Do The Word Today

The Heart's Prayer

2009-12-18T07:59:00.005-06:00

1 Samuel 1:12 - 16 (King James Version)

¹²And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth

¹³Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

¹⁴And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.

¹⁵And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

¹⁶Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

1 Samuel 1:12 - 16 (The Message)

^{12 -14} It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, "You're drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!"

^{15 -16} Hannah said, "Oh no, sir—please! I'm a woman hard used. I haven't been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I've been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don't for a minute think I'm a bad woman. It's because I'm so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I've stayed here so long."

Word in Action:

Don't be so quick to judge people.

1 Samuel, Chapter 1 introduces us to a very broken woman named Hannah. Through the Scripture, we learn that Hannah's pain comes from her barrenness. Her desire to have children brings her to a point of desperation that paralyzes her from enjoying any other part of her life. She is stuck.

Now Eli, the "super-Christian" sees Hannah and immediately assumes the worst. Interestingly enough, Eli is a high priest but he doesn't immediately think to inquire of God (or even Hannah) to get an understanding of the situation. He thinks that Hannah is drunk so he reprimands her.

A lot of times, we act just like Eli. We see people struggling with something and shout out what we think is the right solution before we even know what the true issue is. Acting in our judgmental nature could end up bringing more hurt than healing to the people we are trying to help.

Fortunately, Hannah gets a chance to set Eli straight. Contrary to what he thought, she was actually pouring out her heart to God in the only way possible for her at that time. There are seasons in our lives when we struggle to find the words to vocalize our heartache. During those times, the people around us may not understand. But, God always does.

It's amazingly comforting to know that God hears the prayers of our hearts. While He wants you to come and talk with Him about the things that concern us, He knows what we need, even before we ask.

If you continue on through 1 Samuel, you will learn that God gave Hannah the desires of her heart. Her son Samuel was one of the most well-known biblical prophets. While Hannah had to endure a season of sorrow, God restored her joy in a way that not only blessed her, but also blessed the world!

Declaration of Faith:

I will be sensitive to the heart cry of others and trust that God hears my heart's prayer.

Song of Praise:

Right Where He Should Be

2009-12-17T15:09:00.011-06:00

John 16:33

"...In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world."

Romans 5:3:

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience..."

Romans 8:35, 37:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."

Word in Action:
First, I want to apologize. The last nine months have been a bit of a whirlwind for me. In being caught up in the whirlwind, I neglected my commitment to "Do The Word Today." Not just in blog, but in some cases in practice. Life throws you "curve balls." And if it doesn't, people will. Sometimes you'll even throw a few at yourself.

Things will not always be what you want them to be. People will not always live up to your expectations. You may not live up to them either. But, through it all, God loves you.

I've always believed that God loves me. My problem was that I often thought that His love was supposed to make the people whom He loved exempt from suffering. I got confused when I saw Christians who were unable to pay their bills or innocent children falling victim to senseless acts of violence. What about the love of God? Wasn't it supposed to protect and provide for them? Wasn't HE supposed to protect and provide for them? The answer was and will always be a resounding, "YES!" Not only is He supposed to protect and provide, He ALWAYS fulfills the obligation. Remember the scripture that reminds us that His ways and thoughts are MUCH HIGHER than ours.

We can't get discouraged or confused about the events or issues that surround us. There are some things that we will continue to have trouble understanding and there will be some things that we will never be able to personally change. However, even when those events or issues arise, we have the ability to conquer them through the power of God's love. To realize this potential, we simply have to trust God's word, which tells us that all things work together for the good of them who love Him and are called to do His will. It's a submission process that can only be achieved through faith.

God knows exactly what each of His children need. Though good intentions may inspire us to try to intervene in other people's lives (and of course, our own), we must remember that Father knows best. Pray that His will be done. Have an ear and a heart open to doing what He asks you to do. But, remember that sometimes He may just tell you to do nothing! He is very skilled at meeting people where they need to be met...right where they are!

Declaration of Faith:

Today, I will remember that Father knows best, not just for me but for all of His children.

Song of Praise:

Let the Living Water Quench Your Thirst

2009-03-03T09:47:00.003-06:00

Psalm 63:1-3 (King James Version)

1O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Psalm 63:1-3 (The Message)

1 God—you're my God! I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.
2-4 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

Word in Action:

Allow the rivers of living water to quench you in your dry place.

At the risk of stating the obvious, being in a dry place is hard. Think about the last desert-based movie you saw. The actor probably looked famished, weak, dehydrated and desperate. The extreme level of thirst probably impacted the actor’s state of mind so much that he or she started to see mirages. A mirage is an optical phenomenon that creates the illusion of water, often with inverted reflections of distant objects.

What’s the lesson here? Sometimes, when we are extremely thirsty, our minds can cause us to envision and seek after mirages – imaginary sources of replenishment that really won’t satisfy our need to be refreshed.

Each of us go through dry seasons or dry places. During these times, we will feel as though our very souls are crying out for something more. Something different. Something new. Something refreshing. It is during these times that we are most vulnerable to mirages.

We have to make sure that we always remember the cry of the David, the psalmist in Psalm 63:1. David was experiencing great obstacles in the physical world. Things were constantly coming against him and he was literally in the wilderness. David could have easily been inclined to pray for more favor, more influence, or more money. He could have asked the Lord to change the physical conditions around him. He could have done a lot of things. However, David understood that in his dry season, he needed to be closer to the Lord! Though his circumstances were not ideal, he chose to take refuge in the presence of God. His deliverance came through praising God. His thirst (i.e. his physical need) was quenched through worship.

In Jesus’ conversation with the Samarian woman (John 4:9-11), he tells her that he has the ability to give living water. You know what? He still has that same ability! If you find yourself in a dry place or in a season of dryness, do like David. Seek the Lord early. Praise him. Worship him. Let His rivers of living water flow through you and quench your thirst. Allow Him to fill your heart.

Declaration of Faith:

The Lord shall quench my thirst and restore me in the dry places.

Song of Praise:

Accept God's Best

2009-02-20T10:11:00.003-06:00

Matthew 16:24-26 (King James Version)

24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:24-26 (The Message)

24-26Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Word in Action:

Accept God’s best.

Jesus is the best protector. He protects us and those we love way better than we ever could. So why do we worry so much? Why are we so burdened by cares, fears, and uncertainties?

Usually, our worrying is birth out of good intentions. We want the best for others and we want the best for ourselves. However, we have to make sure that we don’t falsely assume that our idea of “the best” actually is “the best.” The word “best” can be defined as having good qualities in the highest degree. We may have a “best” plan in mind. This so-called “best” plan has more merit, more value, and greater opportunity to produce good outcomes than any other plan that we have considered. BUT, we cannot be so quick to judge based on our limited knowledge.

God has a plan that is better than our best. We must learn to deny our natural inclination to engage our highly limited reasoning process in evaluating the plans and purposes of the Lord. We may not always immediately know why He desires us to move in a certain direction. We may not always immediately know why a certain situation did not work out the way we thought it should. We may not always immediately know why we are subject to certain experiences. But what we CAN always immediately know is that regardless of the uncertainties that we face, if we are completely surrendered to God then He WILL perform HIS best in our lives.

Romans 8:28 assures us that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Responding to God’s call and agreeing to be used for His purpose will often require acts of self-denial in order to follow Christ. However, His promise is true as stated in Matthew 16:25. In denying ourselves, we find life in Christ. We exchange our “best” for His best. Which would you prefer to have?

Declaration of Faith:
I surrender to Christ, exchanging my best for His best!

Song of Worship:

Outshine Jesus

2009-02-18T10:52:00.002-06:00

John 14:11-14 (King James Version)

11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 14:11-14 (The Message)

11-14"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do.

Word in Action:

Make it your mission to outshine Jesus. Many overly religious people will view this command as blasphemous. However, I believe it is EXACTLY what God wants us to do. I’m not saying outshine Jesus as if you are in competition with Him. (Could you even imagine TRYING to play that game? I wouldn’t try it if I were you.) I am saying make it your mission to outshine Jesus so that Jesus can shine through you. The Father still wants to be glorified through His Son. But now, the Son wants to work the works through you.

If we are believers in Christ, we have the power to do every miracle, sign and wonder he performed during the time He walked the earth as a man. In fact, according to John 14:12, we should do GREATER works. The word “greater” used in this context can be translated as larger, elder, stronger. Can we honestly say that we are doing larger, elder, or stronger works than Jesus? My personal response would be a resounding NO.

Why aren’t we doing larger, elder, stronger works than Jesus? In many cases I believe that it is because we do not truly meet the only prerequisite Jesus himself listed as a necessity for us to do the works. DO WE WHOLLY TRUST HIM? If you’re like me, then you really want to respond, “Why of course I trust Jesus…what kind of question is that!?!?!” But the truth is that if we completely trusted Jesus with our whole hearts, with our whole minds, with our whole souls, we would act with a lot more boldness. We would abandon our silly little fears of being embarrassed, rejected, dismissed or ostracized. We would not be so concerned about other people’s impressions of us. We would be willing to respond obediently and immediately to every unction given to us by the Holy Spirit. We would walk away from things that God tells us to leave behind. We would embrace the things that God instructs us to pursue.

Don’t misunderstand. In no way am I suggesting that you need to question your salvation. Romans 10:9-10 gives us the requirements for salvation – all we have to do is believe and confess the death and divine resurrection of Jesus Christ. But, the ability to demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit will only come through complete trust and submission to Christ.

