So Much More

Some of us accept the free gift of Salvation offered by God through Jesus Christ, others reject Him altogether, and some of us try to earn Salvation through our own merits and good works (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:8-9).

People blame God for the suffering in this world. Once we put aside our pride and rebellion, we can influence our children, family and friends to use prayer to solve their problems rather than to resort to blame, violence and carnality.

We teach them to aspire to use their vocation and hobbies to make the world a better place. Even more important than this, however, is teaching them the Word of God.

Life is not about doing, but about being. God has a perfect plan for each person ever born (Ephesians 2:10). If we branch off in our own direction, we end up spinning our wheels.

However, if we focus on what God is doing in and through our life each moment, we discover His divine appointments throughout the day as we follow the leading of His Holy Spirit. 

Through the blood of Christ and the word of our testimony, we can heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out devils all in Jesus’ name and through His Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:8).

Christ in us is the light of the world (John 8:12). God places His authentic Believers in a candlestick, which He can move as He wills, to give the whole world an opportunity to come to Christ’s Light.

As His church, we are a city set on a hill, which cannot be hidden. We can let His light in us shine so brightly that people will see our good works and give God the glory (Matthew 5:14-16).

Prayer:

Father God, we have assurance that You hear our prayers. Not only do You give us what we ask for, if it is according to Your will, but You also give us abundantly more than we request (Ephesians 3:20). We see the truth of this in Your answer to Solomon’s prayer (1 Kings 3:11).

How often we place our affections on this world’s wealth and resources. We labor more for mammon’s trappings than for the eternal matters of Your Kingdom.

How much better it is for us to put our treasure where moth and rust do not destroy (Matthew 6:19-20). Remind us that prayer, witnessing, Christian relationships and mentoring others for Christ are the true jewels of life.

Thought for the Day:

The Word of God truly is the mightiest sword. 

- Hebrews 4:12

God's Presence In Us

 

We often implore our Heavenly Father to give us more patience, love, peace, joy, compassion, faith and strength. What we do not realize is that we already have all of the fruit of the Spirit resident within us through our salvation in Christ. God's Spirit and all of the attributes of God are already available to us.

The issue preventing them from manifesting is our flesh. Our flesh often masquerades as God's direction and we follow the wrong path. When seeking God's will, we are looking for a billboard, a loud speaker or a flashing neon sign, but it never comes. Our human reasoning quickly drowns out God's true guidance.

We second guess our first impression and miss God. God directs us from His Spirit within our spirit in a barely recognizable impression or thought. God's is a still, small voice, which is often overwhelmed by the cacophony of life's trials and demands. As we submit our desires and thoughts to God's Spirit and obey His direction for each moment of our day, we live in peace and rest.

It is only as we decrease, that Christ in us can increase (John 3:30). The more we minimize the influence of our flesh, the world and the devil in our life, the more we are able to access the fruit, gifts and power of the Trinity within us. God already has our life planned out for us (Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 139:16). We never need to deal with life in our own wisdom and resources.

Prayer:

Father God, nothing occurs in our life that is not already part of Your plan for us. There is no need to fear, attempt to control or to worry about our present and future circumstances. We can take a deep breath and exhale all of the tension and stress caused by negative emotions and life's events; then breathe in Your peaceful presence in all of its fullness. Even negative circumstances are a new adventure, because You are in control. You are not bound by time and You have an eternal perspective. You know the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

Thought for the Day:

Christ in us is our glorious hope for a fulfilled life and our eternal reality. - Galatians 2:20

No Shortcuts

Read: James 1: 22-25

"They will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes." - Proverbs 1:31

As we intently respond to the Word of God, we receive freedom to become children of God. God blesses the faithful ones who act upon His Word, in addition to reading and studying it (Galatians 3:26; James 1:22-25). We do not forget what we read or hear, but we go one step further and actually do what the Bible instructs. In these last days prior to Christ’s return, the Word calls us to do God’s work with urgency, while we still find people who want to hear the Gospel.

One day very soon, the night will come when people will no longer endure the Truth (2 Timothy 4:3). We will no longer be allowed to do God’s work (John 9:4). There will be a famine in the land of hearing the Word of God. Therefore, let our hearts take delight in the ways of the Lord now, remove the idols from our life and fully commit our heart to God all the days of our life (2 Chronicles 15:17; 2 Chronicles 17:6)

What is an idol in today’s society? People, pets and activities in our life can become idols, if we prefer to spend time with them instead of doing the work of the Lord and obeying His precepts. If you worship even one idol in your life, and if you are not allowing the Holy Spirit to produce God’s fruit in your life, then please return to God now, walk in mercy and truth, and follow God’s Spirit as He directs your steps (Proverbs 3:3-5; Hosea 12:6). Worship the Lord and serve Him only. Do not pursue the gods of money, independence, success, power, relationships, addictions, etc. (Matthew 4:10).

Hell is a place of punishment for not believing that Jesus is God, and that He came in the flesh in order to save sinners from this eternal damnation. God is light (1 John 1:5) and there is no darkness in Him. Without God as its light, hell is a place of eternal darkness (Jude 13). There is no rest from the torment of hell for the unbeliever (Revelation 14:11). Hell is also a furnace of everlasting anguish in a pit of fire (Revelation 21:8; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:44-45). The smoke from the fires of torment ascends forever and ever without end (Revelation 14:11). How can hell have both flames and darkness?

It is the same in Hell as it is in a Black Hole in the universe. Black Holes are sections of space where stars collided and attracted other stars by their gravitational pull. A Black Hole is dark, even though it is an incredibly dense and blazing star. This density increases the heat within the Black Hole. Hell is also a black hole full of intense heat that will never end. We do not want our friends, relatives, associates or neighbors to experience this eternal damnation. So, make a point to share with them the hope in Christ that you have within your heart (Hebrews 6:19).

There are no shortcuts to Heaven or to spiritual maturity. It takes a lifetime for us to grow into spiritual adulthood, and for our fruit to fully ripen. The development of Christ-like character takes nurture and time through the sanctifying process. If we do not take up Jesus’ cross and follow after Him, we are not worthy of Him. The person who fights to keep his life will loose it, but the one who willing surrenders and dedicates his/her life to the Lord, will find their life now and also in eternity. Whoever is wise understands these things; whoever is discerning believes them. The ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them now and always (Matthew 10:38-39).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. We delight in reading the Bible and learning more about You, Your precepts and what You desire for us and from us. Thank You for paying the penalty for our sins, for giving us an alternative to hell and for making the way so easy for us. Rise up within our spirit and draw us ever closer to Your heart. Help us to share the Gospel story with others so they too will escape the fires of hell and enjoy Heaven with us for eternity.

Thought for the Day:

When it comes to getting into Heaven, Jesus is the only way.









Thank you, Sarah Patterson, for the use of your photo.