Monday, June 30, 2008

Believing Prayer Changes Things

We have authority in our domain and can choose to invite God's
involvement -- or not.

EZEKIEL 22:30 NKJ
30 "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and
stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should
not destroy it; but I found no one.

JOHN 16:23-24 NKJ
23 ". . . Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the
Father in My name He will give you.
24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you
will receive, that your joy may be full.

JOHN 14:13-14 NKJ
13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the
Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Christ has delegated a certain amount of His authority in the
earth to His Body, the church. Our decisions as believers --
which we can express in prayer -- make a difference in our
lives and others' lives.

MARK 11:24 NKJ
24 ". . . whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that
you receive them, and you will have them.

JEREMIAH 33:3 NKJ
3 `Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and
mighty things, which you do not know.'

PSALM 50:15 NKJ
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and
you shall glorify Me."

SAY THIS: God invites me to pray and believe, so His will can
be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Cursed By Blessings?

PROVERBS 10:22 KJV
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no
sorrow with it.

What we might consider "blessings" don't always help people.
Sometimes they hurt.

We don't always know what is best for us. Often, what we think
we want turns out to be a big mistake.

Consider the case of two girls: one extremely beautiful -- the
other quite plain looking. Because of her natural beauty, the
one becomes totally self-absorbed. Thinking herself superior,
she grows haughty and proud, and, although rich and famous, has
no true friends.

She selfishly only seeks her own welfare and gives no thought
to other's desires or happiness.

As she grows older and less attractive, she cannot live with
not being the center of attention. Lonely and depressed, she
finally takes her life.

The other girl, not being endowed with any great natural
beauty, is not tempted to be proud and haughty. She is forced
to develop in other ways.

She, being humble, is willing and ready to help others and
gains many friends. Because she could not rely on her natural
abilities in life, she was forced to turn to God and seek His
help. With God's life and love manifesting through her, she was
able to marry a godly man, and they raised a fine family
together and enjoyed a long and happy life.

Which girl was really blessed?

Just remember: what you think you want is not always what you
would really want. Be thankful for what you have and who you
are.

SAY THIS: Thank you Lord for my life.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Pride and Humility

PROVERBS 22:4 NKJ
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and
life.

Humility is the opposite of pride.

Humility does not think it is better than anyone else. "I am
what I am by the grace of God."

1 PETER 5:5 NKJ
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your
elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be
clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives
grace to the humble."

A humble person is one who follows God's instructions, instead
of leaning to their own understanding.

Being a humble person does not mean being a loser. A humble
person is one who has the proper relationship to God and grasps
reality, which is: without God, we can do nothing.

Humility will cause a person to remember their need to pray.

A humble person is one who prefers to suffer wrong rather than
do wrong.

Pride will bring you low. Humility will cause God to exalt you.

LUKE 14:11 NKJ
11 "For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted."

God cannot exalt proud people without it harming them.

JAMES 4:10 NKJ
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift
you up.

1 PETER 5:6 NKJ
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time,

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to beware of pride.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Motives

PROVERBS 16:2 NLT
2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines
their motives.

Motives are important to God.

God is interested in WHY we do things, not just in WHAT we do.

Why do you do what you do?

Is it to help others? To please God? Or do you live focused
totally on yourself?

These questions are important to ask ourselves. As 1
Corinthians 11:31 says, "if we would judge ourselves, we should
not be judged."

However, we must use caution when trying to judge other people.
We don't know their motives.

PROVERBS 21:2 LB
2 We can justify our every deed, but God looks at our motives.

We often justify ourselves, but judge others harshly. We may
judge ourselves based on our good intentions, but we are only
capable of judging others by their actions.

So, we must be very cautious about judging others in a
condemning way.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:5 NIV
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till
the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in
darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that
time each will receive his praise from God.

One main reason we are not qualified to judge others is because
we don't know their thoughts, intentions, and motives. Only God
does.

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to be aware of my motives.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Are You In Trouble?

JAMES 5:13 NIV
13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone
happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

The Greek word translated as trouble in this verse means to
suffer trouble, be afflicted, or to endure hardship or evil.

The best thing anyone facing trouble can do is pray. You don't
have to know how, just pour out your heart to God and discuss
the situation with Him.

We are tempted to do many other things: cry, complain,
criticize others, but Scripture says we should pray when we
face tough problems.

Notice it does not say you should ask everyone else to pray for
you. It says you should pray.

There is nothing wrong with having other people pray for you.
But there is something wrong with expecting others to pray,
while you never pray.

By praying, we do not mean begging God for help. God loves you,
and always desires to assist you.

What is needed is not twisting God's arm to get Him to help.
Usually a part of the answer is God getting us quiet enough for
long enough so He can speak to our hearts and show us what
needs to be done.