How do we build this trust? I don’t think we always need to focus on building trust. If the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ is laid, I think instead we can focus on NOT RESISTING TRUST. More clearly, we have to submit to God and actively decide that doubt and unbelief will have no place in our minds or hearts. As Christians, there is something (or should I say someone, namely Holy Spirit) inside us that makes us want to believe in the creative miracles we read about in the gospels and the book of Acts. However, we allow ourselves (or others, or the enemy) to talk us out of grasping the concept as truth. Stop allowing that to happen. Submit every thought to the obedience of Christ. Doubting the validity of divine healing? Find scripture that talks about Jesus performing miraculous healings and couple it with His admonition to us in John 14:12. Having trouble believing in supernatural provision? Find a scripture that talks about it and couple it with Jesus’ admonition to us in John 14:12.

In short:

1. Examine the life of Jesus. Study how he went about doing good. How He was moved with compassion. How He caused the blind to regain their eyesight. How he raised the dead. How He inspired hope in the people.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to do those very same things. Remember John 14:12.

3. Do the works!!

It really is that simple. In the beginning, you may not be so confident but so what! Keep doing it anyway. Eventually, you will be less conscious of your human limitations and more aware and confident that the Holy Spirit is doing all of the work anyway and in Him there are NO limitations!

Declaration of Faith:

My faith and trust in Christ empowers me to do what He did and more!

Song of Worship:

Go With God's Flow

2009-02-12T10:10:00.003-06:00

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (King James Version)

11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (The Message)

10-11This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. 12"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. 13-14"When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—God's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it.

Word in Action:

Trust God’s plan and go with His flow.

It is strange how we can so often sing songs and make declarations professing our faith in God, BUT as soon as He communicates a plan to us that doesn’t fit with what we have in mind, we start panicking. Conversely, sometimes we even panic when God communicates a plan that DOES align with what we have in mind. The bottom line is that we can sometimes become people of panic when it comes to thoughts about the future.

We should break the habit of panicking. Dictionary.com defines panic as “a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.” Panic is basically fear on steroids fueled by anxiety. And according to the aforementioned definition, it happens suddenly. Now isn’t that interesting.

I think that the reason that “panic” occurs suddenly is because it is an immediate response to an awareness of a shifting in position. The moment we realize that something has changed, we can either respond in faith or in fear. Panic is the result of responding in fear. I believe that panic is an expression of a person’s natural response to change. Composure is the result of responding in faith. I believe that composure is the expression of a believer’s deliberate response to change.

Dictionary.com defines composure as a “serene, self-controlled state of mind; calmness; tranquility.” As believers, we can deliberately choose to grab hold of our faith in God’s word when things around us (and sometimes within us) start to undergo great change. As a result, we will be composed to handle the environmental shift (whether internal AND/OR external) with grace. We will also be well-positioned to receive God’s direction regarding our next steps. If we submit to our natural response to environmental shifts, we will find ourselves panicking and unable to properly readjust and reassess to successfully meet the requirements required by our new position.

If you find yourself in a new position, understand that it is natural to feel uncertain, but it is God’s will that you act with composure. God has a perfect plan for your life that will result in a perfect ending, regardless of the “hiccups” you may experience throughout the journey.

Declaration of Faith:

My faith in God’s plan for my life allows me to respond to environmental shifts with composure. I will not panic.

Song of Praise:

Obey the Pure Word of God

2009-02-09T15:25:00.002-06:00

Proverbs 30:5-6 (King James Version)

5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Proverbs 30:5-6 (The Message)

5-6 The believer replied, "Every promise of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help.So don't second-guess him; he might take you to task and show up your lies."

Word in Action:

Reverence and obey the pure Word of God.

100% fruit juice and juice made with artificial flavors can each bring a level of relief to a thirsty person. In fact, if you are extremely thirsty, you will probably gulp the drink down so quickly that you never take the time to examine its purity. Was it 100% juice? Was it 90%? 50%? Sometimes, we can be so focused on getting what “hits the spot” for our senses, that we fail to consider how it will affect our physical well-being in the long term. Similarly, sometimes we are so grateful to hear a message that uplifts our emotions that we fail to consider how it will affect our spiritual well-being in the long term.

We need to examine each message that we receive in order to make sure that it aligns with God’s word. Ask Him for understanding and confirmation. Search the scriptures. Be prayerful. If you truly have a desire to receive God’s pure word, He will make sure you get it. Don’t allow the enemy to bring confusion into your mind or your heart. If you are truly trusting God in the matter and not relying on your own understanding or secretly harboring motives of self-interest, God will protect you in your decision making.

If you honestly believe that God has spoken to the issues of your heart, you MUST act on it. Do not add anything to His words of direction just to make things more convenient for you or others around you. Do not allow others to interject their personal desires or opinions into the message that God has spoken to or inspired within you.

Trust God. Don’t allow the direction He has given you to be diluted. Simply obey. The Bible tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Declaration of Faith:
There is protection in responding to the Word of God.

Song of Praise:

Know that the Comforter is With You

2009-02-05T10:05:00.001-06:00

John 14:15-17 (King James Version)

15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14:15-17 (The Message)

15-17"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!

Word in Action:

Allow the Holy Spirit to be your Comforter. That is His purpose.

