Regardless

But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 The Message

One day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We'll be judged for our faithfulness and given or denied rewards determined by how we lived for Christ. Yes, our sins are forgiven, but we will still give an account to Christ for what we've done. 

When we really think about that, will it make a difference in our next choice - good or bad? Do we make excuses - we're tired, we don't feel good, so-and-so made me angry and hurt my feelings? Our Promise for Today tells us two times, regardless of our conditions... Do we want to squander our days on mediocrity?  Do we think that would qualify as cheerfully pleasing God? 

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive us for all the times we mindlessly make choices in life without consciously - cheerfully - thinking about whether or not our actions would please You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Give It Up

Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

Proverbs 21:24 NLT

Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

Proverbs 22:10 NLT

There are those who just like to fight and argue over anything... or nothing. They have an opinion about everything and think they are always right. It seems they thrive on contention. I grew up in a house like that and I could argue with the "best" of them... until I met Jesus.

Now I don't want to. I gave up that fight long ago. Life is an illustrated sermon of Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. The quarrels and insults really DO disappear. It's like the slogan from an old TV commercial - "Try it - you'll like it!"

Prayer:

Father,

          Deliver us from the mouth of the mocker - pride and arrogance, quarrels and insults. Start and finish with us, Father. Cause us to be ever mindful to humble ourselves before You and before others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

An Understanding

However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
Job 32:8 GWT

The breath of the Almighty within humans - within us - what a powerful statement that is!

Consider it was the breath/Spirit of God that blew across the deep in Genesis 1. 

It was God's breath in Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones that resurrected an army.

It is God's Spirit that not only gives us life, but also sustains us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV reads, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

THAT Spirit - the breath of the Almighty - is who lives inside of us! As we take in more and more of His Word, we are better able to understand His will and purpose for us in today's world. We have an understanding with the Almighty - a work to do until He comes to take us home. 

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Your living breath to guide us and sustain us. Renew our souls and reignite our passion for Your Word. Holy Spirit, breathe new life into us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What Is That Smell?

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NKJV

Do you have a favorite smell or fragrance? One that takes you back to a certain place or time to a sweet memory? Perhaps someone's perfume or cologne, a favorite coffee shop. Maybe your grandmother's kitchen... According to scientific studies, olfactory memories tend to be the strongest because of their first-person connection. 

Smells also get on you. For instance, walk into a sandwich shop and you come out smelling like onions. Spend time somewhere and you pick up the overall scent of the place. 

As Christians, have you ever thought that we spread the fragrance of Christ as we go about our daily lives? I never thought about that. However, we can only spread what we have. If we spend time with Him, in His Word, lovingly in His presence, getting to know Him intimately, we manifest the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. Otherwise, what is that smell?

Prayer:

Father,

           We want to be the aroma of life leading to life. The best fragrance, a favorite. We want You to be in our hearts and all over us. We want to spread You wherever we go. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Today's Offer

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT

As we daily walk through this life, encountering those who cross our path, how do we interact with them? Are we in a good mood? Do they catch us in a bad mood? Are we tolerant of whatever drama is being played out? What do we have to offer them for their situation?

Have we interacted with God and His Word before setting out on our path? Do we fill up with His presence so that we are able to dispense His grace in all situations? Or do we start our day with a shower and the news of what's going on in the world? What DO we have to offer them for their situation?

Prayer:

Father, 

          Keep us forever mindful that it is Your gift of Grace that has saved us, through the measure of faith You have also gifted to each of us. As we humble ourselves before You, enable us to pour out to others what we can receive only from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Comforting

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2nd Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

When you find yourself in a situation where you might seek advice or counsel, who would you turn to - someone who has read/studied all about it or someone who has lived through it and come out the other side? Yes, the one who has been-there-done-that, right?

That is one of the reasons it is so important to follow 1st Thessalonians 5:18 NLT, Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Giving thanks takes us into the Father's presence where we receive His comfort - the same comfort that we will then be able to give others who are in need. 

What a comforting thought!

Prayer:

Father,

           You have changed our hearts to want to help others and You use all circumstances to perfect that within us. Make us always mindful to turn to You first in all things and to give thanks. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

What Do I Know?

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. 

I am overwhelmed at the thought!
Job 19:25-27 NLT

The Book of Job troubles me. It is not an easy read and I have heard it taught from different angles. It's one of those situations where you'd best be certain you know the Godly nature and character of the person teaching or confusion can slip right in. And we know that confusion is not of God.

When faced with trials and tribulations and heartaches and illness, many Christians are often conflicted within themselves.

Where's God in all this?
Why is this happening?
Why has He allowed fill in the blank ?

I don't know any answers other than what Jesus said in John 16:33 NLT, I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Only you can determine what you believe to be true. Only you can choose the standard by which you live your life. Only you can know what that is.

With all the lies and confusion in this world, I must have TRUTH. Something I know to always be Truth - the same yesterday, today and forever. I believe Jesus is the Living Word. I believe the Bible is the irrefutable Word of God. I choose to live my life based on the standards defined within His Word. 

What do I know? I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Prayer:

Father,
           We can never thank You enough for Your Word and for loving us enough to send Your Son to die in our place. Thank You for giving us the written Word - alive and powerful - a sword to help us be overcomers of all that's in this fallen world. Renew a right Spirit within us to trust You no matter the circumstances of life. We need Your strength, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Whose Older?

The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.
1 Corinthians 15:45-46 NLT

I heard a great teaching yesterday from my pastor's cousin. Obviously, there is an anointing in their family line to rightly divide the Word. I want to share the highlights with you. I believe you will be blessed by it. 

Throughout Scripture, there is the general instruction of the firstborn being the one to receive the major portion, the blessing, the inheritance from the father. And yet, when it comes to the patriarchs of faith, that is not the case. 

In Genesis, Isaac's wife, Rebekah was carrying twins when God said the elder shall serve the younger. And it was so. Esau served Jacob. But think about it. Isaac was the son of promise - yet he was the younger brother of Ishmael. 

Joseph's brothers served him. 

Later, when it came time for Jacob to bless Joseph's sons, Jacob crossed his hands and put the right hand of blessing on the younger one.

Moses was the youngest child, as was Gideon, and also King David. 

How does this help us? Read again verse 46 of today's Promise. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. The natural body came first - it's older. The spiritual body came later, it's the younger of the two. So no matter what your birth order - when we are saved - born again through Christ - we are no longer slaves to our sinful natures. We ARE a new creation. The older (physical) shall serve the younger (spiritual). Selah...

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for making the perfect provision to set us free from ourselves. Help us to remember and to fully grasp and live according to the exceedingly great and precious promises You have given to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Drought Conditions

The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; 

You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11 NKJV

What a timely promise this is! To say it's hot would be an understatement. You walk outside and your face melts off into your hand (well, it does if you've put makeup on to go to work). In addition, we have been asked to comply with a voluntary (outside) watering schedule because of Drought 1 conditions. So if you need to water your flower or vegetable gardens, it's every other day and only between certain hours. It's been so brutal, some people are actually putting up shade measures for their gardens.

It's so comforting to know that regardless of the situations or circumstances in which we find ourselves, God has given us a promise for each and every one. And it is written, Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) 

Whether the drought is actual or metaphorical, He will NEVER leave you. He promised.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your promises to us. Thank You that we can be content in all things knowing You will never leave or forsake us and that we will not be abandoned - especially in the hard times. You alone are our portion. Help us to know it in the depths of our being. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Love in Action

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21 NIV

Prayer:

Father,

          Let Your Word take root and grow large in our lives. May we and those around us reap a harvest of blessings from it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen