When I was a child, I followed the tugging in my heart and walked the long aisle to the altar. I knelt down and asked Jesus to come into my heart. At that moment, I was given a large gold box with the letters G-R-A-C-E engraved on top. I smiled and took the box, thinking I understood the significance of the contents it contained.
When I got home, I gently placed the precious box on the top shelf in my closet. I smiled again and left it there, hoping to keep it safe.
I kept the box in the closet for many years. As we moved, the box moved with me, remaining in a secure place on the top shelf. When I grew up and moved into my own home, I placed the box on the top shelf in the closet, smiling briefly, remembering the walk to the altar as a child.
It was not until recently that I reached into the closet and brought the box down. I blew the dust off the cover and ran my fingers gently over the engraving. As I lifted the lid, I lost my breath for a moment. I was intrigued by the numerous gifts lying inside, completely unused.
I had always known that my salvation was locked safely inside, but as I rifled through the box, I found strength, love, and mercy. I found gifts and abilities that I never knew I had. Within this box, God had graciously given me everything I needed for life and godliness, success in every endeavor, and peace beyond human reason. For so many years I had tried to live without ever uncovering these gifts. If only I had opened this box long ago...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Lessons from Jonah
He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Jonah 4:2
Jonah had already fled from the Lord when he was supposed to go to Ninevah. He had been swallowed and spit out by a huge fish and had gone into Ninevah and warned them all of God's wrath. I would imagine that by this time Jonah was exhausted and in need of a bath. Ninevah heeded Jonah's warning and decided to plea for God's mercy. Jonah was mad! He threw a fit, telling God that he knew this would happen. He had gone through all this trouble and God had granted them mercy when they did not deserve it. Exactly!
Lessons learned:
1) Of course God had mercy on them even though they did not deserve it. That is what God's grace is. Grace is the unmerited favor of God towards humans. If it was deserved, it would not be grace! Grace is one of God's defining characteristics. He is the God of grace.
2) Could it be that there are times when we are acting just like Jonah? I have looked back over my actions the last few months and have seen some evidence of my own whining. "Why do they get everything? Why am I being tested? Why is the devil picking on me?" It could possibly be that the problems and testing is not because God is testing us or the devil is tempting us. Some of the problems come from our wrong thinking. Grace is for anyone who is willing to receive it. Have we asked for it? Have we received it? Have we been too busy complaining to see the mercy and grace that is bestowed on us daily?
3)"you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Sometimes I think we forget this part. I know I do. God is on our side! He is gracious and compassionate. He is slow to anger, and He loves us abundantly. He relents from sending calamity. He takes care of us. If we take to time to concentrate on God's goodness and understand that there is no problem that He cannot fix, we will be much more thankful.
In essence... Be thankful for grace, be graceful towards others, no whining, be thankful, remember that God is GOOD...
Jonah had already fled from the Lord when he was supposed to go to Ninevah. He had been swallowed and spit out by a huge fish and had gone into Ninevah and warned them all of God's wrath. I would imagine that by this time Jonah was exhausted and in need of a bath. Ninevah heeded Jonah's warning and decided to plea for God's mercy. Jonah was mad! He threw a fit, telling God that he knew this would happen. He had gone through all this trouble and God had granted them mercy when they did not deserve it. Exactly!
Lessons learned:
1) Of course God had mercy on them even though they did not deserve it. That is what God's grace is. Grace is the unmerited favor of God towards humans. If it was deserved, it would not be grace! Grace is one of God's defining characteristics. He is the God of grace.
2) Could it be that there are times when we are acting just like Jonah? I have looked back over my actions the last few months and have seen some evidence of my own whining. "Why do they get everything? Why am I being tested? Why is the devil picking on me?" It could possibly be that the problems and testing is not because God is testing us or the devil is tempting us. Some of the problems come from our wrong thinking. Grace is for anyone who is willing to receive it. Have we asked for it? Have we received it? Have we been too busy complaining to see the mercy and grace that is bestowed on us daily?
3)"you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Sometimes I think we forget this part. I know I do. God is on our side! He is gracious and compassionate. He is slow to anger, and He loves us abundantly. He relents from sending calamity. He takes care of us. If we take to time to concentrate on God's goodness and understand that there is no problem that He cannot fix, we will be much more thankful.
In essence... Be thankful for grace, be graceful towards others, no whining, be thankful, remember that God is GOOD...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
When the Holy Spirit Speaks...
