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15 April 2023 07:01

You are Christ’s ambassador (1)
“We are…Christ’s ambassadors.” 2Co 5:20 NIV



Your job in the kingdom of God is that of an “ambassador.” What a privilege! And what a responsibility! Over the next few days, let’s look at some of the qualities of an ambassador: You must be a citizen of the country you represent. And “our citizenship is in heaven” (Php 3:20 NIV). Exiled, John said, “I…was on the island of Patmos…On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit” (Rev 1:9-10 NIV). John knew it was not where he was but whose he was that counted the most as he represented his Lord. Your life is the only Bible many people will ever read. From your lips they will receive the only gospel they ever hear. And your attitude may do more to win them than all your arguments. Before He was crucified, Jesus prayed this prayer for His disciples: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (Jn 17:15-18 NKJV). Before an ambassador is appointed, he or she goes through the closest scrutiny imaginable. Their moral integrity, their financial interactions, their family life, their work record, their every word and action come under the microscope. Shouldn’t it be more so for ambassadors of the King of Kings? Never forget whose side you’re on. Never forget what kingdom you belong to. Never forget who you represent. You are Christ’s ambassador.

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13 April 2023 06:12

Your dream is still alive
“The spirit of Jacob their father revived.” Ge 45:27 NKJV



If the dream you believe God gave you seems dead, read this: “And they told him, saying, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.’ And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But…when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived” (vv. 26-27 NKJV). For years Jacob believed his son, the dreamer, was dead. But it was a lie. In his old age, wagons loaded with riches came to carry him back to see his son who was now the prince of Egypt. Notice, when Jacob first heard it, “he did not believe them” (v. 26 NKJV). When you have lived in defeat and discouragement for years, it’s hard to anticipate victory. No problem; God is patient. He will keep working with you. He will demonstrate His grace and goodness in such a way that you will start to trust Him again: “When he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived” (v. 27 NKJV). Don’t believe your dream is dead and will never be fulfilled. And don’t believe those who tell you that you’re too old to fulfill the dream God gave you. God can pack more into the last chapters of your life than all those that preceded them. “Your old men [and women] shall dream dreams” (Joel 2:28). God is the giver of dreams. And He doesn’t just give them, He resurrects them and empowers you to fulfill them. It’s not too late. You’re not too old. What God did for Jacob—He can do for you.

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10 April 2023 23:25

How could He do it?
“Christ died for us.” Ro 5:8
 
If you watched Schindler’s List, you probably came away asking, “How could they do it?” The showers…the ovens…the smokestacks belching out human ashes. Trains arriving every day with mothers, fathers, children, and old people—herded like cattle on the way to a slaughterhouse. And worst of all—soldiers who carried out orders without a shrug of conscience. How could they do it? The answer is sin! And if you think Hitler and his henchmen had a corner on it, think again! David says, “I was brought forth in iniquities, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Ps 51:5 NAS). His own sordid chapter of adultery and murder confirms that. Read this résumé; it describes each of us: “They’ve all taken the wrong turn…all wandered down blind alleys…Their throats are gaping graves, their tongues slick as mud slides…They open their mouths and pollute the air. They race for the honor of sinner-of-the-year” (Ro 3:12-15 MSG). If God did an evaluation on any one of us, that would be it. And you must understand that in order to appreciate this: “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro 5:8 NKJV). When you read that Scripture, the question changes to, “How could He do it?” Thank God we didn’t get what we deserved—punishment. We got what we needed—grace! Hymnist William R. Newell wrote, “Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!” Take a moment today and thank God for the grace that redeemed you. It’s what Good Friday is all about.

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08 April 2023 08:35

God's Word: Use As Directed
April 8
Luke 8:11, 'Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.'
This parable illustrates the importance of the Word of God. God's Word contains total power, but it has to be planted in our hearts and allowed to germinate before it releases that power.
The seed is God's Word, and the types of ground are the four major categories of men's hearts. The Word was the same in each situation, but there were different results in each case because of the condition of men's hearts - not because of the Word. The Word doesn't work for everyone because not everyone will allow the Word to work. The variable in this parable is the condition of these hearts. God's Word is always the same. It has the same potential in every heart.
Good ground doesn't just happen; it must be cultivated. This is the reason why only one out of four persons in Jesus' parable brought forth fruit. It takes a lot of time, effort, and diligence to be a fruitful Christian. The Christian life is not like a hundred-yard dash but rather a 26.2 mile marathon. It's quicker and easier to raise weeds than it is to raise tomatoes or corn.
In this whole parable, it was the Word that produced the fruit. The ground simply gave it a place to grow. If we will simply put God's Word in our hearts, protect it, and give it priority in our lives, the Word will produce fruit of itself. Satan has deceived many people into thinking that they don't have the talents or abilities to be fruitful Christians, but they are not the ones who bring forth fruit; it's God's Word. When we protect the Word sown in our hearts, it will do the rest.

