? After deliberation, the judges decided to award all nine runners the gold medal.
The world's system says, "Look out for number one." Christ says, "Look out for each other."
Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal 6:2).
As you go throughout your activities of the day, be on the lookout for someone to pick up who has fallen down in the race of life.
Source: Dr. David C. Cooper serves as Senior Pastor of Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, GA.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Namaan Story - The Healing Power of GOD
Hi Brothers & Sisters,
Find below a teaching done by Rev Carol M. Simpson, Associate Pastor ( The Healing Power of GOD )
TEXTS: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Mark 1:40-45
Our two scripture lessons for today both deal with the healing of lepers. They both demonstrate in dramatic fashion the awesome healing power of God! Leprosy was, and in some parts of the world still is, a disfiguring disease which made one a social outcast. It usually robbed people not only of physical health and mobility, but also of dignity. Those who were afflicted were frequently sent to live by themselves in fellowship only with other lepers.
But wait, you might say, in our Old Testament story, Naaman is a commander of the king's army, and so he is. The form of leprosy from which he suffers is evidently one of the more minor skin diseases of his day, one which does not cause fear of contagion, so he was not ostracized and was able to hold a responsible position in the king's army. Nevertheless, this story holds much information for us about the way God works in human lives.
One of the most significant bits of information comes early in the story when we learn that Namaan has recently brought victory to the King of Aram. This was not just some local skirmish, but a major victory resulting in the taking of land and prisoners. We learn that the maid, or servant girl, in this story was taken captive from the land of Israel. Think for a moment about the implications of that fact. This is a story about God healing a man who was directly responsible for the defeat of the Israelites! Here is proof that God cares about all people, evidence that God reaches out to all who suffer.
Namaan evidently suffered from a fairly mild form of leprosy, but he also suffered from a highly inflated ego. He was delighted when this Israelite servant girl suggested to him that healing of his affliction might be possible if he would but travel to see a prophet of whom she spoke. That didn't seem too difficult, so he requested permission from the king to take a leave of absence and travel to Samaria. The king, thrilled that his highly esteemed commander could perhaps be healed, agreed to send him to Samaria and even wrote glowing letters of introduction beseeching the king of Israel to heal his servant, Namaan.
The king of Israel, who had recently suffered defeat at the hands of the king of Aram, defeat brought about by the successful leadership of Namaan himself..., the poor king of Israel is beside himself. He fears that this is some kind of trap, that the king of Aram is seeking to provoke yet another battle and gain yet another victory at his expense. He knows that he himself is not even remotely capable of curing a man of leprosy, and he is very distraught when he reads the letter asking that he heal Namaan. But lucky for him, the prophet Elisha hears of his predicament and suggests that Naaman be sent to him. Elisha, was in fact, the prophet of whom the Israelite servant girl had spoken in the first place.
Namaan, with his horses and chariots loaded down with expensive gifts, goes to Elisha's house, fully expecting this miracle worker to come out, greet him, perhaps acknowledge his military prowess, and then with some magic power cure him of his leprosy. But it doesn't work that way. Elisha merely sends a messenger who instructs Namaan to go and wash in the Jordan river seven times in order to be healed.
This is where Namaan's ego gets in the way. He is incensed that Elisha doesn't come personally to see to his healing. He is, after all, a renowned military leader, and due some respect. On top of that, he is unwilling to believe that these foreign waters of the Jordan could have any kind of cleansing power that the waters of his own country couldn't have. He is furious and remarks to his servants, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy." Did you hear that? "I thought that for me, he would surely come out..." Naaman wants nothing to do with a healer who shows him no respect, and he figures that if washing in the Jordan seven times can cure him, he might as well go home and wash seven times in his own rivers. Phooey on these Israelites and their magic powers!
But a wise servant interrupts Naaman's ranting and raving, and says to him: "If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it?" He recognizes that Naaman's ego would prompt him to attempt any difficult task in order to demonstrate his prowess. Then the servant goes on to suggest that if Naaman is prepared to do something difficult, he is being downright foolish not to do something as simple as washing in the river if it holds the promise of healing.
So Naaman reluctantly goes to the Jordan and does as Elisha instructed, and after washing seven times, his skin is indeed restored and becomes like the smooth clean skin of a young boy. The victory here clearly belongs to God and to his prophet, Elisha. Naaman did nothing which he can claim contributed to the healing. It was only in his ultimate humble obedience and submission that healing occurred.
Contrast this story about Naaman with the story which we read from the gospel of Mark. The main character is once again a leper, but this time the leper is not a famous commander, not someone with an enormous ego. This leper comes alone to Jesus, not accompanied by a retinue of servants, not bearing expensive gifts. He comes, and kneeling before Jesus, he simply and sincerely says: "If you choose, you can make me clean." That is faith in its simplest and purest form. The leper kneels before Jesus in a act of respect and submission. He does not come demanding to be made clean, but instead humbly and sincerely asks Jesus to have the will to heal him. He already knows, he believes, that Jesus has the power to heal, so he asks Jesus to make a conscious decision to use His healing powers on his behalf, not because he is anyone special, not because he comes with letters of recommendation from government officials, just because he is afflicted and desires to be made whole. And Jesus, with the compassion which is so characteristic of Him, is moved to pity, and He stretches out His hand and says to the leper: "I do choose. Be made clean!" We are told that immediately the man was healed of his leprosy. Jesus then asks him to tell no one and to simply go and show himself to the priest as testimony. But the healed leper, after fulfilling his religious duty, could not contain his joy, and he told everyone he encountered about the miraculous healing power of Jesus. Just imagine his delight at being able to go where he had not previously been allowed to go, to talk to those who would have shunned him only hours earlier. Not only was his health restored, his life in community was restored as well.
These two stories share a common theme, but the plots are very different. The lessons to be learned are timeless and eternal. First and foremost, God is good. God desires to heal those who suffer from both minor and major ailments. It is not God's will for us to endure pain, although often God uses our pain to teach us, to toughen us, and to strengthen us.
Secondly, God cares about both body and soul. God healed more than just Namaan's skin. He deflated Namaan's ego and taught him a lesson about faith at the same time. If we continue reading in 2 Kings, we discover that after bathing in the Jordan and finding his flesh restored, Namaan returned to Elisha, a greatly humbled man, desiring to make offerings, and promising to henceforth worship only the God of Israel.
Surely the story in Mark's gospel is also one about holistic medicine. Jesus understands that the leper suffers from much more than just a skin disease. He is an outcast, unable to find respect or even fellowship except among other lepers. Jesus desires to restore this man not just to health, but to wholeness.
The healing power of God is what we call upon when we pray to God on behalf of a friend or loved one who is ill. The healing power of God is the power which slowly binds our broken hearts when a loved one dies. The healing power of God is visible as world leaders come to the table together to negotiate peace. The healing power of God is everywhere if we but stop to look for it!
