One thing the world needs to see is good examples. They need to see believers walk in love and purity and faith in their homes, in their schools and in their businesses.
At the place where you work or go to school or just in your neighborhood, people might reject or argue with the words you say. But they'll never refute or forget your acts of love.
Don't let petty sins and spiritual compromises cast a shadow over your example. Live above reproach and let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you.
READ: Romans 12:9-21
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
"He who is faithful in a very little [thing], is faithful also in much."Luke 16:10
Have you ever wanted to take on some really big project in the kingdom of God, but the Lord just wouldn't seem to let you? If so, there's probably a good reason why. Before He sends you on a major mission, He gives you the opportunity to prove you can be trusted with small instructions.
Start today obeying God in the little things. Let Him see that He can trust you out there in a place of much authority. Let Him know you'll be faithful to His Words and to the voice of His Spirit. Once He knows you won't let disobedience wipe you out, He'll start sending bigger assignments your way.
READ: Exodus 16:1-28
Start today obeying God in the little things. Let Him see that He can trust you out there in a place of much authority. Let Him know you'll be faithful to His Words and to the voice of His Spirit. Once He knows you won't let disobedience wipe you out, He'll start sending bigger assignments your way.
READ: Exodus 16:1-28
If you're facing a need, don't panic...plant a seed!
Mark 4:30-32
"And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."
Jesus compares the workings of the kingdom of God to planting seeds in the earth. "When the seed is sown," He said, "it grows up...."Notice He didn't say that it would occasionally grow up. Or it grows up if it's God's will. He said, "It grows up and becomes greater." Period.
God's economy isn't like ours. It isn't up one day and down the other. It's always the same and it always works perfectly. If you have good earth, good seed and good water, you're going to have growth. It's inevitable.
So, if you're facing a need, don't panic...plant a seed!
That seed may take the form of money or time or some other resources you have to give. But, no matter what form it takes, make sure you put life in it by giving it in faith and surrounding it with praise and worship. Say, "Lord, as I bring You my goods, I bring myself. I give myself to You--spirit, soul and body."
Pray over that seed. Fill it with faith, worship and the Word. Then plant it.
You can rest assured--it will grow up and become greater!
READ: Genesis 1:11-31
"And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."
Jesus compares the workings of the kingdom of God to planting seeds in the earth. "When the seed is sown," He said, "it grows up...."Notice He didn't say that it would occasionally grow up. Or it grows up if it's God's will. He said, "It grows up and becomes greater." Period.
God's economy isn't like ours. It isn't up one day and down the other. It's always the same and it always works perfectly. If you have good earth, good seed and good water, you're going to have growth. It's inevitable.
So, if you're facing a need, don't panic...plant a seed!
That seed may take the form of money or time or some other resources you have to give. But, no matter what form it takes, make sure you put life in it by giving it in faith and surrounding it with praise and worship. Say, "Lord, as I bring You my goods, I bring myself. I give myself to You--spirit, soul and body."
Pray over that seed. Fill it with faith, worship and the Word. Then plant it.
You can rest assured--it will grow up and become greater!
READ: Genesis 1:11-31
Sunday, October 31, 2010
HE'S READY TO SPEAK TO YOU.
1 John 2:27
"But the anointing which you have received of [God] abideth in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth."
Have you ever noticed that you are sometimes aware of certain things even before you know what the Word says about them? That's because the Holy Spirit is inside you teaching you the truth. He speaks into your spirit. Then your spirit relays His promptings to your mind. Suddenly, you'll have a new thought. "I need to forgive that person," you'll think, or "I need to stop saying those unkind things."
As you become more aware of the Spirit of God in your everyday affairs, you'll be quicker to hear and obey those promptings. You'll actually get in the habit of allowing the Spirit of Truth to reveal the will of God to you. And, believe me, that's one habit God wants you to have!
Start tuning your ear to His still small voice within you. Honor Him and welcome His guidance into your everyday affairs. Listen for His promptings and be quick to obey. He's ready to speak to you.
READ: John 15:1-15
"But the anointing which you have received of [God] abideth in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth."
Have you ever noticed that you are sometimes aware of certain things even before you know what the Word says about them? That's because the Holy Spirit is inside you teaching you the truth. He speaks into your spirit. Then your spirit relays His promptings to your mind. Suddenly, you'll have a new thought. "I need to forgive that person," you'll think, or "I need to stop saying those unkind things."
As you become more aware of the Spirit of God in your everyday affairs, you'll be quicker to hear and obey those promptings. You'll actually get in the habit of allowing the Spirit of Truth to reveal the will of God to you. And, believe me, that's one habit God wants you to have!
Start tuning your ear to His still small voice within you. Honor Him and welcome His guidance into your everyday affairs. Listen for His promptings and be quick to obey. He's ready to speak to you.
READ: John 15:1-15
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
"THE LORD BRINGS THE COUNSEL OF THE NATIONS TO NAUGHT; HE FRUSTRATE THE PLANS OF THE PEOPLE" PSALM 33:10
You may be facing trouble today that's being caused by people who have wilfully plotted to do you harm. They may be trying to steal your business, your home, your children, or even to destroy your marriage. If so, I have a word of encouragement for you. According to Psalm 33:10, God will bring the plans of those people to nought. He will make their devices of none effect. The counsel of the heathen is
brought to nought, but the counsel of the Lord stands forever!
Remember this: When you make God your stronghold in the time of trouble, no one can overcome you. No matter how powerful they are in the natural, the odds are in your favour because you trust in the Lord. They may think they've got an edge over you, but God is on your side and that gives you the advantage!
READ: Psalm 33:1-10
brought to nought, but the counsel of the Lord stands forever!
Remember this: When you make God your stronghold in the time of trouble, no one can overcome you. No matter how powerful they are in the natural, the odds are in your favour because you trust in the Lord. They may think they've got an edge over you, but God is on your side and that gives you the advantage!
READ: Psalm 33:1-10
Thursday, October 21, 2010
"If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised"Galatians 3:29
One of the problems that hung around me for years was poverty. But I remember the day I decided I wasn't going to be poor anymore. I was reading in the Word where it says that the blessing of Abraham has come upon the Gentiles by Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:14). Then I got down to the twenty-ninth verse where it says, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." Suddenly the truth hit me. I got so excited I could hardly stand myself.
I turned back over to Deuteronomy 28 and--line by line--I read those promised blessings. "Blessed in the city, blessed in the country. Blessed going out, blessed coming in. Blessed in your barns, blessed in your fields, blessed in all the works of your hands." Man, I had struck it rich!
I told Him, "I'm standing on Your Word, and I'm looking to You to take care of me. I'll never ask a man for a dollar." That was many years ago and I never have. You know why? Because that decision connected me to the power of God. It'll do the same for you.
READ: Deuteronomy 28:1-13
I turned back over to Deuteronomy 28 and--line by line--I read those promised blessings. "Blessed in the city, blessed in the country. Blessed going out, blessed coming in. Blessed in your barns, blessed in your fields, blessed in all the works of your hands." Man, I had struck it rich!
I told Him, "I'm standing on Your Word, and I'm looking to You to take care of me. I'll never ask a man for a dollar." That was many years ago and I never have. You know why? Because that decision connected me to the power of God. It'll do the same for you.
READ: Deuteronomy 28:1-13
"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered."John 15:6
If I were to ask you to make a list of a hundred things you need to do to please the Lord today, you could do it, couldn't you? In fact, you probably have so many spiritual "do's" and "don'ts" cluttering up your mind that you'd hardly know where to start.
But you can relax. I'm not going to suggest you make a list of them. Instead, I'm going to help you simplify things by giving you only one: Abide in Jesus.The one thing you're truly responsible for is your union with Him. If you keep your union and fellowship with Him intact, everything else will be taken care of.
Don't fall into the devil's trap. Instead, keep your thoughts and affections trained on the Lord. As you do that, the force of faith will begin to flow out of you. And that flow will repel every form of darkness. It will bring you in triumph through every storm.
Fellowship with Jesus today.
READ: Philippians 3:1-11
But you can relax. I'm not going to suggest you make a list of them. Instead, I'm going to help you simplify things by giving you only one: Abide in Jesus.The one thing you're truly responsible for is your union with Him. If you keep your union and fellowship with Him intact, everything else will be taken care of.
Don't fall into the devil's trap. Instead, keep your thoughts and affections trained on the Lord. As you do that, the force of faith will begin to flow out of you. And that flow will repel every form of darkness. It will bring you in triumph through every storm.
Fellowship with Jesus today.
READ: Philippians 3:1-11
Sunday, October 17, 2010
"I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven:what ever bind on earth shall be bound heaven and whatever loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven
Matthew 16:19
The Greek text of that scripture would literally read, "I give you the keys of the kingdom. Whatever you declare locked on earth is locked in heaven and whatever you declare unlocked on earth is unlocked in the heavenlies."
The heaven Jesus was talking about there isn't the heaven where God resides. He was talking about the battle zone, about the heaven where Satan's forces are operating.
He was telling us that God has given us power to bind the wicked spirits in heavenly places and to loose the angelic powers of God to work in our behalf.
It's up to you and me to begin to intercede right now and use the power God has given us. We may come from different lands with different backgrounds, but we all have one thing in common--Jesus Christ is our Lord. And that alone is enough to alter the spiritual complexion of this earth.
READ: Acts 4:1-14
The Greek text of that scripture would literally read, "I give you the keys of the kingdom. Whatever you declare locked on earth is locked in heaven and whatever you declare unlocked on earth is unlocked in the heavenlies."
The heaven Jesus was talking about there isn't the heaven where God resides. He was talking about the battle zone, about the heaven where Satan's forces are operating.
He was telling us that God has given us power to bind the wicked spirits in heavenly places and to loose the angelic powers of God to work in our behalf.
It's up to you and me to begin to intercede right now and use the power God has given us. We may come from different lands with different backgrounds, but we all have one thing in common--Jesus Christ is our Lord. And that alone is enough to alter the spiritual complexion of this earth.
READ: Acts 4:1-14
Friday, October 15, 2010
The fruits of the Spirit are not weak; they're strong.Learn to yield to them and as 2 Peter 1:10 promised, you shall never fall!
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
So many believers think of the fruit of the Spirit as little more than a
passive list of pleasant qualities that can help improve their personalities. But they're far greater than that! They're pure spiritual power.
Love is so powerful, the scripture says, that it never fails. Patience is so powerful it cannot be stopped. No matter what the circumstances, it will not quit. Temperance is so powerful it can master all the unruly desires of your flesh.
The fruits of the Spirit are not weak; they're strong. So strong all the demons of hell can't stop them. So strong that if you'll let them flow out of you, they'll correct the problems in your life. They'll keep you steadfast when all the people around you are falling down. They'll keep you on your feet when governments fail and when the storms of life come.
We are living in dangerous days. There's only one way you can make it through in victory. You must begin to release those powerful fruits of the Spirit God has placed inside you. Believe me, if you're born again, they are there. Learn to yield to them and as 2 Peter 1:10 promised, you shall never fall!
READ: 2 Peter 1:1-10
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
So many believers think of the fruit of the Spirit as little more than a
passive list of pleasant qualities that can help improve their personalities. But they're far greater than that! They're pure spiritual power.
Love is so powerful, the scripture says, that it never fails. Patience is so powerful it cannot be stopped. No matter what the circumstances, it will not quit. Temperance is so powerful it can master all the unruly desires of your flesh.
The fruits of the Spirit are not weak; they're strong. So strong all the demons of hell can't stop them. So strong that if you'll let them flow out of you, they'll correct the problems in your life. They'll keep you steadfast when all the people around you are falling down. They'll keep you on your feet when governments fail and when the storms of life come.
We are living in dangerous days. There's only one way you can make it through in victory. You must begin to release those powerful fruits of the Spirit God has placed inside you. Believe me, if you're born again, they are there. Learn to yield to them and as 2 Peter 1:10 promised, you shall never fall!
READ: 2 Peter 1:1-10
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Perseverance is the key to success in intercession!
Luke 11:8 "I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence, he will get up and give him as much as he needs."
If, as God tells us in 1 Timothy 2:4, it's His will for all men to be saved, why aren't we seeing more of the masses of lost people born again every day? Have you ever wondered that?
I have...and as I've sought the Lord about it, I've come to realize that, for the most part, it's because those of us who are already saved don't pray persistently for those who aren't. Instead of persevering--staying before the Father, praying for them to receive the bread of salvation--like the man in Luke 11:8 did for his friend, when we don't see immediate results, we simply give up and go home.
What we don't realize is this: Perseverance is the key to success in intercession!
If you're sitting around waiting on God to save Sekuru Makombo or Uncle Guide or your best friend...stop sitting around! Get busy interceding for them. Persevere in prayer. Pray the prayer in Ephesians 1:16-23 for them, refusing to give up until they're safely inside God's kingdom.
READ: Luke 11:1-10
If, as God tells us in 1 Timothy 2:4, it's His will for all men to be saved, why aren't we seeing more of the masses of lost people born again every day? Have you ever wondered that?
I have...and as I've sought the Lord about it, I've come to realize that, for the most part, it's because those of us who are already saved don't pray persistently for those who aren't. Instead of persevering--staying before the Father, praying for them to receive the bread of salvation--like the man in Luke 11:8 did for his friend, when we don't see immediate results, we simply give up and go home.
What we don't realize is this: Perseverance is the key to success in intercession!
If you're sitting around waiting on God to save Sekuru Makombo or Uncle Guide or your best friend...stop sitting around! Get busy interceding for them. Persevere in prayer. Pray the prayer in Ephesians 1:16-23 for them, refusing to give up until they're safely inside God's kingdom.
READ: Luke 11:1-10
Romans 8:26
"So too the (Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer...but the Spirit Himself...pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance."
As long as you live on this earth, you're going to be saddled with a weakness. What is it? The flesh and blood body you live in. It's a body that's subject to death. A body that's subject to the physical world around you.
Praying in the Spirit by the Holy Spirit applies spirit to flesh. It causes your spirit to rise up and take charge. Just like using barbells strengthens your arms, praying in other tongues strengthens your spirit. You see, your spirit is more powerful than your flesh, and as you give it outflow, the flesh will simply have to yield to it. Renew your commitment to praying in the Spirit today.
READ: Romans 8:14-32
As long as you live on this earth, you're going to be saddled with a weakness. What is it? The flesh and blood body you live in. It's a body that's subject to death. A body that's subject to the physical world around you.
Praying in the Spirit by the Holy Spirit applies spirit to flesh. It causes your spirit to rise up and take charge. Just like using barbells strengthens your arms, praying in other tongues strengthens your spirit. You see, your spirit is more powerful than your flesh, and as you give it outflow, the flesh will simply have to yield to it. Renew your commitment to praying in the Spirit today.
READ: Romans 8:14-32
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
"In the Letter that I wrote you I told you not to associate with immoral people" 1Corithians 5:9
The company you keep has such an influence on your spiritual life Fellowshiping with godly people will help speed you on to victory, while fellowshiping with those who are ungodly will drag you down to defeat That's why the Bible has some things to say about your friends. That's why it tells you to separate yourself from the world. Because evil companions will corrupt you. Now, I'm not talking about ministry. Jesus Himself ministered to sinners. You have to mix with them to preach to them and pray for them. What I'm talking about here are the people you choose for friends. So choose your friends wisely. Fellowship with those who call on the Name of the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22). Expose yourself to their love and peace. Let their faith rub off on you!
READ: 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Monday, October 11, 2010
"So for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God" Matthew 15:6
TB, AIDS' Heart disease. When we think of killer diseases, those are the names that come to mind. But the truth is, there's a far more deadly killer on the loose in the Church today. And it's destroyed more lives than any of us can imagine. It's called
tradition. Traditions rob believers of their healing. They steal the power from the promises of God. Here are three you should beware of:
1. The tradition that says it's not always God's will to heal you.
It is God's will to heal you! It says so in His Word. If you don't believe that it is, then you can't pray in faith believing you'll receive. You're like the farmer who sits on his porch and says, "I believe in crops, but I'm not going to plant any seed this year. I'll just believe, and if it's God's will, my crop will come up." That farmer will never see his crop. Faith is the seed of healing--if you don't plant it, it won't grow. A prayer that includes the words, "If it be thy will" won't produce a healing harvest. You must know without a doubt that healing is always
God's will for you.
2. Another tradition we hear is that healing has passed away. That there are no miracles today. But the Word of God proves that's not true. In Exodus 15:26, God says, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." He also tells us that He does not change (Mal. 3:6). He has never changed since the beginning of time. For healing to pass away, God would have to pass away...and He is not about to do that!
3. The third dangerous tradition is this one: "God gets glory from Christians being sick." That tradition totally violates the Word of God. The Bible says that people gave glory to God when they saw the lame walk and the blind see. God receives glory from your healing--not your pain!
The world is looking for a way out of sickness and disease, not a way into it. Let's break down those traditions and deliver a hurting world from the most dangerous killer of all.
READ: Mark 2:1-12
tradition. Traditions rob believers of their healing. They steal the power from the promises of God. Here are three you should beware of:
1. The tradition that says it's not always God's will to heal you.
It is God's will to heal you! It says so in His Word. If you don't believe that it is, then you can't pray in faith believing you'll receive. You're like the farmer who sits on his porch and says, "I believe in crops, but I'm not going to plant any seed this year. I'll just believe, and if it's God's will, my crop will come up." That farmer will never see his crop. Faith is the seed of healing--if you don't plant it, it won't grow. A prayer that includes the words, "If it be thy will" won't produce a healing harvest. You must know without a doubt that healing is always
God's will for you.
2. Another tradition we hear is that healing has passed away. That there are no miracles today. But the Word of God proves that's not true. In Exodus 15:26, God says, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." He also tells us that He does not change (Mal. 3:6). He has never changed since the beginning of time. For healing to pass away, God would have to pass away...and He is not about to do that!
3. The third dangerous tradition is this one: "God gets glory from Christians being sick." That tradition totally violates the Word of God. The Bible says that people gave glory to God when they saw the lame walk and the blind see. God receives glory from your healing--not your pain!
The world is looking for a way out of sickness and disease, not a way into it. Let's break down those traditions and deliver a hurting world from the most dangerous killer of all.
READ: Mark 2:1-12
Thursday, October 7, 2010
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 16:25
The high life...or the low life? God's kind of life...or the world's kind of life? You can't have them both. It's one or the other. You have to choose.
What will happen to you when you choose God's kind of life? You'll start living the kind of life God describes in Psalm 1. You'll be like "a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in season; your leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever you do shall prosper."
This means your roots will go down so deep that no drought can dry you up and no storm can blow you down. No matter what happens in the world around you, you'll prosper.
READ: Matthew 16:13-26
What will happen to you when you choose God's kind of life? You'll start living the kind of life God describes in Psalm 1. You'll be like "a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in season; your leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever you do shall prosper."
This means your roots will go down so deep that no drought can dry you up and no storm can blow you down. No matter what happens in the world around you, you'll prosper.
READ: Matthew 16:13-26
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
TITHING
Malachi 3:11-12
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land."
God is vitally interested in your finances. He wants to multiply and protect them. But He won't be able to--unless you open the door for Him to do it.
How? Through tithing.
When you tithe, you give God the legal right to intervene in your financial affairs, to bless you richly, and to defend you against the destruction the devil brings. When you tithe, you lay a foundation for success and abundance. You establish deposits with God you can draw on when you need them.
But don't wait until your back is against the wall to start. Begin now. Start developing your faith when things are going well by meditating on the blessing God's Word promises you as a tither. Learn to act on that Word now, and when Satan tries to put you in a financial corner, he'll fail. His power over you financially
will have already been broken. Because you've established yourself on the covenant of God, Satan will have no chance against you. God will rebuke him for your sake.
If you haven't yet opened the door and given God a way into your finances, don't wait any longer. Do it today. Then, when the pressures of tomorrow come, you'll be prepared and protected by the special privileges that are guaranteed to those who tithe.
READ: Hebrews 7:1-9
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land."
God is vitally interested in your finances. He wants to multiply and protect them. But He won't be able to--unless you open the door for Him to do it.
How? Through tithing.
When you tithe, you give God the legal right to intervene in your financial affairs, to bless you richly, and to defend you against the destruction the devil brings. When you tithe, you lay a foundation for success and abundance. You establish deposits with God you can draw on when you need them.
But don't wait until your back is against the wall to start. Begin now. Start developing your faith when things are going well by meditating on the blessing God's Word promises you as a tither. Learn to act on that Word now, and when Satan tries to put you in a financial corner, he'll fail. His power over you financially
will have already been broken. Because you've established yourself on the covenant of God, Satan will have no chance against you. God will rebuke him for your sake.
If you haven't yet opened the door and given God a way into your finances, don't wait any longer. Do it today. Then, when the pressures of tomorrow come, you'll be prepared and protected by the special privileges that are guaranteed to those who tithe.
READ: Hebrews 7:1-9
"In Him was Life and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it."John 1:4-5
Whenever things around you get dark and you feel the devil is about to overpower you, remember this: You have the Light of the world in you, and try as they may, all the forces of hell can't put it out!
Even when you're at your weakest, even when you feel like the light within you is small, the devil's darkness is no match for you.
READ: Ephesians 5:8-16
Even when you're at your weakest, even when you feel like the light within you is small, the devil's darkness is no match for you.
READ: Ephesians 5:8-16
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,
and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Somebody's done you wrong! Sooner or later it happens to all of us. Somewhere along the way, we all get hurt or cheated or lied to or abused. It's as predictable as it is painful. Yet when it happens most of us find ourselves strangely unprepared. In our outrage, we often cry out to God against the one who wronged us. We ask for justice, or even vengeance, and end up making things tougher on everyone
involved--including ourselves.
Crying out for the vengeance of God to strike like a lightning bolt when somebody does us wrong isn't acting like our Father. Remember God has great, great mercy. Not just for me and you, but for everyone!
Next time someone causes you pain, put the power of love to work for you.
READ: Matthew 6:6-15
and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Somebody's done you wrong! Sooner or later it happens to all of us. Somewhere along the way, we all get hurt or cheated or lied to or abused. It's as predictable as it is painful. Yet when it happens most of us find ourselves strangely unprepared. In our outrage, we often cry out to God against the one who wronged us. We ask for justice, or even vengeance, and end up making things tougher on everyone
involved--including ourselves.
Crying out for the vengeance of God to strike like a lightning bolt when somebody does us wrong isn't acting like our Father. Remember God has great, great mercy. Not just for me and you, but for everyone!
Next time someone causes you pain, put the power of love to work for you.
READ: Matthew 6:6-15
"Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ, the Messiah, [as] risen from the dead."2 Timothy 2:8
This is the key to holding onto the blessings of God. When pressure comes, when troubles and trials are bearing down on you, remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead!
Remember that when Jesus arose, you arose. When He came out of hell and defeated the enemy, you came out of hell and defeated the enemy. His victory is your victory because you're in Him.
READ: Hebrews 12:1-13
Remember that when Jesus arose, you arose. When He came out of hell and defeated the enemy, you came out of hell and defeated the enemy. His victory is your victory because you're in Him.
READ: Hebrews 12:1-13
Monday, October 4, 2010
"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Under the circumstances... Have you ever caught yourself using this phrase? "I suppose I'm doing pretty well under the circumstances."
If you've ever said something like that, I want you to kick those words out of your vocabulary right now. Because you, as a victorious child of God, don't have any business living your life "under" your circumstances. You don't have any business letting problems and situations rule over you.
READ: Colossians 1:9-15
If you've ever said something like that, I want you to kick those words out of your vocabulary right now. Because you, as a victorious child of God, don't have any business living your life "under" your circumstances. You don't have any business letting problems and situations rule over you.
READ: Colossians 1:9-15
Friday, October 1, 2010
"These things I command you, that ye love one another." John 15:17
In Luke 6:47-48, Jesus said:
"Whosoever comes to me, and hear my sayings, and do them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."
That's probably a familiar scripture to you. But today I want you to do something new with it. I want you to put it together with what Jesus said in John 15:17:
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Love. That one word sums up all Jesus said for us to do. If you'll build your life on it, even the most violent storms of this world will be unable to shake you. It will make you solid in every area of your life.
If you'll build your family on love, you can win back those the devil has stolen from you. You can win them to Jesus with the love of God.
When love rules, prosperity can flow! Commit to living the life of love today. Commit to building your house upon the rock. Then when the storms of life begin to blow--at home, at work, or in any situation--you can enjoy the solid security of knowing that love never fails.
READ: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
"Whosoever comes to me, and hear my sayings, and do them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."
That's probably a familiar scripture to you. But today I want you to do something new with it. I want you to put it together with what Jesus said in John 15:17:
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Love. That one word sums up all Jesus said for us to do. If you'll build your life on it, even the most violent storms of this world will be unable to shake you. It will make you solid in every area of your life.
If you'll build your family on love, you can win back those the devil has stolen from you. You can win them to Jesus with the love of God.
When love rules, prosperity can flow! Commit to living the life of love today. Commit to building your house upon the rock. Then when the storms of life begin to blow--at home, at work, or in any situation--you can enjoy the solid security of knowing that love never fails.
READ: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Thursday, September 30, 2010
1 Timothy 2:1-2
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
That verse is clear, isn't it? The instruction is plain. Yet even in these
tumultuous days when our nation is so desperately in need of God's guidance, most of God's people don't do what that verse commands.
Why not?
I believe it's because most of us are overwhelmed by the problems we see around us. "How could my prayers make a dent in the national debt?" we think. "How could my faith affect foreign policy?"
In other words, we fail to pray because we fail to realize just how powerfully our prayers can affect this country.
It's time we caught hold of that. It's time we realized that if we'd just be obedient to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, there's no council of any kind on earth, no king, no president, no congress, no anything that could overthrow God's purpose for His people.
Pray for your nation (Zimbabwe). Every day. And never again underestimate the
world-changing power of those prayers.
READ: Daniel 2:1-30
That verse is clear, isn't it? The instruction is plain. Yet even in these
tumultuous days when our nation is so desperately in need of God's guidance, most of God's people don't do what that verse commands.
Why not?
I believe it's because most of us are overwhelmed by the problems we see around us. "How could my prayers make a dent in the national debt?" we think. "How could my faith affect foreign policy?"
In other words, we fail to pray because we fail to realize just how powerfully our prayers can affect this country.
It's time we caught hold of that. It's time we realized that if we'd just be obedient to 1 Timothy 2:1-2, there's no council of any kind on earth, no king, no president, no congress, no anything that could overthrow God's purpose for His people.
Pray for your nation (Zimbabwe). Every day. And never again underestimate the
world-changing power of those prayers.
READ: Daniel 2:1-30
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Make a fresh commitment today to walk in union with your God.
1 Corinthians 2:16
"For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct [Him] and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart."
Isn't it exciting to realize that you can hold the thoughts and feelings and purposes of God's very own heart in your heart? Isn't it thrilling to know the Creator of heaven and earth wants to be one spirit with you and transmit His thoughts to your mind?
First Corinthians 6:17 says that when you were joined to the Lord you became one spirit with Him. He came into union with you so that He can talk to you heart to heart. God wants you in this harmony with Him so that His thoughts can become your actions. He wants you to walk so closely with Him that you never lack power to
overcome the evil of this world. He wants you to be so in tune with His Spirit that you are able to feel His heart of compassion toward those around you who are hurting or bowed down with sickness and pain. He wants to be one with you, so He can reach out through your hands and fulfill His purposes in the earth.
Make a fresh commitment today to walk in union with your God.
Give your attention to His Spirit in your inner man. Determine to yield to His voice and not to the voices of the world or the flesh!
READ: 1 Corinthians 2
"For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct [Him] and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ, the Messiah, and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart."
Isn't it exciting to realize that you can hold the thoughts and feelings and purposes of God's very own heart in your heart? Isn't it thrilling to know the Creator of heaven and earth wants to be one spirit with you and transmit His thoughts to your mind?
First Corinthians 6:17 says that when you were joined to the Lord you became one spirit with Him. He came into union with you so that He can talk to you heart to heart. God wants you in this harmony with Him so that His thoughts can become your actions. He wants you to walk so closely with Him that you never lack power to
overcome the evil of this world. He wants you to be so in tune with His Spirit that you are able to feel His heart of compassion toward those around you who are hurting or bowed down with sickness and pain. He wants to be one with you, so He can reach out through your hands and fulfill His purposes in the earth.
Make a fresh commitment today to walk in union with your God.
Give your attention to His Spirit in your inner man. Determine to yield to His voice and not to the voices of the world or the flesh!
READ: 1 Corinthians 2
Monday, September 27, 2010
"And hope does not ashamed us; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5
Don't ever worry about not having enough love inside you. The Word says God's love is shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost. God's love is in you. What you need to do is make a decision to let it flow.
Pray this prayer today.
"In Jesus' Name, I make a fresh and strong commitment today to live the life of love, to let the tenderness of God flow through me and heal the wounded hearts of those I meet.
"Father, teach me to love even when things go wrong. To be patient and kind when the children are underfoot. To overlook the spiteful words of an angry spouse. To rejoice when someone at the office gets the raise that I thought I needed.
Teach me to talk in love, to lay gossip quietly aside and to take up words of grace instead."Lord, Your Word says that Your love is already inside me...that it
has been shed abroad in my heart. So today, I resolve to remove every obstacle that would keep that love from flowing freely into the lives of others. I put resentments behind me, and I forgive all those who've done me wrong.
"In the days ahead, cause me to increase and excel and overflow with Your love. Cause me to be what this world needs most of all...a living example of love. Amen."
READ: 1 John 4:7-17
Pray this prayer today.
"In Jesus' Name, I make a fresh and strong commitment today to live the life of love, to let the tenderness of God flow through me and heal the wounded hearts of those I meet.
"Father, teach me to love even when things go wrong. To be patient and kind when the children are underfoot. To overlook the spiteful words of an angry spouse. To rejoice when someone at the office gets the raise that I thought I needed.
Teach me to talk in love, to lay gossip quietly aside and to take up words of grace instead."Lord, Your Word says that Your love is already inside me...that it
has been shed abroad in my heart. So today, I resolve to remove every obstacle that would keep that love from flowing freely into the lives of others. I put resentments behind me, and I forgive all those who've done me wrong.
"In the days ahead, cause me to increase and excel and overflow with Your love. Cause me to be what this world needs most of all...a living example of love. Amen."
READ: 1 John 4:7-17
Friday, September 24, 2010
Don't just read the Word. Meditate on it today.
Genesis 15:5-6
"And [God] brought [Abram] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."
Do you ever have trouble believing the Word of God? Not just agreeing with it mentally, but really believing that what it says will work for you?
I do. There are times when the promises in the Word stagger my mind. There have been times when I've felt so defeated and the circumstances around me looked so bad that it was tough for me to believe I was "
more than a conqueror" even though I knew God said I was.What do you do when your mind staggers like that at the promise of God? You meditate on that promise.
Scriptural meditation simply means thinking about and reflecting on the Word of God. It means pondering a particular scripture and mentally applying it to your own circumstances again and again until that scripture permanently marks your consciousness.
Don't just read the Word. Meditate on it today.
READ: Romans 4:13-25
"And [God] brought [Abram] forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."
Do you ever have trouble believing the Word of God? Not just agreeing with it mentally, but really believing that what it says will work for you?
I do. There are times when the promises in the Word stagger my mind. There have been times when I've felt so defeated and the circumstances around me looked so bad that it was tough for me to believe I was "
more than a conqueror" even though I knew God said I was.What do you do when your mind staggers like that at the promise of God? You meditate on that promise.
Scriptural meditation simply means thinking about and reflecting on the Word of God. It means pondering a particular scripture and mentally applying it to your own circumstances again and again until that scripture permanently marks your consciousness.
Don't just read the Word. Meditate on it today.
READ: Romans 4:13-25
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Let God's Word be your watch
Psalm 141:3 "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
Do you really believe that you need to watch over your mouth? Most believers don't. You can tell that just by listening to their conversations. They profess, for example, to be trusting God concerning their health. But you're likely to hear them say something like this: "I'm just sure I'm going to get the flu. I get it every year. I'll be sicker than a dog too, you'll see...."
Make the decision right now to set a watch over your lips. Determine to consistently fill your mouth with the Word of God. "Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings" (Prov. 4:20). Let God's Word be your watch and everything you say will take you a little further upstream!
READ: Romans 10:8-17
Do you really believe that you need to watch over your mouth? Most believers don't. You can tell that just by listening to their conversations. They profess, for example, to be trusting God concerning their health. But you're likely to hear them say something like this: "I'm just sure I'm going to get the flu. I get it every year. I'll be sicker than a dog too, you'll see...."
Make the decision right now to set a watch over your lips. Determine to consistently fill your mouth with the Word of God. "Attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings" (Prov. 4:20). Let God's Word be your watch and everything you say will take you a little further upstream!
READ: Romans 10:8-17
"Behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
Did you know that Jesus has unlocked the prison doors of guilt that have kept you captive? It doesn't matter who you are or what you've been. I don't care if you've been a prostitute, a murderer, a thief, a drug dealer, or a churchgoer who's never made Jesus Christ Lord of your life. The Bible says that today is the day of salvation.
A new life is only a prayer away.
Mary and I discovered that for ourselves more than 10 years ago. Actually, it was Mary who took the first step. She found out that the Bible said that not even a sparrow falls without God's knowledge. "Well," she thought, "if God knows and cares when the sparrows fall, He must know what terrible shape my life is in right now. And if He cares, maybe He can do something with it."
Mary didn't know anything about the Bible. She didn't even know for sure that God would let her start over. But when she told Him she wanted Him to take over her life, something supernatural happened on the inside of her. She was born again.
"But what about my past?" you may say. "I feel so guilty about it!"
When you've been born again and made a new creature in Christ--that past doesn't belong to you anymore. And it would be ridiculous to walk around feeling guilty about someone else's past, wouldn't it?
What would you think if I took a little baby on my lap, a pretty little thing just a few months old, and said, "Oh, isn't she precious? But just think about her past."
You'd think I was crazy! "What past?" you'd say. "She doesn't have any past!"
Well, it's the same way with you once you've been born again. You don't have any past. Your life begins again the day you make Jesus Lord of your life. Then, when Satan comes around trying to remind you of what a worm you were before, just tell him he's knocking on the wrong door.
You've been kicked around long enough. There's no need to wait any longer. The prison door is open. Walk through to Jesus and let your life begin again today.
READ: Matthew 10:29-33
A new life is only a prayer away.
Mary and I discovered that for ourselves more than 10 years ago. Actually, it was Mary who took the first step. She found out that the Bible said that not even a sparrow falls without God's knowledge. "Well," she thought, "if God knows and cares when the sparrows fall, He must know what terrible shape my life is in right now. And if He cares, maybe He can do something with it."
Mary didn't know anything about the Bible. She didn't even know for sure that God would let her start over. But when she told Him she wanted Him to take over her life, something supernatural happened on the inside of her. She was born again.
"But what about my past?" you may say. "I feel so guilty about it!"
When you've been born again and made a new creature in Christ--that past doesn't belong to you anymore. And it would be ridiculous to walk around feeling guilty about someone else's past, wouldn't it?
What would you think if I took a little baby on my lap, a pretty little thing just a few months old, and said, "Oh, isn't she precious? But just think about her past."
You'd think I was crazy! "What past?" you'd say. "She doesn't have any past!"
Well, it's the same way with you once you've been born again. You don't have any past. Your life begins again the day you make Jesus Lord of your life. Then, when Satan comes around trying to remind you of what a worm you were before, just tell him he's knocking on the wrong door.
You've been kicked around long enough. There's no need to wait any longer. The prison door is open. Walk through to Jesus and let your life begin again today.
READ: Matthew 10:29-33
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41
Have you ever been frustrated with the weaknesses of your flesh?
Have you ever resolved never more to yield to a particular sin, yet when the temptation came, you fell right back into it? It's happened to all of us. Even the disciple Peter. He swore he would never deny Jesus...but he did it anyway, time and time and time again.
There is, however, something we can do to keep from falling prey to temptations like that. We can "watch and pray." That's what Jesus told Peter and the other disciples to do in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew they were about to be tempted, and He knew that the weakness of their flesh would overcome them if they didn't strengthen
their spirits through prayer.
So, He's given us the ability to pray in other tongues, to strengthen our spirit and build it up until it takes ascendancy over our flesh. As we pray in the Spirit, Romans 8:26 tells us, the "(Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf".
READ: Matthew 26:30-44
Have you ever resolved never more to yield to a particular sin, yet when the temptation came, you fell right back into it? It's happened to all of us. Even the disciple Peter. He swore he would never deny Jesus...but he did it anyway, time and time and time again.
There is, however, something we can do to keep from falling prey to temptations like that. We can "watch and pray." That's what Jesus told Peter and the other disciples to do in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew they were about to be tempted, and He knew that the weakness of their flesh would overcome them if they didn't strengthen
their spirits through prayer.
So, He's given us the ability to pray in other tongues, to strengthen our spirit and build it up until it takes ascendancy over our flesh. As we pray in the Spirit, Romans 8:26 tells us, the "(Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf".
READ: Matthew 26:30-44
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
His mercy surrounds me even today!
Psalm 136:1
"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endured
forever."
God's mercy endures forever! His willingness to act on man's behalf is still operating in the earth. His mercy never runs out. Neither has it abated or weakened.
It has been thousands of years since the Lord said His mercy extended to a thousand generations, and His mercy continues to reach you day after day. He is still plenteous in mercy unto them that call upon Him. With your spirit, dare to stretch your faith to take in the boundless mercy of God. And say with your mouth, "The Lord He is good and His mercy endured forever. His mercy surrounds me even today!"
READ: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14
"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endured
forever."
God's mercy endures forever! His willingness to act on man's behalf is still operating in the earth. His mercy never runs out. Neither has it abated or weakened.
It has been thousands of years since the Lord said His mercy extended to a thousand generations, and His mercy continues to reach you day after day. He is still plenteous in mercy unto them that call upon Him. With your spirit, dare to stretch your faith to take in the boundless mercy of God. And say with your mouth, "The Lord He is good and His mercy endured forever. His mercy surrounds me even today!"
READ: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Lord is looking to see His reflection in your life!
1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
I've been in full time ministry just over 2 years now, and boy, have we had our share of trials and tribulations!
Sometimes when we are in the midst of trials we start to wonder -- Lord, will it ever end? In case you haven't noticed, it doesn't. But the good news is that with each faith-testing experience, our ability to deal with these trials and tribuations becomes better and our faith grows stronger!
In this scripture, God compares our faith to a most precious and beautiful metal -- gold. But when mined, this precious metal doesn't look very precious! It's dirty looking and black. How does gold become beautiful? A refiner takes the gold and carefully melts it in a melting pot -- slowly raising the temperature -- but never to the point where it boils. As it melts, slowly the impurities rise to the surface and he will scoop away the dross leaving a beautiful pot of gold, ready to become your next ring or bracelet. Here's the amazing part. The refiner knows his job is done when he can look into the melting pot and see a reflection of himself.
The only way gold will become more precious is when it's placed on the fire! In the same way, the impurities of our lives must be exposed to the fire so that the Lord can scoop up the filth that shows itself when we get hot!! Notice, though, that He'll never allow us to boil! And then, when it's all said and done, He can look upon us and see the beauty of His reflection!
Please, let's not despise the trials we're facing today -- on the contrary, let's embrace them! The Lord is using these things to prepare us to do great things for Him! Respond to the Lord today by saying what do you want me to learn from this today, Lord? And watch how the Lord blesses you through the fire!
I've been in full time ministry just over 2 years now, and boy, have we had our share of trials and tribulations!
Sometimes when we are in the midst of trials we start to wonder -- Lord, will it ever end? In case you haven't noticed, it doesn't. But the good news is that with each faith-testing experience, our ability to deal with these trials and tribuations becomes better and our faith grows stronger!
In this scripture, God compares our faith to a most precious and beautiful metal -- gold. But when mined, this precious metal doesn't look very precious! It's dirty looking and black. How does gold become beautiful? A refiner takes the gold and carefully melts it in a melting pot -- slowly raising the temperature -- but never to the point where it boils. As it melts, slowly the impurities rise to the surface and he will scoop away the dross leaving a beautiful pot of gold, ready to become your next ring or bracelet. Here's the amazing part. The refiner knows his job is done when he can look into the melting pot and see a reflection of himself.
The only way gold will become more precious is when it's placed on the fire! In the same way, the impurities of our lives must be exposed to the fire so that the Lord can scoop up the filth that shows itself when we get hot!! Notice, though, that He'll never allow us to boil! And then, when it's all said and done, He can look upon us and see the beauty of His reflection!
Please, let's not despise the trials we're facing today -- on the contrary, let's embrace them! The Lord is using these things to prepare us to do great things for Him! Respond to the Lord today by saying what do you want me to learn from this today, Lord? And watch how the Lord blesses you through the fire!
Be willing to eat the good of the land!
Isaiah 1:19
"If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces."
A healthy body. Enough money to pay all your bills and extra to invest in the work of the gospel. A godly marriage and happy, healthy children. Peace of mind. God has prepared a banquet full of blessings for you.
But those blessings are not just going to fall in your lap. You must be willing as well as obedient if you're going to eat the best from God's table.
So, be willing!
Don't be willing for Satan to put sickness on your body. Be willing, instead, to be well! In honor of Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary, refuse to accept anything less than divine health.
Don't be willing to live in lack, but be willing instead to live in divine prosperity and abundance. Refuse to allow Satan to stop the flow of God's financial blessings to you.
Be willing to receive God's best plan for your marriage and your children. Don't settle for the "norm" in the world. Live above it in a home full of love and harmony, a home that is what God meant it to be.
Don't allow Satan to substitute anxiety and ulcers for the peace and undisturbedness that Jesus bought for you. Be willing and obedient to cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.Refuse to be robbed of the banquet of blessings that have belonged to you since you became a believer. Be willing to eat the good of the land!
READ: Deuteronomy 8:5-20
"If you will only obey me, you will eat the good things the land produces."
A healthy body. Enough money to pay all your bills and extra to invest in the work of the gospel. A godly marriage and happy, healthy children. Peace of mind. God has prepared a banquet full of blessings for you.
But those blessings are not just going to fall in your lap. You must be willing as well as obedient if you're going to eat the best from God's table.
So, be willing!
Don't be willing for Satan to put sickness on your body. Be willing, instead, to be well! In honor of Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary, refuse to accept anything less than divine health.
Don't be willing to live in lack, but be willing instead to live in divine prosperity and abundance. Refuse to allow Satan to stop the flow of God's financial blessings to you.
Be willing to receive God's best plan for your marriage and your children. Don't settle for the "norm" in the world. Live above it in a home full of love and harmony, a home that is what God meant it to be.
Don't allow Satan to substitute anxiety and ulcers for the peace and undisturbedness that Jesus bought for you. Be willing and obedient to cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.Refuse to be robbed of the banquet of blessings that have belonged to you since you became a believer. Be willing to eat the good of the land!
READ: Deuteronomy 8:5-20
Death!
Hebrews 2:9"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." Death. It's not a popular topic--even among believers. In fact, a great many are just plain scared of it. Oh yes, they talk about having eternal life. Yet when the devil tries to threaten their earthly survival with sickness or calamity, they panic. Why? Because they haven't learned to look at death through God's eyes. Even though their spirit has been made immortal, they haven't renewed their minds to include that truth. If they had, when the devil tried to push their panic button, they'd just laugh and say, "You can't scare me, devil. I've done all the dying I'm ever going to do!" That's true, you know. The Word of God says that you, as a born-again believer, are never going to see death (John 8:51). Jesus has been your substitute. He suffered death, so you wouldn't have to. And when He was raised, Hebrews 2:14-15 says, "He destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And delivered them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
READ: Hebrews 2:9-15
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Courage comes from faith!
Joshua 1:9
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for I the Lord your God , am with you wherever you go."
Courage comes from trusting God. It can't be mentally drummed up. It comes from believing what God says regardless of what the circumstances look like. Courage comes from faith!Where does discouragement come from? From fear and unbelief.
It comes when you listen to the devil's lies about what God is not going to do for you.
As the people of God, you and I must shake off discouragement and rise up with courage! We must quit looking at our own abilities and failures and limitations and start looking to God. We must rise up in the Name of Jesus and the power of His Spirit and establish the kingdom of heaven upon earth.
If you've been discouraged lately, stop listening to Satan's lies. Stop receiving evil reports. Whenever someone tells you God is not going to deliver you, just tell them, "He's already delivered me in the Name of Jesus."
Once you begin to realize who you are and what you've been given by the power of God, you'll quit letting the devil run all over you. God didn't suggest that you be strong and courageous. That is His command!
READ: Joshua 1:1-9
"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for I the Lord your God , am with you wherever you go."
Courage comes from trusting God. It can't be mentally drummed up. It comes from believing what God says regardless of what the circumstances look like. Courage comes from faith!Where does discouragement come from? From fear and unbelief.
It comes when you listen to the devil's lies about what God is not going to do for you.
As the people of God, you and I must shake off discouragement and rise up with courage! We must quit looking at our own abilities and failures and limitations and start looking to God. We must rise up in the Name of Jesus and the power of His Spirit and establish the kingdom of heaven upon earth.
If you've been discouraged lately, stop listening to Satan's lies. Stop receiving evil reports. Whenever someone tells you God is not going to deliver you, just tell them, "He's already delivered me in the Name of Jesus."
Once you begin to realize who you are and what you've been given by the power of God, you'll quit letting the devil run all over you. God didn't suggest that you be strong and courageous. That is His command!
READ: Joshua 1:1-9
Friday, September 17, 2010
Believe, confess and receive your miracle today.
Romans 10:10
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Do you need a miracle? Then believe it, confess it and receive it!If you don't have enough faith yet to believe for the miracle you need, then you can get it. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). So start filling the ears of your heart with the Word until faith for your miracle is born.
That's what the woman did who had the issue of blood. She believed in her heart that Jesus would heal her. Then she spoke her faith out loud. Then she acted on that faith--and she received her miracle.
It wasn't Jesus' decision. He didn't suddenly say, "You know, I think I'll work a miracle for that little lady today." No. She made it happen. She took her faith and drew on the power of God. That's why Jesus said, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole" (Matt. 9:22).
You have that same opportunity. God's power is always present everywhere. Your faith will bring it into your life, body or circumstances. So reach out to Jesus. Believe, confess and receive your miracle today.
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 9:18-31
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
Do you need a miracle? Then believe it, confess it and receive it!If you don't have enough faith yet to believe for the miracle you need, then you can get it. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). So start filling the ears of your heart with the Word until faith for your miracle is born.
That's what the woman did who had the issue of blood. She believed in her heart that Jesus would heal her. Then she spoke her faith out loud. Then she acted on that faith--and she received her miracle.
It wasn't Jesus' decision. He didn't suddenly say, "You know, I think I'll work a miracle for that little lady today." No. She made it happen. She took her faith and drew on the power of God. That's why Jesus said, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole" (Matt. 9:22).
You have that same opportunity. God's power is always present everywhere. Your faith will bring it into your life, body or circumstances. So reach out to Jesus. Believe, confess and receive your miracle today.
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 9:18-31
Thursday, September 16, 2010
feast your eyes on this!
Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Solomon wrote, "a merry heart has a continual feast!" But why does it seem like so many of us are not feasting? How do we maintain a merry heart?
Too often, we brood and complain over all the things we lack. Somehow we've come to believe that if good things would only come our way, we'd be truly happy. But it's not good things that bring a merry heart - it's living a life of wholehearted faith!
Paul said that he was content both in want and in plenty! Mathew Henry said, "Discontent is a sin that is its own punishment and makes men torment themselves; it makes the spirit sad, the body sick, and all the enjoyments sour; it is the heaviness of the heart and the rottenness of the bones." A third-century man penned these last words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them."
Lord, help us not to focus on the worldly things we lack. Help us to master our souls and overcome the world. We want to be men and women of GREAT FAITH! Lord, you have come that Your joy would remain in us, and that our joy would remain FULL! Help us to experience the full joy you have for us today! In Jesus Name we pray!
Please, let's begin feasting and filling our spiritual bellies with the His Word! Let's make our mouths to be filled with His praise! The joy of the Lord is our strength!
Solomon wrote, "a merry heart has a continual feast!" But why does it seem like so many of us are not feasting? How do we maintain a merry heart?
Too often, we brood and complain over all the things we lack. Somehow we've come to believe that if good things would only come our way, we'd be truly happy. But it's not good things that bring a merry heart - it's living a life of wholehearted faith!
Paul said that he was content both in want and in plenty! Mathew Henry said, "Discontent is a sin that is its own punishment and makes men torment themselves; it makes the spirit sad, the body sick, and all the enjoyments sour; it is the heaviness of the heart and the rottenness of the bones." A third-century man penned these last words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them."
Lord, help us not to focus on the worldly things we lack. Help us to master our souls and overcome the world. We want to be men and women of GREAT FAITH! Lord, you have come that Your joy would remain in us, and that our joy would remain FULL! Help us to experience the full joy you have for us today! In Jesus Name we pray!
Please, let's begin feasting and filling our spiritual bellies with the His Word! Let's make our mouths to be filled with His praise! The joy of the Lord is our strength!
Put the power of words to work for you.
Proverbs 18:21
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Words are serious business. And, as believers, we need to get serious about learning how to use them. We need to begin to put them to work for us like God Himself does. The Bible tells us that He uses words to "call those things which be not as though they were" (Rom. 4:17).
Most of us don't have the faintest idea how to do that. We've spent our Lives "telling it like it is." We've constantly used our mouths to report on the sorry state of affairs around us. Thus, the very thought of calling "things which be not as though they were" seems a little crazy.
"You mean I'm supposed to say, 'I'm healed' when I'm feeling sick? I'm supposed to say, 'I'm prosperous' when I'm penniless?" we say. "That sounds like lying to me."
No, no. There's a vast difference between lying and speaking by faith. A lie is meant to deceive someone. It's designed to make someone believe something that's not true. But to speak by faith is simply to speak words that agree with the Word of God instead of the circumstances around you. It's speaking from your spirit instead of from your mind.
Begin today bringing both your tongue and your heart in line with the Word. Stop "telling it like it is" and start speaking and believing the promises of God. Put the power of words to work for you.
READ: Proverbs 15
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
Words are serious business. And, as believers, we need to get serious about learning how to use them. We need to begin to put them to work for us like God Himself does. The Bible tells us that He uses words to "call those things which be not as though they were" (Rom. 4:17).
Most of us don't have the faintest idea how to do that. We've spent our Lives "telling it like it is." We've constantly used our mouths to report on the sorry state of affairs around us. Thus, the very thought of calling "things which be not as though they were" seems a little crazy.
"You mean I'm supposed to say, 'I'm healed' when I'm feeling sick? I'm supposed to say, 'I'm prosperous' when I'm penniless?" we say. "That sounds like lying to me."
No, no. There's a vast difference between lying and speaking by faith. A lie is meant to deceive someone. It's designed to make someone believe something that's not true. But to speak by faith is simply to speak words that agree with the Word of God instead of the circumstances around you. It's speaking from your spirit instead of from your mind.
Begin today bringing both your tongue and your heart in line with the Word. Stop "telling it like it is" and start speaking and believing the promises of God. Put the power of words to work for you.
READ: Proverbs 15
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Don't do that. Be patient. Give the Word time to do its work.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt...talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. ...and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes."
One of the reasons Mary and I have seen the results we have in our lives is because when we realized what the Word of God would do, we literally immersed ourselves in it. We turned off the radio and television, we put down the newspaper, and spent nearly every waking moment of the time available either reading the Word, listening to tapes on the Word, or thinking about the Word.
All that time in the Word eventually had a powerful effect on us. It began to revolutionize everything about us. It began to turn failure into success.
All that didn't happen overnight, however. It took time. A great many believers don't realize that. They start out devoting themselves to the Word, but they make the mistake of expecting instant, miraculous results, and when they don't see them, they get disappointed and fall away.
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt...talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. ...and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes."
One of the reasons Mary and I have seen the results we have in our lives is because when we realized what the Word of God would do, we literally immersed ourselves in it. We turned off the radio and television, we put down the newspaper, and spent nearly every waking moment of the time available either reading the Word, listening to tapes on the Word, or thinking about the Word.
All that time in the Word eventually had a powerful effect on us. It began to revolutionize everything about us. It began to turn failure into success.
All that didn't happen overnight, however. It took time. A great many believers don't realize that. They start out devoting themselves to the Word, but they make the mistake of expecting instant, miraculous results, and when they don't see them, they get disappointed and fall away.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Proverbs 17:14
"The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarrelling breaks out."
Throughout the Scriptures, God warns us about the danger of strife. Yet, it's still one of the most common problems among believers. We let it get into our homes, our work places, our churches...everywhere! Of course, we don't purposely let it in. We don't wake up in the morning and say, "I think I'm going to stir up some major strife today." We just inadvertently let it slip up on us one minor irritation at a time.
So, I urge you today to take a big stand against those little opportunities for strife. If you have a tendency to let things irritate you, decide to overcome that tendency. Arm yourself against them with the knowledge that this world isn't perfect, that there are people in it that aren't going to be nice to you. There are people who are going to stir you up and annoy you on purpose or by accident.
Make up your mind that, by the power of God, you're not going to let them get your peace. That peace is so important to your well-being. It will keep your body healthy. It will keep your relationships healthy. It will put you in a place where God can guide your steps and save you from some very grave mistakes.
READ: Matthew 5:21-26,43-48
Throughout the Scriptures, God warns us about the danger of strife. Yet, it's still one of the most common problems among believers. We let it get into our homes, our work places, our churches...everywhere! Of course, we don't purposely let it in. We don't wake up in the morning and say, "I think I'm going to stir up some major strife today." We just inadvertently let it slip up on us one minor irritation at a time.
So, I urge you today to take a big stand against those little opportunities for strife. If you have a tendency to let things irritate you, decide to overcome that tendency. Arm yourself against them with the knowledge that this world isn't perfect, that there are people in it that aren't going to be nice to you. There are people who are going to stir you up and annoy you on purpose or by accident.
