Monday
Building The Father’s House
Read Luke 15:11-32
Then he said, "There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, 'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.' "So the father divided the property between them. It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any. "That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' He got right up and went home to his father. "When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.' "But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time. "All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, 'Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.' "The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen. The son said, 'Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!' "His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'"(The Message)
What will this year look like at Open Door Church? It is back to the vision and back to the basics we started on. I believe that God is taking us back to the future. I believe that there are things in our past experience that we have forgotten or let them go into disrepair. God is calling us to remember and renew them and take them farther in our day. Like the movie “Back To The Future” we need to go back and reorder the life that God is giving us so we have the future God wants us to have.
Tuesday
Embrace The Uncomfortable
Read John 3:16, Acts
We are called to embrace the world. Jesus died for the world not just a few good people. Jesus did not die just for Americans but all men. (John 3:16) God has called us to love all people despite their differences. So many times we allow race, social status and friends to influence us concerning people. Jesus even said to love our enemies. If all we do is to love those that agree with us then how are we different from the world? In the story of “The Father’s House” (Luke 15) The Older son lived in the house with the father but did not have the father’s heart. He was religious: He demanded performance instead of love and demanded law instead of giving grace. I believe that everyone has had glimpses of God, but do they recognize it and if they do what do they do with what they see. I know there have been times that I have caught a glimpse of where God is working or was working and I looked at the circumstances and said I did not want a part of that because it made me uncomfortable and we as sons and daughters cannot do that. The Father’s House has to embrace that which is uncomfortable. Change is uncomfortable but change is part of life. The thing is that when Jesus was preparing to leave the earth He told us that He was going to send us a helper, a comforter if you will. You need comfort because you are being made uncomfortable. No one moves without being uncomfortable. We are here to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. We have to embrace those we have thought unclean – the prodigal came from a pig pen – unclean by the cultures standards – (Acts 10-11) Peter took the religious with him because of what the others would say about him embracing that which was unclean. Are you ready and willing to embrace and kiss a pig? God is calling us to some uncomfortable places, with people that will make us uncomfortable, and with ideas that are foreign to us. Are we willing to love the people God will bring across our path? Are we willing to listen to them with the ears of the Holy Spirit to give them the wisdom of God? God says he will give what we need when we need it. Let’s go to the world with God and look for a Kingdom adventure.
Wednesday
Identity Empowerment
Read John 1:12; Acts 1:8
Many people are going through an identity crisis in their lives. They need to know the love that heals, transforms, and brings us into our God created destinies when we realize who we are. When we do not know who we are or what our purpose in life is it is like a person who has amnesia. We are wandering around searching for fulfillment in any place or with any person that we think can fill the bill. The thing is that, that is exactly what the enemy wants is for us to remain nameless.
Jesus gave us back our identity and empowered us and we are to empower people by giving them identity. That is what the father did when the son returned home. He showed him his identity as a son. We are to empower people to live the God life. People are empowered by the Spirit of God making them alive. (John 1:12; Acts 1:8) The seed of God is in you and the seed of God is released through you. We are called to release the power of God in the earth. That is what Jesus did on the Mount of Transfiguration – you would see the Kingdom come in power. We must release the power that is in us but first we must know who we are in Christ Jesus. We must learn to not move out of emotion or intellect but out of the Spirit. There is God power inside you and we must learn how to release the power in us to manifest his Kingdom to a world that needs to see the God way.
Thursday
Equipped For The Kingdom
Read Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 John 1:1-3
True five-fold ministry prepares the people to serve in the Kingdom. We are not to prepare people to die but to prepare them to live the God life. We are not equipping people to win people to Jesus or to be good, but to live the power of the God life. Jesus wants us to live in the Kingdom. He has given us gifts and callings. We must receive them and learn to grow in them to benefit ourselves and others. We are teaching people to know, to be known and to make known. We are not gathers but senders and to send we must equip. We must give you an opportunity to know and grow in the things of the Kingdom. (Ephesians 4:11-13) Apostles, is a military term – to take the territory and to teach people the ways of the new kingdom. God said he would make us His witnesses. A witness is just giving testimony to what he has seen, heard and experienced. (1 John 1:1-3) We have to teach people to live out of the equipment of the Kingdom that we use in everyday life.
God tells Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea so that the waters will come back upon the Egyptians. Now, I know that God wanted to do that, and He could have just made it happen, but God chooses to use people in partnership with Him to accomplish His work. Here is a saying to drive home my point: "God alone can save the world, but God can't save the world alone." God has chosen to use us! Won't you jump in and be a part of what He wants to do in and through you?
Friday
Exaltation Brings Intimacy
Read Acts 15:16-18
Worship means “to give honor, homage, reverence, respect, adoration, praise, or glory to a superior being.” God demands worship because He and He alone is worthy of it. He is the only being that truly deserves worship. He requests that we acknowledge His greatness, His power and His glory. We are to worship God and He is looking for worshipers. Praise and worship will take us from the place of power to the place of living the life of God. Worship and exaltation takes us from the earth to the realm of heaven. It takes us from our focus on earth to heaven. Many times we get so caught up in our circumstances that we can see no peace and have no rest. When we get into a place of worship and exaltation of God we forget about our circumstances, changing our circumstances does not give us peace or rest, it is peace and rest that changes our circumstances. The work of God takes place in an atmosphere of worship and praise. We are to establish a house of praise that brings us into intimate relationship with God. We become like what we worship, when you examine your life or you look in the mirror what do you look like?
The Weekender
God Experience
Read John 14:15-20; Read John 17:3
We owe people an experience with God. True life is found in the presence of God. We have no life without him. He wants us to be with Him where He is at. You were created to be with God. Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for us so we could be with Him where He is at. God wants us to know Him. I believe all of us have had glimpses of God throughout our life time and did not realize it. (John Wimber, Billy Graham, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, God is calling kings to dream again to seek out God men to interpret the dreams. God does not want us to give people just head knowledge about God, but an experience with God that will give a heart revelation to bring transformation. Life is found in His Presence. Eternal life is all about being in the presence of God. We have seen in small ways the presence of God (John Wimber, Billy Graham, Denzel Washington, Pastor Fox) God will not leave himself without a witness. We are called to give the world knowledge of this God that they perceive. (Acts 17:23) Paul said I am going to proclaim this God you have named unknown. We are here to make him known.
Ask leaders and people how they see the Kingdom? Let’s dream together and then put it into vision and live it out in reality.
February 28, 2011
February 20, 2011
The Daily Compass February 21-26, 2011
Monday
Believe In The Goodness of God
Read Exodus 33:14-23
We must be convinced of His goodness before we can have a faith relationship with God. The goodness of God is the life of the believer's trust. But how are we convinced? We do not have to go far to learn of, hear of and see His goodness. 1st we must look around us even in the midst of all that seems bad in this world, there is good there is much good. 2nd we have to go no further than His word, His word tells what and how He feels about us and His promises to us are found in His Word. He has big plans for us and when we grasp hold of and trust Him. His plans will be fulfilled in our lives as we daily make a fresh commitment to, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Some may ask, how can I see "all things" work for my good? Or, how can my path be made straight so that I’m not constantly going down dead end roads with jobs, relationships, investments and more. The answer is found in the same verses that give these great promises. We are to:
• Love God
• Walk, talk, and think in the calling of His purpose (what God’s Word says)
• Lean not on our own understanding
• In all our ways acknowledge Him
By doing these four things you will find the power of God released into your life. You will also find that no matter what may be happening in the world God’s love for you is strong enough to make "all things" work out for the good." As you love God with all your heart, soul and strength you will find that His favor and grace are manifested in your life. You will find that you are, by His grace, always in the right place at the right time. You will find that He will move on people’s hearts to do things for you that you never expected. In the midst of circumstances that are going on in the world and in your personal life, you will be able to say, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) Notice, the words, "I will see." He knew that it would happen, there was no doubt in the goodness of God. He knew that "all things" were going to be worked out for his good… "in the land of the living."
It is this Excellency in God which most appeals to our hearts. Because His goodness endures forever, we ought never to be discouraged: 'The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and He knows them that trust in Him' (Nahum 1:7).
Tuesday
Doubt: The Faith Killer
Read Galatians 3:1-5
I think my doubting the goodness of God reveals my own sinfulness more than anything else.
