Zombies

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At noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until three o'clock.  Then about that time Jesus shouted, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"  Some of the people standing there heard Jesus and said, "He's calling for Elijah."  One of them at once ran and grabbed a sponge. He soaked it in wine, then put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus.  Others said, "Wait! Let's see if Elijah will come and save him."  Once again Jesus shouted, and then he died.  At once the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart.  Graves opened, and many of God's people were raised to life.  Then after Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.

Matthew 27:45-53

It is part of the story of the Crucifixion of Jesus that is "uncomfortable" to say the least.  When Jesus died graves were opened and "many of God's people were raised to life."  The Bible does not explain why this happened or even what it meant, but the impact on the people of Jerusalem must have been dramatic!

Just imagine how you would feel if you were to see someone walking around today who had died and you had previously attended their funeral!  I think it may be the reason that the Resurrection of Jesus was ignored by the Romans and the rest of the population of Jerusalem.  As far as they were concerned Jesus was just another one of these "zombies" and not a special and eternally significant case!

But for the disciples of Jesus, His Resurrection was startling, amazing and totally life changing, as it is for everyone who believes on Him today!

Whatever the reason for the resurrection of many of God's people when Jesus died, it accomplished God's purpose and was fueled by His Devine power!

It also says this: Because Jesus died and was raised to life you will rise from death and live forever with Him.  And many people will recognized that even though you were dead in your sins, you are now alive because of Jesus!  That is the core of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

"Lord Jesus, may I live and walk today because You lived, died and rose again!  You Lord, are to be praised now and forever.  Amen."  

Weak Like Jesus!

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During my second visit I warned you that I would punish you and anyone else who doesn't stop sinning. I am far away from you now, but I give you the same warning.  This should prove to you that I am speaking for Christ. When he corrects you, he won't be weak. He will be powerful  Although he was weak when he was nailed to the cross, he now lives by the power of God. We are weak, just as Christ was. But you will see that we will live by the power of God, just as Christ does.

2 Corinthians 13:2-4

Jesus was weak when He was nailed to the Cross! Jesus submitted to death on the Cross for your sake and mine!  We may criticize the disciples for running away from Jesus, and Peter for denying Him three times, but their fear and lack of faith opened the door for Jesus to give His life for us!  

Imagine what would have happened if the followers of Jesus had quickly organized an attempt to rescue Jesus before He went to the Cross!  Those who might try to save Jesus from the Cross would have been working against the Will of God!  

There is a cross for every follower of Jesus Christ.  We, of course must take up that cross and follow Him.  But so often we, and even some well meaning Christian ministries try to "save you" from the cross in your life!  That cross is perhaps the most important way that you are walking as Jesus did.

I am glad the disciples ran away that night and did not try to stop crucifixion!  And we must allow other followers of Jesus to suffer as He did.  

Jesus was weak when He went to the Cross, but now He is powerful beyond anyone's imagination. You are weak as you carry your cross on this earth, but you will be strong, beyond anything you could ever think.  

"Thank You Jesus that I can be weak, even as You were when You went to the Cross.  And Lord, thank You that I will be strong and live in the Power of God with You forever in Heaven.  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

Faith Without Sight

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Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn't with the others when Jesus appeared to them.  So they told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But Thomas said, "First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won't believe unless I do this!"  A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples and said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!"  Thomas replied, "You are my Lord and my God!"  Jesus said, "Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!"

John 20:24-29

Would it be a blessing to see Jesus?  Well, of course it would.  Even to imagine the face of Jesus is a special thought that lifts your heart and soul to a higher plane of living!

But the goal of living as a follower of Jesus is not the ability to see Him.  The goal is Faith that trusts in and obey's Jesus whether or not you ever see Him on this earth!  Jesus said that those who have faith without seeing Him are "really blessed!"

What is the blessing of faith without sight?  I think it is this: When what you see of Jesus is based on your faith in Him, then nothing in the physical world can shake you in your walk with Jesus.  If your faith comes from what you see, then you may be deceived by an "optical illusion."  That is something that appears to your eyes to be there, but it is not!  