Even more awesome than the presence of that healing power is the challenge presented to us to claim that healing power for ourselves and to use it for good. It is not to be claimed as part of an ego trip ("See, look what I can do!") but is instead to be claimed so that we can become servants and ministers to those in need. Jesus sent out His twelve disciples telling them to "Proclaim the good news. To cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons." Later, He sent out the seventy with much the same mandate, directing them also to "cure the sick."
Now none of us would be so bold as to attempt to wave our hand over someone's afflicted body and pronounce them whole and expect healing to occur instantaneously. But each of us is capable of calling God's healing power into any given situation through faith and prayer. In fact, I would be so bold as to suggest that we have a responsibility to do so. We know that God can heal. We know that God hears prayer. We know that there is a growing body of scientific evidence which suggests that prayer makes a real difference in the healing and recovery of those who are ill. If we know of this power and we believe in God's ability to heal, then we have a Christian obligation to pray for those in need. Did Jesus not say "In as much as you did it not to the least of these, you did it not to me?"
I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. Countless times I have seen and felt that power at work. We have good friends with a daughter who was critically injured in an automobile accident back in October of 1996. Many of her vertebrae were crushed and surgery later fused most of them. Lorraine was classified as a quadriplegic incomplete, meaning that she had some paralysis in all four limbs. Yet today she is walking, and aside from some weakness in her arms and shoulders, she functions quite normally. She returned to Syracuse University the following Fall and graduated with her class. Today she is enrolled in graduate studies in rehabilitation therapy. I believe, her family believes, and she believes that prayer and the healing power of God played a major role in her recovery. It is not ours to understand God's healing power or to guess why some are completely healed and others are not. It is not for us to know God's ways, but it is for us to believe in God's healing power and to use prayer to invoke that power whenever we see someone in need of God's healing touch. We ought not limit the scope of God's healing to physical problems either. God can also heal the hurt of broken relationships. God can heal the hurt of broken dreams. God can heal the deep wounds which we inflict upon one another with hurtful words or deeds.
Through the gift of His Son, God sought to heal not only individuals, but the whole world. God sent Jesus to proclaim liberty to the oppressed and release to the captives, to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted. God sent Jesus to teach the world to love, to heal the wounds caused by oppressive social systems. Christianity has the power to change the world because it can call upon, and bring into practice, the healing power of God. We, as Christians, can be part of that healing process by allowing God to work through us, by becoming channels of God's love, by becoming God's agents of change and of healing in a hurting world.
The healing power of God is ever-present. It exists all around us and seeks conduits through which it can touch and heal. We can guide, direct and channel that healing power through prayer, by inviting God into the everyday circumstances of our lives, and into the lives of our family and friends.
The healing power of God is for you and for me. It is ours individually and collectively. It is ours to claim and to share. Let us give thanks and praise to the Lord our God whose healing touch can make us whole. Amen.
Find below a teaching done by Rev Carol M. Simpson, Associate Pastor ( The Healing Power of GOD )
TEXTS: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Mark 1:40-45
Our two scripture lessons for today both deal with the healing of lepers. They both demonstrate in dramatic fashion the awesome healing power of God! Leprosy was, and in some parts of the world still is, a disfiguring disease which made one a social outcast. It usually robbed people not only of physical health and mobility, but also of dignity. Those who were afflicted were frequently sent to live by themselves in fellowship only with other lepers.
But wait, you might say, in our Old Testament story, Naaman is a commander of the king's army, and so he is. The form of leprosy from which he suffers is evidently one of the more minor skin diseases of his day, one which does not cause fear of contagion, so he was not ostracized and was able to hold a responsible position in the king's army. Nevertheless, this story holds much information for us about the way God works in human lives.
One of the most significant bits of information comes early in the story when we learn that Namaan has recently brought victory to the King of Aram. This was not just some local skirmish, but a major victory resulting in the taking of land and prisoners. We learn that the maid, or servant girl, in this story was taken captive from the land of Israel. Think for a moment about the implications of that fact. This is a story about God healing a man who was directly responsible for the defeat of the Israelites! Here is proof that God cares about all people, evidence that God reaches out to all who suffer.
Namaan evidently suffered from a fairly mild form of leprosy, but he also suffered from a highly inflated ego. He was delighted when this Israelite servant girl suggested to him that healing of his affliction might be possible if he would but travel to see a prophet of whom she spoke. That didn't seem too difficult, so he requested permission from the king to take a leave of absence and travel to Samaria. The king, thrilled that his highly esteemed commander could perhaps be healed, agreed to send him to Samaria and even wrote glowing letters of introduction beseeching the king of Israel to heal his servant, Namaan.
The king of Israel, who had recently suffered defeat at the hands of the king of Aram, defeat brought about by the successful leadership of Namaan himself..., the poor king of Israel is beside himself. He fears that this is some kind of trap, that the king of Aram is seeking to provoke yet another battle and gain yet another victory at his expense. He knows that he himself is not even remotely capable of curing a man of leprosy, and he is very distraught when he reads the letter asking that he heal Namaan. But lucky for him, the prophet Elisha hears of his predicament and suggests that Naaman be sent to him. Elisha, was in fact, the prophet of whom the Israelite servant girl had spoken in the first place.
Namaan, with his horses and chariots loaded down with expensive gifts, goes to Elisha's house, fully expecting this miracle worker to come out, greet him, perhaps acknowledge his military prowess, and then with some magic power cure him of his leprosy. But it doesn't work that way. Elisha merely sends a messenger who instructs Namaan to go and wash in the Jordan river seven times in order to be healed.
This is where Namaan's ego gets in the way. He is incensed that Elisha doesn't come personally to see to his healing. He is, after all, a renowned military leader, and due some respect. On top of that, he is unwilling to believe that these foreign waters of the Jordan could have any kind of cleansing power that the waters of his own country couldn't have. He is furious and remarks to his servants, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy." Did you hear that? "I thought that for me, he would surely come out..." Naaman wants nothing to do with a healer who shows him no respect, and he figures that if washing in the Jordan seven times can cure him, he might as well go home and wash seven times in his own rivers. Phooey on these Israelites and their magic powers!
But a wise servant interrupts Naaman's ranting and raving, and says to him: "If the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it?" He recognizes that Naaman's ego would prompt him to attempt any difficult task in order to demonstrate his prowess. Then the servant goes on to suggest that if Naaman is prepared to do something difficult, he is being downright foolish not to do something as simple as washing in the river if it holds the promise of healing.
So Naaman reluctantly goes to the Jordan and does as Elisha instructed, and after washing seven times, his skin is indeed restored and becomes like the smooth clean skin of a young boy. The victory here clearly belongs to God and to his prophet, Elisha. Naaman did nothing which he can claim contributed to the healing. It was only in his ultimate humble obedience and submission that healing occurred.
