Month: October 2010

Are You Listening?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 26:9-16 ~ I once thought that I should do everything I could to oppose Jesus from Nazareth. I did this first in Jerusalem, and with the authority of the chief priests I put many of God’s people in jail. I even voted for them to be killed. I often had them punished in our meeting places, and I tried to make them give up their faith. In fact, I was so angry with them, that I went looking for them in foreign cities. King Agrippa, one day I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and permission of the chief priests. About noon I saw a light brighter than the sun. It flashed from heaven on me and on everyone traveling with me. We all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice say to me in Aramaic, “Saul, Saul, why are you so cruel to me? It’s foolish to fight against me!” “Who are you?” I asked. Then the Lord answered, “I am Jesus! I am the one you are so cruel to. Now stand up. I have appeared to you, because I have chosen you to be my servant. You are to tell others what you have learned about me and what I will show you later.”

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I have chosen to share more verses than I usually do, because it tells such a story about how God has such an impact on a person’s life. I believe that some who may read this today might be much like Paul, and are fighting against God’s work. No I don’t think for a moment that any are out there killing Christians. But brother, or sister, I want you to know today that when you keep fighting against God and His will for your life, you are much like Paul. How long will you go on sinning? How long will you go on living a life opposed to that taught by God? How long will you live a life opposed to all that you were ever taught, and so opposite to all that your friends and family are telling you that they are praying for you to surrender to? Please take a moment to realize that God loves you so much that He allowed His one and only Son (Jesus) to die on a cruel cross in front of many people, as a gift to you. His sacrifice provides the means for you to turn around from your life of sin, accept Jesus as your Master and Lord, so that you can ultimately be with Him, and all other Christians that you know, at His throne in Glory one day. It took God speaking through a very bright light at noon time to get Paul’s attention. I pray that as you read this devotional today that this will be like that same bright light to you. Although you may question any power that I might have to speak to you, I know that God, through His written Word (as it is written in my Observation) and through His children (and I am a child of the King), is wanting more than anything else to see His children come home – leave your world of sin and opposition to Him and His bride (the church at large), and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, then to live a life dedicated to Him and His mission to reach the world, as He has done in reaching you and I. Are you listening? Are you willing to lay aside your selfish desires, accept Jesus as Lord and live for Him the rest of your life? Please email me back for more information or to pray with you about your decision. Additional biblical help is also available by clicking “

Is Your Christianity Real?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 25; Acts 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 25:14-16 ~ I admit that their leaders think that the Lord’s Way which I follow is based on wrong beliefs. But I still worship the same God that my ancestors worshiped. And I believe everything written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets. I am just as sure as these people are that God will raise from death everyone who is good or evil. And because I am sure, I try my best to have a clear conscience in whatever I do for God or for people.

Acts 26:1-3 ~ Agrippa told Paul, “You may now speak for yourself.” Paul stretched out his hand and said: King Agrippa, I am glad for this chance to defend myself before you today on all these charges that my own people have brought against me. You know a lot about our religious customs and the beliefs that divide us. So I ask you to listen patiently to me.

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Paul was a very special man who had a dramatic change in his life after his conversion. Much of the New Testament writings evolve around Paul’s work as a follower of Christ, so one may imagine that he was very prepared to answer appropriately when challenged in the court of his day to defend his religion/beliefs. If we stop and think about it, we are promoting and/or defending our Christianity every day, for some of our friends and coworkers are looking to trip us up to see if we are for real (if we are everything that we claim to be for Christ), some are really curious as to why we act the way we do and make the decisions we do, while others are so determined to test the validity of our faith that they will do all within their power to see if they could tempt us to stray or do those things that they know Christians often stay away from. I am convinced that in and of our own strength, we are very weak and can easily cave in to the temptations and challenges just discussed. However, we serve the master of the universe, the Creator of this world, the King of all kings that ever was, the One who performed and indeed still performs miracle after miracle,

Are You Christian, Enough To Be Found Guilty?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 25; Acts 26 

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Acts 25:5-9 ~ This man has been found to be a real pest and troublemaker for Jews all over the world. He is also a leader of a group called Nazarenes. When he tried to disgrace the temple, we arrested him. If you question him, you will find out for yourself that our charges are true. The Jewish crowd spoke up and agreed with what Tertullus had said.

