Divorce

Scripture: Mar 10:2-12 And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put [her] away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same [matter]. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Observation: After Jesus gave this message, his disciples came to him afterwards and told him "this is a hard saying". Today, this is still a hard saying. We have cases of abuse, neglect, and various other crimes committed in marriage. With our divorce rate over 50%, marriage is in trouble!

Application: This scripture, combined with others on the subject gives us a fairly complete instruction on marriage, separation, and divorce. In this scripture, we see that divorce is clearly called out as being wrong. In all cases, divorce is sin. One partner or the other is always in sin. And in most cases, both are in sin. This is a hard teaching, but it is the truth. When we try to gloss over, or adapt the truth into something it is not because it is difficult, we get into all sorts of trouble. There are other scripture on this subject that allow, and even encourage, separation. Separation is a Godly alternative to Divorce, and it is Biblical. If someone is already divorced, this should be handled like any other sin; confessed, forgiven, and cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. If we are divorced, or married, or single, we are admonished to be content in that state.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to have marriages that reflect well on you. Help us to take your love, and give it to each other. Help us to forgive those who have sinned against us. Let us be content where we are. In Jesus Name.

The Greatest

Scripture: Mar 9:35-36 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, [the same] shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Observation: Whoever wants to be the greatest, should be the least? How can this be. Jesus teachings often follow what I call "the backward principle". This scripture is perhaps the most explicit of the backward principle. Spiritual things are often backward of natural things. The spiritual and natural world fit together more like two pieces of a puzzle. Each piece of a puzzle is the mirror opposite of the other, two pieces that are the same would not fit together ... only opposite pieces fit together. And yet the two pieces to not provide a picture without each other. In the spiritual sense, a leader must be humble and must serve others. Real influence is only granted be those being lead, it cannot be taken or coerced.

Application: Do you want to be a leader at your work, at your home, in your social circle? If you are a Christian, you are called to lead. Our place is to rule and reign with Christ Jesus, and that place begins here an now. You must serve others to lead, and you must consider their needs before your own. You must give of yourself, expecting nothing in return. This is the way of Jesus, the path of the cross, laying down your life for others. That is leadership!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, let us lay down our lives for those whom you died for, daily. Let us give and expect nothing in return. I pray that I would have the strength of Jesus Christ in my daily ministry to others. Amen.

Prayer and Fasting

Scripture: Mar 9:28-29 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Observation: Jesus told his disciples that they needed to pray and fast in order to see his power and purpose come to pass in their lives. We know that God told us that he came so that we would be free; and most certainly it was his will that the young man who was demon possessed would be free of that oppression. However, his disciples were not able to cast out the demon. The purpose of prayer and fasting is not to break the demonic oppression, that somehow a session of prolonged spiritual warfare would have set the young man free. We know this because when Jesus set the young man free, he simply commanded the Demon to come out. He did not have a 24 hour prayer and fasting session. Rather, what Jesus demonstrated was prolonged times of prayer and fasting daily. His discipline was to go to a quiet place and have fellowship with the Father in prayer and fasting. Evidently his disciples were not so disciplined. At the garden of Gethsemane on the night of Jesus crucification, recall that his disciples could not pray for even an hour. Jesus however, was very comfortable spending hours in prayer and fasting.

Application: We need to be people of prayer and fasting. How many of us could pray for even an hour? How many of us spend a significant amount of time every day in prayer, worship, fasting, bible reading? How can we expect to see God's power and purpose come to pass in our lives if we don't?

Prayer: Dear Father, Help us to live our lives fully devoted to you. Help us turn our lives up side down and begin to make you first in our lives. Let us be your people, and let us declare that you are our God in word and deed. May our lives be a testimony to your love and grace. May we act like your children, and may we not act like children of this world. In Jesus name, Amen!

Can You?

Scripture: Mar 9:22-24 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Observation: In verse 22, we see the father of the demon possessed child ask Jesus if he "Can" do anything to help him. The Greek word for "Can" is a variation of the word "dunamai" of which we get our word dynamite. The term implies having power or authority to do something. "Can" is a good translation of this word, but the implications of what the father was asking are significant. If the father had known that Jesus was God, would he have really asked him if he had authority or power to do anything? We know that all authority and power was given to Jesus. This father evidently didn't know that. It was this unbelief that Jesus had to counter to help the man and his child. In verse 23 Jesus uses a play on words to show the father what he is missing. The father had asked Jesus if he "Can" and so Jesus tells the father that if HE "Can", then he "Can" believe then he "Can" do all things. The issue was not Jesus' power and authority, but rather the father's lack of belief was inhibiting the power and authority of Jesus being demonstrated in his life. The father saw his mistake, and his son was healed.

Application: We don't so much need to be concerned with God as we do with our lack of belief in God. If we "Can" trust in God fully, then we don't to worry about what God "Can" do in our lives. If we "Can" belief in him fully, then we "Can" do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. We have the authority as believers, in his name, to do all things. However, to the degree that we trust and believe in him, we will see those things come to pass.

Prayer: Lord, We believe in you, God help us with our lack of trust. Amen

An atmosphere of unbelief

Scripture: Mar 9:17-19 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

Observation: So who was it that did not have faith? One might assume it was his nine disciples who stood watching and were unable to cast out the spirit. One might assume it was the Scribes who Jesus questioned when he arrived on the scene. Or it could be the father of the boy who spoke with Jesus. The Textus Receptus Greek seems to imply Jesus was speaking to the father, answering his question. This follows a spiritual principle that the father would have had spiritual authority over the boy since the boy was not yet of age. Thus the unbelief of the father would prevent the deliverance of the son. But certainly everyone was listening and Jesus would have considered that in his response. All involved had contributed to an atmosphere of unbelief, and Jesus had walked right into the middle of it. It was this atmosphere of unbelief that made the work of God difficult for Jesus' disciples to accomplish.

Application: How can we avoid developing an atmosphere of unbelief? Unfortunatly, we live in a society that is filled with unbelief. It is all around us, and it seems to be the default for whom we encouter. Most church services today begin with a time of worship, prayer, and Bible reading. These things help reduce and atmosphere of unbelief. Later in this chapter, Jesus instructed his disciples to fast and pray to overcome this type of unbelief. Many ministers who see miracles at their services will first teach on healing or deliverance before praying for those things to help disuade the atmosphere of unbelief and build up faith.

Prayer: Father help us to know your will. Let us discern spiritual things. Let us spend time each day in prayer and fasting. Let us work in your discipline and your authority to accomplish your will on earth, as it is in heaven... this day! Amen

Power and Purpose

Scripture: Mark 9:14-16 And when he came to [his] disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to [him] saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

Observation: Jesus had just taken Peter, John and James up to the mountain where they witnessed the "transfiguration" of Jesus Christ and heard the voice of the father. When Jesus returned he saw a commotion, and it didn't take him long to figure out who was the cause of it. Jesus, being God, knew that the spirit of the Scribes and Pharisees was at work. He had warned his disciples of this spirit, that it was like yeast, and would multiply and grow quickly. Jesus had left the weaker nine disciples, and left on their own, they did not do well. They were quickly trapped and accused by the scribes. An atmosphere of unbelief had manifested and the nine disciples were not able to perform the miracles they were accustomed to.

Application: Satan always preys on the weaker ones in the flock. We need to be watchful of his traps. As leaders we need to do as Jesus did, warn, teach, ready, and stay close to our team member who might be vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. If Jesus had not intervened, this situation could have been fatal for the nine disciples. Later in this chapter, Jesus identified that prayer and fasting were needed to overcome this type of situation. Through prayer and fasting our spirits become strong and we are able to instantly discern situations just the way that Jesus did. Prayer and Fasting are essential for spiritual leadership. We must always be in the anointing of God to be victorious and accomplish God's purpose on the earth.

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to always stay close to you. Help us to build ourselves up in you through Prayer, Fasting, Worship, and your Word. Help us to always know that you are with us, and let us rely fully on your power and purpose in our lives. In Jesus Name.

A sacrificial call to follow Christ

Scripture: Mark 8:34 - 38 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Observation: This is a hard teaching. As followers of Christ, we are called to lay aside all of our wants and desires and to substitute for them the wants and desires of Christ. And if we chose not to do so, we are denying Jesus who will then deny us and our eternal destiny is put in jeopardy.

Application: This sacrificial call to Christ is not something that is often preached from the mainstream pulpit. It is not a popular gospel. But it is the teaching of Christ, and the truth of God. Have you devoted your life to follow Christ? That is the question to ask ourselves. What does following Christ look like? It is surely more than just acknowledging him and then going our own way. On the other extreme would be selling all that you have and giving it to the poor and going town to town preaching the gospel trusting God for your subsistence. Or can God use you where you are at, if you are fully devoted to him? These are questions that each of us must work out directly with the King of Kings. There is no more question which is more important. We must diligently seek his will for our life, then follow it with all of our heart, soul mind and strength.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, show us your will for our lives today. Help us to spend each day in full devotion to you. We love you, and desire nothing else than to serve you.

Can we do Miracles like Jesus did?

Scripture: Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Observation: It is interesting that of all of the miracles Jesus did, they had all been done before. Here we see Jesus calm the sea. Moses also demonstrated authority over the sea. We see Jesus raise the dead, Elijah, Elisha, and others also raised the dead. We saw Jesus heal and cast out demons. Many prophets and his disciples also did these same miracles. Even the resurrection of Jesus is similar to the translation by Enoch and the raising of the dead person who was thrown on the bones of Elisha.

Application: It is clear to anyone who reads the Bible for what it says that Jesus is God, and we are not. However, the miracles Jesus did were by the same power of the Holy Spirit that he gives to us. And as Romans 8:11 tells us, we have that same power that raised Christ from the dead, then why should we not also be able to do the same miracles? The answer is multi-fold, first we should realize that we must hear and do what Jesus told us to do. We each need to read the word, and inventory our selves to see if we are in line with it. Second, we need to live by the spirit and not by the flesh. The power that raised Christ from the dead is in our spirit, not in our flesh. We must learn to deny our flesh and allow our spirit to become dominant. To the degree we can do these things, we should begin to see that power that raised Christ from the dead operate in our lives.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. I thank you for dying so that I could have life. I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit. I thank you for loving me enough to make me a new person in you. I pray that my flesh would be crucified, and that I would feed my spirit daily with your manna from heaven. Help me to keep my focus on you all day, every day. Help me to grow closer to you so that you and I can be one, just as you are one with the father.

Who is this Man?

Scripture: Mar 4:39-41 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Observation: If you have ever spent much time on the sea, you quickly gain a love and respect for the power of the water. It is incredible how much physical power is in an ocean wave. They pound everything to dust eventually. Jesus simply speaks and that incredible power is removed.

Application: This was a turning point for the disciples who were fisherman. Still today, for many who know the sea it is a turning point for them. This man Jesus, is God. And if he is God, everything changes for you.

Prayer: I know that you are God Jesus. Forgive me of my wrong doings. Cleanse me of my filth. Make me a new person in you. Help me to follow you all of the days of my life. Amen!

The benefits of listening

Scripture: Mark 4:24-25 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

Observation: Jesus had just finished sharing the interpretation of the Parable of the sower with his disciples. He told them to be sure they were rooted in the things of God, that they should be wary of Satan and the cares of this world, and that they should follow God with all of their heart and if they did so they would flourish. Now Jesus tells his disciples that they need to hear, listen, and do those things which they just heard.

Application: There is power in God's word. He has given us clear direction in his word that we should follow. The power is when we do what he has told us to do. When we do so, nothing can stop us. When we follow God, the power is not our own... but his.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray that I would keep my eyes on you. I pray that I would listen to your Word. I pray that I would have understanding of your Word. I pray that I would do your Word and not be distracted by the things of this world. I trust you to provide that which you have said you will provide. Thank You.

Be careful about condemning the works of God

Scripture: Mark 3:28-30 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Observation: This is a scripture which has puzzled many Bible readers. Why would you receive eternal condemnation for speaking against the Holy Spirit, but not for speaking against Jesus? To understand this, you must understand who Jesus was on earth. Jesus was fully God, but also fully Man. He stepped down from his throne to come to earth as a baby. That didn't change who he was, but it did change his position. Before Jesus did miracles, he was first baptized with the Holy Spirit (as should we all be). He was, and always will be God, but when he was baptized with the Holy Spirit he was endued with heavenly power on earth from the Holy Spirit. So, Jesus operated in the position of Man... under the covenant of Adam, but he operated in the power of the Holy Ghost while still being fully God. Thus, it was the power of the Holy Ghost who cast out the devils in Mark chapter 3, and so when the Pharisee accused Jesus of casting out devils by Satan, they were calling the spirit by which Jesus did the miracles Satan. The Pharisees called the Holy Spirit Satan. That was the unpardonable sin.