Make up your mind that, by the power of God, you're not going to let them get your peace. That peace is so important to your well-being. It will keep your body healthy. It will keep your relationships healthy. It will put you in a place where God can guide your steps and save you from some very grave mistakes.
READ: Matthew 5:21-26,43-48
1 Peter 5:6
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Are you ready to be free of care? If you are, just make this confession of faith:
I'm a believer. I'm not a doubter. The Word works in me; and at this moment, I humble myself under the mighty hand of God. I cast all my care over on Him. From this moment forward, I refuse to worry. Instead, I will pray. I will use my faith and believe, and He'll exalt me over the problem and over the devil. For I belong to Jesus and He cares for me!
READ: Psalm 55:16-22
Are you ready to be free of care? If you are, just make this confession of faith:
I'm a believer. I'm not a doubter. The Word works in me; and at this moment, I humble myself under the mighty hand of God. I cast all my care over on Him. From this moment forward, I refuse to worry. Instead, I will pray. I will use my faith and believe, and He'll exalt me over the problem and over the devil. For I belong to Jesus and He cares for me!
READ: Psalm 55:16-22
Friday, September 10, 2010
Let the Word fight its own fight.
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Did you know that the battleground for the problem you're facing right now is in your mind and on your lips? If you'll hit the devil with the Word and cast the care of the situation over on God, you'll win.
Remember this: It's the Word that does the work, not the one holding onto it. It'll work for anybody who'll put it to work. It'll work for you just like it worked for Jesus when He walked the earth.
He told Satan, "It is written!" No matter what the devil tries to tell you, refuse to let go of the Word. Tell him what is written concerning your situation. Let the Word fight its own fight. It'll whip the devil every time.
READ: Psalm 19:7-14
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Did you know that the battleground for the problem you're facing right now is in your mind and on your lips? If you'll hit the devil with the Word and cast the care of the situation over on God, you'll win.
Remember this: It's the Word that does the work, not the one holding onto it. It'll work for anybody who'll put it to work. It'll work for you just like it worked for Jesus when He walked the earth.
He told Satan, "It is written!" No matter what the devil tries to tell you, refuse to let go of the Word. Tell him what is written concerning your situation. Let the Word fight its own fight. It'll whip the devil every time.
READ: Psalm 19:7-14
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Mark 4:24
"And he said unto them, Pay attention to what you hear: The same rules you use to judge others will be used by God to judge you, but even with greater severity."
How many blessings are you going to receive from the Word of God? depends on how many you expect to receive. When God measures them out to you, He'll be using your measuring stick, not His own. He always works that way.
Two people can hear God's Word about healing, for example. One will measure it with faith. "Praise God, by His stripes I was healed!" he'll say. "I believe that with all my heart, and I'm going to keep on believing it until I receive my healing." The other will measure it with skepticism. "I don't care what Bible verses he comes up with," he'll say. "I just don't trust that preacher. I'll give this healing stuff a try, but I doubt very much if anything's going to come of it."
Both of those people will get exactly what they expect. God will measure to them just as they measured the Word. One will get healed...the other won't.
If you want to receive blessings by the bushel load, start going to the Word with a bushel basket. Put a big measure of faith in the hand of God. He'll fill it to overflowing and give it right back to you!
READ: Luke 8:1-18
How many blessings are you going to receive from the Word of God? depends on how many you expect to receive. When God measures them out to you, He'll be using your measuring stick, not His own. He always works that way.
Two people can hear God's Word about healing, for example. One will measure it with faith. "Praise God, by His stripes I was healed!" he'll say. "I believe that with all my heart, and I'm going to keep on believing it until I receive my healing." The other will measure it with skepticism. "I don't care what Bible verses he comes up with," he'll say. "I just don't trust that preacher. I'll give this healing stuff a try, but I doubt very much if anything's going to come of it."
Both of those people will get exactly what they expect. God will measure to them just as they measured the Word. One will get healed...the other won't.
If you want to receive blessings by the bushel load, start going to the Word with a bushel basket. Put a big measure of faith in the hand of God. He'll fill it to overflowing and give it right back to you!
READ: Luke 8:1-18
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
It is vitally important that the Christian face be a smiling face.
Years ago this message was posted on the wall of a prominent department store:
The Value of a Smile
It costs nothing, but creates much.
It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.
It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.
It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign of friends.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Nature's best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away.
And if in the last-minute rush of the day, the person you encounter is too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours?
For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give!
The Value of a Smile
It costs nothing, but creates much.
It enriches those who receive, without impoverishing those who give.
It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
None are so rich they can get along without it, and none so poor but are richer for its benefits.
It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in a business, and is the countersign of friends.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad, and Nature's best antidote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is no earthly good to anybody till it is given away.
And if in the last-minute rush of the day, the person you encounter is too tired to give you a smile, may we ask you to leave one of yours?
For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give!
Develop the love He has hidden in you.
2 John 1:6, "And what this love consists in is this, that we live and walk in
accordance with and guided by His commandments His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching. This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love guided by it and following it."
Quite simply, God says love is keeping His commandments. That brings love out of the indefinite into something explicit. But God has done more than define love for you. He's given you instructions so that you can know how to love as He loves. By giving you His Word, God has given you His love manual in black and white. All you have to do is follow it and you'll be walking in love.
If you've made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, you've already taken the first step of obedience. The love of God has been born within you. But, unless you take steps to develop it, that love will remain hidden within you. Love works in much the same way as the force of faith. Like faith, love becomes active through knowledge of
the Word.
Become love conscious by confessing and acting on God's Word today. As you meditate these scriptures, see yourself living the love life. See yourself walking in accordance with and guided by the commandments of Jesus. Develop the love He has hidden in you.
READ: 1 John 2:3-11
accordance with and guided by His commandments His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching. This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love guided by it and following it."
Quite simply, God says love is keeping His commandments. That brings love out of the indefinite into something explicit. But God has done more than define love for you. He's given you instructions so that you can know how to love as He loves. By giving you His Word, God has given you His love manual in black and white. All you have to do is follow it and you'll be walking in love.
If you've made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, you've already taken the first step of obedience. The love of God has been born within you. But, unless you take steps to develop it, that love will remain hidden within you. Love works in much the same way as the force of faith. Like faith, love becomes active through knowledge of
the Word.
Become love conscious by confessing and acting on God's Word today. As you meditate these scriptures, see yourself living the love life. See yourself walking in accordance with and guided by the commandments of Jesus. Develop the love He has hidden in you.
READ: 1 John 2:3-11
Monday, September 6, 2010
Have a victor mentality!
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
In 2nd Samuel Chapter 9 we read of the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of the first king of Israel, King Saul. After Jonathan's death, David went forth to show kindness to Saul's house. Mephibosheth had become lame at the young age of five -- he had lived his entire life as a cripple. When David calls him forth, Mephibosheth replies "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" His identity was completely based on his disability, when in fact he was the grandson of a king! He had forgotton his royal lineage and was wallowing in self pity. Yet David looked beyond his disability and recognizing who he was, offered him a place at the King's table.
How much time do we spend wallowing in our own self pity, groaning about things with which we struggle daily...so much so that it becomes who we are! The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us focused on our disabilities so that we are distracted from the calling of God on our lives. He wants us to have a "victim mentality". But let's not lose focus of the reality of who we are. In Jesus we are a chosen generation, part of a royal priesthood, and the King has offered us a place at His table! We are heirs of His great throne!!
Guys, in Him, we should have a victor mentality! Press forward -- know who you are in Him and take your rightful seat at the King's Table.
In 2nd Samuel Chapter 9 we read of the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of the first king of Israel, King Saul. After Jonathan's death, David went forth to show kindness to Saul's house. Mephibosheth had become lame at the young age of five -- he had lived his entire life as a cripple. When David calls him forth, Mephibosheth replies "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" His identity was completely based on his disability, when in fact he was the grandson of a king! He had forgotton his royal lineage and was wallowing in self pity. Yet David looked beyond his disability and recognizing who he was, offered him a place at the King's table.
How much time do we spend wallowing in our own self pity, groaning about things with which we struggle daily...so much so that it becomes who we are! The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us focused on our disabilities so that we are distracted from the calling of God on our lives. He wants us to have a "victim mentality". But let's not lose focus of the reality of who we are. In Jesus we are a chosen generation, part of a royal priesthood, and the King has offered us a place at His table! We are heirs of His great throne!!
Guys, in Him, we should have a victor mentality! Press forward -- know who you are in Him and take your rightful seat at the King's Table.
Fight the fight of faith
2 Corinthians 12:7
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me."
The devil has used the traditional teaching of Paul's thorn in the flesh to talk believers out of the blessings of God for years, to try to convince us to settle for everything from sickness to sin--and to do it of our own free will.
It is perhaps the most destructive and the most widely accepted misinterpretation of Scripture that exists in the Body of Christ today. Tradition says that God gave Paul the thorn in the flesh. What's more, tradition makes the thorn into some great
mystery. But the Scripture doesn't say that at all!
It says that the thorn in the flesh was a messenger of Satan. Not God-- Satan! The thorn was quite literally just what Paul says it was--a "messenger sent from Satan."
Don't allow the devil to talk you out of your victory. Throw tradition aside and dare to believe the Word of God. Fight the fight of faith, and just like the Apostle Paul, you will see the salvation of the Lord!
READ: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me."
The devil has used the traditional teaching of Paul's thorn in the flesh to talk believers out of the blessings of God for years, to try to convince us to settle for everything from sickness to sin--and to do it of our own free will.
It is perhaps the most destructive and the most widely accepted misinterpretation of Scripture that exists in the Body of Christ today. Tradition says that God gave Paul the thorn in the flesh. What's more, tradition makes the thorn into some great
mystery. But the Scripture doesn't say that at all!
It says that the thorn in the flesh was a messenger of Satan. Not God-- Satan! The thorn was quite literally just what Paul says it was--a "messenger sent from Satan."
Don't allow the devil to talk you out of your victory. Throw tradition aside and dare to believe the Word of God. Fight the fight of faith, and just like the Apostle Paul, you will see the salvation of the Lord!
READ: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
Life awaits us!
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
There are two kinds of birds that roam the desert: vultures and hummingbirds. The vulture thrives on a diet of rotting meat. He flies overhead searching for traces of leftover carcasses from slow-footed critters eaten by wild animals who’ve already had their fill.
Hummingbirds, on the other hand, will sweep through the desert, passing over all those repulsive, dead animals and seek colorful patches of beautiful wild desert flowers. They will suckle the delicious juices of those sweet desert blossoms and be satisfied.
While vultures look to the dead for their survival, the hummingbird seeks the living! Likewise, some of us unconsciously look to our past with its regrets, failures and sins to keep us alive. We think that somehow by looking back to those dead things, we might find some motivation to keep surviving here and now. But let’s take a lesson from the hummingbird.
Guys, let’s sweep past that which is dead and focus on the sweet new life -- the exciting future that God holds for us as we continue seeking Him and moving forward in our relationship with Him!
There are two kinds of birds that roam the desert: vultures and hummingbirds. The vulture thrives on a diet of rotting meat. He flies overhead searching for traces of leftover carcasses from slow-footed critters eaten by wild animals who’ve already had their fill.
Hummingbirds, on the other hand, will sweep through the desert, passing over all those repulsive, dead animals and seek colorful patches of beautiful wild desert flowers. They will suckle the delicious juices of those sweet desert blossoms and be satisfied.
While vultures look to the dead for their survival, the hummingbird seeks the living! Likewise, some of us unconsciously look to our past with its regrets, failures and sins to keep us alive. We think that somehow by looking back to those dead things, we might find some motivation to keep surviving here and now. But let’s take a lesson from the hummingbird.
Guys, let’s sweep past that which is dead and focus on the sweet new life -- the exciting future that God holds for us as we continue seeking Him and moving forward in our relationship with Him!
Beware!
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Nature provides us with an illustration that closely parallels the insidious tactics employed by our adversary. According to scientists, Artic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. To enjoy such a meal, they sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery. If the hole through which the seal gets his food is near the edge of the ice, the polar bear will take a deep breath and swim under water to its exact location. Remaining below the surface, he will then make a tiny scratching sound, imitating a fish. When the charmed seal hears this, he dives in for a quick supper, only to find himself suddenly entrapped in the huge, hungry embrace of his predator.
God has sent us forth as sheep among the wolves. There are so many theories disguising themselves as Godly. We're hungry for that meal -- but we must be wise enough to make sure it's not a trap! Keep reading and studying the Word of God! Pray and ask Him to reveal His truth.
Guys, the enemy loves to tempt us with a 'treat' so he can devour us! Don't take anyone's word but God's!
Nature provides us with an illustration that closely parallels the insidious tactics employed by our adversary. According to scientists, Artic polar bears feed almost entirely on seals. To enjoy such a meal, they sometimes resort to a cunning bit of trickery. If the hole through which the seal gets his food is near the edge of the ice, the polar bear will take a deep breath and swim under water to its exact location. Remaining below the surface, he will then make a tiny scratching sound, imitating a fish. When the charmed seal hears this, he dives in for a quick supper, only to find himself suddenly entrapped in the huge, hungry embrace of his predator.
God has sent us forth as sheep among the wolves. There are so many theories disguising themselves as Godly. We're hungry for that meal -- but we must be wise enough to make sure it's not a trap! Keep reading and studying the Word of God! Pray and ask Him to reveal His truth.
Guys, the enemy loves to tempt us with a 'treat' so he can devour us! Don't take anyone's word but God's!
Determine to become a Word addict.
1 Corinthians 16:15
"Ye know the house of Stephanas...and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints."
I want you to begin to develop an addiction today--an addiction to the Word of God. That may sound odd to you, especially if you don't have much of an interest in the Word right now. But, believe me, it's possible. I've done it myself and I've seen others do it, time and again.
All you have to do is make a decision to give yourself to it. To focus your time and attention on it. The more you give yourself to it, the more your desire for it will grow. Eventually, it will consume your thinking.
So determine to do that. Determine to become a Word addict. Once you do, you'll
never be willing to live without it again.
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 4:1-12
"Ye know the house of Stephanas...and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints."
I want you to begin to develop an addiction today--an addiction to the Word of God. That may sound odd to you, especially if you don't have much of an interest in the Word right now. But, believe me, it's possible. I've done it myself and I've seen others do it, time and again.
All you have to do is make a decision to give yourself to it. To focus your time and attention on it. The more you give yourself to it, the more your desire for it will grow. Eventually, it will consume your thinking.
So determine to do that. Determine to become a Word addict. Once you do, you'll
never be willing to live without it again.
SCRIPTURE READING: Hebrews 4:1-12
Friday, September 3, 2010
No other can deliver like Him!
Psalms 91:7,10
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."
So, no matter how terrifying things around you seem to get, trust God. He'll always be faithful. He'll never be out doing something else when you need help. He'll be right there to deliver you from any problem, any catastrophe, any kind of devastation.
Let Him prove in your life what He proved in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: No other can deliver like Him!
SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 3
"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."
So, no matter how terrifying things around you seem to get, trust God. He'll always be faithful. He'll never be out doing something else when you need help. He'll be right there to deliver you from any problem, any catastrophe, any kind of devastation.
Let Him prove in your life what He proved in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: No other can deliver like Him!
SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 3
God's grace is sufficient for you!
2 Corinthians 12:9
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
When you run into an impossible situation, a situation you simply don't have the strength or the ability to handle, are you often tempted to simply give up and accept defeat? Don't! Instead shout, "Glory!" because the Word says God's strength is about to be made perfect in you.
So, if you are facing a crisis today
If you're sick and medicine has failed you
If your finances are out of control
If your family is falling apart
If bad habits have you hope-lessly bound
If you've done absolutely all you know to do and you still haven't gotten results
Then rejoice! For when human strength ends, the power of God excels!
Only believe!
God's grace is sufficient for you!
SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 14:1-22
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
When you run into an impossible situation, a situation you simply don't have the strength or the ability to handle, are you often tempted to simply give up and accept defeat? Don't! Instead shout, "Glory!" because the Word says God's strength is about to be made perfect in you.
So, if you are facing a crisis today
If you're sick and medicine has failed you
If your finances are out of control
If your family is falling apart
If bad habits have you hope-lessly bound
If you've done absolutely all you know to do and you still haven't gotten results
Then rejoice! For when human strength ends, the power of God excels!
Only believe!
God's grace is sufficient for you!
SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 14:1-22
The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind."
What would you think if I told you that you could live without fear? Would you believe me if I said that despite what you saw on the news tonight, you could be perfectly at peace? Impossible? Unrealistic? No!
You see, fear isn't just a reaction to external circumstances. It's a spiritual force. It begins inside a person. And it is totally destructive. In fact, fear is Satan's primary weapon. He moves in response to fear, the way God moves in response to faith. He challenges the promises of God with it.
The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Use it to fight Satan every time he comes against you. Hold up your shield of faith and quench all of his fiery darts. Speak words of faith and fear will depart.
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 27
love, and of a sound mind."
What would you think if I told you that you could live without fear? Would you believe me if I said that despite what you saw on the news tonight, you could be perfectly at peace? Impossible? Unrealistic? No!
You see, fear isn't just a reaction to external circumstances. It's a spiritual force. It begins inside a person. And it is totally destructive. In fact, fear is Satan's primary weapon. He moves in response to fear, the way God moves in response to faith. He challenges the promises of God with it.
The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. Use it to fight Satan every time he comes against you. Hold up your shield of faith and quench all of his fiery darts. Speak words of faith and fear will depart.
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 27
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Good news
2 Corinthians 5:19 "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."
Very few unsaved people today have ever really heard the good news. Why? Because too many Christians are busy telling the world God is mad at them. And telling them that they're terrible and wrong. Some call that good news, but it's not, and it's not what God has commissioned us to share.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has cleansed and forgiven and restored to Himself every man, woman and child on the face of this earth. All any of us have to do now is receive that good news. That's the good word God has given us. That's the word we need to share with those who are lost. If we'll do it, I can almost guarantee you, they won't stay lost very long.
SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Corinthians 5:10-21
Very few unsaved people today have ever really heard the good news. Why? Because too many Christians are busy telling the world God is mad at them. And telling them that they're terrible and wrong. Some call that good news, but it's not, and it's not what God has commissioned us to share.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has cleansed and forgiven and restored to Himself every man, woman and child on the face of this earth. All any of us have to do now is receive that good news. That's the good word God has given us. That's the word we need to share with those who are lost. If we'll do it, I can almost guarantee you, they won't stay lost very long.
SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Corinthians 5:10-21
When God speaks, don't waste a moment
James 1:6-8 "He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and
tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you. If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most
hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is "unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides"
When God speaks, don't waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!
SCRIPTURE READING: James 1:1-8
tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you. If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most
hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is "unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides"
When God speaks, don't waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!
SCRIPTURE READING: James 1:1-8
Start possessing your Promised Land!
Numbers 33:51-53 "When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye
shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you...and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it."
God has given you a Promised Land. It's a place flowing with milk and honey, where your every need can be met. A place where you can keep sin underfoot as you rule and reign with Christ. A place where no weapon formed against you will prosper. A place where you are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers--far from oppression.
As you study the Word of God, you'll find that's an accurate description of the kind of victory you should be experiencing in Christ--not in the sweet by-and-by--but right here, right now.
You may say, "Yes, that sounds nice in theory, but I'm dealing with reality here. The rent is due, and all I see is sickness, oppression and fear. This doesn't look like much of a Promised Land to me."
Are you still letting the devil live there? He's not just going to pack up and go home, you know, just because God has promised you victory. You have to kick him out.
Don't let him dwell in your territory. Force him to pack up and go home. Start possessing your Promised Land!
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 16:17-18; James 5:7-9
shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you...and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it."
God has given you a Promised Land. It's a place flowing with milk and honey, where your every need can be met. A place where you can keep sin underfoot as you rule and reign with Christ. A place where no weapon formed against you will prosper. A place where you are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers--far from oppression.
As you study the Word of God, you'll find that's an accurate description of the kind of victory you should be experiencing in Christ--not in the sweet by-and-by--but right here, right now.
You may say, "Yes, that sounds nice in theory, but I'm dealing with reality here. The rent is due, and all I see is sickness, oppression and fear. This doesn't look like much of a Promised Land to me."
Are you still letting the devil live there? He's not just going to pack up and go home, you know, just because God has promised you victory. You have to kick him out.
Don't let him dwell in your territory. Force him to pack up and go home. Start possessing your Promised Land!
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 16:17-18; James 5:7-9
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Don't lose sight of the source!
Luke 17:15,16 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
In ancient times, lepers were social outcasts because of their highly contagious disease. In this passage, ten lepers came to Jesus begging for mercy and He graciously healed them.
Can you imagine? These lepers had an awful disease. Their bodies were slowly deteriorating -- and worse, they were shunned from their friends and family and forced to live in a community of only those who were too withering away. Suddenly merciful Jesus comes along and "poof!" the sickness leaves them! How life changing! These people must have been overjoyed! Now they could go back to their families, their homes, their communities and live normal lives!
But as I reread this story today something struck me. Only one of them returned to thank the Lord! But how often do we do the same? We get so focused on our blessing and forget about the One who gave it!
Just as the Samaritan returned to Jesus to thank and worship Him who had redeemed his life, we too must thank God -- for every good and perfect gift comes from Him and He deserves all the honor and the glory! And as a matter of fact, one of the cornerstones of effective prayer is entering His gates with thanksgiving and praise. Let's start thanking God for all His goodness toward us!
So, it's easy to get caught up in the blessing -- God has given us so much! But let’s be sure that we make daily habit of thanking God first!
In ancient times, lepers were social outcasts because of their highly contagious disease. In this passage, ten lepers came to Jesus begging for mercy and He graciously healed them.
Can you imagine? These lepers had an awful disease. Their bodies were slowly deteriorating -- and worse, they were shunned from their friends and family and forced to live in a community of only those who were too withering away. Suddenly merciful Jesus comes along and "poof!" the sickness leaves them! How life changing! These people must have been overjoyed! Now they could go back to their families, their homes, their communities and live normal lives!
But as I reread this story today something struck me. Only one of them returned to thank the Lord! But how often do we do the same? We get so focused on our blessing and forget about the One who gave it!
Just as the Samaritan returned to Jesus to thank and worship Him who had redeemed his life, we too must thank God -- for every good and perfect gift comes from Him and He deserves all the honor and the glory! And as a matter of fact, one of the cornerstones of effective prayer is entering His gates with thanksgiving and praise. Let's start thanking God for all His goodness toward us!
So, it's easy to get caught up in the blessing -- God has given us so much! But let’s be sure that we make daily habit of thanking God first!
stand strong!
Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
An official of a mission board, who knew it takes more than just desire to make a missionary, was appointed to examine a candidate for the mission field. He told the young man to be at his house at six o'clock in the morning. The young man complied and arrived a six o'clock sharp. The examiner kept him sitting alone in the room until ten. Then he finally came in and said abruptly, " Young man, can you write your name? A little taken aback by the simplicity of his question, the man paused. Before he could get a word out, the examiner blurted, "What, you don't know what it is?" The mission board official put him through a series of questions of that nature and then went to report to the mission board.
"Okay," he said, "he will do." I tried his patience for hours and hours and he did not break down; Then I insulted him and he did not lose his temper. This candidate answered with patience, fortitude, and gentleness. His faith was vindicated by the very quality of his character. He will make a good missionary."
Whether we realize it or not -- we all are in the mission field. Our patience is bound to be tested in ways we've never imagined and we'll most likely find it unfair and unkind at times. But standing strong in the Lord in the face of offensive treatment and enduring seasons of long-suffering is a testimony in and of itself -- and that will win souls!
So, are you weary from the walk? Get your second wind! Count it all joy! You have endured much and you will see victory! Not only here on earth but when we meet the Lord!
An official of a mission board, who knew it takes more than just desire to make a missionary, was appointed to examine a candidate for the mission field. He told the young man to be at his house at six o'clock in the morning. The young man complied and arrived a six o'clock sharp. The examiner kept him sitting alone in the room until ten. Then he finally came in and said abruptly, " Young man, can you write your name? A little taken aback by the simplicity of his question, the man paused. Before he could get a word out, the examiner blurted, "What, you don't know what it is?" The mission board official put him through a series of questions of that nature and then went to report to the mission board.
"Okay," he said, "he will do." I tried his patience for hours and hours and he did not break down; Then I insulted him and he did not lose his temper. This candidate answered with patience, fortitude, and gentleness. His faith was vindicated by the very quality of his character. He will make a good missionary."
Whether we realize it or not -- we all are in the mission field. Our patience is bound to be tested in ways we've never imagined and we'll most likely find it unfair and unkind at times. But standing strong in the Lord in the face of offensive treatment and enduring seasons of long-suffering is a testimony in and of itself -- and that will win souls!
So, are you weary from the walk? Get your second wind! Count it all joy! You have endured much and you will see victory! Not only here on earth but when we meet the Lord!
Give thanks with a grateful heart!
1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Many years ago, as the story is told, a devout king was disturbed by the ingratitude of his royal court. He prepared a large banquet for them. When the king and his royal guests were seated, by prearrangement, a beggar shuffled into the hall, sat down at the king's table, and gorged himself with food. Without saying a word, he then left the room. The guests were furious and asked permission to seize the tramp and tear him limb from limb for his ingratitude.
The king replied, "That beggar has done only once to an earthly king what each of you does three times each day to God. You sit there at the table and eat until you are satisfied. Then you walk away without recognizing God, or expressing one word of thanks to Him."
How often do we neglect to thank God for the goodness He so graciously bestows upon us? We have so much!
So often we’re asking and asking and asking for the things we want of God. Let’s make thanks giving a regular part, even a greater part of our prayer life!
Many years ago, as the story is told, a devout king was disturbed by the ingratitude of his royal court. He prepared a large banquet for them. When the king and his royal guests were seated, by prearrangement, a beggar shuffled into the hall, sat down at the king's table, and gorged himself with food. Without saying a word, he then left the room. The guests were furious and asked permission to seize the tramp and tear him limb from limb for his ingratitude.
The king replied, "That beggar has done only once to an earthly king what each of you does three times each day to God. You sit there at the table and eat until you are satisfied. Then you walk away without recognizing God, or expressing one word of thanks to Him."
How often do we neglect to thank God for the goodness He so graciously bestows upon us? We have so much!
So often we’re asking and asking and asking for the things we want of God. Let’s make thanks giving a regular part, even a greater part of our prayer life!
Where's faith when you need it?!
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I could tell you about countless difficult and drawn out circumstances over which we have tried to stand firmly in faith until they finally came to pass. Sometimes we made it and sometimes we were weak and began to doubt. But God mercifully came through for us on most of these things, despite our lack of strength to stay faith-ful.
There are some things in our lives that take alot of prayer and a lot of faith to overcome. But why is it so hard sometimes to stand in faith for those things?
I spent many hours praying for faith. I once said, "If all the time I have spent praying for faith was put together, it would be months. I thought that someday faith was going to come down and strike me like lightening. But faith did not come. Then one day I read in the 10th chapter of Romans, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." I now opened my Bible and began to read God's Word and faith has been growing ever since."
Much of what we believers describe as 'faith' has nothing to do with Biblical faith. Our faith must not be based on emotion, or want, and not on the latest exciting conference. But it must be centered on God's Word, on Jesus, His death and resurrection, His salvation. The Living Word is the eternal, everlasting love of God which has been poured out upon our lives.
Let's read, hear, apply and live the Word today, and we will grow strong in faith! There's so much work to be done!
I could tell you about countless difficult and drawn out circumstances over which we have tried to stand firmly in faith until they finally came to pass. Sometimes we made it and sometimes we were weak and began to doubt. But God mercifully came through for us on most of these things, despite our lack of strength to stay faith-ful.
There are some things in our lives that take alot of prayer and a lot of faith to overcome. But why is it so hard sometimes to stand in faith for those things?
I spent many hours praying for faith. I once said, "If all the time I have spent praying for faith was put together, it would be months. I thought that someday faith was going to come down and strike me like lightening. But faith did not come. Then one day I read in the 10th chapter of Romans, "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." I now opened my Bible and began to read God's Word and faith has been growing ever since."
Much of what we believers describe as 'faith' has nothing to do with Biblical faith. Our faith must not be based on emotion, or want, and not on the latest exciting conference. But it must be centered on God's Word, on Jesus, His death and resurrection, His salvation. The Living Word is the eternal, everlasting love of God which has been poured out upon our lives.
Let's read, hear, apply and live the Word today, and we will grow strong in faith! There's so much work to be done!
Friday, August 27, 2010
It's not easy to be like Jesus
I’m a good person.
For the most part, I obey the rules. I don’t get in trouble. I try not to upset people or cause any kind of conflict.
I mean, I try to be nice to strangers, cordial to my landlord, considerate to my roommates.
I’m certainly not a bad person – I don’t steal or cheat. I’m not a traitor. I’m just your average good person, trying my best to make it in the world.
The thing about the gospel is, it doesn’t matter that I’m a good person. I could be the best person, and it wouldn’t amount to anything. The thing about the gospel is that I’m a sinner. The truth is that
“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.
I’ve sinned. So have you. I’ve sinned against God, just the same as your best friend, your sweet old grandmother, and your worst enemy. Sin makes us the same. In a way, sin makes us equal. As far as God’s glory is above us, we’re in the same boat — a bunch of sinking sinners trying hopelessly to survive, flailing around so as not to drown and inevitably smacking each other around in the pitiful process.
Because remember, as typical and downright normal as it is to be a good person these days, it’s hard to be like Jesus. It’s hard to practice forgiveness toward those who hurt you.
It’s easy to be a ‘good person,’ but it’s impossible to be righteous on our own. Without the saving grace of Jesus, we’d all be goners. Without the empowering presence of the Spirit of Christ, we’d be doomed to the miserable existence of a ‘good person’ bound for hell! Instead, we have the right to become the very children of God! It’s better than being a good person – it’s being an heir with Christ, a member of the family of righteousness, a participant in God’s kingdom come in which all is on earth as it is in heaven.
For the most part, I obey the rules. I don’t get in trouble. I try not to upset people or cause any kind of conflict.
I mean, I try to be nice to strangers, cordial to my landlord, considerate to my roommates.
I’m certainly not a bad person – I don’t steal or cheat. I’m not a traitor. I’m just your average good person, trying my best to make it in the world.
The thing about the gospel is, it doesn’t matter that I’m a good person. I could be the best person, and it wouldn’t amount to anything. The thing about the gospel is that I’m a sinner. The truth is that
“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.
I’ve sinned. So have you. I’ve sinned against God, just the same as your best friend, your sweet old grandmother, and your worst enemy. Sin makes us the same. In a way, sin makes us equal. As far as God’s glory is above us, we’re in the same boat — a bunch of sinking sinners trying hopelessly to survive, flailing around so as not to drown and inevitably smacking each other around in the pitiful process.
Because remember, as typical and downright normal as it is to be a good person these days, it’s hard to be like Jesus. It’s hard to practice forgiveness toward those who hurt you.
It’s easy to be a ‘good person,’ but it’s impossible to be righteous on our own. Without the saving grace of Jesus, we’d all be goners. Without the empowering presence of the Spirit of Christ, we’d be doomed to the miserable existence of a ‘good person’ bound for hell! Instead, we have the right to become the very children of God! It’s better than being a good person – it’s being an heir with Christ, a member of the family of righteousness, a participant in God’s kingdom come in which all is on earth as it is in heaven.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Ephesians 2:11-13
"Wherefore remember, that...at that time ye were without Christ...having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off aremade nigh by the blood of Christ."
If you want that revelation to explode in you, start searching out scriptures that refer to being in Christ. Watch for the words in Him, with Him, through Him, or in Whom. Mark those and meditate on them until the truth of them gets down into your spirit man. They'll give you some powerful ammunition against the attacks of Satan.
When he tries to tell you, for instance, that you're just a sinner and God doesn't want to be bothered with your problems, you'll know he is lying. You'll be able to answer him boldly and say, "Thank God, I was a sinner, but now I'm the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I've been raised up to sit with Him in heavenly places. Now
I'm in Him and you can't touch me at all!"
Be prepared the next time Satan comes at you with doubt, unbelief, and condemnation. Be ready to fight back with the scriptures about who you are in Jesus. You're sure to win once you truly know you're in Him!
SCRIPTURE READING: Ephesians 1:1-14
If you want that revelation to explode in you, start searching out scriptures that refer to being in Christ. Watch for the words in Him, with Him, through Him, or in Whom. Mark those and meditate on them until the truth of them gets down into your spirit man. They'll give you some powerful ammunition against the attacks of Satan.
When he tries to tell you, for instance, that you're just a sinner and God doesn't want to be bothered with your problems, you'll know he is lying. You'll be able to answer him boldly and say, "Thank God, I was a sinner, but now I'm the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I've been raised up to sit with Him in heavenly places. Now
I'm in Him and you can't touch me at all!"
Be prepared the next time Satan comes at you with doubt, unbelief, and condemnation. Be ready to fight back with the scriptures about who you are in Jesus. You're sure to win once you truly know you're in Him!
SCRIPTURE READING: Ephesians 1:1-14
Philippians 2:9-10
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth."
Once you make up your mind to keep the commands of Jesus and begin to allow the Word to dwell in you richly, the Name of Jesus will become far more powerful to you. It will become more than just a word. It will become a force that will cause every circumstance and every demon that tries to stand in your way to bow its knee to your
command.
Discover for yourself what the exalted Name can do. Begin to speak it with confidence and authority. There is power in the Name of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 3:1-16
Once you make up your mind to keep the commands of Jesus and begin to allow the Word to dwell in you richly, the Name of Jesus will become far more powerful to you. It will become more than just a word. It will become a force that will cause every circumstance and every demon that tries to stand in your way to bow its knee to your
command.
Discover for yourself what the exalted Name can do. Begin to speak it with confidence and authority. There is power in the Name of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE READING: Acts 3:1-16
2 Timothy 3:14
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been
assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them."
uchinge wazvarwa patsva muna Kristu, une shoke raMwari mumwoyo mako. Unogona kukunda mukurarama kwako.Ungangove usina mhinduro dzose. Ungangove nezvinhu zvakawanda zvausinga nzwisisi mukutenda kwako. Asi hazvisi zvinhu zvingakuparadza. Ndizvo zvinhu zvaunoziva kuti uite asi usingazviite, ndizvo zvinogona kukudonhedza munamata kwako.
Funga uchifamba pakati peusiku murima, zvimbo yausingazive pakati peSango. Asi kumusoro kunechiedza chinokutungamirira kuti urambe uri munzira kwayo. Asi zvino wabva wangokariko pinda mumhindo iyo uriwega. Unofunga kuti chiiko chinoitika kwauri? Unobva wango fenda nokudonha.Kazhizhi-zhinji unobva wakuvara.
Ndizvo zvakafanana mukufamba kwako naMwari. Anoziva zviri kumberi,anokupa chiedza chakakwana kwauri kuti utore nhabwe imwechete panguva imwechete. Unofanira kufamba nechiedza ichocho kusvikira wasvika kwaurikuenda.
Verenga 2 Peter 1:2-11
assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them."
uchinge wazvarwa patsva muna Kristu, une shoke raMwari mumwoyo mako. Unogona kukunda mukurarama kwako.Ungangove usina mhinduro dzose. Ungangove nezvinhu zvakawanda zvausinga nzwisisi mukutenda kwako. Asi hazvisi zvinhu zvingakuparadza. Ndizvo zvinhu zvaunoziva kuti uite asi usingazviite, ndizvo zvinogona kukudonhedza munamata kwako.
Funga uchifamba pakati peusiku murima, zvimbo yausingazive pakati peSango. Asi kumusoro kunechiedza chinokutungamirira kuti urambe uri munzira kwayo. Asi zvino wabva wangokariko pinda mumhindo iyo uriwega. Unofunga kuti chiiko chinoitika kwauri? Unobva wango fenda nokudonha.Kazhizhi-zhinji unobva wakuvara.
Ndizvo zvakafanana mukufamba kwako naMwari. Anoziva zviri kumberi,anokupa chiedza chakakwana kwauri kuti utore nhabwe imwechete panguva imwechete. Unofanira kufamba nechiedza ichocho kusvikira wasvika kwaurikuenda.
Verenga 2 Peter 1:2-11
Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."
Zvipire kuna Mwari kuti uchafamba kwete nemweya nerudo chete asi nemufaro zvekare. Ngachive chinhu chakakosha kufara munaMwari nguva dzose. Ende hapana chimwe chinhu Satan chaangaite kana kutaura kukubira kukunda kwako kwauri.
Verenga Mapisarema 84:1-4
Zvipire kuna Mwari kuti uchafamba kwete nemweya nerudo chete asi nemufaro zvekare. Ngachive chinhu chakakosha kufara munaMwari nguva dzose. Ende hapana chimwe chinhu Satan chaangaite kana kutaura kukubira kukunda kwako kwauri.
Verenga Mapisarema 84:1-4
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Matthew 14:28-29
"And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come
unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was
come down out of the ship, he walked on the water."
It's easy to be so afraid of making a mistake that you never get around
to stepping out on faith. You can spend all your time wondering, "Is
this faith? Or is it presumption? What if I exercise my faith for
something and find out later I've missed God's will?"
Don't worry. God can handle any mistake you can make. I know
because I've made plenty of them. When I did, I'd just go to the Lord
and He'd tell me, "Stay on the Word, son. Together we'll overcome
this thing." And we always did.
If you act on the Word out of the sincerity of your heart and you
steadfastly stay with the Word, Jesus will never let you down...no
matter how many dumb mistakes you make. He proved that the night
Peter jumped out of the boat in the middle of the lake.
Don't let fear keep you from taking that step of faith. Come on, get
out of the boat today!
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 14:22-33
unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was
come down out of the ship, he walked on the water."
It's easy to be so afraid of making a mistake that you never get around
to stepping out on faith. You can spend all your time wondering, "Is
this faith? Or is it presumption? What if I exercise my faith for
something and find out later I've missed God's will?"
Don't worry. God can handle any mistake you can make. I know
because I've made plenty of them. When I did, I'd just go to the Lord
and He'd tell me, "Stay on the Word, son. Together we'll overcome
this thing." And we always did.
If you act on the Word out of the sincerity of your heart and you
steadfastly stay with the Word, Jesus will never let you down...no
matter how many dumb mistakes you make. He proved that the night
Peter jumped out of the boat in the middle of the lake.
Don't let fear keep you from taking that step of faith. Come on, get
out of the boat today!
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 14:22-33
Philippians 3:10
"[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him that I may
progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with
Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding [the wonders of
His Person]more strongly and more clearly. And that I may in that
same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection."
The more you fellowship with God around His Word, the more you'll
know the "power outflowing from His resurrection." You'll develop
joy. You'll develop faith. You'll start developing God's own
characteristics... just by fellowshiping with Him. You'll begin to
understand who you really are in Jesus.
Come on, give the devil a scare. Fellowship with your Father around
the Word and start discovering who you really are today.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 8:40-48
progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with
Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding [the wonders of
His Person]more strongly and more clearly. And that I may in that
same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection."
The more you fellowship with God around His Word, the more you'll
know the "power outflowing from His resurrection." You'll develop
joy. You'll develop faith. You'll start developing God's own
characteristics... just by fellowshiping with Him. You'll begin to
understand who you really are in Jesus.
Come on, give the devil a scare. Fellowship with your Father around
the Word and start discovering who you really are today.
SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 8:40-48
Matthew 6:24
Matthew 6:24
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
God isn't against your having money. He's against money having
you. He's against your making it your priority and putting your trust
in it instead of in Him.
Make pleasing God your number one priority. Set your eyes on Him
above all else and all these things will be added unto you.
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 10:17-27
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
God isn't against your having money. He's against money having
you. He's against your making it your priority and putting your trust
in it instead of in Him.
Make pleasing God your number one priority. Set your eyes on Him
above all else and all these things will be added unto you.
SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 10:17-27
Thursday, April 15, 2010
HOLY AND CLEAN
Have you ever wondered what it means to be holy? or how you could ever be considered holy?
Read: Leviticus 11:45; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2 Corithians 7:1
Holiness is one of those intimidating religious words that we always hear but generally don't understand. Holiness means set apart, sinless and perfect. God is holy; we are not.
God loves us despite our dirty, sin-soiled clothes. He wears his holiness like a dazzling, spotless, white robe. These verses encourage us to purify ourselves so that we can be holy, just as God intended us to be.
See that big black spot on your collar? That's lust. Don't forget that smear on the right sleave. That's a spot on your cuff and a streak on your lapel. Those are pride and dishonesty. What an eyesore we are next to God's purity!
But we can wear holiness, too. We don't wear our own; we wear Christ's. We are covered in his holiness. Once we have been cleansed white as snow, we can stand next to God in pure, holy garments.
But as HE who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Read: Leviticus 11:45; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2 Corithians 7:1
Holiness is one of those intimidating religious words that we always hear but generally don't understand. Holiness means set apart, sinless and perfect. God is holy; we are not.
God loves us despite our dirty, sin-soiled clothes. He wears his holiness like a dazzling, spotless, white robe. These verses encourage us to purify ourselves so that we can be holy, just as God intended us to be.
See that big black spot on your collar? That's lust. Don't forget that smear on the right sleave. That's a spot on your cuff and a streak on your lapel. Those are pride and dishonesty. What an eyesore we are next to God's purity!
But we can wear holiness, too. We don't wear our own; we wear Christ's. We are covered in his holiness. Once we have been cleansed white as snow, we can stand next to God in pure, holy garments.
But as HE who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
BECOMING LIKE JESUS
Have you ever wondered what sactification is? and how you become sanctified?
Read: John 17:17-19; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2
Sanctification is the ongoing process of growing toward holiness. Once you have accepted Christ as your Savior, your salvation is secure, but God isn't finished with you yet. As long as you are alive, he wants you to become more like him. Sanctification is the Holy Spirit's job. Through his leading, you become more and more like Jesus each day.
Sanctification lasts a lifetime. While you're on earth, you'll never be perfect, but you should become more perfect with each passing day. God gives you the tools - the handbook (the Bible), the guide (the Holy Spirit), and the companions ( the church).
You don't have to do anything to get salvation. You just embrace it. It's a gift, pure and simple. But from that moment on, God does expect something from you. He expects you to abandon your old lifestyle and grow into Christ's likeness. It's your part in God's plan.
And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. (Colossians 3:10)
Read: John 17:17-19; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2
Sanctification is the ongoing process of growing toward holiness. Once you have accepted Christ as your Savior, your salvation is secure, but God isn't finished with you yet. As long as you are alive, he wants you to become more like him. Sanctification is the Holy Spirit's job. Through his leading, you become more and more like Jesus each day.
Sanctification lasts a lifetime. While you're on earth, you'll never be perfect, but you should become more perfect with each passing day. God gives you the tools - the handbook (the Bible), the guide (the Holy Spirit), and the companions ( the church).
You don't have to do anything to get salvation. You just embrace it. It's a gift, pure and simple. But from that moment on, God does expect something from you. He expects you to abandon your old lifestyle and grow into Christ's likeness. It's your part in God's plan.
And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. (Colossians 3:10)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
KURANGA KWECHECHI
1. Pane nguva apo kuranga kunodikanwa. Kana upenyu hwenhengo yechechi huchipesana nedzidziso dzaJesu zvokuti huri kuunza chinyadzo kuchechi uye nokukuvadza basa raKristu, chinove chinhu chafanira kuti chechi imurange.
"Zvino hama dzangu, tinokurairai nezita raShe wedu Jesu Kristu, kuti mubve pahama imwe neimwe isingafambi netsika dzakafanira, isingateereri mirairo yamakapiwa nesu" (2 VaTesaronika 3:6).
"Kuti munhu wakadai aiswe kuna Satani, nyama iparadzwe.." ( 1 VaKorinte 5:5).
2. Kana chechi ichiranga munhu, inofanira kuve nevavariro nepfungwa yakanaka.
"....kuti mweya uponeswe pazuva raShe" ( 1VaKorinte 5:5).
Kana kuranga kuchifanira kuitwa kunofanira kuitwa nechechi mumweya werudo (VaGaratia 6:2). Hakumbofanira kuitwa nemweya wokutsiva kana wokurwadzisa, asi nechido chokuti nhengo isina kuteerera ione chivi chayo, itendeuke uye idzokere mukutevera Ishe Jesu.
"Zvino hama dzangu, tinokurairai nezita raShe wedu Jesu Kristu, kuti mubve pahama imwe neimwe isingafambi netsika dzakafanira, isingateereri mirairo yamakapiwa nesu" (2 VaTesaronika 3:6).
"Kuti munhu wakadai aiswe kuna Satani, nyama iparadzwe.." ( 1 VaKorinte 5:5).
2. Kana chechi ichiranga munhu, inofanira kuve nevavariro nepfungwa yakanaka.
"....kuti mweya uponeswe pazuva raShe" ( 1VaKorinte 5:5).
Kana kuranga kuchifanira kuitwa kunofanira kuitwa nechechi mumweya werudo (VaGaratia 6:2). Hakumbofanira kuitwa nemweya wokutsiva kana wokurwadzisa, asi nechido chokuti nhengo isina kuteerera ione chivi chayo, itendeuke uye idzokere mukutevera Ishe Jesu.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
VATUNGAMIRIRI VECHECHI
1. MUFUNDISI - Mazwi anoti "mufudzi" "mukuru" na"Bhishopu" anoshandiswa kureva chinhu chimwe chete muTestamente Itsva. Muna Mabasa chitsauko 20, Pauro akaraira kuiti kudaidzwe vakuru vechechi yepaEfeso (ndima 17). Mundima 28 anovaudza kuti Mweya Mutsvene wakavaita vatariri (mabishopu), uye kuti vaifanira kufudza (kufundisa) chechi. Petro anozvidaidza kuti mukuru muna 1 Petro 5:1.
Zvichida pachave nomubvunzo unoti, "Ko ndiani anofanira kuve mufundisi wechechi?" Tinowana zvinodikanwa naMwari kuti munhu ave mufundisi zvakapiwa muna 1 Timotio 3:1-7, nomuna Tito 1:7-9. Ndima idzi dzinofanira kudzidzwa zvakanaka nemunhu wose womuchechi.
Chechi inofanirawo kuyeuka kuti Mwari aive nechikonzero zvaakapa zvinodikanwa izvi. Kana chechi ichitsvaka mufundisi, inofanira kuve nechokwadi chokuti murume uyu akakodzera mayererano nezvinotaurwa neBhabheri, asati akokwa kuti ave mufundisi wechechi.
2. MADHIKONI - Machechi omuTestamente Itsva akangawo ane madhikoni. Zvinodikanwa kumunhu kuti ave mudhikoni zvinowanikwa muna 1 Timotio 3:8-13 nomuna Mabasa 6:1-6.
Zvichida pachave nomubvunzo unoti, "Ko ndiani anofanira kuve mufundisi wechechi?" Tinowana zvinodikanwa naMwari kuti munhu ave mufundisi zvakapiwa muna 1 Timotio 3:1-7, nomuna Tito 1:7-9. Ndima idzi dzinofanira kudzidzwa zvakanaka nemunhu wose womuchechi.
Chechi inofanirawo kuyeuka kuti Mwari aive nechikonzero zvaakapa zvinodikanwa izvi. Kana chechi ichitsvaka mufundisi, inofanira kuve nechokwadi chokuti murume uyu akakodzera mayererano nezvinotaurwa neBhabheri, asati akokwa kuti ave mufundisi wechechi.
2. MADHIKONI - Machechi omuTestamente Itsva akangawo ane madhikoni. Zvinodikanwa kumunhu kuti ave mudhikoni zvinowanikwa muna 1 Timotio 3:8-13 nomuna Mabasa 6:1-6.
Monday, March 22, 2010
GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD
Have you ever wondered.....
- How you can bacome righteous?
- If following the rules is good enough for God?
Read: Romans 3:19-26; 1 John 2:1-2; Provebs 2:7-8
Try to think of someone who was righteous, someone who never did anything wrong. Mother Teresa? No. The Apostle Paul? Hardly. The Pope, Joan of Arc or John the Baptist? None of these characters were righteous of their own accord, and neither are you. There's nothing you can do to make up for your foul behavior.
Sin stinks, and God hates it. Face it: Flowers won't appease him, Gifts and apology cards won't cut it. The grander tributes - an afternoon serving at the city mission, a fat check in the offering plate- won't make you look any better or any more righteous. We always want to do what is right, but somehow, it just doesn't happen.
God's not surprised. Reading Romans chapter three may help you breathe a little easier. Deeds aren't the way to righteousness - Jesus is. He frees you from your sin when you hand over your life to him. Righteousness is a free gift. Take it. Wear it confidently by obeying God's word. Then you will receive all the positive things that God wants to give you along with it.
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does ( James 1:25)
- How you can bacome righteous?
- If following the rules is good enough for God?
Read: Romans 3:19-26; 1 John 2:1-2; Provebs 2:7-8
Try to think of someone who was righteous, someone who never did anything wrong. Mother Teresa? No. The Apostle Paul? Hardly. The Pope, Joan of Arc or John the Baptist? None of these characters were righteous of their own accord, and neither are you. There's nothing you can do to make up for your foul behavior.
Sin stinks, and God hates it. Face it: Flowers won't appease him, Gifts and apology cards won't cut it. The grander tributes - an afternoon serving at the city mission, a fat check in the offering plate- won't make you look any better or any more righteous. We always want to do what is right, but somehow, it just doesn't happen.
God's not surprised. Reading Romans chapter three may help you breathe a little easier. Deeds aren't the way to righteousness - Jesus is. He frees you from your sin when you hand over your life to him. Righteousness is a free gift. Take it. Wear it confidently by obeying God's word. Then you will receive all the positive things that God wants to give you along with it.
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does ( James 1:25)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
HURUMENDE YECHECHI
SemaBaptist tinotenda kuti takaenzana tose uye tinobatana zvakaenzana mukufambisa basa rechechi. Kutenda uku nokuita kwacho kunowanikwa muzvinhu zvinotevera:
1. Kuve Musoro kwaJesu Kristu: Taona kare kuti Kristu ndiye musoro wechechi. Zvakaita kuchechi zvakafanana nezvakaita musoro kumuviri. Musoro ndiwo unotungamirira nhengo imwe neimwe kana chikamu chemuviri. Nenzira imwe cheteyo. Kristu nemuMweya Mutsvene ndiye anotungamirira muKristu mumwe nomumwe uye nokutungamirira muviri wose zvawo.
2. Kuenzana kweVatendi Vose. Bhaibheri rinotidzidzisa kuti vatendi vechokwadi vose inhengo dzemuviri waKristu, unonzi Chechi. Hapana imwe nhengo imwe chete yemuviri kana kuti chechi ingatonge imwe nhengo yechechi. Nenzira imwe chete ruoko harungaudze tsoka zvokuita. Iro ibasa romusoro. Nyatsodzidza VaRoma 12:3-6 na 1 VaKorinte 12:14-20.
3. Mienzaniso Inoonekwa muTestamente Itsva. Mudhikoni zvaakasarudzwa, zvakaitwa nechechi yose zvayo. (Verenga Mabasa 6:1-6)
Apo maKristu akatarisana nedambudziko rakaipisisa, chechi yose zvayo ndiyo yaisarudza zvaifanira kuitwa. "Ipapo vaapostora, nevakuru, nekereke yose, vakati zvakanaka kuti vasanangure varume pakati pavo, vavatumire Antiokia pamwe chete naPauro naBarnabasi..." (Mabasa 15:22)
Apo paive nedambudziko raida kuranga kwechechi, chechi ndiyo yaibvumidzwa kuita zvayaigona maererano nenhengo yainge yatadza (verenga 1 VaKorinte 5:1-5; Mateo 18:15-17
1. Kuve Musoro kwaJesu Kristu: Taona kare kuti Kristu ndiye musoro wechechi. Zvakaita kuchechi zvakafanana nezvakaita musoro kumuviri. Musoro ndiwo unotungamirira nhengo imwe neimwe kana chikamu chemuviri. Nenzira imwe cheteyo. Kristu nemuMweya Mutsvene ndiye anotungamirira muKristu mumwe nomumwe uye nokutungamirira muviri wose zvawo.
2. Kuenzana kweVatendi Vose. Bhaibheri rinotidzidzisa kuti vatendi vechokwadi vose inhengo dzemuviri waKristu, unonzi Chechi. Hapana imwe nhengo imwe chete yemuviri kana kuti chechi ingatonge imwe nhengo yechechi. Nenzira imwe chete ruoko harungaudze tsoka zvokuita. Iro ibasa romusoro. Nyatsodzidza VaRoma 12:3-6 na 1 VaKorinte 12:14-20.
3. Mienzaniso Inoonekwa muTestamente Itsva. Mudhikoni zvaakasarudzwa, zvakaitwa nechechi yose zvayo. (Verenga Mabasa 6:1-6)
Apo maKristu akatarisana nedambudziko rakaipisisa, chechi yose zvayo ndiyo yaisarudza zvaifanira kuitwa. "Ipapo vaapostora, nevakuru, nekereke yose, vakati zvakanaka kuti vasanangure varume pakati pavo, vavatumire Antiokia pamwe chete naPauro naBarnabasi..." (Mabasa 15:22)
Apo paive nedambudziko raida kuranga kwechechi, chechi ndiyo yaibvumidzwa kuita zvayaigona maererano nenhengo yainge yatadza (verenga 1 VaKorinte 5:1-5; Mateo 18:15-17
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
MUSORO WECHURCH
Pauro anodaidza Kristu kuti "musoro wekereke" katatu mubhuku reVaEfeso 1:22; 4:15; 5:23). Hapana munhu kana boka ringave musoro wechechi. Ko Bhaibheri rinorevei kana richidaidza Kristu kuti "musoro wekereke"?
