July 26 - July 31, 2010

Monday July 26, 2010
What Is Your Responsibility?
Gen 17:9-10; Matthew 24:45-46; Ephesians 4:11-13

The fact that I am a Christian means that my life now has greater blessings than ever before and with these blessings come responsibilities. Here is the common thread for all of us as children of God. We must all realize that one day we will be held accountable individually as to whether we fully walked in what light we have been given, and continued seeking for more light. God will not be asking us what denomination we were a part of or what was the extent of the knowledge we had on religion and doctrines and he will not hand out a “free pass” if we answer correctly to these questions. He will be examining the thoughts and intents of our hearts and ask if we had covenant with him and his people. We must all understand that it will not be acceptable to say "well, I knew my church had the truth so I just listened to what I was told and faithfully attended." Nor will it be acceptable to say "But Lord, I had full understanding of the bible and I followed my church rules to the letter. God expects us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves. God expects us to walk in the light we have thus far been given. We do not have the option to plead ignorance of certain truths. We cannot become enthralled with worldly pleasures, we must put our focus on His kingdom and our walk with God must simply not be about fulfilling our “religious” duties because this will not produce a bountiful harvest.

Are you living up to your responsibilities?


Tuesday July 27, 2010
God Provides Salvation
Acts 16:30-34

God provides a way for our salvation. The Bible says that "in the fullness of time, God sent for his son". Jesus is God in the flesh. He taught, lived and acted in the name of the same heart and mind as God. Jesus said on one occasion, "if you have seen me, you have seen the Father." He came to demonstrate who God is and to demonstrate what God does when we meet Him face to face. Jesus came demonstrate what a perfect human life would look like. He laid down his life for us and paid the ultimate penalty for our sin. Jesus came knowing he would die and he did this out of obedience to his Father. Our rebellion deserves death and separation from God. Jesus offered his life in place of ours so that we can approach God in faith that we are forgiven. Because of His love for us all we have to do is accept him as our Lord and Savior. We must become "justified". Jesus provided that sacrificial payment on the cross for our sins and we are now covered by the blood of the lamb. When God looks at us He sees that covering on us and yes, we still fail him because of our sinful nature, but our faith and belief in Jesus, allows us the redemption from that sin. So God's plan was that there would be a remedy for all mankind.

What kind of person are you? Whether you are one who has been on a life-long search for truth, or have simply stumbled across the gospel, are you willing to allow God to open your heart through the gospel and heed the word of the Lord?


Wednesday July 28, 2010
God Provides Healing and Prosperity
Deuteronomy 8:18; Genesis 1:26, 2:15

Healing for the body is a part of the wonderful grace of God that brings salvation to the world. Jesus paid the price for our healing and healing is based on this, not on a 'will I, won't I, attitude. His willingness to heal is based upon His great love for us. Not on our efforts or works. He is no respecter of persons -what He does for one, He will do for all. God's will for your life is that we may all have an abundant level of life. God wants us to prosper in all things. We need to go after God's wisdom if we are to prosper - that includes the gaining of both spiritual and natural knowledge and applying ourselves diligently to our work, whatever God has given us to do. We need to learn to obey the Holy Spirit concerning our money. I don't believe that tithing in itself, for example, is a guarantee that God will pour money on us. It certainly provides a necessary measure of protection. However, it is to the extent that we seek God for wisdom, and live righteously according to His kingdom principles that God will cause material prosperity to come upon us. We may have to get rid of traditional religious thinking that would say that poverty is a blessing, in order for God to fully renew our minds in the area of divine abundance. God's level of provision is abundance, so that we can be generous on every occasion. God is pleased to entrust us with the resources necessary not only for our own lives, but also to be involved in the spread of His Kingdom in the world.


Thursday July 29, 2010
Own It and Take Your Part
Judges 6:11-16

In this scripture Gideon questioned God being with the Israelites because bad things were happening to them. When God called him, he took no responsibility and focused on his weakness rather than the word of the Lord. Responsibility means being liable, called to account for, trustworthy, reliable, being the responsible party. In what ways has God spoken to you, called you what you do not believe you are? Many people constantly put blame on others when they must come to a place of owning their shortcoming, and draw on the power and authority of God in their lives to accept what has been said and walk in it. In a marriage, a home, business, church, everyday lives, there must be a responsibility taken by each person. When this happens everything moves at a different pace. But if one always points to others in their areas of weakness, and focuses on their weak place, nothing will work as it is supposed to.


Friday July 30, 2010
Respond to the Responsibility
Colossians 1:29; Colossians 3:23

We can learn from a hornets’ nest how the responsibility given, taken and acted on works! I, Cecilia Sides, (pardon this personal example), was waking up one morning and realized on my bedroom window, hornets had built a nest, right against the window pane. There I began to look into the workings of the nest. Each has its own responsibility: when I hit the window, the hornets scatter. Some go into a reconnaissance mission, some gather round the entrance to guard it, the ones on the inside begin to patrol the chambers to look for any enemy. When it is hot some gather at the entrance and fan their wings to cool the nest, others care for the eggs, and some continue to add onto the nest. Wow, each responds to the instinct given by God and carries out the responsibility. There is perfect order. God help us do the same. God is the author of order, not confusion.


The Weekender July 31- August 01 2010
Don’t Just Stand There, Do Something
Isaiah 6:8; 2 Timothy 1:12

Maturity comes when faithfulness in responsibilities are taken. God will always do what He has promised to do, and He also expects us to do what we are to do. Faith requires corresponding actions: believe, receive, action. A rich full life comes from finding where we our responsibility lies, then we step into it, believe God is with us, fulfilling the work of the ministry. No one else can stand in the place God has called you to stand. The host of heaven is waiting on you to step boldly into your unique place; God has invested much in you. The CATCH: the something you do is God breathed, His plan, and you will have the time of your life accomplishing it.

RELAX, BE WHO GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO BE, DO WHAT HE GIVES YOU TO DO, BE FAITHFUL IN IT, AND MOST OF ALL HAVE A BLAST DOING IT, FOR YOU ARE MAKING YOUR WORLD BE INVADED BY HEAVEN. ESTABLISHING THE KINGDOM!