Contrast this story about Naaman with the story which we read from the gospel of Mark. The main character is once again a leper, but this time the leper is not a famous commander, not someone with an enormous ego. This leper comes alone to Jesus, not accompanied by a retinue of servants, not bearing expensive gifts. He comes, and kneeling before Jesus, he simply and sincerely says: "If you choose, you can make me clean." That is faith in its simplest and purest form. The leper kneels before Jesus in a act of respect and submission. He does not come demanding to be made clean, but instead humbly and sincerely asks Jesus to have the will to heal him. He already knows, he believes, that Jesus has the power to heal, so he asks Jesus to make a conscious decision to use His healing powers on his behalf, not because he is anyone special, not because he comes with letters of recommendation from government officials, just because he is afflicted and desires to be made whole. And Jesus, with the compassion which is so characteristic of Him, is moved to pity, and He stretches out His hand and says to the leper: "I do choose. Be made clean!" We are told that immediately the man was healed of his leprosy. Jesus then asks him to tell no one and to simply go and show himself to the priest as testimony. But the healed leper, after fulfilling his religious duty, could not contain his joy, and he told everyone he encountered about the miraculous healing power of Jesus. Just imagine his delight at being able to go where he had not previously been allowed to go, to talk to those who would have shunned him only hours earlier. Not only was his health restored, his life in community was restored as well.
These two stories share a common theme, but the plots are very different. The lessons to be learned are timeless and eternal. First and foremost, God is good. God desires to heal those who suffer from both minor and major ailments. It is not God's will for us to endure pain, although often God uses our pain to teach us, to toughen us, and to strengthen us.
Secondly, God cares about both body and soul. God healed more than just Namaan's skin. He deflated Namaan's ego and taught him a lesson about faith at the same time. If we continue reading in 2 Kings, we discover that after bathing in the Jordan and finding his flesh restored, Namaan returned to Elisha, a greatly humbled man, desiring to make offerings, and promising to henceforth worship only the God of Israel.
Surely the story in Mark's gospel is also one about holistic medicine. Jesus understands that the leper suffers from much more than just a skin disease. He is an outcast, unable to find respect or even fellowship except among other lepers. Jesus desires to restore this man not just to health, but to wholeness.
The healing power of God is what we call upon when we pray to God on behalf of a friend or loved one who is ill. The healing power of God is the power which slowly binds our broken hearts when a loved one dies. The healing power of God is visible as world leaders come to the table together to negotiate peace. The healing power of God is everywhere if we but stop to look for it!
Even more awesome than the presence of that healing power is the challenge presented to us to claim that healing power for ourselves and to use it for good. It is not to be claimed as part of an ego trip ("See, look what I can do!") but is instead to be claimed so that we can become servants and ministers to those in need. Jesus sent out His twelve disciples telling them to "Proclaim the good news. To cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons." Later, He sent out the seventy with much the same mandate, directing them also to "cure the sick."
Now none of us would be so bold as to attempt to wave our hand over someone's afflicted body and pronounce them whole and expect healing to occur instantaneously. But each of us is capable of calling God's healing power into any given situation through faith and prayer. In fact, I would be so bold as to suggest that we have a responsibility to do so. We know that God can heal. We know that God hears prayer. We know that there is a growing body of scientific evidence which suggests that prayer makes a real difference in the healing and recovery of those who are ill. If we know of this power and we believe in God's ability to heal, then we have a Christian obligation to pray for those in need. Did Jesus not say "In as much as you did it not to the least of these, you did it not to me?"
I believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer. Countless times I have seen and felt that power at work. We have good friends with a daughter who was critically injured in an automobile accident back in October of 1996. Many of her vertebrae were crushed and surgery later fused most of them. Lorraine was classified as a quadriplegic incomplete, meaning that she had some paralysis in all four limbs. Yet today she is walking, and aside from some weakness in her arms and shoulders, she functions quite normally. She returned to Syracuse University the following Fall and graduated with her class. Today she is enrolled in graduate studies in rehabilitation therapy. I believe, her family believes, and she believes that prayer and the healing power of God played a major role in her recovery. It is not ours to understand God's healing power or to guess why some are completely healed and others are not. It is not for us to know God's ways, but it is for us to believe in God's healing power and to use prayer to invoke that power whenever we see someone in need of God's healing touch. We ought not limit the scope of God's healing to physical problems either. God can also heal the hurt of broken relationships. God can heal the hurt of broken dreams. God can heal the deep wounds which we inflict upon one another with hurtful words or deeds.
Through the gift of His Son, God sought to heal not only individuals, but the whole world. God sent Jesus to proclaim liberty to the oppressed and release to the captives, to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted. God sent Jesus to teach the world to love, to heal the wounds caused by oppressive social systems. Christianity has the power to change the world because it can call upon, and bring into practice, the healing power of God. We, as Christians, can be part of that healing process by allowing God to work through us, by becoming channels of God's love, by becoming God's agents of change and of healing in a hurting world.
The healing power of God is ever-present. It exists all around us and seeks conduits through which it can touch and heal. We can guide, direct and channel that healing power through prayer, by inviting God into the everyday circumstances of our lives, and into the lives of our family and friends.
The healing power of God is for you and for me. It is ours individually and collectively. It is ours to claim and to share. Let us give thanks and praise to the Lord our God whose healing touch can make us whole. Amen.
Overcoming Pride
Namaan Story
2nd Kings 5:1-5, 9-15a (5:1-27)
VI Namaan is a common name in Syria and means gracious. And Namaan is an
example of God's Grace even to unbelievers, Matt.5:44-45. For Christ is the
Savoir of all men-especially to those that believe. Namaan was a great man,
for he was the supreme commander of the Syrian army, he was a man of high
social standing and prominence, he was honorable in the eyes of his master,
because of the military victories that he won, which the Lord gave him, and
he was a man of valor and that is one of great wealth and a courageous
warrior. But in the midst of all his honors, Namaan was under great
affliction, for he was a leper and this loath some disease made him a burden
to himself. Note: No man's greatness can set him out of the reach of the
greatest calamities of human life, 1st Peter 1:24-25. Note: All human kind
have some blemish that diminishes him, dampens his joy, that they are not as
happy as they would or could be. As great as Namaan was the lowest slave in
Syria would not change skins w/him.
V2-3 Naman led the Syrian army across Israel's borders, and on one of his
raids, he captured a young Israelite girl, used as his servant to his wife,
this young girl ultimately told him about Elisha a prophet in Samaria. By
God's providence and divine intervention into Namaan's life, this young girl
was placed in Syria by God for a special purpose, and she was faithful. And
although she was a servant she was concerned about the good of her master.