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

Paul was taken before the governor, Felix because the Jews wanted to get rid of this thorn in their side. Paul had ‘stepped on their toes’ by his witness and through his preaching of the Gospel. It made me wonder – am I demonstrating enough of Christ in me that others would find sufficient evidence to take me before some figurehead and possibly place charges against me for being a follower/imitator of Christ? I pray daily that I would represent Christ in all that I say or do so that others may see Jesus in me. I wonder how far that effort really goes? This is something that each person will be required to answer for themselves. I don’t believe for a moment that God expects us to have a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, but when our actions reflect the ways of Christ taught to us through God’s Holy Word, and when the tone of our voice and the words that we speak be reflective of the character and love of Christ for His bride – the church (us), then others will see something that they want, or need – something that make them crave after the origin of that attitude. Having said all this, I believe that I should quickly follow this by saying that we should be careful not to lead anyone towards us, but rather towards the cross, towards the only One that can convict them of their sin and save them, so that He could love on them forever – yes, the rest of this life as we know it and throughout eternity. It should be clear to others whose we are! God will do His part to keep us humble, guided by His hand and protected from the enemy, for

My Hope Is In You Lord!

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Job 17

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

Job 17:1-4 ~ My spirit is crushed, and my life is nearly snuffed out. The grave is ready to receive me. I am surrounded by mockers. I watch how bitterly they taunt me. “You must defend my innocence, O God, since no one else will stand up for me. You have closed their minds to understanding, but do not let them triumph. (NLT)

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe that often we find ourselves in what we believe to be a vacuum where we feel like there is only us in this world, and definitely only us with the serious problems that we are encountering at the time. However, in reading this passage this morning I am reassured that God’s Word is vital to us in ALL circumstances of our lives, for we can find situations very similar to what we, or friends that we are praying for, are facing today. Once we find those biblical illustrations, we also find God’s answers to those challenging times. In the verses copied here in my ‘Observation’ we can see where Job was very discouraged and feeling like he had been beaten up on by his peers, to the extent that he is now having to share the blame for the condition in which he has found himself, so he blames God. This sounds so much like us today. Let’s pass the blame along, for surely it’s not me that caused my friends to act like my enemies. In fact, we may even go as far as to blame God – for had it not been for our trying to please Him, we would still be on the best side of our friends’ admiration like we had been all along! Job was really distraught here in this chapter, and friends we get very distraught at times also. Bottom line is, those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end, will keep their feet in the paths of religion as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they may meet with. Let’s remember that our goal is to be like Christ while here on this earth, and being with Him in Heaven is our ultimate destination. All else we can handle, with God’s help and our determination.

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father I feel like I become stronger in my faith and understanding of the awesome God that You are, as I face challenges such as Job tells us about in this chapter. Please continue to give me strength, and the wisdom to look beyond my challenges, and full into Your wonderful face, with constant reminders of the ultimate place that You have prepared for me in Heaven, for it is through these type of spiritual eyes that I will gain strength to overcome the struggles and challenges around me today.

Be One Who Shares His/Her Faith

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

What am I doing to actively fulfill my life mission of sharing Christ?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Acts 20:24, 1:8, Matt. 18:18–20

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Acts 20:24 ~ But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
  2. Acts 1:8 ~ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
  3. Matthew 18:18-20 ~ Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven. Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

  1. Each of us are given gifts, and an assignment by God to use those gifts for His glory. Oh that I may be like Paul and dedicate myself so much towards the assignment that God has given to me so that His work may be accomplished through me in my realm of influence. To God be the glory for all that He might accomplish through even me. I know that God don’t need any of us to do His work, but knowing that He placed me here for a purpose, I pray that He could use me constructively so that His kingdom would benefit.
  2. In this verse I can see clearly where the power comes from that will help me to accomplish the work that God has placed me here to do.
  3. These verses are an excellent reminder about how important it is for God’s people to be of one mind and one purpose, both with each other and with God’s Book of Instruction, because we are told that it is important for us to know if those things that we agree on are already approved by Him. Conversely, if we find something unlawful or improper, then there must be evidence in God’s Word that the matter is improper or unlawful in heaven. If followers of the same God and the same Book of Instructions (the Bible) were of the same mind, we would obviously see fewer denominations, fewer arguments over religious things, and a body of believers who are truly on fire for God, winning the lost like never before. Disagreements among us in the church has an unfortunate effect on the lost, as they want to see and be a part of something different to what they are seeing in their corner of the world. They want to see folk who are Christ-like. They want to be a part of a church on fire for God, not busy arguing over every little thing, like so many churches today. Let us be of one mind and one purpose. Get self out of the way and let God rule and win the credit for all that is accomplished!