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06 April 2023 07:01

Today God is calling you (3)
“I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail.” Lk 22:32 NAS
 
God wants you to do His will, but you’ll never reach the place of spiritual maturity in which you’re “Satan-free.” You can overcome him, but you can’t eliminate him. Look at Peter. He had only one gear: overdrive. He was always in the middle of everything that was going on, but he wasn’t always on top of things. The man who ended up leading the church, first denied being a disciple of Jesus. Pretty shocking, eh? But nothing about us surprises God. He doesn’t call you and say, “I hope you’re the right person.” No; Jesus told Peter, “Satan has demanded…to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail” (vv. 31-32 NAS). Isn’t that an amazing revelation? Even when you don’t know how to pray for yourself, Jesus is praying for you. “He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25). Jesus told Peter, “When…you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Lk 22:32 NAS). Out of the mess you’re in today can come a ministry to others. Not only can God turn your life around, He can use you to turn the lives of others around too. And one more thing: God isn’t apt to think you’re worth “sifting” if you aren’t doing something right in the first place. Sifting is a method of purifying, of straining out the debris and refining what remains. That means there had to be something worth salvaging in you at the outset. Today God is calling you. Don’t waste another moment; surrender your life to Him.

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04 April 2023 07:01

Today God is calling you (1)
“Paul…called to be an apostle.” Ro 1:1 NKJV
 
God reached into a part of Paul’s background that had been formed before he became a Christian, and He found some very useful things there. And they weren’t all spiritual things. They were also academic and cultural. Even though Paul seemed unqualified because of his monumental hatred for Christians, his background actually qualified him in a unique way. As a former Pharisee, he understood the Scriptures and the mindset of those who would oppose him. And his former spiritual blindness gave him compassion for the lost. God used both the good and the bad experiences in Paul’s life. And He can do the same for you too! Think about it: When God looked for a man to be an early leader in His church, to write down the theology of His church, to debate religious leaders who argued against His church, to advance the cause of Christ in academic and social arenas, to carry the message all the way from the lowest person on the street to the throne of Caesar, God found a man who already had the necessary qualifications—and that man was Paul. Here is how God works: First He seeks you out, then He prepares you, then He positions you, then He empowers you to do what He knows you can do most effectively. And God’s call is the only thing that will make you completely happy, although you don’t always know that in advance. So, is God calling you? Is He preparing you? Is He positioning you? Is He empowering you? Your highest level of joy and fulfillment in life will come when you surrender to Him and say yes.

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02 April 2023 07:01

You and the sex trade

“To set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Lk 4:18 NKJV



Every thirty seconds, a child or young person is abducted into the worldwide sex trade; almost one million of them every year! Many are forced to service up to thirty or forty “customers” a night. Can you imagine what the governments of the world would do if a city of one million people was taken captive and exploited and abused every day? If you think that’s bad, here is a statistic that should break your heart and bring you to your knees: Only 1 percent of those who are abducted into the sex trade are being rescued from it! You say, “What about the other 99 percent?” When they get too old to have value to their pimps, or too sick to work, or become pregnant, or diseased, they’re thrown away like garbage. These are the “walking wounded” who carry emotional and mental scars and struggle with the effects for the rest of their lives. Perhaps you’re thinking, “It’s sad, and it’s shocking, but thank God it’s not my children or grandchildren.” Thank God, indeed! But as a redeemed child of God, you have a responsibility to care about it. Jesus said He came to “heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (v. 18 NKJV). That means instead of avoiding the problem, you must become aware, alarmed, and activated. Only when enough people speak up do politicians start to act. So speak up! Start praying about it. Support ministries that are involved in it. That way, you will be able to stand before God one day and say, “Lord, I did what I could about it!”