So remember, it is better to let your faith be the author of what you see of Jesus and not something you see be the reason for your faith!  Many people who were alive when Jesus walked the earth saw Him but did not believe in Him.  But when you have faith in Jesus without seeing Him, that road will take you to a place where His face is bright and clear and fills your heart with Joy and Peace forever.

"Lord Jesus, I do want to see You, but I know it is more important to have faith in You in every way. May Your Holy Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

When to Run Away!

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All of Jesus' disciples ran off and left him.  One of them was a young man who was wearing only a linen cloth. And when the men grabbed him, he left the cloth behind and ran away naked.   

Mark 14:50-52

The other story in the Bible about a young man running off and leaving his clothes behind was about Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Egypt.  The woman was enticing Joseph to go to bed with her.  So she grabbed him and kept his coat after Joseph ran away.

We don't know the name of the young man who ran away naked as Jesus was being arrested, but the story is not like the story of Joseph.  Joseph ran to get away from temptation.  The young man with Jesus ran to get away from persecution!  

We must always be ready to run away from temptation, but running away from persecution will not put your name on the list of those who gave their lives for Jesus!  

Certainly, there is no example in the Bible that we should seek persecution, but when it comes, as followers of Jesus we have nothing to fear!  I believe that if the young man with Jesus had not run away we would know his name and he would be an example of courage to all of us even today!

"Lord Jesus help me to always run away from temptation, but not the threats of those who seek to persecute me because of my love for You. May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

Power Flows Out!

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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 5:25-34

This is a story about miraculous power flowing out of Jesus and healing a woman who had been bleeding for a dozen years.  But the thing about this story that causes me to wonder is that Jesus didn't know who had touched Him.  

The faith of the sick woman released the Power of God to heal her body and Jesus, in the flesh, was unaware of who she was until He asked.  This raises a lot of questions that could fill many books with human speculation, but for me the most important thing is this: Jesus was "fully human" and as such His human body limited His Almighty awareness.

Jesus was and is also "fully God" and as God has no limitations at all, unless He chooses to impose them on Himself.  But the most important and amazing truth is this:  Jesus became totally like me so that I can become totally like Him!

The only "human" thing that Jesus never did is this: Jesus never sinned! 

So if you are like Jesus and are still walking in the flesh, you may not always know how the Power of God is flowing out of you.  But you can be sure that God is working through you if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.

"Thank You Jesus for letting Your Power flow out of me in ways that I don't even know about.  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

How to Truly Know Jesus!

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I want you to know what a struggle I am going through for you, for God's people at Laodicea, and for all of those followers who have never met me.  I do it to encourage them. Then as their hearts are joined together in love, they will be wonderfully blessed with complete understanding. And they will truly know Christ. Not only is he the key to God's mystery, but all wisdom and knowledge are hidden away in him.

Colossians 2:1-3

When followers of Jesus Christ love Him and love each other the outcome of that sharing of life is amazing!  As the hearts of a fellowship of believers in Jesus are "joined in love" they will be wonderfully blessed with "complete understanding!"  No, I have no idea what "complete understanding" means, but you can be sure that it is a good thing.

I think even more importantly, when you are joined with other believers in love, you will come to "truly know Christ."  That, my friend, is indeed the goal of every disciple of Jesus.   

So if you want to know Jesus better, then walk in the love of your brothers and sisters.  Jesus was a human being who was filled with the fullness of God Himself and led by the Spirit of God in everything that He said or did.  When you are joined in love with other believers you come to know what it is like to walk with Jesus here on earth!  

The Bible says that whenever two or three Christians meet together in Jesus Name, that He is there as well.  And, of course Jesus is there inside every one of them!

If you choose not to fellowship with other believers you are missing a God ordained opportunity to get to truly know Jesus and you will not have the "complete understanding" that Jesus wants you to have!

"Lord Jesus, may I be joined in love to every follower of Yours that I know, so that I will come to truly know You and have complete understanding!  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen." 

