God is Faithful
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 91:4
William Penn, the founder of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was well liked by the Indians. Once they told him he could have as much of their land as he could walk on foot in a single day. So, early the next morning he started out and walked until late that night. When he finally went to claim his land, the Indians were greatly surprised for they really didn’t think he would take them seriously. But they kept their promise and gave him a large area which today is part of the city of Philadelphia. William Penn simply believed what they said, and found the Indians to be faithful to their words. I can certainly count on God to be faithful to His words in my life. There are many times during each of our lives when we are disappointed with others, as they have let us down and not lived up to their promises to us. These disappointments can color our outlook on life, and can even change the way we see God. I know several family members that have turned their backs on God because of disappointments in their lives and now they blame God for these disappointments. They are missing so much as God was not to blame for any of these disappointments, but their hearts have been hardened to the point that they have forsaken God. Each of us is going to be faced with disappointments throughout our lives, and when these disappointments come we must not allow them to cause us to doubt God as He continues to be faithful to those who believe in Him. When times of trouble face us, we need to turn to God even more and depend upon Him to let us endure and be victorious. We can depend upon God, who is faithful to those who believe.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
My Daily Devotional
A Church Without Walls
“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47
This past week we went to a small group meeting at our son’s house where there were gathered about 14 people who had come to worship God together. This setting reminded me of the early church in the book of Acts which was a church without walls. This church broke out of the religious establishment of their day and spread the message of hope and salvation to small groups throughout the land. In Acts chapter thirteen we read about an “outbreak” of the Spirit of God in the city of Antioch. People from diverse backgrounds came together to form a group of faith and began to reach not only their city, but the nations with the love of Jesus Christ. The power of God and fellowship became so great in their lives that it changed their city and the world. One of the most interesting things about the church at Antioch was the way it began. It was started through humble means, as we see that men came from Cyprus and Cyrene to Antioch and began to share the gospel with not only the Jews, but other ethnic groups in the city as well. These men and women undoubtedly started the church in a small house, but soon became a church without walls as they began to experience an outbreak of the Spirit of God. Moving into every part of the city with their message of grace and forgiveness, the entire population was greatly moved by this infectious group of people. I am convinced that God’s design is not “containment” of the church within the walls of a building, but a “contagious” church that changes cities and nations. A church without walls; a church without limits!
“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47
This past week we went to a small group meeting at our son’s house where there were gathered about 14 people who had come to worship God together. This setting reminded me of the early church in the book of Acts which was a church without walls. This church broke out of the religious establishment of their day and spread the message of hope and salvation to small groups throughout the land. In Acts chapter thirteen we read about an “outbreak” of the Spirit of God in the city of Antioch. People from diverse backgrounds came together to form a group of faith and began to reach not only their city, but the nations with the love of Jesus Christ. The power of God and fellowship became so great in their lives that it changed their city and the world. One of the most interesting things about the church at Antioch was the way it began. It was started through humble means, as we see that men came from Cyprus and Cyrene to Antioch and began to share the gospel with not only the Jews, but other ethnic groups in the city as well. These men and women undoubtedly started the church in a small house, but soon became a church without walls as they began to experience an outbreak of the Spirit of God. Moving into every part of the city with their message of grace and forgiveness, the entire population was greatly moved by this infectious group of people. I am convinced that God’s design is not “containment” of the church within the walls of a building, but a “contagious” church that changes cities and nations. A church without walls; a church without limits!
Friday, October 29, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Jesus Will Return Soon
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
2nd Corinthians 6:2
I believe that too many people in today’s society do not take seriously the importance of being ready if Jesus should return today. They are too busy with their daily routines and supporting, in most instances, lifestyles that they cannot afford. I believe that these folks have their priorities completely out of order as they are looking at the things of the world which will mean nothing to them in determining where they will spend all eternity. The Bible tells us that things of this earth will rust and pass away, and are only temporal things, but an everlasting life will last for all eternity. There are several questions we need to ask ourselves. Are we personally ready for the return of Jesus? Have we accepted Him as our Savior or have we been to busy with other priorities on our to-do list? All of us need to really think about our priorities and get our life right with God. We do not know the year, the day or the hour that Jesus might return, but we do know that Jesus will be coming one day, and it is so important that we be ready for this day. We cannot continue to put off thinking about this day and using the excuse that we will take time for God next year or next week, when we get our other priorities taken care of. It may be too late then as God is not going to give us a warning so that we can get ready at the last minute. We must begin to get our house in order today, and not put off something as important as our salvation and our future. It is so imperative for all of us to share the importance of the return of Jesus, and let our children, our families, our friends and neighbors know the importance of being ready for the return of Jesus, and what is at stake for them. Jesus is going to return soon, and we must be prepared and ready.
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
2nd Corinthians 6:2
I believe that too many people in today’s society do not take seriously the importance of being ready if Jesus should return today. They are too busy with their daily routines and supporting, in most instances, lifestyles that they cannot afford. I believe that these folks have their priorities completely out of order as they are looking at the things of the world which will mean nothing to them in determining where they will spend all eternity. The Bible tells us that things of this earth will rust and pass away, and are only temporal things, but an everlasting life will last for all eternity. There are several questions we need to ask ourselves. Are we personally ready for the return of Jesus? Have we accepted Him as our Savior or have we been to busy with other priorities on our to-do list? All of us need to really think about our priorities and get our life right with God. We do not know the year, the day or the hour that Jesus might return, but we do know that Jesus will be coming one day, and it is so important that we be ready for this day. We cannot continue to put off thinking about this day and using the excuse that we will take time for God next year or next week, when we get our other priorities taken care of. It may be too late then as God is not going to give us a warning so that we can get ready at the last minute. We must begin to get our house in order today, and not put off something as important as our salvation and our future. It is so imperative for all of us to share the importance of the return of Jesus, and let our children, our families, our friends and neighbors know the importance of being ready for the return of Jesus, and what is at stake for them. Jesus is going to return soon, and we must be prepared and ready.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Forget the Past
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
Philippians 3:13
So many times when I have counseled friends, fellow church brothers and sisters and neighbors about various problems and issues in their lives, the primary cause of the majority of their problems and issues is that they are not able to forget the past. In today’s society so many marriages begin with baggage left over from broken homes, such as abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and divorce that the foundation is not strong enough to weather any kind of problems and issues that families can face. When godly family core values are not present in a family, children grow up without a foundation in which to build their families on, and when issues and problems arise they are not equipped to know how to handle them. Paul tells us in the scripture above that this baggage needs to be forgotten, and that we need to look at what lies ahead. I have seen people live with their past, and it places them in a dark and lonely arena. There is no life in the sea of regrets and hurts, as there is only a place of hopelessness and despair. Instead of staying in the past God wants us to look ahead to each new day with a fresh hope in what we can accomplish and to depend on Him for all our needs. The Bible tells us that His mercies are new and fresh every morning, and that His grace is sufficient for this day. We can see how God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness as He gave fresh manna daily during their journey. We can trust Him to give us what we need each day and look forward to living one day at a time. The years ahead can be the dawning of grand and glorious days for you if you follow God’s word to forget the past and depend upon Him for your future.
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
Philippians 3:13
So many times when I have counseled friends, fellow church brothers and sisters and neighbors about various problems and issues in their lives, the primary cause of the majority of their problems and issues is that they are not able to forget the past. In today’s society so many marriages begin with baggage left over from broken homes, such as abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and divorce that the foundation is not strong enough to weather any kind of problems and issues that families can face. When godly family core values are not present in a family, children grow up without a foundation in which to build their families on, and when issues and problems arise they are not equipped to know how to handle them. Paul tells us in the scripture above that this baggage needs to be forgotten, and that we need to look at what lies ahead. I have seen people live with their past, and it places them in a dark and lonely arena. There is no life in the sea of regrets and hurts, as there is only a place of hopelessness and despair. Instead of staying in the past God wants us to look ahead to each new day with a fresh hope in what we can accomplish and to depend on Him for all our needs. The Bible tells us that His mercies are new and fresh every morning, and that His grace is sufficient for this day. We can see how God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness as He gave fresh manna daily during their journey. We can trust Him to give us what we need each day and look forward to living one day at a time. The years ahead can be the dawning of grand and glorious days for you if you follow God’s word to forget the past and depend upon Him for your future.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Our Sacrifice to God
“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.”
Matthew 21:12
When most people look at this passage of scripture they focus on those who were selling and changing money in the temple of God. These were the people who were commercializing and degrading the sacrificial system of God. However I would like for you to look at those who were buying what was being sold and bringing nothing of their own to the temple as a sacrifice to the Lord. The temple at that time was a place of worship and a place where people brought their sacrifices to give to God as a way of honoring Him. The people who had come there to buy did not come to bring a sacrifice, but had come to buy goods. God knew their reason for being in the temple and drove them out of the temple along with the sellers. The buyers hearts were hard as well as the sellers hearts and they were not putting any value on the reason why they were at the temple or their sacrifice to God. When we go to our churches, do we go with the thought of worshipping God and bringing a sacrifice to Him? Do we enter with the thought of bringing our tithes to God cheerfully? God wants our very best; He wants the first fruits of our lives. We need to ask ourselves if we are giving God our best sacrifice. Do we give Him our very best when we see someone who is hurting or in need? Do we assist to provide food, clothing or shelter to people around us who are in need? Do we love each other and serve one another as Christ loved and served us? We must begin to always give to God our best, our first fruits, not just in our tithes but also in our service to meet the needs of others around us.
“Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.”
Matthew 21:12
When most people look at this passage of scripture they focus on those who were selling and changing money in the temple of God. These were the people who were commercializing and degrading the sacrificial system of God. However I would like for you to look at those who were buying what was being sold and bringing nothing of their own to the temple as a sacrifice to the Lord. The temple at that time was a place of worship and a place where people brought their sacrifices to give to God as a way of honoring Him. The people who had come there to buy did not come to bring a sacrifice, but had come to buy goods. God knew their reason for being in the temple and drove them out of the temple along with the sellers. The buyers hearts were hard as well as the sellers hearts and they were not putting any value on the reason why they were at the temple or their sacrifice to God. When we go to our churches, do we go with the thought of worshipping God and bringing a sacrifice to Him? Do we enter with the thought of bringing our tithes to God cheerfully? God wants our very best; He wants the first fruits of our lives. We need to ask ourselves if we are giving God our best sacrifice. Do we give Him our very best when we see someone who is hurting or in need? Do we assist to provide food, clothing or shelter to people around us who are in need? Do we love each other and serve one another as Christ loved and served us? We must begin to always give to God our best, our first fruits, not just in our tithes but also in our service to meet the needs of others around us.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
My Daily Devotional
God Can Change Us
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
In the previous devotional I talked about a makeover that started from the inside and one that God wants for each of us. When we invite God into our lives and let Him take charge and control, our lives will never be the same again. I am reminded about some of the extreme makeovers of people where God has taken control of their lives, and changed them and made them a completely new person. Chuck Colson is one of these individuals, as after being convicted of a federal crime he spent many years in prison, but came out of prison a changed man. During his time in prison he allowed God to come into his life and is now a different person who is doing a wonderful ministry for Jesus Christ and bringing many lost souls to salvation. Just as a makeover with our outward appearance gives us a pleasurable appearance that may last for a short period of time, it takes an inward makeover to give us a change that will last for all eternity. A makeover of the heart requires that we spend time with our Heavenly Father. Our desire to become more like Christ will only be realized, as we set aside time to listen to Him and study His word. It is during these times that He will shape our hearts and our will to conform to His. It doesn’t matter what condition our lives are in at the present time, God is there to listen and will welcome our invitation to come into our lives and to help us change. When God is in our hearts and we make Him number one in our lives we can then begin to bear much fruit as the scripture states. Without God in our lives we are nothing, and will not produce any fruit, but with God by our side He can mold us to become the person that He created us to be.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
In the previous devotional I talked about a makeover that started from the inside and one that God wants for each of us. When we invite God into our lives and let Him take charge and control, our lives will never be the same again. I am reminded about some of the extreme makeovers of people where God has taken control of their lives, and changed them and made them a completely new person. Chuck Colson is one of these individuals, as after being convicted of a federal crime he spent many years in prison, but came out of prison a changed man. During his time in prison he allowed God to come into his life and is now a different person who is doing a wonderful ministry for Jesus Christ and bringing many lost souls to salvation. Just as a makeover with our outward appearance gives us a pleasurable appearance that may last for a short period of time, it takes an inward makeover to give us a change that will last for all eternity. A makeover of the heart requires that we spend time with our Heavenly Father. Our desire to become more like Christ will only be realized, as we set aside time to listen to Him and study His word. It is during these times that He will shape our hearts and our will to conform to His. It doesn’t matter what condition our lives are in at the present time, God is there to listen and will welcome our invitation to come into our lives and to help us change. When God is in our hearts and we make Him number one in our lives we can then begin to bear much fruit as the scripture states. Without God in our lives we are nothing, and will not produce any fruit, but with God by our side He can mold us to become the person that He created us to be.
Monday, October 25, 2010
My Daily Devotional
Do You Need a Makeover
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
James 4:8
The scripture above is such a powerful verse as it tells us that when we become closer to God, He will reciprocate and draw closer to us. This reminds me of some of the programs on television where people are having makeovers that are supposed to change their lives. They are attempting to change their appearances and behaviors to become a new person which is going to change them forever. Although their outward appearances may be enhanced and their attitudes about themselves may be uplifted, it is their inward beings that need to be changed. God can give us a complete makeover when we draw ourselves closer to Him. He can renew us and make us a new person. He can change a lifeless person from the inside and make him a completely new being. God tells us that when we want to become more like Him, we must spend more time with Him for that to happen. In order to have a complete makeover we must devote more time to God. We can do this in our prayer life, in our thoughts and in our daily lives and actions. We can practice love with our fellow man; we can forgive others that have harmed us and done wrong to us; we can read and study God’s Holy Word and get His wisdom; we can begin to help our fellow man by showing our love and helping to provide for their needs. There are many ways that God teaches us throughout the Bible where we can draw closer to God. When we reach out to God He will reach out to us. Our lives will change and the fruits of the Spirit that He promises us will begin to spring up in our lives and we will experience the love that God has for us. When we reach out to God and begin to live our lives with Him being first in all we do, we can then experience an extreme makeover that will last for all eternity.
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
James 4:8
The scripture above is such a powerful verse as it tells us that when we become closer to God, He will reciprocate and draw closer to us. This reminds me of some of the programs on television where people are having makeovers that are supposed to change their lives. They are attempting to change their appearances and behaviors to become a new person which is going to change them forever. Although their outward appearances may be enhanced and their attitudes about themselves may be uplifted, it is their inward beings that need to be changed. God can give us a complete makeover when we draw ourselves closer to Him. He can renew us and make us a new person. He can change a lifeless person from the inside and make him a completely new being. God tells us that when we want to become more like Him, we must spend more time with Him for that to happen. In order to have a complete makeover we must devote more time to God. We can do this in our prayer life, in our thoughts and in our daily lives and actions. We can practice love with our fellow man; we can forgive others that have harmed us and done wrong to us; we can read and study God’s Holy Word and get His wisdom; we can begin to help our fellow man by showing our love and helping to provide for their needs. There are many ways that God teaches us throughout the Bible where we can draw closer to God. When we reach out to God He will reach out to us. Our lives will change and the fruits of the Spirit that He promises us will begin to spring up in our lives and we will experience the love that God has for us. When we reach out to God and begin to live our lives with Him being first in all we do, we can then experience an extreme makeover that will last for all eternity.
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