Sometimes we have missed it, and that is why we are in trouble.
Other times, we may face trouble just because we live in a
fallen world. But always, when we are in trouble, we need to
know God's direction as to what to do.

Discuss your situation with the Lord. Lay it out in detail.
Often just telling Him honestly about the situation will cause
you to realize what should be done. Pour out your soul to the
Lord, but also wait in His presence with thanks and praise. Let
your heart and mind get quiet. Let God's peace overcome your
turmoil and worry.

God tells us that if we will draw near to Him, He will draw
near to us. This is why you should pray. You need God's help.
He has the wisdom and knowledge to get you out of the trouble
you face.

Direction may not come the first time you determine to seek God
and pray. You may not seem to get the answer while you pray.
But know this: God is working, and the answer is coming. So
keep praying. Keep on drawing closer to God. Help will come.

JOHN 16:33 NIV
33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world."

SAY THIS: When I face trouble I will pray and draw near to God,
and He will help me.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

You Are Important!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22,27 NKJ
22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be
weaker are necessary.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

There are NO unnecessary parts in the Body of Christ.

The devil wants you to think your part does not matter, so you
will slack off.

But your part IS important. Your prayers are important. Your
giving is important. Your witness to others is important.

It is easy to believe a famous person who ministers to
thousands is vital in God's plan. But we need to be
reminded that every member of the Body of Christ is needed --
including you!

Don't condemn yourself because you aren't doing a job that puts
you in the spotlight. Don't worry that no one knows what you
are doing. God knows.

Someone witnessed to Billy Graham. Someone prayed for Oral
Roberts to be healed of tuberculosis. Do you know their names?
God does. What if they hadn't been faithful and obedient to do
their part?

What if the person who brought you the Gospel hadn't been
obedient?

So, when you are tempted to be discouraged and think what you
do doesn't matter -- resist those thoughts!

No one but God may see what you are doing, but it is
significant.

Have confidence in God. He knows what He is doing. God placed
you where you are. God has a plan and a job for you to do
there. Be faithful and do it. When it is time for you to do
something else, God will arrange it and lead you out.

Don't try to be somebody else. Just be faithful and obey God
where you are.

Too many Christians think preachers are supposed to do all the
work in the Body of Christ. Preachers may be likened to a
mouth. A mouth is important. But a mouth is not more important
than our hidden, internal organs. We don't see the liver and
kidneys working. However, you could live without a mouth
capable of speech, but not without functioning kidneys or
liver.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT
22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least
important are really the most necessary.

A body may exist without some of its parts functioning, but it
cannot accomplish as much as it would otherwise.

Do your part! God thinks it's meaningful. Don't let the devil
convince you otherwise.

Maybe all you can do is pray, but that is most important.

Obey God and be faithful where you are. You are needed or God
would not have placed you there.

SAY THIS: God says I am necessary and important.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Meeting Together

HEBREWS 10:25 KJV
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching.

While the Bible does warn us, in the above verse, not to
forsake meeting together with other believers, it never tells
us how often we should meet. Neither does it say when or where
we should meet.

When we meet together, God did not intend for it to be just a
ritual, but something beneficial.

It should be a time of fellowship, learning, sharing, giving,
receiving, and spiritual encouragement. A time to build one
another up by what the other members of the body supply.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:26 KJV
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one
of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a
revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
edifying.

Although nothing is more important than receiving teaching to
help us understand and act on God's Word, that should not be
the only reason we meet together.

When the Bible was written, the only way to hear anointed
teaching of the Word was to physically gather together when a
Bible teacher was present. But today we are not limited to a
time or place, because of recorded media.

The reason for meeting together as believers is more than just
to listen to someone else "preach" to you. You need to become
involved.

A true "church meeting" does not require a large number of
people. In fact, a smaller group is often best, as it is easier
to share what you have and offer spiritual encouragement to
others, as well as receive it yourself.

MATTHEW 18:20 KJV
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them.

Even two believers discussing the Word during their lunch break
is a valid expression of a "church meeting" according to this
verse. Jesus promised us, as individual believers, He would
never leave us. So, clearly this verse must mean Jesus
expresses Himself in a special way, as members of His body meet
together in His Name.

The New Testament refers often to believers meeting in their
homes. There is no reason believers cannot meet anywhere: on a
commute to work, at a restaurant, at an office, or even in a
church building. The Bible sets no limitations.

Of course it is absolutely vital to regularly feed on teaching
from God's Word to stay built up spiritually. But today, that
can be accomplished anywhere and anytime.

But too many believers stop with only being fed the Word. They
never share and interact with others. So they don't grow and
develop as they should. You always learn better and receive
more when you share what you have already received.

