Psalm 19:1-5
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
The heavens declare who God is. He is perfect, orderly, and consistent. Night and day, new moon and full; summer and winter; creation is so precise that we live our lives governed by it. It is amazing that because of this perfection, we can predict things like high tides and solar eclipses years in advance. There is a dependability that God has built into the universe.
When I am hiking and spend the night on the trail, my watch is for informational purposes only. I find that my body adjusts to the rhythm of Creation. When it is light I am up, when it is dark I sleep. Together, the sun, moon, and stars are God’s great timepiece in the heavens.
We stand in awe of what the Lord has done. Truly, all of creation praises God and testifies to His greatness. Only through willful ignorance do we reject such testimony.
Praise the Lord for His greatness today. Thank Him for the gift of the heavens that He has given us to enjoy. Look to His lordship and plan for the path of your life. We should consider ourselves truly blessed that we know the source of universal order.
Tags: Bible, Christian, consistent, dependable, devotion, encouragement, glory, God's faithfulness, heaven' heavens, moon, orderly, perfect, praise, prayer, presence of the lord, stars, sun, testimony, trust
1 Peter 5:5-6
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
I am so thankful to God that I was raised in a Christian home. Because of that, I was able to accept the Gospel message at an early age. (See my previous “Testimony” post) That being said, there is a truth that all those in my condition need to learn. Just because I grew up going to church doesn’t mean that I had no use for the life transforming power of God in me.
I need Christ to work on me the same as everybody else – maybe even more so, because my problems were below the surface. Let me explain…
From my earliest memories, I was attending Sunday School at my church. I was also at church whenever the doors were open. That’s how my parents operated. Speaking of my parents, they were the type that always made sure that I had learned my “memory verse” for the week – BEFORE Sunday. There was only one other person in my class who had to do that. The rest just waited for him or me to go first, and then they repeated what we said.
I loved learning the Bible and soaked it in like a sponge. Ultimately, I became very knowledgeable in the Word of God. And that’s where it started to go downhill. When a question was asked by the teacher, I always knew the answer and raised my hand. Sometimes the teacher would call on me and I would receive the satisfaction of being correct.
Of course, teachers didn’t want the same person answering all the questions. So I was the one who jumped around with my hand up going, “Ou – ou – ou. Call on me. I know it.” When I saw that didn’t work, I resorted to yelling out the answer without the teacher calling on me. Needless to say, the teacher’s reaction didn’t boost my ego as I had intended.
Then it struck me. I came up with a new strategy. I never raised my hand again. I let all the other students answer the questions UNTIL there was a question that no one could answer. Only then would I raise my hand and invariably give the right answer. I became the class expert. The one they went to at the last resort.
Without me ever knowing, the sin of pride had taken root in me. The same sin that caused Satan to fall had now taken over my life. That’s where it started, but I have had to battle it ever since. Thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit that gives me victory over it today. It’s the sin that will always pop up when I least expect it. I need the Savior’s power as a constant part of my life. I cannot be who I am without Him.
Just because I grew up in church doesn’t make me invulnerable to sin. I need the power of the Holy Spirit just like anyone else. I can truly say that without His hand on me, I would never have made it to where I am today. Thank You, Jesus, for your life-changing power!
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, Christian witness, devotion, disciple, encouragement, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, overcoming, power of God, pride, problems, self-righteous, self-satisfaction, sin of pride, strength, testimony, trust, victory
Jesus was arrested, just before the crucifixion. Then He was taken to the high priest for questioning. At this point in the narrative Luke makes an interesting comment about Peter.
Luke 22:54
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
This is the same Peter who said he would die with Christ, if necessary. The one who was always so outspoken about his faith in the Lord. Yet, here he is seen shrinking back into the shadows.
This begs the question about our walk with Jesus. We are always so quick to point out that we follow Christ. What does that mean to you? The real question is, “How closely are you following?” Peter was following Him, but far enough away so that it wasn’t obvious that he was with the Lord.
So often we don’t want it to be seen that we are different from the world. We want to blend in with society. We don’t want to get too radical in our Christian walk. Is that the way it’s supposed to be?
I believe that if we’re going to follow Christ, then we must live openly for Him. Even the most casual observer should be able to recognize that there is a difference in how we go about our daily routines.
People aren’t shy at all about using foul language, or other ungodly activity. Christians, on the other hand, are so worried about “offending” anyone. We should not be afraid of praying or talking about Christ in public. We need to stop following Him at a distance.
Tags: Bible, blending in, Christ, Christian, Christian witness, devotion, disciple, distance, encouragement, fear, following, following Jesus, God's will, Jesus Christ, overcoming, prayer, problems, public prayer, shrinking back, shy, testimony, trust, victory, walk with Jesus
Psalm 22:4-5
In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
Today is the day set aside to honor our fathers. We should especially look to the godly men who exemplified the Christian walk to us. Those who went before us, leading the way.