Lately there has been such a sense of heaviness in the air. Bad reports abound – murders, wars, political corruption, a struggling economy…the list goes on. I have encountered so many people who are weighed down with severe depression and anxiety.

Unfortunately, many Christians are falling victim to conditions of depression, oppression and anxiety. This is a very dangerous thing because people are looking at us to be lights in the midst of darkness. They expect us to remain hopeful in seemingly hopeless situations. And they are justified in having that expectation. You may be saying, “Now wait a minute, aren’t Christians human? We experience pain just like everybody else. If our loved one passes away, are we not allowed to be sorrowful? If we lose our jobs, are we not allowed to be upset and concerned about our next steps?”

I think Christians are allowed to be sorrowful, angry, upset, etc. but even in the midst of those experiences, we should not allow ourselves to give up hope. Instead, we should allow the Holy Spirit to comfort us. Jesus promised that when His physical body left the earth, the Comforter would be sent to abide with us FOREVER. Think about that. What is the definition of a comforter? One who comforts. What does it mean to comfort someone? It means to help, to soothe or console, to bring to physical ease. I submit to you that a comforter would not be necessary in our lives unless we were in a position in which we could not handle a situation on our own (i.e. we need help), or we are in pain (i.e. we need to be soothed or consoled), or we are anxious and on edge (i.e. we need to be brought to physical ease).

The moments when we are (a) unsure about what to do, (b) in physical, mental, or emotional pain, and/or (c) anxious about what lies ahead, are the exact moments when we need to allow God to be our Comforter. These are NOT the times to pull away from Him or seek after god-alternatives. Do not revert to your old ways of doing things simply because they are more convenient right now.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Pray. Rest. Worship. Remain hopeful.

Declaration of Faith:

The Comforter abides with me FOREVER. He directs my path, takes away my pain, and brings me to peace.

Song of Praise:

Let the Songs of the Lord Sing Unto You!

2009-02-03T11:46:00.004-06:00

Psalm 59:16-17 (King James Version)

16But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Psalm 59:16 - 17 (The Message)

16-17 And me? I'm singing your prowess, shouting at cockcrow your largesse,
For you've been a safe place for me, a good place to hide.
Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you—
God, my dependable love.

Word in Action:

Sing to the Lord. Sing about the Lord. Let the songs of the Lord sing unto you!

Why is it so easy for kids to remember the alphabet? Because of the song. Why is it so much easier for us to remember song lyrics than it is for us to remember a paragraph of text? Because of the song.

Song is powerful. Music is powerful. It not only helps us remember but it also affects our soul. It sets the mood. It changes the atmosphere. Think about it. Our emotions respond to song. A song can make you feel happy. A song can make you feel sad. A song can make you feel relaxed. A song can make you feel like dancing. A song can make you feel like fighting. A song can make you FEEL.

The ministry of music is very important because of the power it has over our state of being. There is deliverance in music. Isaiah 63:3 tells us that the garment of praise is the cure for the spirit of heaviness – depression, broken-heart, rejection, etc. God’s healing can be obtained through songs of praise. What are songs of praise? Words of thanksgiving unto God set to a melody. Remember, life and death is in the power of the tongue. When your circumstances become so overwhelming that they cause you to forget the goodness of God (which is outlined in His word and experienced in our lives) find a song of praise! It will help you remember the goodness of God and the certainty of His promises – just like the alphabet song helps kids remember their ABCs.

As you grab hold of your song of praise, watch the atmosphere change. The situation will probably not visibly change immediately, but your attitude toward the situation can if you allow it to.

Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God even rejoices over us with singing! Why does He do that? Because of the power of song. He loves us so much and doesn’t want us to forget it. He inspires His minstrels to sing songs of His comfort and love for us….so that WE won’t forget. He loves us. Let the songs of the Lord sing unto you!

Declaration of Faith:

I will sing of His mercy, and His goodness, and His kindness. All praise be to the awesome God who rejoices over me with singing.

Song of Praise:

Thank God for Opposition....It Makes Victory Possible!

2009-02-02T16:38:00.004-06:00

Matthew 5:43-47 (King James Version)

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Matthew 5:43-47 (The Message)

43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

Word in Action:

There can be no victory if there is no battle. There can be no battle if there is no opposition. Be grateful for your enemies.

In many ways, opposition is just as important to our development as encouragement. Opposition challenges us to perform at a level beyond our comfort zone. It demands that we occasionally reassess our current position and create new strategies for our next steps.

Yesterday was Super Bowl XLIII. Each team’s touchdown motivated the other to step-up their game. At the end of it all, only one team walked away with the championship title, but every participant in the game gained something from the experience. Each participant was physically stretched beyond what he thought he could achieve. One player, James Harrison, even scored a record 100 yard touchdown. What made his achievement possible? Years of training contributed greatly. Self-discipline was a pre-requisite. Support from his teammates was part of the formula. Guidance from the team’s coaches was a valuable component. While each of the aforementioned factors were required for Harrison’s record-setting success, I submit to you that if the Arizona Cardinals had not been there to oppose Harrison and his teammates, he would have been unable to set a new standard.

