Roots to Fruits Mar.31

Roots to Fruits

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

[1 Thess. 5:16, NIV]

If we pray as easy as we breathe, joy can bombard us.

We also need give thanks because by the time an event comes our way, it may have been authorized by God’s will, and that approval can bring a blessing.

Our roots in God’s word can bring fruits to His Kingdom.

What Truth? Mar.30

What Truth?

“Pilate said to Him, What is truth? . . .”  [Jo.18:38, AMBV].

Pilate’s kingdom: Truth is brute force power and no clear answers.

“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth . . .” [Jo. 16:13, AMBV].

Christ’s kingdom: Truth is God’s Grace and authentic service.

Recipe for Misery Mar.29

Recipe for Misery

Think only about yourself.

Mostly talk about yourself.

Use “I” as often as possible.

Constantly mirror yourself in the opinion of others.

Eagerly listen to what people say about you.

Expect to be appreciated always.

“My brothers (and sisters) if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.”  [Ja.5:19, NIV.]

(Parenthesis mine).

He is still Risen! Mar.28

He is Still Risen

We believe Jesus was a man but He was also Immanuel---God with us. He rose to stay with us always.

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said ‘Peace be with you’”. [Jo.20:19, NIV.]

God's Invasion Mar.27

God’s Invasion

God is filling us and freeing us.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. . . I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” [Eph.1:17-19, NIV].

He has invaded us and it’s a wonderful invasion. We, as Christ followers, are becoming a new brand of people. We are to treat others and this earth as God intended in the first place.

Real Religion Mar.26

Real Religion

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

[James1:27, NIV].

When we accept Christ as Savior our interest flourishes at first with ourselves.

Then as we grow in God’s word our interest moves outside ourselves toward others.

When we apply our interests to others in service, we reach more honor to God and His Kingdom.

If we can keep ourselves unpolluted from material things, we see that the orphans of the world are not only literal but are all those people without a heavenly Father.

We can see widows as literal but also those who have lost a close relationship and need a Savior’s close partnership.

What Truly Changes? Mar.25

What truly Changes?

Environment can no more truly change a personality than gold faucets can purify water.

True change can only happen when an individual submits totally to the Holy Spirit through Kingdom practice.

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” [1Jo.4:4, NKJV].

Dry Bones Mar.24

Dry Bones

Many times we are like the dry bones of Ezekiel 37. We need to focus our praying correctly to put flesh on the bones.

Many times God may not be able to answer prayers of our lips because the desires of our hearts cry out to Him much louder.

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”  [Jer.29:13, NKJV].

Grace in Action Mar.23

Grace in Action

One day when we face our maker, He may say:

Remember all those mistakes you made?

They are gone.

Remember all those things you meant to do?

They are done.

Remember all your sinful ways?

They are over.

Remember all those things you meant to finish?

They are finished.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”          [2 Cor.12:9, NIV.]

No Denial Mar.22

No Denial

Even when we have no faith- - - - -

The Heavenly Father will withhold no hurt from Himself in order to bring us truth, salvation and the way life is supposed to be.

“If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”         [2 Tim.2:13, NIV.]

Convenient Love Mar.21

 Convenient Love

Today, do not just love out of convenience----those that are easy to love.

But center on love as your motivator for all.

Christ got angry but did not sin.

He hated the sin, but not the sinner.

Christians do not have to love every behavior, but love humanity even when they are less than good.

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts . . .”

[1 Cor.14:1, NIV.]

Is God a Trickster? Mar.20

Is God a Trickster?

God did not make a contract with people.

Contracts can be broken.

God made a covenant with humanity that will not be broken.

He will not trick anyone into anything.

Jesus is the strength that holds it together.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Heb.13:5, NKJV].

Bread of God Mar.19

Bread of God

“Give us this day our daily bread” [Mt.6:11, NKJV]

When Jesus mentioned bread in His model prayer, it was not just for the actual bread, food we need every day. Although that’s part of the meaning.

If His will is done on earth as it is in heaven, then the bread part of the prayer asks that we hunger for our personal desires to become the desires of God the Father. The prayer asks that our desires point to and get accomplished the way in which God would have them satisfied.

Bread becomes the spiritual food to enrich us with Kingdom living.

How Christ's Presence? Mar.18

How Presence of Christ?

“Never will I leave you;

Never will I forsake you” [Heb.13:5; Deut. 31:6, NIV]

“. . . and surely I am with you always. . .”  [Mt.28:20, NIV]

Picture Jesus in your mind.

Place Him in the car next to you.

Place Him in a specific chair at dinner table.

Let Him sit beside you at your job.

Let Him pass out your money as you pay bills.

We need to visualize and practice His presence until He becomes a natural companion with everything we do.

Break or Melt Mar.17

Break or Melt

You can take a hammer and break up an ice cube.

Or, you can give it the right temperature and it will melt.

A father had a son that no matter how much the mother or father spanked him, nothing changed the boy’s attitude.

One day the father took the son to his room, handed the boy a belt and said, “Now, son, you spank me for your misbehavior.”

The boy proceeded to spank his Dad but soon stopped and started to cry. From then on his behavior changed.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” [John 15:9], NIV]

Love Is Mar.16

Love Is

Love is like water.

Capture it in a vessel in the sun and it evaporates.

Spray it on a lawn and it creates growth.

You cannot just hold love to yourself.

You need to spread it around.

