Simple Obedience!

Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in. On the day of judgment many will call me their Lord. They will say, "We preached in your name, and in your name we forced out demons and worked many miracles."  But I will tell them, "I will have nothing to do with you! Get out of my sight, you evil people!"  Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock.  Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.  Anyone who hears my teachings and doesn't obey them is like a foolish person who built a house on sand.  The rain poured down, the rivers flooded, and the winds blew and beat against that house. Finally, it fell with a crash.  When Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were surprised at his teaching.  He taught them like someone with authority, and not like their teachers of the Law of Moses.

Matthew 7: 21 - 29

You can say that Jesus is your Lord, even when He isn’t!  It is a rather amazing truth that there will be people on the day of judgment who will call Jesus their Lord, claim to have preached in His Name, forced out demons and even worked miracles but will be called “evil people” and told to get out of the Lord’s sight!

These verses seem to be saying that it is not the ones who “do great things for God” who please Him, but rather those who obey His Word!  So the question for me is this: Not what can I do for God, but rather what has God asked me to do for Him?  Simple obedience to the Word of God is better than preaching, casting out demons and even working many miracles!  So instead of trying to do something great for God, listen for His voice and obey the Word you hear!  Of course, the best place to hear the voice of God is in the Bible!  

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for speaking Your Word to my heart today.  Help me to be obedient to Your every desire for my life.  May You be praised forever.  Amen.” 

Trusting God Too Much!

We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you. In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives.  Then you will live a life that honors the Lord, and you will always please him by doing good deeds. You will come to know God even better.  His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy.  I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1: 9 - 12

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are part of what God is doing in the world!  That really is an amazing truth.  When God tells you to do something, He also gives you the strength and power to accomplish it.  If God gives you an impossible task, He also provides what you need to do it.  

The practical reality of that truth is this: Never look at your bank account to see if you have enough money to do what God has told you to do.  Instead, look to God Himself for the provision for His command!  That might include your bank account, but never be discouraged by the size of the task you are given by God, but rather rejoice that His desire for you to accomplish more than you are able to do means you are about to see a miracle, if you trust Him!

Your most powerful testimony is when other people see the power of God working in and through you.  The Spiritual man is not the one who knows more about God than anyone else, but the Spiritual man is the one who trusts Him in everything, even when his knowledge is lacking!  There is no sin called, “Trusting God Too Much!”

“Lord Jesus, help me to know You better today.  And may I trust You more today than ever before.  Praise Your Holy Name.  Amen.”

God Made Men!

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I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!  My dear friends, we always have good reason to thank God for you, because your faith in God and your love for each other keep growing all the time.  That's why we brag about you to all of God's churches. We tell them how patient you are and how you keep on having faith, even though you are going through a lot of trouble and suffering.  All of this shows that God judges fairly and that he is making you fit to share in his kingdom for which you are suffering.

2 Thessalonians 1: 2 - 5

We don’t change ourselves in an attempt to please God.  We give our hearts to Jesus and He changes us according to His desires!  We are “right with God” not because of anything we do, or even could do.  The Cross of Christ is the reason, and the only reason we are justified in the presence of our Creator.  

We sometimes hear that someone is a “self made man,” meaning that through his own effort he became a better person!  But for followers of Jesus, there are no “self made” men.  Christians are “God made men.”  The Holy Spirit, living in you, transforms you into the man or woman that He wants you to be!  

Like a lump of clay on the potter’s wheel, your job is to simply let Him mold you into the person He wants you to be!  It may be, and usually is painful, but the pot is always beautiful.

“Lord Jesus, I know that the greatest thing I can do on this earth is to let You shape and change me according to Your will.  Do that, Lord today!  And may You be praised forever.  Amen.”

I'm in the Lord's Army!

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Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong.  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks.  We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.  So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.  Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God's justice protect you like armor.  Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet.  Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Let God's saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit.  Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.

Ephesians 6: 10 - 18

When I was a child we would sing a song that declared “I’m in the Lord’s Army!”  These verses from Ephesians 6 tell us plainly that following Jesus is like being a soldier in the battle against evil.  

As a soldier in God’s Army, it is God Himself who makes you strong.  God gives you the armor to protect yourself from the attacks of Satan. And don’t forget that your enemy is not other human beings, no matter how committed to following the Devil they may be.  You are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.

Truth, God’s justice and your desire to tell the Good News are all part of your equipment in the battle.  Also, God’s saving power protects you and His message is like a sword!

And finally, these verses tell us to pray as we engage in the battle!  With all this you can know for certain that you will not be defeated!

“Lord Jesus, give me courage and make me ready to fight for You today!  Praise Your Holy Name forever.  Amen.” 

Peace and Rest Forever!

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In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God.

Ephesians 2: 1 - 2

There is always much talk about FREEDOM!  Men want to control their own lives and have no one as their master.  But the truth is, that is an impossible hope.  You will either be controlled by God and led by His Spirit, or you will be under the power of the devil and you will obey him!

As a mortal human being you really have no other options!  Perhaps the greatest lie of Satan is that, if you reject God you will be free to live your own life as you see fit. It does not happen.  If you turn your heart away from God and reject Jesus Christ you will be ruled by the devil!

The only freedom you have as a human being is this: You are free to choose to follow Jesus or reject Him and be controlled by the Enemy of all righteousness!  

Don’t forget that the greatest freedom that any man can ever have is to be an obedient servant of God!  That freedom will give you Peace and Rest Forever!

“Lord Jesus, I choose You again today.  Let me listen only to Your voice and be obedient to Your every desire.  May You be praised forever.  Amen.” 

Faith is Beyond Belief!

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God's people had faith, and when they had walked around the city of Jericho for seven days, its walls fell down.  Rahab had been a prostitute, but she had faith and welcomed the spies. So she wasn't killed with the people who disobeyed.  What else can I say? There isn't enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.  Their faith helped them conquer kingdoms, and because they did right, God made promises to them. They closed the jaws of lions and put out raging fires and escaped from the swords of their enemies. Although they were weak, they were given the strength and power to chase foreign armies away.  Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life.

Hebrews 11: 30 - 35

There have been many wonderful and marvelous  things that would never have happened except for the faith of men and women of God!  This chapter in the Bible is filled with examples, but is still, only a partial list of the impact of faith on the world around a follower of Jesus Christ!

If your name were to appear in Hebrews 11 what would it say happened because of your faith?  It may not be an earth shaking event, but for you it was very important.  In response to your faith God will reveal Himself and let you know that He is real!  Every answered prayer is a time when God reaches down and touches your heart with the calm assurance that He is not just a figment of your imagination.

So the challenge for me, today is to let my faith shape the way I see and approach everything in my life.  Faith and belief are not the same.  Faith is the very important step beyond belief into the realm of integrating what I believe and what I do!  Then you can finish the sentence, “Because of my faith in Jesus I will . . . . . . . . . “

“Lord Jesus may my faith in You today bring others to the point of praising You, now and forever.  Amen.” 

Christian Bucket List!

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Christ did not have to offer himself many times. He wasn't like a high priest who goes into the most holy place each year to offer the blood of an animal.  If he had offered himself every year, he would have suffered many times since the creation of the world. But instead, near the end of time he offered himself once and for all, so that he could be a sacrifice that does away with sin.  We die only once, and then we are judged.  So Christ died only once to take away the sins of many people. But when he comes again, it will not be to take away sin. He will come to save everyone who is waiting for him.

Hebrews 9: 25 - 28

Are you waiting for the return of Jesus?  Do you get out of bed each morning thinking, “this may be the day?”  

Instead, I think that most Christians have a “bucket list” of things that they want to do before the Lord returns!  When you are young you want to experience growing up and getting married.  Once you are married you want to have children before the Lord returns.  If your children are gone, you think about enjoying your “retirement” before the return of Jesus. 