It’s no different for us in our everyday lives. We need opposition to motivate us to stretch past our limits….to set new standards. The Bible tells us that trials and tribulations come to make us strong. Matthew 5:43 even goes so far as to tell us to love our enemies. It is not natural for us to love our enemies. By instructing us to do so, God is challenging us to go beyond the limitations of our fleshly thoughts and human inclinations. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives are we able to love those who seem to always be against us. Our ability to demonstrate God’s love, grace and mercy can be a proxy for gauging how close we are to our “spiritual end-zones.” But it’s not touchdowns that we are after. Our goal is to be transformed into the image of Christ.

Declaration of Faith:
Through the power of the Holy Spirit I can love my enemies and understand the value of opposition.

Song of Praise:

Wait for the Lord...Don't Give Up

2009-01-27T12:31:00.002-06:00

Isaiah 30:15-19 (King James Version)

15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
16But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
17One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.
18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

Isaiah 30:15-19 (The Message)

15-17God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me—
The very thing
you've been unwilling to do.
You've said, 'Nothing doing! We'll rush off on horseback!'
You'll rush off, all right! Just not far enough!
You've said, 'We'll ride off on fast horses!'
Do you think your pursuers ride old nags?
Think again: A thousand of you will scatter before one attacker.
Before a mere five you'll all run off.
There'll be nothing left of you—
a flagpole on a hill with no flag,
a signpost on a roadside with the sign torn off."
18But God's not finished. He's waiting around to be gracious to you.
He's gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.
19-22Oh yes, people of Zion, citizens of Jerusalem, your time of tears is over. Cry for help and you'll find it's grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he'll answer. Just as the Master kept you alive during the hard times, he'll keep your teacher alive and present among you. Your teacher will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right: "This is the right road. Walk down this road." You'll scrap your expensive and fashionable god-images. You'll throw them in the trash as so much garbage, saying, "Good riddance!"

Word in Action:

Wait and endure.

Have you ever felt like God was ignoring your prayers? I have felt that way and it was no fun at all. I began to get discouraged, thinking, “Oh well, guess it’s just not going to work out for me.” What foolish thinking I had! God promised that all things work together for the good to those who love Him and who are the called according to His purpose. But I felt like an exception to that rule. I felt like God had forgotten about me, or worse…had deliberately chosen not to answer.
In retrospect, I can honestly say that God exceeded my expectations and my petitions for many of the things that I asked Him for in the past. It just took Him longer than I initially resolved was necessary. I now understand that God is concerned about delivering quality, even if it is at the expense of Him meeting my timeline.
We cannot abandon the purpose that God called us to, especially not because we allow intimidation to set in. Endure each challenge like a good soldier. Don’t give up simply because you feel overwhelmed or outnumbered. Don’t compromise simply because you feel that it would be easier than holding out for what you truly desire. Addiction to convenience can be a deadly thing. It murders our patience.
According to Isaiah 30:18, our act of waiting on the Lord is not unrewarded. He blesses us for our waiting, which demonstrates faith in Him and His word.

Wait on the Lord and be of good courage. He will be gracious unto you.

Declaration of Faith:

I will wait on the Lord.

Song of Worship:

Try Jesus! He is Good.

2009-01-23T09:36:00.003-06:00

Psalm 34:7-9 (King James Version)

7The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Psalm 34:7-9 (The Message)

7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness

Word in Action:

Try Jesus.

What does that mean? Have you ever heard a preacher say, “Baby, just try Jesus?” The first time I heard someone say that line, it gave me hope. I felt good. I felt excited. But those feelings only lasted for a moment. I soon realized I had ZERO idea what the preacher was talking about. Try Jesus? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!?!

I now believe that the instruction to “try” Jesus simply means to give Him a chance to handle whatever issue is on your heart at that present time. Give Him a FAIR chance.

How would you feel if someone told you that they were giving you a chance to do the ONE thing that you so desperately desired to do but when you set out to do it, they displayed no confidence in your ability to perform the task? Imagine that the person constantly watched over you, saying to himself/herself, “I don’t think this person is going to do this right.” Imagine that right in the middle of your “big finish” the person stopped you and said, “I don’t like how you’re doing this. You’re taking too long to get to the part that I want to see. You can sit down now. I will take it from here.”

That’s what we do to Jesus SOOOOOOOO many times. We say that we are going to give Him a fair chance to do the ONE thing that He so desperately desires to do (which is to move mightily in our lives, showing Himself strong through us), then (1) we display no confidence in His ability to perform the task, (2) we focus all of our attention on the issue while we doubt that He is going to perform at a level that brings us pleasure, and (3) we get angry when He is not moving fast enough for us and then we decide to take over the task instead of allowing Him to finish His work.

