JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Mark 11:25) “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them.”
We all want our prayers to be “effective”… so much so that sometimes we tend to focus on the “results” of our prayers… and in doing so, we can lose sight of the incredible “privilege” we have in prayer.
Think about it for a minute.
That people like us, can speak to the “Creator of the universe”, is itself an amazing thing.
Even more astounding is the fact that He hears us and acts on our behalf!
The first thing we need to understand about effective prayer is that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had to suffer and die on the cross to even make it possible for us to approach the throne of grace to worship and pray.
(Hebrews 10:19-25) “Therefore, brothers… since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus… by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain (that is through His flesh)…
And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of some… but encouraging one another and all the more… as you see “The Day” drawing near”.
“The Day” that the writer is referring to… is the soon returning of Jesus to catch His bride away “so that where He is we will be also” (John 14:6)
When someone hurts us, our natural response is to either hurt them back, or hope they will suffer for what they have done to us.
Yet as redeemed children of God, we know this is the wrong response.
No… instead we are to forgive them… yet forgiving someone doesn’t come naturally or easily… it requires “supernatural grace” on our part.
And where do we get that?
Through prayer!
But hear me folks… this is the lesson that we all need to receive and walk in this morning!
Jesus said, “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them… so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Some of you out there are mad at God and have become bitter towards God and others… because in your opinion God hasn’t answered your prayers.
But the truth is… your not ready for those prayers to be answered.
The bible says that “all things work together for good to them that love God”.
Your unanswered prayers are not because God does not love you!
No your unanswered prayers are because God is working in your life and using them to work in you!
Yes, I said in you.
The truth is… God uses things like this to change us and work in us and cause us to re-evaluate and examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2nd Corinthians 13:5)
And its these things that cause growth in our spiritual walk, making us more mature in Christ causing us to grow up little by little line upon line.
And one of the major things that hinders our spiritual growth and maturity… is “un-forgiveness” in our lives.
Un-forgiveness can and will block our growth, our maturity, and will cause spiritual blindness and will eventually water “a root of bitterness” that will well up inside you and consume you (Hebrews 12:15)
It will consume your relationship with family, friends and ultimately your relationship with God.
When we recall and remember God’s grace toward you and I and His forgiveness toward us… it leaves us no choice but to extend that same grace toward someone who hurt you.
Someone once said, “Forgiveness is a decision to set a prisoner free and then discovering that the prisoner is you.”
So if you have a desire to grow in God, move forward in your relationship with God, (which should be an all consuming desire for all of us)… then let me encourage you today to start walking in forgiveness to others… no matter who they are or what they have done.
Never forget, people are not perfect (and neither are you)… and they all make mistakes as they struggle to walk out their lives in the midst of struggles, temptations and trials they (and you)…are dealing with in this world.
And as you forgive, get excited…because the Holy Spirit is at work on your behalf and has already done half the job.
To complete the other half, humble yourself and pray… “Father, I turn from every desire I have to avenge this wrong.
You saw the situation before it happened, and in Your infinite wisdom, You allowed it to be so.
Your Word says that “all things work together for [my] good” (Romans 8:28)… so from this moment on, with the help of Your Holy Spirit, I forgive them”.
Now stop dwelling on the situation… stop thinking about the offence… start thinking positive healthy affirming thoughts about the individual or who or what caused the riff or the offence... and start releasing positive energy from your spirit toward the offence.
Start declaring Gods healing Word over the situation.
Friend this is called “a prayer of release.”
And as you continue to walk in that prayer, you will see things change for the better.
And you’re not just releasing your offender… you’re releasing and repositioning yourself to walk in God’s blessing.
That’s why you must forgive them!
You hold the key to releasing your hand-cuffs.
Forgiveness is the key!
Good Day!
(Philippians 3:14) “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”.
As long as we live in this age—with its sin and its pain—our contentment in God should always be a “dissatisfied” contentment.
A “dissatisfaction” in that I want to be closer to Christ.
I want to know Him and all that He has for me.
This world truly has nothing to offer me in the way of contentment for the future or for eternity.
The Old song says “this world is not my home I’m just passing thru”.
As children of God we are just passing thru this land.
We are on a journey, and we should never be content with the progress we’ve made.
Paul says it this way in (Philippians 3:12). "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect… but I press on to make it my own… because Christ Jesus has made me his own"
Christ has made us His own!
(2nd Corinthians 1:21–22) says that God himself establishes us, anointed us, "commissioned" us (set us apart for service), sealed us, and gave us His Spirit as a guarantee of His everlasting love and favor for each of us.
God means for us to have a deep contentment and security in Christ.
But that contentment and security is in Christ, not our accomplishments in this world.
As believers we should never be content in the work we have accomplished or in the walk we have with Christ.
An Olympian athlete is never satisfied with the goals they attain in their physical training.
You’ll never hear an Olympian say, “I have done enough or I am the best”.
No! They press on to greater heights and greater goals of physical conquest in the sport they are pursuing.
And so should we as Christians, as children of God, as His ambassadors of Heaven.
We should never be “satisfied” or content living in this world.
Paul does not say, "Because I am secure, I coast." He says, "Because He (God) made me his own, “I press on….”
He longs for perfection.
He longs for fullness.
He is dissatisfied with his present state.
His contentment is a dissatisfied contentment.
He knows that in Christ… he has every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places (Ephesians 3:16-19)
But he also knows that his experience of these blessings is not as full as it could be.
Paul knows that there is more to experience “of the hope of our calling” and the glory of our inheritance and the greatness of the power at work within us (Ephesians 1:18-19)
He knows that there is more strength of the Spirit for the inner man,
There is more to know of the indwelling Christ,
There is more breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love to discover,
And there is more of the fullness of God than he or any of us has experienced. (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Therefore every believer, who is really in love with God… should be a dissatisfied believer.
Every Believer who is really hoping for eternity in Heaven… should be a dissatisfied believer.
Every Christian that is filled with the love of God… should be filled with passion and desire to go forward doing more driven by a passion to be at work in the Kingdom of God.
Not because they are working to attain, but because they are just not satisfied with where they are at in their walk with God.
And therefore every true believer is a person who prays.
Prayer is the heartfelt expression of “holy dissatisfaction”.
The more satisfied you are with yourself, the way you are, and with the world the way it is, the less you will pray.
But the more you desire all the fullness of God,
The more you desire to know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ,
The more you desire to be strengthened with the power of the Holy Spirit according to the riches of God's glory,
The more you desire to know the hope of your calling and the riches of the glory of your inheritance,
And the more you desire to be holy and pure, compassionate and patient kind, tenderhearted, bold and fruitful,
The more you desire to be like Christ!
That will determine the amount of prayer you will involve yourself in.
Little prayer signifies little desire for God.
Now I am not pointing my finger at you this morning.
I am pointing it at myself and where I am at in my walk with God.
I am not satisfied with what I have done or what I am doing…. there is so so much more that can be done.
We are only limited by our imagination and our passion for God.
I woke this morning with an old song on my mind and my heart.
The lyrics go like this;
More of you, More of You.
I’ve had all, but what I need is just more of you.
Of things I’ve had my fill… but yet I hunger, hunger still,
Empty and bare… Lord hear my prayer… for just more of you.
Folks there are so many things I want to be doing for the Kingdom of God.
There is so much more that can be done.
I hope that I can inspire you with the same passion and desire as well.
Good Day!
(Philippians 4:13) “I am ready for anything…through Him Who infuses inner strength into me.”
The Bible says, “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring” (Proverbs 27:1).
The truth is, when you wake up every morning, you have no idea what will happen to you that day.
You hope for a trouble-free day where your expectations and wishes will be fulfilled… but you know from experience this isn’t always the case, and the truth is that we live in a real world with real problems.
Your enemy the devil is real, and he works in every possible way to bring discouragement, fear, and failure.
Knowing this, the psalmist wrote,
(Psalm 91:9-16)
“If you make the Lord your refuge… no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home.
For He (God) will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.
The Lord says… ‘I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer.
I will be with them in trouble… I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation’”
No matter what comes your way today and every day… you and I, we must trust that when it arrives, God will give you and I, all of us the grace to handle it while He deals with it.
Remember, Satan loves to attack those who are in line for God’s blessing.
That’s why Paul wrote… “I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me.”
Inner strength is better than outer strength.
Why is that?
As long as you remain strong inwardly, you can handle anything that comes against you outwardly, and keep moving forward.
I’ve talked with several “world war two prisoners of war, whom have testified that what got them thru the grueling trials and torture was keeping their mind focused, thinking strong, not letting discouragement and hopelessness control their mind… they stayed strong inside thinking positive thoughts of faith… despite the trials outside.
So today…be ready for the unexpected.
Be ready to call on Heavens resources at the drop of a hat.
Don’t try to deal with it on your own… recognize “that the battle is the Lords” (2nd Chronicles 20:15)… and all you have to do is stand, and having done all to stand, stand!
(Ephesians 6:10-18) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand…
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Paul knew what it was to be attacked on all sides.
He often despaired of life and was even beaten so badly at times that he was left for dead.
Yet thru it all Paul had an outlook on life that energized him constantly.
Paul wrote his epistles to the Philippians and Colossians while he was in prison... but these letters don’t have the tone you might expect from someone in prison.
Paul spoke more about joy, rejoicing, and thanksgiving, more than he did about afflictions and trials… “Christ is preached,” he said, “and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Colossians 2:5).
It doesn’t make sense that “the peace of God” that Paul experienced in his difficult circumstances... could be a peace that passes all understanding... but it was a reality none the less. (Phillipians 4:7)
In our own trials, we can feel this same peace and “rejoice in the Lord always” (Colossians 1:14).
We can say, as did Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Colossians 1:11)
Paul new how to fight “the good fight of faith”!
He knew how to humble himself and surrender to and to trust God in all things.
He knew how to “walk on faith”.
The question is, “do you”?
Because that same confidence in Christ that Paul had, can be yours today as well.
But you have to stand your ground and fight!
And you do that by surrendering to Gods grace… and infused power as you lean on Him.
Good Day!
We can say, as did Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Colossians 1:11)
Paul new how to fight “the good fight of faith”!
He knew how to humble himself and surrender to and to trust God in all things.
He knew how to “walk on faith”.
The question is, “do you”?
Because that same confidence in Christ that Paul had, can be yours today as well.
But you have to stand your ground and fight!
And you do that by surrendering to Gods grace… and infused power as you lean on Him.
Good Day!
(Romans 12:10) “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia.
Hundreds of passengers died after being hurled into the icy water below.
News of the disaster got worse when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident.
It wasn’t a technology problem like radar malfunction or even thick fog.
The cause was human stubbornness.
Each captain was aware of the other ship’s presence, and both could have steered clear.
But according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other because each was too proud to yield.
By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.
So here is the thought for today.
If you’re a tough-minded, strong-willed, make-it-happen kind of person, think about what you’ve just read.
If by winning the argument you hurt or lose the relationship, what have you gained?
If you save face but lose the relationship, you end up in the loss column.
From the Book of (Romans 12:10)… (Romans 16-17) and (Romans 19:21)… the bible teaches us to “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love… in honor giving preference to one another…be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil.
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men…
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath… for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord… do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
Listen folks… some times we can have the audacity to think that “my way is the only way”… or that my plans are the only plans, or the best laid plans.
But we need to realize that it is in the wisdom of many counselors that we become “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:31-39)
(Proverbs 11:14) “Where there is no counsel, the people fall… but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”.
(Proverbs 15:22) “Without counsel do a people fall, and deliverance is in a multitude of counselors”.
(Proverbs 24:6) “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established”.
Jesus said that the world would know that we are Christians by our love and concern and unified support of one another (John 13:35)
That’s not the way of the world.
The world says “its my way or the highway”!
God wants you and I… “His children”… to love one another, work together and support one another in whatever capacity we can.
No man or woman is an “island unto him or herself’ when it comes to the Kingdom of God.
If that’s kind of how you have been thinking… then you need to think again.
We need each other and each other’s various gifts, to fully accomplish the work of the Kingdom of God.
Paul refers to that in (Ephesians 4:11-16) “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers… to equip His (Gods) people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God… and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming”.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect, the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ”.
“From Him (Jesus) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”
I need you!
In order for me to fulfill what God has called me to do in this life, I need you!
And you need me… we all need each other!
God has gifted you to do things that I cannot do, and he has gifted me to do things you cannot do.
But when we work together, share together, believe together, support an defend one another… then we can see the battle won and accomplished in ways that we never thought possible on our own.
I have come to know this and experience this over the years… and so I do my best to support other ministries and encourage other pastors and throw my abilities and resources into the plans of others so that the gospel can be preached.
Don’t let your pride or your own importance outweigh the plans of others.
God has a plan and His plan includes you working with others.
Never forget the age old cliché that says “many hands make light work”.
Together we can do this.
Good day!
Listen folks… some times we can have the audacity to think that “my way is the only way”… or that my plans are the only plans, or the best laid plans.
But we need to realize that it is in the wisdom of many counselors that we become “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:31-39)
(Proverbs 11:14) “Where there is no counsel, the people fall… but in the multitude of counselors there is safety”.
(Proverbs 15:22) “Without counsel do a people fall, and deliverance is in a multitude of counselors”.
(Proverbs 24:6) “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established”.
Jesus said that the world would know that we are Christians by our love and concern and unified support of one another (John 13:35)
That’s not the way of the world.
The world says “its my way or the highway”!
God wants you and I… “His children”… to love one another, work together and support one another in whatever capacity we can.
No man or woman is an “island unto him or herself’ when it comes to the Kingdom of God.
If that’s kind of how you have been thinking… then you need to think again.
We need each other and each other’s various gifts, to fully accomplish the work of the Kingdom of God.
Paul refers to that in (Ephesians 4:11-16) “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers… to equip His (Gods) people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God… and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming”.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect, the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ”.
“From Him (Jesus) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”
I need you!
In order for me to fulfill what God has called me to do in this life, I need you!
And you need me… we all need each other!
God has gifted you to do things that I cannot do, and he has gifted me to do things you cannot do.
But when we work together, share together, believe together, support an defend one another… then we can see the battle won and accomplished in ways that we never thought possible on our own.
I have come to know this and experience this over the years… and so I do my best to support other ministries and encourage other pastors and throw my abilities and resources into the plans of others so that the gospel can be preached.
Don’t let your pride or your own importance outweigh the plans of others.
God has a plan and His plan includes you working with others.
Never forget the age old cliché that says “many hands make light work”.
Together we can do this.
Good day!
(Galatians 1:10) “I’m not trying to win the approval of people."
My subject this morning is that of living lives to please people… in spite of the truth that you know.
The problem with being a people pleaser is that you can run the risk of compromising your own values and your own self worth or integrity.
People pleasing can do two things:
(1) It makes you neglect your own needs in order to meet that of others.
(2) It can cause you to make bad decisions based on the approval of others.
Either way, you can end up feeling like a doormat living in defeat.
Unfortunately there are many in life whom have taken on the “self defense mode” of trying to please people at any cost... to protect their own insecurities.
Maybe you became a people pleaser early in life to get the attention you craved and couldn’t get it any other way.
Or maybe you never learned to trust your own judgment.
The Bible says, “Fearing people is a dangerous trap” (Proverbs 29:25), because it always backfires.
Not only do others get upset with you, but often you end up disappointed with yourself when things don’t work out… or when in trying to please others… you inadvertently had to compromise your own values, integrity, and faith.
Peter struggled with people pleasing.
The night before the crucifixion, “a servant girl said… ‘You were one of those with Jesus’… but Peter denied it in front of everyone. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about’” (Matthew 26:69-70).
Afterward he ended up weeping, over his failure to stand for the Master.
At another time he was found wallowing in hypocrisy when he stopped eating certain foods because the religious Jews and leaders of Judaism came to check out his church in Antioch.
With out getting into to long of a dialogue, the issue was that the Jewish leaders and Jews in general… abstain from eating certain foods because of Old Testament Law.
However Peter had come to a knowledge and understanding that God does not forbid the eating of those certain foods and so when he was with the Gentiles he enjoyed his “post cross freedom”… from religious law.
However it put Peter in the cross hairs of Paul… whom accused Peter of being hypocritical and two faced… guilty of preaching another doctrine.
The reason is that it caused confusion in the lives of new believers… the “post cross” believers who were living under “new covenant” grace... free from the dictates of Old Testament Law.
If we are free from religious law why was Peter submitting to it?
It’s because he was afraid of what his peers might think of him… and so he was compromising truth to please them.
When Samuel confronted Saul about his decision not to completely destroy the Amalekites… “Saul admitted…‘I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded’” (1st Samuel 15:24).
Paul, on the other hand, wrote, “I’m not trying to win the approval of people… but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
It’s good to be considerate, loving, and patient… but you can’t let yourself be intimidated and manipulated… “God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear... but of power…” (2nd Timothy 1:7)
When you yield to “the fear of others”… you allow them... not God, to control your life.
God doesn’t want you to serve people out of fear… but out of love for them and Him.
But when you are compromising truth to impress people… you are making a huge mistake.
As Christians we often hinder the progress of the Gospel by placing and setting certain rules and pre-supposed do’s and don’ts in front of people… rules that have nothing to do with salvation and Godliness.
We can be guilty of trying to “legislate their activities” to keep them from sinning and or continuing in sin… but that is not our job.
Our job is to love them and live a life style of freedom… a life style that will cause them to hunger and thirst after righteousness.
Our job is to fish for souls and then let God do the rest.
We catch the fish… God does the cleaning.
I know several of you out there whom have been struggling as to what is acceptable and what is not... in your service to God.
But don’t let the fear of man… the fear of people… hinder the joy of freedom in Christ.
Be passionate about living life to the full with God at the fore front… and don’t worry about the “nay sayers”… or those that tend to judge what you are doing.
The thing that will steal the joy of your salvation the quickest, is when you lose sight of the cross and the freedom that Jesus brought from religious oppression, laws and rules.
Jesus said “him whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36)
In (John 10:10) He said… “I am come that you might have life and that more abundantly”.
Someone once sarcastically said, “if you wallow with the pigs in the mud your going to get dirty”.
That is true, but sometimes you need to wallow, and walk with, and support those who are stuck in the mud and the mire… before they will accept your helping hand and loving concern for their soul and their future.
Paul said “I am all things to all people so that I can win a few”.
(1st Corinthians 9:21-23) “To those without the law I became like one without the law... (though I am not outside the law of God… but I am under the law of Christ)… to win those without the law.
To the weak… I became weak… to win the weak.
I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means... I might savesome of them.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel.”
For years I have talked about building relationships with people outside the household of faith... so that I can influence them and be a light and a witness of Gods saving grace to them.
This is what Paul is talking about.
Building relationships with people so that we might win a few.
So on one hand… in a sense… yes we must be people pleasers… but on the other hand we must oppose people pleasing which can lead to hypocrisy.
The most important thing to remember is that you are free in Christ.
Let people see your joy, your peace, your freedom from the bondages of sin and judgment, especially the judgment of others that may be jealous of your freedom.
Let face it… we all want people to like us… and there is nothing wrong with living a life to please others as long as you are not compromising your own integrity and values… or the Word of God!
Keep your eye on the cross and your hand in His hand.
I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means... I might savesome of them.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel.”
For years I have talked about building relationships with people outside the household of faith... so that I can influence them and be a light and a witness of Gods saving grace to them.
This is what Paul is talking about.
Building relationships with people so that we might win a few.
So on one hand… in a sense… yes we must be people pleasers… but on the other hand we must oppose people pleasing which can lead to hypocrisy.
The most important thing to remember is that you are free in Christ.
Let people see your joy, your peace, your freedom from the bondages of sin and judgment, especially the judgment of others that may be jealous of your freedom.
Let face it… we all want people to like us… and there is nothing wrong with living a life to please others as long as you are not compromising your own integrity and values… or the Word of God!
Keep your eye on the cross and your hand in His hand.
The other hand?
Keep it extended to others… you won’t go wrong.
Good day!
Good day!
(Revelation 2:4) “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love”.
Every Believer in Christ needs to be aware of the danger of “leaving” his first love for the Lord.
And let me say that preserving a relationship with God should be just as important to each of us… as it is when preserving a relationship with a best friend, or your spouse, or any important relationship you have in your life.
I have watched and counseled many, whom will go to great lengths and sacrifice to save a friendship or a marriage (which yes, we should all be willing to do)… yet they could care less about going to great lengths in establishing or building a strong relationship with the Savior.
Long ago, the church in Ephesus was busy doing many things for God, yet Jesus said, (Revelation 2:4). “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love”
In the next verse the Lord commanded them, “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works... or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5).
As I have shared in days gone by, the bible tells us that we should “examine ourselves”
(1st Corinthians 11:28) and when we do... several things can indicate that you are wandering or drifting away from your first love with God.
Scripture is a tremendous barometer, or thermometer that can measure where we stand with our love for God.
(2nd Timothy 3:16-17) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
This morning I have prepared 6 thoughts that we should all consider as we examine ourselves to see if we truly be in the faith and are truly hot toward our relationship with God.
1). Do you delight in someone else more than you delight in the Lord?
Your love for God should be foremost in your heart, exceeding the bond of any other relationship.
In (Mark 12:30) Jesus identified the greatest of all commandments… “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength…
2). Does your soul long for times of rich fellowship in God’s Word or prayer, praise and worship? “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy . . . soul . . .” (Mark 12:30)
When your mind, will, and emotions wander from devotion to God, watch out!
Your relationship with God only deepens as you spend time in His Word and commune with Him in prayer.
If you forsake this fellowship, your understanding of your true condition before God will grow dull.
As God’s children, friends, and His bride… it is critical that we draw near to Him to engage in our relationship with Him.
(James 4:7–8) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
3). Do your thoughts in leisure moments or free time honour the Lord?
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy . . . mind . . .” (Mark 12:30).
The things that captivate your thoughts in leisure moments reveal much about the priorities of your heart.
From (Philippians 4:8) the Apostle Paul instructed us, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”
4). Do you make excuses for doing things that displease the Lord, claiming to be “only human”?
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy . . . strength” (Mark 12:30).
God wants you to dedicate your life to Him as a “living sacrifice”... discerning His will in all things and walking in obedience to Him.
(Romans 12:1–2) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God… this is your true and proper worship.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Psalm 23:3) tells us as your Good Shepherd, He will lead you “in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”
There is no excuse for disobeying the Lord. His grace is sufficient to rescue you from every temptation. (1st Corinthians 10:13)
The truth is... “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Scripture is a tremendous barometer, or thermometer that can measure where we stand with our love for God.
(2nd Timothy 3:16-17) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
This morning I have prepared 6 thoughts that we should all consider as we examine ourselves to see if we truly be in the faith and are truly hot toward our relationship with God.
1). Do you delight in someone else more than you delight in the Lord?
Your love for God should be foremost in your heart, exceeding the bond of any other relationship.
In (Mark 12:30) Jesus identified the greatest of all commandments… “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength…
2). Does your soul long for times of rich fellowship in God’s Word or prayer, praise and worship? “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy . . . soul . . .” (Mark 12:30)
When your mind, will, and emotions wander from devotion to God, watch out!
Your relationship with God only deepens as you spend time in His Word and commune with Him in prayer.
If you forsake this fellowship, your understanding of your true condition before God will grow dull.
As God’s children, friends, and His bride… it is critical that we draw near to Him to engage in our relationship with Him.
(James 4:7–8) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
3). Do your thoughts in leisure moments or free time honour the Lord?
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy . . . mind . . .” (Mark 12:30).
The things that captivate your thoughts in leisure moments reveal much about the priorities of your heart.
From (Philippians 4:8) the Apostle Paul instructed us, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”
4). Do you make excuses for doing things that displease the Lord, claiming to be “only human”?
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy . . . strength” (Mark 12:30).
God wants you to dedicate your life to Him as a “living sacrifice”... discerning His will in all things and walking in obedience to Him.
(Romans 12:1–2) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God… this is your true and proper worship.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Psalm 23:3) tells us as your Good Shepherd, He will lead you “in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake”
There is no excuse for disobeying the Lord. His grace is sufficient to rescue you from every temptation. (1st Corinthians 10:13)
The truth is... “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin... and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:14–16).
Your obedience to God demonstrates your love for Him.
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” (John 15:10).
5). Do you willingly and cheerfully give to God’s work or to the needs of others?
Generosity is part of God’s holy character… “For God so loved the world, that He gave . . .” (John 3:16).
He (God) “loveth a cheerful giver” (2nd Corinthians 9:7)
Therefore, “whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1st John 3:17)
(Luke 6:27–36, Romans 12:20, and Matthew 5:42) all teach us that as believers, we are to love others and give what we can to the welfare of others… even to our enemies.
We can do this only by the grace of God, as He renews our minds and teaches us to walk in obedience to His voice.
6). Do you treat others as you would treat the Lord?
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).
“Loving one another” is not a suggestion… it is a command that we are enabled to fulfill by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Do you find that you are quick to judge and condemn others?
Consider God’s love for you and His command that you love others with His love.
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (I John 4:10–11).
So when we examine ourselves if we don’t see love for others and love for our fellow man, can we honestly say we love God?
You’re the only one who can answer that question.
The bible teaches us that we can truly assess our temperature and the depth of our love for God as we honestly look at these six points I have put before us this morning.
No judgment here… just a challenge to be better than the world around us… to be hotter and more passionate for God than the world around us.
The rest is up to you!
Good Day!
Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:14–16).
Your obedience to God demonstrates your love for Him.
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love” (John 15:10).
5). Do you willingly and cheerfully give to God’s work or to the needs of others?
Generosity is part of God’s holy character… “For God so loved the world, that He gave . . .” (John 3:16).
He (God) “loveth a cheerful giver” (2nd Corinthians 9:7)
Therefore, “whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1st John 3:17)
(Luke 6:27–36, Romans 12:20, and Matthew 5:42) all teach us that as believers, we are to love others and give what we can to the welfare of others… even to our enemies.
We can do this only by the grace of God, as He renews our minds and teaches us to walk in obedience to His voice.
6). Do you treat others as you would treat the Lord?
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).
“Loving one another” is not a suggestion… it is a command that we are enabled to fulfill by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Do you find that you are quick to judge and condemn others?
Consider God’s love for you and His command that you love others with His love.
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (I John 4:10–11).
So when we examine ourselves if we don’t see love for others and love for our fellow man, can we honestly say we love God?
You’re the only one who can answer that question.
The bible teaches us that we can truly assess our temperature and the depth of our love for God as we honestly look at these six points I have put before us this morning.
No judgment here… just a challenge to be better than the world around us… to be hotter and more passionate for God than the world around us.
The rest is up to you!
Good Day!
(Romans 10:8) “The word is near you… it is in your mouth and in your heart”
If you’re not careful, it’s easy to speak words of doubt that contradict what God says in His Word.
Not that your contradiction is going to carry much weight concerning matters in my life or the life of others around you.
But it will certainly effect your own life, and your own success, and your ability, to overcome in matters of this life.
Paul wrote, “The word that saves is…as near as the tongue in your mouth… it’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us.” (Romans 10:8)
“Jesus said (Luke 4:4) "man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”.
If you want to live a positive, successful and purpose filled life, you have got to start taking inventory of the words you speak.
The bible teaches us that… “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45)
So what is in your heart today?
Is it in agreement with Gods Word that is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
Or are you consuming the leaven of the Sadducees of whom I spoke of yesterday… filled with doubt and unbelief in the miracle working power of God that is made evident thru the heart of faith… and belief that His word and His promises are yes, yes, and yes (2nd Corinthians 15:20)
Or are you filled with the doubt and lack of faith that this world walks in, concerning God and His miracle working ability on your behalf?
Is you mind filled with confidence in the miracle working power of God for you, or is it filled with doubt and unbelief in the ability of God to deliver you and lead you thru the storms of life and by the still waters (Psalm 23:2)
Listen my friend… as believers in Christ, you don’t not have the right to walk in doubt and unbelief.
You are a child of the living God… and you need to be… and you should be agreeing with Gods Word in everything.
Yes I said everything!
As Gods children we should be speaking words of positive affirmation… and faith in the ability of God to move in your life… no matter what the many issues might be that rise up.
So today begin speaking God’s Word over your situation and watch Him go to work on your behalf, setting things right for you.
The word "confession" comes from the Greek word homologeõ, which means “to come into agreement with, or say the same thing.”
That means you must come into agreement with God’s Word… and learn to say what He says, no matter how bad things look at the time.
If it’s not what God is saying, and what His Word is saying… then don’t you say it or confess it!
Because when you do, it’s counterproductive to the will of God in your life.
Its counter productive to faith… and it will hinder your ability to believe God for answers and miracles you need… to be more than a conqueror in this life.
(Proverbs 18:21) tells us that “the tongue has the power of life and death”
Your words become powerful weapons.
(Job 6:25) says, “How ‘forcible’ are right words!”
This word “forcible” comes from the Hebrew word maráts, which means “to press.”
Just like a king’s signet ring pressed his seal of authority onto a document, your confession of faith seals the matter before God.
Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done… he will have whatever he says. Therefore…whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:23-24).
Don’t just speak to God “about your mountain”… “speak to your mountain” using God’s Word!
When you make God’s Word your word, your mountain will begin to move.
What you speak matters!
Your tongue and the things you speak will either aid you in seeing your destiny break through… or will completely abort what God is trying to do in your life!
Your mouth will take sides!
It’s what is in your heart that your mouth speaks (Luke 6:45) “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
That’s why you need to let “the engrafted Word of God” (Colossians 3:16) dwell with in you richly, abundantly… let it consume your thoughts and your mind.
Your mouth is either speaking “faith, trust, confidence and agreement with Gods Word… or it is speaking doubt and unbelief.
It will either side with the enemy, and speak doubt, fear, discouragement, and hopelessness… or it will align with God's word and speak the truth found in scripture.
What you say and allow to leave your lips... has the potential to steer your whole life!
Do yourself a favour and get control of your tongue!
The next time your emotions take over and want to speak things that are against what God's word says… zip your lip!
Don't curse with your own mouth… something God is wanting to bless!
Instead use your tongue as a weapon… a weapon of righteousness!
Use it as a weapon against the kingdom of darkness and against unbelief and against doubt.
There is power in opening your mouth and declaring God's Word!
Even when you may be feeling contrary... find a truth from God's Word about your situation and open your mouth up!
Declare with your lips the goodness of who God is… and what He is able to do in and through you.
Declare God's Word over your family and household!
Let your mouth be a vessel that honors God, pushes back darkness, and speaks every good thing God has in store for your life into existence!
If what you're speaking doesn't align with God's Word… “zip your lip”!
Your mouth… your toungue is a weapon… use it wisely!
Your mouth and Gods Word, it can move the mountains you are facing.
Good Day!