Understand the "More Than" July30

Understand the “More Than”

“And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well. . .” [Mk.5:34].

Was it just the woman’s faith that brought healing?

Not really, because it was God’s power and her faith combined that made her well.

“. . . If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” [Mk.5:28, NKJV].

“Immediately the fountain of her blood was dries up . . .” [Mk.5:29, NKJV].

“And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him . . .” [Mk.5:30, NKJV].

At the very precise moment God intended, she became the “more than”___

A person combining faith, Holy Spirit and action to reach a specific goal.

Respecter of Effort July29

Respecter of Effort

“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.”  [Acts 10:34, NKJV].

So God is not a respecter of persons in that He may favor someone. He somehow does not show partiality.

On the other hand:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” [Eph.2:10, NKJV].

God does respect our efforts, our actions for the Kingdom sake.

Main Christian Response July 28

Main Christian Response

1.   Receive the light.

2.   Be the light.

3.   Share the light.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” [Mt.5:14, NKJV].

The Shock July 27

The Shock

Can you imagine the shock of that person who lives a cold, indifferent, careless Christian agenda, wakes one day inside God’s glory where all is service to Jehovah?

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot . . . so then because you are lukewarm . . . I will spew you out of my mouth.” [Rev. 3:15-16, NKJV].

Types of Believers July 26

Types of Believers

There are many kinds of motivations to follow Jesus.

1). Flag-wavers: those who want to use Jesus as political and revolutionary leader.

2). Sensationalists: sought Jesus like slowly driving by and gazing at a car accident.

3.) Self-interests: these jump on the success of popularity.

4.) Truth seekers: those who truly seek the Spirit of Christ.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” [Mt.16.24, NKJV]. 

God's Unchanging Promise July25

God’s Unchanging Promise

 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” [1Peter1:3-4, NKJV].

God has established an irrevocable commitment. He has conquered all time for all time for every one of us.

The Finisher July24

The Finisher

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” [Acts 2:42, NKJV].

God’s purpose on earth is not just to save souls, but to save lives.

He doesn’t start something in a life and not be able to finish it.

Can God be Perplexed? July 23

Can God Be Perplexed?

With all the technology and messes in our world, there are those who wonder if God could be embarrassed by man’s creative imagination. He might be except:

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.” [Eph.3:20, NKJV].

God can outstrip completely people’s imaginations.

Christian Welcomes July 22

Christian Welcomes

*Welcome are the interruptions, for they will get you outside of yourself.

*Welcome are the repetitions, for they will teach you endurance.

*Welcome are the things out of order, for they will get you organized.

*Welcome are you when you wait in line for you will learn patience.

*Welcome are the irritations for they will teach you perseverance.

*Welcome are the do-overs for they will teach you persistence.

*Welcome are the faint of heart for they need your friendship.

*Welcome are the fearful for they should trade fear for faith.

*Welcome are those who throw silent prayers instead of silent curses.

Jesus Gives Blank Check July21

Jesus Gives Blank Check

We often think Jesus just had some role to fulfill, that He didn’t have a choice of action. But . . . .

 “And the devil said to Him, All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.” [Luke 4:5, NKJV].

“He went a little further and fell on His face, and prayed saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” [Mt.26:39,NKJV].

Jesus had to decide to have all power and glory, the good without a cross. Or, he could choose the best with a cross.

He gave the Father a blank check.

Does God Protect? July 20

Does God Protect?

You have heard the expression that someone will watch your back.

“Then your light will break through like dawn, and you will heal quickly, your righteousness will go ahead of you, and the glory of the Lord will guard you from behind.” [Isaiah 58:8, GWT].

God will not sneak up on you, but He will watch your back.

Mystery of Blood Power July 19

Mystery of Blood Power

In the early days of medicine, doctors used to practice blood-letting. They really believed you could abolish diseases by draining off your blood. The shedding of blood was and is connected to redemption.

”For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  [Mt.26:28, NKJV].

“And according to the law almost all things are purged with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” [Heb.9:22, NKJV].

God respects:

Blood of His Son.

Response to His invitation.

Christian conduct for life blood.

Spiritual Insight July 18

Spiritual Insight

One way the Holy Spirit works.

When you gain some spiritual insight, that specific gain clears the way from anything that may stand in the way so you can accomplish the very goal the insight suggested.

Philippians 2:3“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” [NKJV].

Philippians 2:5“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”[NKJV]

Love With All July 17

Love with All

If you love God with emotion only, you become an emotionalist.

If you love with Will only, you become hard hearted.

If you love with the body only, you become a materialist.

If you love with mind only, you become intellectual.

“Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” [Mt.22:37, NKJV].

Jesus Angry? July 16

Jesus Angry?

In the book of Mark, people kept bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them. The disciples kept rebuking Him for this.

Mark 10:14, “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.” [NIV].

Many people think Jesus got mad, like when he cleared out the money changers in the temple. [Jo.2:15]

But when we get mad, we can’t help but sin. Jesus did not sin so His getting mad was an indignant, grieving kind of emotion because He realized people were missing true love.

The disciples misinterpreted Jesus so it gave Him pain because they did not see how they were misinterpreting little children.

One Beginning July 15

One Beginning

“The twelve apostles called all the disciples together and told them, ‘It’s not right for us to give up God’s word in order to distribute food’. So, brothers and sisters, choose seven men whom the people know are spiritually wise.” [Acts 6:2-3, GWT].

This may be one of the first strong examples when the scripture indicates a separation between spiritual activity and materialistic action for church leaders. It may be some precedent where we get the idea of having staff people in church.