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father I thank You for the gifts that You have blessed me with. I know that often I might say that I am of little value to the kingdom, but I am reminded that You have placed me here for a purpose. Please help me to allow Your work to be accomplished through me. Please help me to be a clean vessel through which You can work. Being reminded of the need for unity and oneness in purpose, please help me to do my part in working with other believers so that together we may be an influence to those in need of a Savior, and not a hindrance or a stumbling block. May You receive honor and glory out of all that I may say or do and may the lost see You in all that I might say or do. Please bless my efforts today to be a true and living representative of Yours. Please bless our efforts this week through Noah’s Fall Festival. May there be opportunities for us to witness for You so that others may come to know You as Lord and Savior. May Your kingdom be richer from the results of our efforts this week.

One Who Worships Daily

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

How can I surrender my whole heart/life as worship?

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Rom. 12:1–2, Psalm 27:6, 95:6–7

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Romans 12:1-2 ~ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
  2. Psalm 26:6 ~ Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.
  3. Psalm 95:6-7 ~ Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

  1. God showers down such blessings upon us each day, and without reservation for how we may have acted with a brother, or even said to a sister. Therefore Paul is teaching us to give back our whole selves to God, and as we do we truly worship Him through our unselfishness, giving, emptying ourselves of this world and placing those sinful natures and desires at His feet, while seeking to be refilled with His holiness, grace and mercy. As we surrender ourselves wholeheartedly in this way, we learn of God’s will for our life which is ultimately the desire of every Christian.
  2. I believe as Christians we have a hope that in accepting Jesus as Lord, praising His name each and every day and living a life in close relationship to Him, that we would one day be rewarded by the King of kings with a glorious place at His feet together with many others on which we had an influence. Therefore we should dedicate ourselves to exactly that while we still have breath, praising His name each and every day!

Be One Who Serves Others

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

SCRIPTURE

Studied: Eph. 4:11–13, Rom. 12:3–8, 1 Cor. 12:7-11

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. Ephesians 4:11-13 ~ Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.
  2. Romans 12:3-8 ~ I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That’s how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another. God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.
  3. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ~ The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God’s Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

  1. What a pity that today many of us expect all of these gifts to be in the pastor, so we sit back and expect him to do his thing, while we relax and sometimes soak it up, sometimes just be entertained, often just grumble about what he should have done differently, etc, etc. God knows what He is doing. The Word says that God has given these gifts to some so that His body of believers (the church) will learn, serve and grow strong. When we talk about having ‘weak’ churches that are falling apart, perhaps we are not recognizing the gift of God in the people that surround us, or perhaps not allowing them to exercise their gifts. I believe that this passage teaches us that this method will continue until the church becomes completely like Christ – in other words until Jesus comes, because if there is ever a chance that we might become perfect, there will be new members joining us who will need to learn all about this. My logical brain would say that we should be looking among us to see who may be gifted in the areas mentioned, and then make sure that they are given opportunity to exercise those gifts for the strengthening and growing of the body at large.
  2. There are times that we may start to feel proud if we feel like God has gifted us as indicated in Ephesians, however in this passage from Romans we are reminded that we should measure ourselves according to the faith that God has given to us. Any talent that we possess is a gift from God to be used for His glory and for edifying His church. Conversely, we should be careful not to sit back thinking that we have no usefulness in the kingdom at all, but we should recognize where our source of strength/talent/ability lies and for what purposes it should be used. As we recognize this, and give God His true place in all that we have become, He will be able to use us to help achieve His work among this lost and dying world.
  3. I realize that this study is much longer than my normal ‘Nuggets’ but I believe that it is virtually overwhelming as God has shown in His Word how important it is for us to recognize/acknowledge the gifts given to us by Him, and then use those gifts for His glorification through the local church. I believe that any who say that they have no gift probably displays the unfortunate gift of lying, because God didn’t make junk, so when He said in His Word that He has given each of us a special way of serving others, I believe that gift must be used. I am challenged today to look within and ensure that I am using all the gifts that God has blessed me with, for His glory and for the strengthening and uplifting of the church. I can’t hardly imagine the ‘buzz’ that will fill our church if visitors came and saw our folk actively serving in one capacity or another because they felt like God had gifted them, and that they want to use that gift for the benefit of God and others in the church. Wow, I’m talking about a great big fire of excitement would be evident, and the church will grow by leaps and bounds!!

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

I am filled to overflowing from this study this morning oh Lord! To recognize that You not only loved me enough to sacrifice Your only Son to die on a cruel cross so that I may have eternal life, and now to study and be reminded that You have also given me special gifts/talents to use in Your service, is nothing short of amazing, glorious, unbelievable, exciting, filled with anticipation, yet humbling to know that I have such an awesome Savior! Please help me to constantly be reminded of the gifts that You have blessed me with and help me to always use them for building up Your kingdom. If I am not at liberty to use these gifts in the work of my local church, then I ask that You direct me to a place where You know that my gifts and God given abilities could be best utilized. May You reign, and may Your servant use the gifts You have blessed me with for the furthering of Your kingdom here on this earth.