At some level, my sub-conscious definition of good is to be stable, have everything I think I need: good health, friends around me, food on the table always, extra money in the bank, etc… basically have nothing bad happen: no leaving friends, no pain in life, perfect health… Of course these things are good!
But to doubt God’s goodness when I don’t have these things… Is my definition of goodness so limited? What makes me so special that I should think I am somehow entitled to exemption from the effects of sin in the world and in my own life? Is God so small that he is not able to take what is definitely not good and bring out of it something even better? God is able to make all things work together for good for those who love him. It’s the cherished promise from Rom 8:28 for almost every believer. I’ve seen it at work in my own life. Every day I see more and more clearly how from the mistakes, pains, and sorrows of the previous year’s God is bringing good. Why do I still doubt?
George Mueller once said that if God were to take something good from him, it would only be to give him something better. The difficulty in believing in a sovereign almighty God is you have to believe he can allow these bad things to happen and even worse! But it’s equally true that he can use these awful things to bring goodness beyond anything imaginable! Yet somehow, it’s easier to believe and be afraid of the former than have faith and find joy in the latter.
Oh how small is my faith!! Doubt is a faith killer we must become like father of the sick girl and when times seem bleak and there seems to be no way out we must cry out “Lord, help my unbelief!”
Wednesday
Look For God’s Goodness
Read Psalms 27:13-14; 33:5, 149:5
Truly, 'The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD' (Psa 33:5). The goodness of God can be seen in the variety of natural pleasures, which he has provided for his creatures. God might have been content to satisfy your hunger without the food being very tasty. Can you imagine life without chocolate, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables, and tacos? He didn’t just give us senses, but he gave us things that gratify them; and this also reveals his goodness. The earth might have been as fertile as it is without its surface being so delightfully variegated. Our physical lives could have been sustained without beautiful flowers to regale our eyes with their colors, and our nostrils with their sweet perfumes. We might have walked the fields without our ears being saluted by the music the birds. Whence, then, this loveliness, this charm, so freely diffused over the face of nature? Why isn’t it? Where do all the extras come from? “The tender mercies of the Lord are all over his works.”
Have you taken the time to look for God’s goodness? It is all around take the time to enjoy His goodness.
Thursday
God’s Goodness Met Justice
Read Exodus 34:5-7
God’s goodness met justice when Adam and Eve sinned, and every human being for that matter thereafter sinned, God didn’t place a judgment of wrath on us right away. He could have destroyed all mankind, but he didn’t he chose to save us from ourselves. Although we disappointed Him and still do every day He continues to love us and He continues to want the very best for us. If He did not why then did He offer up His Son as a sacrifice for us? I think John 3:16 pretty much sums it all up for us: 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! (The Message)
Goodness of God is definition as a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations. Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favor on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful." God is infinitely and unchangeably good (Zeph. 3:17), and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind (Rom. 11: 35, 36). "God's goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving."
Friday
Rejoice In His Goodness
Read 2 Chronicles 6:41; Psalms 107:8; Romans 8:28
'Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!' (Psalms 107:8). Gratitude is the return justly required from the objects of His beneficence, yet is it often withheld from our great Benefactor simply because His goodness is so constant and so abundant. You are more than a conqueror! You are part of Christ's Body. God is for you, who can be against you! God’s heart is full of good for you, right now, in the land of the living! Let this verse from God's Word drown out all the voices of the world... "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God’s desire is for you is always good. He responds to your love by pouring out His goodness into your life.
So rejoice! Rejoice that you have a heavenly Father that loves you so much that He has made such great promises to take care of you. Rejoice that God’s love and goodness is for you! Rejoice that "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Rejoice that "He is making your paths straight." Rejoice that you will, "See the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."
God loves you and He is for you!
Saturday
Reflecting God’s Goodness
Exodus 34:29-32; Matthew 5:14-16
When you wake up each morning to the sweet melodies of birds, how do you feel? When you admire the spectacular spectrum of sunsets, are you awed? When sunlight warms your skin and gentle summer breezes softly kiss you, are you not delighted? Do you not enjoy the fragrance of wildflowers, the sound of ocean waves splashing, the chirps of crickets at night, and the claps of thunders during a heavy storm? How do all the elements of life reflect the Creator of life? Think about it carefully: "there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil"
Everything in life is made to be enjoyed by all of our senses, do you not agree? Creations are not only enjoyable, but they also provide for our physical nourishment as well. The Earth produces all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and grains to keep us well-fed and satisfied. So what does this tell us about the Creator of life? Can we not rightfully conclude that our Creator is purely good? Being made in the image of our Creator, we have the capacity to reflect the goodness of our Heavenly Father, just as we have the ability to be happy and sad, disappointed and content, angry and pleased, as He.
How do you personally reflect the goodness of God? Do you lend a helping hand whenever you can? Do you treat everyone with equality? Are you happy when you hear of people doing good, and upset when you hear of injustice?
Do you want to be like your Heavenly Father and reflect His pure goodness, then you must be grafted onto Jesus.
Believe In The Goodness of God
Read Exodus 33:14-23
We must be convinced of His goodness before we can have a faith relationship with God. The goodness of God is the life of the believer's trust. But how are we convinced? We do not have to go far to learn of, hear of and see His goodness. 1st we must look around us even in the midst of all that seems bad in this world, there is good there is much good. 2nd we have to go no further than His word, His word tells what and how He feels about us and His promises to us are found in His Word. He has big plans for us and when we grasp hold of and trust Him. His plans will be fulfilled in our lives as we daily make a fresh commitment to, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Some may ask, how can I see "all things" work for my good? Or, how can my path be made straight so that I’m not constantly going down dead end roads with jobs, relationships, investments and more. The answer is found in the same verses that give these great promises. We are to:
• Love God
• Walk, talk, and think in the calling of His purpose (what God’s Word says)
• Lean not on our own understanding
• In all our ways acknowledge Him
By doing these four things you will find the power of God released into your life. You will also find that no matter what may be happening in the world God’s love for you is strong enough to make "all things" work out for the good." As you love God with all your heart, soul and strength you will find that His favor and grace are manifested in your life. You will find that you are, by His grace, always in the right place at the right time. You will find that He will move on people’s hearts to do things for you that you never expected. In the midst of circumstances that are going on in the world and in your personal life, you will be able to say, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13) Notice, the words, "I will see." He knew that it would happen, there was no doubt in the goodness of God. He knew that "all things" were going to be worked out for his good… "in the land of the living."
It is this Excellency in God which most appeals to our hearts. Because His goodness endures forever, we ought never to be discouraged: 'The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and He knows them that trust in Him' (Nahum 1:7).
Tuesday
Doubt: The Faith Killer
Read Galatians 3:1-5
I think my doubting the goodness of God reveals my own sinfulness more than anything else.
At some level, my sub-conscious definition of good is to be stable, have everything I think I need: good health, friends around me, food on the table always, extra money in the bank, etc… basically have nothing bad happen: no leaving friends, no pain in life, perfect health… Of course these things are good!
But to doubt God’s goodness when I don’t have these things… Is my definition of goodness so limited? What makes me so special that I should think I am somehow entitled to exemption from the effects of sin in the world and in my own life? Is God so small that he is not able to take what is definitely not good and bring out of it something even better? God is able to make all things work together for good for those who love him. It’s the cherished promise from Rom 8:28 for almost every believer. I’ve seen it at work in my own life. Every day I see more and more clearly how from the mistakes, pains, and sorrows of the previous year’s God is bringing good. Why do I still doubt?
George Mueller once said that if God were to take something good from him, it would only be to give him something better. The difficulty in believing in a sovereign almighty God is you have to believe he can allow these bad things to happen and even worse! But it’s equally true that he can use these awful things to bring goodness beyond anything imaginable! Yet somehow, it’s easier to believe and be afraid of the former than have faith and find joy in the latter.
Oh how small is my faith!! Doubt is a faith killer we must become like father of the sick girl and when times seem bleak and there seems to be no way out we must cry out “Lord, help my unbelief!”