John 3:16

Best Production Mar.15

Best Production

A preacher John the Baptist] gave witness to the Son of God.

Two of John’s followers claimed personal experience.

Each brought another to Jesus.

Finally, there were 12.

Then 70; then 500; then 3000.

Jesus had the most effective way of production.

It was because of Mark 6:34.

Universal Craving Mar.14

Universal Craving

When you observe people in general, you will see a longing in every heart for something.

People climb high mountains.

Hidden treasures are found.

Caves are explored.

People want children.

Space is conquered.

A spirit of adventure rests in everyone whether they give in to it or not. We are made to go beyond ourselves.

When only routine becomes dull, Jesus reminds us about the motivator for adventure.

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” [Mt.4:17, NKJV].

A Subtle Disrupter Mar.13

A Subtle Disrupter

A simple piece of glass can stop the flow of the strongest electric current.

“. . . having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “the kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation . . .” [Luke 17:21, NIV].

There is the disrupter, like the piece of glass---sin of pride.

Believer Warranty Mar.12

Believer Warranty

Many warrantees run out in a year.

But:

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” [John 17:24, NIV.]

What a magnificent guarantee!

Blessed Assurance Mar.11

Blessed Assurance

Sometimes we get so tired. We are not sure if we can make it through another day.

But really, there is no reason for our lack of any will to go on keeping on.

8:“But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet . . . 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” 

[1 Thess.5:8; 10 NIV]

Hope in Christ remains assurance.

Heavy Hefting Mar.10

Heavy Hefting

I saw a 7 year old lift and carry her 3 month old brother down the church isle. She appeared too small and he seemed too big.

But it reminded me: “For My yoke is easy and My burden light.” [Mt.11:30, NKJV]

I had to renew my revelation:

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” [1Jo.5:3, NKJV]

Unending Riches Mar.9

Unending Riches

John 3:16:

How broad is God’s love?

“For God so loved the world…”

His love is as broad as the universe.

How long is His love?

“…that He gave His only begotten Son…”

He held back no hurt from Himself.

How deep is God’s love?

“…that whoever believes in Him…”

He goes to any depth that a person’s sin might go.

How high is God’s love?

“…should not perish but have everlasting life.”

There is no ceiling to everlasting and no end to God’s care.

These are our riches to embrace.

Prosperity Blessed Mar.8

Prosperity Blessed

Yes, Jesus ministered to the sick and down-trodden.

But He did something else.

Notice that Jesus did not say to Peter, Andrew, James and John when their boat was empty: “Follow Me.”

He said it when their boat was over flowing with fish. [Lk.5:1-11, NIV]

Jesus also stays interested in the prosperous.

Confused? Mar.7

Confused?

We live in a day of:

Problems and pain pills,

Bustle and Banks,

Tyrants and trust funds,

Business and bureaucracy,

Bikinis and bicycles,

Cell phones and stem cells.

A modern Christian doesn’t know whether to watch Netflix or NO Flicks.

Universities and colleges are financially confused.

Churches are closing doors.

Families are frustrated.

If God were not able to do FAR more abundantly than all we think and invent, He might be embarrassed by our creative messes.

However:

”For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” [Phil.4:13, NLT, New Living Translation]

Competent Mar.6

Competent

Most everyone likes to feel competent and capable. In order to feel proficient, you have to maintain a particular confidence.

Where does the Christian get competency?

If you look at the disciples, they were not recognized for their:

Love,

Tenderness,

Knowledge,

Meekness, or

Holiness.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” [Acts4:13, NIV].

You want to stay competent; stay with Jesus.

God's Technology Mar. 5

God’s Technology

When you do the numbers of Genesis 7 you find:

Noah’s Ark had:

1700 species of animals,

100,000 species of insects,

987 species of reptiles,

10,087 species of birds,

Ceilings 14 feet high,

10 ft. floor space for each animal,

24 sq. in. for each insect and reptile,

216 sq.in for each bird,

AND only 8 people.

You can’t tell me God doesn’t do technology.

God's Different Wills Mar.4

God’s Different Wills

Does God have just one will? If so, does it have, at least, various potentials?

Initial will:

“If anyone choses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” [Jn.7:17, NIV]

Situational will:

“ . . . Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God. . . This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death . . .” [Acts.2:22-23, NIV]

Final will:

“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy” [Jude 24, NIV]

Through all of the Father’s wills, he wraps His Spirit around us and keeps us forever.

Revelation Suffering Mar.3

Revelation Suffering

The view that suffering can bring revelation comes from the idea that physical evil may create an occasion for someone to receive fuller knowledge from God.

“But Jesus was saying, Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”   [Lk. 23:34, NASB]

I know a young man that came from a very poor background. Early on his wife died and left him with 2 small children. He got his mother to help raise the children. He went to college, then seminary. Later, he became a beloved president of a university.

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” [Phil.1:29, NASB]

It is painfully difficult, but to hurt for Christ can bring new kingdom knowledge.

Life Needs Mar.2

Life Needs:

Need to feel you belong.

Need to feel competent.

Need to feel individuality.

Need to feel secure.

Need to feel beyondedness.

Every need met in Mt. 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things

will be given to you as well.”  [NIV]

2 Truths Mar.1

2 Truths

While a piece of furniture [couch] remains a physical truth, it can be destroyed.

But the idea and attitude behind the making of a couch can last forever.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  [2 C0R. 4:18, NIV, New International Version.]

We need to pay more attention to the unseen energy God has provided.