Application: We need to be very careful about condemning the ministry of others. It could be us who is wrong, not them. How many times have you looked back on things you did years earlier and thought about how wrong you were? Is it possible that you could be wrong now when you condemn someone else's ministry. Ultimately people who operate in the occult will be exposed by their fruit. Prayer is a better course of action than condemnation of the ministry of others.

Prayer: Dear Father, Give me a humble heart. Let me think less of myself than others. Help me to always walk in humility. Help me to speak softly but to carry a big stick. You are my power and my authority dear Jesus, let me never forget that. Amen!

Watch and Pray

Scripture- Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak

Observation: The Garden of Gethsemane and the sweat of blood that Jesus shed prior to his crucification are perhaps some of the most heart wrenching scenes from the New Testament. Here we find Jesus trying to compel his inner circle, Peter James and John, to pray. One might assume that they prayers would be for him, since he has stated that he is very sorrowful. However, in this verse the subject of the prayers Jesus wants his disciples to pray are not for him self. He wants to keep THEM from entering into temptation. "Ye" in this verse is second person plural. That is, it is not Jesus who is being tempted and who's flesh is weak but rather the disciples.

Application: Since this verse is one that is applicable to the disciples, and if we are a disciple of Christ, then perhaps we should be more cognizant of it in our lives. We DO need to watch and pray so that we don't enter into temptation. As a believer in Jesus Christ, his spirit lives in us, and so yes our spirit is willing to do God's will in our lives, but it is most often our flesh who is weak. The solution given here is to watch and pray. Many other verses in the Bible encourage us to watch and pray. Watch implies staying awake and being vigilant. The enemy is out to kill, steal, and destroy. We need to Watch and be ready. Our response to the attempts of the enemy is prayer. Our prayer should be words of faith to bring to pass God's will on earth.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray that we stay vigilant to the wiles of the enemy. Teach us to pray, Father of ours. Let us pray with faith, not doubting, that the kingdom of heaven would be manifest here on earth. In Jesus name.

Don't Interrupt God

Scripture: Matthew 17:3-6 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard [it], they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Observation: God was doing something here. Jesus was engaged in conversation with Moses and Elijah in an open heaven on earth. What an amazing thing! John, James, and Peter were able to witness this supernatural event. Peter, who is often full of zeal, interrupts the conversation of Jesus to promote his own idea. If the culture of Judea was anything similar to today's culture, what Peter did was a rude thing. Interrupting the King of the Universe is something that is not advisable. Father God's rebuke was about as gentle as he could possibly have made it, but it still scared Peter, James, and John beyond description.

Application: God is active in our lifes, he has an agenda and is engaged in things on our behalf. Often we get our own ideas, and we want to interupt God. Interrupting God is very disrespectful. It leads to going our own way, in our own strength, which causes problems. However, often our ideas are inspired of God. How can we know the difference? Listening to God is key. If Peter had listened closer to God, rather than listening to the ideas spinning through his head, he would have been in tune with the Holy Spirit. We need time with God to be able to discern his thoughts from our thoughts, and we need to listen closely with reverence and respect.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, open our hears Lord. Let us hear you clearly. Open our hearts Lord, let us desire you with a pure love. Open our minds Lord, let us know you as our closest friend. Amen

How to build a ministry

Scripture: Mat 16:20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Observation: Jesus is the Christ, God on Earth... and yet he didn't want his disciples going and telling everyone that. Jesus had many titles in the various old testement scriptures that prophesied his time on earth, he chose "son of man", the most humble of all to refer to himself with.

Application: Humility is a precious commodity. It is more powerful that they most persuasive speech. It is more beautiful that the finest sunset. It is more fragrant that the finest perfume. Let others discover who you are, rather than developing strategies to market yourself.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, let us be clothed in your humility. Let us lay down our life, take up our cross, and follow you. Let us not look to the left or the right, but keep our eyes on you at all times. Amen

Beware

Scripture: Mat 16:11-12 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Observation: Yeast is everywhere, it is in every breath of air, it only needs a warm moist place to grow. Bad doctrine has a way of sneaking into our belief system. It doesn't come knocking on our door, it slips through the cracks in our walls and windows. But once it begins to grow from the inside, it seems as if it belonged there all along.

Application: The Apostle Paul told his church plants to believe nothing other than what he taught them. That seems pretty narrow minded, but he understood that the truth of who Jesus Christ is, is all sufficient. Every supposed truth we hear needs to be put to the test of scripture, and it it is not what the scripture teaches it should be discarded.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remain true to you until the very end. We know that there are wolfs and snakes seeking to trick and devour us, but we put our trust solely in you and the work Christ did on the cross for us. Thank you Lord.

Renew Your Strength

Scripture: Matthew 15:29-32 And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples [unto him], and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

Observation: Ministry is tiring. Jesus had been ministering several days and so as was his habit he retreated to the mountain to renew his strength. However, as it often happened people followed him, thousands of people followed him, and he had to minister to their needs.

Application: Like Jesus, we need to retreat and renew our strength. Like Jesus, the world will want to pull us back in. Like Jesus we need to take care of those things that absolutely must be done, but all the other things should be postponed so that we can retreat while the Lord renews our strength.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. You are wonderful. You are Holy. Thank You for your word. Thank you that you said to come to you when we are weary. I pray that you would renew my strength. I pray that I would always turn to you as the source of my strength. I pray that I would turn away from the world, and toward you. thank you Jesus.

God's Word is True

Scripture: Mat 15:7 - 9 [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

Observation: Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29:14 which is a prophesy for Jerusalem, which is where Jesus is speaking. We have to ask our selves, if we are not doing the same thing that the religious leaders of Jerusalem did?

Application: Teachers of the word of God, need to make sure we don't teach our Government's laws, and our social norms as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a very difficult thing, because we are so heavily influenced by our culture and the people in our lives. We need to have relationship with them, but we must also keep our minds clear that the Word of God is true.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your Word. Let us stand firm on your word and be grounded in it. Let us live our lives in such a way as to glorify you our King.

He Gave us Power

Scripture: Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Observation: Matthew Chapter 10 follows the Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5 - 7, and the calling of his disciples in Chapter 8 - 9. Here we see Jesus now sending his disciples out to minister. They have heard his teachings, they have seen his miracles, they have left all to follow him. Before he sends them out, he gives them power over demons and illness.

Application: Before God sends us out on missions, he gives us the power we need. In fact, all the power we need has been given to us by his death, burial, and resurrection as we yield ourselves to him. We are all called, but few choose to follow their calling. Be assured that if we choose to follow the plans God has for us, there will be power available to us to accomplish the mission.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your life for us. No greater love has anyone than to lay down their lives for another... and you did that for us. Let us now walk worthy of your sacrifice. Give us the power we need for the task at hand. In Jesus Name, let it be so.

Lord, Lord

Scripture: Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Observation: In these passages Jesus concludes the sermon on the mount, perhaps the most profound section of scripture in the Bible. To conclude his teaching, he addresses the subject of Lordship. He identifies who groups who call him Lord, the first call him Lord but he doesn't know them, and the second call him Lord but don't do what he asked them to do. In Jesus' day, land was owned by Lords. The Lords controlled absolutely everything that went on in their land. Most everyone who "worked" for the Lord was his property. The servants of a Lord were at his mercy, if they displeased the Lord then he could punish them up to death according to his whim.

Application: We must determine who our spiritual master is. Is it God, ourselves, or someone or something else? You have to serve someone. Most people in America choose to serve themselves. That seems to be the default choice. Others become totally dependent on someone else, and they serve them. And there are a very few, who choose to not be concerned with their selves or worry about what others think, but rather to fashion their lives around making God pleased. These people tend to be rare, even among the church. Jesus is saying that those are the ones who are going to have eternal life assured. There are others who say that Jesus is their Lord, but don't do what he asked them do do. They are not assured of eternal life according to the words of Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, you know the plans you have for us. Let us see the plans you have for our lives. Let our purpose be made apparent to us. Let us serve you with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. In Jesus precious name.

All Roads Lead to ?

Scripture: Mat 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Observation: The words of Jesus are profound; they carry a weight and depth that none other do. God himself is speaking to us. In this verse, Jesus is telling it like it is. Not everyone is going to heaven, in fact most are not. We all wish that was not the case, but it is the reality. Some call us who believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven "Narrow Minded". In this case, that name is warranted... but for a reason. Jesus told us to be Narrow Minded. He said, Narrow is the way that leads to life. Later he told us "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father except by me". There are other instances where Jesus told us not to be narrow minded. For instance, in the previous verse Jesus told us to do to others what we would have them do to us and that if we do that we fulfill all of the laws and rules of Christianity and Judaism. That is about as broad minded as you can get!

Application: If we then know that those who are not living for Jesus, how should it affect our lives? We need to tell those who are on the broad road about this narrow path that leads where they want to go. If we don't, we share the responsibility for their eternal destruction.

Prayer: Jesus, I pray that I would be empowered to tell others about you. I pray that I would share your love with them. I pray that they would see you in me, and be drawn to you. I pray that I would speak the words of life to them. Let it be so.

The Golden Rule

Scripture: Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Observation: Most Americans have heard the Golden Rule many times. Most even know it is from the Bible. What I was struck with when reading this passage was the question "Why". Why should we do to others what we would have them do to us? We see one answer in the verse, because it is the law. Most of us try to drive the speed limit because it is the law, but if there were not police to enforce it I think fewer of us would actually drive the speed limit. So why? A good question to ask when looking at scripture is "what is the therefore there for"? The previous two messages in this tail end of the sermon on the mount are about the goodness of God, and receiving what we ask for. We should do good to others because our God is good, and he loves us. Jesus said, if you love me ... keep my commandments. Truly, if you don't love God, there isn't a good motivation to follow him. But if you do love God, you should love his people. Also, treating others poorly could inhibit our own relationship with God. The apostle John told us that if we don't love our brother, that we are in danger of eternal consequences.

Application: Following the Golden Rule should change our lives. We should become givers, and not takers. We should become lovers and not haters. We should become forgivers and not takers of vengeance. Perhaps no other scripture in the Bible has more practical application than this one.

Prayer: Dearest Jesus. Thank you for giving us your word. Thank you for the thousands who gave their lives to preserve your word for us today. Let us now so live as to honor you. Let us love those who hate us. Let us forgive those who hurt us. Let us give to those in need, and expect nothing in return. In Jesus Name we pray

Filled Full

Scripture: Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Observation: This is one of the most profound scriptures in the Bible. This is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which begins with the Beatitudes.. Blessed is the poor in spirit ..., then tells us to be Salty or full of Zest, then tells us that we should shine before men like a city on a hill. Now Jesus "drops the bomb". At this point in his message, we have to be in awe and wonder at the words of the Master. He tells us that he is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The word fulfill in Greek means to cram something full. Literally "Fill Full". So Jesus filled the law full. He took what had become somewhat of shell, and stuffed it full. Certainly the Beatitudes did just that. And what Jesus teaches next really fills the law full and makes it complete. In remainder of Chapter 5 Jesus teaches things like: If the Law said you should not kill, I say that if you have anger at someone without cause that you are in danger of Judgement... and the law says don't commit adultery but Jesus teaches that if we look on someone with lust that we have already committed adultery. These teachings are certainly filling the law full. But there is more. Jesus WAS the fulfillment of the law. In fact Laws wouldn't make us right with God. It took Jesus. And when he has made you right with God, you really don't need to worry about the laws... you only need to worry about him. What we need, is to be "Filled Full" of him!

Application: We really don't need to worry about laws and rules and doo's and don't. We need to worry about whether we are filled full of Jesus. He wants to be with us. He wants to change us from flesh and bones into eternal beings that are filled with him. He wants to be with us in our Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I ask you to fill me with you. I don't want to live the way I am living any more. I want you. Cleanse me and fill me with you.

Salty

Scripture: Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost his savour wherewith - shall it be salted it is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men

Observation - In Leviticus 2:13 God said that every offering should have salt in it. In Mark 9:49-50, Jesus said that we need to have "salt in ourselves". Salt is a necessary mineral, without it we die. Too much of it and we also die. Salt was the primary means of preservation of food up until modern times. Salt was also used for purification and healing because no germs can live in it. So what did Jesus mean when he said " You are the salt of the earth"?

Application: We are supposed to be salty. We are supposed to be cleansing. We are supposed to be pure. We are supposed to be peaceful. We are supposed to be have zeal. We are supposed to do all these things in the earth. If we don't, we are not serving our purpose here.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, fill me with your spirit. Help me to be what you have called me to be. Help me to be God on earth. Help me to be a beacon of peace, power, and self control. Give me your peace, give me your power, give me your love. Wash me and I will be clean.