When the Holy Spirit Speaks…
Hundreds of years before Christ ever walked on the earth, prophets wrote of His coming, His works, and His plan of redemption. Isaiah writes in detail of the crucifixion of Jesus in Chapter 53 verse 5. David foretold of Jesus’ victory when he said “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” (Mark 12:36 NIV) The entire Old Testament is filled with information, analogies, and illustrations that lead to the coming of the Messiah. How did men write so accurately about events that would take place centuries in the future?
How is it possible that the bible has sixty-six books written by different men over a span of more than two thousand years yet they consistently reveal the word, will and nature of God without contradiction? The answer to both questions is very simple. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, who is God, yet is His own entity revealed the heart of God to these men. “But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things even the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 2:10) “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:10) The bible was penned by men, but never had its origin in the will of man. The prophets spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet. 1:21).
In the Old Testament, all men did not have the Holy Spirit with them at all times rather temporarily as needed, but Joel prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit on all people. (Joel 2:28-29) This prophesy was fulfilled and is recorded throughout the book of Acts. Jesus told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came on them. After that, they would have power to witness to people all over the world. The disciples stayed in the upper room when suddenly a mighty wind rushed through and tongues of fire sat on their shoulders. They spoke in other tongues and all of the people from other nations heard them and understood them. When Peter had finished speaking, three thousand people were saved! (Acts 1, 2)
Jesus also told the disciples not to worry about their self-defense in times of trial. “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry about what to say. Just say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you speaking but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11) The early apostles experienced the speaking power of the Holy Spirit on numerous occasions. Peter and John were arrested and set free because of the words they spoke as led by the Holy Spirit. When they returned to the people who were assembled, Peter and John spoke God’s word and prayed, and the ground began to tremble as all the people were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word boldly. (Acts 4:1-31) As Paul followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, preaching in every city, he stated “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” (Acts 20:32-33) Paul didn’t worry, for he had experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and he was confident that the Holy Spirit would guide him in trials and would provide the words needed to speak boldly.
If we allow Him to work through us, the Holy Spirit can perform the same actions in our everyday lives. Joel wrote that God’s Spirit would be poured out on all people. That includes us, if we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Paul tells the Corinthians that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:10) The Holy Spirit will reside in us and give us the power to speak boldly in order to bring the message of Jesus to the world.
We can have Paul’s confidence by listening to the Holy Spirit as He testifies that we are God’s children (Rom. 8:16), and Jesus is Lord (1 Cor. 12:3). “And it is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6) God testified to us by signs, miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Heb. 2:4) With all of these witnesses, we can be sure that our faith is firmly grounded, for we know that God speaks to us by His Holy Spirit, and by His word we can see the power manifested through us if we simply listen.
The Holy Spirit has been with God from the beginning for He is God, and is His own person. If we allow Him, He is the part of God that resides in us. Just as the Holy Spirit spoke to the prophets and the apostles, the Holy Spirit will speak to us, giving us the words to say in times of trial and as a witness to the people of this world who so deeply need a savior. We see in Acts that when the Holy Spirit speaks, people get saved! Now it is up to us to guard the message with the help of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 2:14) and to spread that message throughout the world, beginning in our own back yard.
Hundreds of years before Christ ever walked on the earth, prophets wrote of His coming, His works, and His plan of redemption. Isaiah writes in detail of the crucifixion of Jesus in Chapter 53 verse 5. David foretold of Jesus’ victory when he said “The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” (Mark 12:36 NIV) The entire Old Testament is filled with information, analogies, and illustrations that lead to the coming of the Messiah. How did men write so accurately about events that would take place centuries in the future?
How is it possible that the bible has sixty-six books written by different men over a span of more than two thousand years yet they consistently reveal the word, will and nature of God without contradiction? The answer to both questions is very simple. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, who is God, yet is His own entity revealed the heart of God to these men. “But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things even the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 2:10) “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Cor. 2:10) The bible was penned by men, but never had its origin in the will of man. The prophets spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet. 1:21).
