JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(2nd Corinthians 6:14) "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers... for what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
I bring this morning’s devotion to you from a concern for the hundreds of senior people whom I am involved with on a weekly basis as pastor of our RV Resort at Caravan Oasis in Yuma AZ.
Though the position is a volunteer position, I have been allowed the spiritual responsibility to speak into the lives of hundreds each week and bring spiritual counsel to many whom attend our weekly Cowboy Church Services.
Many of those wonderful souls whom meet with us are widow’s and widowers whose live are filled with loneliness as their former spouses have passed on, and now they are looking to fill that loneliness by and through a second marriage.
This mornings devotional challenge is also great advice to consider for any age group looking at union with another partner… whether it be the first or second union for what ever the reasons may be.
An ox and a donkey each have a tail, two eyes, and four legs, but if you harness them together, they won’t get along or work well together.
Actually, they will pull in different directions.
That’s because God made them with very different natures and attributes!
With that picture in your mind, here’s some advice on dating and remarriage you would be wise to heed.
Looks soon fade, so choose someone who has other, attractive attributes.
For example:
(1) Consider their manners and how they treat the waiter at the restaurant.
(2) What type of interests do they have?
(3) Do they share your spiritual values and beliefs?
(4) Do they show genuine interest in what you have to say?
(5) How do they treat people they’re not trying to impress?
(6) Are they negative or positive? Do they continually see the glass as half empty… or half full?
(7) Are they reactors or are they responders?
(8) Is he or she a person of faith, willing to walk deeper with you into a continued and closer relationship with God?
As you face senior life there are many things that are more challenging than when you were younger.
And it is necessary to be aware of that, because of the work load and the responsibilities involved with taking care of one another.
Once the newness of the initial attraction wears off, there must be something more, or the relationship is doomed.
And make sure you’re the “chooser” and not the “chosen”, the “pursuer” not the “pursued”.
Think about what you really want, and don’t entrust your heart to someone without first ascertaining their suitability.
The only way to do that is to ask questions and develop X-ray vision, so you can learn to read their motives through their mannerisms.
If you’re going to make an informed decision, then each of you must be able to share your inner most thoughts freely and with out judgment sharing the most intimate, vulnerable parts of yourself literally and figuratively.
You must open your eyes, along with all your senses, and really see the other person.
Stop, look, listen, and pray.
That’s the Bible’s formula for making a wise decision when it comes to choosing a mate for life.
God said it was not good for man to be alone, so He created a “helpmate” in the woman.
That same thought or instruction is there for each of us to hold onto, what ever the gender.
There is someone for every one!
So make sure you consult God… and follow His direction when opening up your life to that special someone who has captured your attention and heart.
The heartache of a bad marriage is devastating, no matter what age you are at, and that is not Gods plan for you.
(Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for good, not plans for evil”
Good Day!
(2nd Thessalonians 2:7) “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work… only He who now restrains, will do so until He is taken out of the way.
In (2nd Thessalonians 2:3) we read where Paul talks about a “great apostasy” that is going to take place in the last days!
The King James Version of the Bible calls it the “falling away,” while the NIV and ESV call it “the rebellion.”
And that’s what an apostasy is… a rebellion or an abandonment of truth.
And the reality is, that there is an “apathetic and apostate attitude” that has captured many believers today… concerning the truth and the message of the soon return of Christ.
The dictionary describes “apostasy”, as a formal “disaffiliation” from, or “abandonment, or renunciation” of a particular religious belief by an individual person.
It can also be defined within the broader context of embracing an opinion contrary to one's previous beliefs… as one choosing to believe a lie over truth they once walked in.
And the truth is, you have to be “willfully” blind not to see the raging apostasy gripping the world today.
Unbelief is sweeping through nations, with believers falling away from faith on all sides.
The “great apostasy” that the Apostle Paul refers to in (2nd Thessalonians 2) has clearly arrived.
In (2nd Thessalonians 2:7) “note Paul’s words… “The mystery of iniquity doth already work”.
So what is this mystery of iniquity?
The mystery of iniquity is “lawlessness”.
It’s a “spirit of chaos”, with no respect for God’s law.
And it’s the very reason why God destroyed the earth with the great flood long ago as described in Genesis in Chapters 6 thru 9… because of man’s violence, lawlessness and wickedness.
However the Apostle Paul also tells us “He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way” (2nd Thessalonians 2:7-8).
Paul is telling us that, “there is a restraining power at work”, holding back the chaos.
Folks you and I cannot and will not survive both spiritually as well as physically in the days ahead, as wickedness and apostasy sweep over our culture, nor can we live without the Holy Spirit being involved in our lives as Believers.
That’s why Jesus told the disciples, (John 14:26) “But the Holy Spirit is the one who will help you. My Father will send him in my name. He will teach you everything that I have said to you”.
Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be our advocate, and our comforter, our Helper that the Father was going to send to lead us into all truth.
The Spirit of God, The Holy Spirit, will always be here to fulfill His mission.
But one day, (and I believe its going to be soon)… His restraining ministry will be “taken,” or lifted, “out of the way.”
I can think of no other power that’s able to restrain lawlessness other than the Holy Spirit.
Think about what will happen to our society when the Holy Spirit lifts His restraining power.
Every institution, from government down to families will spin totally out of control.
And for those with eyes to see, we see a “spirit of lawlessness” at work all over the world today!
I ask you, can you even begin to imagine the chaos and calamity that is going to happen in this world when God says to the Holy Spirit, the One who has been restraining it all, “Lift your restraining hand. Let it run its course to the climax”?
Every man will give himself over to his lusts.
Every militant religion will force its gods on others.
Every holy thing will be despised.
Every law will be broken freely.
And the backslidden church will endorse the most corrupt, damnable doctrines of hell.
Everything is in place for this to happen even now.
“Great apostasy” has covered the earth.
“Self”, has taken the throne of men’s hearts.
We live now… today… in that time that Paul talked about in
(2nd Thessalonians 2:11) when there will come a “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie”
In (2nd Timothy 3:5) Paul told Timothy “False teachers will arise who acknowledge Christ as a good man but not as God… “having a form of godliness but denying the power there of”
Those who follow these deceivers will be drawn to another Jesus, another gospel.
Blindness and deception will sweep the earth, catching up multitudes, including those who were once on fire for the Lord.
Paul says that in the last days they will become “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” (2nd Timothy 3:4)
Paul says, “They…believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2nd Thessalonians 2:12)
It goes right back to what Jesus said to Nicodemus that night so long ago in (John 3:17-19)
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and ‘men loved darkness’ rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Right now we’re seeing the manifestation of iniquity abounding as Jesus said "iniquity will abound and the love of many will grow cold". (Mathew 24:13)
Let me ask you… when was the last time you prayed, “Lord Jesus, come quickly, come soon”?
(1st Peter 2:5) says our expectant prayers are hastening, speeding up, urging the Father to send back his Son quickly.
I wonder will you join with us, (the believers in the world) that still believe in the authority of God, the sovereignty of God, the miracle working power of God, the salvation of God, and the forgiveness of God?
Would you pray with us, Jesus come quickly?
Good Day!
(Luke 2:49) “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
I believe that our focus, our purpose in life is to be in a place of peace with God,
In a place of "the fullness of the Holy Spirit" as much as we can, and then intentionally making Christ known to others… endeavoring to persuade others to receive Him as their fullness of hope also, with all that His peace implies.
With this purpose in mind, it makes plenty of sense to study and meditate on God’s word, to pray much, and to learn to speak to and with others effectively.
You can’t do that if you are “lukewarm” in your relationship with God.
It all makes plenty of sense once you have really laid down your life so you can be about “Our Father’s Business”.
With this in mind I seek to, and try to submit to Gods plan for my life and ministry every day.
I have a passion to go into all the world to preach the Gospel.
As St Francis of Azzis said, “I preach the Gospel and if I have to, I use words.
More often however, I use music that entices, entertains and encourages the masses.
In so doing I build relationships that allow me to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.
But I can’t do it on my own.
I need to do it with you.
We need to work together to be about our Fathers business.
(Romans 10:11-17) gives us clear instruction re our individual responsibility regarding “Being about our Fathers business”
It is just as the Scripture says… (Romans 10:8-14) “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.
For there is no difference between Jew and Greek.
The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him.,, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed?
And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone to preach?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?"
It's time that all of us, with out exception… “be about our Fathers business”.
Now perhaps you are not one gifted with an ability to publicly speak or sing to witness the goodness of God… but believe it or not you do have the ability to partner with others that can and do have that ability.
Perhaps God has gifted you to be able to create wealth so that you can send those out to be the “witness of Christ”.
(Deuteronomy 8:18) “But remember… it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to gain wealth”
You can be an active participant in your heavenly Fathers business by sponsoring ministries, and helping them with the needed revenue to operate and travel and do "the work of an Evangelis"t in our world today.
To go into the highways and the byways and produce public events that lift up the name of Jesus and declare Gods great love to the world around us… such as Debbie and I do.
There are many ways that you to can be about your “Fathers Business”… its simply a matter of evaluating your priorities and your willingness to be obedient to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is coming soon… together, lets be about "our Fathers Busines"s and try in every way we can to be a part of taking the good news of His coming into all the world... however and when ever and what ever way we can!
I look forward to hearing from you!
Good Day!
Good Day!
(Luke 2:49) “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Another part of “our Father’s business” is healing.
Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit and with power, and he went about doing good and “healing all who were oppressed by the devil.
In fact Jesus told us this was His purpose in coming to the earth.
(Luke 4:18-19) because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
And in fact He tells us that we should be doing the same in (Mark 16:17)
If indeed what is described above is “Our Father’s Business” then to what extent “must we be about it”?
I want to state here that according to (Galatians 5:17) “the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh… so that ye may not do the things that ye will”
To actually be about the Father’s business means laying down our own will.
Each day I continually have to remind myself of that.
I understood his words early in my walk with Him.
He said, “I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me”. (John 5:30)
Do I succeed all the time?
Unfortunately no… but that’s where forgiveness and prayers of repentance come into play.
We need to recognize God’s purpose for our lives during those moments where we would perhaps rather indulge in our self-interests… or run from the demanding implications of His commend “go ye into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:16)
If we truly want to see a change in our world, a change in our society, and a change in our families… then we are going to need to say “No” to ourselves on a daily basis and instead, make ourselves available to God.
As well as this, if we are entrepreneurial types… then we need to stop thinking about all the ways we could make money and surrender it all at the feet of Jesus.
We need to say, “You are the Lord. I will follow you. Speak Lord, for your servant hears” (1st Samuel 3:11-17)
I find in my own life that God gives me opportunity to go into “all the world” as a “market place ministry” which we have been actively engaged in for over 30 years.
I could wish that churches and believers today would accelerate and broaden their vision and its mission by broadening their influence and witness beyond their church walls, and would actually put financial resources in the hands of grass-roots level evangelists like myself who are passionate about going into all the world to be a light of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
Unfortunately there is this assumption that “bigger is better” and certain church leaders seem to enjoy gathering all the resources they can towards the self-promotion of their own ministries in their own little world and around them.
But that is another subject.
But the model assumed by such men is that as much as possible, it is everyone else’s job to go out there and make money for the kingdom of God and then bring it into their “storehouse” so that the influence of their leader and his name grows.
Other ministries don’t matter only theirs.
But this is a strategy that will never result in every man coming into the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ, which is what the “five-fold” ministry is supposedly all about (Ephesians 4:11-13).
How can preachers preach this message of being about the Father’s business to their people if all they really want is money and attendance?
They can’t, and they won’t.
Yet, it is God’s desire that we be actively engaged in winning the lost
It doesn’t mean forsaking all secular employment or business where we are of practical service to society.
Neither does it mean baptizing our jobs and businesses as Christian… and in doing so become so “heavenly minded” that we are no earthly good.
We must be a people of God whom are more concerned about the Fathers kingdom than we are of our own!
(Luke 2:49) “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
More about this tomorrow.
Good day!
(Luke 2:49) “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
I woke up this morning with this dialogue in my mind that Jesus had with His parents.
In Luke chapter 40 we read that Joseph took his family to Jerusalem where they went yearly to attend the feast of the Passover.
When they left for home they were obviously traveling with quite an entourage that consisted with many relatives and family because the bible says they lost track of one of their children, namely Jesus.
You might think this rather strange, someone losing track of their child but in that culture, children were taken care of by relatives all the time.
Who knows what the reason for losing track of Jesus was… but when Mary and Joseph realized that Jesus was not with them, they frantically headed back to Jerusalem to find him.
As they frantically began to look for Him thru out that bustling throng of people, they heard conversation concerning a young child who was debating with the religious leaders at the temple.
Anxiously they ran to the temple to see if this was their child and lo and behold there was Jesus.
And when they began to scold him asking Him how he could do this to them... Jesus responded “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Even as a young child Jesus put a higher priority on “His Father’s Business” than on the concerns of his parents.
The Scripture does tell us later that Jesus returned with His parents and lived “subject” to them (Luke 2:50)
I’m glad the bible records this fact… otherwise I’m sure that with the attitude of our society today… there would be some kind of movement rise up advocating for children and teenagers to despise parental authority… which is being taught and advocated in a lot of schools across our country… happening more and more as wickedness abounds.
But this is not the point I want to focus on with the above passage.
You and I are “spiritually regenerated people”, adopted into God’s family, and we have the same Father as Jesus.
In fact Jesus said to his disciples in (John 20:17) “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God.”
So understand that if you are a believer in Christ, we have the same spiritual Father as Jesus.
So then the question arises… “Must we, as children of the Father, share the same perspective of Jesus?
That we to… “must be about our Father’s business”?
I realize that when we are first “born of the Spirit”, we actually have very little idea about exactly what “our Father’s business is”… or what our purpose as His children is.
When my children came into the world, they didn’t know much.
They had no idea what their fathers purpose was in life or what I was doing at the time.
They didn’t understand my business or know what it was.
But over time, they started to understand.
Jesus was 12 years old when he said these words “I must be about my Fathers business”.
He was old enough to know what His Father’s business was.
And that brings me to my challenge this morning.
Are we old enough in Christ to understand what our Heavenly Father’s business really is?
If we aren’t ready to understand what it is, then we can’t really be expected to “be about it”.
In (Acts 1:8) Jesus told the crowd that was gathered there after the crucifixion and in a miraculous meeting in the upper room… “Ye shall be witnesses of me”!
Jesus said to his disciples after the resurrection in (John 20:21) “As the Father sent me, so I send you”.
What is “Our Father’s Business”?
Our Father is into the restoration of His family, and spiritual fellowship.
We are all in a growing and a learning process, and this will continue until we die and go to Heaven, or are caught up in the rapture the “great catching away” of the church, the Bride of Christ.
But as we grow, as we mature spiritually, we must start taking our place in the continued work of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We must be about our Fathers business spreading the message of His love in and to and for this lost and dying society of wickedness.
The problem we face today though… is all this sin and all the demons and minions of hell running around trying to spoil everything.
They are bringing bondage, enslavement, hurt, pain, sickness, death and hardness of heart… by whatever means they can, purely out of hatred for God.
Jesus came for the purpose of “destroying the works of the devil”.
“For this purpose was the Son of God manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1st John 3:8)
Part of “Our Father’s Business” then is destroying the works of the devil.
This may involve casting out demons, choosing to not follow the pressure of Satan’s agents… resisting the devil in prayer and with the sword of the Spirit “the Word of God”…
Being a sweet savor and a witness unto all men and letting our light shine in the darkness of our world, so that men might see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven… as a result of the change or the difference they see in your life and mine. (Matthew 5:16)
Jesus did this, and we are called to do it as well.
We to must be about our Fathers business!
Good day!
Good day!
(Hebrews 6:1) “Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…”
When you think of the greatest golfers of all time, you may think of Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, or Tiger Woods.
Perhaps there are other great legends of golf that you would put at the top of this list, but the question is… what makes these particular golfers so great?
Obviously, they all know how to golf, but beyond that they have gone about winning in very different ways.
They all have different golf swings, different putting strokes, different personalities, and different approaches to the game.
However, they all understand that they have to have a whole-istic
approach to the game of golf.
They cannot just be a good ball-striker or just a good putter or just have a great mental game to become the one of the best.
They had to grow in all areas to be looked upon as one of the best golfers of all time.
On a spiritual level, when you think of the greatest Christian examples of all time, you may think of the Apostle Paul, Augustine, Martin Luther, Mother Teresa, or Billy Graham.
But what makes them great men and women of God?
In order for us to mature and grow in our spiritual lives, we need to know what a mature follower of Christ truly looks like.
Do they just believe doctrinally the right things about God, the Bible, and the person and work of Jesus Christ?
Do they just exhibit the right attributes and characteristics (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control)?
Do they just do the correct actions and activities (i.e. go to church, pray, help the poor, etc.)
Obviously, all of these things are important, but what is the most important?
I think the one thing that most “Believers in Christ” fail to perceive or realize is that we are not only called unto salvation, but we are also called to grow up!
We are called to become mature.
There is a time for all of us when we leave diapers behind.
There is a time when we begin to desire meat rather then just milk.
There is a time when we move from being a baby to being a child, then an adolescent, then a teenager, then an adult.
What makes us mature Christians?
Just like the golfers that I mentioned earlier would not have become great golfers by only focusing on one aspect of the game of golf, we as Christians must take a whole-istic approach to our spiritual lives… to become spiritually mature men and women of God.
God desires all believers to “go on to maturity” (Hebrews. 6:1)… but He does not leave it up to us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and mature on our own strength.
We are invited to participate in this maturity process by responding in faith and obedience… by working out our salvation (Philippians. 2:12)… training ourselves to be godly (1st Timothy. 4:7)… and loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30)
But it is the Lord who brings about the change the transformation and maturity in us.
Remember, He has promised to conform and transform us into the image of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:29),
(2nd Cor. 3:18)… and He will not stop until He has completed the work He has started.
(Philippians. 1:6) ”being confident of this one thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform to the very end”.
(Jeremiah 29:11) God says … “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord”.
God wants us to grow up!
Paul says (Romans 8:29) "for those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren"
(Romans 12:2) “do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be ye transformed, by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to show and prove what the acceptable will of God is.
To prove what the acceptable will of God is, is to be “a credible witness” of the Kingdom of God.
Paul in teaching the early church told them that he could not talk to them as spiritual but as infants.
The Message Bible puts it like this… “But for right now friends, I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and with God.
You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast.
Well then, I’ll nurse you since you don’t seem capable of anything more.
As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything’s going your way?
When one of you says, “I’m on Paul’s side,” and another says, “I’m for Apollos,” aren’t you being totally infantile? (1st Corinthians 3:1-4)
Listen folks… there is a time when as a believer in Christ, we need to grow up, and take our place in Christ.
How many of you have encouraged your children, or your wayward teenager that it was time to grow up and take their place in society.
Well the same must happen in the life of the believer!
There comes a time when we need to “grow up spiritually” and become an effective and productive part in the body of Christ.
And that often means we need to learn to be obedient, to walk in submission to others, give up having and fighting for your own way.
(Isaiah 55:6-9) says it like this… “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
Mature believers think differently than the world.
Mature believers act differently than the world.
Mature believers have different priorities than the world.
Mature believers are concerned for the Kingdom of God, more than for the affairs of this world and or their own selfish interests.
Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy saying…“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier (2nd Timothy 2:4)
Many things and activities in this world are visible, attention grabbing, and may appear important, but they have no lasting significance.
They will all pass away.
From (2nd Peter 3:11) we are asked a question by the Apostle Peter... “What are the implications for believers since all that is in the temporary realm will be destroyed? What then should we concentrate on”?
The answer is… Holy conduct and godliness are crucial.
We need to concentrate on developing inward qualities (becoming spiritually mature) in our own lives so that we can be an effective witness and lasting impact, influencing and making a difference in the lives of others.
It’s time to grow up… It’s time to take your place.
(Hebrews 6:1) “Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…”
Good Day!
(James 1:2) “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”
When difficulties come to us in life and in our relationships, we all have a choice.
We can either go down the path of despair, or the path of hope.
The first path takes us from disappointment to discouragement, then to despair.
We feel powerless and hopeless, and we don’t know how things will ever get better.
If we’re honest, we can often find ourselves heading down that path, especially if we’ve been struggling for a long time.
But in (Romans 5:3-4) we find an alternative path.
The Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the church says, “suffering produces perseverance… perseverance… character… and character… hope”.
In order to choose this path, we need to trust that God will stay with us in the hard times, and that He’ll bring something good from them.
The Bible says, “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)
The problem that I see is that we tend to limit our expectations of who God is and what He can do.
But we need to understand that God has a plan that is not limited to our expectations, or our minute and finite understanding.
Isaiah said it well in (Isaiah 55: 8-9) ‘“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
We must try… we must look to see Him at work in any trial or circumstance that come our way.
And more than that, we need to rejoice at those times of trouble.
This may seem too difficult, or even an impossibility, but James writes, “when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:2-4)
When we remember the amazing things God can do in and through us while we’re facing trials, it’s easier to have joy, trust in Him, and choose the path which leads to hope.
It’s all about choice… and whether you really believe that God can do all things.
(Mark 11:22-23) says the following, “Have faith in God”, Jesus said to them. “TrulyI tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea and has no doubt in his heart, but believes in his heart that it will happen, it will be done for him.”
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:23)
Now I ask you, why do you think the Master of our destiny, the savior of our souls, the one who loves us more than he loves His own life but gave it up for us all, why do you think he would tell us words like that if they were not true?
The issue at hand is not “if God will do for us what we cannot do”… but …
“if we will remain diligent, steadfast, un-moveable, trusting in Him passionately with all faith”.
Victory in Jesus comes when you and I make the effort to let Him be “the Lord of our lives” and allow Him to fulfill His plans in and for our lives.
(Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and give you a future, not plans for evil”.
We are living in some pretty troubling times as a society right now.
Fear of the Covid 19 virus… as well as other new viruses and pestilence has gripped the heart of many.
Violence has exploded as a result of atrocities committed by the leaders and the authorities of our land.
War has broke out on most of the continents of our world.
Because of that our economy has tanked as the price of fuel and groceries has gone thru the roof.
The cost of living has forced many from their homes and homelessness has now become a major concern in cities all around the country.
Earthquakes and volcanic activity and tsunamis are constantly threatening to erupt.
People are in a troubled unrest all around us.
But my friend it doesn’t have to include you and I.
We can live out lives filled with peace and joy, if we will commit to trusting God in all things.
Did you hear what I said?
In all things!
Our prayer today needs to be “Lord I believe, Help thou my unbelief”… and then start taking steps to firmly commit and trust our lives into His care.
(1st Peter 5:7) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares foryou.
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.…”
God cares for you!
(Psalm 37:4-5), “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. “Commit your way unto the Lord and He will do this.”
He said what He meant and meant what He said!
Good Day!