Many of them had to walk through troubled times – be it economic, physical, or social. Some had to go through the dangers of war, while others had to struggle for equality. We must look to those whose strength came from the hand of God working in them. They set for us an example of diligence and perseverance. Let the legacy they left for us speak to our hearts and equip us for our race.
But even greater than their contribution to us, is the God that they served. He is the ultimate Father that we look to. When we look back and see what was accomplished by our God through the cooperation of our fathers, it gives us hope. We need that same level of faith that they had.
God is still on the throne. The same God who brought our fathers through their trials will safely lead us to victory. His love for us was proven in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must never forget where our help comes from.
Look to the faith of our fathers. Then, as we follow their example, put that faith in the God of our fathers. He will work in us the same way He worked in them.
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, Christian walk, Christian witness, devotion, disciple, encouragement, example, faith, father, Father's Day, fathers, God of our fathers, God's faithfulness, God's love, Jesus Christ, legacy, prepare, problems, strength, testimony, trust, victory
James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
This verse is referencing our Heavenly Father. In the book of James He is called the Father of Heavenly Lights. It is His light shining on us that brings us life. In His love and wisdom He sent Christ into the world to bring us life.
This verse is clear. We have been given a new birth. A birth that was not of flesh and blood like our original entrance into this world. This birth was through the Word of Truth. I believe that James is referring to something more than the Bible, as wonderful as that Word is. It is a Word that speaks to our inner being.
One of the names of Christ is the Word made flesh. He was not a matter of ink and paper coming alive. He is the living and enduring Word of the Most High God. Christ said of Himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” He is the direct expression of the Word of Truth.
It is through this Word, Christ Himself, that we have been given new birth – if we have accepted the free gift of His salvation. He did this so that He could begin the renovation of the human race in us. That is what the last part of this verse is all about. The firstfruits of all He created.
This is the beginnings of the kingdom of God manifest on earth. Right now it is difficult to see. It is taking root in the hearts of men and women throughout the world. But they are changing, becoming what God intended them to be. His Kingdom is starting in us.
The more time I spend in the presence of that Word, the more I become like Him. Don’t ever take the presence of the Lord for granted. It is a privilege to have access to the throne room of God. It was paid for by the precious blood of Christ. Let the living Word do the work in you that only He can do. Spend quality time with Him today.
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, firstfruits, God the Father, God's word, Holy Spirit, holy worship, intimacy, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, living word, new birth, overcoming, presence of the lord, revival, testimony, word, word of truth
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
There are some blogs that I really enjoy reading. This one I just had to copy.
The following is reblogged from Truth Pressure. Originally Posted 4-30-2012
Self discovery is a powerful thing. Finding out who you are in Christ is THE most powerful revelation you can attain after salvation.
Most of the Apostle Paul’s writings were focused on helping believers understand who they are in Christ.
In Christ you have been repositioned, relabeled, renamed, re-categorized, and redeemed. You have a new family, a new status, a new nature, a new purpose, and a new destiny. You have a new heritage, a new identity, with new rights, new power, new authority, and new responsibilities. The old is passed away, and all things are new!
2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The New Testament reveals the model of who we are supposed to be, what a living church should look like, and yet, if you search the earth you find very few bodies of believers living up to that model. Why? I believe that it stems from an identity crisis.
We, the church, don’t really know who we are. We don’t understand our heritage and the royal bloodline that we were birthed into when we made Jesus the Lord of our life. Jesus emptied himself of all His kingly privilege and power and LIVED HIS LIFE for us … then he GAVE HIS LIFE for us. Now He wants to live His life through us as the KING of KINGS!
We must awaken to the marvelous truth, that Christ is not in the heavens only, seated at the right hand of the Father, but Christ is in us. Our main function in this life is to manifest Christ to the world in all His glory. It is Christ’s body that validates Christ to the world. Without His body reigning in life as a king the world will be limited to only hearing about Christ instead of experiencing Him. There must be a SHOWING FORTH as well as a TELLING ABOUT. To Show Forth the kingdom we must function in the authority that has been given us.
1 Peter 2:9 ~ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Romans 5:17 ~ For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 5:10 ~ And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 1:6 ~ And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The life that Christ lived qualified Him for the death that He died …. and the death that He died qualifies us for the life we now live … as Kings and Priests unto our God. Are you living like a King, with a King’s authority and resources? That is available to YOU AND I.
Tags: Bible, calling, Christ, Christian, church, devotion, encouragement, faith, God's faithfulness, God's will, in Christ, Jesus Christ, kings and priests, new creature, overcoming, self discovery, testimony, victory
Luke 1:76-80
“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins… to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
This Scripture concerns the ministry of John the Baptist, who was to be the forerunner of the Messiah. It is interesting to note that John lived in the wilderness for years in preparation for his public ministry. One of the things that was spoken of him in this text is that he would “guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Being a guide assumes that you have walked the path already. John must have learned many lessons as he spent time in the wilderness, alone with God. These needed to be in place within his life before he ever spoke to the crowds. God seems to do the best work on our hearts in the private, intimate times that we have with Him.