Be One Who Gives Sacrificially

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

 

How am I handling the resources God has entrusted to me?

 

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 2 Cor. 9:6–9, Prov. 11:24–25

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 ~ [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
  2. Proverbs 11:24-25 ~ Sometimes you can become rich by being generous or poor by being greedy. Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

I believe that God expects us to be a giving people; after all, He has blessed us with a lot so we should then turn around and bless others also. I can see from this passage also that when we decide in our minds to give, we should do so in all happiness and with joy – in other words: out of appreciation for what we have, who gave it to us, and who will provide the next dollar to help us meet our financial needs. Unfortunately, this is quite opposite to what our carnal minds would convince us to do, for of ourselves we are convinced that we can only give out of the excess, after all our bills are met (which often include many of our unnecessary wants). We often fill our minds with many arguments to help us feel good about not giving our first gifts to God – well who knows what the church will waste that money on that I give, or surely God expects me to be a good manager of my funds and not give more than I can afford after meeting all my concrete, worldly, frivolous bills. I am convinced that when we give at least 10%, as taught scripturally, off our gross income then pay our bills and give to the poor, etc, I believe that God will honor our heart way more than if we depend solely on what it appears that we have left that we can give to the work of the Lord. Furthermore, I believe that this teaches me that I must give freely and happily to God, for He gave freely and happily to me, His child, out of love. One method that I have talked about here is seeing through our eyes of faith and out of thanksgiving, the other is our seeing based on the numbers in front of us. When God is in charge of our giving, He will help us take care of the numbers. He gives us the health and abilities to hold a job and earn the income, all the more should we listen to Him about how we should spend that money that He has blessed us with.

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Lord Jesus, I believe that if I was asked what I believe is one of the most important things that the Bible says to me, it would probably be that God gave so that I may: have eternal life; have a beautiful earth to enjoy; have a beautiful family to help me in my daily physical and mental needs; have enough finances to meet my needs and many of my wants. Bottom line is that You gave, and gave and gave, even to the extent of giving Your one and only Son so that I may have eternal life. If I am determined to be Your disciple, and to be more like You in every walk of my life, then I have to give, and give, and give with a generous, sacrificial, happy and thankful heart. Please help me to always be of the mindset that what I have is all Yours, and that I should carefully follow Your commands in using what You have allowed me to have. I want to be known as a great example of You, because I want others to see You in my actions, words, and yes – in my giving. Thank You for blessing me with all that You have given for me to partake of, may I freely give to Your work and others in return.

Be One Who Lives Biblically

What am I doing to know and put into practice the teachings of the Bible?

A Quality of a Mature, Reproducing Disciple of Jesus Christ

SCRIPTURE

Studied: 2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Peter 1:3–8

OBSERVATION (What is God saying here?)

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16 ~ Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action)
  2. 2 Peter 1:3-8 ~ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION (How Can I apply what God is saying here to my circumstances today?)

  1. Although in the scriptures we note that the books were written by prophets and apostles, such as the book of Timothy being written by Paul, we must be reminded that the scriptures are God breathed and inspired. They are delivered to us as words from Christ. This tells me that they are of super importance and required my very candid attention and sincere obedience. I have personally found that reading the scriptures help me to conform to the character and image of Christ, and as I strive to be a ‘Christian’ (little Christ), then conforming to the scriptures is my heart’s desire. However, just as this is helpful in my training, I am convinced that the scripture should be the primary tool that I use in instructing others – teaching.
  2. I especially like the first sentence that tells me that here comes some qualities that God has showed on us as Christians so that we can live a Godly life. Then in the last sentence it tells me why it is so important for me to follow what was just instructed – because it will help me to be more productive and useful in my knowledge of Jesus Christ. Wow, this really sums it up for living a biblically sound life after the image and character of our Lord Jesus Christ. The ‘meat’ in between is something that we can and should meditate and grow on daily, and I found that the Amplified Bible translation explain those best: “For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), and in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), and in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).“

PRAYER (With God’s help, what am I going to do differently today because He said it?)

Father, You have spoken very clearly in Your Word this morning. Please help me to stay so in tuned with Your Word that my every step will be led by Your Holy Spirit and compliant with Your instructions. I believe that this is necessary to live a biblically correct life and one that is pleasing to You. I believe that as Your Word is entrenched in me and practiced in my everyday life, others will be influenced to know the Savior that I love and adore. May You receive honor and glory from my daily walk, dear God.