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Wednesday - January 31, 2007 Another office Jesus fulfills today in His heavenly ministry is that of intercessor for Christians. This is found in Romans 8. In this ministry, Jesus takes our prayers and petitions to the Father. When we pray, we are to do so in the name of Jesus. The disciples had prayed to Jesus until He instructed them to pray to the Father. From that time on, they would pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Our access to the Father comes through prayer and it has to be given in the name of Jesus. That name gives us access to God's ear. We are the redeemed petitioning our Heavenly Father through the name of the One who redeemed us. God loves to hear His children pray, but it must come to Him through His plan and method. Use the name of Jesus in prayer today. Realize what authority you have through the name of your Intercessor.
Tuesday - January 30, 2007 Jesus Christ in resurrection has many ministries He is fulfilling today. Those ministries include the Apostle of our faith, our Intercessor, our Advocate and our High Priest. One ministry, the Mediator is for the unbeliever. All the other ministries are for the Christian, the child of God. The office of mediator is described in the book of 1 Timothy. There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. As is told us in John, Jesus said that He was the way, the truth and the life. Acts tell us there is salvation in no other name, under earth, given among men. That name is Jesus. I know we live in a day of "tolerance." Perhaps this is a fine attribute in many cases, but not in the area of eternal life. It comes only one way, through faith in Jesus Christ. Buddha, Mohammed or any religious leader you may want to name is not our mediator to God. There is one Mediator, Jesus Christ.
Monday - January 29, 2007 Jesus warned us that in this world we would face tribulation, but also repeatedly encouraged us that we would not be left alone in overcoming opposition. God sent us His two most trusted leaders to help us. Their purpose is to hold up our hands and keep our lives stable as we conquer Satan, the wicked god of this world, in our daily battles. God’s two leaders are the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. God has not designed either one to stand alone rather they are to work together in our lives. It has been said, “If you only have the Word of God you will dry up. If you only have the Holy Spirit, you will blow up. If you have both working together, you will grow up.” We need an operation of both the Spirit and the promises of God in our lives to truly mature. God has given us access to two members of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, (the Word), who uplift our hands to win every battle we face!
Friday - January 26, 2007 God turns our messes into blessings. You may think your life is a mess and cannot be salvaged. You may even be so depressed over the world's condition, the rejection of your friends, the abuse you have gone through and contemplating committing suicide. Quit thinking of yourself. Suicide is a very selfish act. It hurts many innocent people and places responsibilities on them they did not need. God will hear your prayer and give your life fulfillment and meaning if you will begin to think of Him, all He has done for you and begin to count your blessings. Psalm 34 tell us to bless the Lord at all times and continually have God's praises in our mouth. He tells us to invite others to join us in worshipping God. Faith and praise are contagious. He ends the psalm with "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears." Fear is the root of suicide. God wants to replace fear with faith and joy. Choose praise. Choose joy.
Thursday - January 25, 2007 There are myths surrounding those who commit suicide. One of them is that the tendency toward suicide is inherited. You can inherit personality traits (good and bad) and some diseases may run in your family. These are not sins. They also can be overcome by faith in the Word of God in your life. But suicide is a sin. You do not inherit sin. Sin is a choice. Suicide can be a learned behavior passed down. Because suicide was an escape for grandma and mom, does not mean it is an escape or option for you. Adultery is a choice. Lying is a choice. Hatred is a choice. You can also choose not to do them. People hate others everyday, but you have the power to turn from the desire and temptation. You may be in depression and thinking about suicide. You may know of people who are under great depression and may be contemplating suicide. You have a choice to turn from depression. Your friends have a choice to turn from depression also. Jesus came not only to heal the blind eyes and deaf ears. He came to also heal the broken hearted. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed. If you will turn to the Lord, He will abundantly pardon, hear your prayer, bring you deliverance and continue to fulfill His will in your life. The choice is yours.