We need to start giving Jesus a fair chance to move by His Spirit and be the power in our lives. We need to “try” Jesus. We need to taste and see that He is good! It’s a trust issue. Proverbs 34:8 tells us that those who trust in the Lord are blessed.

Be blessed! Taste and see that the Lord is good. Try Jesus. Give Him a fair chance.

Declaration of Faith:

Today I give Jesus a fair chance to show Himself strong through me. I will taste and see that the Lord is good. I am blessed because I trust in Him.

Song of Praise:

Do Not Be Deceived. Seek Godly Relationships.

2009-01-22T14:16:00.008-06:00

Proverbs 23:6-8 (King James Version)

6Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.

Proverbs 23:6-8 (The Message)

6-8 Don't accept a meal from a tightwad;
don't expect anything special.
He'll be as stingy with you as he is with himself;
he'll say, "Eat! Drink!" but won't mean a word of it.
His miserly serving will turn your stomach
when you realize the meal's a sham.

Word in Action:

Stop being so naïve. Do not be so quick to enter into relationship covenants without truly considering the condition of the other person’s heart.

God promises to give wisdom freely to all who ask. He promises to equip us with everything we need so that we don’t fall victim to the wiles of the devil. He instructs us to be wise even when we are being gentle. So why do believers “find ourselves” in harmful or unfruitful relationships? I believe it is simply because we choose to enter them.

Proverbs 23:7 is such a powerful verse because it reminds us that sometimes the true intentions of the heart are not in agreement with the intentions that are spoken. Think of it this way, we do not generally get food poisoning by digesting large amounts of food that disagree with our taste buds. If we don’t like the taste, we probably will stop eating the food dish long before we digest enough for it to be harmful. Food poisoning usually results from taking in large amounts of food that appeal to the senses but interfere with the function of the body. If we are not wise in how we choose to intake or digest the artificially sweetened words prepared by a “smooth talker” with a “dirty kitchen” (i.e. a heart with bad intentions), we run the risk of becoming emotionally food poisoned (e.g., heartbroken, disappointed, angry, frustrated, sad, etc.).

Often it is more important to emphasize character analysis than speech analysis. The servant is not greater than the master. Jesus himself mentions that He has people who verbally claim to love Him but in actuality, their hearts are far from Him. God has the wisdom to recognize people who are truly committed to Him versus those who simply pay Him lip service. As His children, we can access that same trait of wisdom. Pray for discernment so that you no longer seek after and/or accept things that are pleasing to your senses but harmful to your function – which is to glorify God.

Allow God to restore you and show you how to be in healthy relationships. Receive healing for your heart. Be delivered from the sickening words that have settled in your heart. God's love is the best medicine.

Declaration of Faith:

The Lord has given me wisdom so that I do not have to be deceived. He's given me His love so that I can be healed.

Song of Praise:

Embrace God's Love For You

2009-01-21T09:54:00.001-06:00

John 3:16-18 (King James Version)

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

John 3:16-17 (The Message)

16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

Word in Action:

Embrace God’s love for you.

My worst moments were the times when I felt alone and that no one loved me. Have you ever felt that way? When I was a little girl, my consistent prayer was that everyone had someone to love and someone to love them back. I didn’t realize it at the time, but in essence, I was praying for the salvation of the world. I was praying that everyone came to know the true and living God for God IS love.

A lot of people think that when God says that His will is that none should perish, He is only speaking of a desire that none should die and go to Hell. I submit to you that there is such a thing as the “living dead.” When I speak of the “living dead,” I am not referencing the scary-looking zombies that appear in horror flicks. I am referencing the not-so scary-looking zombie that might be sitting right next to you…or worse….might BE you. I am referencing the person who lives each day without understanding the love that Jesus Christ has for him/her.

John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He sacrificed His son Jesus Christ so that we could live. With that great sacrifice, we can rest assured that even on the days that we feel the most misunderstood, the most rejected, the most alone, the most unloved, the most overlooked, the most forsaken, the most picked on, the most (fill in the blank), we can remember that there is SOMEONE who loves us at a level that has no limits.

Sometimes our parents, siblings, spouses, and friends simply do not know how to demonstrate love to us in the way that we crave. It’s not always their “fault.” Stop judging your worth by the way that people respond to you. Stop being angry or frustrated because people are not meeting your expectations. Stop allowing a desire to be “loved” or accepted by people allow you to compromise your Christian walk and faithfulness to the areas to which God has called you.

Embrace God’s love for you. Know that He loves you at ALL times. Know that He always accepts you. Know that He promised to NEVER leave you or forsake you. Spend time with Him. Meditate on His goodness. Talk to Him about the things you are experiencing. Ask Him for help. Ask Him to direct you. Declare that your heart is open to Him. Let Him heal you. Let Him love you.

Declaration of Faith:

I know that God loves me and that His love brings life, healing and courage.

Song of Praise:

Don’t Hold Back…His Grace Brings Provision

2009-01-19T10:46:00.013-06:00

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (King James Version)

6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (The Message)

6-7Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.
8-11God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

Word in Action:

Give God your all – no reservations and no hesitations.