No one knows everything. But we all have something to
contribute. You don't have to be a super-saint to be involved
with others. You can meet with another believer (or maybe a few
others): a friend, neighbor, or family member. Just discuss the
Word. Ask a question if you have one. Share an insight if you
have one. Maybe pray for one another. Things like this are the
reason to not forsake meeting together.

If your church-going is just a ritual, and all you get out of
it is no more than what you could get at home, then changes
need to be made. But please, do not fall into the trap of
criticizing others for what they do, or do not do.

SAY THIS: I will regularly meet with other believers.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Feed Your Faith Daily

MATTHEW 4:4 NKJ
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, `Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God.'"

You may neglect the Word of God and still exist, but you will
not enjoy life -- really live -- as God intended, without
feeding regularly on God's Word.

Just as you need physical food to remain strong physically, you
also need spiritual food to stay strong spiritually.

God's Word -- the Bible -- is the food that feeds our faith,
and gives us spiritual strength.

Every day you need to feed, at least some, on God's Word.

A helpful key is to develop good habits, such as reading the
Word every time you eat food, or every morning when you awake,
or right before you go to sleep. The time is not important,
just that you remember every day.

There are many ways to feed on God's Word available to us
today. Reading, or listening to, teaching from the Bible is one
way. Speaking the Word -- especially when you personalize it,
can really build your faith fast. Of course, nothing can
replace your own reading of the Bible, or having it read to
you.

Most of us have busy schedules. Time is scarce, and we must
invest it wisely. Nothing will benefit us more -- both in this
life and in the one to come -- than feeding on God's Word.

All of us can find time for God's Word, if we want to. You can
write Scriptures on cards to read and meditate on whenever you
stop in traffic, or whenever you have to wait for someone.
Maybe listening as you travel, or as you prepare for work, is a
good plan for you.

The important thing is that you have a plan, so you don't let
this most important habit slip.

Seeing the Word. Hearing the Word. Speaking the Word. Thinking
about the Word. This is what builds our faith and keeps us
strong spiritually.

SAY THIS: I will feed my faith daily on God's Word.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Respect People

JAMES 3:9-10 NIV
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we
curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers,
this should not be.

It seems that respect has gone out of style. But God's
unchanging Word teaches us to treat people with respect.

Not agreeing with someone is no reason to treat them
disrespectfully. Just because they are wrong does not make them
unworthy of respect.

By His death for them, Jesus showed us He considers people
valuable and precious. So, we should not treat people as
insignificant or worthless.

Disrespecting people is actually disrespecting God who created
them.

God considers this so vital for wives, He gave a specific
command to respect their husband.

EPHESIANS 5:33 NIV
33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves
himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Certainly, we should respect all people, but God obviously
thought a special reminder to wives was needed.

A wise woman will enjoy the benefits, both now and for
eternity, of acting on this command from a loving Heavenly
Father.

MATTHEW 25:40 NIV
40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you
did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for
me.'

The world respects people who are rich, famous, and successful.
Anyone can do that.

But how do you treat those who are thought to be the "least,"
who seemingly cannot help you in any way?

SAY THIS: I will respect people because they are valuable to
God and He loves them.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Jesus Took A Nap

LUKE 8:23 NLT
23 On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he
was sleeping the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed
that threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger.

So many people are driven -- feeling and acting like the
responsibility for running the whole world is on their
shoulders.

But Jesus was able to relax. Arguably, He had an important job
to do. Yet He had balance in His life. He knew when it was time
to take a nap.

Jesus also spent whole nights in prayer. So, His example does
not encourage laziness or apathy. Just balance -- and trust in
God, instead of worry.

Some may think it would be a sin to "take a nap" because we
should always be working. But Jesus never sinned, and we may
safely follow His example, and keep our lives in balance.

SAY THIS: I will relax and trust God.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Read The Bible

1 TIMOTHY 4:13 BBE
13 Till I come, give attention to the reading of the holy
Writings, to comforting the saints, and to teaching.

HEBREWS 4:12 BBE
12 For the word of God is living and full of power. . .

There is no substitute for the basics.

The words of God recorded in the Bible are containers. They
contain ideas from God. They contain life. When those words
enter us through our eyes, ears, or our thinking, they impart
life and faith.

Even if we don't understand everything, we are still receiving
a deposit of life from the Word.

JOHN 6:63 NIV
63 . . . The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are
life.

Many Christian believers are weak in their faith simply because
they do not take in much of the Word of God.

If you spend hours each day listening to, watching, and
thinking about the news and views of the world, but you only
listen (half-heartedly) to a twenty minute sermon on Sunday --
you should not be surprised if your faith is weak and the
influence of the world is great in your life.

The choice is yours. Yes, you are busy, but you can, and do,
make time for what you think is important.

