Ready!

 “Be ready for service and have your lamps lit. 36 You must be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open [the door] for him at once. 37 Those  slaves the master will find alert when he comes will be blessed.  I assure you: He will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, and finds them alert, those slaves are blessed. 39 But know this: if the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

Luke 12:35-40 (HCSB)

Are you ready for Jesus' return.  The Bible is clear that He will return.  This parable instructs us to be ready.  The HCSB states it "ready for service."  I like that rendering because it get at the truth the Scripture implies.  We are not getting ready and watching for him as if we were on a "Star watch".  We are not waiting for a famous person or waiting for an unusual event to occur.  This passage implies that we have a job to do, a service for the King in preparation for His coming.

In other words, Christ followers are to be ready and serving until He arrives.  The job will not be done until we hear that trumpet call.  Stay alert!  Stay ready!  Stay busy!

Abundance?

A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance.

John 10:10 (HCSB)

Jesus made a clear statement concerning His purpose of coming.  He came that we might have life that is abundant.  If that is the case why do so many Christ followers seem like they are not experiencing abundant life?  Is Jesus weak or unable to fulfill His purpose?  I would say no.  Therefore, the problem must lie with us as Christ followers.  Since the Scripture tells us that we have victory of the thief (Satan) through Jesus Christ, could it be that we have allowed Satan to steal our joy and bring destruction to our lives?

How do we overcome?  In a nutshell, we overcome by surrender.  We surrender to Jesus and abide in His love and life.  Our lack of abundance is not due to Jesus.  It is due to our disobedience and unwillingness to surrender to Him.

Today may be a good day for us as Christ followers to evaluate our abundance and question our obedience and surrender to the master.

Keeping Your Head Above Water

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Prov 3:5-7 (NASB95)

 There are days in my life that I feel like I am drowning.  Troubles overcome us and we feel like we are going under.  Proverbs 3.5-7 gives some good truth to help us keep our heads above the water.  The writer encourages us to trust the Lord.  Trust means that we know that He is in control and I don't have to be.  We also acknowledge Him.  In other words we recognize that He is the authority.  He is in charge and not us.  We usually try to follow our agenda but He has an agenda that will keep our paths straight if we will only follow Him.  Walk in wisdom by fearing the Lord and turning away from evil.  Its all about choices.  Will we follow our wisdom or will we fear Him, with awe and reverence and follow His wisdom.


When you are struggling don't try to go it alone.  Turn to the master.  You can trust Him with your life!

Happy Man -Right Perspective on Work

You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you.

Psalms 128:2 (HCSB)

Many of us grumble when the alarm clock goes off Monday morning and we can't wait for the end of the work week on Friday.  But work is really something God intends to give us happiness.  We won't get into the whole make sure you're in the right job discussion.  But generally speaking work is one of those things God has given to make us happy.  We just need the right perspective.

The psalmist gives us a picture of a content and happy worker.  Why is He content and happy?  He knows that what he does at work is a gift from God for his and his families provision.  Here is the catch.  We have to be content.  Be happy with what we have and what God has provided.  Having the right attitude makes all the difference.  I love that the psalmist says it will go well for you.  Here is a simple fact:  when we work with the right attitude we will be a better worker and we will have the best experience (generally speaking) with our job, our boss and coworkers.  We will find contentment and happiness with the right perspective on work.

Happy Man -Right Perspective on God

How happy is everyone who  fears the Lord, who walks in His ways!

Psalms 128:1 (HCSB)

Joy and happiness are not the same thing.  Joy is a state of mind based upon the character and trust of God.  Happiness is an emotion.  God does not promise that we will be happy but that we can have joy.  That being said the Scripture still gives us a picture of what can help us to live a truly happy life.

True happiness can be achieve if we have the right perspective on God.  It begins with fear.  I know, it seems strange that we will find happiness in fear.  That word fear in the Scripture has many nuances.  It means reverence.  It means awe.  It also means fear.  When we realize who God is it will bring about a fear (see Isaiah 6) that draws us to awe and reverence the one who loves us.  We fear God when we realize who and what He is.  With that proper perspective we walk in His ways.  Guess what that does for us?  You go it.  We have the best shot at really living a good life that makes us happy.

Since God is God (which causes the fear) He knows what is best for us and what will really  make our lives good.  So fear Him.  Listen to Him.  Obey Him.  And enjoy!

Staying pure by the Word

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your  word.

Psalms 119:9 (HCSB)

In some segments of society there isn't even a desire for purity anymore.  For the Christ follower there should be. Purity is important and how do we stay pure.  By "keeping" the Word.  What exactly does that mean.  We could use the word obey or follow or even live by.  God gives us direction of how we should live our lives in purity if we will only keep His Word.

Serve with Gladness

1 Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. 3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are His   — His people, the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. 5 For the Lord is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

Psalms 100:1-5 (HCSB)

Thankfulness and gladness should characterize the Christ followers life.  For some service is a drudgery.  We serve out of a sense of obligation.  But for the Christ follower we should serve out of thankfulness and gladness because He is so good.  He is good.  His love has no limits.  He is faithful.  What a great God we serve!

Be Encouraged

Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will exalt him because he knows My name. 15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. 16 I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation.

Psalms 91:14-16 (HCSB)

 These verses from Psalm 91 are truly encouraging.  I am so glad that I belong to Him.  It gives great comfort to know that God takes my struggles, trials and need of help seriously.  Be encouraged Christ follower, you are not alone!

He alone!

Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and glory depend on God; my strong rock, my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge.

Psalms 62:5-8 (HCSB)

There is a truth that every person must remember.  At some point others are going to let us down.  Every pastor, spouse, teacher, friend, coworker or child will let you down.  That is everyone but God.  God never lets us down.  Therefore, the psalmist can write "rest in God alone".  "He alone is my rock."  My salvation and glory depend on God."  Trust in Him at all times."

While others let you down God deserves your trust.  He is a refuge that never fails.  As you go through this week trust Him, rely on Him and rest in Him.  You will not be disappointed!

Where He has placed you!

I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—

1 Tim 1:12 (HCSB)

Where has God placed you?  Some of us may respond well no where!  "I am in this dead end job!"  Or maybe you may say, "I really don't have any important role in the church or ministry."  We may excuse ourselves by saying, "I really don't have any gifts, skills," even, "God can't use me."  No,  God has placed you where you are for His purpose.  You have a ministry, whether you recognize it or not.

Notice three important things about Paul's statement to Timothy.  First, He is thankful.  Don't belittle where God has placed you but revel in it.  God has placed you where you are to do what only you can do.  Thank Him for using you there!

Second, notice that He says God has considered him faithful.  Was Paul more faithful than us?  Perhaps in some ways but over all no not really.  He was human just like us.  Sinful, some times stupid and not always doing what he should be and yet God considered him faithful.  Understand what God understands about you.  You are a work in progress.  If you are waiting to be perfect, ready or prepared you probably will never be used.  God considers us faithful not because of who we are but because of who we will be.

Third, just a reminder, God places us where He wants us.  Ministry is not a choice it is our calling.  We don't choose where and when we serve.  God places us in His place and in His time.

Just serve where He has placed you!

Destiny

If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”

Esth 4:14 (HCSB)

Destiny is not necessarily a Biblical word but it is a Biblical concept.  It means, according to Webster's dictionary, "Something a person or thing is designated, assigned or dedicated to in advance."  It is a biblical concept isn't it.  Lets not forget that God has a plan and that plan includes you.  He has a purpose for your life.  But in God's way of doing things there is another biblical concept, Man's free will.

God gives us a choice.  We have the choice to obey or disobey.  We can work with Him or against Him.  We can choose to fulfill our destiny, His plan, or in sinful arrogance do our thing, fulfill our desires.

Be faithful and fulfill your destiny, God's plan.  You are not where you are by accident.  You are there on purpose and God has a plan to use you.  Just consider, you may be where you are, "for such a time as this."

Implications of Reconciliation: A new Purpose

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us.

2 Cor 5:18-19 (HCSB)

When we come to Christ he gives us a new purpose.  Before Christ our purpose was all about us.  It was a selfish purpose.  But not any longer.  If we in fact are a new creature with a new relationship with God, we should absolutely be thrilled with a new purpose.

Our new purpose is no longer about us but it is about introducing the one we love to those who need His love.  We can share the joy, the hope and the peace of being reconciled to this awesome God we love.

Embrace your new purpose today.  Be a messenger of His reconciliation to those who need it.

Implication of Reconciliation: A New Relationship

who reconciled us to Himself through Christ 2 Cor 5:18 (HCSB)

When we come to Christ, He reconciles us to Himself.  We were enemies, at odds with Him and He forgave us.  It is His grace that we are saved.  It is His grace that our relationship is restored with Him.  It is what He did through Christ.  We didn't do anything.

Understand it is not that we were two friends who had a misunderstanding and needed to compromise to restore the friendship.  We were the offending party.  We were sinful and through Jesus, God graciously restores us.  What a great God we serve.

Enjoy your relationship with almighty God today!

Implication of Reconciliation: New Creature

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

2 Cor 5:17 (HCSB)

When we come to Christ we are reconciled to God.  That in and of itself is a great truth and blessing.  But what is the implication of being reconciled?

Well the first implication is that we become new creatures.  What does that mean?  It means we are new.  Paul writes, that the old passes away and that new things come.

We are new!  Do you feel new?  Are you allowing the old things to pass away (die) and the new things to grow in you?  Give God the freedom to work in you and work things out of you.  That is the awesome gift of reconciliation!

Be new today!

The Withered Hand

Stretch out your hand.

Luke 6:10

My wife and I in our devotional reading this morning read this from the author of our devotional, Chris Tiegreen:  "Even though we have so little to offer Him, He still requires something of us -a withered hand.  We must take this sin -racked limb -the epitome of our fallen nature -and stretch it out to Him."

There was much Tiegreen was teaching in his devotional but God spoke to me about us as Christ followers.  All of us have a "withered hand".  There is something in us that is damaged and racked by sin.  We have hang ups, habits and addictions.  We have areas of sin that are continually there to be reckoned with.  What do we do we these things? 

I fear that we have taken this approach.  We are hiding the offending limb.  We are using it as an excuse why we can't be used, or serve whole heartedly our master and Lord.  I have heard often in the body of Christ, people say, "I would serve but I can't.  I'm not ready," or even worse, "I'm unfit to serve because of this sin issue in my life." 

What does Jesus want?  He wants us to stretch forth our hand and let Him deal with the brokenness in us.  The truth is we don't want that.  We are comfortable with our sinfulness.  Perhaps we even appreciate the excuse to not do what we know we are called to do but really don't want to do.  God help us!

Christ follower, today stretch out your hand.  Let God deal with your sin riddled limb and then serve Him with every fiber of your being!

What we Need: To be willing

give me a willing spirit.

Psalms 51:12 (HCSB)

Are you willing?  Willing to serve that is?  Here is an honest confession.  I'm not always willing to serve.  Sometimes I become selfish and want to be served instead of serving.  When we encounter that we need a spiritual renewal.  Remember as a Christ follower/disciple we have been called to serve.  David asks for a willing spirit.  We should too.  We need a desire to be a servant to others.  It is our call.

So when you find your self lacking in motivation to serve.  Follow David's lead and ask God for a willing spirit.  He will give it to you.  He wants you to serve as well.

What we need: Joy of Salvation

 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

Psalms 51:12 (NASB95)

Do you have His joy today?  Now, I am not asking if you are happy.  You may or may not be happy but you can still have joy.  Joy is not happiness.  Happiness is an emotion.  Joy is something more.  It is a state of mind.  It is a sense of peace even contentment in your spiritual state of being.  Joy of salvation is just that.  It is a peace or contentment in your salvation.  Happiness comes and goes but Joy holds on no matter what the circumstances.

Be joyful today in your salvation.  Honestly nothing else really matters.

What we Need: To be in His presence

Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Psalms 51:11 (HCSB)

As we live day to day as a Christ follower, we need to feel His presence in our lives.  As Christ followers we can never lose our salvation and the Holy Spirit comes as a deposit in our lives and does not leave.  However, sin does severs and damages our relationship with the Lord.  King David pleads that God would not banish him because of his sin.

David really understands the severity and offense of our sin to God.  We sometimes do not.  But we also need to recognize the grace and mercy of God and realize that He has created us for fellowship with Him. 

Seek his presence in your life today and enjoy the sweet fellowship with our master!

What we Need: To be made consistant

renew a steadfast  spirit within me.

Psalms 51:10 (HCSB)

Do you need consistency in your spiritual walk?  If you are like me you may answer that question with a sarcastic, "No!  I am consistently do the wrong thing."  David asks for God to give him a steadfast spirit.  He wants to be steady or consistent.  But to be consistent in godliness not spiritual failure.

God can make us steady.  He can keep us consistent in our walk.  He is willing, if we are.  Pray today that God will make you consistent in your walk.  It may make all the difference as you follow the Master.

What we need: To be made Pure

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

Psalms 51:10 (NASB95)

 What do you need?  Spiritually, what do you need?  We often think of revival as something we do maybe once a year or so.  But revival is really a spiritual renewal that needs to be happening regularly.  For King David it did.  Particularly here in Psalm 51.  He has just come off of the whole Bathsheba incident.  He has committed adultery, murder and cover up.  He has been confronted by the prophet and He needs spiritual renewal.

God is so good that He does not abandon us after we have abandoned Him.  David asks, "God create in me a clean heart."  He asks for purity. 

Here is a challenge for us today.  Perhaps we need to go to God confess our sins and ask Him for purity.  Ask Him to clean our heart. 

Grace

Grace is good. Consider its implication in our day to day living.

Rely on Scripture

Facing temptation is always difficult. Temptations come in many shapes, sizes and varieties. Be encouraged and challenged by Mandisa's message.

Hard Hearts

for they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6:50-52 (HCSB)

There is a warning for the Christ follower within this passage.  It is a mistake to think that we are doing fine because we have a relationship with Christ or even that we are practicing regular "Christian activities".  The disciples were with Jesus and yet they are described as having hard hearts.

How did they get hard hearts?  And if we have a hard heart what do we do about it?  They had hard hearts because they did not take full advantage of being with Jesus.  They didn't understand what Jesus was doing.  They didn't recognize His sovereignty and His plan and purpose.  We also struggle with those same things.  Are hearts become hard because we forget that Jesus is sovereign and we forget what His purpose is for our lives.  What is the cure of hard heartedness?  It is to recognize Jesus is with us in the struggle and to recommit ourselves to trusting Him in the midst of our crisis.  When we do He speaks into our hearts what He spoke to the disciples, "have courage.  It is I!  Don't be afraid."

Lets be honest we all have times of hard heartedness.  Trust Him and follow Him.  He will see you through.