Usually, when people quote the scripture about God loving a cheerful giver, it is because they want to encourage people to give more tithes and offering. I submit to you that God desires more than just a percentage of your paycheck. He wants all of YOU.

So often, we are reluctant to give everything we have back to the One who gave it to us in the first place. Why? I believe it is because we are afraid that voids or gaps will be created in our lives. In some ways, this is true. Complete surrender to God sometimes will mandate separation from people, places, and things that we have become attached to. Complete surrender to God will sometimes require us to make difficult decisions that put us in uncomfortable situations. Complete surrender to God will likely cause us to stand alone for what is right. Complete surrender to God can be a painful process at first because it involves denying our “fleshly” or “natural” desires.

If you feel that God is leading you to surrender a new area of your life to Him, do it. Don’t hold back. Hand it over to Him cheerfully, even if you think that it will be emotionally hurtful. Trust that the power of His grace is able to make you have sufficiency in ALL things. This means, nothing lacking, nothing broken, nothing missing. As He told the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” How did Paul respond? “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Sow everything that you have into God. Give Him your thoughts, hopes, strengths, weaknesses, fears, doubts, joys, and dreams. His ground is fertile. The more you give Him of you, the more He will give you of Him. When we sow ourselves into Him, we reap the fruit of His Spirit - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. We are empowered by His grace.

Declaration of Faith:
“I give you my all – no reservations, no hesitations – knowing that your grace is sufficient for me!”

Song of Praise:

Rejoice Today!

2009-01-16T10:08:00.006-06:00

Psalm 118:21-25 (King James Version)

21I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23This is the LORD's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Psalm 118:21-25 (The Message)

21-25 Thank you for responding to me; you've truly become my salvation! The stone the masons discarded as flawed is now the capstone! This is God's work. We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it! This is the very day God acted— let's celebrate and be festive! Salvation now, God. Salvation now! Oh yes, God—a free and full life!

Word in Action:

Rejoice! It’s cold outside…so what? Rejoice! You’re tired…so what? Rejoice! Things are not going the way you want them to go…so what? Rejoice!

Isn’t it wonderful to know that EVERY day was created by the Lord? Based on this truth, it stands to reason that there is a plan and purpose for every single Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that we experience. Honestly, everyday may not “feel” like a good day but feeling is a perception and perception is not always in agreement with reality. The truth is EVERY day is a good day because God doesn’t create bad things. It’s just not in His nature.

Obey the command to rejoice simply because God gave you the precious gift of more time. Despite what may be occurring in our external environment, we can always CHOOSE to rejoice.

Have you ever been around somebody who was extremely joyous when you were extremely “non-joyous?” If you’re honest about it, either one of two things happened. You either: (a) allowed the other person’s joyful expressions to cause joy to rise up on the inside of you or (b) got irritated and left the presence of the other person so you could continue in your pity party. Why did it happen that way? Because darkness cannot dwell in light. The moment you ACTIVELY choose to rejoice, everything and everyone around you has to make a decision to either rejoice with you or get away from you. Isn’t that a fantastic truth? When you choose to rejoice, sadness and depression have to flee!

Be strong and of good courage. And don’t forget to REJOICE!!!!

Declaration of Faith:

“I choose to rejoice in the Lord despite everything else.”

Song of Praise:

Enter His Rest and Do His Will

2009-01-15T11:35:00.004-06:00

Psalm 37:3-7 (King James Version)

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Psalm 37:3-7 (The Message)

3-4 Get insurance with GOD and do a good deed,
settle down and stick to your last.
Keep company with GOD,
get in on the best.

5-6 Open up before GOD, keep nothing back;
he'll do whatever needs to be done:
He'll validate your life in the clear light of day
and stamp you with approval at high noon.

7 Quiet down before GOD,
be prayerful before him.
Don't bother with those who climb the ladder,
who elbow their way to the top.

Word in Action:

Stop thinking about yourself so much. Have you noticed that you are the most miserable when you sulk about your situation? I believe it is because the moments that we are self-centered are the very same moments when we are LEAST like our Heavenly Father. He is all about love and sacrifice. When we focus on our problems and allow them to introduce the spirit of fear into our lives, we are clearly headed down the road of unhappiness. The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. One reason for this is because God desires so much for us to be like Him. He doesn’t worry. He just takes care of business because He knows that everything is going to be perfect at the end. Faith empowers us to enter into the rest of God and see things through His eyes. When we trust God, we are able to fully rest. It’s no secret that we do our best work when we are well-rested. Resting in God allows us to do the things He has called us to do – preach the gospel, heal the sick, encourage each other, etc. Equally as important, resting and trusting in God allows Him to take care of us.

Song of Praise:

Pick Up Your Weapons and Fight!