Wednesday
Look For God’s Goodness
Read Psalms 27:13-14; 33:5, 149:5
Truly, 'The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD' (Psa 33:5). The goodness of God can be seen in the variety of natural pleasures, which he has provided for his creatures. God might have been content to satisfy your hunger without the food being very tasty. Can you imagine life without chocolate, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables, and tacos? He didn’t just give us senses, but he gave us things that gratify them; and this also reveals his goodness. The earth might have been as fertile as it is without its surface being so delightfully variegated. Our physical lives could have been sustained without beautiful flowers to regale our eyes with their colors, and our nostrils with their sweet perfumes. We might have walked the fields without our ears being saluted by the music the birds. Whence, then, this loveliness, this charm, so freely diffused over the face of nature? Why isn’t it? Where do all the extras come from? “The tender mercies of the Lord are all over his works.”
Have you taken the time to look for God’s goodness? It is all around take the time to enjoy His goodness.
Thursday
God’s Goodness Met Justice
Read Exodus 34:5-7
God’s goodness met justice when Adam and Eve sinned, and every human being for that matter thereafter sinned, God didn’t place a judgment of wrath on us right away. He could have destroyed all mankind, but he didn’t he chose to save us from ourselves. Although we disappointed Him and still do every day He continues to love us and He continues to want the very best for us. If He did not why then did He offer up His Son as a sacrifice for us? I think John 3:16 pretty much sums it all up for us: 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! (The Message)
Goodness of God is definition as a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations. Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favor on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful." God is infinitely and unchangeably good (Zeph. 3:17), and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind (Rom. 11: 35, 36). "God's goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving."
Friday
Rejoice In His Goodness
Read 2 Chronicles 6:41; Psalms 107:8; Romans 8:28
'Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!' (Psalms 107:8). Gratitude is the return justly required from the objects of His beneficence, yet is it often withheld from our great Benefactor simply because His goodness is so constant and so abundant. You are more than a conqueror! You are part of Christ's Body. God is for you, who can be against you! God’s heart is full of good for you, right now, in the land of the living! Let this verse from God's Word drown out all the voices of the world... "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God’s desire is for you is always good. He responds to your love by pouring out His goodness into your life.
So rejoice! Rejoice that you have a heavenly Father that loves you so much that He has made such great promises to take care of you. Rejoice that God’s love and goodness is for you! Rejoice that "all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Rejoice that "He is making your paths straight." Rejoice that you will, "See the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."
God loves you and He is for you!
Saturday
Reflecting God’s Goodness
Exodus 34:29-32; Matthew 5:14-16
When you wake up each morning to the sweet melodies of birds, how do you feel? When you admire the spectacular spectrum of sunsets, are you awed? When sunlight warms your skin and gentle summer breezes softly kiss you, are you not delighted? Do you not enjoy the fragrance of wildflowers, the sound of ocean waves splashing, the chirps of crickets at night, and the claps of thunders during a heavy storm? How do all the elements of life reflect the Creator of life? Think about it carefully: "there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil"
Everything in life is made to be enjoyed by all of our senses, do you not agree? Creations are not only enjoyable, but they also provide for our physical nourishment as well. The Earth produces all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and grains to keep us well-fed and satisfied. So what does this tell us about the Creator of life? Can we not rightfully conclude that our Creator is purely good? Being made in the image of our Creator, we have the capacity to reflect the goodness of our Heavenly Father, just as we have the ability to be happy and sad, disappointed and content, angry and pleased, as He.
How do you personally reflect the goodness of God? Do you lend a helping hand whenever you can? Do you treat everyone with equality? Are you happy when you hear of people doing good, and upset when you hear of injustice?
Do you want to be like your Heavenly Father and reflect His pure goodness, then you must be grafted onto Jesus.
February 13, 2011
The Daily Compass February 14-19, 2011
Monday
Where Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Hebrews 11:8-10; John 8:55-56;
Do you watch any of the TV soap operas? If you do, have you ever tried to forecast what’s going to happen in the episode you’re about to sit down and watch? After all, if you watch it regularly and know all the characters and the sorts of lives they lead, and know perhaps that there hasn’t been a death or marital break-up for some weeks - don’t you start looking for those little hints in the script that tell you that very soon something major is going to blow up. And then it happens and you laugh and say ‘There you are, told you so!’ The fun is in looking for the clues that the scriptwriters have to put in to make the outcome seem plausible. If we haven’t taken in the clues, then sometimes the crisis catches us by surprise.
‘Where do we look for the Kingdom?’
It sounds like the Pharisees were searching for clues as well, but for something a little more important than who’s falling out with whom in Neighbors, or who’s the new character in Friends. What prompted the Pharisees to ask Jesus this question? Did they respect His opinion as a teacher? Were they just trying to catch Jesus out, and hoping that He’d say something outrageous that they could use against Him? Or did they detect something in the life and ministry of Jesus which made them curious? And where were they looking? Probably to the skies, for some cosmic sign of supernatural activity. Chariots of fire! Star wars! Earthquakes! Trumpet blasts! After all, this was their mighty God establishing His Kingdom. He wouldn’t choose to make himself known by any less extravagant manner, now would he?
So how did Jesus react to this question ? Have you noticed that wonderful quality that he had, of meeting people where they are, not trying to be smug and point out the obvious - but being sensitive to the moment. Well here He is again, happy to speak of the Kingdom of God and use the language of scripture as used in the synagogues, because from the moment he opened the scroll at the start of his ministry, and read those wonderful words from the prophet Isaiah
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...’ and ended by saying ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!’ that is exactly what He hoped people would see - that here was indeed the fulfillment of scripture in their presence, and the establishment of His kingdom.
Jesus used scripture to talk to them, hoping that it would open their eyes to what God wanted to reveal to them about the blessings of the Kingdom. Today God continues to speak to us through scripture, just as Jesus told His disciples “the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given” we must seek the His word and as we strive to live up to God’s expectations for our lives, as we put our faith into action- The Kingdom is revealed.
Tuesday
How Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Luke 11:9-10 Luke 18:1-8
A lot of Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of God’s kingdom. Christ sought to undeceive them. He told them that his kingdom did not come with outward show but it must be within men, and that it was not of this world. Jesus wanted them to realize it was spiritual, and not temporal; it is based on the heart and not on pomp and pageantry, so commonly rendered to royalty. The simple idea of this kingdom is that Christ himself reigns in the hearts of his people, securing the perfect submission of the will, and the consecration of every power to himself. Thus his kingdom is within; it is invisible. It puts on no outward glare. In the heart’s of men he writes his laws by his Spirit, and thus rules over them to deliver them from Satan and sin, and translate them into his own kingdom of peace and love. This is the kingdom we are to seek earnestly, with perseverance and faith.
Wednesday
Why Do We Look?
Read Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 25:21
So often when we pray, we seek things. Bound by necessities like money, food, jobs, and other means necessary to survive, we can get caught up in the quest for financial security at the expense of our relationship with God. Wealth is a gift to us from God who is our source. He does not want us living in lack. We are look to the kingdom for what we have been promised. Just like Jabez from the Old Testament, who asked God for increase, we are to seek the kingdom for larger or new territory to take dominion as we have been instructed to do. God has placed dreams in our hearts and souls and we should seek the kingdom for them to be fulfilled. We are to seek the kingdom for the advancement of future generations. We are to pass on what has been revealed to us. I want my children their children and so forth to come into the knowledge that God will supply everything that is needed and all we have to do is reach out and take hold of it.
Many times we get caught up in the quest for things, but the quest for things must be balanced with a higher purpose and emblazoned with the will to act in accordance with the good of all. Is what we want in accordance with the ultimate in spiritual goals? Or do we want what we want because we are entitled to it? Do we want what we want on demand like a spoiled child? Or do we seek God first without constantly asking for a handout? It's our choice. The more spiritual person first seeks a relationship with the Father. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you."
Do you have a daily prayer time? Do you read the Bible daily and seek his will and purpose for your life? Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.
Thursday
A Kingdom Of Power
Read Luke 11:11,20,26; 2 Timothy 3:5; Acts 1:4-8
We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.
Friday
Why Do We Resist?
2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Mark 12:24. Matthew 17:20
We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.
The Weekender
Find The Power Of God
Read Exodus 8:19; 31:18 Matthew 4:17; 1 John 5:7-12
There is an old hymn "At the Cross." The words I most like are found in the chorus:
"At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!"