The rain falls on the good and the bad

Scripture: Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Observation: Good things seem to happen to those who are righteous, and those who are unrighteous. Why is that? This is a common question, frequently asked in the midst of tragedy. The answer is in this verse of scripture. The context is Jesus's sermon on the mount which starts out "Blessed are the poor in spirit"... In this sermon, Jesus tells us how we should live while we are are on earth, and at the end he tells us so "that you may be the children of your father in heaven". The goal of our life is to spend eternity with Jesus Christ. It will be more wonderful than we can comprehend, and compared to it, all the suffering this world has to offer is like comparing a drop of water to the ocean. Forever is a very long time. So, the answer is this ... Our home is not here. Our home is eternity. Here on this earth, the rain does fall on both the good and the bad, but this earth is neither our purpose or our home. "For" in this passage of scripture is important. It says, be God's children forever ... because your life on this earth is not what this is all about. Bad things could happen to you here, but remember that is not what we as God's children are all about. Our mission here is to affect eternity.

Application: Understanding our mission should give us a different perspective. In some sense, we should not care about the bad things that happen to us. They hurt. Jesus wept. But ultimately we need to keep our mission as our focus.

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to keep about your business. Help us to keep our eyes on you. Help us to do your work. Help us to affect eternity in Jesus Name.

Baptized by the Holy Spirit

Scripture- Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Observation - Much has been written about this passage over the centuries. In fact, the day I read this scripture in my daily bible reading, it was the subject of both of the radio programs I listened to that day while driving in to work! Our God is the author if coincidence. The bible teaches us that baptism is symbolic of the death of our selves, and the rebirth of our new selves. Our old selves are selfish, and sinful. Our new selves are spiritual and filled with the very spirit of God himself. Today when we think of something being symbolic, it has a connotation of being not real. That is not the original meaning of the word, and not the correct meaning when referring to things such as baptism being symbolic. Merriam-Webster defines symbol as "a visible sign of something invisible". For example, the stop sign is the symbol of the traffic law that says we need to stop. If there were not traffic law, the red octagon would mean nothing to most of us. However, if there were a traffic law but no red octagon at the intersection we would not stop! In some sense, the symbol is more real than the invisible thing it represents. So it is with Baptism, although it is symbolic... it is very real. A divine transaction takes place when with a pure heart we follow Christ's command and example of repentance, baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit of God almighty.

Application: The Bible says we must be born again. Life without Jesus is no life at all. Don't wait another day to devote your self to your God, and follow his command to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, show us the way we should go. Help us to follow you with all of our mind, all of our heart, and all of our soul. Give us this day. We commit ourselves to you, to love you and serve you all of the days of our life.

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

Scripture - Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Observation - Kingdom is the Greek word for the authority of a King, and heaven was the word they tried to use to describe where God and the Angels resided. The authority of the creator of the universe is coming to earth, and we need to change our hearts to prepare for him. This scripture was spoken prior to the ministry of Jesus Christ, that authority of the universe is reigning now on earth. Jesus is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Application - How now should we live? Knowing that the ruler of the universe is here, amongst us? We need to change our minds, change our hearts, change our lives to acknowledge him in everything we do.

Prayer - Dear Jesus, help us to honor you. Help us to be worthy of the honor you gave us when you sacrificed yourself for us so that we could spend eternity, starting right now, with you. I pray that we would love you, and honor you in everything we do.

The Kingdom of Heaven

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Observation: What did John mean by the "Kingdom of Heaven"? some Bible scholars believe he was referring to the prophecy in the book of Daniel 2:40 "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:". In Daniel 2, the Lord accurately prophesies the four kingdoms that would rule the world for the next centuries: The Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman Empires. However, in verse 40 he identifies the final kingdom which will never end. Once could argue the Christianity ended the Roman Empire as it was know. Jesus Christ changed peoples hearts, and souls, one by one. His kingdom was not like the other kingdoms made by men. He rules over each of us in our spirit; and his kingdom cannot be broken like the kingdoms made by man.

Application: The Lords Prayer says "May your Kingdom come, may your will be done... on earth as it is in heaven" We need the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to rule in our lives. We need to power of God to be manifiest in our souls. We need to turn over the leadership of our lives to him, and concentrate not on what we want, but on what he wants. Then we will see the fruit of the spirit of God in our life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self Control. That is what we need in our troubled lives.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, may your kingdom come in my life. May your will be done in My Life. Not my will, but yours be done. Precious Jesus, take me and make me what you will. Thank You Jesus

Save the children

Scripture: Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Observation: Satan loves to attack the defenseless little children. He used the same tactic to try to take out Moses. You see it throughout the lineage of Jesus Christ where he tried through attacks on the family, fertility, and newborn children.

Application: As men and women of God, we need to protect the unborn and the family. Still today, millions of our children do not make it to adulthood; either through abortion, infertility, family breakups, poverty, disease, or accidents.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to protect the little children. We know that they are precious in your sight. Give us the mind of Christ, help us to see your perspective. Give us divine abilities to stop the attacks on our children. I pray angels charge over all of the little children in my life. In Jesus Name.

The Tapestry

Scripture: Matt 2:4-6 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, [in] the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Observation: When we see a beautiful thread, together with another beautiful thread we admire it; the color, the texture, the lay of the yard... but often the picture of the tapestry itself is difficult to understand when we are examining thread. So it is with the Word of God. From the beginning to the end, God paints us a picture of our birth, our failure, our rebirth through his redemption, and reconciliation with God. This picture is painted over and over throughout time in what is described as labor pains. We see waves of effort to bring the birth and rebirth to pass, often ending with a period of rest before the waves of birthing begins again. Here in Matthew 2, we see the birth coming to pass. The pains are coming one on top of another, and soon, just as man was born in the Garden of Eden, man will be reborn at Jerusalem on the Holy Mountain, and ultimately there will be another birth of God in the Spirit on that same Mountain. Micah 5, quoted here by Matthew, ties these threads together.

Application: How now should we live? Knowing that our first birth was not sufficient. We must be born again to see Heaven, so says God. Our birth in the flesh must be replaced by a birth in the spirit, which will ultimately lead us to a final birth of our eternal spirit in heaven. This second birth happens by dedicating your life to serving Jesus Christ. You must love him with all of your heart, soul, and strength.... the way that he loves you. He will fill you with his love, and give you new life.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you died for my salvation. Thank you that you paid the price of my wrong doing, so that I can live forever with you. I give you everything that I am, all that I have is yours. Come and live in me. I turn away from my old life, and I turn to you. Fill me with your Holy Spirit.