V4, It is possible Namaan may have thought, to be healed of leprosy was not
possible, for there was no cure. Nevertheless he told the King of Syria what
the Israelite girl said to him. And v5 Namaan makes preparation to go to the
King of Israel, w/the help of a letter and financial support from the King
of Syria. Note:, those who have wealth and want health show which is the
most valuable blessing, and what they will give for ease and strength and
soundness of body. Consider Matt. 16:25-26. Read v6-8 and notice Namaan an
unbeliever was seeking the God of Israel, which the king of Israel would not
even do himself. V7 King Jehoram of Israel thought that w/ King Ben-Hadad
expected him to cure Namaan's leprosy which he knew was impossible, and this
grieved him because he thought he was doomed to have a major battle w/King
Beb-Hadad of Syria, however v8.
V9-10, Namaan a great hero was use to getting respect and was outraged v11,
when Elisha treated him like an ordinary person. In God's wisdom, God would
have Elisha to send a messenger, because Namaan who was a proud man needed
to learn and understand that all men stand at the same level before The
Great God of this universe. Consider James 4:6 - 1st Peter 5:6 - Proverb
16:18-19. To wash in the river was one thing, but the Jordan river was dirty
and cold, which Namaan thought was beneath a man of his position, and the
cold water would have been hurtful for someone w/leprosy. But the Jordan
River was a sign of the cure, and a trial of his obedience, which is
absolutely necessary for those who will be helped by God. Note: Obedience
unto God is an expression of one's humility, which is absolutely necessary
in receiving God's Grace. V11-12 Because of his personal greatness Namaan
expected personal attention for his needs, and a cleansing ceremony from the
prophet himself. Namaan became very angry because he didn't receive the
attention he thought he deserved. He was filled w/pride thinking he was more
than what he was. He did not recognize that all he has and all he is, is
because of God's Grace in his life, James 1:17. Namaan also became angry
when he was told to wash in the Jordan River, Namaan thought the rivers in
his own country v12, were much better than all the waters of Israel, but God
called the land of Israel, the glory of all lands and particularly for its
brooks of water, Deu.8:7. He could wash in the waters of his country and be
cleaned from dirt, but not from leprosy. He did not consider that the Jordan
River belonged to Israel's God, from whom Namaan was to expect the cure, and
not from the gods of Damascus. The Jordan River, as dirty as it was, watered
the Lord's land, His Holy Land. Jordan was the river appointed for Namaan's
healing and if Namaan would be cured by the Divine Power of God he would
have to submit to the Divine will of God, w/o asking any questions. Like it
is for us today as simple as it is, we must by faith accept God's plan of
Salvation by believing in the Blood-Death-Burial-Resurrection of Christ to
be saved, and rather than look for other ways to be saved, we should thank
God that He provided at least one way John 14:6, because He didn't have to
do that. Like for many people today God's method of curing Namaan from this
fatal disease was to simple. Namaan in his own wisdom like many today look
down on the wisdom of God, they don't understand that God's ways are not our
ways and are much better than ours. Consider Isa.55:8-9 - 1st Cor.1:18-25.
V13-14 T hey call him father, something not commonly used by servants to
refer to their masters. But father is used here to express the warmness the
servants felt toward their master Namaan. Namaan was like many people today
who are willing to do anything no matter how hard, to attain the goals they
desire, but when it came to a simple act of obedience to be cured, Namaan
like many today was unwilling. However his servants were able to convince
him to give it a try, and Namaan was healed. Note: When diseased sinners
come to that point that they are willing to take Christ on His own terms,
and have Christ on any terms then and only then will there be hope of
healing. Namaan was blessed that God surrounded him w/those who would be
honest w/him and tell him of his faults. It was also God's Grace and Mercy
upon Namaan, that Namaan was willing to listen and especially to those who
were inferior to him. V15 After being healed Namaan returns to Elisha's
house in Samaria, convinced and confessing the power of the God of Israel.
And not only that He is God, but He is The One and Only True God of all the
earth and all the universe.
In Jesus Name Amen
2nd Kings 5:1-5, 9-15a (5:1-27)
VI Namaan is a common name in Syria and means gracious. And Namaan is an
example of God's Grace even to unbelievers, Matt.5:44-45. For Christ is the
Savoir of all men-especially to those that believe. Namaan was a great man,
for he was the supreme commander of the Syrian army, he was a man of high
social standing and prominence, he was honorable in the eyes of his master,
because of the military victories that he won, which the Lord gave him, and
he was a man of valor and that is one of great wealth and a courageous
warrior. But in the midst of all his honors, Namaan was under great
affliction, for he was a leper and this loath some disease made him a burden
to himself. Note: No man's greatness can set him out of the reach of the
greatest calamities of human life, 1st Peter 1:24-25. Note: All human kind
have some blemish that diminishes him, dampens his joy, that they are not as
happy as they would or could be. As great as Namaan was the lowest slave in
Syria would not change skins w/him.
V2-3 Naman led the Syrian army across Israel's borders, and on one of his
raids, he captured a young Israelite girl, used as his servant to his wife,
this young girl ultimately told him about Elisha a prophet in Samaria. By
God's providence and divine intervention into Namaan's life, this young girl
was placed in Syria by God for a special purpose, and she was faithful. And
although she was a servant she was concerned about the good of her master.
V4, It is possible Namaan may have thought, to be healed of leprosy was not
possible, for there was no cure. Nevertheless he told the King of Syria what
the Israelite girl said to him. And v5 Namaan makes preparation to go to the
King of Israel, w/the help of a letter and financial support from the King
of Syria. Note:, those who have wealth and want health show which is the
most valuable blessing, and what they will give for ease and strength and
soundness of body. Consider Matt. 16:25-26. Read v6-8 and notice Namaan an
unbeliever was seeking the God of Israel, which the king of Israel would not
even do himself. V7 King Jehoram of Israel thought that w/ King Ben-Hadad
expected him to cure Namaan's leprosy which he knew was impossible, and this
grieved him because he thought he was doomed to have a major battle w/King
Beb-Hadad of Syria, however v8.
V9-10, Namaan a great hero was use to getting respect and was outraged v11,
when Elisha treated him like an ordinary person. In God's wisdom, God would
have Elisha to send a messenger, because Namaan who was a proud man needed
to learn and understand that all men stand at the same level before The
Great God of this universe. Consider James 4:6 - 1st Peter 5:6 - Proverb
16:18-19. To wash in the river was one thing, but the Jordan river was dirty
and cold, which Namaan thought was beneath a man of his position, and the
cold water would have been hurtful for someone w/leprosy. But the Jordan
River was a sign of the cure, and a trial of his obedience, which is
absolutely necessary for those who will be helped by God. Note: Obedience
unto God is an expression of one's humility, which is absolutely necessary
in receiving God's Grace. V11-12 Because of his personal greatness Namaan
expected personal attention for his needs, and a cleansing ceremony from the
prophet himself. Namaan became very angry because he didn't receive the
attention he thought he deserved. He was filled w/pride thinking he was more
than what he was. He did not recognize that all he has and all he is, is
because of God's Grace in his life, James 1:17. Namaan also became angry
when he was told to wash in the Jordan River, Namaan thought the rivers in
his own country v12, were much better than all the waters of Israel, but God
called the land of Israel, the glory of all lands and particularly for its
brooks of water, Deu.8:7. He could wash in the waters of his country and be
cleaned from dirt, but not from leprosy. He did not consider that the Jordan
River belonged to Israel's God, from whom Namaan was to expect the cure, and
not from the gods of Damascus. The Jordan River, as dirty as it was, watered
the Lord's land, His Holy Land. Jordan was the river appointed for Namaan's
healing and if Namaan would be cured by the Divine Power of God he would
have to submit to the Divine will of God, w/o asking any questions. Like it
is for us today as simple as it is, we must by faith accept God's plan of
Salvation by believing in the Blood-Death-Burial-Resurrection of Christ to
be saved, and rather than look for other ways to be saved, we should thank
God that He provided at least one way John 14:6, because He didn't have to
do that. Like for many people today God's method of curing Namaan from this
fatal disease was to simple. Namaan in his own wisdom like many today look
down on the wisdom of God, they don't understand that God's ways are not our
ways and are much better than ours. Consider Isa.55:8-9 - 1st Cor.1:18-25.