It is important that we take the time to get into that private “prayer closet” with the Lord. You need to be looking forward to these times as great learning experiences. We need to spend time with Him away from all the distractions and commitments that are constantly crying out for our attention. As you look back, you will find that the lessons learned and the inner growth accomplished have made your time in the presence of God far richer and rewarding than it would have been otherwise.
As you go before the Lord this day, thank Him for the experiences that are still ahead of you on your walk with Him. Let the Lord know your willingness to be a guide to those who are coming behind you on the spiritual journey.
Tags: Bible, Christian, devotion, disciple, distractions, encouragement, God's will, guide, Holy Spirit, inner growth, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, overcoming, path, prayer, prayer closet, prepare, presence of the lord, private times, public ministry, spiritual journey, testimony
Job 38:8-11
“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt?’”
God created the seas, rivers, and lakes all for us. He made the world a beautiful place for us to enjoy. Many times I have thought myself blessed as I sat and meditated by a peaceful lake – knowing that only about a hundred people a year even see this sight. Who was there watching when He established that body of water for His pleasure?
We serve a very creative God. He loves beauty and variety. He has made each lake and stream different. Sometimes we need to just stop and look around at the details that make each scene unique.
I don’t know how close you live to green outdoor areas. Hopefully there are parks or other type places nearby where you can go from time to time. In any case, don’t ever get to the point where the outdoors is just a place to play. Never lose your fascination with the sights, smells, and sounds of the green spaces around you – it speaks volumes to us about who God is.
We must be sensitive to the beauty that is around us. Don’t just take it for granted. Even a small garden can be a place of rest and refreshment in your spirit. Give God thanks today for the glory of His Creation. Be thankful that He allows us to share in the enjoyment of what His hands have done.
Tags: beauty, Bible, Christian, creative, devotion, encouragement, fellowship, glory, God's love, holy worship, joy, lake, outdoors, peaceful, praise, prayer, presence of the lord, refresh, spirit, testimony, thankful, water
2 Peter 1:17-18
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
Peter is remembering back to a time when he and two other apostles received a special revelation up on a mountaintop. Jesus was transfigured before their very eyes, taking on the glory that was His from eternity past. He became robed in the majesty that was His before the foundations of the world were established. Peter calls that place the “sacred mountain.”
Where are your sacred mountains? Where are those special places where God’s Word to you changed your life? With me, I remember kneeling next to a bed at a Christian summer camp. There was also a time where God spoke to me about entering full-time ministry. There have been many such times that I can look back on.
The problem I have is that my memory is so short. It is easy for me to forget these deep encounters with God. Unless I record them, I will eventually lose the impact of my meetings with Him. I need to take the time to record these life-changing moments in my journal.
In yesterday’s post I talked about the need to record things. It is especially true when we have life changing encounters with God. These are times that must be kept for our future. To remind us of what we heard. So that when the trials and challenges come, we will remember why we are taking this road. It keeps us on track, spiritually speaking.
It is important that we find a way to remember these special times. Make sure you keep a journal and record your encounters with the Lord. Years later you will be grateful that you did.
Tags: Bible, changed life, Christ, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, glory, God's faithfulness, God's word, Jesus Christ, journal, journaling, mountain, mountaintop, presence of the lord, remember, revelation, testimony, transfiguration
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
In this verse, Paul is referring to Moses. When he was leading the children of Israel through the desert, they stopped for a while at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Moses went up to meet with God. At one point, upon his return, the people couldn’t look at his face because it shone like the sun.
The glory of God was reflecting off his face. Moses had to wear a veil until things were back to normal. He had an incredible encounter with God, but it eventually faded back to the way it was.
Understand this, the Lord has greater plans for us. The Holy Spirit is working in us to make us like Christ. Each day we are becoming more and more like Him. This is the glory of God in us.
This glory that God is clothing us with is different than that of Moses. First of all, it doesn’t fade. It is a glory that is always on the increase. My prayer in the presence of the Lord is that throughout my life people will see more of Jesus and less of me.
Another aspect of this glory is that we reflect it with unveiled faces. It is not a glory that frightens others and pushes them away. It is the warmth of love and freedom that draws men and women to the cross.
Spend some time in the presence of this glory. Let it continue to do its transforming work in you. Make it your goal to reflect more of His beauty.
Tags: Bible, Christian, Christian witness, cross, devotion, disciple, encouragement, glory, glory of God, God's love, God's will, goodness, Holy Spirit, holy worship, light, Moses, prayer, prepare, presence of the lord, reflect, testimony
The Spirit and the Word 