Fortunately, today there are many aids we can take advantage
of. You can read the Bible online, and be reminded each day by
an email. You can obtain recordings of Bible translations to
listen to while you drive or exercise or work.

"But what should I read? The Bible is so big."

All of the Bible is instructive and worthwhile. However, the
New Testament, and specifically the letters to the Church, is
written directly to us and is most applicable for us today.

If you want to get acquainted with the Lord, read the four
Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I would recommend
starting with John. Mark is the shortest.

If you want to understand redemption and what has happened to
you as a result of receiving Christ, and how to live in
victory, then you need to read the letters in the New
Testament, which are all the books except the Gospels I just
mentioned, and the book of Revelation.

Always remember that the Bible is faith food. So if you want
your faith to be strong, you need to feed it on the Bible. It
does not matter if you feel any different, for faith is not
something that you feel. Faith is of the spirit, not of the
feeling realm.

SAY THIS: I will read the Bible and it will help me.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

God's Word Will Build You Up

ACTS 20:32 NLT
32 "And now I entrust you to God and the word of his grace--his
message that is able to build you up and give you an
inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.

Many shy away from the Bible because they think it's just a
bunch of rules to keep them from enjoying life.

Although many have misused the Bible -- to tear people down,
its true purpose is to build people up.

Tradition makes us think a good sermon should "skin 'em alive"
and make the listeners feel guilty.

But God is on your side and He loves you. So He gave you His
Word for your benefit, to build you up and give you things --
not to take anything good away from you.

Certainly God's Word can, and will, correct you. But primarily,
if you understand it correctly, the Word will build you up --
not beat you down and make you feel guilty.

Yes, there are passages in the Bible that will not encourage
you. They are needful at certain times for certain people who
need to be corrected and called to repentance. But for those
who love God and are His children, there are words of
encouragement to build you up.

Feed on the Word of God's grace -- His favor, His love, His
goodness. It will build you up.

If what you are feeding on is not encouraging your faith, check
to see if it really lines up with the Word.

Don't spend all your time meditating on a passage from the
Bible that's not written to you. All the Bible is profitable,
and we can learn from it. But you should concentrate on what
God is saying to you, as His child: a member of the Body of
Christ.

The message God has for His family, the church, is primarily
found in the letters (epistles) in the New Testament. These are
written directly to us, the church.

God is never interested in just cutting you down, or hurting you.
His intention is to build you up, to encourage you, to make you
better.

SAY THIS: The true message of the New Testament will build me
up. It is good news.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Watch Your Words

PROVERBS 6:2 NKJ
2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by
the words of your mouth.

MARK 11:23 NKJ
23 "For assuredly, I say to you . . . he will have whatever he
says.

Words are powerful. They are the way humans express their
decisions. Words carry authority, even in the spiritual realm.

God created the world with spoken words. Humans are created in
the image and likeness of God. Therefore our words also carry
authority.

The words you speak are important and carry more weight than
you may realize.

Words can get you into trouble. And words can deliver you.

The most powerful and life-giving words in the universe are
those spoken by God the Creator.

Fortunately for us, some of what God has said has been written
down, for our benefit, in the Bible.

So, we can, and should speak words that are in agreement with
what God says. When we do, the power of God is released,
because it is God's Word we are speaking.

Remember: whatever God says never loses its power.

SAY THIS: Please help me Lord to watch my words and speak in
agreement with Your Word.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The Ministry Of God

EPHESIANS 4:12 NIV
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the
body of Christ may be built up

Ministry means service. To minister is to serve.

How does God "serve us"?

God serves us by helping us. So, primarily, ministry means
helping people. Of course, the foremost way of helping people
is to help them know God and His Word, so they can receive all
God has provided for them.

But anything that helps people -- that makes their life easier,
or better -- is also ministry. That is, it is part of the
ministry of God: God's purpose, God's plan, God's desire for
humanity.

God desires the best for all people. People were God's idea,
and He longs to bless them.

God helps people. So, when you help someone, even in the
smallest way, you are acting like God.

EPHESIANS 5:1-2 NASB
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave
Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a
fragrant aroma.

We are to imitate our Father God -- or act like Him. How? By
walking in love, just as Christ did.

In practical terms, what is walking in love? Helping people.
Walking in love means you will help people, you will put their
interests first.

When you help people, you are involved in the ministry of God.

SAY THIS: When I help people, I am serving God.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Overcome!

1 JOHN 5:4 NKJ
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is
the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.
5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that
Jesus is the Son of God?

All of us have a choice: we can either make excuses, or make
progress in life.

Most people have an excuse. They are too young or old, short or
tall, educated or uneducated -- whatever. We all have some
reason to justify our failure.

But when we focus on God and His ability and willingness to
help us in every way -- all our excuses beome insignificant.

God's intention is not for His children to be defeated by the
problems of life. No! The problems of life are opportunities
for us to experience God's help and provision.

God plans for His children to overcome.

How?

By faith!

And faith is available to anyone who will feed on the Bible.
Faith comes from God's Word like physical energy comes from
eating physical food.

So, if your faith is weak, take in more of God's Word.

Then your faith will grow strong. Then you can overcome the
problems you face. Then God will be glorified in you.

SAY THIS: With the help of God, I will overcome!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Prayer: An Exchange

ISAIAH 40:31 NKJ
31 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and
not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Time is precious. Our lives are full. Life is busy. Many of us
think we are too busy to spend time in regular daily prayer.
But is that a wise choice?

In the Scripture passage above, the literal meaning is "those
who look to the Lord expectantly will exchange strength."

Prayer is an exchange of strength.

God offers to exchange what He has for what we have. As we
spend time looking to Him, this exchange takes place.

What strength does God have? Wisdom. Understanding. Insight.
Guidance. Favor. Influence. Health. Everything we need!

When you give your time to God, He reciprocates by giving His
time to you. He goes ahead of you and makes your way smooth,
giving you favor and guidance so you can walk in victory.

God will give you ideas as you wait on Him. Ideas of how to do
things better. (For example, I got this message while praying.)

You may think you don't have anything God would want. But God
wants your love and your trust. As a human, you also have God-
delegated authority on Earth, especially as a member of the
Body of Christ.

Exchanging the little strength you have for the strengths of
God is a great trade!

Don't miss this wonderful benefit!

SAY THIS: I will invest time looking to the Lord expectantly in
prayer.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Keep Thanking God

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 CEV
18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ.
This is what God wants you to do.

There are many things in life we may not understand. But we
can understand this verse, and know that God gave these
instructions for our benefit, to help us -- not because God is
so insecure that He needs constant thanks.

When bad things happen, what should we do?

Will it help to gripe and complain and feel sorry for
ourselves?

No. That only makes things worse.

When bad things happen they seem to contradict belief in the
goodness and care of God.

But we must remember that there is an enemy, the devil, who is
out to steal our faith, our peace, and our joy. We are
commanded in Scripture to resist him, staying strong in our
faith.

Giving thanks is a powerful way to resist the devil. Even when
we do not understand, and it seems like things are out of
control and going downhill fast -- we should force ourselves to
stay in faith and be thankful.

(I am not saying God is responsible for evil, or to thank God
for evil. Instead, I am saying we can thank God for what He is
doing, and what He has already done for us in the sacrifice of
Jesus -- no matter what may be happening.)

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT
18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is
God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

SAY THIS: I will keep thanking God, no matter what happens.

Friday, June 13, 2008

God Feeds The Birds

MATTHEW 6:26 LB
26 Look at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat-- they
don't need to sow or reap or store up food -- for your heavenly
Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than
they are.

Have you ever watched birds eating on a snowy day? It takes
some effort on their part. They don't just sit in a heated
house waiting for someone to bring them food.

Is God feeding them? Directly or indirectly?

Jesus stated clearly that God is the one who provides food for
the birds. This implies that God provides for every creature.

Yet, if a bird sits still, instead of gathering the food God
has provided for them, they will starve.

Yes, the birds can be a good lesson for us. They don't worry.
Neither should we. They gather what God provides for them. So
should we.

I don't know whether the birds are thankful to God, or not. But
we should be thankful. And we should recognize that God is the
Source of all the good that we enjoy in life.

So work, but don't worry. (And if you can't do normal work --
still don't worry, because God cares more for you than He does
the birds, and He will provide for you somehow.)

SAY THIS: God cares for the birds, so I know He will take care
of me.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Don't Hurt God

Fortunately for us, God is not motivated or moved or controlled
by His feelings. But that does not mean God has no feelings.

We are made in His image, in His likeness. Just as we have
feelings, and can be hurt, God also has feelings, as the
following verses show.

GENESIS 6:6 NIV
6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and
his heart was filled with pain.

EPHESIANS 4:30 KJV
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption.

It is inevitable in human relationships that there will be
misunderstandings and hurts. When we are hurt, the natural
response is to strike back, to retaliate so they will know we
are hurt, and they will also hurt.

(Doing that, we hurt not only the other person -- but God
Himself. Just as a human parent is upset when they see their
child acting badly, God is hurt when we act badly.)

But the way of God is different. God's command to us is to walk
in divine love.

JOHN 13:34 NKJ
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

When you have been hurt, and are starting to retaliate, to
strike back, remember that when you walk out of love, it is God
that you hurt and disappoint.

(Often people don't even know they are hurting us. Most people
are not doing it intentionally.)

We can choose how we respond. As a child of God, we have God's
divine love deposited in our inner being. We can allow that
divine love inside us to respond.

