Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
We don’t know when the Lord will come to take us to Heaven, so we wait. While we wait the war in the Middle East, the sad state of the economy, corruption in high places, and.the rising tide of sin and violence bombards us, stealing our joy and peace if we let it.
In the midst of this chaotic world believers can have perfect peace. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3). So, rest in the Lord, meditate on His blessings, and praise Him.
Keep your mind on Jesus, not on crazy politics. God judges nations. The Bible is clear that God appoints every leader of every nation --- past, present, and future. He knows what He’s doing even if we don’t understand. Psalm 30:5 . . . weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Friday, September 2, 2016
Abiding In Christ
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Jesus is teaching his apostles how to carry on His work when He ascends back to the Father. He illustrates the branch (disciples) producing fruit by abiding in the Vine (Jesus).
There are three basic fruits the Lord bears in the lives of His children. They are: (1) Sanctification --- We become more like Jesus; (2) Spirituality --- We behave more like Jesus; (3) Souls --- We are burdened like Jesus.
Not every branch abides in the Vine as it should. It’s still attached, but It‘s fruitless, withered, weak and empty. But the closer believers abide in Christ, the more His life flows through us to produce the fruit He desires. Abiding in Christ gives a settled assurance, a relationship with the Father and His Son, and joy unspeakable and full of glory. And prayers get answered.
Jesus is teaching his apostles how to carry on His work when He ascends back to the Father. He illustrates the branch (disciples) producing fruit by abiding in the Vine (Jesus).
There are three basic fruits the Lord bears in the lives of His children. They are: (1) Sanctification --- We become more like Jesus; (2) Spirituality --- We behave more like Jesus; (3) Souls --- We are burdened like Jesus.
Not every branch abides in the Vine as it should. It’s still attached, but It‘s fruitless, withered, weak and empty. But the closer believers abide in Christ, the more His life flows through us to produce the fruit He desires. Abiding in Christ gives a settled assurance, a relationship with the Father and His Son, and joy unspeakable and full of glory. And prayers get answered.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
As A Lamb To The Slaughter
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
In silence Jesus suffers beatings, scourging, spitting, mockery, and beard plucking. He utters not a word as nails gash His hands and feet, fastening Him to a cruel cross which soon turns crimson red with a fountain of blood.
Jesus could’ve spoken the word and the iron in the nails would’ve crawled back into the earth. He could’ve called 10,000 angels to set him free. But this God-Man laid down His life as a lamb to the slaughter.
His love for sinners was ever so great. Taking our sins upon Himself, Jesus died in our place. You see, the wages of sin is death --- and all have sinned. The righteousness of Jesus for our filthy rags of sin is far from a fair trade. But amazing grace makes us worthy to be called a child of God. When we believe on Jesus, he forgives our sins and gives us eternal life. .
In silence Jesus suffers beatings, scourging, spitting, mockery, and beard plucking. He utters not a word as nails gash His hands and feet, fastening Him to a cruel cross which soon turns crimson red with a fountain of blood.
Jesus could’ve spoken the word and the iron in the nails would’ve crawled back into the earth. He could’ve called 10,000 angels to set him free. But this God-Man laid down His life as a lamb to the slaughter.
His love for sinners was ever so great. Taking our sins upon Himself, Jesus died in our place. You see, the wages of sin is death --- and all have sinned. The righteousness of Jesus for our filthy rags of sin is far from a fair trade. But amazing grace makes us worthy to be called a child of God. When we believe on Jesus, he forgives our sins and gives us eternal life. .
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Peace, Be Still
Mark 4:39-41 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
The boat is about to be shred to splinters by a raging storm and the apostles are terrified and Jesus is asleep. Frantically, they awake Him. “Don’t you care if we parish?” But Jesus knows that He will die on a cross and not in a shipwreck. He can sleep during the storm because He trusts His Father to take care of Him.
After taking a scolding for their lack of faith, the apostles witness a great calm as Jesus rebukes every puff of wind and every angry wave. With fear they ask each other, “What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
If your’s is a storm of suffering, believe that Jesus can ease your pain. If it’s a storm of sorrow, He can comfort your soul. If it’s a storm of sin, He can deliver you and set you free. Trust Him.
The boat is about to be shred to splinters by a raging storm and the apostles are terrified and Jesus is asleep. Frantically, they awake Him. “Don’t you care if we parish?” But Jesus knows that He will die on a cross and not in a shipwreck. He can sleep during the storm because He trusts His Father to take care of Him.
After taking a scolding for their lack of faith, the apostles witness a great calm as Jesus rebukes every puff of wind and every angry wave. With fear they ask each other, “What manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
If your’s is a storm of suffering, believe that Jesus can ease your pain. If it’s a storm of sorrow, He can comfort your soul. If it’s a storm of sin, He can deliver you and set you free. Trust Him.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Compassion
Matthew 9:36-38 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Jesus knew what it felt like to hurt deeply and be hungry. That’s why He had compassion on the multitude. That’s why He feels our pain and hunger.
He feels compassion for the sinning ones, the sick ones, the suffering ones, and the seeking ones. Despite their faults, He loves them at the deepest level of His being. He loves us the same way.
Compassion seems to go against our human nature, but it’s not against the new nature of believers. When we are saved we are given all the resources we need to feel the needs and burdens of others - Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22-23.
Compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone. It’s more than pity. Compassion is a desire to reach out and make a difference in the life of someone. In truth, compassion is a desire to be like Christ to someone else.
Jesus knew what it felt like to hurt deeply and be hungry. That’s why He had compassion on the multitude. That’s why He feels our pain and hunger.
He feels compassion for the sinning ones, the sick ones, the suffering ones, and the seeking ones. Despite their faults, He loves them at the deepest level of His being. He loves us the same way.
Compassion seems to go against our human nature, but it’s not against the new nature of believers. When we are saved we are given all the resources we need to feel the needs and burdens of others - Eph. 4:32; Gal. 5:22-23.
Compassion is more than feeling sorry for someone. It’s more than pity. Compassion is a desire to reach out and make a difference in the life of someone. In truth, compassion is a desire to be like Christ to someone else.
Monday, August 29, 2016
I AM Sent Me
Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Moses tells God that he’s inadequate to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt. He’s really saying he doesn’t know enough about who God is. ”Who shall I say sent me?”
“Tell them I AM sent you." God is telling Moses that I AM will show up as needs arise.
This is how the Lord works in our lives. He leads us out to follow Him by faith. We know very little about Him or His ways, but, as needs arise, God proves Himself adequate and faithful to every challenge.
The Great I AM is what we need at every moment of our lives. There’s no situation that God can’t handle.
Moses tells God that he’s inadequate to lead the Children of Israel out of Egypt. He’s really saying he doesn’t know enough about who God is. ”Who shall I say sent me?”
“Tell them I AM sent you." God is telling Moses that I AM will show up as needs arise.
This is how the Lord works in our lives. He leads us out to follow Him by faith. We know very little about Him or His ways, but, as needs arise, God proves Himself adequate and faithful to every challenge.
The Great I AM is what we need at every moment of our lives. There’s no situation that God can’t handle.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Awe Inspiring Lives
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
When the life of a believer is totally sold out, separated and sacrificed to God the Father, it will be an awe inspiring thing. It will demonstrate the power of God like nothing else. I wonder how much awe our lives inspire?
Imagine how awe inspiring it would’ve been to stand with Elijah on Mount Carmel as God sent fire down from Heaven on that altar.
What would it have been like to stand beside Moses as he talked with that burning bush, and how did it feel to be with Solomon at the dedication of the Temple when the fire of God fell. These were holy times. They inspired awe in those who witnessed them.
I am convinced that God can do more in a church with one properly sacrificed life than He can with 1,000 who are half-heartedly playing the church game.
When the life of a believer is totally sold out, separated and sacrificed to God the Father, it will be an awe inspiring thing. It will demonstrate the power of God like nothing else. I wonder how much awe our lives inspire?
Imagine how awe inspiring it would’ve been to stand with Elijah on Mount Carmel as God sent fire down from Heaven on that altar.
What would it have been like to stand beside Moses as he talked with that burning bush, and how did it feel to be with Solomon at the dedication of the Temple when the fire of God fell. These were holy times. They inspired awe in those who witnessed them.
I am convinced that God can do more in a church with one properly sacrificed life than He can with 1,000 who are half-heartedly playing the church game.
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