Even at my young age, this song had a profound impact on my life. I knew very little about big theological phrases and the ultimate understanding of God, but for some reason this song made it as plain as could be. I believe it was the understanding and realization that Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to give His life for me and through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection my life could be anew.
Wow! For many this sounds crazy for one person's sacrifice to make such a difference in the world but it is truly real. God saving power is found at the cross there are many ways that we can experience God’s power and one way God’s power can be found in our testimony. Sharing our testimony can lend example of God awesome power.
Have you shared your testimony lately? I challenge you to revisit your testimony and share the power of God through what he has done for you.
Where Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Hebrews 11:8-10; John 8:55-56;
Do you watch any of the TV soap operas? If you do, have you ever tried to forecast what’s going to happen in the episode you’re about to sit down and watch? After all, if you watch it regularly and know all the characters and the sorts of lives they lead, and know perhaps that there hasn’t been a death or marital break-up for some weeks - don’t you start looking for those little hints in the script that tell you that very soon something major is going to blow up. And then it happens and you laugh and say ‘There you are, told you so!’ The fun is in looking for the clues that the scriptwriters have to put in to make the outcome seem plausible. If we haven’t taken in the clues, then sometimes the crisis catches us by surprise.
‘Where do we look for the Kingdom?’
It sounds like the Pharisees were searching for clues as well, but for something a little more important than who’s falling out with whom in Neighbors, or who’s the new character in Friends. What prompted the Pharisees to ask Jesus this question? Did they respect His opinion as a teacher? Were they just trying to catch Jesus out, and hoping that He’d say something outrageous that they could use against Him? Or did they detect something in the life and ministry of Jesus which made them curious? And where were they looking? Probably to the skies, for some cosmic sign of supernatural activity. Chariots of fire! Star wars! Earthquakes! Trumpet blasts! After all, this was their mighty God establishing His Kingdom. He wouldn’t choose to make himself known by any less extravagant manner, now would he?
So how did Jesus react to this question ? Have you noticed that wonderful quality that he had, of meeting people where they are, not trying to be smug and point out the obvious - but being sensitive to the moment. Well here He is again, happy to speak of the Kingdom of God and use the language of scripture as used in the synagogues, because from the moment he opened the scroll at the start of his ministry, and read those wonderful words from the prophet Isaiah
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...’ and ended by saying ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!’ that is exactly what He hoped people would see - that here was indeed the fulfillment of scripture in their presence, and the establishment of His kingdom.
Jesus used scripture to talk to them, hoping that it would open their eyes to what God wanted to reveal to them about the blessings of the Kingdom. Today God continues to speak to us through scripture, just as Jesus told His disciples “the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of God has been given” we must seek the His word and as we strive to live up to God’s expectations for our lives, as we put our faith into action- The Kingdom is revealed.
Tuesday
How Do We Look For The Kingdom?
Read Luke 11:9-10 Luke 18:1-8
A lot of Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of God’s kingdom. Christ sought to undeceive them. He told them that his kingdom did not come with outward show but it must be within men, and that it was not of this world. Jesus wanted them to realize it was spiritual, and not temporal; it is based on the heart and not on pomp and pageantry, so commonly rendered to royalty. The simple idea of this kingdom is that Christ himself reigns in the hearts of his people, securing the perfect submission of the will, and the consecration of every power to himself. Thus his kingdom is within; it is invisible. It puts on no outward glare. In the heart’s of men he writes his laws by his Spirit, and thus rules over them to deliver them from Satan and sin, and translate them into his own kingdom of peace and love. This is the kingdom we are to seek earnestly, with perseverance and faith.
Wednesday
Why Do We Look?
Read Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 25:21
So often when we pray, we seek things. Bound by necessities like money, food, jobs, and other means necessary to survive, we can get caught up in the quest for financial security at the expense of our relationship with God. Wealth is a gift to us from God who is our source. He does not want us living in lack. We are look to the kingdom for what we have been promised. Just like Jabez from the Old Testament, who asked God for increase, we are to seek the kingdom for larger or new territory to take dominion as we have been instructed to do. God has placed dreams in our hearts and souls and we should seek the kingdom for them to be fulfilled. We are to seek the kingdom for the advancement of future generations. We are to pass on what has been revealed to us. I want my children their children and so forth to come into the knowledge that God will supply everything that is needed and all we have to do is reach out and take hold of it.
Many times we get caught up in the quest for things, but the quest for things must be balanced with a higher purpose and emblazoned with the will to act in accordance with the good of all. Is what we want in accordance with the ultimate in spiritual goals? Or do we want what we want because we are entitled to it? Do we want what we want on demand like a spoiled child? Or do we seek God first without constantly asking for a handout? It's our choice. The more spiritual person first seeks a relationship with the Father. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you."
Do you have a daily prayer time? Do you read the Bible daily and seek his will and purpose for your life? Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.
Thursday
A Kingdom Of Power
Read Luke 11:11,20,26; 2 Timothy 3:5; Acts 1:4-8
We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.
Friday
Why Do We Resist?
2 Corinthians 3:4-6; Mark 12:24. Matthew 17:20
We have all had this happen at some point in our life, we are watching a sports team about to score and... Or you may be right in the middle of cooking, just about done and... On a hot summer day, the air conditioner blowing that cool air and... A power surge! I don't like power surges, we have two flashlights and usually the batteries are dead from my kids playing with them or I can’t even find them which usually makes me become angry. We depend on power to make our lives easier. Do you ever think about depending on God’s power and have you ever asked yourself, “How long has my power been out with my relationship with Him?” Am I plugged into His source? His source never wavers, flickers, or leaves us in the dark. We must put our trust in God and learn from the Holy Spirit so that we can understand and declare the kingdom of God over our lives and over the lives of the people around us. The time is now to step up to the plate. I remember watching “Spiderman” a couple of weeks ago and his uncle gave him a piece of advice that really touched my heart. He said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is our responsibility to speak the power of God over our lives, finances and family and to not turn our backs on the promises God has given us.
The Weekender
Find The Power Of God
Read Exodus 8:19; 31:18 Matthew 4:17; 1 John 5:7-12
There is an old hymn "At the Cross." The words I most like are found in the chorus:
"At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away, it was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day!"
Even at my young age, this song had a profound impact on my life. I knew very little about big theological phrases and the ultimate understanding of God, but for some reason this song made it as plain as could be. I believe it was the understanding and realization that Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to give His life for me and through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection my life could be anew.
Wow! For many this sounds crazy for one person's sacrifice to make such a difference in the world but it is truly real. God saving power is found at the cross there are many ways that we can experience God’s power and one way God’s power can be found in our testimony. Sharing our testimony can lend example of God awesome power.
Have you shared your testimony lately? I challenge you to revisit your testimony and share the power of God through what he has done for you.
February 8, 2011
The Daily Compass February 7-12, 2011
Monday
The Way, The Truth, The Life
Read John 14:6
“As long as you believe in God and try to be a good person, it doesn’t matter what religion you belong to.” “There are different paths up the mountain, but they all lead to the summit.” How many times have you heard people say such things? It’s Politically Correct! Tolerant! and Reasonable! We live in a society that preaches this, but Jesus says it’s wrong! “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” Over the past few weeks we have been going through the “How To Hear God’s Voice” study. We must realize that man was the one who set up the roadblock with God by sinning. This has hampered our ability to Hear God when he speaks, He, however made a provision to tear down this roadblock and that provision was Jesus.
Jesus is the way. Indeed he is a two way street. In him, God comes to meet us, holding back, offering everything of who he is and what he has. Through Him and Him alone, we have access to God to such a degree that we can now call him Abba, Father.
Jesus is the truth. Not just some truth but the entire truth. He is God’s definitive and perfect Word expressing who God is, what He’s like, who we are, and what we need to do to be saved from misery and futility.
And Jesus is the life. He gives us not only commandments and noble ideals, but also the power to live them out, the power to become new people. That Power is the Lord and Giver of Life Himself, the Holy Spirit, who Jesus pours out on those who accept Him.
So there is only one Way, one Truth, one Life, and one Priest who offers a perfect sacrifice for sins. God, Our Father longs to share Himself with us in every possible way. Jesus wants to be our Way, Truth and our Life. He wants to show us the way to walk, He wants to be the vessel in which we hear and communicate with Our Heavenly Father.