2009-01-14T10:10:00.005-06:00

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (King James Version)

3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (The Message)

3-6The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

Word in Action:

Fight the good fight of faith using the scriptures. The Bible says that it rains on the just and the unjust. “Bad” things will sometimes happen to “good” people. “Unholy” thoughts will sometimes cross the minds of “righteous” people. “Negative” emotions will sometimes rise up in “positive” people. But don’t accept those conditions. Pick up your weapons and fight.
So often, we submit ourselves to our circumstances instead of submitting our circumstances to our God. We make excuses for this tendency by saying things like, “oh, it’s no big deal” or “I can’t help it” or “that’s just how it’s supposed to be.” We must remember that we can change the atmosphere of any situation or event by using the power of our thoughts and our words. Speak what God says ESPECIALLY during the times when Satan is so busy trying to plant seeds of gloom, doom and destruction in our lives and/or the lives of those around us. Every believer has an arsenal of weapons to destroy every stronghold or barrier in existence. It’s all in the Word of God. Again I say, PICK UP YOUR WEAPONS AND FIGHT!!!

Song of Praise:

Believe That The Lord is a Deliverer and Heals the Broken Heart

2009-01-13T21:34:00.001-06:00

Psalm 34:17-20 (King James Version):

17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

Psalm 34:17-20 (The Message Version):

17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
ready to rescue you.

18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.

19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
still, God is there every time.

20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
not even a finger gets broken.

Word in Action:

Trust that the Lord is with you when you are going through rough times. He's not just passively there with you either. He is there actively watching the situation, allowing just enough trials and tribulations to come your way in order to make you strong. As soon as you reach that point, He delivers you!

It is common to think that because we are Christians, we automatically get to live the "good life." In so many ways, that common thought is true. Jesus said that he came that we may have an abundant life. But He also promised that things will NOT be easy. He urges us to count the cost before we decide to be His follower. Why is that? It's because He knows that as soon as we declare that we will follow Him, the enemy and the enemy's evil followers will set plans in motion to attack us. While God's promise that no weapon formed against us will prosper (i.e. be successful), we have to remember that as believers in Christ, many weapons will form against us in attempt to keep us from conforming to the image of Christ. Psalm 34:19 says that MANY are the afflictions of the righteous. What's great about that scripture is that in the very same verse, we are promised that the Lord will deliver us from all of those same afflictions.
A broken heart is one of the only ailments that cannot be healed with "traditional medicine." Try going to your doctor and asking him/her to prescribe a medication to cure it. Impossible. None exists. So when you are suffering from a broken heart, call on Jesus for His healing power. When you see someone else suffering from a broken heart, again, call on Jesus for help. But also remember your role as a Christian…a little representation of Christ on earth. In Psalm 34:18, Jesus promises that He is near to those who have a broken heart. We are to do the same. By no means am I saying that we must be ever-present with the broken-hearted – our human limitations likely prevent that from being possible. However through prayer, encouraging words, occasional visits, phone calls, etc., we can let the broken-hearted know that we are with them.

Song of Praise:

Know That You're Not Missing Anything by Doing Things God's Way

2009-01-13T21:31:00.000-06:00

2 Peter 1:3-4 (King Kames Version):

3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message Version):
3 -4Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.

Word in Action:
Stop focusing so much on what you have to give up in order to be a Christian or to "serve" God. Thinking that way takes the joy out of the Christian experience. Yes, it is true that as Christians we should abstain from behavior that does not please God. However, through scripture, God promises that he divinely gives us ALL things that pertain to life AND godliness. So what does that mean? To me, it means that we can enjoy ourselves while continuing to model ourselves after Jesus. It is up to us to allow God to show us how to access that perfect blend of recognizing that we live in this world but have a responsibility to live by the Word.

Ask God to show you the things you wish you did not have to give up in order to live according to the Word. Examples could include premarital sex, excessive alcohol intake, lying, etc. Then, ask Him to show you how to fill those voids with godly things. Contrary to what we might think, the Christian life is not sacrificial – it is fruitful. Jesus is the only one who made the true sacrifice and He did it just for you!

Trust the Lord's Provision

2009-01-13T21:11:00.001-06:00

Galatians 6:7-10 (King James Version):

7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:7-10 (The Message Version):

7 -8Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. 9 -10So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Word in Action:

Don't consider taking shortcuts. And if you already have, STOP!So often we may feel like everyone around us prospers by doing things that do not please God – cheating, lying, stealing, participating in illegal activities, etc. Though we may feel like "nice guys finish last" we must remember that God's Word is true. We get what we need from God at the time that we need it. The great part about it is that when Our Heavenly Father gives "it" to us, "it" will be lasting and will produce fruit. We must understand that God's timing is perfect and He will reward us for our faithfulness. Don't get discouraged by what you see (i.e. people obtaining wealth and power through unjust activities) or what you don't see (i.e. wealth and power manifested in the lives of people who are fair in their dealings). Rest assured that God is not mocked. Your harvest will manifest soon but you have to continue to be faithful – especially when it's hard. The Lord will give you the "hook-up" you need, exactly when you need it. Trust the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ.