One of the truest indicators of whether an individual’s spiritual life is progressing or declining is prayer. And if your prayer life is declining, it is a sure sign your spiritual life is in need of reviving.
Psalm 80:18 puts it this way,
Then we will not turn back from You; revive us, and we will call upon Your name.
Prayer is to the spiritual life what breathing is to the physical life. If your breathing is shallow and intermittent, something is wrong. It is a sign that there is a lack of health. If your breathing is deep and regular, it is a sign of health.
I once read a story about a World War II soldier who was called in before his commanding officer and accused of spying. The officer said, “You have been seen slipping off into a wooded area where we know enemy patrols have been seen, and we think you’re passing information to them.”
The commanding officer demanded, “Why did you go there?” and the soldier said, “I just slipped away for a quiet hour of prayer.” The officer then commanded him to get on his knees and show him how he prayed.
So the soldier hit his knees, thinking he was likely to get executed for treason, and began to cry out to God. Immediately it was evident that he had an intimacy with God. The commanding officer stopped him and said, “That’s enough. You can go.” He turned to another officer and said, “No one could pray like that without a long apprenticeship.”
Where are you when it comes to prayer? Is it deep and regular? Or is it shallow, sporadic, and intermittent? If it is shallow, it is a sign that your heart needs to be revived.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Trials Will Come!
James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
If you are not currently being tested, then prepare your heart, by grounding and planting your roots deeper in the Lord. Trials are going to happen in the life of every believer. Notice that James says, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. The phrase, "various trials," could also be translated, "many-colored trials." So no two trials or experiences are necessarily alike. You will be tested. The question is, will you pass or fail? We must remember that God never tests us without a reason.
You are assured throughout God’s Word that your testing will come in due time, for the Lord will finish the work He began in each of us from the time of our salvation. He will allow the testing of our faith which develops and produces perseverance, 4 “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything of your faith!” James 1:3-5
Greg Laurie tells the story that he once read about a traveler who was visiting a logging area in the Pacific Northwest . He watched with great curiosity as a logger, working alongside a mountain stream, would periodically jab his sharp hook into a log as it went past and separate it from the others. This visitor could not see any reason as to why the logger would grab certain logs and let others go by.
When the visitor asked the logger about it, he replied, "These logs may all look alike to you, but I can recognize that a few of them are quite different. The ones that I let pass by grew in a valley where they were always protected from the storms. Their grain is rather coarse. But the logs that I have pulled aside come from high up on the mountains. They were beaten by strong winds from the time they were quite small. This toughens the trees and gives them a fine grain. We save these logs for choice work. They are too good to be used for ordinary lumber."
Maybe God is saving you for a choice work. Maybe you have been going through hardships and have asked, "Why, Lord? What is the purpose?" Maybe He has made it known to you. Or maybe He has not. Know this: He is seeking to make you more like Jesus and create in you a family likeness. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” Romans 8:28-30.
We must learn to always, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12, which I have found only comes naturally through maturity. It is not the natural reaction of a young believer to be patient in affliction and learn to rest and wait out the storms of life in God. Most young believers are usually working hard in order to rid themselves of the affliction, and are less apt to ask for God’s wisdom, as James instructed us to do James 1:4-6.
God loves us, and because of the depth of His love for us, He is more focused on refining us and purifying our hearts, than He is about making our lives on this earth easy. He desires for us to engraft, abide and remain in Christ each day. John 15:3-5
God's ultimate purpose is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. God wants to produce a family likeness in us. This means that some trials and testing’s will show us immediate results, while others will produce long term ones. Its part of the Christian life, as God is always more concerned about our character than He is our circumstances!
Lord, please draw us all closer to You today. Cause us to abide and remain in You. Thank You for giving us everything we need in order to be victorious over the enemy daily in and through You! Do not allow us to be deceived into thinking we can be victorious in our own strength, “as the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” 2 Corinthians 10:4. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Have another powerful and prosperous day of walking through your trials, in the Joy of Christ, in the workplace and at home!
Thank gsiano for this one!!
If you are not currently being tested, then prepare your heart, by grounding and planting your roots deeper in the Lord. Trials are going to happen in the life of every believer. Notice that James says, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. The phrase, "various trials," could also be translated, "many-colored trials." So no two trials or experiences are necessarily alike. You will be tested. The question is, will you pass or fail? We must remember that God never tests us without a reason.
You are assured throughout God’s Word that your testing will come in due time, for the Lord will finish the work He began in each of us from the time of our salvation. He will allow the testing of our faith which develops and produces perseverance, 4 “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything of your faith!” James 1:3-5
Greg Laurie tells the story that he once read about a traveler who was visiting a logging area in the Pacific Northwest . He watched with great curiosity as a logger, working alongside a mountain stream, would periodically jab his sharp hook into a log as it went past and separate it from the others. This visitor could not see any reason as to why the logger would grab certain logs and let others go by.
When the visitor asked the logger about it, he replied, "These logs may all look alike to you, but I can recognize that a few of them are quite different. The ones that I let pass by grew in a valley where they were always protected from the storms. Their grain is rather coarse. But the logs that I have pulled aside come from high up on the mountains. They were beaten by strong winds from the time they were quite small. This toughens the trees and gives them a fine grain. We save these logs for choice work. They are too good to be used for ordinary lumber."
Maybe God is saving you for a choice work. Maybe you have been going through hardships and have asked, "Why, Lord? What is the purpose?" Maybe He has made it known to you. Or maybe He has not. Know this: He is seeking to make you more like Jesus and create in you a family likeness. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” Romans 8:28-30.
We must learn to always, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12, which I have found only comes naturally through maturity. It is not the natural reaction of a young believer to be patient in affliction and learn to rest and wait out the storms of life in God. Most young believers are usually working hard in order to rid themselves of the affliction, and are less apt to ask for God’s wisdom, as James instructed us to do James 1:4-6.
God loves us, and because of the depth of His love for us, He is more focused on refining us and purifying our hearts, than He is about making our lives on this earth easy. He desires for us to engraft, abide and remain in Christ each day. John 15:3-5
God's ultimate purpose is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. God wants to produce a family likeness in us. This means that some trials and testing’s will show us immediate results, while others will produce long term ones. Its part of the Christian life, as God is always more concerned about our character than He is our circumstances!
Lord, please draw us all closer to You today. Cause us to abide and remain in You. Thank You for giving us everything we need in order to be victorious over the enemy daily in and through You! Do not allow us to be deceived into thinking we can be victorious in our own strength, “as the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” 2 Corinthians 10:4. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Have another powerful and prosperous day of walking through your trials, in the Joy of Christ, in the workplace and at home!
Thank gsiano for this one!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Temptation
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (Amplified Bible)
Today’s devotion is a special word of encouragement for men. If you want to be the kind of man who wins in the race of life, it’s important to learn how to overcome temptation.
All of us naturally tend to either give in to temptation or try to fight it in our own strength. But God’s Word tells us that the only way we’ll ever overcome or defeat temptation is through Jesus Christ and His strength. That’s the only way!
You may be thinking that’s something only a preacher would say. But I deal with temptation just like everyone else! And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that Jesus Christ is the only One who can help me overcome temptation.
Our verse today holds a great promise. God is faithful! He will show us how to overcome temptation.
I want to encourage you today: If you know Christ, you are not defeated! You are not a loser! God made you to win against temptation!
If you will only determine to be a man—or woman—of God, you can influence your family, friends, coworkers and communities for Christ. You can finish your race strong.
KEEP TODAY’S SCRIPTURE CLOSE BY FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION.
Today’s devotion is a special word of encouragement for men. If you want to be the kind of man who wins in the race of life, it’s important to learn how to overcome temptation.
All of us naturally tend to either give in to temptation or try to fight it in our own strength. But God’s Word tells us that the only way we’ll ever overcome or defeat temptation is through Jesus Christ and His strength. That’s the only way!
You may be thinking that’s something only a preacher would say. But I deal with temptation just like everyone else! And if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that Jesus Christ is the only One who can help me overcome temptation.
Our verse today holds a great promise. God is faithful! He will show us how to overcome temptation.
I want to encourage you today: If you know Christ, you are not defeated! You are not a loser! God made you to win against temptation!
If you will only determine to be a man—or woman—of God, you can influence your family, friends, coworkers and communities for Christ. You can finish your race strong.
KEEP TODAY’S SCRIPTURE CLOSE BY FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Make Today Count.
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. -- Ecclesiastes 2:26
We’ve all had days when we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?”
Maybe you’ve struggled lately with questions about the purpose of your life. Or maybe you’ve wondered if it’s possible to find real joy and fulfillment in life. So did Solomon.
Solomon tried many things to gain fulfillment: laughter, learning, liquor, luxuries, lust, and labor.
He had it all, but he was still empty inside and dissatisfied with his life.
He eventually even said, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity!” And he was right. None of the things
Solomon tried could satisfy him. Only God could!
As our verse for today says, Solomon found that wisdom, joy, and knowledge comes from God. You can only have a life full of purpose and meaning when you live life sold out to the Lord Jesus.
And you know, Solomon was right about something else. He said, “Remember now your Creator… before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”
Don’t wait any longer to live with purpose. If you, like Solomon, have tried just about everything to find fulfillment in life, but are still empty inside, then look no further than Jesus Christ.
WE’RE ON EARTH ONLY A SHORT TIME. MAKE TODAY COUNT BY LIVING IT THROUGH CHRIST!
We’ve all had days when we throw up our hands and ask, “What’s the point?”
Maybe you’ve struggled lately with questions about the purpose of your life. Or maybe you’ve wondered if it’s possible to find real joy and fulfillment in life. So did Solomon.
Solomon tried many things to gain fulfillment: laughter, learning, liquor, luxuries, lust, and labor.
He had it all, but he was still empty inside and dissatisfied with his life.
He eventually even said, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity!” And he was right. None of the things
Solomon tried could satisfy him. Only God could!
As our verse for today says, Solomon found that wisdom, joy, and knowledge comes from God. You can only have a life full of purpose and meaning when you live life sold out to the Lord Jesus.
And you know, Solomon was right about something else. He said, “Remember now your Creator… before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”
Don’t wait any longer to live with purpose. If you, like Solomon, have tried just about everything to find fulfillment in life, but are still empty inside, then look no further than Jesus Christ.
WE’RE ON EARTH ONLY A SHORT TIME. MAKE TODAY COUNT BY LIVING IT THROUGH CHRIST!
Monday, June 23, 2008
What is the most important pursuit of your life?
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. -- Philippians 3:10
The Bible says, without a doubt, the most important pursuit for every believer is to know God. Not to know about Him… or to know others who know Him… but to truly know Him for yourself.
This was God’s plan from the very beginning—that His children would live in intimate fellowship with Him. He created you to know Him and to find your greatest fulfillment in His presence… and that is still His greatest desire for you today.
In our Scripture today, the apostle Paul made it clear that his primary pursuit in life was, “that I may know Him….” Of course, Paul already knew Jesus Christ as His Savior. But Paul understood that knowing the Lord would be a continuous journey throughout his lifetime… and he was passionate that his relationship with Christ would grow closer every day.
As you know, all relationships take time. You can’t meet someone once, or just spend time with them occasionally, and claim that you truly know that person. There is tremendous depth in a person’s heart, and it often takes years of relationship to connect and understand another person, and to share your life with them in a meaningful way.
In the same way, it takes time to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. It won’t just happen. To really know Christ will require you to be intentional about spending time in God’s Word and in His presence… and to make the pursuit of knowing God a priority in your daily life.
When you do, you will experience a depth of relationship with the Lord that will radically transform your life.
I love what Bill Bright said… “Everything about your life; your desires, your motives, attitudes, words and actions, is influenced by your perception of God.” When you truly know the Lord, you will respond to life in an entirely different way!
So let me ask you today… what are you pursuing in life? Are you seeking to truly know the Lord… or is this an area that needs greater priority in your life? I pray that you will make knowing the Lord your greatest pursuit in life, and in doing so, experience the abundant life He has for you!
MAKE GETTING TO KNOW GOD A PRIORITY TODAY THROUGH PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY.
The Bible says, without a doubt, the most important pursuit for every believer is to know God. Not to know about Him… or to know others who know Him… but to truly know Him for yourself.
This was God’s plan from the very beginning—that His children would live in intimate fellowship with Him. He created you to know Him and to find your greatest fulfillment in His presence… and that is still His greatest desire for you today.
In our Scripture today, the apostle Paul made it clear that his primary pursuit in life was, “that I may know Him….” Of course, Paul already knew Jesus Christ as His Savior. But Paul understood that knowing the Lord would be a continuous journey throughout his lifetime… and he was passionate that his relationship with Christ would grow closer every day.
As you know, all relationships take time. You can’t meet someone once, or just spend time with them occasionally, and claim that you truly know that person. There is tremendous depth in a person’s heart, and it often takes years of relationship to connect and understand another person, and to share your life with them in a meaningful way.
In the same way, it takes time to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord. It won’t just happen. To really know Christ will require you to be intentional about spending time in God’s Word and in His presence… and to make the pursuit of knowing God a priority in your daily life.
When you do, you will experience a depth of relationship with the Lord that will radically transform your life.
I love what Bill Bright said… “Everything about your life; your desires, your motives, attitudes, words and actions, is influenced by your perception of God.” When you truly know the Lord, you will respond to life in an entirely different way!
So let me ask you today… what are you pursuing in life? Are you seeking to truly know the Lord… or is this an area that needs greater priority in your life? I pray that you will make knowing the Lord your greatest pursuit in life, and in doing so, experience the abundant life He has for you!
MAKE GETTING TO KNOW GOD A PRIORITY TODAY THROUGH PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Who Will Go?
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’ ” (Isaiah 6:8)
God said in the presence of Isaiah, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” In a sense, God is still asking this question. Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? Will you go? Will you stand in the gap?
If God’s Holy Spirit were to search among us today, I wonder if He would find men or women willing to stand in the gap. Willing to pray. Willing to be available. Willing to reach out to those who do not know Him.
A lot of Christians will say, “I’m too timid. I’m afraid of this and that.” But I think a lot of Christians don’t really have a burden for those who don’t know the Lord. I think if that burden is burning with enough passion, a believer will work through the obstacles.
That is not to say there aren’t things we should learn so we can share our faith more effectively. But if the burden is really there, a believer will go out and do something with it.
The bottom line is that sharing our faith isn’t really a big deal to many of us. This is why it is so important that we have a God-given burden for unbelievers.
I would rather make every mistake to be made in sharing my faith than to never do anything. At least I will hopefully learn something from my mistakes.
But when we do nothing for fear of being rejected or for fear we will not meet with resounding success, we are really missing what God has called us to do.
God said in the presence of Isaiah, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” In a sense, God is still asking this question. Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? Will you go? Will you stand in the gap?
If God’s Holy Spirit were to search among us today, I wonder if He would find men or women willing to stand in the gap. Willing to pray. Willing to be available. Willing to reach out to those who do not know Him.
A lot of Christians will say, “I’m too timid. I’m afraid of this and that.” But I think a lot of Christians don’t really have a burden for those who don’t know the Lord. I think if that burden is burning with enough passion, a believer will work through the obstacles.
That is not to say there aren’t things we should learn so we can share our faith more effectively. But if the burden is really there, a believer will go out and do something with it.
The bottom line is that sharing our faith isn’t really a big deal to many of us. This is why it is so important that we have a God-given burden for unbelievers.
I would rather make every mistake to be made in sharing my faith than to never do anything. At least I will hopefully learn something from my mistakes.
But when we do nothing for fear of being rejected or for fear we will not meet with resounding success, we are really missing what God has called us to do.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Delivered!
Do you realize that the devil has absolutely no authority over you?
In Colossians 1:12-13, the apostle Paul tells us,
Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
You and I have been delivered from the power of darkness. We are out from under the authority of the devil.
That was a happy day for me when I realized this truth. After I was saved, I was afraid of the devil because I had been so deeply involved in the occult. I literally had a fear that hung upon me and followed me everywhere I went. So I just prayed over and over, “God, please make me so I’m not afraid of the devil.”
I started to constantly read the New Testament. As I did, I realized what Christ had done for me, and I was set free. As I thought about this truth, I was reminded of being in elementary school. We had this kid who terrorized a lot of other kids. I was so afraid of him. One day, he just pushed one of my buttons. All of a sudden I was on top of him holding his arms down, and I was thinking, “Why in the world was I ever afraid of this kid?” He was absolutely helpless!
Just like that bully, the devil is a defeated foe. And part of your inheritance is authority over all the power of the enemy. It is a happy day when you realize it.
In Colossians 1:12-13, the apostle Paul tells us,
Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
You and I have been delivered from the power of darkness. We are out from under the authority of the devil.
That was a happy day for me when I realized this truth. After I was saved, I was afraid of the devil because I had been so deeply involved in the occult. I literally had a fear that hung upon me and followed me everywhere I went. So I just prayed over and over, “God, please make me so I’m not afraid of the devil.”
I started to constantly read the New Testament. As I did, I realized what Christ had done for me, and I was set free. As I thought about this truth, I was reminded of being in elementary school. We had this kid who terrorized a lot of other kids. I was so afraid of him. One day, he just pushed one of my buttons. All of a sudden I was on top of him holding his arms down, and I was thinking, “Why in the world was I ever afraid of this kid?” He was absolutely helpless!
Just like that bully, the devil is a defeated foe. And part of your inheritance is authority over all the power of the enemy. It is a happy day when you realize it.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
SIMPLICITY
Jesus replied,“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests,but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Matthew 8:20
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, sometimes your wants far exceed your needs. Things will never satisfy the depths of your soul. Only I can do that. Your heart yearns for simplicity, yet you do not always understand. Enjoy the things with which I have blessed you, but realize again only one thing is needful. Treasure our relationship. Let it influence every other relationship here on earth, and every decision or commitment you make. True simplicity is found as you seek after My heart.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
You had no home to call Your own, no place to lay Your head, no savings accounts, and no fancy wardrobes. If the Son of God could live in simplicity, why can’t I? Truly You’ve shown that simple things are best: treasures of the heart that can never be measured monetarily but are remembered eternally.
SIMPLE TRUTH
Simplicity is not a “fad-i-tude,” but an attitude of the heart.
FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, sometimes your wants far exceed your needs. Things will never satisfy the depths of your soul. Only I can do that. Your heart yearns for simplicity, yet you do not always understand. Enjoy the things with which I have blessed you, but realize again only one thing is needful. Treasure our relationship. Let it influence every other relationship here on earth, and every decision or commitment you make. True simplicity is found as you seek after My heart.
A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
You had no home to call Your own, no place to lay Your head, no savings accounts, and no fancy wardrobes. If the Son of God could live in simplicity, why can’t I? Truly You’ve shown that simple things are best: treasures of the heart that can never be measured monetarily but are remembered eternally.
SIMPLE TRUTH
Simplicity is not a “fad-i-tude,” but an attitude of the heart.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Knowing God as Our Father
Matthew 6:9-14 - Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
The Lord’s Prayer expresses God’s fatherhood to His human children. In Jesus’ day, calling God “Father” must have seemed like a radical and marvelous concept. The Israelites understood a link between people and a divine being. But Christ’s words implied a personal relationship.
Today, adoption into God’s family is still an exciting offer for anyone seeking His love and acceptance. How amazing the Holy Creator wants a relationship with us! By receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, a person is welcomed into the Lord’s family. This happens even though you can never be as holy or perfect as the heavenly Father.
The bond isn’t based on your own abilities, but on God’s great love. The wording of the Lord’s Prayer guides Christians to develop intimacy in their relationship with God. This prayer develops a connection between father and child.
The relationship Jesus demonstrated directs spiritually, adopted children to share needs, confess sin, and admit weakness. In return, the Father answers prayers. He also makes His presence known during quiet times. God offers comfort and assurance that He is always near.
The Lord’s Prayer expresses God’s fatherhood to His human children. In Jesus’ day, calling God “Father” must have seemed like a radical and marvelous concept. The Israelites understood a link between people and a divine being. But Christ’s words implied a personal relationship.
Today, adoption into God’s family is still an exciting offer for anyone seeking His love and acceptance. How amazing the Holy Creator wants a relationship with us! By receiving Jesus Christ as Savior, a person is welcomed into the Lord’s family. This happens even though you can never be as holy or perfect as the heavenly Father.
The bond isn’t based on your own abilities, but on God’s great love. The wording of the Lord’s Prayer guides Christians to develop intimacy in their relationship with God. This prayer develops a connection between father and child.
The relationship Jesus demonstrated directs spiritually, adopted children to share needs, confess sin, and admit weakness. In return, the Father answers prayers. He also makes His presence known during quiet times. God offers comfort and assurance that He is always near.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Peace With One Another
Romans 12:19-21 - 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Scripture calls some believers to be a source of encouragement to others. But, most of us know at least one person who brings us more conflict than comfort. Discord can take many forms. Two personalities may not go well together. Different beliefs can lead to arguments. Words and actions might be misunderstood. But through Jesus Christ, almost any difference can be overcome.
Those who’ve received Him as Savior have the ability to live a life of peace. Conflict results from living in “the flesh”. That’s man’s natural desire for self-satisfaction by any means.
Believers given the Holy Spirit can act in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. When we give the Lord control, His goodness and grace flow through our life and create harmony.
To have peace with one another, divine grace must first be expressed through prayer. We make it a habit of lifting up the other person to the Father. Next, we honestly discuss with this person the issue in the relationship. It could involve a past wound, incorrect assumption, or unhealthy thought pattern.
There’s only one way to uncover the source of conflict. That way is to be willing to share our concerns and listen to the other point of view. Sometimes it’s necessary to get help from a godly counselor to work through this step.
Finally, once the root issue is identified, both parties must cooperate in restoring harmony. They agree to confront new issues as needed. God desires His Children live in peace, but He knows we cannot achieve harmony ourselves. For that reason, He gave us the Holy Spirit.
Scripture calls some believers to be a source of encouragement to others. But, most of us know at least one person who brings us more conflict than comfort. Discord can take many forms. Two personalities may not go well together. Different beliefs can lead to arguments. Words and actions might be misunderstood. But through Jesus Christ, almost any difference can be overcome.
Those who’ve received Him as Savior have the ability to live a life of peace. Conflict results from living in “the flesh”. That’s man’s natural desire for self-satisfaction by any means.
Believers given the Holy Spirit can act in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. When we give the Lord control, His goodness and grace flow through our life and create harmony.
To have peace with one another, divine grace must first be expressed through prayer. We make it a habit of lifting up the other person to the Father. Next, we honestly discuss with this person the issue in the relationship. It could involve a past wound, incorrect assumption, or unhealthy thought pattern.
There’s only one way to uncover the source of conflict. That way is to be willing to share our concerns and listen to the other point of view. Sometimes it’s necessary to get help from a godly counselor to work through this step.
Finally, once the root issue is identified, both parties must cooperate in restoring harmony. They agree to confront new issues as needed. God desires His Children live in peace, but He knows we cannot achieve harmony ourselves. For that reason, He gave us the Holy Spirit.
Friday, June 06, 2008
True Conversion
“And when people escape from the wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up with sin and become its slave again, they are worse off than before.” 2 Peter 2:20
Sometimes we hear about well-known people who claim to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Often, it is around election time. When they address Christians, they speak of their great faith in God. After the elections, we seldom hear about it again.
Then there are people who say they are believers, but a month or two later, they go back to their old ways again. They say, “I tried Christianity, but it didn't work for me.” But in reality, they never really found Christ.
Others will turn to God when they hit hard times. Awhile later, you see them going back to their old ways, and you wonder what happened. I would suggest that many of these people never were converted at all. They went through the motions, but Jesus Christ never became a part of their lives. Often, they end up worse than before.
When Jesus Christ truly comes into our lives, He takes up residence. And He doesn’t just do a basic housecleaning; He does a thorough one. There is real change. But when a house has only been swept, that is, when someone has made only moral changes, he or she is still vulnerable to the Enemy. This is why we must recognize the futility of simply turning over a new leaf or making a few New Year's resolutions. We must realize the problem is deeper than our moral sins. We must get to the heart of the matter and have Jesus Christ take residence in our lives and change us from the inside out.
A Link to the source of this devotion - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/harvestdaily/
Sometimes we hear about well-known people who claim to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Often, it is around election time. When they address Christians, they speak of their great faith in God. After the elections, we seldom hear about it again.
Then there are people who say they are believers, but a month or two later, they go back to their old ways again. They say, “I tried Christianity, but it didn't work for me.” But in reality, they never really found Christ.
Others will turn to God when they hit hard times. Awhile later, you see them going back to their old ways, and you wonder what happened. I would suggest that many of these people never were converted at all. They went through the motions, but Jesus Christ never became a part of their lives. Often, they end up worse than before.
When Jesus Christ truly comes into our lives, He takes up residence. And He doesn’t just do a basic housecleaning; He does a thorough one. There is real change. But when a house has only been swept, that is, when someone has made only moral changes, he or she is still vulnerable to the Enemy. This is why we must recognize the futility of simply turning over a new leaf or making a few New Year's resolutions. We must realize the problem is deeper than our moral sins. We must get to the heart of the matter and have Jesus Christ take residence in our lives and change us from the inside out.
A Link to the source of this devotion - http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/harvestdaily/
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
When We Feel Frustrated
Philippians 4:10-13 - 10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Many people have seasons of frustration in life. Some feel hindered from achieving goals. The natural reaction is to blame circumstances or individuals instead of ourselves. External forces may trigger unhappiness. Sometimes we make changes to avoid irritation like quitting a job, ending friendships, or moving away. But we can’t find genuine peace that way.
When we feel frustrated, we need to investigate the cause. Discontent has three internal roots. One is not being able to accept ourselves as we were created. Our talents, personality, and physical attributes may not be what we desire. But, they’re exactly what we need to follow God’s will for our life. Dwelling on what we lack or what we would change distracts us from service.
A second internal root for frustration is an unwillingness to deal with our past. We may have painful memories or recall mistakes that brought heartache. We need to admit their impact. Then we can confront any resulting emotional or psychological issues to move on in peace.
The final source of frustration is a refusal to deal with behaviors or attitudes that are outside the Lord’s will. Holding on to an ungodly action often makes us try to justify ourselves to our Father and others.
The human solution for frustration by changing external situations will fail every time. The only way to end frustration is by relying on God for the strength to cope with its source.
Many people have seasons of frustration in life. Some feel hindered from achieving goals. The natural reaction is to blame circumstances or individuals instead of ourselves. External forces may trigger unhappiness. Sometimes we make changes to avoid irritation like quitting a job, ending friendships, or moving away. But we can’t find genuine peace that way.
When we feel frustrated, we need to investigate the cause. Discontent has three internal roots. One is not being able to accept ourselves as we were created. Our talents, personality, and physical attributes may not be what we desire. But, they’re exactly what we need to follow God’s will for our life. Dwelling on what we lack or what we would change distracts us from service.
A second internal root for frustration is an unwillingness to deal with our past. We may have painful memories or recall mistakes that brought heartache. We need to admit their impact. Then we can confront any resulting emotional or psychological issues to move on in peace.
The final source of frustration is a refusal to deal with behaviors or attitudes that are outside the Lord’s will. Holding on to an ungodly action often makes us try to justify ourselves to our Father and others.
The human solution for frustration by changing external situations will fail every time. The only way to end frustration is by relying on God for the strength to cope with its source.
Monday, June 02, 2008
A Marathon.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. -- Hebrews 12:1
The Christian life is not a 100-yard dash—it’s a marathon. It shouldn’t be lived in stops and starts, but like a great marathon racer running hard all the way to the finish line.
Finishing a marathon requires a tremendous amount of discipline, hard work, and endurance… just like the Christian life.
And according to today’s verse, one of the keys to being able to endure a long and challenging race is to lighten your load!
In daily life, it can be easy to take on unnecessary burdens. Maybe they are tasks or worries or negative attitudes… but they’re things God doesn’t want you to bear. Likewise, areas of sin will hinder your capacity to run the race.
So let me ask you, are you carrying any unnecessary burdens or weights of sin that you need to lay aside?
Freedom from these burdens will enable you to endure the race before you with joy… and get you over the finish line!
TO ENDURE THE MARATHON OF THE CHRSTIAN LIFE, YOU NEED TO BE FREE OF UNNECESSARY BURDENS AND WEIGHTS OF SIN.
The Christian life is not a 100-yard dash—it’s a marathon. It shouldn’t be lived in stops and starts, but like a great marathon racer running hard all the way to the finish line.
Finishing a marathon requires a tremendous amount of discipline, hard work, and endurance… just like the Christian life.
And according to today’s verse, one of the keys to being able to endure a long and challenging race is to lighten your load!
In daily life, it can be easy to take on unnecessary burdens. Maybe they are tasks or worries or negative attitudes… but they’re things God doesn’t want you to bear. Likewise, areas of sin will hinder your capacity to run the race.
So let me ask you, are you carrying any unnecessary burdens or weights of sin that you need to lay aside?
Freedom from these burdens will enable you to endure the race before you with joy… and get you over the finish line!
TO ENDURE THE MARATHON OF THE CHRSTIAN LIFE, YOU NEED TO BE FREE OF UNNECESSARY BURDENS AND WEIGHTS OF SIN.
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