V13-14 T hey call him father, something not commonly used by servants to
refer to their masters. But father is used here to express the warmness the
servants felt toward their master Namaan. Namaan was like many people today
who are willing to do anything no matter how hard, to attain the goals they
desire, but when it came to a simple act of obedience to be cured, Namaan
like many today was unwilling. However his servants were able to convince
him to give it a try, and Namaan was healed. Note: When diseased sinners
come to that point that they are willing to take Christ on His own terms,
and have Christ on any terms then and only then will there be hope of
healing. Namaan was blessed that God surrounded him w/those who would be
honest w/him and tell him of his faults. It was also God's Grace and Mercy
upon Namaan, that Namaan was willing to listen and especially to those who
were inferior to him. V15 After being healed Namaan returns to Elisha's
house in Samaria, convinced and confessing the power of the God of Israel.
And not only that He is God, but He is The One and Only True God of all the
earth and all the universe.
In Jesus Name Amen
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Communicating Your Faith
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15, 16
This passage of scripture is commonly known as "The Great Commission." Within this passage we see Jesus instructing His disciples to take the gospel message to the world. In doing so they were communicating their faith (what they believed) to unbelievers in an attempt to persuade lost men to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This charge wasn't for the disciples only, but for every born again believer in Christ.
The scriptures often speak to us concerning soul winning. I'm going to share two of those passages with you. The first is Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." The second, James 5:20 "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his ways shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." Jesus while on earth was the master soul winner, consequently, being His disciples we should be soul winners too. We should be willing to convey our faith to others. To become a soul winner I feel there are three essential character traits which must be evident in the life of the believer to effectively communicate his or her faith. Let's examine these three attributes.
1) You must have had a true born again experience:
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received." 1 Corinthians 15:3
Paul a true champion of the faith said, I first had to experience salvation to successfully communicate the salvation message to others. While journeying to Damascus Paul had a spiritual encounter with God which changed his life forever. Having been quicken by the Holy Spirit, Paul went from persecuting the church to winning many souls to Christ. Often when sharing his faith he began with his conversion experience (testimony). (See Acts 26:13-19) This type of conviction does not come about by joining a church or being a church member. However, a person who has truly been born again will be eager to share his or her experience with someone else. Your testimony (how you came to know Jesus) has power. King Agrippa was almost converted to Christ after listening to Paul testify about how he met Jesus on a road to Damascus. Your conversion experience is an excellent way to share your faith.
2) You must be carful of the image you portray:
"Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God;" 2 Corinthians 3:2, 3
As the old cliché goes, it's not always what you say, but it's what you do. The life you live before people can cause your witness to be ineffective. The Bible consists of sixty six books. The believer in Christ is the sixty seventh book. Paul said we are a living epistle read by all men.
As people read your life story (the way you live daily before them) you are communicating your faith. As believers we are to be Christ-like. Simply, as we submit to the Holy Spirit who is now the motivating influence of our life, we begin to develop a Christ-likeness. Christians should not conduct themselves in a worldly (carnal) manner. We can't use profanity, smoke, and drink, hit all the hot clubs, and live ungodly before people, and the next day invite them to church. It just doesn't work. When your life story is being read what do people see?
3) You must have a knowledge of the scriptures:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God." 2 Timothy 2:15
For one to effectively communicate his or her faith they must have knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Personally, I feel lack of knowledge is an area of concern within the body of Christ. We can't communicate our faith if we don't know or understand what we believe. People in other religions despite their doctrine being false are well grounded in what they believe. They will stand firmly and defend their faith. They are effective because they know what they believe in. The Christian faith has a risen, living Savior name Jesus, and He is true and most believers have difficulty communicating the faith. Some can't even tell you how and when they were saved. Paul encouraged Timothy to study the scriptures. As Timothy grew in knowledge, he became a strong witness of Christ as he communicated his faith to others. However, the average believer doesn't study, so consequently, they are not an effective communicator of the faith. Remember knowledge is power. Knowledge of the scriptures will only enhance your spiritual experience in Christ.
As you go through the week take a self examination and see how you fit within these three character traits. Allow the Holy Spirit to mold your spiritual life into what it should be. We communicate our faith not only by what we say, but also by what we do. Are you a good testimony of Christ?
By Pastor Kenneth Polk is the Pastor of Followers of Christ Christian Center and author of the book, Living The Spirit Empowered Life.
This passage of scripture is commonly known as "The Great Commission." Within this passage we see Jesus instructing His disciples to take the gospel message to the world. In doing so they were communicating their faith (what they believed) to unbelievers in an attempt to persuade lost men to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This charge wasn't for the disciples only, but for every born again believer in Christ.
The scriptures often speak to us concerning soul winning. I'm going to share two of those passages with you. The first is Proverbs 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." The second, James 5:20 "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his ways shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." Jesus while on earth was the master soul winner, consequently, being His disciples we should be soul winners too. We should be willing to convey our faith to others. To become a soul winner I feel there are three essential character traits which must be evident in the life of the believer to effectively communicate his or her faith. Let's examine these three attributes.
1) You must have had a true born again experience:
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received." 1 Corinthians 15:3
Paul a true champion of the faith said, I first had to experience salvation to successfully communicate the salvation message to others. While journeying to Damascus Paul had a spiritual encounter with God which changed his life forever. Having been quicken by the Holy Spirit, Paul went from persecuting the church to winning many souls to Christ. Often when sharing his faith he began with his conversion experience (testimony). (See Acts 26:13-19) This type of conviction does not come about by joining a church or being a church member. However, a person who has truly been born again will be eager to share his or her experience with someone else. Your testimony (how you came to know Jesus) has power. King Agrippa was almost converted to Christ after listening to Paul testify about how he met Jesus on a road to Damascus. Your conversion experience is an excellent way to share your faith.
2) You must be carful of the image you portray:
"Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God;" 2 Corinthians 3:2, 3
As the old cliché goes, it's not always what you say, but it's what you do. The life you live before people can cause your witness to be ineffective. The Bible consists of sixty six books. The believer in Christ is the sixty seventh book. Paul said we are a living epistle read by all men.
As people read your life story (the way you live daily before them) you are communicating your faith. As believers we are to be Christ-like. Simply, as we submit to the Holy Spirit who is now the motivating influence of our life, we begin to develop a Christ-likeness. Christians should not conduct themselves in a worldly (carnal) manner. We can't use profanity, smoke, and drink, hit all the hot clubs, and live ungodly before people, and the next day invite them to church. It just doesn't work. When your life story is being read what do people see?
3) You must have a knowledge of the scriptures:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God." 2 Timothy 2:15
For one to effectively communicate his or her faith they must have knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Personally, I feel lack of knowledge is an area of concern within the body of Christ. We can't communicate our faith if we don't know or understand what we believe. People in other religions despite their doctrine being false are well grounded in what they believe. They will stand firmly and defend their faith. They are effective because they know what they believe in. The Christian faith has a risen, living Savior name Jesus, and He is true and most believers have difficulty communicating the faith. Some can't even tell you how and when they were saved. Paul encouraged Timothy to study the scriptures. As Timothy grew in knowledge, he became a strong witness of Christ as he communicated his faith to others. However, the average believer doesn't study, so consequently, they are not an effective communicator of the faith. Remember knowledge is power. Knowledge of the scriptures will only enhance your spiritual experience in Christ.
As you go through the week take a self examination and see how you fit within these three character traits. Allow the Holy Spirit to mold your spiritual life into what it should be. We communicate our faith not only by what we say, but also by what we do. Are you a good testimony of Christ?
By Pastor Kenneth Polk is the Pastor of Followers of Christ Christian Center and author of the book, Living The Spirit Empowered Life.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
No Word, No Faith
And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. John 5:38(KJV)
Jesus can see straight through to a man's heart. John chapter 5 is an account of Jesus talking to the Pharisees about having the word of God abide in their heart. He plainly told them that they did not have God's word in them, because they didn't believe that Jesus was sent from God. Had God's word been abiding in their heart, it would have been clear to them who Jesus was. Does His word abide in your heart?
If the word of God abides in your heart you would believe, because when you hear God's word, faith is produced. What does that mean? No Word, no faith. You have the word, you have the power right in your hand, but do you have it in your heart? Sometimes we don't realize it, but we can have the Word in our hand, it can tell us about victory over our circumstances, healing for our body, and increase in our finances. But we must have that Word in our heart so that we can realize that kind of prosperity in our life.
Do you have the Word abiding in your heart so that you can believe God and receive victory, healing, and financial increase? You can receive all you desire when you are filled with the scriptures, because when there is lots of Word in you, then you have lots of faith. But if you don't have any Word in your heart you are not going to have any faith in your heart. No Word, no faith.
The Word tells us in I John 5:14 that this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will it will come to pass. We will have what we prayed for. So we know that if we come to God we must ask according to His will. We must be in line with God's word. Of course we can't ask God for another man's wife, car, or possessions. That is not according to the word of God. The word of God is the will of God. Additionally, we don?t go to God saying, "Lord if it be Thy will," when we've already seen His will in His word. He gave us a big Book to clarify to us His wonderful will and purpose for every detail of our life.
You may ask the question, ow is it that you are suppose to ask according to His will? After all, John 15:7 says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." It didn't say anything about His will. Notice that it does not say, abide in me, my words abide in you, you shall ask what He wills and it shall be done. It says that you ask what you will. When His word abides in you, that is His will. The Word is working on your spirit to be conformed to His will. And when the word of God is in your heart, working on your spirit, then you are in a position whereby the word is abiding in you. And in that condition you wouldn't ask for anything that is not according to His will.
Scripture References: Luke 6:45; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 11:6
Bishop Keith A. Butler is the founder and pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI, and Word of Faith Christian Center in San Antonio, TX. Bishop Butler ministers extensively in churches, conferences, and seminars throughout the U.S. and abroad with an emphasis on instruction and no-nonsense, practical application of God's Word.
Jesus can see straight through to a man's heart. John chapter 5 is an account of Jesus talking to the Pharisees about having the word of God abide in their heart. He plainly told them that they did not have God's word in them, because they didn't believe that Jesus was sent from God. Had God's word been abiding in their heart, it would have been clear to them who Jesus was. Does His word abide in your heart?
If the word of God abides in your heart you would believe, because when you hear God's word, faith is produced. What does that mean? No Word, no faith. You have the word, you have the power right in your hand, but do you have it in your heart? Sometimes we don't realize it, but we can have the Word in our hand, it can tell us about victory over our circumstances, healing for our body, and increase in our finances. But we must have that Word in our heart so that we can realize that kind of prosperity in our life.
Do you have the Word abiding in your heart so that you can believe God and receive victory, healing, and financial increase? You can receive all you desire when you are filled with the scriptures, because when there is lots of Word in you, then you have lots of faith. But if you don't have any Word in your heart you are not going to have any faith in your heart. No Word, no faith.
The Word tells us in I John 5:14 that this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will it will come to pass. We will have what we prayed for. So we know that if we come to God we must ask according to His will. We must be in line with God's word. Of course we can't ask God for another man's wife, car, or possessions. That is not according to the word of God. The word of God is the will of God. Additionally, we don?t go to God saying, "Lord if it be Thy will," when we've already seen His will in His word. He gave us a big Book to clarify to us His wonderful will and purpose for every detail of our life.
You may ask the question, ow is it that you are suppose to ask according to His will? After all, John 15:7 says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." It didn't say anything about His will. Notice that it does not say, abide in me, my words abide in you, you shall ask what He wills and it shall be done. It says that you ask what you will. When His word abides in you, that is His will. The Word is working on your spirit to be conformed to His will. And when the word of God is in your heart, working on your spirit, then you are in a position whereby the word is abiding in you. And in that condition you wouldn't ask for anything that is not according to His will.
Scripture References: Luke 6:45; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 11:6
Bishop Keith A. Butler is the founder and pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI, and Word of Faith Christian Center in San Antonio, TX. Bishop Butler ministers extensively in churches, conferences, and seminars throughout the U.S. and abroad with an emphasis on instruction and no-nonsense, practical application of God's Word.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Praise Your Way to a Breakthrough!
Do you need God to make a way out of no way? The swiftness and surety of your deliverance starts with how you respond to hard times and difficult situations. Hear me when I say that it is not just enough to thank God and honor Him only when you've received a blessing. God wants you to show the extent of your faithfulness and trust in Him even in the midst of going through a challenge. The power of your praise will determine the magnitude of your breakthrough.
Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired.
Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"
Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what.
Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness.
When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out.
The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.
Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing.
The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God
When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined.
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org to learn more.