Tuesday
Light My Path
Read Psalms 119:105
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit represents a potent partnership. Partnerships are formed in the business world to enhance growth, productivity and profit. Partners strategize together and share in all successes and failures. When we consider the fellowship of the Holy Spirit He will always be the Senior Partner and we the junior partners because He brings so much more to the table than us. His resources are infinite, His knowledge Divine, His strategies perfect, His methods above reproach. He outranks everyone but always secures a place at the table for us! We will do well to allow Him to strategize, plan and plot directions and determine destinies. We should follow and listen and be prudent to execute His plans with precision and passion. The Holy Spirit wants to illuminate our path as we continue on this journey of life. As partners we will share in all His victories. He never fails. We will see our lives grow into all the Father intended. The Holy Spirit specializes to transform the written instructions of the word of God into practical applications and demonstrations of success. Partner with Him on every level. Get His input, advice and suggestions before making decisions. Remember the door to His “office” is always open to you. Not only do we share in the victories and successes the Holy Spirit generates in us as a result of our obedience to His instructions, He also shares in our failures and challenges we face in real life situations. (Romans 8:26 “So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness”) He is our Comforter. He brings joy in the place of sorrow and gives beauty for ashes. In this amazing fellowship with Him all things work together for good for those who love God.
Wednesday
Fellowship With The Spirit
Read John 14:10, 16
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is not one-way traffic. It is a sharing of wills, feelings, and knowledge. You share what you have and know with Him and He shares what He has and knows with you! Remember what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit? “He will tell you whatever He hears from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him, and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come. He will honor and glorify Me because He will take of what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
Compared to our knowledge His is infinitely greater! He knows the secrets of Heaven. He has access to the heart of the Father. Whatever the Father speaks, He hears and will communicate it to you! That means that you can be up to date with whatever is current in the throne room of heaven. The Holy Spirit prepares your heart for what is to come. You’ll be able to anticipate and prepare your heart for future events. He is heaven’s Distributor! Through Him you are well equipped to face any challenge. You are resourced for whatever life throws at you! Not only that, but within the fellowship of the Holy Spirit you can communicate your needs, desires and heart with the Lord. His fellowship is not a dictatorship. It is not a monologue. We should welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives. We should appreciate Him, adore Him and recognize Him.
Thursday
Destructive Speech
Read James 3:6, Acts 6:11
What is the most destructive force on the face of the earth? I cannot answer that question for sure but it seems to me that a force more destructive than famine, fire, drought or bombs is the evil force of the tongue. Bombs destroy and maim the physical body, but criticism, gossip and backbiting destroy or maim a person’s reputation, which affects body, soul, spirit, heart and mind. Millions of people are spiritually killed yearly by a vicious tongue.
The Bible has more to say about the tongue than about many of the major doctrines of the Christian Faith. There are Christians who would give up their lives in martyrdom for the basics of the Christian Faith, but they would never think of giving their tongues over to God. Often Christians do not have their tongues under control and this affects their Christian walk. If we ARE hearing God’s voice then we should be learning to bring our tongues under control. I do not want to be guilty of speaking what satan is currently speaking. I want to be speaking what Father God is speaking. We can only do that when we focus on His words, we can only dothat through our fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and reflect! Whose words are you speaking?
Friday
Whose Thoughts Are They?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:4,
This scripture is awesome. Within, I gather our weapons of battle are eternal in God and with them we can take captive even our thoughts that are not in line with Christ's will. There are lying and deceiving spirits out there. I don't believe even the most righteous have been immune to a wicked thought popping into their mind. I really think it's a matter of what we do with the thought that determines if it becomes our sin or not.
You might have heard it said, "if you tell it to yourself something enough, eventually you are going to believe it." I think there is a lot of truth to this. When a sinful thought comes to mind do you entertain it? Do you bat the thought around in your mind or do you bring it into captivity by rejecting it and moving your thinking to something more wholesome? I believe continuing to entertain sinful thoughts, will bring you down and weaken your faith.
The Bible tells us to be sober-minded; awake and alert in our minds. I found the more I have taken bad thoughts captive, the easier it has become to do so. If you're struggling with unwholesome thoughts, you might want to use those opportunities for seeking God in prayer. The act of prayer alone should help you become refocused and in a healthier frame of mind. God wants your mind and heart filled with Him and His word, not corruption and sin which will eventually destroy you.
The Weekender
Christ Living In Us!
Read Galatians 2:20
We were made to be like Jesus—but how is that different than trying to be like Buddha or Confucius? How is Christianity different from other religions that tell people to imitate a highly respected role model? It is different in several ways. First, most religions teach some form of works as the path of salvation—saying the right prayers, doing the right things, hoping it will be enough. They imply that people can be good enough if they try hard enough.
But Christianity teaches that we all need grace because we cannot be good enough no matter how hard we try. The point of grace, and of Jesus’ sacrifice, is that no amount of good works or religious deeds can ever save anyone. If such a path could have been designed, then God would have done it. The Christian gospel teaches that no one can earn salvation, and yet it is available to all, because Jesus gives it to us. Second, most religions tell us to change our behavior, and they expect us to supply all the effort. Christianity says that God himself will supply the power we need to change our lives. We humans have gotten ourselves into this mess, and we can’t rescue ourselves. The power of salvation must come from God.
We are not trying to transform ourselves into the image of Christ—we want to let God do it in us. The Bible describes this as the Holy Spirit living in us, God living in us, or Jesus Christ living in us. The power to change our behavior comes from him, not from within ourselves. It is his work, not anything we can take credit for. Third, most religions motivate people through threats and desire for reward. Christianity motivates us through grace and love. We obey God not out of fear, but out of love and thankfulness for what he has done. And we are confident that he has given us the best instructions possible on how to live.
Christianity says that we were created for a purpose, and that purpose is eternal happiness living with a supremely loving God. Jesus is not just an example of how we ought to live—he is also an example of what salvation means. He lives in eternal glory, and says that we can join him in that glory, if we trust him.
The Way, The Truth, The Life
Read John 14:6
“As long as you believe in God and try to be a good person, it doesn’t matter what religion you belong to.” “There are different paths up the mountain, but they all lead to the summit.” How many times have you heard people say such things? It’s Politically Correct! Tolerant! and Reasonable! We live in a society that preaches this, but Jesus says it’s wrong! “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” Over the past few weeks we have been going through the “How To Hear God’s Voice” study. We must realize that man was the one who set up the roadblock with God by sinning. This has hampered our ability to Hear God when he speaks, He, however made a provision to tear down this roadblock and that provision was Jesus.
Jesus is the way. Indeed he is a two way street. In him, God comes to meet us, holding back, offering everything of who he is and what he has. Through Him and Him alone, we have access to God to such a degree that we can now call him Abba, Father.
Jesus is the truth. Not just some truth but the entire truth. He is God’s definitive and perfect Word expressing who God is, what He’s like, who we are, and what we need to do to be saved from misery and futility.
And Jesus is the life. He gives us not only commandments and noble ideals, but also the power to live them out, the power to become new people. That Power is the Lord and Giver of Life Himself, the Holy Spirit, who Jesus pours out on those who accept Him.
So there is only one Way, one Truth, one Life, and one Priest who offers a perfect sacrifice for sins. God, Our Father longs to share Himself with us in every possible way. Jesus wants to be our Way, Truth and our Life. He wants to show us the way to walk, He wants to be the vessel in which we hear and communicate with Our Heavenly Father.
Tuesday
Light My Path
Read Psalms 119:105
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit represents a potent partnership. Partnerships are formed in the business world to enhance growth, productivity and profit. Partners strategize together and share in all successes and failures. When we consider the fellowship of the Holy Spirit He will always be the Senior Partner and we the junior partners because He brings so much more to the table than us. His resources are infinite, His knowledge Divine, His strategies perfect, His methods above reproach. He outranks everyone but always secures a place at the table for us! We will do well to allow Him to strategize, plan and plot directions and determine destinies. We should follow and listen and be prudent to execute His plans with precision and passion. The Holy Spirit wants to illuminate our path as we continue on this journey of life. As partners we will share in all His victories. He never fails. We will see our lives grow into all the Father intended. The Holy Spirit specializes to transform the written instructions of the word of God into practical applications and demonstrations of success. Partner with Him on every level. Get His input, advice and suggestions before making decisions. Remember the door to His “office” is always open to you. Not only do we share in the victories and successes the Holy Spirit generates in us as a result of our obedience to His instructions, He also shares in our failures and challenges we face in real life situations. (Romans 8:26 “So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness”) He is our Comforter. He brings joy in the place of sorrow and gives beauty for ashes. In this amazing fellowship with Him all things work together for good for those who love God.