Wednesday - January 24, 2007 One of the myths of suicide is that it is an unpardonable sin. It is thought and taught by many Christians that suicide will send a Christian to hell. This is not true. Some get angry with me for believing this, but I have to be truthful to those who are left behind. Suicide was not God's plan, but it did not cut off the new birth or the keeping power of the blood of Jesus. The day before Saul committed suicide, he went to a witch to have her contact Samuel who had died. Samuel came up from Paradise and told Saul that Israel would be lost into the hands of the Philistines. He also told Saul that he and his sons would be with him the next day. God knew Saul would commit suicide and knew he would end up in Paradise. I would like to think that the Lord and the patriarchs met him at the door of Paradise and told him how stupid he had been. God would have delivered him if he would have just put his trust in God, stood in faith, and not been fearful. Saul was outnumbered at Mount Gilboa, but so was Abraham in battle, Moses at the Red Sea, David before Goliath, and Gideon fighting for Israel. They all trusted God over what their eyes saw and God delivered them. God would have delivered Saul. Killing yourself is never an option with God. In the middle of your battle, why don't you "stand still and watch the deliverance of the Lord"?
Tuesday - January 23, 2007
Saul committed suicide. First Samuel 28:5 tells us he was afraid of the Philistines and was greatly trembling at their advance on Israel. Other scriptures tell us he was small in his own eyes, feared the people, was jealous of those who seemed better than him, and easily threatened by the greatness of others. This describes so many people today, including Christians. You may think of yourself in those ways, but God does not. God made your spirit man and your body. Genesis tells us both were made in the image of God. You may not like the way you look, but God made you and He does not make junk. If you get your eyes on yourself, or see yourself continually through your own eyes, you will get depressed and allow an open door for Satan to influence. Satan will tell you that life is not worth living and the world is bigger than you. You too could end up thinking about suicide. Suicide says “God is not doing a good job, I will take over.” God has a plan for your life and it is good and not bad and God has an expected end for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) He made you to fulfill His great work on the earth. (Ephesians 2:10)
Don't cut God's plan off. In due season you will reap if you do not faint.
Monday - January 22, 2007 I spoke Sunday on the subject of what the Bible has to say about suicide. We have recently had two people in the church commit suicide and I saw the wake of hurt and confusion it left. I want to dedicate this week of blogs to the subject. You might possibly know someone who is depressed and fearful. These are the feelings which can lead to a person taking their own life. Our culture today is filled with people who would rather end their life than go any further. We often do not think a believer can commit suicide, when the Bible accounts tell us otherwise. Most of the people who committed suicide in the Bible were believers. Saul and his body guard (1 Samuel 21:4,5), Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), Samson (Judges 16:29,30), Zimri (1 Kings 16:18,19). Judas (Matthew 27:3) is the only unbeliever among them. Saul's suicide led his armor bearer to commit suicide also. When people commit suicide, others lose hope. Courage is contagious and so is fear. You have influence over others. Your actions affect them. Make your choices good ones so others can see Jesus and His life in you.
Friday - January 19, 2007 Can someone be “carnal” and still be a Christian? The two words almost seem contradictory. Yet, churches today are filled with carnal Christians who look and act just like the sinners around them. Some believers have the false idea that Christians do not sin. They have determined that either the sinning Christian has lost their salvation OR the sinning Christian was never saved to begin with. Both conclusions are wrong. The truth is Christians can sin. This type of Christian is what Paul labeled “carnal.” He said in 1 Corinthians 3:1, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” Paul described the Corinthians he was addressing as filled with envy, strife, and division and as walking as “mere men”—as sinners. The carnal Christian is under the control of the nature of the flesh. The Holy Spirit dwells inside him, but he is no longer controlled by the Holy Spirit. If you are carnal—if you have sinned—today is the time to ask God to forgive you. Perhaps you have confessed your sins, but cannot forgive yourself. Forgive yourself, get off the bench, and get back into the race!
Thursday - January 18, 2007 Most of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus came to their home and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet while her sister, Martha, ran around trying to get a meal prepared for Jesus. Martha was upset because she was working so hard while her sister was just sitting, listening to Jesus. Mary was a worshiper of Jesus and her actions spoke louder than words. Her life demonstrated the heart of a true worshiper. First, Mary was wise in God’s Word. She sat at Jesus’ feet to hear His Words. Second, she didn’t replace worship with serving even when her sister was putting pressure on her to serve. Third, she was deeply grateful for God’s blessings and as a result, was a great giver. She poured out very expensive oil on the feet of Jesus and was criticized by others for her actions, but she didn’t care about the cost of the oil or the criticism of others. Her heart was simply one of worship. We can learn about the heart of a worshiper by studying Mary’s life. Is your heart full of worship for the Lord today?
Wednesday - January 17, 2007 Did you ever wonder why Adam and Eve chose to eat of the one tree God forbid them to eat from? How was Satan able to tempt two people who were perfect and had everything they needed? They could not covet or steal—everything already belonged to them! They could not commit adultery—they were the only humans that existed on the earth. Satan had to convince them that God was keeping something from them; that although the Garden seemed like perfection, God must have left something out. Satan convinced Adam and Eve that the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was keeping them from being like God or from being gods themselves. Isn’t it interesting that the Cross is also called a tree? But the two trees could not be any more different. God had a plan through the cross to bring us back to Himself. The second tree was able to reverse all the damage inflicted by the first tree. The first tree was planted by God, the second by man. The first tree was inviting, the second was not. God forbid man to eat from the first tree, but He invites us to the second. Satan tried to get man to eat from the first tree, but tries to keep him from the second tree. Eating the first tree brought death, but the second tree brings life. The first tree removed man from Paradise; the second tree brings us back. The first tree took man away from the Tree of life, but the second brought us back. Have you decided yet to choose to partake of the second tree—the Cross where Jesus died to give you life? If not, why don’t you choose today!
Tuesday - January 16, 2007 Every seed has a shell and a heart. So do God’s people. Our body is the shell which surrounds our eternal heart. If we better understand a seed, we can better understand resurrection and our future resurrection body. Think about the acorn that produces an oak tree. First, when the acorn seed is buried in the ground, the whole seed doesn’t die; only its shell. Second, a new plant grows from the heart of that seed. Third, every seed, whether an acorn or otherwise, has an image in its heart. Next, the image in a seed is fixed. Finally, the resulting tree is much stronger than the seed that was planted. Our present human body is fragile and demands the walk of faith to keep it from sickness, temptation, and oppression. However, the resurrection body is indestructible: no sickness, temptation, or oppression will affect it. We can look forward to one day receiving a body just like Jesus has—incorruptible, glorious, and powerful!
Monday - January 15, 2007 Adversity is an important part of the Christian life. This is a difficult statement for many Christians to accept. But the truth is no victory comes without a fight. Satan’s job is to block as many of our blessings as possible. Our job is to walk into enemy territory and take back our stolen blessings. Before Abraham could tithe to Melchizedek, he had to take back his family and spoils from the wicked kings. Before David could ascend to the throne of Israel, he had to take back the families of his men and regain the spoils of war. Although Jesus has won the greatest battle at the Cross and Resurrection, He has left the responsibility to the Church to recapture the blessings of healing, deliverance, and prosperity from our enemy, Satan. Just as Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, so are we to continue in His earthly ministry. He promised that those who left all to follow Him would have a hundred-fold return, yet even our hundred-fold return comes with persecution. (Matthew 19:29) God doesn’t see adversity and suffering in the same way we do. In God’s eyes adversity is an opportunity for advancement, victory, and growth. Adversity is also an opportunity to glorify God, increase in patience, and develop character. Ultimately, adversity is an opportunity for great blessing!
Friday - January 12, 2007
God deals with man as a tree, with all the limbs and branches coming from one trunk and root system. When the roots or trunk are severed, the whole tree dies. In Adam, you are part of a dead tree. In Christ you are part of a living tree. People will not go to heaven because of what they have done. They will go to heaven because of who they are in. People will not go to hell because of sin. They will go to hell because of who they are in. In Adam all die. In Christ, all are made ALIVE. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God sees you already perfect and complete in Christ. Once you are born again, you have God’s approval! He loves you! You are acceptable to Him, not because of what you have done, but because of what Jesus has done for you. Here are just a few promises that belong to you because of Jesus. I encourage you to think about them throughout the day. Memorize them. As you do, you will come to know the benefits of trading places, of choosing to be “in Christ” instead of “in Adam.” God's Word will change your way of thinking and transform you from the inside out!