Praise is not just clapping your hands or applauding God. It is showing respect, honor, and gratefulness using your whole heart, mind, spirit and body despite your circumstances. Paul and Silas didn't wait until they experienced a breakthrough to praise and thank God. In the midst of difficult circumstances, they praised God and received the breakthrough they desired.
Acts 16:25, 26 (New Living Translation) reveals, "Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!"
Paul and Silas praised God even when their backs were bleeding and their feet and hands were in chains. Despite the pain and suffering they were going through, they praised God anyway; and as a result, God shook the very foundations of the prison, setting them free. God will shake the foundation of your prison; your bondage, your problem...if you make a decision to praise and give Him thanks, no matter what.
Praising God should become second-nature for all Believers. "This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord" (Psalm 102:18). We were created to praise God, and it becomes a natural expression of your love for the Father when you spend time in the Word and meditate on His goodness.
When you have a heart for God and you know He loves you, your confidence in His ability to deliver you soars. You know help is on the way and you eagerly anticipate it. First Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages, "Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus" (NLT). God doesn't tell you to thank Him for negative circumstances; He says to thank Him while you're in the midst of them. Doing this shows that you trust Him to bring you out.
The storms of life are going to come; but don't let them disturb your peace and affect your thoughts and emotions. This will only move you into self-pity and frustration. Instead, maintain an attitude of praise.
Your first line of defense is the Word of God. Meditate on it and give it life by speaking it over your circumstances. If you need healing meditate on scriptures that reveal God's ability to heal. Receive that Word in your spirit and begin praising God for your healing.
The Word of God declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
When you are in a situation and there seems to be no way out, open your mouth and praise the Lord-and don't stop. Instead of crying and complaining, give God praise because you know He has a plan for you that includes deliverance, restoration and peace. Thank Him for His goodness because your praise will stop the enemy and move the hand of God
When your deliverance comes, continue to praise Him because He has more in store for you. Thank Him for breakthrough in your home, on your job and with your children. Through your authority in Jesus, place a demand on your breakthrough and watch God show up in your life in ways you would have never imagined.
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org to learn more.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Using Wisdom with Words
Words have the potential to hurt. Whether consciously or not, we all at one time have hurt or offended someone with our words. Whether at your workplace, conversations between close friends or simple exchanges with the cashier at the grocery store, each interaction has the potential to make or break a person's spirit. As Christians, we have the responsibility to speak with wisdom and understand the value of our words.
God cares about everyone, and it is important to be mindful of what we say to others. Walking in love and considering another person's feelings before speaking are vital to the spiritual growth and maturity of a Christian. You can avoid offending others when you use wisdom with your words and operate in love at all times.
Even if the interaction seems insignificant, it can still have an impact on another person. Whether you are a husband who is not using discretion when verbally expressing distaste for the dinner your wife prepared, or you are a manager brushing past a coworker while giving a thoughtless greeting. Everyone we come in contact with is a potential recipient of the negative or positive emotions we possess at that given time.
It is important to check your motives and think before you speak. Are the words you speak coming from a heart of love, or one of selfishness? Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." No matter what it is you are attempting to communicate, getting your point across starts with choosing your words wisely. Your words have the potential to either give life or cause something to die in another person, so use wisdom. Moreover, be certain that you speak without malice and without intending to invoke anger or negative emotions in another person. In essence, positive and effective communication with those you come in contact starts with you!
Allowing your emotions to rule your verbal responses is the ticket to provoking offense in others. Anger and frustration is not an excuse for speaking negatively to someone. Especially when you know that your words could hurt the other person. The Bible says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). If you are in a tense or frustrating situation, take a moment to listen before responding. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your emotions in check.
When you have the love of God and His Word on the inside of you, it will show through in your attitude and behavior toward others, particularly in your words. Meditate on the Word so that when you face challenging situations with others, you can rely on the Spirit of God to guide your speaking and help you with your choice of words. That way, you have every opportunity to exemplify the kind of responses and love walk that please Him.
I encourage you to communicate in love and watch the change it will make in your relationships! You're not without assistance. God is there to help you master your words and make the most of your conversations with others.
Love is the key to your success in the Kingdom of God.
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org to learn more.
God cares about everyone, and it is important to be mindful of what we say to others. Walking in love and considering another person's feelings before speaking are vital to the spiritual growth and maturity of a Christian. You can avoid offending others when you use wisdom with your words and operate in love at all times.
Even if the interaction seems insignificant, it can still have an impact on another person. Whether you are a husband who is not using discretion when verbally expressing distaste for the dinner your wife prepared, or you are a manager brushing past a coworker while giving a thoughtless greeting. Everyone we come in contact with is a potential recipient of the negative or positive emotions we possess at that given time.
It is important to check your motives and think before you speak. Are the words you speak coming from a heart of love, or one of selfishness? Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." No matter what it is you are attempting to communicate, getting your point across starts with choosing your words wisely. Your words have the potential to either give life or cause something to die in another person, so use wisdom. Moreover, be certain that you speak without malice and without intending to invoke anger or negative emotions in another person. In essence, positive and effective communication with those you come in contact starts with you!
Allowing your emotions to rule your verbal responses is the ticket to provoking offense in others. Anger and frustration is not an excuse for speaking negatively to someone. Especially when you know that your words could hurt the other person. The Bible says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). If you are in a tense or frustrating situation, take a moment to listen before responding. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your emotions in check.
When you have the love of God and His Word on the inside of you, it will show through in your attitude and behavior toward others, particularly in your words. Meditate on the Word so that when you face challenging situations with others, you can rely on the Spirit of God to guide your speaking and help you with your choice of words. That way, you have every opportunity to exemplify the kind of responses and love walk that please Him.
I encourage you to communicate in love and watch the change it will make in your relationships! You're not without assistance. God is there to help you master your words and make the most of your conversations with others.
Love is the key to your success in the Kingdom of God.
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar is the senior pastor of World Changers Church International, 25,000 member church in College Park, Georgia. He is committed to changing the world one person at a time, and his award-winning "Changing Your World" television broadcast reaches nearly one billion homes worldwide. Visit www.CrefloDollarMinistries.org to learn more.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Name It and Claim It!
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 informs us of a spiritual law that few Christians have a grasp on. Its implication is staggering to our minds when we realize that God has put whether we succeed or fail in life into our own hands through the words of our mouth. We have authority to speak life and success, or death and defeat to our lives. It is all up to us!
The wise Christian will make a habit of making a positive confession based upon God's Word. This principle is so vital to the Body of Christ, yet it has been a lost principle through the years. Satan has very cleverly devised a scheme to keep it out of the Church. In fact, periodically, there are those who make fun of it or call it false doctrine.
But they don't jump on God when He says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). This verse means that what you say can produce death or it can produce life. And whatever you do not name and claim, you are not going to get.
