Thursday, February 25, 2010

He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End

Elisabeth Elliott, a renowned Christian writer, once said, "It is God to whom and with Him we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place."

Very profound indeed but I would contend that God is at the beginning of our journey as well as at every stopping place, and then finally at the end of our journey.

The book of Genesis 2:7 says, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

I have spoken about this earlier, but I want to go somewhere else with it. In this life we live on earth, we are like pilgrim travelers and our journey begins with God, our Creator. The body in which we are contained is like a shell until God brings it alive with "breath of life."

Some people doubt the existence of God but our life and worth came from God's Spirit. God knew us before were formed in our mother's womb. The Word of God tells us that He knows every hair on our head. (Matthew 10:30).

When I think about my own journey, my spiritual journey, I think of the miracle of God I have become since Jesus Christ came into my life. Though God had been me with since birth, I didn't know Him like I do now. I know Him better since I have journeyed through His Word the last 15 years.

Psalm 23 says in part, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me." This reminds me that God is with me even up to the time of death and He alone can bring me safely to the other side --- the God of life, our shepherd. Because life is uncertain, we should follow this shepherd who offers us eternal comfort.

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you can be assured that God's Spirit will be with you every stopping place in your life. And why is that? Because He promised and God does not lie.

Thought for Today: God is the Alpha and Omega. He is the beginning and the end and without HIm, there is no beginning or end.

The Word is How We Stay Connected to God

I won't study the Word of God; I won't go to church to hear the Word of God; I don't need the Word of God; I won't pray the Word of God; I won't worship the Word of God; I won't sing the Word of God. Why not! Because we are so arrogrant and think we don't need God, the Creator who made us. All these negatives keep us from the spiritual blessings God has for us.

The only thing that connects God with his creation is His Word. Let us look to His Word and see what it says:

In the book of John 1:1-2, it says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made, without Him nothing was made." All things were made through God!

We are God's creation and we connect with God in our worship, our prayers, our devotions, our study, through His Word.

Disobedience to the Word of God gets us out of favor with God. So when we think God's Word does not matter, go back to the Bible, the inspired Word of God, given to men whom God inspired to write it.

In the book of Genesis 1:1-2 , it says that God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. God's Spirit hover over the waters. This is the presence of the Holy Spirit seen right here.

Our whole existence, or being, is wrapped up in the Creator, who created us for His purposes and His plan, and He desires to communicate with us through His Word.

Let's look at the book of Genesis 2:7 again where it says, "the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Man didn't create himself. God breathe life into man and man became a living being. Since God is a spirit and He breath life into man through his nostrils, we are also spiritual beings. Our existence is a spiritual one, not an earthy existence!

Now if you don't read the Word of God, you actually think that your mother and father were responsible for your existence. They were only God's instrument by which you were born. Just as God used Mary as his instrument to give birth to His son, Jesus Christ. This is how the Word became flesh. (John 1:14)

In Genesis 1:27 it states that "so God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." We were created in His image, and His image is holy. God created us to be holy beings!

Again, I repeat that the only thing that connects us with the Creator, God, is His Word.

Thought for Today: Spend time in the Word of God so that God can communicate with you.


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." A wellspring out of which many things flow.

King Solomon, who authored the book of Proverbs and was one of the wisest men on earth, tells us to guard our heart above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path of life.

You are near and dear to God, the Creator, who loves you more than you can imagine. God wants the best for you and He wants for you to guard your heart.

Our heart --- our feelings of love and desire --- dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time time to do what we enjoy.

Make sure your affections push you into the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires: don't go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes on your goal. Don't get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Today, the world will offer your countless opportunities to let your guard down, and by doing so, let the devil do his worst. Be watchful and obedient.

In Luke 6:45, it states "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart. The evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart, his mouth speaks." What is in your heart will come out in your speech.

Thought for Today: Guard your heart by giving it to your Heavenly Father; it is safe with Him.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Is Suicide Murder?

I am certain that you have read or heard of the number of accounts of people who commit suicide.