How foolish to long for anything more than desiring the Day when you will see Jesus, face to face!  There are signs of His return, and it clearly seems we are seeing some of those signs now, but the return of Jesus will come suddenly and without warning!  Be ready for the return of Jesus today, and if He does not come today then be ready tomorrow!  Be ready for Jesus today and tomorrow and everyday until He either comes, or you go to be with Him!  

“Lord Jesus, help me to want nothing more than to see You face to face.  May that Day come soon!  Praise You now and forever.  Amen.”

Point the Finger of Praise at God!

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Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.  If you have the gift of speaking, preach God's message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.

1 Peter 4: 10 - 11

We use the term “gifted” to refer to someone who has “natural” ability as a musician, an artist, or even an athlete.  And, of course, God can and often does enable you, or gift you to be able to do things for which you had no natural talent.  When that happens it is easy to see that it is the power of God working and not just the natural ability of a man!

But remember this:  The natural abilities that you have, all came directly from God.  He designed your body and mind and incorporated in you every strength or weakness from the day you were first conceived in His mind!  There is nothing you can do that you can claim credit for being able to do.  Every breath you take is a gift from God!

Our job is to point the finger of praise at God for everything good in our lives.  If you hear the applause of other men, stop and point your finger toward God and let Him be praised.  He deserves the credit for everything good, because God is Good!

“Lord Jesus, I am blessed and gifted because of You.  There is nothing natural about even my human abilities!  They all come from You.  May You, Jesus be praised now and forever.  Amen.” 

The Ministry of Becoming Less Important!

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The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  He is the one I told you about when I said, “Someone else will come, who is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born.”  I didn't know who he was. But I came to baptize you with water, so that everyone in Israel would see him.

John 1:29-31

John the Baptist baptized the people who came to him so that "everyone in Israel would see" Jesus! His purpose in living was to draw attention to Jesus.  At one point John said that Jesus must become more important and John must become less important!

Even though John decreased in his popularity and was ultimately beheaded, Jesus said that no one born on this earth was greater than John the Baptist.

Is the ministry of John the Baptist possible in your life today?  I think it is, and I believe we almost always overlook the ministry of becoming less important!

When someone sees the life you are living as a result of your personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is your job to transfer their interest in you to Jesus Himself!  It would be like a man who introduced a young lady to his good friend, and then tried to stay deeply involved in the relationship that was developing.   The man will always be important to the couple, but cannot be and should not be involved! 

When you introduce someone to Jesus Christ, be John the Baptist and get out of the way for that glorious and eternal relationship to develop!  When a man pursues Jesus Christ no  other man is needed.
 
If you are substituting a relationship with any human being for an intimate bond with Jesus, then today is the time to turn and run to Jesus and forsake all others!  Jesus wants you to be His and His alone!

"Lord Jesus, help me to be like John the Baptist and become less important while You become more and more important in my own life and in the lives of everyone I know!  May You, Jesus be praised forever.  Amen."

Carried by Jesus!

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I praise you, Lord,

for answering my prayers.

You are my strong shield,

and I trust you completely.

You have helped me,

and I will celebrate

and thank you in song.

You give strength

to your people, Lord,

and you save and protect

your chosen ones.

Come save us and bless us.

Be our shepherd and always

carry us in your arms.

Psalms 28:6-9

What is the difference in walking with the Lord or being carried in His arms? Walking with Jesus is certainly a good thing and if you walk at all you should walk with the Lord! But being held tightly in His arms as He moves through the day is an awesomely intimate experience. When you are carried along by Jesus you never know which way His next step will take you.

Jesus will take you places that you would never go alone! Jesus will carry you where sinners need Him most. You will find that the enemies of God are all around you and yet Jesus shows you how He gently convicts and leads them to Him.

Jesus is the Great Physician, so when you are with Him many of those around you will be desperately ill and in need of healing.
"Lord I want to go with You even though You always go where the lost are found. Carry me in Your arms and let me rest in the storm and be at peace when all around is turmoil. Thank you Jesus. Amen."

All I Want To Be Like Jesus!

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But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless.  Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.  All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.

Philippians 3: 7 - 11

About 50 years ago, as young and enthusiastic disciples of Jesus we would sing these words:

TO BE LIKE JESUS

TO BE LIKE JESUS

ALL I ASK, TO BE LIKE HIM

ALL THROUGH LIFE’S JOURNEY

FROM EARTH TO GLORY

ALL I ASK, TO BE LIKE HIM

Our hearts were sincere as we thought about the bold proclamation of Jesus and the miracles.  Yes, the miracles were amazing and being like Jesus meant that we would see them too!  We pondered being used by God to accomplish great things here on this earth as we would see many, many people turn their hearts to Jesus.  For some, that happened, but for most the grand vision of spiritual greatness never came to pass!  Life was about “ordinary” things, like jobs and children and family.  The Holy Spirit wanted us to show the world around us what it was like to be like Jesus in the carpenter shop, and we have spent years doing just that.

There is one more thing for each of us in being like Jesus.  Suffering and dying like Jesus did is how He wants us to conclude our journey here on earth.  If it were just dying, that might not be so hard, but Jesus suffered and we must do that as well.

“Jesus, after all these years I still want to be like You.  I know now that the greatest thing I can do today is to live each moment exactly the way You would have.  Truthfully, Lord all I need is to be like You!  May You, Jesus be praised now and forever.  Amen.”

Buy God's Gold!

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Buy your gold from me. It has been refined in a fire, and it will make you rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them and you can cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy medicine for your eyes, so that you will be able to see.  I correct and punish everyone I love. So make up your minds to turn away from your sins.  Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.

Revelation 3: 18 - 20

  

You don’t have to listen to American television very long until you will hear a commercial encouraging you to buy gold.  They don’t claim that buying gold will make you rich, but they say it is the best thing to have when “hard times” come!

Only three chapters into the book of Revelation you will read God’s commercial about buying gold!  He wants you to buy your gold from Him.  God says that His gold will make you rich!  And, of course God’s Gold is what you should have when times get hard.  These verses in Revelation 3 also encourage us to buy white clothes and medicine for our eyes from God.  

So after you have been corrected and even punished by God and you decided to turn away from your sins, you will hear a knock at your door!  That would be Jesus, who not only knocks on your door, but also calls out to you.  Then, when you open the door, Jesus will come in and eat with you! 

When Jesus dines with you, it will be the most Glorious meal this side of the marriage supper of the Lamb.  Like He did with the loaves and fish as well as the water He turned to wine, Jesus will transform everything you serve Him into a grand gourmet experience! 

My job is to buy God’s Gold and turn away from my sins.  Then I must listen for the knock and open the door!  

“Lord Jesus, help me today to be ready for Your knock on my door!  Transform me into exactly the person You created me to be!  Praise Your Holy Name forever.  Amen.”

Work on the Wedding Dress!

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Then I heard what seemed to be a large crowd that sounded like a roaring flood and loud thunder all mixed together. They were saying,

“Praise the Lord! Our Lord God All-Powerful now rules as king. So we will be glad and happy and give him praise. The wedding day of the Lamb is here, and his bride is ready. She will be given a wedding dress made of pure and shining linen. This linen stands for the good things God's people have done.”

Revelation 19:6-8

It is a very special thing when a wedding dress is made by hand!  At least, in the United States today most people buy their clothes, already made, from a store that has many different sizes of the same dress.  Usually, these clothes are not very expensive and fit “pretty well” but not perfectly.

But a tailored wedding dress that is specially made for the bride is exactly the right size and enhances her beauty in every way!

The wedding dress of the Bride of the Lamb of God is being made by hand, every day by those who follow Jesus. Good deeds done by God’s people are the cloth of that dress! So when you do something good for someone else you are helping to weave the cloth of the Wedding dress of the Bride of Christ!  That is no small thing!

The deed itself may be small, but the cloth you are weaving is eternally glorious!  

Sometimes we are disappointed if others are not grateful for the good things we have done.  But the appreciation of men for the good things you do is irrelevant.  As a follower of Jesus what you are doing when you do something good is this: you are helping to prepare the Wedding dress of the Bride of Christ!  The next time you hold the door for someone who has their hands filled and can’t do it for themselves think about the eternal impact of every good deed!  It will make a difference in how you live your day!

“Lord Jesus, thank You for letting me help with the Wedding dress for Your Bride.  Give me opportunity to weave more cloth today!  And may You be praised forever.  Amen.”   

Without God and Without Love

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Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.  Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful.  Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.

Colossians 3: 14 - 17

When one person truly loves another human being, he or she is  touching the essence of God Himself.  If someone rejects God, then he must also reject love, because God is love!  Many years ago I visited a country that officially rejected God.  It was dark and dreary and there were no indications that love was part of what was happening among the people!  When you are without God, you are without love!  

Someone once said that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate love story.  Love is the reason that Jesus came to this earth, and love is the reason that He died on the cross.  The most profound message of Scripture is this:  Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!

Every time two people find themselves in a real loving relationship, they are getting close to the reality of God.  Don’t forget that a loving sexual relationship which was designed for a man and a woman in marriage is not the only love between people.  Brother or sister, parent and child and dear friends can also experience love that comes from God!  

When the love of God is missing in your world, it will be dark and sad.  But when you let the love of Christ fill your heart and mind, you will see the Light all around you.

“Thank You Jesus for the Love that we may touch on this earth because of who You are!   Praise Your Holy Name forever. Amen.” 

Touched by the Power of God!

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In the crowd was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years.   She had gone to many doctors, and they had not done anything except cause her a lot of pain. She had paid them all the money she had. But instead of getting better, she only got worse.  The woman had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him in the crowd and barely touched his clothes.  She had said to herself, "If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well."  As soon as she touched them, her bleeding stopped, and she knew she was well.  At that moment Jesus felt power go out from him. He turned to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"  His disciples said to him, "Look at all these people crowding around you! How can you ask who touched you?"  But Jesus turned to see who had touched him.  The woman knew what had happened to her. She came shaking with fear and knelt down in front of Jesus. Then she told him the whole story.  Jesus said to the woman, "You are now well because of your faith. May God give you peace! You are healed, and you will no longer be in pain."

Mark 5: 24 - 34

Why did you come to Jesus?  There may have been many reasons why you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  You may have decided to follow Jesus because His message was the best you had ever heard.  You may have turned your heart to Him because your family was setting their hopes on Jesus.  But in the Bible many of the stories are about people who encountered Jesus and were touched by the power of God!  He fulfilled a need, or healed an illness, or in some way gave you what no one else could ever give you.  

If you have decided to be a disciple of Christ, but have never felt the power of God touch your needs and your life, then ask Jesus to let you feel His power working where you are in need!

The power of God will give you a powerful testimony to share with those who don’t know the Lord!  

“Lord Jesus, I do believe Your Word and confess that You are my Lord.  But Jesus I need to feel Your power applied to my point of need.  And may that Lord Jesus cause many others to praise Your name forever.  Amen.”

A Strong Warning!

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So Darius ordered Daniel to be brought out and thrown into a pit of lions. But he said to Daniel, "You have been faithful to your God, and I pray that he will rescue you."   A stone was rolled over the pit, and it was sealed. Then Darius and his officials stamped the seal to show that no one should let Daniel out.   All night long the king could not sleep. He did not eat anything, and he would not let anyone come in to entertain him.   At daybreak the king got up and ran to the pit.   He was anxious and shouted, "Daniel, you were faithful and served your God. Was he able to save you from the lions?"   Daniel answered, "Your Majesty, I hope you live forever!   My God knew that I was innocent, and he sent an angel to keep the lions from eating me. Your Majesty, I have never done anything to hurt you."   The king was relieved to hear Daniel's voice, and he gave orders for him to be taken out of the pit. Daniel's faith in his God had kept him from being harmed.   And the king ordered the men who had brought charges against Daniel to be thrown into the pit, together with their wives and children. But before they even reached the bottom, the lions ripped them to pieces.

Daniel 6: 16 - 24

Daniel refused to quit praying to God, even though the King had made a law that required it!  There is no indication that Daniel even considered obeying a law that required him to disobey God.  

There is in this story a strong warning for those who would accuse a righteous person who is faithful in his allegiance to God.  The men who brought the charges against Daniel were correct that he had broken the law of the king.  But they were very wrong, because they were defending a law that offended God Almighty!  Those men and their families suffered the same fate that they had wanted for Daniel.  

So if you are responsible, in any way for making or voting for the laws of your country, your first responsibility is to make sure that those laws are consistent with the will of God.  If they are not, you had better oppose them so that you will not end up like the men who accused Daniel.

“Lord Jesus, help me to be like Daniel and worship and pray to only You, no matter what the law of man might require.  May You, Jesus be praised forever.  Amen.”

Pray for Everyone to Worship God!

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Our God, be kind and bless us! Be pleased and smile.  Then everyone on earth will learn to follow you, and all nations will see your power to save us.   Make everyone praise you and shout your praises.   Let the nations celebrate with joyful songs, because you judge fairly and guide all nations.   Make everyone praise you and shout your praises.   Our God has blessed the earth with a wonderful harvest!   Pray for his blessings to continue and for everyone on earth to worship our God.

Psalm 67: 1 - 7

This Psalm encourages us to pray for the “wonderful harvest” on earth to continue and to pray that everyone on earth will worship God!  I don’t believe the Psalmist was talking about a harvest of corn and beans, but rather a harvest of men and women!  Even today there are thousands and thousands of people turning to Jesus and beginning a glorious life of following Him!  

But if you take Psalm 67 seriously you will pray that everyone on earth, at some point will worship God!  How can that be?  Well, the simple answer is that when Jesus returns, every knee will bow before Him and everyone will praise and worship Him!  

No matter how hard your heart is now, or how much you oppose the Lord, when you see Him you will fall down and praise Him!  You will not be able to do anything else.  

So here is a piece of advice you will never regret taking.  Don’t wait for Jesus to return.  Fall down and worship Him now!  You will worship Him later, but if you wait till then, it will be Eternally too late!

“Lord Jesus, I do fall down before You and praise Your Holy Name.  Thank You for the wonderful harvest of men and women who are worshipping You today.  Amen.”

The Miracle that Destroyed the Egyptians!

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Tell everyone on this earth to shout praises to God!  Sing about his glorious name. Honor him with praises.  Say to God, "Everything you do is fearsome, and your mighty power makes your enemies come crawling.  You are worshiped by everyone! We all sing praises to you."  Come and see the fearsome things our God has done!  When God made the sea dry up, our people walked across, and because of him, we celebrated there.  His mighty power rules forever, and nothing the nations do can be hidden from him. So don't turn against God.  All of you people, come praise our God! Let his praises be heard.

Psalm 66: 1 - 8

When God made the Red Sea dry up and the Children of Israel walked across on dry land the power of God was clearly seen by them all, including the Egyptians!  Their mistake was following God’s people into the Red Sea.  The miraculous blessing for the Israelites became the Egyptians grave.  

There are people today, who like the Egyptian army walk boldly into the “Red Sea” of God’s blessings without being a follower of Jesus!  They are following the disciples of Jesus and they mean to do them harm.  Then, like the Egyptians, the blessings of God will destroy them and not deliver them.  

If you are intent on doing God’s people harm and have walked into the miraculous provisions He has made for His people, you should beware!  The dry path in the Red Sea was prepared by God to deliver His people, not to enable you to destroy them.  Unless you repent and turn back from your evil pursuit, you will be destroyed instead!  

But if you are following Jesus and He has you escaping on the dry land of the Red Sea, don’t lose heart.  Jesus will either deliver you from the Egyptians or He will deliver you by the Army of Pharaoh.  Either way, you will be delivered!

“Lord Jesus, thank You for letting me see Your miraculous power in saving me from my enemies!  Give me the peace of knowing that You, Jesus will never fail in keeping me safe!  Praise Your Holy Name forever!  Amen.”

His Prayers are Always Answered!

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Our God, you deserve praise in Zion, where we keep our promises to you.  Everyone will come to you because you answer prayer.  Our terrible sins get us down, but you forgive us.  You bless your chosen ones, and you invite them to live near you in your temple. We will enjoy your house, the sacred temple.  Our God, you save us, and your fearsome deeds answer our prayers for justice! You give hope to people everywhere on earth, even those across the sea.  You are strong, and your mighty power put the mountains in place.  You silence the roaring waves and the noisy shouts of the nations.  People far away marvel at your fearsome deeds, and all who live under the sun celebrate and sing because of you.  You take care of the earth and send rain to help the soil grow all kinds of crops. Your rivers never run dry, and you prepare the earth to produce much grain.  You water all of its fields and level the lumpy ground. You send showers of rain to soften the soil and help the plants sprout.  Wherever your footsteps touch the earth, a rich harvest is gathered.

Psalm 65: 1 - 11

A few years ago I spent some time with a man who had, for most of his life prayed many times a day, but did not know Jesus Christ.  I asked him what was the difference in prayer before he became a Jesus follower and after.  His answer was amazing.  The man said that before he accepted Jesus as his Lord, he prayed often but his prayers were never answered! Then he declared that as a follower of Christ, his prayers are always answered!

If you pray and do not expect an answer to your prayer, then you are confessing your lack of faith in Jesus!  It is no wonder that you struggle with keeping your heart pure and your mind focused on the Lord.  

But if you pray and expect an answer, then you will begin to live every moment in confidence that Jesus is indeed with you always, even as He promised!

“Lord Jesus, help me today to pray with the calm assurance that You will respond to every request I bring to You!  And give me the Peace and Joy that comes with trusting You in everything.  May You, Jesus be praised now and forever.  Amen.” 

The Author of Your Eternity!

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The LORD gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.  So always trust the LORD because he is forever our mighty rock.

Isaiah 26: 3 - 4

Real peace is not something that comes from external circumstances.  You are at peace, not because of what is going on around you, or even happening to you!  Peace is a condition of your heart.  Peace is a gift from God to those who have faith in Him.  If you are at peace with God, nothing else matters.  God is the author of your Eternity and will supply your every need forever.  So why would you be troubled here on this earth?  

The attacks of Satan against your life are designed to destroy or at least shake your peace.  The Enemy wants you to look at the wind and the waves instead of Jesus and begin to sink.  It is when you are living a Spirit empowered, God centered life fueled by the Almighty Himself, that you are most vulnerable to the Devil’s proclamation that what you are experiencing cannot happen!  He will tell you that it is impossible for you to be living a life that sees miracles at every turn.  You will be tempted to believe that what is happening to you is co-incidence or even “luck,”  because you are asking God for things that cannot be and you are seeing those things happen every day!

The secret of Perfect Peace is Faith.  If you seek peace you will not find it, but if you seek Jesus and the faith in Him that God gives, you will have Perfect Peace.  Trust in the Lord and you will have Peace.

“Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me Peace in response to my faith in You.  I know that the secret to Peace is seeking You in everything.  I also know that I can have Perfect Peace without any circumstance of my life changing!  May You, Jesus be praised forever.  Amen.”