The Bible says it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). As a result, whatever God says I am, or whatever He says I have and am able to do must be true. Once I recognized that, began to set my life and my mouth in line with that, I began to see results manifesting in my life.
This law of God has operated in the realm of farming since time began -- no seed planted, no crop harvested. Nobody has a problem with that. They do not call the farmers the "Name It and Claim It bunch," because they understand and have accepted the idea that there is a law of sowing and reaping-a d that the reaping is predicated upon the sowing.
The same law that operates in nature also operates in the spirit. In nature, seed has to be planted in good soil and given time to germinate, grow and mature before harvesting. In the spirit, you plant your seed with your mouth-your confession. The seed you should be planting is the Word of God. Luke 8:11 tells us, "The seed is the Word of God."
In the realm of the spirit, there is seed; there is ground; and there is also a harvest. There is a spiritual methodology just like there is a natural methodology in farming. Example: You take the seed, dig a hole in the ground, put the seed in the ground, cover the seed with dirt, fertilize it, water it periodically and it will grow. That is the modus operandi of planting. This is exactly the same in the realm of the spirit. I am a "spiritual farmer."
When the farmer goes to the granary or feed store and asks for corn seed, his desire is to produce corn. He is naming and claiming it by specifying what he wants. And he does not expect to get peaches when he planted corn. When he puts corn seed in the ground, he begins telling everybody that he is going to have a corn harvest. He is naming and claiming!
If I plant the seed of God's Word in my heart by faith and I say that I am going to have a yacht, a house, a Rolls Royce or a new suit, why would someone get on my case? Or, if I plant and say I have good health and have healing, I am planting the seed of God's Word.
Luke 8:5-11: "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?" And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
According to verse 10, these spiritual truths are mysteries-until revealed. The critics have seen and they do not understand, but they would never admit that. In order to cover up their inability to perceive mysteries, they shoot the truth down and jump all over us who have learned how to interpret the mysteries.
But I cannot stop declaring the truth because someone cannot or does not want to understand it. As for the critics, I want them to get it. It is so good. I just hate to see them choosing ignorance and being cheated out of the blessings God wants them to have.
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "Name It and Claim It! The Power of Positive Confession."
Proverbs 18:21 informs us of a spiritual law that few Christians have a grasp on. Its implication is staggering to our minds when we realize that God has put whether we succeed or fail in life into our own hands through the words of our mouth. We have authority to speak life and success, or death and defeat to our lives. It is all up to us!
The wise Christian will make a habit of making a positive confession based upon God's Word. This principle is so vital to the Body of Christ, yet it has been a lost principle through the years. Satan has very cleverly devised a scheme to keep it out of the Church. In fact, periodically, there are those who make fun of it or call it false doctrine.
But they don't jump on God when He says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). This verse means that what you say can produce death or it can produce life. And whatever you do not name and claim, you are not going to get.
The Bible says it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). As a result, whatever God says I am, or whatever He says I have and am able to do must be true. Once I recognized that, began to set my life and my mouth in line with that, I began to see results manifesting in my life.
This law of God has operated in the realm of farming since time began -- no seed planted, no crop harvested. Nobody has a problem with that. They do not call the farmers the "Name It and Claim It bunch," because they understand and have accepted the idea that there is a law of sowing and reaping-a d that the reaping is predicated upon the sowing.
The same law that operates in nature also operates in the spirit. In nature, seed has to be planted in good soil and given time to germinate, grow and mature before harvesting. In the spirit, you plant your seed with your mouth-your confession. The seed you should be planting is the Word of God. Luke 8:11 tells us, "The seed is the Word of God."
In the realm of the spirit, there is seed; there is ground; and there is also a harvest. There is a spiritual methodology just like there is a natural methodology in farming. Example: You take the seed, dig a hole in the ground, put the seed in the ground, cover the seed with dirt, fertilize it, water it periodically and it will grow. That is the modus operandi of planting. This is exactly the same in the realm of the spirit. I am a "spiritual farmer."
When the farmer goes to the granary or feed store and asks for corn seed, his desire is to produce corn. He is naming and claiming it by specifying what he wants. And he does not expect to get peaches when he planted corn. When he puts corn seed in the ground, he begins telling everybody that he is going to have a corn harvest. He is naming and claiming!
If I plant the seed of God's Word in my heart by faith and I say that I am going to have a yacht, a house, a Rolls Royce or a new suit, why would someone get on my case? Or, if I plant and say I have good health and have healing, I am planting the seed of God's Word.
Luke 8:5-11: "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. "Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. "But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these things He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Then His disciples asked Him, saying, "What does this parable mean?" And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."
According to verse 10, these spiritual truths are mysteries-until revealed. The critics have seen and they do not understand, but they would never admit that. In order to cover up their inability to perceive mysteries, they shoot the truth down and jump all over us who have learned how to interpret the mysteries.
But I cannot stop declaring the truth because someone cannot or does not want to understand it. As for the critics, I want them to get it. It is so good. I just hate to see them choosing ignorance and being cheated out of the blessings God wants them to have.
This devotional was excerpted from Dr. Price's book, "Name It and Claim It! The Power of Positive Confession."
Thursday, September 20, 2007
A Great Testimony
Half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. (Nehemiah 4:16)
As a Christian, God expects you and me to be productive.
What a great example we have of this in the fourth chapter of Nehemiah. Once the plot to stop the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was foiled, everybody went back to work with renewed energy.
Even those who weren't actively rebuilding the walls kept armor and weapons ready in case the enemy attacked. Nobody sat around idly!
First Corinthians 15:58 tell us to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord...."
And what exactly does "abounding in the work of the Lord" mean? For one, it means we're actively looking for ways to serve God and serve others. It means we're so busy thinking about what we can do next for the Kingdom that we have little time to think about ourselves, worry, and become discouraged!
Today I want to challenge you to go out of your way to serve someone. And don't just do it to do it. Let that person know you're helping them out because your service pleases the Lord you love! It will be a great testimony of a life that's sold out for Christ.
LOOK FOR WAYS TO SERVE AND LOVE OTHERS TODAY...AND EVERY DAY!
As a Christian, God expects you and me to be productive.
What a great example we have of this in the fourth chapter of Nehemiah. Once the plot to stop the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem was foiled, everybody went back to work with renewed energy.
Even those who weren't actively rebuilding the walls kept armor and weapons ready in case the enemy attacked. Nobody sat around idly!
First Corinthians 15:58 tell us to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord...."
And what exactly does "abounding in the work of the Lord" mean? For one, it means we're actively looking for ways to serve God and serve others. It means we're so busy thinking about what we can do next for the Kingdom that we have little time to think about ourselves, worry, and become discouraged!
Today I want to challenge you to go out of your way to serve someone. And don't just do it to do it. Let that person know you're helping them out because your service pleases the Lord you love! It will be a great testimony of a life that's sold out for Christ.
LOOK FOR WAYS TO SERVE AND LOVE OTHERS TODAY...AND EVERY DAY!
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