- I have peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1)
- Jesus will never, never, never leave me (Hebrews 13:5-6)
- Jesus is continuously making intercession for me (Hebrews 7:25)
- I have been acquitted of all sin through Jesus Christ
(2 Corinthians 5:21)
- All evidence against me has been dismissed. It has been taken out of the way and nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14)
- Jesus made me free, so I am free indeed (John 8:36)
- I can do all things through Christ who keeps on strengthening me (Philippians 4:13)
- Nothing can separate me from God’s love: He and I are inseparable (Romans 8:35-59)
Thursday - January 11, 2007 Most tests that come into the life of the believer come from Satan. He comes to “steal, kill, and destroy.” However, not all testing comes from Satan. God also tests us. But unlike Satan who tests us with evil, God tests us with good things. In fact, every blessing of God comes with an accompanying test. With every good and perfect gift God asks, “Will you still seek Me and not the gift?” In everything, God wants to have the preeminence. Many Christians have passed Satan’s tests, but have failed God’s test of prosperity. Sadly, they have served God when circumstances were difficult, but deserted Him when their bank account was full, their bills paid, and their family healthy. Often, when prosperity manifests, some Christians stop reading and meditating God’s Word, their church attendance becomes sporadic or completely ceases, and they no longer remain active in Christian service. God’s ultimate test for His children is whether or not, when our needs are met, our love for Him will be sufficient motivation for us to remain faithful and continue worshiping Him with our whole heart. When we pass the prosperity test, we will have passed the most difficult test in the Christian life. Have you passed the prosperity test? Perhaps you are still standing for the manifestation. Will you pass the test when your time comes?
Wednesday - January 10, 2007 As a pastor, I regularly receive letters, faxes, and phone calls from fellow believers regarding upcoming governmental regulations to be imposed against Christians and local churches in America. These are urgent requests, asking me to act immediately to arrange congregational petitions, phone call initiatives, and letter writing campaigns to congressmen, senators, and legislators. The opinion seems to be if the Church does not act, we will surely lose our nation. Please don’t get me wrong: I don’t believe in sitting back and doing nothing, expecting God to do everything about our country. I do write and phone congressmen and senators when I sense an urgency about a situation or a particular piece of legislation, and I encourage my congregation to do the same. This is part of our national responsibility and privilege. But ultimately, taking care of the evils of the world is God’s job. Taking the gospel to the world is our job. God will empower us by the Holy Spirit when we accept our responsibility. A great weight can be lifted off your shoulders when you can give the world problems to the Lord. You can watch the evening news with an attitude of rest in your heart. You will also gain a clearer insight into your chief calling, which is spreading the gospel of the Lord Jesus. God will not empower us to do His job, but He has given us the Holy Spirit so we can do ours!
Tuesday - January 9, 2007 There is a story in the Bible about a blind man who was brought to Jesus for healing. (Mark 8:22-26) Jesus did an interesting thing. He took the blind man outside the city to heal him. Why did Jesus do that? Because there was so much unbelief in the city, Jesus wanted to separate him from the unbelief that surrounded the blind man. Jesus restored the man’s sight and the last thing He spoke to the man was, “Go back to your home, but do not go back to the city or tell anyone in town about your healing.” This is wonderful advice to anyone needing healing today who is bothered by the reports of unbelief given by friends, relatives, church or business associates. We can go home, but we need to separate ourselves from the village of unbelief that could so easily sway us and cause us to lose our healing. At home we can be alone with God to pray and study His Word. God is asking you today, “Whose report will you believe?” To believe His report, you must study it until it becomes a part of your life. Then, one day, you will become to not only live around unbelief, but to overcome it!
Paul told us in Colossians that whatever we do in word or deed, we should do it all in the name of the Lord. Jesus. That just about covers all areas of life. Life is made up of words and actions. Words and deeds come from one place, our thoughts. Paul mentioned also in the same book that our affections (thoughts) are to be on things above. When our thoughts are on the Lord we cannot help but serve Him in word and deed, all we do. I cannot even begin to tell you all the scriptures dealing with our thoughts and meditations before the Lord. Old and New Testament alike, we are to keep our thoughts on those things which are good. Perhaps a key to victory in your life is not more dedications or vows, but simply being transformed by the renewing of your mind. Study, meditate and think on God's promises today and see if some of those actions you do not like in your life begin to disappear.