Be Strong and Courageous

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Observation: When you are on God's side, you should have no fear, but rather courage! In the proceeding five verses, we see the reason Moses told Is real to be strong and courageous. First, they were following God, Second, they had a History ... they had seen what God would do if they followed his direction. And Third, they had Joshua to lead them.

Application: Jesus is our Joshua, he leads us and directs us. We need to follow God, see God work in our lives, and then follow him with every confidence.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Lead me and guide me. I will follow you. I pray that your courage would fill my life as I follow you and that fear would be gone in your precious name. Praise the name of Jesus.

Bless our Land

Scripture: Deu 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey. Deu 26:16 This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Deu 26:17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: Deu 26:18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that [thou] shouldest keep all his commandments; Deu 26:19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.

Observation: God wants to bless us; he wants to set us apart and call us his people. He wants to do that individually, as families, as communities, and as nations.

Application: As we listen to the voice of God, and do what we believe he wants us to do, we move into a place of blessing. As we give him the honor and praise, we ourselves will be moved into places of honor. This has been so since the beginning of time, and will be so until the end of time. It is a timeless truth.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, We love you Lord. I pray that your name would be exalted here on earth, as it is in heaven. Help us to hear your voice, and do your will. Bless us in deed. Bless us with your love, your patience, your mercy, you tenderness. Help us to be beautiful as you are beautiful.

Its the little things that matter

Scripture: Num 20:6 - 12: And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also]. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Observation: It is the little things.... God said to speak to the rock, Moses hit the rock twice.... Does it matter? Yes. The little things are as important as the big things to God. It is because your motive is more important than your action or results.

Application: How often do you hear that still small voice inside of you nudge you to say something or do something, and you either forget or dont pay any attention at all. God also speaks to us through his word, are we doing the things that God has told us to do through his Word? Are we loving the Lord God with all of our heart, and loving our neighbor?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help me to be faithful in the little things. I know you are good. I trust you to never lead me astray. Amen

The Word of Life

Scripture:John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Observation: This is probably the most important scripture in the Bible. Many cults have gone astray because of the lack of this most important knowledge. The Word is Jesus. Jesus has always been, and he is God. Jesus spoke all things into existence, as we see in Genesis Chapter 1. He made everything, all matter, and he made time itself. Jesus is Life, he is the very essence of Life. It is Jesus that makes us different from a rock, a chair, or any other inanimate object. Jesus is our light, and it is his presence in us that makes us alive.

Application: Understanding this basic truth should change our lives. We should realize that we are not an accident, and that the one who created the universe lives in us. When you understand this, how should you then live? You must live for your creator. He has preserved his Word, the Bible, as our guidebook, and he wants to be intimate with us. When we worship him, when we pray to him, when we meditate on him, we learn to know him. It is like realizing you had an adopted father, then getting to know that adopted father and developing a relationship with him where he can mentor and guide you.

Prayer: Thank You Jesus that you are life. Thank you that you live in us. Help us to live for the one who created us, and help us to give you the honor you deserve. Let each day of our lives be lived fully for you.

Forgive and Forget?

Scripture: Numbers 14:19 - 22((Moses Speaking)) Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But [as] truly [as] I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

Observation: Moses asked God, and God forgave the people of Israel. However, his forgiveness did not remove the consequence of their action. They would never see the promise land because of their rebellion against God.

Application: We see this principle in action in our interactions with each other, and our interaction with the supernatural. When we forgive each other, as we are commanded to do, it doesn't take away the damage that is already done. To ignore that damage is problematic. In the same way when our God forgives us, we don't always see the consequences of our rebellion removed. As followers of Jesus we have a special supernatural relationship by which the eternal guilt of our sin is removed, but here on earth in the natural we still see consequences. Often God will supernaturally remove those consequences as the result of the prayers of his disciples, but the default seems to be that we have to live with the consequences of our sin.

Prayer: Our Father, who is in heaven, Holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

The Power of a Blessing

Scripture: Num 6:23-27 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

Observation: There is tremendous power in a blessing, especially when it comes from someone in the office of the priest. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the office of Priest by being grafted into Jesus Christ when we dedicate our lives to serving him. We are adopted priests if you would (smile)! When we speak a blessing over someone, things are established in the supernatural which will affect the natural (although the supernatural is more real than the natural).

Application: We need to serve our Lord, daily. We need to speak his blessing over those whom the Holy Spirit prompts us to.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. I pray that this day I may serve you will all that I have. I pray that your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven, this day, through me. Open my heart, Open the eyes of my understanding so that I can see things they way you do. Lead me and guide me. Help me to let your words be my words. Help be to speak your blessing over those who need your protection and guidance. Thank You Lord for your love and your provision over our lives.

The Blessings of Serving the Lord

Scripture: Lev 26:3 If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make [you] afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. You will chase your enemies, and they shall fall by the sword before you. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you. For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you. You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new. I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

Observation: Wow! Being a follower of God has fantastic benefits. Like Isiah 54 says: No weapon formed against us shall proper. Everything we do is successful, every conflict victorious. To the degree we follow God, so it will be. God's command for us is simple, Love the Lord God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your strength... and Love Your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:38-39). If we can do that, the world would be a different place, beginning with us.

Application: The benefits of following God are fantastic, but we shouldn't follow him for his benefits. In fact if we did, we wouldn't be following him. We have to love him with everything we have, and love is not selfish, ... it is self less.


Prayer: Dear Jesus, I love you. I pray that I will follow you all of the days of my life. I pray that I will love you with everything I have, all the days of my life. I pray that I will share you love with everyone I meet. Let it be so in Jesus precious name.

Bruised

Scripture: Lev 24:20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him [again].

Observation: Can you imagine being called into court, and being beaten for your punishment? Before the age of prisons, which are quite recent in our history, that was the means of justice.

Application: The Bible says we are all sinners, no one much argues with that. We are all guilty, and we all deserve to be called into court and beaten for our wrong doings. And the reality is that according the the law in Leviticus 24, we all deserve death. The Bible says that Jesus took our punishment upon himself so that we would not deserve punishment. He took our bruises, he took our disgrace, he took our death. How could he do that? He is God, he can do all things, and he did. But we have to accept his gift. If we refuse his gift, then we will have to give account for our own wrongdoings.

Prayer: Dear Jesus. Thank you for loving me so much that you took my punishment, when you didn't deserve it. Forgive me of all of the wrong things I have done. Fill me with your love and your spirit of peace. I dedicate my life to serving you, this day, and all the days of my life.

In the Presence of Almighty God

Scripture: Exodus 40:34 - 35 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Observation: Wow, imagine the very presence of God filling a tent. Did everyone weep, laugh, fall on their faces? Was it like the presence of God that we experience today? Or was it like a million times more powerful?

Application: God told Moses to build the tent so that he could dwell with them. God wants to be with us! When we humble ourselves, and seek him, he will show up. He loves us, and he wants to be with us. If you have ever experience a drop of God's presence, you know it is the most wonderful thing in the universe. Get hungry for it.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, teach us your ways. Help us to know you in a new and more intimate way so that we can live in your presence. Help us to make you the owner of our lives.

I saw God, and lived to tell about it!

Scripture: Exodus 24: 9-11 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Observation: Can you imagine, seeing God himself? This experience on Mount Sinia must have been like none other. Later in the exodus it talks about the top of the mountain being covered with holy fire. The pure power and goodness of God in one place! These fellows were not able to come too close to God, but they were close enough to see him and live to tell about it.

Application: We can see God and know him too. We have something that Moses and his leaders didn't, we have the reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ. Jesus made a way for us to be with him always, on earth and in eternity. We only need to love him, and give him charge of our lives.

Prayer: Thank You Jesus that you are life, and that you are all that is good. Thank you for your love, in that before we knew you, you loved us and made a way for us to be with you always. Help us to love you each day, and live each day of our lives for you alone.

The greatest commandment?

Scripture: Exd 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Observation: Exodus 20:3 is the first of the ten commandments which God gave Moses on Mount Sinai. However, it was not the commandment chosen by Jesus as the "Greatest Commandment" The Greatest Commandment was to Love the Lord God with all of your heart, and all of your soul. It seems to be the tendency of mankind to latch on to the first of the ten commandments, to have no other gods, and feel that we are right with God. It isn't so. If we say that we know God, and that he is our God, but we don't love him passionately, we have missed it. Big Time missed it.

Application: It isn't enough to be Christian in name only, we need God's love. We will be empty and miserable without it. We MIGHT have a ticket to heaven, but we may have hell on earth without God's love. Do you want God's love? Give and it will be given to you. Give him your love, and you will open your heart to receive his love. He already loves you, but he is a gentleman, he wont force his love on you. He will wait until you open your heart to his.

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for your Love. We know that before the worlds were formed, that you love us. You knew us, you cared for us. Break our hard hearts, and help us to be used by you. Help us to know you m0re intimately. Help us to meet you each day.

He is our Saviour

Scripture - Exd 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. Exd 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead.

Observation - How could a loving, good, God kill babies? This is a tough question, but there is a good answer. God is a loving father, a Saviour to his people. There were over 1 million of his people in Egypt, all children of Jacob and his twelve sons. In four hundred years, they had multiplied from 70 people into over a million. However, there was an evil regime oppressing them. They had become slaves, and they were abused daily by cruel task masters and their children were killed at birth to prevent further population growth. If those were your children, wouldn't you be angry? Wouldn't you save them, even if it meant having to take a weapon to those who were killing your family? God tried t10 times to get Pharaoh to let his family go free, but Pharaoh would not. In the end, God had to allow the destroyer (Satan) to do something horrible. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The Egyptians had killed the babies of his family, and so God allowed the Egyptians children to be killed.

Application: Sometimes the right thing to do is to get angry and protect those who need protection, even when that means violence or death.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you took God's Anger upon yourself, so that we don't have to face it. Thank you that you took all the things that we did, or will ever do upon yourself and you took the punishment for us so that we can live righteously even though we don't deserve it. We love you Jesus, and we trust your with our lives. Protect us, and those we love.

Let it Be

Scripture: Exd 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Observation: "I AM" is the Hebrew word Hayah, which means to exist: Past, present, future. The best English equivalent is the forms of the word "Be", of which "I AM" is the present tense. All tenses are implied here, I Am, I was, I will be. In fact in the book of Revelations God uses all three tenses to say his name. In Revelations 1:8 God says "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty"

Application: God is eternity, he exists in the eternal. His ways don't always translate well into the past, or the present, or the future exclusively. In fact we can look at what he did in the past, without considering what he will do in the future, and it wont make any sense. Or we can look at prophesy in the future without looking at what he did in the past or present and that wont make any sense. Our brains dont process eternal existence well, we are time based creatures, but our destiny is eternity.

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, we love you Lord. I know that you have only good in your heart for me, and I trust you, even when I don't understand what you are doing. Help me to understand your works, and yet be wary of the devil who seeks to destroy your works.

Scripture: Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be]. Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Observation: The prophesies of Jesus Christ are amazing, they extend back to the very beginning of the Bible, and throughout its many books. This prophesy is of Judah, who was the ancestor of Jesus. One of its meanings is that Jesus will be with us until the end (Shiloh, a time of peace).

Application: We can have assurance that Jesus will never leave us, he will always be with us until he takes us to that place of peace, which is ours for a possession... a gift from him.

Prayer: Thank You Jesus, that your blood secured eternal peace for us. I pray that none would refuse you, and the eternal destiny that you have secured for us.

Commitment

Scripture: Gen 17:23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. Gen 17:24 And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Gen 17:25 And Ishmael his son [was] thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Observation: Can you imagine grown men being circumcised? Can you imagine what it would take to convince a grown man to allow himself to be circumcised? But that is what they did, the same day that God told Abraham to do it! THAT is Commitment!

Application: How committed are we to our God? If he asked us to do something so painful, would we do it?

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, we love you Lord. Thank you that you first loved us. You know our hearts, you know our minds, you know our sin. Thank you that you have forgiven us and cleansed us. It is by you that we pray that we would have the commitment of Abraham, that our faith would be as strong as Abraham's through you.

Sure Prophesy

Scripture: Daniel Chapter 7

Observation: It has been a while since I have read the prophesy in Daniel 7. I have always been a bit perplexed by prophesy. However, Daniel 7 is one of the clearest and most straightforward prophesies of the Bible. He shows three kingdom, the Lion, the Leopard, and the Bear, and a fourth Kingdom that has world wide dominion and precedes the return of Jesus Christ, Judgement Day, and the Reign of Christ on the Earth. The interpretation of the scripture is given for us in the 2nd part of Daniel 7.

