Date: 9/18/09

Romans 13:11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Do you know what time it is? Just like we know when we should wake up for work, school, sports practice, or any other event, we should be even more aware of our need to wake up in our Christianity. Let us continue to put off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light! It is so easy for us to fall asleep in our Christianity, to lose our enthusiasm for service, to grow tired and weary in our walk. But be encouraged in the midst of the storm! As Christians, we are moving towards a place of fair weather!

Date: 7/2/09

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Our job as Christians is not to wage the battle on our own, but to be still and know that the battle is already won. The battle is won because He who is on our side is God! His purposes, which are perfect might I add, WILL be done. He WILL be exalted in the earth. God is in control Christian, rest in this. Amen.

Date: 4/8/09

"...at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

Oh the inexhaustible pleasures that will be found in the presence of our God. There are so many good things which we enjoy here in this life, but they are all temporal joys. These things are the good and perfect gifts given to us by God to enjoy. Yet, He Himself is the source of all that is good and our greatest and most perfect gift! The joy that is found in this gift is not temporal but eternal. Heaven will be a wondrous adventure of eternal discovery as we will forever see more and more reason to praise Him and enjoy the inexhaustible nature of His being.

Date: 3/13/09

1 Corinthians 15:31 “…I die daily.”

We as Christians are called to die daily. Our Lord and Savior Jesus suffered and died to redeem us. As His disciples we are to follow Him.  Following Jesus is to walk the narrow and difficult road that is paved with many of our own dyings. When our flesh yearns for sin, we must die. When we wish to be selfish and serve no one, we must die. When trials take heavy toll upon us, we must die. And just as our Savior was resurrected we too are promised newness of life in dying to ourselves.

Date: 3/6/09

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:14).

Prior to God’s gracious intervention in his life, Paul the apostle was a blasphemer, a persecutor and an insolent (violently arrogant) man. Not only does God extend grace to unworthy sinners, He extends grace that is exceedingly abundant! And if that were not enough, God in Christ gives those who are recipients of His grace, gifts of faith and love. If you have been saved by grace, let faith and love fuel your passion for God and your desire to proclaim the gospel to all.

Date: 2/19/09

“And I, if I am lifted up from this earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die (John 12:32-33)

Pastor Greg Laurie says that “Jesus paid a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt that we could not pay”. The debt that we owe for our sin is eternal separation in hell from the Perfect, Holy, and Sovereign God of the universe. God is just is judging guilty sinners, “for the wages of sin is death” but God is also merciful, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Jesus died on the cross for sinners. Turn from your sins and turn to Jesus who paid the sin debt that we could never pay.

Date: 2/05/09

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

In our pursuit as people who desire to live godly, holy and humble lives for the glory of God we need to be reminded that it is only by the power of Christ that we can do this. I know what things I can do in my own strength, and I know the results of my efforts are not lasting. The more I strive in my own strength, the more I fail at pleasing the Lord. I thank God for His Word that draws my focus back on to Jesus as being the source of strength and that His Word says that it is “God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Date: 1/21/09

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

Jesus’ disciples were in the middle of the Sea of Galilee when a storm came upon them, tossing their boat violently. They see Jesus walking on the water to them and they are fearful. When the storms of life come our way we must trust the Lord. Jesus will comfort us and calm our hearts. We must not trust in our own abilities or become confident in our own strengths. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

Date: 11/25/08

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

The wages for sin is separation from God for all eternity. In brilliant contrast to the wages of sin, is the Lords gracious gift, free gift, of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Meditate on this amazing truth that eternal life is a free gift – it cannot be earned! Religious activities, coming to church or performing good works cannot earn the free gift of God. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe in order to free us from a debt we could never pay. Rejoice along with the apostle Paul as he declares, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift”! 

Date: 11/5/08

Psalm 103:19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

An understanding of the sovereignty of our God is especially precious in times like this. With the recent election and the advancement into office of leaders who may or may not be concerned with the statutes of our Lord, we can rest in the truth He is in ultimate control nonetheless. Let us pray for our country and for those who lead us, and may we all the while be mindful that the Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His sovereign rule is over all.

Date: 11/5/08

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  (John 7:37-38)

In just a few months from this invitation by Jesus to come and drink of Him, He will be facing the most horrible death anyone could imagine – the death on the cross. Not only does the shed blood of Jesus atone for the sins of the repentant sinner, but God also gives the believer the Holy Spirit! The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that resides in the believer and thus “rivers of living water” flow from the regenerate heart to live a life of godliness, holiness and humility.

Date: 9/30/08

Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling…

When Paul the Apostle prayed for the church in Ephesus, he prayed specifically that God would give them understanding over the hope of the fact that God had called them. Brothers and Sisters, we are the chosen of God! I ask you, if He is for us, who can be against us? As I pray for you, and you pray for others, let’s have our prayers be that the eyes of our hearts would be opened to understand more of the great hope we have because of His calling us in Christ Jesus.    

Date: 9/23/08

Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him. (John 9:38)

Jesus asked the man He healed who was born blind if he believed in the Son of God, and the man’s response was that of worship as soon as he knew it was Jesus that healed him. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Then set your heart today to worship Jesus because He is worthy to be worshipped. Worship Him with your entire being at church, but more importantly, worship Jesus at work, home or privately so that He becomes ever increasingly the object of your affections and your greatest desire.

Date: 8/05/08

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:40-42a

What a great example we see in Andrew! He was concerned for others to meet the Messiah. Andrew was a soul winner – and he started his evangelism at home. Perhaps you have been discouraged because your relatives have not responded to the Gospel message. Glorify the Lord by continuing to share the Gospel and continue to live a godly, holy and humble life for Jesus and trust Him for your loved ones to come to saving faith in Christ.

Date: 8/3/08

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Jesus gives us this command to love in a certain type of way. How are we to love? Like Him… sacrificially. Our Lord spoke of there being no greater display of love than one laying down his life for his friends. God measures love in proportion to sacrifice. We are commanded to love one another this way. If your love for the church doesn’t cost you anything personally, your being disobedient to the Lord’s command. You are also missing out on a great blessing, as it truly is greater to give than to receive.

Date: 7/17/08

In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25) 

What a sad and tragic spiritual condition of the people of Israel. There was not a king to rule over them and they had turned their hearts to serve other gods, which led to corruption and confusion. They forgot that the Lord alone was to be their ruler (Exodus 19:5-6) and be the object of their worship, love and desire. If you are a follower of Christ and are in a state of compromise,  repent and turn from your sins, and remember that you are no longer your own, but you have been purchased with the precious blood of Christ at Calvary’s cross.

Date: 6/27/08

 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest”. (Matthew 9:37-38)

Just as a farmer recognizes the time for harvest of his crops, so too the Lord Jesus reminds us that the harvest of the human souls for salvation is at hand today. You and I can be a part of this plentiful harvest by asking in prayer that the Lord would send workers into the harvest. Pray for those who are evangelists that they would have many opportunities to preach the Gospel that leads to salvation through Christ alone. Then be ready when the Lord answers our prayers to use us as His laborers of this great plan of salvation! 

Date: 6/10/08

“Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust” (Psalm 40:4a).

What a great reminder that the object of the believers’ trust is to be the Lord! Since we live in a society that is man centered, there can be a temptation for the believer to put trust in the wisdom, strength and charisma of man. The bible warns us that “cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength...for he shall be like a shrub in the desert”. Contrast that with the one who trusts in the Lord “who shall be like a tree planted by the waters...and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” God is trustworthy. Trust Him.

Date: 5/16/08

“A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression” Proverbs 19:11

It has been said that God is never more like Himself than when He forgives sinners, and that man is never more like God than when he forgives others.

If you struggle with the imperative to forgive those who have offended you, take heed to Jesus who tells us that if we forgive others, God will forgive us; but if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us. Glorify the Lord in your life as you purpose to forgive others even as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Date: 4/24/08

When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the children of Israel, who delivered them... (Judges 3:9a)

Israel had sinned against the Lord by worshipping other gods and forsaking the Lord God of their fathers. Yet we see that God is gracious and compassionate, hears the cry of his people, and raises up a deliverer. If you have sinned against the Lord and forgotten His mercy, confess your sins to Him knowing that you have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous whose blood cleanses us from all sin.

Date: 4/11/08

Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

To say that Christians never get depressed or despondent would be a lie, and downright unbiblical. Yes, unbelievers and believers alike will become disheartened from time to time. Sometimes we even have trouble pinpointing what exactly it is we’re so down about. Yet, no matter what the case, for the Christian there is great hope found in our standing with God in Christ.

The unbeliever does not have this hope…However as Christians, we can have joy in knowing that the dark caves of depression in our lives are in actuality tunnels that God is leading us through in order to cultivate greater delight in, and dependence upon Him. Joy comes in the morning because God is always faithful.

Date: 3/14/08

“He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked”. 1 John 2:6

It is easy for us to be satisfied with how well our walk (manner of lifestyle) is with the Lord  when we compare ourselves with others. The result of this selfish comparison of who we are can lead to pride. The result of this selfish comparison of who we are can lead to pride. But when we compare ourselves in light of Jesus, we are reminded that God’s grace toward us carries us. Pray that your walk with Jesus will grow deeper as you desire intimacy with Him, the author and finisher of your faith.

Date: 3/5/08

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

In this life we will encounter good times, as well as bad times. In this verse we see that God is faithful to preserve His people regardless of the circumstances.

He is faithful to even allow difficulties that test our faith, because they cause growth in our faithfulness toward Him. He will preserve us, He will complete His work…So let us be encouraged, for whether the present seems to be good or bad, our faithful God is at work in our lives cultivating our very needed dependence upon Him. And that is a very good thing.

Date: 2/21/07

But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Romans 5:20b

This passage of scripture is a reminder that God gives His undeserved saving and sustaining grace to repentant sinners. Are you struggling with sin in your life? Seek God’s forgiveness; confess and turn from your sins and God will give you grace that abounds all the more.

Date: 2/6/08

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

It light of the fact that the scripture says that “God is Love”, I have had a renewed understanding of what this verse in John’s gospel implies. Jesus tells us that God’s idea of love is most clearly seen in the cross. Therefore, the amount of love we show, is dependant upon the measure of sacrifice we’re willing to give. So, with the understanding that God is love, the conclusion becomes that when we love people sacrificially, we show them Jesus. Let’s pray that God will work through us to show others our great Savior through loving sacrificially.  

Date: 12/27/07

A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

This verse communicates the paradox that what the proud seek after with diligence, the humble will ultimately attain. In my pride I say "I can do it in my own strength." Yet, Jesus says, "Without Me, you can do nothing." Let's heed the Savior's words, humble our hearts, and retain the honor freely given by His grace.

Date: 12/07/07

And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)

In the opening verses in her song of praise, Mary’s words give us insight into her understanding of who God is. It is evident that Mary knew God personally, and had a good understanding of the Scriptures. She uses the language of someone who has been taught by God’s grace to feel her own sins and who, far from being able to save others, recognized her own need of a Savior for her own soul. 

Date: 12/02/07

…receive my words, And treasure my commands within you…Proverbs 2:1

This portion of scripture spells out very clearly the avenue which we are to take, in order to obtain a deeper, more reverent understanding of our Lord. Do you want to know more of Jesus? If you are a Christian, you should answer with a resounding “Yes”! Receive His words, take them in and spend quality time to think them through. Let us treasure, and store up His commands within us, simply because we can’t get enough of Him. Quality and quantity, together, are to be the key in our approach to God’s word.