Wednesday
Fellowship With The Spirit
Read John 14:10, 16
The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is not one-way traffic. It is a sharing of wills, feelings, and knowledge. You share what you have and know with Him and He shares what He has and knows with you! Remember what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit? “He will tell you whatever He hears from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him, and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come. He will honor and glorify Me because He will take of what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
Compared to our knowledge His is infinitely greater! He knows the secrets of Heaven. He has access to the heart of the Father. Whatever the Father speaks, He hears and will communicate it to you! That means that you can be up to date with whatever is current in the throne room of heaven. The Holy Spirit prepares your heart for what is to come. You’ll be able to anticipate and prepare your heart for future events. He is heaven’s Distributor! Through Him you are well equipped to face any challenge. You are resourced for whatever life throws at you! Not only that, but within the fellowship of the Holy Spirit you can communicate your needs, desires and heart with the Lord. His fellowship is not a dictatorship. It is not a monologue. We should welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives. We should appreciate Him, adore Him and recognize Him.
Thursday
Destructive Speech
Read James 3:6, Acts 6:11
What is the most destructive force on the face of the earth? I cannot answer that question for sure but it seems to me that a force more destructive than famine, fire, drought or bombs is the evil force of the tongue. Bombs destroy and maim the physical body, but criticism, gossip and backbiting destroy or maim a person’s reputation, which affects body, soul, spirit, heart and mind. Millions of people are spiritually killed yearly by a vicious tongue.
The Bible has more to say about the tongue than about many of the major doctrines of the Christian Faith. There are Christians who would give up their lives in martyrdom for the basics of the Christian Faith, but they would never think of giving their tongues over to God. Often Christians do not have their tongues under control and this affects their Christian walk. If we ARE hearing God’s voice then we should be learning to bring our tongues under control. I do not want to be guilty of speaking what satan is currently speaking. I want to be speaking what Father God is speaking. We can only do that when we focus on His words, we can only dothat through our fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Take a moment and reflect! Whose words are you speaking?
Friday
Whose Thoughts Are They?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:4,
This scripture is awesome. Within, I gather our weapons of battle are eternal in God and with them we can take captive even our thoughts that are not in line with Christ's will. There are lying and deceiving spirits out there. I don't believe even the most righteous have been immune to a wicked thought popping into their mind. I really think it's a matter of what we do with the thought that determines if it becomes our sin or not.
You might have heard it said, "if you tell it to yourself something enough, eventually you are going to believe it." I think there is a lot of truth to this. When a sinful thought comes to mind do you entertain it? Do you bat the thought around in your mind or do you bring it into captivity by rejecting it and moving your thinking to something more wholesome? I believe continuing to entertain sinful thoughts, will bring you down and weaken your faith.
The Bible tells us to be sober-minded; awake and alert in our minds. I found the more I have taken bad thoughts captive, the easier it has become to do so. If you're struggling with unwholesome thoughts, you might want to use those opportunities for seeking God in prayer. The act of prayer alone should help you become refocused and in a healthier frame of mind. God wants your mind and heart filled with Him and His word, not corruption and sin which will eventually destroy you.
The Weekender
Christ Living In Us!
Read Galatians 2:20
We were made to be like Jesus—but how is that different than trying to be like Buddha or Confucius? How is Christianity different from other religions that tell people to imitate a highly respected role model? It is different in several ways. First, most religions teach some form of works as the path of salvation—saying the right prayers, doing the right things, hoping it will be enough. They imply that people can be good enough if they try hard enough.
But Christianity teaches that we all need grace because we cannot be good enough no matter how hard we try. The point of grace, and of Jesus’ sacrifice, is that no amount of good works or religious deeds can ever save anyone. If such a path could have been designed, then God would have done it. The Christian gospel teaches that no one can earn salvation, and yet it is available to all, because Jesus gives it to us. Second, most religions tell us to change our behavior, and they expect us to supply all the effort. Christianity says that God himself will supply the power we need to change our lives. We humans have gotten ourselves into this mess, and we can’t rescue ourselves. The power of salvation must come from God.
We are not trying to transform ourselves into the image of Christ—we want to let God do it in us. The Bible describes this as the Holy Spirit living in us, God living in us, or Jesus Christ living in us. The power to change our behavior comes from him, not from within ourselves. It is his work, not anything we can take credit for. Third, most religions motivate people through threats and desire for reward. Christianity motivates us through grace and love. We obey God not out of fear, but out of love and thankfulness for what he has done. And we are confident that he has given us the best instructions possible on how to live.
Christianity says that we were created for a purpose, and that purpose is eternal happiness living with a supremely loving God. Jesus is not just an example of how we ought to live—he is also an example of what salvation means. He lives in eternal glory, and says that we can join him in that glory, if we trust him.
The Daily Compass January 31- February 5, 2011
Monday
It Is Not About Your Condition
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
When you read the Word, God spends little time talking about where we have been or where we are. His focus seems to always be on where He is taking us in spite of where we have never been. That is why you cannot claim the Word as you quit and remain where you are for it is impossible not to grow. It is impossible not to move forward and walk with the Lord and stay where you are or give up because God’s promises to us is directed toward the future, not the past—never digressing, but always progressing. When God makes a promise, your conditions are against you. God never makes a promise that agrees with your present conditions. When God makes a promise, it is against the backdrop of impossibility. When God makes a promise, your condition says, “You are not supposed to have what God is promising you.” When God makes a promise your condition says your promises, are not supposed to be able to go where God is leading you.
One reason I believe that God does that is to test the maturity of your faith, because it does not take a lot of faith when you are receiving what your condition says you are supposed to have. It does not take much faith when you can see it right before your eyes and just walk into it. It does not take faith to pay a bill when the money is already in the bank. It does not take faith to claim He is a Healer when you are well. It takes faith when your condition says, “No, but I will move forward anyhow.” It takes faith to move forward when your checkbook and your ATM machine hold a conference call. It takes a maturing faith to keep moving anyhow. You can move anyhow when anyhow and somehow work together.
It takes faith to shout when your month is longer than your money. It takes faith to shout about your healing while you are still taking medicine. God declares in His Word that He is looking for some people who will move forward when they cannot see it. When we read the story of the thief that was crucified with Jesus we can see his condition but, it did not matter where the thief had been or where he was, the thief did something that even Jesus’ disciples did not do at His time of need. He acknowledged Him as the King Messiah and defended Him against the accusation of another. Peter failed but the thief did not. Because of this the man’s best day of life was the day of his death. The thief found that the Kingdom was today. He did not enter the Kingdom when he died, he entered when he repented and believed. In the end his current condition did not matter . . . . it was his change in position.
Tuesday
Remember The Covenant
Read Deuteronomy 9:27; Judges 16:18
A covenant is a binding agreement, or a contractual relationship. It must of necessity be between at least two or more parties. In purchasing a house the buyer and seller come to an agreement. This agreement may also depend on the approval of a bank or some other lending institution. A covenant can be among two equal parties or a superior and inferior party. For instance, in purchasing a car the buyer and seller are two equal parties. They can haggle over the price and terms of the sell. An example of superior and inferior parties could be parents telling their children they promise to take them to grandma’s house if they clean up their room. The children are in no position to debate or bargain and say they will clean up part of the room. In a marriage covenant, the man and woman entering the relationship are equals, but God is superior to both parties. It is God and not the man or woman that sets the conditions of marriage. As we read throughout the bible God made covenant with man. God made man with the intention of relationship, but man destroyed that with sin.