In the Old Testament, all men did not have the Holy Spirit with them at all times rather temporarily as needed, but Joel prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit on all people. (Joel 2:28-29) This prophesy was fulfilled and is recorded throughout the book of Acts. Jesus told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came on them. After that, they would have power to witness to people all over the world. The disciples stayed in the upper room when suddenly a mighty wind rushed through and tongues of fire sat on their shoulders. They spoke in other tongues and all of the people from other nations heard them and understood them. When Peter had finished speaking, three thousand people were saved! (Acts 1, 2)
Jesus also told the disciples not to worry about their self-defense in times of trial. “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry about what to say. Just say whatever is given to you at the time, for it is not you speaking but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11) The early apostles experienced the speaking power of the Holy Spirit on numerous occasions. Peter and John were arrested and set free because of the words they spoke as led by the Holy Spirit. When they returned to the people who were assembled, Peter and John spoke God’s word and prayed, and the ground began to tremble as all the people were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word boldly. (Acts 4:1-31) As Paul followed the leading of the Holy Spirit, preaching in every city, he stated “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” (Acts 20:32-33) Paul didn’t worry, for he had experienced the power of the Holy Spirit and he was confident that the Holy Spirit would guide him in trials and would provide the words needed to speak boldly.
If we allow Him to work through us, the Holy Spirit can perform the same actions in our everyday lives. Joel wrote that God’s Spirit would be poured out on all people. That includes us, if we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Paul tells the Corinthians that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 2:10) The Holy Spirit will reside in us and give us the power to speak boldly in order to bring the message of Jesus to the world.
We can have Paul’s confidence by listening to the Holy Spirit as He testifies that we are God’s children (Rom. 8:16), and Jesus is Lord (1 Cor. 12:3). “And it is the Spirit who testifies because the Spirit is the truth. (1 John 5:6) God testified to us by signs, miracles, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Heb. 2:4) With all of these witnesses, we can be sure that our faith is firmly grounded, for we know that God speaks to us by His Holy Spirit, and by His word we can see the power manifested through us if we simply listen.
The Holy Spirit has been with God from the beginning for He is God, and is His own person. If we allow Him, He is the part of God that resides in us. Just as the Holy Spirit spoke to the prophets and the apostles, the Holy Spirit will speak to us, giving us the words to say in times of trial and as a witness to the people of this world who so deeply need a savior. We see in Acts that when the Holy Spirit speaks, people get saved! Now it is up to us to guard the message with the help of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 2:14) and to spread that message throughout the world, beginning in our own back yard.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
When Jesus Speaks...
When Jesus Speaks…
The words of Jesus have been spoken all over the world. They are typed in red in our bibles. They are our guidelines for living. The word of Christ is the message by which we are saved and hearing it strengthens our faith. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17 NIV) As we read the words that Jesus spoke, our lives are transformed by the grace and truth which has made God known to us. Jesus Christ displayed power through words during His time on earth. He is interceding for us now, and we look forward to the day when He will command God’s children to meet Him in the air where we will spend eternity with Him.
We have witnessed many articulate speakers that were able to sway crowds, but none were like Jesus! As Jesus walked the earth, His words had so much power that crowds followed Him wherever He went. Large crowds listened to Him with delight (Matt. 12:37), and He spoke like none of the teachers of the law, but with such authority that people were amazed. (Matt. 7:28) In fact, some of the chief priests and Pharisees demanded that the soldiers arrest Him, but they could not. They simply responded that no one ever spoke like Him. (John 7:44-46) When Jesus spoke, people listened.
It is interesting to study the miracles that Jesus performed and note the similarities and differences between them. One similarity among most of them is the manner in which He operated. Jesus reordered nature, performed miracles, and raised the dead with His words. He rebuked the wind and water and calmed the sea. (Matt. 8:26) He instructed Simon to let down the nets to catch fish. Simon replied, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your Word I will let down the net. (Luke 5:4, NKJ) When they pulled their nets up out of the water, they had caught so many fish that their nets began to break. They called their partners, and both boats were filled and beginning to sink.
Although we know that His power came from the Holy Spirit and the miracles were dependent upon the faith of the recipient, in most cases Jesus simply spoke a word to heal and raise the dead. In the case of the Roman Centurion’s Servant and the Syrophoenician’s daughter, Jesus was not even in the same town, yet He spoke a word. The servant was healed that very hour (Matt. 8:5) and the demon left the daughter. (Mark 7:25-30) Jesus has complete authority over all demonic spirits. When He landed at Gadera, He spoke to the evil spirits which had possessed the man there, commanding the spirits to leave the man and permitting them to go into the swine. Immediately, the swine ran into the sea, and the man was sitting and clothed, and in his right mind. (Mark 5:28-34) Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus with the words, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” (Mark 5:41)
When teaching us how to pray, Jesus instructed us to speak in our daily lives and in prayer. “So I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) and “When you pray, say:” (Luke 11:2) Jesus made it clear that the words spoken have great power. When we pray, we are to speak, and “In that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”(John 16:23) Then again in verse 26 and 27, “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray to the Father for you; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved Me and believed that I came forth from God.” The same power which Jesus exercised during His time on earth was given to the disciples, and passed down to those of us who believe, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) By using Jesus’ example and words, we know that in order to exercise this great power which will act as a witness, we must speak. We do all these things by speaking the name of Jesus!
Even today, Jesus is still speaking on our behalf. At this moment, he is sitting at the right hand of the Father and is interceding for us. (Rom. 8:34) As we come to Him, we can be completely confident that we are saved because the word says, “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Heb. 7:25) At this very moment, Jesus is speaking to our father about us. When we hear His word and believe in God, we have eternal life and we will not be condemned. Because we hear Christ’s word, we have crossed from death to life! (John 5:24) Because He is the Word, Who was with God and is God, He has given us the right to become children of God. (John 1:12) And we can only be children of God, having peace with Him because of the sacrifice and intercession made by Jesus.
As children of God, we are looking forward to the day when Jesus will return to call us up to meet Him in the air. “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17) When Jesus comes down from heaven, He will be coming with a loud command. His word will raise the dead and those who are alive to meet Him in the air! We have such wonderful hope because Jesus died for us and rose again so that we are called the children of God and will spend eternity with Jesus. “Do not be amazed at this for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil rise to be condemned.” (John 5:28-29)
“Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:18) These words of hope bring joy and comfort to those who are in pain and remind us of our mission when we get tired. We are instructed to speak these words, reminding each other of the power of Jesus’ word, the word that saved us, healed the sick, raised the dead, intercedes with the Father on our behalf, and will be spoken on that glorious day when He returns. We have confidence in our salvation because, even now, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for us. In prayer, we can speak directly to the Heavenly Father, praying in the name of Jesus, so that we have healing in our soul and body. Finally, we have the power to perform miracles in the name of Jesus so that we can share the Word with the world so that others might believe on Him also.
The words of Jesus have been spoken all over the world. They are typed in red in our bibles. They are our guidelines for living. The word of Christ is the message by which we are saved and hearing it strengthens our faith. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17 NIV) As we read the words that Jesus spoke, our lives are transformed by the grace and truth which has made God known to us. Jesus Christ displayed power through words during His time on earth. He is interceding for us now, and we look forward to the day when He will command God’s children to meet Him in the air where we will spend eternity with Him.
We have witnessed many articulate speakers that were able to sway crowds, but none were like Jesus! As Jesus walked the earth, His words had so much power that crowds followed Him wherever He went. Large crowds listened to Him with delight (Matt. 12:37), and He spoke like none of the teachers of the law, but with such authority that people were amazed. (Matt. 7:28) In fact, some of the chief priests and Pharisees demanded that the soldiers arrest Him, but they could not. They simply responded that no one ever spoke like Him. (John 7:44-46) When Jesus spoke, people listened.
It is interesting to study the miracles that Jesus performed and note the similarities and differences between them. One similarity among most of them is the manner in which He operated. Jesus reordered nature, performed miracles, and raised the dead with His words. He rebuked the wind and water and calmed the sea. (Matt. 8:26) He instructed Simon to let down the nets to catch fish. Simon replied, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at your Word I will let down the net. (Luke 5:4, NKJ) When they pulled their nets up out of the water, they had caught so many fish that their nets began to break. They called their partners, and both boats were filled and beginning to sink.
Although we know that His power came from the Holy Spirit and the miracles were dependent upon the faith of the recipient, in most cases Jesus simply spoke a word to heal and raise the dead. In the case of the Roman Centurion’s Servant and the Syrophoenician’s daughter, Jesus was not even in the same town, yet He spoke a word. The servant was healed that very hour (Matt. 8:5) and the demon left the daughter. (Mark 7:25-30) Jesus has complete authority over all demonic spirits. When He landed at Gadera, He spoke to the evil spirits which had possessed the man there, commanding the spirits to leave the man and permitting them to go into the swine. Immediately, the swine ran into the sea, and the man was sitting and clothed, and in his right mind. (Mark 5:28-34) Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus with the words, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” (Mark 5:41)
When teaching us how to pray, Jesus instructed us to speak in our daily lives and in prayer. “So I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9) and “When you pray, say:” (Luke 11:2) Jesus made it clear that the words spoken have great power. When we pray, we are to speak, and “In that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”(John 16:23) Then again in verse 26 and 27, “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray to the Father for you; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved Me and believed that I came forth from God.” The same power which Jesus exercised during His time on earth was given to the disciples, and passed down to those of us who believe, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) By using Jesus’ example and words, we know that in order to exercise this great power which will act as a witness, we must speak. We do all these things by speaking the name of Jesus!
Even today, Jesus is still speaking on our behalf. At this moment, he is sitting at the right hand of the Father and is interceding for us. (Rom. 8:34) As we come to Him, we can be completely confident that we are saved because the word says, “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Heb. 7:25) At this very moment, Jesus is speaking to our father about us. When we hear His word and believe in God, we have eternal life and we will not be condemned. Because we hear Christ’s word, we have crossed from death to life! (John 5:24) Because He is the Word, Who was with God and is God, He has given us the right to become children of God. (John 1:12) And we can only be children of God, having peace with Him because of the sacrifice and intercession made by Jesus.
As children of God, we are looking forward to the day when Jesus will return to call us up to meet Him in the air. “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thess. 4:16-17) When Jesus comes down from heaven, He will be coming with a loud command. His word will raise the dead and those who are alive to meet Him in the air! We have such wonderful hope because Jesus died for us and rose again so that we are called the children of God and will spend eternity with Jesus. “Do not be amazed at this for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil rise to be condemned.” (John 5:28-29)
“Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:18) These words of hope bring joy and comfort to those who are in pain and remind us of our mission when we get tired. We are instructed to speak these words, reminding each other of the power of Jesus’ word, the word that saved us, healed the sick, raised the dead, intercedes with the Father on our behalf, and will be spoken on that glorious day when He returns. We have confidence in our salvation because, even now, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father making intercessions for us. In prayer, we can speak directly to the Heavenly Father, praying in the name of Jesus, so that we have healing in our soul and body. Finally, we have the power to perform miracles in the name of Jesus so that we can share the Word with the world so that others might believe on Him also.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
When God Speaks...
When God Speaks…
The word of God is an awesome, indescribable power. When God speaks, things happen.
Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine nothing. There is nothing in existence, and total darkness abounds. There is no earth, no air, no water, no sky, just nothing. Suddenly, a voice is heard saying, “Let there be light.” Within an instant, light surrounds you, with warmth and peace. The darkness is driven away. Soon, there is an earth below you and a sky above you. The waters are gathered together and you can hear the waves of the ocean as they lap against the sands of the shore. On the land, the scent of spring flowers wafts through the air as trees and grass burst through the earth’s surface. The sun burns brightly above you and a dim, soothing light radiates from the moon and stars. At last, you see movement all around as living creatures begin to live and move in the sea, and the sky, and on the land. People are working the land and living together in complete joy, as they fellowship with their Creator. Everything you see is the result of one thing: the word of God. “By faith we know that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Heb. 11:3, NIV)
At the end of creation, God did not stop sending forth His word. His power did not end there, and he did not rest forever. Paul writes to the Hebrews, “For the word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any doubled-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) God’s word is still working today with authority over anything that might come against us. He sends forth His word to accomplish and achieve His purpose and it will not come back empty! (Isa. 55:11)
God’s word guides us to redemption. Simply hearing the word of God through a friend or a pastor, or reading His word can change our lives forever. We are saved from sin and death if we believe in Jesus, Who has been revealed through His word. Once we have been redeemed by the truth of His word, we are sanctified, or made clean, by the truth, and His word is truth. (John 17:17) The word which saves us makes us whole. God heals our bodies with His word and rescues us from the grave. (Psalms 107:20) As God’s word rushes forth throughout the world, people’s lives are changed. We become born again with a renewed view of the world around us and a hope for the future. We are no longer in bondage to sin (drugs, alcohol, depression, etc.) but we are free to serve God with a new heart. (Eph. 5:26, Js 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:23-25)
After we have become His children, God continues to work in us. Through His word, we are physically and spiritually nourished. David writes that by His word, God controls the weather so that His people will prosper and live with divine provision. (Psalms 107:18) And Jesus rebukes the devil’s temptations by saying, “It is written, man does live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Mt. 4:4) As we meditate on the word of God, it enters our minds and hearts, so that we are made whole. He will fill that empty space in your heart with His word, making you complete.
God’s word will guide us as we travel in life so that we come closer to Him and stay in His righteousness. We can make choices confidently by comparing each option to the word of God. If we do what His word says, it will lead us in the right direction. “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105) David also writes that by hiding His word in our hearts, we are guarding ourselves against sin. (Psalms 119:11)
The word of God is a powerful force that is alive and active as it goes out to accomplish His divine purpose. It is by His word that we are protected from sin, led in the path of righteousness, nourished, sanctified, consecrated, healed, cleansed, and reborn. He sends forth His word with such tremendous power that we cannot even fathom the force that controls the universe and changes our lives. Consider this: God has given us the same power to use in battle.