ROMANS 5:5 NKJ
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has
been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given
to us.

After all the love God has shown you, does He really deserve to
be hurt?

SAY THIS: Just because someone hurts me, is not a good reason
for me to hurt God.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The Accurate Message Of Jesus

JOHN 8:31-32 NKJ
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you
abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free."

The promise of Jesus is clear: the end result of staying in His
Word will be freedom.

So, if you are not becoming more free, you need to examine if
you are accurate in your understanding of the Word of God.

JOHN 8:31-32 KJV
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye
continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.

Whether the Greek word is translated as continue, abide, or
remain, the meaning is clear. You need to stick with the Word;
not stop and start; not try it for awhile; but jump in with
both feet and stay there.

"What do you mean by freedom, preacher?"

I don't mean a license to sin. Sin produces bondage -- the
opposite of what I am talking about.

I mean freedom in every area of life. Freedom from having to
sin. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from doubt.
Freedom from strife. Freedom from confusion. Freedom from
family problems. Freedom from oppression. Freedom from poverty.
Freedom from disease.

Note that Jesus did not promise that everyone who called Him
Master would automatically and instantly be free. Instead Jesus
indicated that time would be involved before those who truly
followed Him would see the full result of the freedom His Word
would produce in their lives.

If you continue....

If you abide....

If you live in....

If you remain in....

Don't forget the "IF." And don't forget the "CONTINUE." This
Scripture promise is NOT for everyone who claims to be a
Christian. Only for those who are willing to spend the time and
effort required to feed on God's Word.

While I do not wish to criticize any group of Christian
believers, I do think we should all individually judge our own
situations. If the Bible teachers you have been listening to
are not producing freedom in your life, you should prayerfully
examine whether the message they proclaim is accurate -- or
distorted.

Remember that it only takes a tiny amount of poison added to an
otherwise wonderful and nutritious meal to make it dangerous.

SAY THIS: I will continue, abide in, and remain in the accurate
message of Jesus Christ, without ever giving up, and it will
produce freedom in my life.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Your Body Is Your House

2 CORINTHIANS 5:1 NKJ
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is
destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens.

The "real you" is not your body. Your body is just a house you
live in so you can function here on earth.

Just as someone can change houses where they live, you can, and
will someday, leave your body and still exist.

We focus too much on our body. The inner part of us is most
important. These bodies we live in are not eternal.

It is not wrong to take care of our bodies, any more than it is
wrong to take care of the house or apartment where we live. It
is a mistake, however, to spend all our time on our body and
neglect our spirit and mind.

1 TIMOTHY 4:8 RSV
8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of
value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come.

Who a person is on the inside is more important than what their
body looks like.

We judge too often on the house (body) that people live in,
instead of focusing on the real person living inside that body.

SAY THIS: My body is only a temporary house where I live.

Monday, June 09, 2008

Act On God's Word

JAMES 1:22 NKJ
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves.

How easily we fall into the trap of listening to, or even
studying, the Bible -- but not acting on its instructions.
According to this verse, that opens us up to deception. We
think we are spiritual. We think we are safe. But then, when
things don't work out we will blame God and question why He let
us down.

LUKE 6:46-49 NKJ
46 "But why do you call Me `Lord, Lord,' and do not do the
things which I say?
47 "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I
will show you whom he is like:
48 "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid
the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the
stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake
it, for it was founded on the rock.
49 "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a
house on the earth without a foundation, against which the
stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin
of that house was great."

Trouble is coming -- it's part of this life. If you act on the
Word, trouble will not destoy you and your household. If you
neglect acting on the Word -- no matter how much you hear it --
when trouble comes your way, it may be devastating.

Why?

Not because it's God's will, or God doesn't love you. Simply
because you refused to act on the instructions which God -- who
knows more than you do -- gave you for your protection.

DEUTERONOMY 12:28 NKJ
28 "Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that
it may go well with you and your children after you forever,
when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord
your God.

God gave us His Word because He loves us and desires to help
us. Not because He likes to boss people around and give orders.
Acting on God's Word is for our benefit.

SAY THIS: I will act on what God's says to me in His Word.

Sunday, June 08, 2008

3 Keys To A Happy Marriage

(Or, any relationship.)

JOHN 13:17 KJV
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

1. Be thankful.

It all starts with attitude. If you don't stay on the positive
side, failure is inevitable. You cannot have a happy marriage
without happy people. Have you noticed that unthankful people
are never happy?

2. Express your appreciation.

Let your spouse know by word and deed that you appreciate them.
Be specific and lavish in your praise and thanks. Nothing
encourages people like encouragement.

People love people who love them. If you want your spouse to
love you, the best thing you can do is love them, and let them
know it.

3. Aim to please.

If you make them happy, you will be happy. True happiness is
never found in trying to please ourselves. Fulfillment comes
from accomplishment, and the greatest accomplishment is helping
someone else in their life.

SAY THIS: With God's help, I will have a happy marriage.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Life Is Not Over

JOSHUA 14:11-12 NIV
11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm
just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that
day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and
their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping
me, I will drive them out just as he said."

Too many people, especially as they accumulate some years,
settle into a rut and quit expecting.

It's time to dream again. Expect God to show Himself strong
on your behalf.

Don't believe the devil's lie that it's too late.

You are never too old for faith to make a difference; remember
Abraham and Sarah. The key is to keep your focus on God and His
ability instead of on yourself and your shortcomings.

GENESIS 21:2 NIV
2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old
age, at the very time God had promised him.

God, who created this universe, is ready, willing, and able to
bring forth new things in your life.

You may have failed before -- but you are still alive. With God
you can succeed this time.

LUKE 1:37 NKJ
37 "For with God nothing will be impossible."

All things are possible!

Life may be full of challenges, but with God you can meet the
challenge and overcome.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that bad is ahead of you.
The good old days can be the days ahead. It depends on your
attitude and focus.

If you don't quit, God won't quit. Keep on believing the
promises of God. Keep on expecting blessing.

PSALM 92:14 NKJ
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh
and flourishing,

SAY THIS: My life is not over. With God's help, my best days
are still ahead of me.

Friday, June 06, 2008

God Cares

1 PETER 5:7 Amplified
7 Casting the whole of your care -- all your anxieties, all
your worries, all your concerns, once and for all -- on Him;
for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you
watchfully.

EXODUS 3:7 NIV
7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in
Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave
drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.

ISAIAH 63:9 NIV
9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of
his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed
them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

JOHN 11:35 KJV
35 Jesus wept.

Of course, the question arises, "If God cares, why doesn't He
do something?"

The answer is that God has already done something. Now it is
our turn to act. God has redeemed mankind and set us free from
the dominion of darkness by the sacrifice of Calvary. Now we
must believe God's Word and act on it.

The truth, which you may find hard to accept, is that God is
already doing all He can to help you. But often, we are
blocking God's help in our lives by our unbelief and acting
contrary to the instructions of God's Word.

The solution is to ask God to help us see the truth and act on
it. We should ask God to show us how we can stop hindering Him
from blessing us as He desires.

SAY THIS: God cares about me and everything that concerns me.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Life Is Good

God says that all He made is good.

GENESIS 1:31 NKJ
31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was
very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

The devil wants us to believe that life is bad.

(One way he tries to accomplish this is through all the bad
news reported daily. Feeding too much on bad news is not good
for you. You can get the top news stories without spending
hours every day listening to the bad things the devil is trying
to do in the earth.)

If you think life is bad, you will be depressed, or maybe even
bitter.

If you think life is good, you will be thankful.

No matter what your circumstances are, there are always things
to enjoy and rejoice about. If we focus on the goodness and
greatness of God: all He has created and all He has done for
us, life will seem good. If, instead, we focus on our pains and
problems, we will not enjoy life much.

Even the bad things of life -- which are all the result of sin,
not what God did -- can benefit us IF they cause us to draw
nearer to God and act on His Word.

God's main purpose is to prepare us to be fit companions for
Himself for eternity. (See Romans 8 -- we WILL be conformed to
the image of Jesus Christ.) What God wants you to do is submit
to Him, feed on His Word, be thankful, walk in faith, and let
Him make you like Jesus Christ.

God's plan is good.

Marriage is good. If we disobey God by husbands not loving
their wives, and wives not respecting their husbands -- it can
be bad. But only because we make the wrong choice, to disregard
God's instruction.

Work is good. It is satisfying to do a job well and accomplish
something. But when we don't do our work as unto the Lord, or
try to make our jobs our source, worshiping and serving money
instead of God -- work can be bad.

Family is good. Being surrounded by those you love and care
for, and who love and care for you, is a wonderful blessing.
But, when we fail to walk in love, and allow strife into our
relationships -- it can be bad.

If your life is not good, then you need to make adjustments
based on the Bible.

When you see your cup as half full, instead of half empty --
life will be better for you. Take time to smell the flowers,
and rejoice in all the goodness of God. Rejoice in all the
beauty of God's creation -- life.

SAY THIS: God made life, and it is very good.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Live Long And Strong

DEUTERONOMY 34:7 NIV
7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet
his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.

Old age should not be a time to dread. We can look to God and
receive strength, health, and provision for a full and
enjoyable life.

God's plan for you is NOT an old age full of sickness, poverty,
and loneliness.

Moses and Caleb are examples for us.

JOSHUA 14:10-11 NKJ
10 "And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said,
these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to
Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I
am this day, eighty-five years old.
11 "As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses
sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength
for war, both for going out and for coming in.