The most recent account is the one about the man who decided to run his airplane into a building because of a disagreement with the IRS. Here is a person who burned up his own home and owned an airplane! Now I may not have all the facts correctly because I only caught a glimse of it on television, but is a very disturbing to me when I hear about people who decide to take their life and to take the innocent lives of others with them. What about their families or loved ones they left behind? Should we all just say," I had enough and kill ourselves." I have a hard time understanding this!

Suicide is an act that I think many people contemplate when their responsibilities in life gets too heavy for them. I know there have been times when my troubles seemed too much for me; I wanted to find a way to check out also, but I had to consider who would be hurt if I decided to do such an act and what did I accomplish by such an act.

As a Christian, I know that God did not create me to make that decision myself. That's a God decision, He alone decides when I live or die.

What does the bible say about a Christian who commits suicide? The Bible teaches that from the moment we truly believe in Christ, we are guaranteed eternal life (John 3:16) Christians can know beyond any doubt that they possess eternal life (1 John 5:13) Nothing can separate a Christian from God's love (Romans 8:38-39).

Jesus died for all of our sins; if a true Christian, in a time of spiritual attack and weakness, commits suicide, that would still be a sin covered by the blood of Christ.

However if an unsaved person commits suicide, he has done nothing but "expedite" his journey to hell. However, that person who committed suicide, will ultimately be in hell for rejecting salvation through Christ, not because he committed suicide.

I guess I have a deep sadness when a person takes his own life because he or she didn't trust God to get their affairs in order; didn't want to wait on God to find a solution to their
problem(s); didn't care about the people they left behind; didn't care about the people they killed; didn't care about themselves.

Suicide is a serious sin against God. Suicide is murder; it is a form of self-murder, and it is always wrong.

There is no circumstance that can justify someone, especially a Christian, for taking his or her life. So I assume that these individuals who decided to take their life, either on their own or for some religious cult's reason, did not know Christ.

God desires us to live and to live our lives abundantly, and how can we live an abundant life, not one of riches, but spiritually, if we decide that we have just had enough. We are to respect those who have authority over us, i.e., the government, and we should do what is right. We are to live a righteous life, pleasing to God.

Thought for Today: Christians are called to live their lives for God and the decision on when to die is God's and God's alone.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

A "Car Wash" Experience

I recently read in one of my devotionals about a "car wash" experience. Interesting title for a daily devotion. The author talked about the stormy times in her life when it seemed as though she was on a conveyor belt; a victim of forces beyond her control. I reflected on that statement and thought also there have been times in my life when I felt I was on a conveyor belt.

If you have ever been in a car wash, and I am sure many people have, who like me, don't wash their cars themselves, and when they started moving through the conveyor belt they thought about being cocooned inside.

What if I got stuck in there or my car got damaged (which it had on one occasion) or what if the water came crashing inside the car. In life, there are alot of "what ifs" - things beyond our control. We also have a tendency to think the worst or to think negatively even before something occurs. We are worriers by nature. We don't like not having control over our lives.

The truth is not one of us has any control over our lives.

Worry is a sin because it means we don't trust God to handle our lives or our circumstances.

In Psalm 46:1-3, it states that "God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and the mountains fall into the center of the sea, and even if its waters go wild with storm and the mountains shake with its actions."

My commentary says that God is our refuge even in the face of total destruction. He is not merely a temporary retreat; he is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any circumstance.

The scripture in Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be there."

It is amazing to me now that I am older, that every storm in my life, God has been there with me. I recalled, as this author did, that whenever I passed through deep waters my Redeemer had been with me, sheltering me against the rising tide. When I came out on the other side, which I always did, I was able to say with joy and confidence that God is faithful!

Going through rivers of difficulty will either cause you to drown or force you to grow stronger. If you go in your own strength, you are more likely to drown. If you invite the Lord to go with you, He will protect you.

Thought for Today: If you are in the middle of a "car wash" experience, trust God to bring you through to the other side.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Fruit of the Spirit

Have you ever heard the expression, "fruit of the spirit?" When I first heard it I thought the Pastor was talking about some eatable fruit, something good to eat; I thought the Holy Spirit would provide fruits which could be devoured. I was in for a surprise because he was talking about the fruits that the Holy Spirit provides to every Christian in their daily walk.

Galatians 5:23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

The "fruit of the spirit" is a biblical tem that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life. I repeat that it sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life.

Every Christian because of their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit should possess these fruits. The fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian's transformed life. In order to mature as believers, we should study and understand the attributes of the ninefold fruit.

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by products of Christ's control over our lives --- we can't obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to Christ. We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him.

The Bible makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 1:13-14)

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is in direct contrast with the acts of the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21. I won't discuss this now, but will save for the next time. Look them up so you will be familiar with them before hand.

Let's look at the individual fruits:

Love - "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him." (1 John 4:16)

Joy - "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Peace - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)

Patience - "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)

Gentleness - We should live "in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love." (2 Corinthians 6:6)

Goodness - "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.
(Ephesians 5:9)

Faithfulness - "I pray that out of his glorious richess He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."
(Ephesians 3:16-17)

Self-control - "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perservance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Get a good bible with a commentary and look up some of these scriptures so you will have a better understanding of them. A Christian will never be completely victorious in always demonstrating the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is one of the main purposes of the Christian life to allow the Holy Spirit to produce more and more of His fruit in our lives and to allow the Holy Spirit to conquer the opposing sinful desires that every individual has.

Thought for Today: The fruit of the Spirit is what God desires for every Christian to exhibit!












Friday, February 12, 2010

A Test of Faith

Quite often I find myself getting discouraged. I remember when I got saved, December 1998, when the Holy Spirit led me to Jesus Christ. It wasn't that I didn't know of Jesus, I just didn't have a relationship with Him until that time.

In my Christian walk, I try to led others to Christ. Often I am disappointed because I think my leading should automatically led others to Christ. It took me a whole year, mostly listening to Joyce Meyers, whose own Christian walk, seemed similar to mine. I am just giving her a plug here because it was at the moment I saw her on television that I picked up my Bible that was laying next to my bed gathering dust. I listened to her for a whole year to see if the Word of God and what she was saying was true.

I remember someone saying this and I quote, " this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book." How profound is that? The Bible which is our basic guide before leaving earth would actually keep me from sin! I didn't have a clue what that meant until I got into a good bible study program. I was indeed a sinner in need of a Saviour!

The scriptures say in Psalm 119:105 that "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." It means that the Bible will be our guide and keep us away from darkness. When we are walking in darkness, we are walking in sin.

My bible commentary says, "to walk safely in the woods at night, we need a light so we won't trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we won't stumble as we walk."

The Word of God comes to change our lives and gives us some order and meaning to our life.

Proverbs 6:23 goes on to say that "God's commands are a lamp, His teaching is a light and His correction of discipline are a way of life. Psalm 19:8 says "the precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

Often when we thingk of laws, we think of something that is burdensome, something that keeps us from having fun. God's commands help us to have purpose, order, discipline, joy to our heart, gives light to our eyes, warns us and rewards us. That is because God's laws are guidelines on how we should live while we are here on earth and it lights our path so we don't' stumble as we go down the path of life.

Thought for Today: Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clear enough to stay on the right path.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

We Are Called To Love

Many people use the word "Love" in different ways:

I love my car
I love my job (might not hear this one too often)
I love my house
I love my wife/huband
I love to play golf
I love my cat/dog

The word "love" is one of the most widely used, misued or abused word in daily conversation. It is also used very casually. Be cautious of those who say they love this or that.

We are called to love God and people. In the gospel of Mark 12:30-31, Jesus said,
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Matthew 5:43 says "Love your neighbor as yourself." There are no great commandments than these two. In both, we are to exalt God and our neighbor, not ourselves!

God's laws are not burdensome and He reminds us that His yoke is easy. God's laws can be reduced to two simple principles: love God and love others. When you love God completely and care for others as yourself, then you have fulfilled the intent of the 10 commandments and other Old Testament laws. According to Jesus, these two commandments summarize all of god's laws.

The "love" that Jesus expects of us is spiritual and transcends our daily activities, likes and dislikes. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, scriptures that many of us are familiar or so be familiar, provides a comprehensive view of "love.' I encourage you to read it. It is what love is not and tells what it should be.

So, do we love according to the world or do we love the way God commands? The world loves everything materia and have become attached to them. Material things are blessings from God for us to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). God gives us things to enjoy them but not to love them!

We are only to love God, and we are to do it with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. and in so loving God completely, we are commanded to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

When you think you cannot love, seek the Word because the World is looking at you!

Thought for Today: When you are uncertain about what to do, ask yourself which cause of action best demonstrates love for God and love for others.

Have a blessed day!

Monday, February 8, 2010

The Abundant Life

Many ministers preach about abundant life, but I sometimes question what exactly do they mean. When I hear their sermons, I am lead to believe they are talking about riches and how we can acquire riches in this life here on earth. These sermons and preachers are often referred to as "prosperity preachers," and I find their sermons to be deceptive.

Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) When Jesus talks about abundant life, is he talking about material riches or earthly fame? I doubt that he is referring to either.

Jesus is our Shepherd and the shepherd functions as a gate, letting the sheep in and protecting them. Jesus is the gate to God's salvation for us. He offers access to safety and security. Jesus gives life. The life he gives right now is abundantly richer and fuller.

The Son of God came to this world, not to give it prosperity, but to give it salvation.

Thankfully, for Christians, our Saviour's abundance is both spiritual and eternal; it never falters, even if we do, and it never dies. As Chrisitians, we need only to open our hearts to Him, and His grace becomes ours. Grace is something we don't deserve but God in his mercy towards us, offers His grace, which is overflowing.

The definition of "abundance" means an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply; however, another meaning for abundance is "affluence; wealth." I suppose when some are preaching about abundance, they prefer to use "affluence or wealth" because this definition of abundance appeals to our earthly flesh. We fail to understand that Jesus is referring to our spiritual needs, not our earthly desires.

God's gifts are available to all, but they are not guaranteed; those gifts must be claimed by those who choose to follow Christ. As believers, we are free to accept God's gifts, or not; that choice, and the consequences that result from it, are ours and ours alone.

As we go about our daily lives, may be accept God's promise of spiritual abundance, and may we share it with a world in desperate need of the Master's healing touch. The word of God tells us that it good for us to draw near to God and put our trust in the Lord God. (Psalm 73:28).

Thought for Today: God's promises are spiritual blessings, not earthly treasures.



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Friday, February 5, 2010

Our Lives Are In God's Hands

One of the interesting scriptures to me is in the book of Psalms, which talks about man and God's relationship to man. Psalm 144:3 says, "Oh, Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow."

Even in this text, it reminds us that life is short. The author, King David, tells us it is "like a breath" and that our "days are like a fleeting shadow." The apostle James says that our lives are "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14)

Do you ever wonder why God cares about us? I know I do. When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we wonder how God could be concerned for people who constantly disappoint him. Yet God created us only a little lower than himself or the angels. (Psalm 8:4)

Because life is short, we should live for God while we have the time. Don't waste your life by selecting an inferior purpose that has no lasting value. Live for God---He alone can make your life worthwhile, purposeful, and meaningful.

This is why we are told in 1 John 2:8, the Bible says, "Don't love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the God is not in Him."

Love is the key to walking in the light, because we cannot grow spiritually while we are walking in the dark. When we love the things of this world, we are walking in darkness. Satan is the Prince of the earth, and everything in it. So when we chose the world over God, we chose Satan.

Our days are fleeting, the scripture says; we have no control over our lives and we have no control over our death. Make the most of your life serving God, so that you will live in eternity with Him.

The older I get the more I realize that my fate is in God's hands. I have no power over my life. It is only man's arrogance that allows him to believe he has some control over his life or his death. There is no amount of money that can keep us from dying. To be alive is a blessing and it is only God's grace that our time is not up.

Thought for Today: Live your life to please God while you have time.



Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A Forgiving Spirit

1 John 2:9-11 states that "anyone who claims to be in the light but hates is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him."

