It's funny how the Lord will provide the inspiration for some messages. Over the next few days, I will post devotionals the Lord gave me from a message entitled "Nine Important Words." I received this while coming home from a training session at our local YMCA. I pray that it will be as much a blessing for you as it was to me.
Life is Hard
Matt. 7:14 (KJV) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
This is not a negative saying. Upon hearing those three words, many may think of Adam’s judgment for his disobedience. Yet, it is not a condemnation at all. It really means that if you do the hard things, you will live. Elderly people may say “I have lived a hard life.” They have the privilege of saying that, because they have done the hard things that have caused them to live a long life. In a society where it has become the norm to mimic what others do, God is looking for people that have the boldness and courage of Abraham and Noah. Would you be willing to take your promised son and prepare him for a sacrifice? Are you willing to give up that thing that you have held so near and dear to your heart, in order that God can see that you love Him more than that thing? Consider Noah. Would you have the courage to begin building something years ahead of its time, even though others may consider you crazy? This is why life is hard. God has given each of us a mind and a body to worship Him, and He knows the temptations and distractions that can prevent us from fulfilling our purpose here in the earth. It is up to you to choose to do the hard things in life that will bring life to you and others. Consider the same text in the Basic English Bible: For narrow is the door and hard the road to life, and only a small number make discovery of it. You were not created to be like everyone else, and as a son of God, your Heavenly Father expects you to take the hard road. Resisting temptation is hard; if you do it, however, you will live. Being kind to your enemies is hard; if you do it, however, you will live. Laying down your life for others is hard; if you do it however, you will live. Remember this in your walk – Life is hard. If you do the hard things, however, you will live.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
No one said it would be easy!
I must admit, I feel much better posting again. I have learned from my time away; my focus needs to stay on Jesus. Let others write their opinions; I have to stay focused on the Him that allowed me to be here.
I wanted to share with you a devotional I wrote to my daughter as she was beginning her college career. Actually, this is how I began writing these devotionals. It was a way to encourage her as she made the transition from home to independent life. Now, I simply write as the Lord directs for anyone who is willing to read. I pray that you can receive something from it.
1 Cor 4:12 (KJV) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
There are times when it appears that being a Christian does not make sense. You work hard at keeping yourself pure, only to be rewarded by being chastised by the world. Others seem to enjoy committing sin, and these same people are attempting to ridicule you because of your commitment to Christ. This same principle can be applied in your academic life. You study hard, and commit yourself to your work, while others want to discourage you by telling you to not work diligently. They want to persuade you to have fun, relax, do not take this life so seriously, and if you have trouble, a little cheating may help.
Paul lets us know that there is no easy answer, no free ride. His reward in the earth came from his labor. “Whatsoever a man soeth, that shall he also reap.” This principle applies to all people on earth, whether they believe in Christ or not. Sons of God are expected to be living epistles of this principle. And how do you respond after you work as hard as you can to achieve your best, only to be mocked, scorned and persecuted by others? You receive it, count it all joy, and bless those who are committing those acts against you. Remember, Jesus and Stephen prayed for those who killed them.
Let your light shine through your hard work and work hard to let your light shine. God rewards those those who diligently seek Him, both in Heaven and here on earth.
I wanted to share with you a devotional I wrote to my daughter as she was beginning her college career. Actually, this is how I began writing these devotionals. It was a way to encourage her as she made the transition from home to independent life. Now, I simply write as the Lord directs for anyone who is willing to read. I pray that you can receive something from it.
1 Cor 4:12 (KJV) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
There are times when it appears that being a Christian does not make sense. You work hard at keeping yourself pure, only to be rewarded by being chastised by the world. Others seem to enjoy committing sin, and these same people are attempting to ridicule you because of your commitment to Christ. This same principle can be applied in your academic life. You study hard, and commit yourself to your work, while others want to discourage you by telling you to not work diligently. They want to persuade you to have fun, relax, do not take this life so seriously, and if you have trouble, a little cheating may help.
Paul lets us know that there is no easy answer, no free ride. His reward in the earth came from his labor. “Whatsoever a man soeth, that shall he also reap.” This principle applies to all people on earth, whether they believe in Christ or not. Sons of God are expected to be living epistles of this principle. And how do you respond after you work as hard as you can to achieve your best, only to be mocked, scorned and persecuted by others? You receive it, count it all joy, and bless those who are committing those acts against you. Remember, Jesus and Stephen prayed for those who killed them.
Let your light shine through your hard work and work hard to let your light shine. God rewards those those who diligently seek Him, both in Heaven and here on earth.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Thank you!
I must say thank you to each of you for receiving me with such kindness! It really is a blessing. Not to pick on one person, but I really have to say a special thank you to Kc, because he has a way of gently prodding a person! Yet, isn't that what friends are truly for? For what is a friend if I am not willing to submit to them, and be accountable to them?