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31 March 2023 07:01

Refuse to live in fear (4)
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Ro 8:31 NKJV
 
To overcome fear, you must believe that God is with you. It’s the key to your ability to obey what He tells you to do. As you become confident that He is with you, your fear will lessen. When David volunteered to fight Goliath, King Saul said to him, “You are not able to go against this Philistine…for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth” (1Sa 17:33 NKJV). David replied, “The Lord…will deliver me from…this Philistine” (v. 37 NKJV). You’re not in this battle alone; the Lord is with you. When you’re convinced of that, your fear will subside. You may not always know what God will do, but you can relax in knowing He will do what needs to be done at the right time. When you think about the future and all the things that are unknown to you, it’s easy to feel afraid. But you can view it two ways. You can either be pessimistic and fearful, or you can say to yourself, “The battle is the Lord’s, and He has never lost a battle!” You may not always know what to do in a tense situation, but God does. He knows everything prior to it happening, and He has planned your deliverance in advance. Just put one foot in front of the other, confident that He is guiding you. You don’t have to see God or feel Him in order to believe that He is with you. Faith is a matter of the heart instead of the natural senses. God is with you! Believe it and refuse to live in fear.

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29 March 2023 07:01

Refuse to live in fear (2)

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.” Ps 118:6 NKJV



God has created you for a life of growth, adventure, and acceleration. But you must take bold steps of faith. And you can’t do that if you’re perfectly satisfied to live in “the safe zone.” Even when you feel afraid, don’t let it stop you! Feel the fear and do it anyway! You say, “Will I ever stop being afraid?” Yes, when you get to heaven. Feeling fear is part of being alive. You will experience fear when you try something for the first time, or when the obstacles in your path seem insurmountable, or when you feel like your resources are not equal to the challenge. None of this means you’re a coward; it just means you’re human. You are only cowardly when you let your fears control your actions and decisions. Feeling fear is merely the temptation to flee from what you should confront. Feeling fear is not the same as being afraid, because being afraid means allowing fearful feelings to take control of you. But you don’t have to. You can feel anger yet choose not to act on it, and instead respond with forgiveness and love. In the same way, you can feel fear and not let it make your decisions. “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Heb 13:5-6 NKJV). Note those two phrases: “He…has said” and “we may boldly say.” So, stand on God’s Word today and declare, “I will not live in fear.”

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27 March 2023 07:00

Start saying, ‘I can’
“Many are they who say of me, ‘There is no help.’” Ps 3:2 NKJV



Maybe you have repeatedly heard the words “You can’t” throughout your life. Many people like to tell others what they cannot do. Even people you wouldn’t automatically consider to be against you—teachers, coaches, parents, family members, friends, and leaders of church groups or social events, who often fail to realize the power of their words over young lives. Many of us grew up thinking, “I can’t,” when that wasn’t true at all! No matter how often you have heard someone say, “You can’t,” stand on God’s Word and say, “Yes, I can!” Miracles come in “cans”—our belief that we can do everything we need to do through Christ who is our strength (See Php 4:13). God believes in you, and now is the time for you to believe in yourself. This is a new day! Put the past and all its disheartening remarks behind you. Words that speak of failure come from the Enemy, not God, so determine right now not to allow the power of “you can’t” to affect you any longer. In contrast to the Enemy, God’s Spirit encourages you and will do everything to urge you forward toward success in all areas of life. Facing the challenges of the promised land, God told Joshua three times, “Be…of good courage” (Jos 1:6-9 NKJV). Always remember that if you feel “dis-couraged,” it’s from the Devil. And that if you feel “en-couraged,” it’s from God. Decide to agree with God and say to yourself, “I can!” Today let the power of God’s Word dominate the power of every negative word that has ever been spoken to you or about you.

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25 March 2023 07:01

Through Christ, you can do it

“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me.” Php 4:13 AMPC



Paul writes: “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (v. 13 AMPC). Paul believed he could handle whatever life threw at him. Do you believe that too? What are the things that trigger your fear and cause you to say, “I could never do that”? Suddenly losing a loved one? Facing an unexpected illness? Having your adult child with two toddlers move into your fastidiously clean and tranquil house after you have had an empty nest for years? Going on a stringent diet because your life depends on it? Putting yourself on a budget to prevent foreclosure of your home? Suddenly having to take care of a disabled, elderly parent? Most people have some sort of situation that truly seems impossible to them, something they are unsure they can handle. The truth is, while some situations may be extremely undesirable or challenging for you, God says you can do whatever you need to do in life. He doesn’t say everything will be simple for you; He doesn’t promise you will enjoy every little thing you do, but that you can enjoy life in the middle of doing them. How? Through the power of the One, “Who infuses inner strength into you.” When you need money, you make a withdrawal from your bank account. When your car is empty, you make a withdrawal from the gas pump. So when life gets overwhelming, pray and make a withdrawal on God’s grace, love, strength, power, and guidance.

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23 March 2023 07:00

Rebuilding your marriage (3)

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” Ps 127:1 NKJV



You must be willing to forgive the other person. Loving makes you vulnerable. When you give someone your heart, they can break it. A stranger or casual acquaintance could say something that would roll off you like water off a duck’s back. But when your mate says the same thing to you, it can stir up feelings of anger and resentment. No one stays married to anyone without some forgiveness involved. Think about it: Your relationship with God involves needing, asking for, and receiving His forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to say: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Then He explained, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Mt 6:12, 14 NKJV). The word “trespass” simply means “going where you have no right to go.” And we do that to each other in marriage. Familiarity breeds contempt. When you feel continually taken for granted by your mate, it can build up and explode into an argument. Trespassing includes infidelity, among other things. If you don’t practice forgiveness in little things, it makes it much harder to extend and receive grace during the crisis moments. The art of forgiveness requires letting go of perfection and performance and grasping hold of grace and gratitude. When the Bible says that a man must leave his father and mother (including his culture, background, and family language) and be joined to his wife (developing a new culture, background, and family language), they begin to bond together and become one (See Mt 19:5 NKJV). But this bonding takes a lot of time and work. It also calls for focusing on what’s good in your mate and forgiving the rest.

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21 March 2023 07:00

Rebuilding your marriage (1)

“The winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.” Mt 7:27 NKJV



Today about 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. Sadly, that’s true whether you’re a Christian or not. Sometimes the reasons are circumstantial, such as a job layoff or a home foreclosure. Other times it’s relational, such as a betrayal of trust or an addiction to drugs and alcohol. If you’re committed to rebuilding your marriage, you must learn how to reconnect and work to restore what you once had. In order to accomplish this, you must both be willing to enter into the process and commit for the long haul. For the next few days, let’s look at four key areas. First, you must know the other person. It’s a mistake to try and figure out your spouse, put them in a box, and label them for the remainder of their lives. Knowing someone is an art in progress, not a static science with unchangeable data. You must view your mate as a mystery who requires ongoing scrutiny and lifelong learning. The Bible says, “Treat your wife [and your husband] with understanding as you live together” (1Pe 3:7 NLT). In order to restore your marriage, take a new look at your partner. They may not be who you assumed they were—but neither are you. So you must allow room for each of you to evolve, and resolve! And be sure to include God in the process. Jesus said that a house built on the solid foundation of God’s Word will stand strong in the storm while others around it are falling apart (See Mt 7:24-27). So today begin the process by recommitting to God—and each other.

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19 March 2023 07:01

What you must give up


“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek.” Ps 27:4 NKJV



In order to succeed, there are certain things you must give up. (1) You can’t be friends with everybody. Jesus loved everybody but spent most of His time with twelve people mentoring them. And He spent extra time with Peter, James, and John, His inner circle. At His life’s end, He could say, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (Jn 17:4 NIV). (2) You can’t do everything. Because of the fast pace of our society, people tend to multitask. But shifting from task to task can cost you up to 40 percent efficiency. According to researchers, you will get more done focusing on one task at a time, not switching constantly from one task to another. David said, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek.” (3) You can’t be well rounded. Yes, there must be a balance between your private world and your public one. But it’s a myth to believe that you can know everyone, do everything, go everywhere, and have everything. You don’t need to know 99 percent of everything in life; you just need to focus on the 1 percent that gives you the highest return. If you’re too easily distracted, you need people in your life who are empowered to “call you on it” and help you get back on track. You need to know what you should and shouldn’t be bothered about. Bottom line: In order to go higher and achieve greater things, you must be willing to lay aside certain things. Even good things (See Heb 12:1-3).

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17 March 2023 07:01

Does it glorify God?


“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1Co 10:31 NKJV



When you’re about to do something and you’re not sure if you should, ask yourself, “Will doing this glorify God?” If you follow that rule, you won’t go wrong in life. Let’s get specific. If you earn your money honestly, then it’s yours to spend as you wish. Once you give God His portion, which begins at 10 percent, you get to choose what you will do with the rest. However, your financial decisions have consequences that affect not only you but your family. When you go into debt you can’t repay, they suffer with you. So does your reputation with others. The question is not even can you afford it, but will it bring glory to God? Will He be pleased? And how about your relationships? You’re single, lonely, and longing for companionship. So, you find someone you really like. Today when unchecked passion leads to sex before marriage, society doesn’t blink at it. But as a redeemed child of God, you are different. Jesus said we are in the world, but not of it. That means we live by a different set of rules: scriptural ones. Perhaps your partner will see your refusal of sexual intimacy as rejection. And they may even decide to leave you. What should you do? Ask yourself, “Will this glorify God? Will He be pleased?” You say, “Pleasing God isn’t easy.” It never has been. And the Bible doesn’t say it will be. But if you want to live with joy, self-respect, confidence, and integrity, you have to choose the right path. And that’s the path which always brings glory to God.

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14 April 2023 07:01

Don’t go until you’re empowered
“Tarry…until you are endued with power from on high.” Lk 24:49 NKJV
 
You may be educated, experienced, and talented, but you will never fulfill God’s purposes for your life until you’re “endued with power from on high.” Read these two Scriptures: (1) “I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (v. 49 NKJV). (2) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ac 2:1-2, 4 NKJV). The transformation was amazing! Peter, who had just denied Jesus, stood before the crowd and preached the gospel to them. Did he get results? Yes. “That day about three thousand souls were added to them” (v. 41 NKJV). And the power they had just received was also their source of strength when they faced hardship and persecution. “When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Ac 4:31 NKJV). This wasn’t a onetime experience; they were continually filled with the Holy Spirit. You say, “I’m not good enough to be filled with God’s Spirit.” Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Lk 11:13 NKJV). Today ask God to fill you with His Spirit, and He will.

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11 April 2023 07:01

He exchanged clothes with us
“His robe…was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.” Jn 19:23 NLT
 
John records: “When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they…also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, ‘Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it’” (vv. 23-24 NLT). Jewish mothers traditionally made these garments as gifts for their sons who were leaving home. So while we don’t know if Mary actually made Jesus’ robe, it was likely a cherished possession. It’s also significant because throughout the Bible, clothes symbolize behavior and character. Peter talks about being “clothed with humility” (1Pe 5:5 NKJV). Paul says, “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes” (Gal 3:27 NLT). Like His robe, Jesus’ character was seamless, integrated, and perfect. The words “woven…from top to bottom” indicate that He had always been directed by the mind of God. In fact, He said, “The Son can do nothing…but only what he sees the Father doing” (Jn 5:19 NRS). However, when Jesus was crucified, He set aside His seamless robe, “changed places with us” (Gal 3:13 NCV) and put on the robes of sin that had our names on them. He died like a common criminal for sins He didn’t commit so that we could wear the garments of His righteousness. And so that sinners like us coming to the cross could leave wearing the “coat of his…love” (Isa 59:17 NCV), the belt of “goodness and fairness” (Isa 11:5 NCV), and the “garments of salvation” (Isa 61:10 NIV). Jesus not only prepared a place in heaven for us; He made sure we would be properly dressed for the occasion.

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09 April 2023 07:50

Understanding God's Word
Luke 8:12, 'Those by the wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.'

The first type of person Jesus describes is someone who doesn't understand God's Word (Mt. 13:19). Before God's Word can penetrate your heart, you have to understand (not comprehend) what it's saying. If the Word isn't understood, then it will be like seed scattered on top of hard-packed ground (the wayside). The birds will eat the seed and there will be no fruit.

Mark 4:15 and Luke 8:12, make it clear that these birds represent Satan, and Mark says the devil comes immediately to steal away the Word. Satan did not have direct access to the Word in any of the other heart-types which Jesus described. Satan cannot steal the Word from us if we will hide it in our hearts (Ps. 119:11). This first type of person simply heard the Word but didn't receive it. He never applied it to his life, so he lost it.

Notice that Luke links belief and salvation with the Word being sown in our hearts in the same way as Romans 10:14-17. If there is no Word, there cannot be any belief or salvation (I Pet. 1:23). We must preach the Word - not just morality or social issues.

Luke's use of the word 'saved' could include, but is not necessarily limited to, forgiveness of sins. Salvation includes much more than forgiveness of sins. This verse could describe a person who didn't receive the Word and, therefore, was eternally damned. It could also be describing a Christian who simply doesn't receive the Word in a certain area of his life and therefore doesn't experience the victory that Jesus provided for him. Are you experiencing His victory in your life?

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07 April 2023 07:01

Cock-a-doodle-doo!
“While he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.” Lk 22:60 NAS
 
The Bible says: “While he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly” (vv. 60-62 NAS). Before God entrusts you with a great assignment, He will permit Satan to test you. Why? To reveal your weaknesses and strengthen you in those areas. God will allow you to fail in a smaller sphere to keep you from messing up in a larger one, hurting not only yourself but others too. One of the wonders of the Christian life is that Jesus can take rubble and build something beautiful out of it. Peter promised never to deny Jesus, but by the time the rooster crowed, he had already done it three times. Repeated failure! Can you relate? You said you wouldn’t lose your temper, but you did. Cock-a-doodle-doo! You said you wouldn’t give in to temptation, but you did. Cock-a-doodle-doo! When does a rooster crow? Early in the morning. Good news! That means the rooster announces the beginning of a brand new day. After his worst night of failure, the sun came up for Peter. And it will come up for you too. By God’s grace you can start your life over any day you choose to. Today you can repent of your sin and go on to do great things for the Lord. Peter ended up winning multitudes to Christ and leading the church. So no matter how badly you have failed, God will forgive you, restore you, and redirect your steps.

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05 April 2023 07:01

Today God is calling you (2)
“I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee.” Jer 1:5
 
The word “sanctified” means “to be set apart for the exclusive use of.” The word “ordained” means “ordered according to a plan.” Here are two things you need to know: God doesn’t waste anything He created, and He doesn’t waste anything He can use. Before you were saved, God permitted experiences, both good and bad, that were equipping you for what He had in mind. That includes who your parents were, the places they came from, where you were educated, the number of years you spent in school, the jobs you held, and the training you received. It also includes things God put inside you at the time of your birth, even though some of those things may have seemed to work against you while you were growing up. Do you hold on to ideas like a pit bull? God can use that. Do you enjoy poring through books and research? God can use that. Are you quick to confront, excited to run right at the enemy? God can use that. Today you may feel like you’re in the wrong place, doing the wrong things, with the wrong people. You may be wondering how you’re going to dig yourself out of the hole or turn your life around. And truthfully, the answer may be that you can’t. But God can! He makes miracles out of mistakes. So, give Him the things in your life that aren’t so good, the things you’re not proud of, and say, “Lord, here they are. I wish my life was different, but it’s not. I wish I could change it, but I can’t.” Then let God go to work.

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03 April 2023 07:01

Your position and your condition

“We have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ.” Ro 5:9 NLT



The Bible says: “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation…So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God” (vv. 8-9, 11 NLT). God loves and accepts you just as you are. And it gets better. He sees you as blameless. How? “God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2Co 5:21 NIV). Note the words “in him.” Imagine yourself placing a letter in an envelope, then sealing it. No longer can you see the letter or read its contents because it’s “in” the envelope. Getting the idea? Always remember there is a difference between your position and your condition. When you put your trust in Christ, you’re positioned before God as being “righteous.” You say, “But what about my condition? I still fail.” The job of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to bring your condition up to the level of your position. “The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2Co 3:18 NLT). How does the Holy Spirit do this? He draws you back to the place of repentance where you are cleansed. Notice, your position in Christ doesn’t change, but your condition is constantly changing as you become more like Christ.

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01 April 2023 07:01

Prepare in advance
“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not…” Da 1:8 NKJV
 
Are you continuing to do things you don’t want to do and indulge in thoughts that lead you astray? Are you being constantly overcome by the same old temptations? Here is the bad news: The new birth doesn’t do away with your old nature; it actually intensifies the struggle between your flesh and your spirit. Here is the good news: You can live victoriously! How? (1) Through prayer. Jesus told His disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt 26:41). If you’re tired of praying for forgiveness after you have failed, start praying before the temptation comes. You can’t stop temptation from coming your way, but you can prepare yourself in advance to overcome it. And if you need help, call in reinforcements. Find someone who knows how to stand with you in prayer. The Bible says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor” (Ecc 4:9 NKJV). (2) By making up your mind. “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” The way to subdue your impulses is by activating your will—in advance. When you do that, God empowers you by His Spirit. Where did Daniel’s strength of purpose come from? God. He prayed three times every day (See Da 6:10). Don’t set yourself up for failure; keep yourself out of harm’s way. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, he “fled and ran outside” (Ge 39:12 NKJV). Both Joseph and Daniel had prayed and made up their mind what they would do before temptation came knocking. You must do that too.

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30 March 2023 07:01

Refuse to live in fear (3)

“Perfect love casts out fear.” 1Jn 4:18 NKJV



When God says, “Fear not,” He is basically telling you, “You’re going to have to deal with fear, but you can conquer it. You can act in spite of it.” The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” Sometimes we mistakenly think that Scripture means if we love God perfectly enough, we won’t be afraid. No, the only perfect love is God’s love for you. And it’s unconditional. Knowing that He always loves you, walks with you, defends you, supports you, and has promised to bless you in all that you do is what casts out your fear. And it does one more thing: It strengthens your faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb 11:6). When you know that God is pleased with you, you begin to rise above your fears. When fear knocks on your door and finds you full of faith, it cannot enter. That’s why you need to meditate continually on God’s Word and let your conversation be filled with faith. If you’re used to allowing your mind to go everywhere it pleases, meditating on God’s Word will require making a new habit. Don’t become discouraged if you discover you have good intentions but many failures. The Bible says, “We walk by faith” (2Co 5:7 NKJV). How did you learn to walk? By getting up one more time than you fell down, until you finally did it. When you set your mind to speaking fear-defying words of faith, the Holy Spirit will come to your aid and strengthen you. As one minister says, “Courage is not the absence of fear, it is progress in its presence.” So just keep progressing, and you will get there!

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28 March 2023 07:00

Refuse to live in fear (1)

“Fear involves torment.” 1Jn 4:18 NKJV



Advice columnist Ann Landers received about ten thousand letters every month. When asked to name the most common problem in her readers’ lives, she said, “Fear! People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones. People are afraid of life itself.” If you allow it to, fear will control you. “Fear involves torment,” and until the power of fear is broken, it will keep tormenting you. When fear rules your life, you cannot enjoy anything you do. And you certainly can’t enjoy God’s blessings. Dr. Caroline Leaf says that fear triggers “more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses and activates more than thirty different hormones and neurotransmitters.” It’s at the root of all our stress. When fear causes a stress reaction in us, it actually “marinates” our body in toxic chemicals. This, of course, is terribly unhealthy and threatening to our physical well-being. The fear of not being accepted by others can make you develop a phony personality, stifling your true self and hiding who God made you to be. The fear of failure will prevent you from trying new things or stretching yourself to do more than you feel comfortable doing. The fear of the future can cause you not to enjoy your life today. Fear is a spirit, and it doesn’t come from God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Ti 1:7 NKJV). Reject the spirit of fear. Draw on God’s power, believe He loves you unconditionally, and begin to exercise the “sound mind” He has given you. Today, refuse to live in fear.

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26 March 2023 07:00

Depend more on God
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2Co 12:9 NIV
 
The secret of being able to do what you need to do is in realizing that you cannot do it alone; you can only do it through God’s empowering grace. God said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you,” and the word “grace” includes “all of God you will ever need for whatever you face in life.” What a promise! Sometimes we think we have to do it all. We forget that the power of Christ works through us, so we’re defeated before we even begin. “We are labourers together with God” (1Co 3:9). We can’t do God’s part, and He won’t do our part. He wants us to follow His leading, but He insists that we depend on Him every step of the way. This is hard on our ego which says, “I can do it myself!” Sometimes we have to be beaten into the ground before we let go of this kind of thinking. Knowing that we have certain gifts and talents, we make the mistake of assuming we can use them to succeed in our own strength. No, unless God’s grace is operating through your gift, you won’t be adequate to the challenge. The Bible says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given…us” (Ro 12:6 NIV). Grace is like electricity; in order for it to function effectively, you must stay plugged in. Jesus said: “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me…apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:4-5 NIV). So, depend more on God.

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24 March 2023 07:01

Rebuilding your marriage (4)

“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it.” SS 8:7 NLT



You must be open with one another. You must be transparent, sensitive, responsive, and willing to trust one another. Stop and think about how you feel when the doctor is about to give you a shot. Your first reaction is to tighten up, right? Similarly, our hearts naturally tighten up after the pain of rejection, or betrayal, or neglect. It’s a reflex mechanism in the soul; a way we protect ourselves subconsciously. And it’s a great attribute anywhere else, except in marriage. If you don’t turn off this mechanism, you will close your soul. This is the state where you love the person and you still come home to them every night, but you are braced, apprehensive, and no longer present in the moment. You have closed yourself off, for fear of disappointment and hurt. Marriage is an open covenant consummated by physical intimacy, which removes all barriers and celebrates the joy of having nothing between the two of you. And it’s difficult to attain and maintain such intimacy both emotionally and physically if you have experienced betrayal and disappointment. But there is good news. The central theme of the Bible is resurrection; that which is dead can live again. So if you have lost the closeness, you can get it back if you are willing to relax your soul and open your heart toward the other person. Solomon writes, “Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it” (vv. 6-7 NLT). If you seek God’s help and you are willing to work at it, you can rekindle your love and rebuild your marriage.

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22 March 2023 12:41

Rebuilding your marriage (2)


“You husbands must give honor to your wives.” 1Pe 3:7 NLT



Second, you must listen to each other. This requires time, patience, and focused attention. Too many couples give each other a monologue, without leaving room for genuine dialogue. This is where marriage counseling is effective. It forces both of you to slow down, interpret your spouse’s language, understand their feelings, and discover their needs. When a marriage breaks down, couples are often so busy trying to get their own point across and win the fight that they don’t listen for solutions and places of negotiation. Divorce would be less common if we would listen with open hearts rather than closed minds. Jesus pointed out that the law of Moses permitted divorce “because of the hardness of your hearts” (Mt 19:8). This means their hearts would not melt to the level of understanding and place of negotiation for the relationship to work. Some couples find it simpler to write each other letters revealing their feelings as they relearn how to communicate at a deeper level. Counselors and marriage enrichment seminars use this technique, and sometimes it works wonders. By putting your feelings down on paper before expressing them, you get to ask yourself, “Is this how I really feel? Is this how I want to express my feelings? Am I saying too much? Or too little?” Unloading on your mate may be a catharsis for you, but what if it buries them? These are some of the questions you must ask in order to rebuild your marriage. And if you both pray and keep your hearts open, God will help you to do it.

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20 March 2023 07:27

You need others

“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.” Ecc 4:12 NKJV



Ken Blanchard said, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” As much as we would like to think that we know it all, if we’re honest, each of us is painfully aware that we have blind spots and areas of inexperience. You have had experiences others haven’t had; they have had experiences you haven’t had, and when you get together, you harness your joint experience and knowledge. Jesus sent the seventy disciples out in groups of two. Why? (1) For support. “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.” (2) For enlightenment. Playwright Ben Jonson said, “He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” (3) For accountability. The pastor of a megachurch introduced the man who traveled with him to his audience, saying, “I am vulnerable to temptation, and he is my safeguard.” You could have heard a pin drop in the crowd! Sometimes you need comfort, and other times you need correction. It takes humility to acknowledge that, and emotional security to put it in place. Until you realize that others can help you live a fuller and better life than you could live on your own, you’re tying your own hands and limiting your potential. As long as your goal is to get ahead of others rather than work with them, your future will be shortchanged. Good thinkers comprehend the power of shared thinking. They understand that when they treasure the thoughts and ideas of others, they receive the compounding results of shared thinking and achieve more than they ever could on their own. The truth is, you need others.

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18 March 2023 15:47

Lessons from a broken heart


“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” Ps 51:12 NKJV



A broken heart can’t be healed by working sixteen hours a day, sweating it out in a gym, or using mood-altering substances like alcohol and drugs. Those things may bring a temporary fix but don’t bring a lasting cure. After falling into sin and shame, David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” Good news: God can restore what you have lost and teach you things about yourself you didn’t know that make you a better person. And one of the first lessons He teaches us is about forgiveness. You can’t hold the club of unforgiveness over somebody else’s head and expect to find healing yourself. Forgiveness is just a word until you extend it. Your peace of mind and confidence before God depend on your willingness to extend grace to others (See Mk 11:25). The second lesson He teaches us is about relationships. And some of those relationships will bring you more pain than pleasure. Judas’ betrayal, painful as it was, was instrumental in bringing about history’s greatest event—the cross. Does that mean anybody and everybody can walk into your life and do what they want? No; their access to you is limited by the shield of God’s purpose. Some people bring comfort while others build character, and you need both. The third lesson He teaches us is about “the yes zone.” “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Rev 3:7 NIV). So whether God opens the door or shuts it, trust Him, follow Him, and say, “Yes, Lord,” because He loves you and has only the best in mind for you.

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16 March 2023 07:01

Change your thinking, change your life (3)

“Let those with understanding receive guidance.” Pr 1:5 NLT



The book of Proverbs begins: “These are the proverbs of Solomon…Their purpose is to teach people wisdom…to help them understand the insights of the wise…to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance” (Pr 1:1-5 NLT). Creative thinking is simply disciplined thinking. If you think you know all there is to know, then you already know everything you’re ever going to know. In order to break out of the box, you must begin by asking the right questions. Sir Antony Jay said, “The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a creative mind to spot wrong questions.” Wrong questions halt the process of creative thinking. They send you down the same old path. In order to change your life, you must change your thinking. That means you must be willing to ask these two questions: “Why must it always be done this way? Is there a better way?” Whether your goal is to build a better life, or a better family, or a better business, or a better church, or a better career, or a better “anything,” all change and progress must begin by honestly asking those two questions. The saying is true: “If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.” So, do you want to succeed? You must be willing to change your thinking in order to accomplish it.