GALATIANS 3:13-14 NKJ
13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having
become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone
who hangs on a tree"),
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in
Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith.

Galatians 3 tells us we are to receive the blessing of Abraham
-- through faith -- because of what Jesus has done. Now, read
the following verses about Abraham.

GENESIS 13:2 NKJ
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

GENESIS 25:8 NASB
8 And Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an
old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his
people.

Because Jesus has redeemed us from the curse, we also should
believe God for a long, enjoyable, and productive life. And we
should resist the devil who would try to steal it away from us.

We have the promise of God that He will satisfy us with life.
(If you are not satisfied with your life, make some changes.
God intends for you to be satisfied.)

PSALM 91:16 NKJ
16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My
salvation."

PSALM 103:5 NKJ
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth
is renewed like the eagle's.

God made our bodies to repair and renew themselves. As we walk
and talk in faith, looking to the promises of God, the life of
God will renew our bodies. (We should also allow God to guide
us in the things we take into our bodies -- only putting good
things into our mouths.)

PSALM 92:14 NKJ
14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh
and flourishing,

ISAIAH 46:4 NIV
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will
sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will
sustain you and I will rescue you.

God is faithful. He will always be our wonderful Father, our
great Provider, Helper, and Healer -- no matter how old we are,
or what we face.

SAY THIS: Jesus redeemed me from the curse, so I will live a
long, enjoyable life to the glory of God.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Don't Talk Too Much

PROVERBS 10:19 ICB
19 If you talk a lot, you are sure to sin. If you are wise, you
will keep quiet.

1 PETER 3:10 LB
10 If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue,
and guard your lips from telling lies.

JAMES 1:19 NLT
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to
speak, and slow to get angry.

PROVERBS 17:27-28 ICB
27 The person who has knowledge says very little. And a person
with understanding stays calm.
28 Even a foolish person seems to be wise if he keeps quiet. He
appears to have understanding if he doesn't speak.

ECCLESIASTES 5:3 NLT
3 Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool
makes you a blabbermouth.

TITUS 3:2 NKJ
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all
humility to all men.

2 TIMOTHY 2:16 NKJ
16 But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase
to more ungodliness.

1 TIMOTHY 1:6 NIV
6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless
talk.

1 TIMOTHY 5:13 NKJ
13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from
house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and
busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

MATTHEW 12:36-37 NKJ
36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak,
they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words
you will be condemned."

SAY THIS: Lord, please help me to control my tongue and only
say what is acceptable to you.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Jesus Rose From Death

MATTHEW 28:5-6 NKJ
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be
afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the
place where the Lord lay.

Jesus Christ's resurrection is either the supreme fact in
history or a gigantic hoax. If Christ's resurrection is true --
we ignore its implications at our own peril. If not, then
Christianity is the biggest fraud in the history of the world.

Christ's resurrection forces the question of Christianity's
validity from being merely a philosophical issue to being a
historical one.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact verifiable from
history. No one can challenge Christ's resurrection -- if they
take an honest look at the evidence.

Only those who never study the evidence -- or who refuse to
listen to its testimony -- could deny the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.

Many learned men have tried to disprove Christ's resurrection --
only to become believers instead!

Some people refuse to examine the evidence, because they do not
want to believe in Jesus Christ and submit to Him as Lord.

The facts remain. Confucius' tomb, Buddha's tomb, Mohammed's
tomb, and Lenin's tomb are all occupied.

But Jesus Christ's tomb is EMPTY!

REVELATION 1:18 NKJ
18 "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive
forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

SAY THIS: I believe that Jesus Christ rose from death.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Don't Give Up!

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 The Message
13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face. All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let
you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help
you come through it.

All of us have been tempted to lose hope and give up. But we
always have a choice: focus on God and stay in faith, or focus
on the problem and give up.

Problems -- no matter how huge they seem to us -- are no
problem to God. Nothing is too hard, or complicated, for God to
solve. But God wants us to trust Him.

So what should you do when you are being tempted and feel like
giving in and giving up?

Refuse!

Just keep your focus on the Lord and rejoice in His
faithfulness. Remember that God cannot lie, and will never
fail. God will see you through.

HEBREWS 10:23 NKJ
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without
wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

When the devil tries to steal your faith, he tries to get you
to quit speaking in agreement with the Word of God. Don't let
it happen! Hold fast to speaking your faith! Keep on saying
what the Word of God says about you and your situation. Don't
be moved by the circumstances.

GALATIANS 6:9 NIV
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Don't grow weary. Keep your eyes on the Lord. His Word will
work and produce a harvest of blessing in your life. Don't
doubt it!

SAY THIS: I will keep trusting in God and never give up!