After the flood of Noah, God placed a sign in the heavens, the rainbow. This sign was to confirm what God told Noah, I will never destroy the earth again by a flood of water. Signs are not for guidance, but for confirmation. Many Christians are asking God for signs to guide them in the right direction. Guidance comes from the Holy Spirit. God may give you a supernatural word from a minister or Christian friend. Your pastor may preach a sermon which was exactly what you needed to hear. But all of these are confirmations of what God has been telling you all along. But isn’t all of nature a confirmation to the unchanging nature of God and His Word? Do you wonder if God is going to keep His promise to you? Is there still a sun shining today? Are there still trees and grass? Of course there are! These are signs around us that God cannot change. Why do you need a special prophecy or message from a minister? Why not open the window and look at God’s creation. He is yelling at you that He will not leave you or forsake you. Your world may seem to be falling apart, but His is not. The earth declares His handiwork.
Thursday - January 4, 2007 This morning in staff devotions, I was reminded that much of life is like waves in the ocean. Waves come in and waves go out. Problems come and go and solutions replace them. For quite a while I have been concerned with the number of my friends who have been sick, coming down with terminal diseases. I wonder if Satan has not brought on an onslaught of disease, trying to take our eyes off God’s healing power. Yet, in devotions this morning, I heard testimony after testimony of people given up to die who have now come back strong. God’s power was manifested in their body. A wave of healing came in. But, of course, this is what is promised in God’s Word. If we believe, we shall receive. God told us to lay hands on the sick. He also told us they would recover. I will reap in my own life in due time if I do not faint, give up. Although many of my friends may be sick, I am expecting a wave of healing testimonies. They may be sowing in tears today, but they will come again rejoicing. These problems in your own life are only temporary. They are a wave which came in today. A wave of solutions will arrive soon. Get ready. Start praising God now.
Wednesday - January 3, 2007 There is a class you can take in Bible school called apologetics. It comes from a Greek word meaning to defend. The course is a defense of the gospel or the Bible, God’s Word. We need to know how to respond when we are challenged for our beliefs. Yet, most of us believe apologetics is only needed when we are verbally challenged for our Christian faith. Apologetics is much more than that. We are challenged every day. We are provoked by the world’s viewpoint in news, entertainment, and education. We are challenged by the lack of interest much of the world has toward any type of faith at all. We respond to that challenge in more ways than one. Our defense of the gospel includes the way we live before those at our job, in our class or neighborhood. Apologetics, defense of our faith, is a lifestyle. We are defending God’s Word whether we realize it or not. Your choice of movies, lack of profanity or refusal to join many of the conversations around you is a giant label telling those you come in contact with, I am a believer in the Lord Jesus and I live my faith. Be proud of your faith. Most scoffers are actually respectful of your stability and assurance.
Tuesday - January 2, 2007 I watched the OU vs. Boise State bowl game Monday night. It was one of the best games I have ever seen. Although I wanted OU to win and they did not, I give credit to Boise State for maintaining a great attitude and overcoming their mistakes. They came in as the underdogs with a determination to stay up with a football giant. And, as the Bible story goes, David defeated Goliath. There are so many spiritual applications that can be made from the game. If you maintain an attitude of faith and determination, you can win despite the size and number of your enemy and despite your mistakes. Mistakes are redeemable. Failure can be fertilizer. It is the stuff from which successes grow. If you always keep your eye on God’s Word and keep faith in His promises, you can get up no matter how many times you have been knocked down or how bad you have missed God’s will. How about it? Are you tired of seeing the world from your back? Get up. God is not through with you. If you are still alive, your heart is still beating, God still has a plan for you. Success is not up to God, but up to you. God can make you a success if you will let Him. He’s waiting on you.
2007 has arrived. With what I see on the political horizon, we could be in for some bumpy times ahead. I always shutter to think we could lose some of the gains we have made under fairly good leadership. Well, God never promised us we would have good government leaders. He promised us He would see us through good and bad times, good and bad leaders. Some of the best gains for the gospel in the New Testament were during times of evil leadership in Rome. Paul told Timothy to remind us to pray for kings and all in authority over us so we would have peace to spread the gospel. That was written when the leadership in Rome was anything but good. I believe 2007 will be a great year for the church and the gospel of Jesus. It is good to know how everything will turn out. In the meantime, we continue to do what God called us to do, preach the Word.
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