Emotions Effect Physical July 14

Emotions Effect Physical

You have heard it said:

He fumes with anger.

She turned red with embarrassment.

He makes me want to vomit.

She glows with excitement.

His smile makes me happy.

Her attitude is good medicine.

“Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”  [Proverbs 23:6-7, NKJV].

Poem of a Fool July13

Poem of a Fool

There was a man that had many barns.

There was a man that told many yarns.

There was a man that money was his tool.

There was a man God called a fool.

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

[Luke 12:20, NIV].

Bait and Switch? July 12

Bait and Switch?

When the healings by Jesus occur in scripture, He did not use some bait and switch on people in order to tell them the Good News. He did not use the healings and miracles to get people to believe the gospel.

The healings and miracles are the Good News.

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and never forget all the good he has done; He is the one who forgives all sins, the one who heals all diseases.” [Ps.103:2-3, GWT].

Life is hard and sometimes even death is a kind of healing for some Christians.

When God Speaks July 11

When God Speaks

“And Pilate inquired of Him, Are you the King of the Jews? And He replied, It is as you say.” [Mark 15:2, AMBT].

On this first occasion, Jesus was brought to Pilate. And Jesus answers Pilate’s question.

“And the chief priests kept accusing Him of many things.” [15:3]

“And Pilate again asked Him, Have You no answer to make? See how many charges they are bringing against You! [15:4]

“But Jesus made no further answer at all, so that Pilate wondered and marveled.” [15:5].

There comes a time when God speaks and then does not have to answer.

There comes a moment when God has nothing to say to a person who keeps rejecting the truth.

Morals in US July 10

Morals in US

Whatever morals are left in us and the US, Christians still help to hold the world together. Christ within people hold community and society together. Otherwise, all the world would be in chaos because without His love, everyone would seek only self values. Scattered interest-conflicts would rage and ravage our culture even more than now.

Remember to give thanks for the Holy Spirit who embeds us with other-centered values of what is truly important.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. . .” [Mt.6:19-21, NIV].

Before the End July 9

Before the End

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”  [Mt.5:17, NKJV]

This was an amazing statement by Jesus that has greater meaning than just local application.

If Jesus came just to destroy then all negatives would rule, but He came to fulfill.

There seems to be a universal condition that indicates the mind cannot fully understand a new thing but what it has to be connected to something understood before.

This suggests before any final revelation in Christ truths of history will present themselves. Thus, the past influences the present and future.

The scripture above means Christ will gather up all truth and preserve it.

We are to watch and pay attention. 

Is Jesus Alive? July 8

Is Jesus Alive?

Some say Jesus may have been historical, a real person who did live and die back in the day. But that he just died and that was it.

Well, I say He is alive because He just talked to me today.

God Means It July7

God Means It

In the book of Acts 4:32 through 5:10, records an event that shocks our senses but promotes God’s nature.

All the believers on this occasion were of one heart and one mind and were trying to help other believers. They were selling things like land and bringing the proceeds to the apostles. [4:32]

Barnabas sold land and brought all the money to the Apostles.

Ananias and Sapphira sold land and decided to keep back a portion of the money. Apostle Peter challenged them and at first Ananias fell over dead. Then later, Sapphira was confronted and she fell over dead as well.

The Holy Spirit was so present that He would not allow any sham or pretense to exist at this time.

God means what He says and says what He means.

Remember Us! July 6

Remember Us!

“Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.” [Gen.8:1, NKJV].

We need to ask God daily to remember His ark, the earth, and bring the spiritual wind to stop the negative raging waters.

When Life Seems Uncertain July5

When Life Seems Uncertain

During a threat of a tornado, a neighbor asked her friend why she was not afraid. The woman said:” Well, I just rejoice that I have a Savior who can still shake the world.”

Traveling from a road called Emmaus, after a lengthy conversation, Jesus said, “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself . . . “[Lk.24:39, NKJV].

We need to remember Christ through all our uncertain moments.

Holding With Holy Tension July 4

Holding With Holy Tension

As Christians, trying to follow Biblical teachings, we are to persevere by holding onto values held in a kind of holy tension.

We need to balance:

God dependence with self effort.

Love and law.

Passive and militant.

Personal and social.

Practical and mystical.

Artistic and craftsperson.

Loving yourself and loving your neighbor.

Giving and taking.

Self renouncing and self-assertion.

God's Bullet Proof Vest July3

God’s Bullet Proof Vest

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” [Eph.6:14, then verses 15-18, NKJV].

The belt around the waist is truth.

The breastplate is right doing.

The feet stand for peace.

The shield protects by faith.

The helmet crowns for salvation.

The sword swings God’s Word.

The Holy Spirit prays in all things.

Reason for Spiritual Healing July2

Reason for Spiritual Healing

What good parent would not want a child healed?

Any good brother or sister would want a brother or sister healed.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” [John 1:12, NKJV].

The healing may not happen as we thought, but God will take care of His own as dear children.

Stretch Yourself July 1

Stretch Yourself

The truth is that life is not all bad when seeking certain ease. But through the Christian dynamic we sometimes need to venture out beyond our boundaries because:

1.   We possess an inspiring courage.

2.   We can claim the unclaimable.

3.   In Christ, we may try the impossible.

Verse15: He is the image of the invisible God . . .”

Verse16: “For by him all things were created . . .”

Verse17: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” [Col.1:15-17, NIV].

Through the Holy Spirit, we have the audacity to inspire others for the kingdom sake.