Rinoreva zvinhu zvinotevera:
1. Kristu ndiye chete angave mutungamiriri wechechi.
2. Kristu anotungamirira uye nokupa mazano kuchechi.
3. Nzvimbo yorukudzo muchechi inofanira kupiwa kuna Kristu nguva dzose.
Unhengo MuChechi
MuTestamente Itsva tinowna pane zviviri zvinodikanwa zvakapiwa kuitira unhengo muchechi yepanzvimbo imwe neimwe: ruponeso, nerubhapatidzo.
1. Chechi inofanira kuve nevanhu vakaponeswa voga mununhengo hwayo. "....Ishe akawedzera kwavari zuva rimwe nerimwe avo vaiponeswa" (Mabasa 2:47).
Pane dzimwe nguva vanhu vasina kuponeswa vanove nhengo dzechechi yepane imwe nzvimbo. Uku kuita kwemunhu. Hakufambirani nezano raMwari. Vamwe vanhu vanove nhengo dzechechi nokududza kutenda kwenhema. Dzimwe chechi dzinounza vacheche kuti vave nhengo. Mwari anoda avo vakaberekwa kutsva muunhengo hwechechi.
2. Chechi inofanira kuve neavo vakabhapatidzwa voga muunhengo mayo sokudzidzisa kunoita Bhabheri. "Endai naizvozvo, mudzidzise marudzi ose, muvabhapatidze muzita raBaba, neroMwanakomana, neroMweya Mutsvene" (Mateo28:19).
Zvino avo vakagamuchira shoko rake, vakabhapatidzwa: nezuva iro, vanhu vanenge zviuru zvitatu vakawedzerwa." (Mabasa 2:41)
Kubva kundima idzi nokune dzimwe zhinji, tinodzidza kuti Jesu akaraira kuti rubhapatidzo rwuvepo. Machechi anotsanangurwa muTestamente Itsva aibhapatidza vanhu shure kokunge vaponeswa. Ichi ndicho chikonzero nei nhengo dzechechi dzichifanira kubhapatidzwa sokuratidzwa kwazvo muTestamente Itsva. Kunyudzwa pasi pemvura mufananidzo wokuvigwa nokumuka-sokuvigwa kwakaitwa Kristu uye akamuka kuvakafa (VaRoma 6:4,5)
Rinoreva zvinhu zvinotevera:
1. Kristu ndiye chete angave mutungamiriri wechechi.
2. Kristu anotungamirira uye nokupa mazano kuchechi.
3. Nzvimbo yorukudzo muchechi inofanira kupiwa kuna Kristu nguva dzose.
Unhengo MuChechi
MuTestamente Itsva tinowna pane zviviri zvinodikanwa zvakapiwa kuitira unhengo muchechi yepanzvimbo imwe neimwe: ruponeso, nerubhapatidzo.
1. Chechi inofanira kuve nevanhu vakaponeswa voga mununhengo hwayo. "....Ishe akawedzera kwavari zuva rimwe nerimwe avo vaiponeswa" (Mabasa 2:47).
Pane dzimwe nguva vanhu vasina kuponeswa vanove nhengo dzechechi yepane imwe nzvimbo. Uku kuita kwemunhu. Hakufambirani nezano raMwari. Vamwe vanhu vanove nhengo dzechechi nokududza kutenda kwenhema. Dzimwe chechi dzinounza vacheche kuti vave nhengo. Mwari anoda avo vakaberekwa kutsva muunhengo hwechechi.
2. Chechi inofanira kuve neavo vakabhapatidzwa voga muunhengo mayo sokudzidzisa kunoita Bhabheri. "Endai naizvozvo, mudzidzise marudzi ose, muvabhapatidze muzita raBaba, neroMwanakomana, neroMweya Mutsvene" (Mateo28:19).
Zvino avo vakagamuchira shoko rake, vakabhapatidzwa: nezuva iro, vanhu vanenge zviuru zvitatu vakawedzerwa." (Mabasa 2:41)
Kubva kundima idzi nokune dzimwe zhinji, tinodzidza kuti Jesu akaraira kuti rubhapatidzo rwuvepo. Machechi anotsanangurwa muTestamente Itsva aibhapatidza vanhu shure kokunge vaponeswa. Ichi ndicho chikonzero nei nhengo dzechechi dzichifanira kubhapatidzwa sokuratidzwa kwazvo muTestamente Itsva. Kunyudzwa pasi pemvura mufananidzo wokuvigwa nokumuka-sokuvigwa kwakaitwa Kristu uye akamuka kuvakafa (VaRoma 6:4,5)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
KO CHECHI CHII?
Chechi iboka revatendi vakabhapatidzwa vakabatana pamwe chete kuti vateerere mirairo yaJesu. Nima zhinji dzinotaura nezvechechi muTestamente Isva dzinotaura maerano nesangano revatendi. Chechi yakasimba nguva dzose sephungwa yomuTestamente Itsva isangano revatendi vechokwadi vepanzvimbo imwe neimwe.
CHECHI YAKATANGISWA NACHRISTU
Muna Mateo 16:18, Jesu akadvira kumhinduro yaSimoni Petro yokuti Jesu akanga ari Mwanakomana waMwari nokuti, "Neni ndinoti kwauri ndiwe Petro, pamusoro poruware urwu ndichavaka kereke yangu.......
Ko chii chaive ruware apo Kristu aizovakira chechi yake? Zvechokwadi pakanga pasiri pamurume anonzi Petro. Mwari haaizovakira chechi yake pamunhu zvake. Kunze kwezvivi, Testamente Itsva haipe Petro nzvimbo yerukudzo rwepamusoro pakati pevapostora.
Muchitsauko chakarecho Jesu akati, "pamusoro poruware urwu ndichavakira kereke yangu," akatiwo kuna Petro, "...Ibva shure kwangu, Satani! Uri chigumburiso kwandiri, nokuti haurangariri zvinhu zvaMwari, asi zvinhu zvavanhu" (Mateo 16:23).
Ruware apo Jesu akati aizovakira chechi yake rwaive ruware rwokutenda kana kududza kwakaitwa naPetro kwokuti Jesu aive Kristu, Mwanakomana waMwari. Naizvozvo , vose vanotendeuka pazvivi zvavo uye nokupupura Kristu saIshe noMuponesi vanove "semabwe mapenyu" mumba yomweya (1 Petro 2:5,6).
CHECHI YAKATANGISWA NACHRISTU
Muna Mateo 16:18, Jesu akadvira kumhinduro yaSimoni Petro yokuti Jesu akanga ari Mwanakomana waMwari nokuti, "Neni ndinoti kwauri ndiwe Petro, pamusoro poruware urwu ndichavaka kereke yangu.......
Ko chii chaive ruware apo Kristu aizovakira chechi yake? Zvechokwadi pakanga pasiri pamurume anonzi Petro. Mwari haaizovakira chechi yake pamunhu zvake. Kunze kwezvivi, Testamente Itsva haipe Petro nzvimbo yerukudzo rwepamusoro pakati pevapostora.
Muchitsauko chakarecho Jesu akati, "pamusoro poruware urwu ndichavakira kereke yangu," akatiwo kuna Petro, "...Ibva shure kwangu, Satani! Uri chigumburiso kwandiri, nokuti haurangariri zvinhu zvaMwari, asi zvinhu zvavanhu" (Mateo 16:23).
Ruware apo Jesu akati aizovakira chechi yake rwaive ruware rwokutenda kana kududza kwakaitwa naPetro kwokuti Jesu aive Kristu, Mwanakomana waMwari. Naizvozvo , vose vanotendeuka pazvivi zvavo uye nokupupura Kristu saIshe noMuponesi vanove "semabwe mapenyu" mumba yomweya (1 Petro 2:5,6).
FREEDOM TO OBEY
Have you ever wondered why God asks you to obey him?
- If obedience will ever become easier and more natural for you?
Read: James 1:22-25; Romans 6:22; John 8:31-32
Sometimes it seems that rules are posted everywhere to limit our fun. "No running", "No loitering", "No diving", "Shirt and shoes required". Some people equate Christianity with a list of rules and regulations. They assume that God surrounds his children with rules just as the fun is getting started. These verses clarify that God's commands aren't meant to limit you. On the contrary, God's instructions free you. His motivation is love, and his goal is to enhance life, not limit it.
When you live within God's bounderies, you're free-free to enjoy life without worry, free to approach God without guilt, free to begin relationships wothout pain. Because of his blessings, obedience becomes fun. You obey not because you have to, but because you want to.
But now having been set free from sin, and become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (Romans 6:22
- If obedience will ever become easier and more natural for you?
Read: James 1:22-25; Romans 6:22; John 8:31-32
Sometimes it seems that rules are posted everywhere to limit our fun. "No running", "No loitering", "No diving", "Shirt and shoes required". Some people equate Christianity with a list of rules and regulations. They assume that God surrounds his children with rules just as the fun is getting started. These verses clarify that God's commands aren't meant to limit you. On the contrary, God's instructions free you. His motivation is love, and his goal is to enhance life, not limit it.
When you live within God's bounderies, you're free-free to enjoy life without worry, free to approach God without guilt, free to begin relationships wothout pain. Because of his blessings, obedience becomes fun. You obey not because you have to, but because you want to.
But now having been set free from sin, and become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (Romans 6:22
CHEERING ON THE CHURCH
Have you ever wondered why you should go to Church?
- What Christ's Church is supposed to be like?
Read: Ephesians 1:22.23; Acts 4:32-35
Guide was tired of the complaints. Every time his crew of little baseball players ran off the field, He was bombarded with grumbling. "Mark keeps dropping the ball!' "Why can't I play pitcher?" "I am tired of being in the outfield!" "I won't catch if Jimmy pitches!" Guide wasn't at all surprised that his team had yet to win a game.
The Church is a team. The success of the church depends on the commitment of the players. The church can only win when its members cheer each other on. Our Captain knows that his team isn't unified, we will fail. Every time we take the field of life, we can choose to cheer or complain, encourage or criticize, laugh or groan. If we listen carefully to our Coach, we can beat Satan's team in a shoutout!
The church team isn't complete without you. God designed it that way. You are the number one draft pick for God's roster. He wants you to be bold and step up to the plate. On God's team, you have the ability to hit a home run.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
- What Christ's Church is supposed to be like?
Read: Ephesians 1:22.23; Acts 4:32-35
Guide was tired of the complaints. Every time his crew of little baseball players ran off the field, He was bombarded with grumbling. "Mark keeps dropping the ball!' "Why can't I play pitcher?" "I am tired of being in the outfield!" "I won't catch if Jimmy pitches!" Guide wasn't at all surprised that his team had yet to win a game.
The Church is a team. The success of the church depends on the commitment of the players. The church can only win when its members cheer each other on. Our Captain knows that his team isn't unified, we will fail. Every time we take the field of life, we can choose to cheer or complain, encourage or criticize, laugh or groan. If we listen carefully to our Coach, we can beat Satan's team in a shoutout!
The church team isn't complete without you. God designed it that way. You are the number one draft pick for God's roster. He wants you to be bold and step up to the plate. On God's team, you have the ability to hit a home run.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
Monday, March 8, 2010
THE CREATOR
Have you ever wondered ... If the story of Creation is true?
Why God bothered to create you?
Read: Nehemiah 9:6; Job 26:7-14; Acts 14:15
In the beginning God breathed life into Adam. God formed each living thing out of nothing. God's color palette is richer than any human artist's. His brush strokes are light and precise. The Bible praises God for his creativity. He left his stamp of craftsmanship on each one of us.
When he created you, he deliberately chose the shape of your face and color of your eyes. In addition to your physical features, he combined a unique mix of talents and traits. And since that initial moment of creation, he has watched you ever since. Anyone who would labor so much to form you would naturally care enough to lead you the rest of the way through life. You are his child, his artwork.
Perhaps you're wondered why he bothered creating you. What can you possibly give to God that he doesn't already have? Certainly, you can't bring him power, glory, or holiness, but you can bring him one thing that he dearly wants-yourself. You are the masterpiece that the Great Artist treasures.
By Faith we understand that the world were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11: 3)
Why God bothered to create you?
Read: Nehemiah 9:6; Job 26:7-14; Acts 14:15
In the beginning God breathed life into Adam. God formed each living thing out of nothing. God's color palette is richer than any human artist's. His brush strokes are light and precise. The Bible praises God for his creativity. He left his stamp of craftsmanship on each one of us.
When he created you, he deliberately chose the shape of your face and color of your eyes. In addition to your physical features, he combined a unique mix of talents and traits. And since that initial moment of creation, he has watched you ever since. Anyone who would labor so much to form you would naturally care enough to lead you the rest of the way through life. You are his child, his artwork.
Perhaps you're wondered why he bothered creating you. What can you possibly give to God that he doesn't already have? Certainly, you can't bring him power, glory, or holiness, but you can bring him one thing that he dearly wants-yourself. You are the masterpiece that the Great Artist treasures.
By Faith we understand that the world were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. (Hebrews 11: 3)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
HEAVENLY HOME
Have you ever wondered, what happens after you die? or what heavens like?
Read: John 14:1-4; Revelation 21:1-4
Many people beleave in heaven, but what is it really like? Is it somewhere up in the sky? What will eternity feel like?
Actually, heaven is far greater than we can imagine. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what heaven will be like, but today's reading gives us an idea. Heaven is a place where there is no more pain, a place where you will never be lonely and you'll never grow old. Heaven is like nothing that we've ever seen or experienced. But best of all, heaven is where Jesus lives, and we'll be there with him. He is waiting for the perfect time for us all to be there together.
Before Jesus returned to heaven, he promised that he was going to prepare a place for us in one of Father's mansions! As a believer, your name is in the book of life. Your place will be worshiping God, and you will never grow tired of it. Heaven is a sigh of relief, a warm hug of welcome, the end of the journey... home.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1-2)
Read: John 14:1-4; Revelation 21:1-4
Many people beleave in heaven, but what is it really like? Is it somewhere up in the sky? What will eternity feel like?
Actually, heaven is far greater than we can imagine. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly what heaven will be like, but today's reading gives us an idea. Heaven is a place where there is no more pain, a place where you will never be lonely and you'll never grow old. Heaven is like nothing that we've ever seen or experienced. But best of all, heaven is where Jesus lives, and we'll be there with him. He is waiting for the perfect time for us all to be there together.
Before Jesus returned to heaven, he promised that he was going to prepare a place for us in one of Father's mansions! As a believer, your name is in the book of life. Your place will be worshiping God, and you will never grow tired of it. Heaven is a sigh of relief, a warm hug of welcome, the end of the journey... home.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1-2)
Monday, March 1, 2010
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
- Have you ever wondered............
* If you can lose your salvation?
* If you have to repent over and over again?
Read: John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39
Some things just seem too good to be true. For you, heaven might be one of those things - unattainable and out of reach. Maybe you feel like you could never be good enough to deserve going there. The Bible, however, tries to erase that insecurity from your mind. These two verses shout, "Don't worry everybody, God has got you!" Once we yield our lives to hime, God holds us with his strong arm. He never lets go of us, no matter what. It's not our Job to keep our souls from slipping outside of heaven's bounds - it's God's! He is the ultimate protector who grips our souls for eternity.
Once you ask Jesus into your heart, your salvation is a done deal. Your prayer is signed, sealed, and delivered straight to God. First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Bible reassures you that at the moment of your repentance, you became God's child. Nothing you can do will change God's mind.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)
* If you can lose your salvation?
* If you have to repent over and over again?
Read: John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39
Some things just seem too good to be true. For you, heaven might be one of those things - unattainable and out of reach. Maybe you feel like you could never be good enough to deserve going there. The Bible, however, tries to erase that insecurity from your mind. These two verses shout, "Don't worry everybody, God has got you!" Once we yield our lives to hime, God holds us with his strong arm. He never lets go of us, no matter what. It's not our Job to keep our souls from slipping outside of heaven's bounds - it's God's! He is the ultimate protector who grips our souls for eternity.
Once you ask Jesus into your heart, your salvation is a done deal. Your prayer is signed, sealed, and delivered straight to God. First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Bible reassures you that at the moment of your repentance, you became God's child. Nothing you can do will change God's mind.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
MWARI ANOPA RUPONESO NOKUDA KWENYASHA DZAKE
- Mwari anopa ruponeso kuvanhu venyika ino. Mwari anoita izvi nerudo nenyasha dzake. Akatumira Mwanakomana wake, Jesu Kristu, kuti atore murango wezvivi zvedu. Kristu akafa kuitira kuti Mwari akwanise kuregerera vanhu asi agoramba ari Mwari mutsvene akarurama. Nomukufa kwaJesu, Mwari anozvipira kuti aponese vanhu kubva pazvivi zvavo.
Verenga VaRoma 3:21-28; VaRoma 4:5; VaRoma 5:8; VaEfeso 2:8; na Isayaa 53:5.
Mwari anopa Upenyu Hutsva
- Ruponeso rwunopiwa naMwari runopfuura kungotiza kurangwa kusingaperi. Mwari anopawo upenyu hutsva kana tagamuchira Kristu. Mwari anoita vana vake. Jesu akafira zvivi zvedu. Asi haana kuramba akafa. Akamuka. Nokuda kwokuti anorarama nokusingaperi, tingararame nokusingaperi.
- Ruponeso rwunoreva kuti tine upenyu hutsva, upenyu hwaKristu mukati medu. Munhu akaponeswa anove mwana waMwari.
Verenga Johane 5:24; VaKorinte 5:17,18; VaRoma 5:10; VaRoma 8:14-16; na Johane 3:1-2
Verenga VaRoma 3:21-28; VaRoma 4:5; VaRoma 5:8; VaEfeso 2:8; na Isayaa 53:5.
Mwari anopa Upenyu Hutsva
- Ruponeso rwunopiwa naMwari runopfuura kungotiza kurangwa kusingaperi. Mwari anopawo upenyu hutsva kana tagamuchira Kristu. Mwari anoita vana vake. Jesu akafira zvivi zvedu. Asi haana kuramba akafa. Akamuka. Nokuda kwokuti anorarama nokusingaperi, tingararame nokusingaperi.