Application: It is amazing that thousand of years earlier, God so clearly showed his prophets what was going to come to pass in the last days. In addition to Daniel, we also have the Apostle John, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and others who were very clear and specific in documenting what God showed them about what was going to come to pass. Many men have been wrong about interpreting these prophesies, but the prophesies themselves have never been wrong!

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for revealing your plans to us. Thank you that you love us so much, that you wanted us to know what was going to happen. In the name of Jesus, we pray understanding over the remnant of the Church of Jesus Christ that they might understand what is going to come and fulfill their part of God's plan for the end times.

A New World

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Observation: Just as Peter had prophesied, many religious "experts" have determined that the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ and the destruction of this world are not really going to happen. Peter wrote this letter especially to make this point, that we do not listen to them. It will happen, it may be tomorrow or thousands of years from now, but it will happen. We can count on it.

Application: So how would you act if you knew tomorrow was your last day on earth? that is how we should live each day. Loving others, and loving our Lord.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you that you are not willing that any of us should go to eternal fire and damnation. Thank you for delaying the destruction of the earth until everyone has had a chance to give their lives to you and seal their eternity in heaven.

God's Word

Scripture: Ezekiel 13:⁹And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

Observation: God specifically directed the "writings of the house of Israel". God directed what would be in and not in those writings, which now make up our Bible.

Application: The Bible is not only trustworthy, it is directed by God. Only the prophets who were prophesying from God were included in the Bible. The Bible is God's word, powerful, and full of God himself.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your Word. Thank you for preserving your Word. Thank you that you will preserve it forever. Open our spiritual eyes to the power that is in your Word. Make it alive in our hearts and souls. Thank You.

God's Wrath

Scripture: Ezekial 6:1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2Son of man, set thy face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, 3And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, even I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

Observation: It is very clear in this scripture that the Lord personally destroyed Israel during the period of its history where Babylon sieged and ultimately destroyed Israel. We know from other scripture that the King of Babylon was directed by God for the destruction of Israel due to their great, never ceasing, rebellion against God.

Application: Our nations are also in rebellion against God, however as we live in the Church age, where Jesus has personally taken God's wrath upon himself, it is hard for us to understand how the loving God we know could do such a thing. However, prophesy tells us that God will again pour out his wrath one final time upon the earth in the seven years prior to when Jesus returns to rule and reign as King.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus, that you are a just God; Full of mercy, full of grace, full of love without end. Your ways are true, you alone are righteous. We trust in you, and we look forward to being with you always.

Cycle of Sin

Scripture: Lamentations 1:3 Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude: she dwelleth among the heathen, she findeth no rest: all her persecutors overtook her between the straits.

Observation: All through the old testament the same cycle is repeated: God blesses, people sin, consequences ensure, people eventually repent, God Redeems.

Application: Do we not also see the same cycle in our own life? Through Jesus Christ the cycle can be broken. The power of sin has been broken, and if we turn from being lead by our our flesh to being led by our spirit, we have the power to overcome.

Prayer: May the power of Jesus Christ rule in my life. May I be lead by the Holy Spirit and not by my flesh, through the power of the name of Jesus Christ.

Preaching to the Angels

Scripture: 1 Peter 10 - 12 10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Observation: The Gospel, the revelation of who Jesus Christ is, preached by the Apostles via the Holy Ghost, and given to us in his word, is SO PROFOUND that even the Angels long to look into it. Wow!

Application: God's word is precious, more valuable that our time on the television, computer, radio, and even some of the useful things we do.

Prayer: Jesus, give me a passion for your word. Make it come alive with I read it, though the Holy Spirit. Enlighten me through your Word.

Be careful about assuming leadership

Scripture: James 3:1 - My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment

Observation: Wow, I dont know about you, but the judgement is imposing enough already without becoming stricter. Who am I in the sight of an almightly, perfect, all-powerful God who created everything with a word? And now, to make that judgement stricter by moving into a position of leadership is daunting.

Application: Thank God for the blood of Jesus Christ that makes our sins go away. Without it, none of us could step up to lead others. Thank God that we have an advocate, who on judgement day will say "this one is with me" to his father the Judge. It is only with that knoledge, and the humility that we so desprately need, that we can assume the calling that God has placed on our lives.

Prayer: In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray for new Christian leaders to step into their calling with all humility and full dependence on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of calvary.

All things are possible

Scripture:

Hbr 6:4

For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

Hbr 6:5

And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

Hbr 6:6

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.

Observation: At first appearance this looks like it is hopeless for those who were once Christians to be Christians again. However, that would contradict many other scriptures in the new and old testaments. The word "impossible" in its original Greek really means "lack of power". Consider also Matthew 19:26 which says: "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." This is the same word "impossible" in both verses.

Application: Yes, we don't have the strength, the right, or the ability to reconcile ourselves to God. It is only Jesus's work on the cross what can reconcile us to him. And his work is sufficient to make us clean, no matter how many times we have to come back to it. There is only one unforgivable sin, and that is unbelief. Jesus paid for our sins, but we can refuse what he did, and that unbelief will condemn us by our own word.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for what you did for us. Let us do our best to not continue in Sin. Help us to consider the cost of our sin. Help us to have assurance of your goodness and your all sufficient grace.

God's Love For Us

Scripture: Hbr 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Observation: If you were one of ten children, and your father passed away and left you all of his inheritance, what would you think? You would be awestruck at how much your father loved you. How could he have loved you even more than your siblings or his wife? A great inheritance speaks of a great love, and God has given us the greatest inheritance as believers in Jesus Christ. We are "heirs of salvation", and through Jesus we have billions of angels serving us.

Application: Considering this great love, how should we life? We have received this undeserved inheritance from a father who is still alive? How should we respond to him?

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for what you have given us. Help us to recognize who we are in you! Open the eyes of our understanding that we might be enlightened to the authority you have given us in your inheritance. Help us to love you and walk worthy of the trust you have placed in us.

1/1/10 - God is true to his Word

Scripture: Jeremiah 51:8 - Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.

Observation: This prophecy of Jeremiah did indeed come to pass, and the prophecy is repeated again in the book of Revelations 14:8 "And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication."

Application: God's Word is true. You can count on it. If he says it is going to happen, it will happen. If he says it is going to happen again, you can count on it happening again! We all need to be ready for the second coming of the Lord, because just as it happened, it will happen again. The promises of God are throughout his word, and when you read one, you can take it to the bank!

Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you are the Word, and that You are the Truth, and that Your Word is Truth! Thank you that you promised that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. Thank you that you have given us all blessings in heavenly places. Thank you that you have promised eternal life with you for those who trust in you!