Studying His word and applying the principles to our lives guarantees that we will not return to the bondage of our former lives. God gives us all of the tools that we need to be victorious in His word. Ephesians chapter 5 gives us a list of the weapons that we need to fight the temptations that will come against us. The last tool listed is the “sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.” The word of God is a sword.
Imagine, the battle is raging hotter with fiery darts of the enemy flying past on every side. Temptations pound in your temples as you cast down thoughts that do not align with the word of God. But you can feel yourself growing weak. The battle has raged for days. He has tempted you with so many things. He has continued to annoy and irritate you with tactics that leave you breathless. Suddenly, you remember your weapon and your hand wraps around the leather and you slide your sword from its sheath. As you raise it high, the bright steel gleams in the eyes of the enemy and he begins to tremble. He knows the power of the word. He drops all of his weapons and turns to run, hearing the word of God spoken behind him.
No matter what temptation comes against you, depression, anxiety, worry, or the temptation to return to the sin from which you have been set free, God has a word that will guide you on His path and lead you to righteousness, victory, and eternal life! Simply speaking His word and believing His word in battle or in prayer will release power. “The word that goes out will not return empty. It will accomplish and achieve its purpose.” (Isa. 55:11)
For example:
• Rom. 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
• Rom. 8:39 neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Phil. 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• 2 Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mine.
• Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• Heb. 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
I encourage you to find more scriptures that pertain to your specific situation. Pray them, speak them, use them. Study His word and hide it in your heart. For God’s word is powerful, a mighty command that accomplishes anything in His will!
The word of God is an awesome, indescribable power. When God speaks, things happen.
Close your eyes for just a moment and imagine nothing. There is nothing in existence, and total darkness abounds. There is no earth, no air, no water, no sky, just nothing. Suddenly, a voice is heard saying, “Let there be light.” Within an instant, light surrounds you, with warmth and peace. The darkness is driven away. Soon, there is an earth below you and a sky above you. The waters are gathered together and you can hear the waves of the ocean as they lap against the sands of the shore. On the land, the scent of spring flowers wafts through the air as trees and grass burst through the earth’s surface. The sun burns brightly above you and a dim, soothing light radiates from the moon and stars. At last, you see movement all around as living creatures begin to live and move in the sea, and the sky, and on the land. People are working the land and living together in complete joy, as they fellowship with their Creator. Everything you see is the result of one thing: the word of God. “By faith we know that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Heb. 11:3, NIV)
At the end of creation, God did not stop sending forth His word. His power did not end there, and he did not rest forever. Paul writes to the Hebrews, “For the word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any doubled-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) God’s word is still working today with authority over anything that might come against us. He sends forth His word to accomplish and achieve His purpose and it will not come back empty! (Isa. 55:11)
God’s word guides us to redemption. Simply hearing the word of God through a friend or a pastor, or reading His word can change our lives forever. We are saved from sin and death if we believe in Jesus, Who has been revealed through His word. Once we have been redeemed by the truth of His word, we are sanctified, or made clean, by the truth, and His word is truth. (John 17:17) The word which saves us makes us whole. God heals our bodies with His word and rescues us from the grave. (Psalms 107:20) As God’s word rushes forth throughout the world, people’s lives are changed. We become born again with a renewed view of the world around us and a hope for the future. We are no longer in bondage to sin (drugs, alcohol, depression, etc.) but we are free to serve God with a new heart. (Eph. 5:26, Js 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:23-25)
After we have become His children, God continues to work in us. Through His word, we are physically and spiritually nourished. David writes that by His word, God controls the weather so that His people will prosper and live with divine provision. (Psalms 107:18) And Jesus rebukes the devil’s temptations by saying, “It is written, man does live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Mt. 4:4) As we meditate on the word of God, it enters our minds and hearts, so that we are made whole. He will fill that empty space in your heart with His word, making you complete.