When you are unable to forgive a person, you walk in darkness; you live your life in darkness; you are clouded with bitterness and anger and you do not know where you are going. Do you have an unforgiving spirit? Do you find it hard to forgive someone when they have hurt you?

The Bible says in Matthew 5:44-45, "Love those who hate you. Pray for those who do bad things to you and who make it hard for you. Then you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven. His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God."

God puts bad and good people on this earth for a reason. Those who are hurt by bad people do not have to worry because God sees and knows everything. He will repay them for the hurt inflicted on you.

It is hard to forgive someone when they hurt you. I experienced this as a child and I grew up as a sad and bitter adult. I was helpless and could not prevent being hurt, so I resented my mother and God until I got saved. When I became a Christian and started studying the Bible, I learned that to not forgive was a sin. When we don't forgive, we tell God we don't respect Him.

Matthew 6:14 says, "If you forgive people their sins, your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also."

Forgiveness is an exercise in spiritual growth; the more we forgive, the more we grow. When we are bitter, it stunts our spiritual growth. When our hearts are filled with resentment and anger, there is no room for love.

As Christians we can and should continue to grow in the love and the knowledge of our Saviour as long as we live. When we cease to grow, either emotionally or spiritually, we do ourselves and our loved ones a profound disservice.

We must continue to study and be obedient to the word of God, so that we will be growing Christians and not stagnant believers...and that's exactly what God wants for our lives, to grow.

Psalm 145:8-9 reminds us, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithfulness and in love. The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made."

Even when we disappoint God, He still loves; He is still willing to forgive us our sins. He wipes our slates clean when we confess our sins and He remembers them no more. That is what the word of God says! We have to strive to follow His example. Forgive and forget.

When you forgive a person who has wronged you, you set yourself free. Free from hurt, anger and bitterness.

Thought for Today: If you have an unforgiving spirit, you are not operating in the will or love of God.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Choose Friends Wisely

Proverbs 27:17 says, "iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

The commentary tells us that there is "a mental sharpness that comes from being around good people. And a meeting of minds can help people see their ideas with new clarity, refine them, and shape them into brilliant insights. This requires discussion partners who can challenge each other and stimulate throught --- people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker. Two friends who bring their ideas together can help each other."

I remember when I first heard this verse. My husband had attended a men's conference and he was so very impressed with the speakers at the conference. He said the ministers stressed how men should sharpened one another; not compete with each other all the time. They should encourage one another.

One thing I know is that if you want to build a positive life, find positive friends. If you like to live a godly life, seek the fellowship of godly friends. If you like to live passionately, prayerfully, and purposefully, spend time with people who are already living passionate, prayerful, purposeful lives.

Soon you will discover that you will become more and more like the people who surround you. So surround yourself with people who are like-minded!

Feel thankful for Christian friends. Have you ever been in a place where you seem to be the only person who believed in Jesus? I know I have; it isn't a good feeling because everyone thinks you are weird. The truth is maybe they are weird because they don't believe in Jesus. One thing is for sure we need other people to help encourage us and pray for us. It strengthens us just like iron sharpens iron.

The bible tells us that a "friend sticks closer than a brother." (Provers 18:24)

Everyone wants to feel needed or like, but being in a crowd just makes people feel more aware of their isolation. It is better to have one good friend than a dozen of superficial acquaintances who do not have your best interest at heart. Instead of wishing you could find a true friend, seek to become one. There are plenty of people who need a friend and would like your friendship.

Pray and ask God to reveal Christian friends to you, and then take on the task of being a true friend.

We are indeed rich if we have friends, and old friends should be considered a treasure. Friends who have loved us through the problems and heartaches of life. Count your blessings because friends are indeed a blessing!

Keep in mind Psalm 1:1-2 which says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night."

Seek friends who have a love for and revere the living God because our friends and associates have a profound influence on us; often in subtle ways. If we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God's will. True friends should help, not hinder, you to draw closer to God.

Thought for Today: Need a true friend, try Jesus! A friend who sticks closer than a brother.