The New Covenant and the Holy Spirit: inaugurated by Jesus Christ, defined and determined by His sacrifice. The Spirit is the key player here, as prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit unites those who believe, to Christ. Life in the New Covenant is lived out by the power of the Holy Spirit; this doesn’t mean that believers can now live perfect lives, because the struggle with sin is still ever-present. However, Christ is both our perfect sacrifice, and our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf in the midst of our sin. Therefore, when we sin, “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins. The New Covenant is our bond to God, through the Spirit.
Wednesday
Our Message Is The Kingdom
The central message of Jesus Christ was the message of "the Kingdom of God" or "the Kingdom of Heaven". This message, when understood, is the most relevant message for the needs of humanity. It is a highly attractive message, and will produce the greatest results of any message one could give. When the message of the Kingdom of God is given correctly, the results will be dramatic, just as they were for our Lord and for the apostles of our Lord. For with the proclamation of the Kingdom comes the power of the Kingdom. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 4:20 "for the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power". Anyone who dares to produce theological tomes on the subject of the Kingdom of God without demonstrating something of the reality the power of the Kingdom has missed the mark and does not know as they ought to know. The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
When Jesus spoke of entering the Kingdom he was not merely saying "going to heaven when you die". He was talking about entering into the Kingdom life here and now. This includes heaven later on, and whatever plans God may have for us on the new earth, but it is far more than that. The Kingdom of Heaven is not about "pie in the sky when you die". The Kingdom of God is the place where Jesus is King. It is a spiritual, invisible kingdom which has made its presence felt to a degree in the affairs of this earth, but only to a limited extent. It is not confined to a particular geographical location, nor to a particular religious organization. The Kingdom is truly present in a place to the extent that Christ is honored as Lord and his will done there. Jesus preached the Kingdom message when he was here on earth and he commissioned us to do so. We are not only to tell the world of the God’s Kingdom but we are to demonstrate the Kingdom here on earth.
Thursday
Never Too Late
Read Luke 23:38-43
Well it is a new year and most people take time to self exam and reflect on our choices in life. So you’re looking at your life. I don’t know what you see but I do know what the people in Ezekiel’s time saw. They saw dry bones, desiccated and disconnected remnants of a once mighty and prosperous people. They saw lifelessness and hopelessness. They saw a bleak future in which they were cut off from everything that had been meaningful. Inside there was emptiness, a void, a null space that said, “You are a zero. Your hopes are nothing. Your future is nil.” Not a pretty sight, is it? A once fertile valley is now an abandoned and lifeless desert. But they’re not the only ones who have ever felt this way, are they? Too many of us have looked inside only to find the same dryness and emptiness, a similar hopelessness and despair. But then, there is a stirring. A voice calls out in that quiet, dead place. Bones which had been torn apart begin to come together. Flesh that had wasted away is rejuvenated. The parts are beginning to come together but the most essential factor is still missing. The structure of a life can be rebuilt, but until God breathes spirit into the structure, it is still inanimate, lifeless. Just as God breathes life into the first human being, we must be re-animated and re-connected if we are to truly come alive. God promises resurrection for the living dead. Even when we are old and dried up, God offers to do CPR for our souls, breathing fresh life and spirit into us and giving us a new purpose and promise. It’s never too late for God. We cannot be buried so deep that God will not be able to reach us and bring us forth from the pit. Just take a look at the thief that hung on the cross with Jesus. He recognized even at death’s door that it was never too late to ask for Jesus to come into your heart and transform you. Leave behind your dead and dried up expectations and embrace the unexpected. Let Christ unbind you from your grave clothes so that you can be set free for life. Allow the wind of God’s spirit to wash over you, blowing away the stench of past failures and leaving you fresh for new beginnings. Live. Live again. Live for God.
Friday
Repentance And Faith
Read Mark 1:14-15
Repentance is not always easy. We are very apt to confuse two things—sorrow for the consequences of sin and sorrow for sin. We are at times desperately sorry because of the mess that sin has got us into, but we very well know that, if we could be reasonably sure that we could escape the consequences, we would do the same thing again. It is not the sin that we hate; it is its consequences. Real repentance means that a man has come, not only to be sorry for the consequences of his sin, but to hate sin itself. Repentance means that the man who was in love with sin comes to hate sin because of its exceeding sinfulness. Then take the word faith. We must have faith in Jesus and in the good news. This simply means to take Jesus at his word, to believe that God is the kind of God that Jesus has told us about, to believe that God so loves the world that he will make any sacrifice to bring us back to himself. We must have faith that what sounds too good to be true is really true. Jesus FIRST task was to preach the good news. What’s the good news? That the kingdom of God is near, and that people can enter into it by trusting that this is so, and repenting for their sins. Faith is a spiritual substance. When you have this spiritual substance in you, it communicates to you a certain inner knowing that the thing you are hoping for is certainly established, even before you see any material evidence that it has happened. In summary, faith is something that God requires of us. It is the beginning step in a meaningful relationship with Him. By having faith in God, it helps our love for Him to grow. As our love for God grows, so does our commitment to Him. Faith in God and love of God go hand-in-hand. Our faith can be measured by the amount of courage that we have, and the depth of our commitment to God.
The Weekender
Always Seek The Kingdom
Read Luke 12:32; 23:38-43
God wants us to know there is a way of living that we should enjoy as citizens of heaven. Matthew 6:33 in¬structs us to seek out, learn, understand, and take time to know the kingdom of God. We are to seek out God’s kingdom and His righteousness above anything else. This means seeking out His ways of doing, being, and operating. How does God’s kingdom work? Jesus describes this for us in Matthew 6:10 when He says, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God desires you and me to experience His will here on earth, exactly as it is done in heaven. Whatever is God’s will in heaven, it is supposed to work that way on earth too. That means it’s vital for us to know how God operates, and for us to operate as He does. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus makes it clear that the things we need and desire to live well on earth will be added to us when we oper¬ate according to God’s kingdom principles. We are to adopt God’s way of being and doing. Then the things we all seek—homes, debts paid, good jobs, cars, peaceful relationships with family and friends, and every other good thing in life—will be added to us. A key is a tool that empowers us to open and shut doors, or bind and loose chains. The kingdom of heaven is God’s royal power, His dominion, the right and authority to rule. Jesus gave us the tools to exercise His right and authority to rule on earth, as it is exer¬cised in heaven. Since there’s no fear in heaven, then God doesn’t want you to be afraid here on earth. You don’t have to live with fear. No! You can resist the devil, according to James 4:7, and say, “I refuse to accept your work, Sa¬tan. Stop it! That’s enough! According to God’s Word, you have to flee from me!” You can also use the authority Jesus has given you to open up the doors to heavenly blessings. Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:8). It is time for us to ask for the things of the kingdom—heavenly blessings such as health, provision, peace, joy, and love. God wants us to operate according to His kingdom principles and bring forth a good harvest for Him. And as we do, He’ll add to us all kinds of good things and meet our every need!
It Is Not About Your Condition
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
When you read the Word, God spends little time talking about where we have been or where we are. His focus seems to always be on where He is taking us in spite of where we have never been. That is why you cannot claim the Word as you quit and remain where you are for it is impossible not to grow. It is impossible not to move forward and walk with the Lord and stay where you are or give up because God’s promises to us is directed toward the future, not the past—never digressing, but always progressing. When God makes a promise, your conditions are against you. God never makes a promise that agrees with your present conditions. When God makes a promise, it is against the backdrop of impossibility. When God makes a promise, your condition says, “You are not supposed to have what God is promising you.” When God makes a promise your condition says your promises, are not supposed to be able to go where God is leading you.
One reason I believe that God does that is to test the maturity of your faith, because it does not take a lot of faith when you are receiving what your condition says you are supposed to have. It does not take much faith when you can see it right before your eyes and just walk into it. It does not take faith to pay a bill when the money is already in the bank. It does not take faith to claim He is a Healer when you are well. It takes faith when your condition says, “No, but I will move forward anyhow.” It takes faith to move forward when your checkbook and your ATM machine hold a conference call. It takes a maturing faith to keep moving anyhow. You can move anyhow when anyhow and somehow work together.
It takes faith to shout when your month is longer than your money. It takes faith to shout about your healing while you are still taking medicine. God declares in His Word that He is looking for some people who will move forward when they cannot see it. When we read the story of the thief that was crucified with Jesus we can see his condition but, it did not matter where the thief had been or where he was, the thief did something that even Jesus’ disciples did not do at His time of need. He acknowledged Him as the King Messiah and defended Him against the accusation of another. Peter failed but the thief did not. Because of this the man’s best day of life was the day of his death. The thief found that the Kingdom was today. He did not enter the Kingdom when he died, he entered when he repented and believed. In the end his current condition did not matter . . . . it was his change in position.
Tuesday
Remember The Covenant
Read Deuteronomy 9:27; Judges 16:18
A covenant is a binding agreement, or a contractual relationship. It must of necessity be between at least two or more parties. In purchasing a house the buyer and seller come to an agreement. This agreement may also depend on the approval of a bank or some other lending institution. A covenant can be among two equal parties or a superior and inferior party. For instance, in purchasing a car the buyer and seller are two equal parties. They can haggle over the price and terms of the sell. An example of superior and inferior parties could be parents telling their children they promise to take them to grandma’s house if they clean up their room. The children are in no position to debate or bargain and say they will clean up part of the room. In a marriage covenant, the man and woman entering the relationship are equals, but God is superior to both parties. It is God and not the man or woman that sets the conditions of marriage. As we read throughout the bible God made covenant with man. God made man with the intention of relationship, but man destroyed that with sin.
The New Covenant and the Holy Spirit: inaugurated by Jesus Christ, defined and determined by His sacrifice. The Spirit is the key player here, as prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit unites those who believe, to Christ. Life in the New Covenant is lived out by the power of the Holy Spirit; this doesn’t mean that believers can now live perfect lives, because the struggle with sin is still ever-present. However, Christ is both our perfect sacrifice, and our High Priest who intercedes on our behalf in the midst of our sin. Therefore, when we sin, “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins. The New Covenant is our bond to God, through the Spirit.
Wednesday
Our Message Is The Kingdom
The central message of Jesus Christ was the message of "the Kingdom of God" or "the Kingdom of Heaven". This message, when understood, is the most relevant message for the needs of humanity. It is a highly attractive message, and will produce the greatest results of any message one could give. When the message of the Kingdom of God is given correctly, the results will be dramatic, just as they were for our Lord and for the apostles of our Lord. For with the proclamation of the Kingdom comes the power of the Kingdom. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 4:20 "for the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power". Anyone who dares to produce theological tomes on the subject of the Kingdom of God without demonstrating something of the reality the power of the Kingdom has missed the mark and does not know as they ought to know. The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
When Jesus spoke of entering the Kingdom he was not merely saying "going to heaven when you die". He was talking about entering into the Kingdom life here and now. This includes heaven later on, and whatever plans God may have for us on the new earth, but it is far more than that. The Kingdom of Heaven is not about "pie in the sky when you die". The Kingdom of God is the place where Jesus is King. It is a spiritual, invisible kingdom which has made its presence felt to a degree in the affairs of this earth, but only to a limited extent. It is not confined to a particular geographical location, nor to a particular religious organization. The Kingdom is truly present in a place to the extent that Christ is honored as Lord and his will done there. Jesus preached the Kingdom message when he was here on earth and he commissioned us to do so. We are not only to tell the world of the God’s Kingdom but we are to demonstrate the Kingdom here on earth.
Thursday
Never Too Late
Read Luke 23:38-43
Well it is a new year and most people take time to self exam and reflect on our choices in life. So you’re looking at your life. I don’t know what you see but I do know what the people in Ezekiel’s time saw. They saw dry bones, desiccated and disconnected remnants of a once mighty and prosperous people. They saw lifelessness and hopelessness. They saw a bleak future in which they were cut off from everything that had been meaningful. Inside there was emptiness, a void, a null space that said, “You are a zero. Your hopes are nothing. Your future is nil.” Not a pretty sight, is it? A once fertile valley is now an abandoned and lifeless desert. But they’re not the only ones who have ever felt this way, are they? Too many of us have looked inside only to find the same dryness and emptiness, a similar hopelessness and despair. But then, there is a stirring. A voice calls out in that quiet, dead place. Bones which had been torn apart begin to come together. Flesh that had wasted away is rejuvenated. The parts are beginning to come together but the most essential factor is still missing. The structure of a life can be rebuilt, but until God breathes spirit into the structure, it is still inanimate, lifeless. Just as God breathes life into the first human being, we must be re-animated and re-connected if we are to truly come alive. God promises resurrection for the living dead. Even when we are old and dried up, God offers to do CPR for our souls, breathing fresh life and spirit into us and giving us a new purpose and promise. It’s never too late for God. We cannot be buried so deep that God will not be able to reach us and bring us forth from the pit. Just take a look at the thief that hung on the cross with Jesus. He recognized even at death’s door that it was never too late to ask for Jesus to come into your heart and transform you. Leave behind your dead and dried up expectations and embrace the unexpected. Let Christ unbind you from your grave clothes so that you can be set free for life. Allow the wind of God’s spirit to wash over you, blowing away the stench of past failures and leaving you fresh for new beginnings. Live. Live again. Live for God.
Friday
Repentance And Faith
Read Mark 1:14-15
Repentance is not always easy. We are very apt to confuse two things—sorrow for the consequences of sin and sorrow for sin. We are at times desperately sorry because of the mess that sin has got us into, but we very well know that, if we could be reasonably sure that we could escape the consequences, we would do the same thing again. It is not the sin that we hate; it is its consequences. Real repentance means that a man has come, not only to be sorry for the consequences of his sin, but to hate sin itself. Repentance means that the man who was in love with sin comes to hate sin because of its exceeding sinfulness. Then take the word faith. We must have faith in Jesus and in the good news. This simply means to take Jesus at his word, to believe that God is the kind of God that Jesus has told us about, to believe that God so loves the world that he will make any sacrifice to bring us back to himself. We must have faith that what sounds too good to be true is really true. Jesus FIRST task was to preach the good news. What’s the good news? That the kingdom of God is near, and that people can enter into it by trusting that this is so, and repenting for their sins. Faith is a spiritual substance. When you have this spiritual substance in you, it communicates to you a certain inner knowing that the thing you are hoping for is certainly established, even before you see any material evidence that it has happened. In summary, faith is something that God requires of us. It is the beginning step in a meaningful relationship with Him. By having faith in God, it helps our love for Him to grow. As our love for God grows, so does our commitment to Him. Faith in God and love of God go hand-in-hand. Our faith can be measured by the amount of courage that we have, and the depth of our commitment to God.
The Weekender
Always Seek The Kingdom
Read Luke 12:32; 23:38-43
God wants us to know there is a way of living that we should enjoy as citizens of heaven. Matthew 6:33 in¬structs us to seek out, learn, understand, and take time to know the kingdom of God. We are to seek out God’s kingdom and His righteousness above anything else. This means seeking out His ways of doing, being, and operating. How does God’s kingdom work? Jesus describes this for us in Matthew 6:10 when He says, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God desires you and me to experience His will here on earth, exactly as it is done in heaven. Whatever is God’s will in heaven, it is supposed to work that way on earth too. That means it’s vital for us to know how God operates, and for us to operate as He does. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus makes it clear that the things we need and desire to live well on earth will be added to us when we oper¬ate according to God’s kingdom principles. We are to adopt God’s way of being and doing. Then the things we all seek—homes, debts paid, good jobs, cars, peaceful relationships with family and friends, and every other good thing in life—will be added to us. A key is a tool that empowers us to open and shut doors, or bind and loose chains. The kingdom of heaven is God’s royal power, His dominion, the right and authority to rule. Jesus gave us the tools to exercise His right and authority to rule on earth, as it is exer¬cised in heaven. Since there’s no fear in heaven, then God doesn’t want you to be afraid here on earth. You don’t have to live with fear. No! You can resist the devil, according to James 4:7, and say, “I refuse to accept your work, Sa¬tan. Stop it! That’s enough! According to God’s Word, you have to flee from me!” You can also use the authority Jesus has given you to open up the doors to heavenly blessings. Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive” (Matthew 7:8). It is time for us to ask for the things of the kingdom—heavenly blessings such as health, provision, peace, joy, and love. God wants us to operate according to His kingdom principles and bring forth a good harvest for Him. And as we do, He’ll add to us all kinds of good things and meet our every need!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)