God’s word will guide us as we travel in life so that we come closer to Him and stay in His righteousness. We can make choices confidently by comparing each option to the word of God. If we do what His word says, it will lead us in the right direction. “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105) David also writes that by hiding His word in our hearts, we are guarding ourselves against sin. (Psalms 119:11)
The word of God is a powerful force that is alive and active as it goes out to accomplish His divine purpose. It is by His word that we are protected from sin, led in the path of righteousness, nourished, sanctified, consecrated, healed, cleansed, and reborn. He sends forth His word with such tremendous power that we cannot even fathom the force that controls the universe and changes our lives. Consider this: God has given us the same power to use in battle.
Studying His word and applying the principles to our lives guarantees that we will not return to the bondage of our former lives. God gives us all of the tools that we need to be victorious in His word. Ephesians chapter 5 gives us a list of the weapons that we need to fight the temptations that will come against us. The last tool listed is the “sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.” The word of God is a sword.
Imagine, the battle is raging hotter with fiery darts of the enemy flying past on every side. Temptations pound in your temples as you cast down thoughts that do not align with the word of God. But you can feel yourself growing weak. The battle has raged for days. He has tempted you with so many things. He has continued to annoy and irritate you with tactics that leave you breathless. Suddenly, you remember your weapon and your hand wraps around the leather and you slide your sword from its sheath. As you raise it high, the bright steel gleams in the eyes of the enemy and he begins to tremble. He knows the power of the word. He drops all of his weapons and turns to run, hearing the word of God spoken behind him.
No matter what temptation comes against you, depression, anxiety, worry, or the temptation to return to the sin from which you have been set free, God has a word that will guide you on His path and lead you to righteousness, victory, and eternal life! Simply speaking His word and believing His word in battle or in prayer will release power. “The word that goes out will not return empty. It will accomplish and achieve its purpose.” (Isa. 55:11)
For example:
• Rom. 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
• Rom. 8:39 neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Phil. 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
• 2 Tim. 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mine.
• Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• Heb. 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.
I encourage you to find more scriptures that pertain to your specific situation. Pray them, speak them, use them. Study His word and hide it in your heart. For God’s word is powerful, a mighty command that accomplishes anything in His will!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Why Do We Do What We Do?
Carrie sat in her small office. Deep creases ran across her forehead as she ran the figures through her calculator one more time. The numbers just did not line up. After all of her hard work, planning, and scheming, she still showed no profit. As she slumped back into her chair, she wondered what had gone wrong. She had followed her marketing plan. She had prayed desperately for success, and she knew her product was marketable. She just could not understand why she was not profiting. As she leaned back in her chair, she could see her name in lights, the fame, the glory, and the money she would be able to spend on herself if she could just hit a bigger market.
Behind every effort lies a motive, a deep-seated reason for doing something. Proverbs 16:2 states “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord” (NIV). We can reason with ourselves to make decisions that seem perfectly acceptable, but are they truly the best choice we can make? How can we determine that we are making a good decision based on God’s plan for us? How can we be assured that our plans will succeed because we have the Lord’s blessing and anointing on our lives?
Based on the word of God, I believe the answer lies in the simple question, “why?” We can determine that there is a definite need in our family, church, or community. In such a situation, it is likely that our first response would be to question, “What can I do?” We begin making plans, forming committees, and charging into a situation without listening to the small, quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. We are determined to make a change, hopefully for the better.
Could it possibly be more productive to ask, “Why do I want to do something? What do I expect to gain?” The answers to these questions will determine your results. We can trust that our plans will succeed if we commit whatever we do to the Lord, according to Proverbs 16:3. However, will the Lord bless our plans if we are working diligently to fulfill our own desires, laboring to bring glory and honor to ourselves?
Searching deep in your heart takes courage. As we search, we may find unpleasant things, hidden desires and motives that we thought had been buried long ago. However, as long as these desires remain hidden, we cannot allow God to do a true working in our lives. We must bring to the surface and deal with those issues that may not seem so pleasant for even though we may be unaware, “God searches man’s hearts and understands motives behind every thought,” 1 Chronicles 28:9.
As we search our hearts, we may find an unresolved need for justification from ourselves, our peers, and even God. Although we know that we have been justified by faith, we may continue to work to prove to ourselves and others that we are worthy of redemption, love, and mercy. We may be seeking material possessions, hoping to gain them by our own means rather than by seeking first the kingdom of God. It could be that we are expecting a returned favor or simple gratitude.
Although each of these motives may seem harmless, its innocence is refutable on biblical terms. Further, if these motives are masked by our call for pure Christian brotherly love, our efforts are futile for we cannot love our brother more than ourselves while blessing our brother for personal gain. James states in chapter 4, verse 3, “When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
As we examine our motives, it is imperative that that we seek God, asking Him for wisdom and guidance. Only He can change our hearts, and as we spend time in His presence, He will mold us into the image of Christ. If we find that our motives are leading us astray, pray for His divine intervention, that we may reflect His glory, doing all things for His honor. First and foremost, pray that His love can be seen through us so that others may see His face and come to learn of Him.
Lana Mowdy
http://www.publishedauthors.net/lanamowdy/index.html
Behind every effort lies a motive, a deep-seated reason for doing something. Proverbs 16:2 states “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord” (NIV). We can reason with ourselves to make decisions that seem perfectly acceptable, but are they truly the best choice we can make? How can we determine that we are making a good decision based on God’s plan for us? How can we be assured that our plans will succeed because we have the Lord’s blessing and anointing on our lives?
Based on the word of God, I believe the answer lies in the simple question, “why?” We can determine that there is a definite need in our family, church, or community. In such a situation, it is likely that our first response would be to question, “What can I do?” We begin making plans, forming committees, and charging into a situation without listening to the small, quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. We are determined to make a change, hopefully for the better.
Could it possibly be more productive to ask, “Why do I want to do something? What do I expect to gain?” The answers to these questions will determine your results. We can trust that our plans will succeed if we commit whatever we do to the Lord, according to Proverbs 16:3. However, will the Lord bless our plans if we are working diligently to fulfill our own desires, laboring to bring glory and honor to ourselves?
Searching deep in your heart takes courage. As we search, we may find unpleasant things, hidden desires and motives that we thought had been buried long ago. However, as long as these desires remain hidden, we cannot allow God to do a true working in our lives. We must bring to the surface and deal with those issues that may not seem so pleasant for even though we may be unaware, “God searches man’s hearts and understands motives behind every thought,” 1 Chronicles 28:9.
As we search our hearts, we may find an unresolved need for justification from ourselves, our peers, and even God. Although we know that we have been justified by faith, we may continue to work to prove to ourselves and others that we are worthy of redemption, love, and mercy. We may be seeking material possessions, hoping to gain them by our own means rather than by seeking first the kingdom of God. It could be that we are expecting a returned favor or simple gratitude.
Although each of these motives may seem harmless, its innocence is refutable on biblical terms. Further, if these motives are masked by our call for pure Christian brotherly love, our efforts are futile for we cannot love our brother more than ourselves while blessing our brother for personal gain. James states in chapter 4, verse 3, “When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
As we examine our motives, it is imperative that that we seek God, asking Him for wisdom and guidance. Only He can change our hearts, and as we spend time in His presence, He will mold us into the image of Christ. If we find that our motives are leading us astray, pray for His divine intervention, that we may reflect His glory, doing all things for His honor. First and foremost, pray that His love can be seen through us so that others may see His face and come to learn of Him.
Lana Mowdy
http://www.publishedauthors.net/lanamowdy/index.html
Saturday, December 8, 2007
This is Temporary
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)
"This is temporary."
Say that sentence a couple of times. It seems almost difficult to fully comprehend especially in the midst of trials and temptations. Our current situations almost seem to overwhelm us, causing us to worry, fret, and reason to find answers to our problems. However, according to Vine's Concise dictionary of the Bible, the word temporary means, "for a season." Everything around us is fading away. Everything we see, everything our senses percieve, and even everything we feel will soon be gone. Our "things" will not last forever and the time we have with other people is fleeting. With that in mind, now repeat that sentence. It will set you free! There is no need to worry or fix that problem that has been plaguing your mind. Put it in God's hands for only He can "fix it." This is temporary. Now our minds are free to focus on things above, those things that are eternal, those things that last forever.
Col 3:2 says, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."
God's grace and mercy is eternal. His love is eternal.
"This is temporary."
Say that sentence a couple of times. It seems almost difficult to fully comprehend especially in the midst of trials and temptations. Our current situations almost seem to overwhelm us, causing us to worry, fret, and reason to find answers to our problems. However, according to Vine's Concise dictionary of the Bible, the word temporary means, "for a season." Everything around us is fading away. Everything we see, everything our senses percieve, and even everything we feel will soon be gone. Our "things" will not last forever and the time we have with other people is fleeting. With that in mind, now repeat that sentence. It will set you free! There is no need to worry or fix that problem that has been plaguing your mind. Put it in God's hands for only He can "fix it." This is temporary. Now our minds are free to focus on things above, those things that are eternal, those things that last forever.
Col 3:2 says, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."
God's grace and mercy is eternal. His love is eternal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