Today's post is a devotional that I wrote a couple of years ago. I pray it will be a blessing to you. If you would like me to add you to my e-mail list for these daily devotionals, please let me know.
Matt 16:15-16 (KJV)He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus asked all of the disciples the same question. Look at the Scripture again, and notice it says that “He saith unto them.” While he asked of all, only one responded. Simon Peter’s response was not a calculated, rehearsed response. It was an act of simple faith. Peter spoke what he believed. Confess and believe – these are the two actions that Paul told the Romans must occur in order to be saved.
Now what about you? Who do you say that He is? When Christ confronts you with this question in a crowd of people, many who may not believe, what will you say? Are you prepared to be the one that will stand out for Him? Have you established such a relationship with Him that calling Him Christ is a natural occurrence, a simple act of faith? Because Peter was the only one who responded, Jesus told him that upon that rock He will build His church. Did Peter continue to make mistakes? He certainly did, but look how God used him after Christ ascended! God is not a respecter of persons, and He wants to use you in the same way he used Peter. Be prepared to be that rock, that cornerstone of faith wherever you are.
Today's post is a devotional that I wrote a couple of years ago. I pray it will be a blessing to you. If you would like me to add you to my e-mail list for these daily devotionals, please let me know.
Matt 16:15-16 (KJV)He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus asked all of the disciples the same question. Look at the Scripture again, and notice it says that “He saith unto them.” While he asked of all, only one responded. Simon Peter’s response was not a calculated, rehearsed response. It was an act of simple faith. Peter spoke what he believed. Confess and believe – these are the two actions that Paul told the Romans must occur in order to be saved.
Now what about you? Who do you say that He is? When Christ confronts you with this question in a crowd of people, many who may not believe, what will you say? Are you prepared to be the one that will stand out for Him? Have you established such a relationship with Him that calling Him Christ is a natural occurrence, a simple act of faith? Because Peter was the only one who responded, Jesus told him that upon that rock He will build His church. Did Peter continue to make mistakes? He certainly did, but look how God used him after Christ ascended! God is not a respecter of persons, and He wants to use you in the same way he used Peter. Be prepared to be that rock, that cornerstone of faith wherever you are.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Finally, a post!
It has been a while since I have posted. Honestly, I almost allowed myself to slip. This world of the Internet can be used for both good and evil - it can either bring glory to Christ, or put Christ to an open shame. Unfortunately, I find that there are many who are willing to resort to name calling and the like so that they can express their own opinion (with no Biblical justification), without regard to what the Lord desires. I will not be a part of such chicanery; my desire is to simply share the Word of God with anyone who is willing. I want to challenge and be challenged; I want to encourage and be encouraged; and most of all, speak the truth in brotherly love. So, today I will start with a devotional I wrote a while ago. I pray that it will be a blessing to you.
Matt 7:7-8 (KJV) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Your Heavenly Father knows you do not have all the answers. Neither do you have all the resources, nor all the keys. So, when presented with a challenge, you must go to those who have the answers, resources, and keys to conquer the challenge. God made the promise, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” but He makes it very clear that you must first take action. It will be given to you AFTER you ask; you will find AFTER you seek; it will be opened to you AFTER you knock. How many times should you ask? You keep asking until it is given. How long should you seek? You keep looking until you find it. How long should you knock? You knock until it is opened to you. The answer may not come in the first person you ask. Don’t quit because you did not find it in the first place you looked. And if the first door that you knock on is not opened, then shake the dust off of your feet and go to the next door. Remember, God rewards those who diligently seek Him, and that same Heavenly principle applies here on earth.
Once you receive the solution, remember it becomes your responsibility to release it to those who ask of you, just as someone had to release it to you. Never forget the precious words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
There is a solution to every challenge, and Jesus gave us a simple but profound way to remember what to do:
Ask
Seek
Knock
Always ASK!
Matt 7:7-8 (KJV) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Your Heavenly Father knows you do not have all the answers. Neither do you have all the resources, nor all the keys. So, when presented with a challenge, you must go to those who have the answers, resources, and keys to conquer the challenge. God made the promise, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” but He makes it very clear that you must first take action. It will be given to you AFTER you ask; you will find AFTER you seek; it will be opened to you AFTER you knock. How many times should you ask? You keep asking until it is given. How long should you seek? You keep looking until you find it. How long should you knock? You knock until it is opened to you. The answer may not come in the first person you ask. Don’t quit because you did not find it in the first place you looked. And if the first door that you knock on is not opened, then shake the dust off of your feet and go to the next door. Remember, God rewards those who diligently seek Him, and that same Heavenly principle applies here on earth.
Once you receive the solution, remember it becomes your responsibility to release it to those who ask of you, just as someone had to release it to you. Never forget the precious words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
There is a solution to every challenge, and Jesus gave us a simple but profound way to remember what to do:
Ask
Seek
Knock
Always ASK!
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