- Ruponeso rwunoreva kuti tine upenyu hutsva, upenyu hwaKristu mukati medu. Munhu akaponeswa anove mwana waMwari.
Verenga Johane 5:24; VaKorinte 5:17,18; VaRoma 5:10; VaRoma 8:14-16; na Johane 3:1-2
RUPONESO
Munhu Anoshaiwa Ruponeso
- Chivi chinotsaukanisa vanhu vaMwari nokuti mutsvene uye akarurama. Naizvzvo, Mwari haangave nokuwadzana nevanhu kusvikira vaponeswa kana vanatswa kubva pachivi. Vanhu vose vakasvikira vaponeswa kana vanatswa kubva pachivi. Vanhu vose vakatadza. Mubairo wechivi rufu, saka vanhu vose vanofanira kuponeswa kubva pachivi chinokonzera kufa kusingaperi.
- Vanofanirawo kuponeswa kuitira kuti kuwadzana kwavo naMwari kuvandudzwe. Mwari akaita munhu wose uye anoda kupa munhu wose upenyu husingaperi. Mwari haangape upenyu husingaperi kana ani nani chairamba akarasika uye achingitadza. Kana munhu achida upenyu husingaperi nekufadza, akafanira kuponeswa.
Verenga Ezekieri 18:20; VaRoma 3:10,23; VaRoma 6:23; Mateo 16:26 na 1 VaKorinte 15:19
Hapana Munhu angazviponesa
- Munhu haangasimudze tsoka dzake nemaoko uye nokuzvisimudza kubva pasi. Nenzira imwe cheteyo, hapana munhu angazviponesa kubva pachivi uye nokuzviisa mukuwadzana naMwari. Munhu angaedze kuita zvinhu zvakanaka muupenyu hwake hwose. Izvi hazvingagutse Mwari. Bhabheri rinotiudza kuti hapana munhu angazviponesa nokuita mabasa api neapi akanaka.
Verenga VaRoma 3:20 na VaGaratia 3:11
- Chivi chinotsaukanisa vanhu vaMwari nokuti mutsvene uye akarurama. Naizvzvo, Mwari haangave nokuwadzana nevanhu kusvikira vaponeswa kana vanatswa kubva pachivi. Vanhu vose vakasvikira vaponeswa kana vanatswa kubva pachivi. Vanhu vose vakatadza. Mubairo wechivi rufu, saka vanhu vose vanofanira kuponeswa kubva pachivi chinokonzera kufa kusingaperi.
- Vanofanirawo kuponeswa kuitira kuti kuwadzana kwavo naMwari kuvandudzwe. Mwari akaita munhu wose uye anoda kupa munhu wose upenyu husingaperi. Mwari haangape upenyu husingaperi kana ani nani chairamba akarasika uye achingitadza. Kana munhu achida upenyu husingaperi nekufadza, akafanira kuponeswa.
Verenga Ezekieri 18:20; VaRoma 3:10,23; VaRoma 6:23; Mateo 16:26 na 1 VaKorinte 15:19
Hapana Munhu angazviponesa
- Munhu haangasimudze tsoka dzake nemaoko uye nokuzvisimudza kubva pasi. Nenzira imwe cheteyo, hapana munhu angazviponesa kubva pachivi uye nokuzviisa mukuwadzana naMwari. Munhu angaedze kuita zvinhu zvakanaka muupenyu hwake hwose. Izvi hazvingagutse Mwari. Bhabheri rinotiudza kuti hapana munhu angazviponesa nokuita mabasa api neapi akanaka.
Verenga VaRoma 3:20 na VaGaratia 3:11
Thursday, February 18, 2010
CONFESSION: A SURE WIN
Have you ever wondered..
- If God could ever forgive your sin?
- Why you should confess?
Read: Psalm 32:5; James 5:16
Thirty thousand runners. Twenty-six miles. Thirteen water stations. Two onlympic marathon - a colossal challenge that dares runners to attempt its course. The Christian life is like a marathon. It is a lifelong, often grueling race for which we train, sweat, and persevere. We condition ourselves to prepare for the race. We find ourselves running among countless other runners with the same goal in mind: complete the race.
But not everyone makes it to the finish line. Some runners allow sin to bigin piling up on their backs, slowing their strides until they eventually collapse on the curb. The course is difficult enough without having to carry around the heavy burden of unconfessed sin.
Confession is the only way to unload it from your back. God is watching and waiting for you at the finish line. He wants to see you run across it free of injury. There is no sin that won't forgive. Can you hear Him calling your name>
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9)
- If God could ever forgive your sin?
- Why you should confess?
Read: Psalm 32:5; James 5:16
Thirty thousand runners. Twenty-six miles. Thirteen water stations. Two onlympic marathon - a colossal challenge that dares runners to attempt its course. The Christian life is like a marathon. It is a lifelong, often grueling race for which we train, sweat, and persevere. We condition ourselves to prepare for the race. We find ourselves running among countless other runners with the same goal in mind: complete the race.
But not everyone makes it to the finish line. Some runners allow sin to bigin piling up on their backs, slowing their strides until they eventually collapse on the curb. The course is difficult enough without having to carry around the heavy burden of unconfessed sin.
Confession is the only way to unload it from your back. God is watching and waiting for you at the finish line. He wants to see you run across it free of injury. There is no sin that won't forgive. Can you hear Him calling your name>
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9)
Friday, February 12, 2010
VAMWE VANHU VANOVE VANA VAMWARI
Zano raMwari kuvanhu vose nderokuvaponesa uye nokuvaita vana vake. Mwari anokwezva vanhu nerudo rwake kuitira kuti vazhinji vasarudze kuve vana vake vechokwadi. Vana ava vaMwari vachaenda kunogara naye nokusingaperi rimwe zuva.
Kana tikaongorora mbeu dzemumwe muti, tinoona kuti Mwari anosika mbeu zhinji dzakadai. Asi shoma dzembeu idzi ndidzo dzichamera, dzichakura uye nokubereka muchero. Saizvozvo Mwari akaita vanhu vazhinji. Asi vanhu vose havazove vana vaMwari. Avo chete vanosarudza mumwoyo yavo uyenevanouya kuna Mwari nenzira yaakagadzirira ndivo vanove vana vake vechokwadi mumweya.
Verenga Johane 17:1-3,9,15; VaRoma 8:29,30; 2 Timotio 1:9; neVaHeberu 2:10
Kana tikaongorora mbeu dzemumwe muti, tinoona kuti Mwari anosika mbeu zhinji dzakadai. Asi shoma dzembeu idzi ndidzo dzichamera, dzichakura uye nokubereka muchero. Saizvozvo Mwari akaita vanhu vazhinji. Asi vanhu vose havazove vana vaMwari. Avo chete vanosarudza mumwoyo yavo uyenevanouya kuna Mwari nenzira yaakagadzirira ndivo vanove vana vake vechokwadi mumweya.
Verenga Johane 17:1-3,9,15; VaRoma 8:29,30; 2 Timotio 1:9; neVaHeberu 2:10
KUSIKWA NOKUDIKUKUNDIKANA KWOMUNHU
Munhu akasikwa naMwari
- Vanhu vakasikwa naMwari. Vanhu vokutanga vakaitwa naye. Nguva imwe neimwe panozvarwa mwana mutsva tinoshamiswa nechisikwa chaMwari chitsva.
- Vanhu vakasikwa mumufananidzo waMwari. Havangove neMweya usingaparadzike sewaMwari, asi vane simba rokusarudzawo. Vanhu vakasikwa kuti vave nokuwadzana naMwari. Vakasikirwa kuti vaunze kubwinya kuna Mwari. Asi Mwari haamanikidze vanhu kuti vamushandire. Mwari anoda avo vanosarudza mumwoyo yavo kumuda nokumushandira.
Verenga Genesis 1:26-30; Gensis2;7; Genesis 2:18-22; Genesis 3:1-24; naGenesis 9:6
- Vanhu vakasikwa naMwari. Vanhu vokutanga vakaitwa naye. Nguva imwe neimwe panozvarwa mwana mutsva tinoshamiswa nechisikwa chaMwari chitsva.
- Vanhu vakasikwa mumufananidzo waMwari. Havangove neMweya usingaparadzike sewaMwari, asi vane simba rokusarudzawo. Vanhu vakasikwa kuti vave nokuwadzana naMwari. Vakasikirwa kuti vaunze kubwinya kuna Mwari. Asi Mwari haamanikidze vanhu kuti vamushandire. Mwari anoda avo vanosarudza mumwoyo yavo kumuda nokumushandira.
Verenga Genesis 1:26-30; Gensis2;7; Genesis 2:18-22; Genesis 3:1-24; naGenesis 9:6
Monday, February 8, 2010
No More Than We Can Bear
Have you ever wondered....
. How to respond when you are tempted?
. What God expects of you?
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Mathew 4:1-11
- The question isn't if you'll be tempted to sin. It's just a matter of when, what, and how creative Satan will be. First Corinthians describes temptation as something everybody faces. We're vulnerable, and Satan knows it.
- Jesus is our lifeline out of temptation. He sees the storm coming. He watches us struggling to stay afloat as wave after wave crashes over us. Just when we are about to drown, Jesus reaches in and offers his hand to pull us to safety. It is our choice to either take his strong hand or to sink.
- God's word is our harbor from the storm. When we recognize temptation approaching, then we can gear up for it by asking for God's help. He knows our weaknesses. He understands our pressures and temptations. Jesus himself was tempted, and he is strong enough to overcome it all.
* For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted... Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 2:18; 4:16)
. How to respond when you are tempted?
. What God expects of you?
Read: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Mathew 4:1-11
- The question isn't if you'll be tempted to sin. It's just a matter of when, what, and how creative Satan will be. First Corinthians describes temptation as something everybody faces. We're vulnerable, and Satan knows it.
- Jesus is our lifeline out of temptation. He sees the storm coming. He watches us struggling to stay afloat as wave after wave crashes over us. Just when we are about to drown, Jesus reaches in and offers his hand to pull us to safety. It is our choice to either take his strong hand or to sink.
- God's word is our harbor from the storm. When we recognize temptation approaching, then we can gear up for it by asking for God's help. He knows our weaknesses. He understands our pressures and temptations. Jesus himself was tempted, and he is strong enough to overcome it all.
* For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted... Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 2:18; 4:16)
Friday, February 5, 2010
KO DHIABHOROSI ANORWISA SEI?
- Dhiabhorosi mweya. Hatikwanise kumuona nemaziso edu. Anouya kupfungwa dzedu. Zvirevo 4:23 inoti, "Chengeta mwoyo wako (pfungwa dzako) kupfuura zvose zvinofanira kurindwa; nokuti mukati mawo ndimo mune zvitibu zvoupenyu." Satani anoisa pfungwa dzakaipa mukati medu nenzira yakachenjera zvokuti tinofunga kuti mifungo yedu chaiyo. Tingaone kuti Satani anoitirwisa sei nokuverenga nezvokuedzwa kwaJesu muna Meo 4:1-11:
1. Anouya paunenge usingambotarisira. Zvakaitika apo Dhiabhorosi akauya shure kwenguva yaJesu inofadza naMwari mumvura yoruombeko. (Mateo 4:1)
2. Anokanda zano rake rokuti titadze mupfungwa dzedu patinenge takanyanyorukutika. Jesu akanga oziya nenzara zvikuru shure kwenguva ndefu yokuzvinyima zvokudya (Mateo 4:2). Naizvozvo, Satani akamuedza kuti apindure matombo kuti ave chingwa (Mateo 4:3).
3. Chinhu chakanaka kuyeuka ndechokuti dhiabhorosi anokwanisa kupa ndima dzemagwaro, asi anoedza kudziita kuti dzireve zvaanoda kurava (Mateo 4:6). Nnguva dzose tinofanira kuverenga ndima dziri mberi nedziri shure kwendima yose yose yatinenge tapiwa kuitira kuti tiwane zvinoreva Mwari.
4. Dhiabhorosi Anoshingirira. Kunyange zvazvo Jesu akakunda dhiabhorosi kwokutanga, kwechipiri, dhiabhorosi akaramba achiuya nemiedzo yake kusvikira Jesu amukunda zvachose (Mateo4:11)
1. Anouya paunenge usingambotarisira. Zvakaitika apo Dhiabhorosi akauya shure kwenguva yaJesu inofadza naMwari mumvura yoruombeko. (Mateo 4:1)
2. Anokanda zano rake rokuti titadze mupfungwa dzedu patinenge takanyanyorukutika. Jesu akanga oziya nenzara zvikuru shure kwenguva ndefu yokuzvinyima zvokudya (Mateo 4:2). Naizvozvo, Satani akamuedza kuti apindure matombo kuti ave chingwa (Mateo 4:3).
3. Chinhu chakanaka kuyeuka ndechokuti dhiabhorosi anokwanisa kupa ndima dzemagwaro, asi anoedza kudziita kuti dzireve zvaanoda kurava (Mateo 4:6). Nnguva dzose tinofanira kuverenga ndima dziri mberi nedziri shure kwendima yose yose yatinenge tapiwa kuitira kuti tiwane zvinoreva Mwari.
4. Dhiabhorosi Anoshingirira. Kunyange zvazvo Jesu akakunda dhiabhorosi kwokutanga, kwechipiri, dhiabhorosi akaramba achiuya nemiedzo yake kusvikira Jesu amukunda zvachose (Mateo4:11)
MUVENGI WEDU SATANI
Ko wanga uchizviziva here kuti tiri pahondo? Izvi ndizvo zvatinoudzwa neBhaibheri muna VaEfeso 6:12. Ko muvengi wedu ndiani? Zita rake ndiSatani, kana kuti dhiabhorosi. Ko Dhiabhorosi ndiani? Ko akabva kupi? Ko ari kupi ikozvino? Ko ari kuitei ikozvino? Ko ari kuenda kupi? Hatingatarisire kukunda muvengi wedu kunze kwokunge tichiziva chimwe chinhu maererano nezvaari. Ikozvino tichadzidza pamusoro padhiabhorosi, muvengi wedu.
1. Ko Dhiabhorosi Ndiani? Dhiabhorosi munhu ane simba guru nerakaipisisa chaizvo. Ane mazita mazhinji: Satani, Rusifa, mwari wenyika ino, nyoka, muedzi. Vavariro yake ndeyokuita kuti vanhu vamukire Mwari, uye nokuita kuti Mwari amukire vanhu. ( Jobo 1:9-11; 2:9). Ari kutsvaka kukonzera kuti atadze munhu.
2. Ko Dhiabhorosi akabva kupi? Bhaibheri haritaure zviri pachena maererano nezvizvi. Isaya 14:12-15 inopa pfungwa yokuti pane imwe nguva Dhiabhorosi akanga ari mutumwa anoyevedza ane masimba makuru akasikwa naMwari mukutsveneseka. Asi mutumwa anoyevedza uyu haana kuchengeta "ukuru hwakw" (Judas 6), asi akawira muchivi chokuzvikudza. Aida kuve mukuru kupfuura Mwari. Naizvozvo akadzingwa kubva kudenga (Ruka 10:18), pamwe chete nevamwe vatumwa vakanga vamutevera mukupanduka kwake Mwari (2 Petro 2:4)
3. Ko Dhiabhorosi ari kupi ikozvino? 1 Petro 5:8 inoti, "... muvengi wenyu Dhiabhorosi, anofamba-famba seshumba inorira, ichitsvaka waingaparadza." Haasi mugehena, asi ari pano panyika. Dhiabhorosi achaenda kugehena pakuguma kwenyika (Zvakazarurwa 20:10). Meo 25:41 inotidzidzisa kuti gehena raksikwa naMwari kuti arange Dhiabhorosi nevatumwa vake. Haazove mambo wegehena, achiudza munhu wose zvokuita. Ndiye achatongwa kupfuura vamwe vose. Asi zvino dhiabhorosi ari pano panyika. Ndiye anoti, "Hazvityise kunyengedza muchikoro kana kunwa doro. Munhu wose ari kuzviita." Akachenjera zvikuru. Anoziva kuti kana akaiita kuti titadze zvishoma, achatiita kuti titadze zvikuru.
1. Ko Dhiabhorosi Ndiani? Dhiabhorosi munhu ane simba guru nerakaipisisa chaizvo. Ane mazita mazhinji: Satani, Rusifa, mwari wenyika ino, nyoka, muedzi. Vavariro yake ndeyokuita kuti vanhu vamukire Mwari, uye nokuita kuti Mwari amukire vanhu. ( Jobo 1:9-11; 2:9). Ari kutsvaka kukonzera kuti atadze munhu.
2. Ko Dhiabhorosi akabva kupi? Bhaibheri haritaure zviri pachena maererano nezvizvi. Isaya 14:12-15 inopa pfungwa yokuti pane imwe nguva Dhiabhorosi akanga ari mutumwa anoyevedza ane masimba makuru akasikwa naMwari mukutsveneseka. Asi mutumwa anoyevedza uyu haana kuchengeta "ukuru hwakw" (Judas 6), asi akawira muchivi chokuzvikudza. Aida kuve mukuru kupfuura Mwari. Naizvozvo akadzingwa kubva kudenga (Ruka 10:18), pamwe chete nevamwe vatumwa vakanga vamutevera mukupanduka kwake Mwari (2 Petro 2:4)
3. Ko Dhiabhorosi ari kupi ikozvino? 1 Petro 5:8 inoti, "... muvengi wenyu Dhiabhorosi, anofamba-famba seshumba inorira, ichitsvaka waingaparadza." Haasi mugehena, asi ari pano panyika. Dhiabhorosi achaenda kugehena pakuguma kwenyika (Zvakazarurwa 20:10). Meo 25:41 inotidzidzisa kuti gehena raksikwa naMwari kuti arange Dhiabhorosi nevatumwa vake. Haazove mambo wegehena, achiudza munhu wose zvokuita. Ndiye achatongwa kupfuura vamwe vose. Asi zvino dhiabhorosi ari pano panyika. Ndiye anoti, "Hazvityise kunyengedza muchikoro kana kunwa doro. Munhu wose ari kuzviita." Akachenjera zvikuru. Anoziva kuti kana akaiita kuti titadze zvishoma, achatiita kuti titadze zvikuru.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)