Not a Tragedy to Go to Heaven!

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"Your faith in the Lord and your service are like a sacrifice offered to him. And my own blood may have to be poured out with the sacrifice. If this happens, I will be glad and rejoice with you.  In the same way, you should be glad and rejoice with me."

Philippians 2:17-18

Some people believe that "sacrifices" are no longer part of being a follower of the Lord.  That is quite wrong.  "Animal" sacrifices did cease, but presenting God with a sacrifice is alive and well!

Today there are at least two ways of making an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord.  These verses in Philippians say that your faith and service are a sacrifice to God.  And Paul said that he might have to pour out his blood along with their sacrifice. 

And then Paul said that if he were to give his life for Jesus he would be glad and rejoice and he wanted his brothers and sisters to rejoice with him!

I have never questioned the authenticity of the faith of a man or woman who would not renounce Jesus and then died for that refusal!  Remember that on the other side of the sword that takes your life for being a follower of Jesus is the most Glorious Reality you could ever imagine!  Think about the Words of Jesus when He told one of those crucified with Him, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise!" (Luke 23:43)

So today you can sacrifice by living for Jesus or you can sacrifice by dying for Him!  Either way, Paul says you can be glad and rejoice, no matter what happens!  It is not a tragedy to go to Heaven!

"Lord Jesus, thank You for the sweet assurance of Heaven and the Hope of an Eternity with You!  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

The Solution for Every Problem!

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My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people.  I want you to know about the great and mighty power that God has for us followers. It is the same wonderful power he used when he raised Christ from death and let him sit at his right side in heaven.

Ephesians 1: 18-20

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you can expect to receive “Glorious Blessings” from the Lord!  Not the least of which is the “Great and Mighty Power” that was used to raise Jesus from death!  

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important way that you will be like Him!  Jesus died and then came back to life, and you will do that very thing!  The Great and Mighty Power of God will heal, restore and change your body into one that will live forever with Jesus!  

The only ones who will not die are those who are alive when Jesus returns.  They will not die, but they will be changed as all the Saved are gathered into the arms of Jesus!  

Remind yourself daily that life itself is all about Jesus!  Jesus is the reason you were born.  Jesus is the answer to every question, and Jesus is the solution to every problem.  Jesus is, therefore I exist!  

“Lord Jesus, let me walk with You today with every step I take.  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen.”

Sleep On It!

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After King Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph while he was still in Egypt.  The angel said, "Get up and take the child and his mother back to Israel. The people who wanted to kill him are now dead."  Joseph got up and left with them for Israel.  But when he heard that Herod's son Archelaus was now ruler of Judea, he was afraid to go there. Then in a dream he was told to go to Galilee, and they went to live there in the town of Nazareth. So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, "He will be called a Nazarene."

Matthew 2: 19-23

It is really amazing to note how many times God delivered His message to man in a dream!  An angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him to go ahead and marry Mary even though she was pregnant.  The Wise Men were warned in a dream not to go back and tell Herod where they found Jesus.

Then an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because Herod wanted to kill Him.  After Herod died an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and the child back to Israel. Finally, an angel told Joseph in a dream to go and live in Galilee with his family.  That is five dreams from the Lord in just the first two chapters of Matthew.

Of course there are many other dreams mentioned in the Bible that were messages from the Lord.  It is important to recognize that God’s messages in dreams came both to followers of the Lord and to those who were not!

Does God still speak to human beings in dreams,  or has this method of communication ceased?  There are many reports today of people who are following “another religion” being called by God in a dream.  

A good piece of advice that is often given to a man or woman who is in the process of making an important decision is this: “Sleep On It!”  What that does is to give God an opportunity to express His thoughts about your decision as you dream!  That is not to say that you will always have a dream from God about your decision, but He may input His message into a dream.

Don’t forget that the Written Word of God will not be contradicted by a dream or a vision or any other word you hear if it is really from God!  But don’t ignore it if is consistent with what you read in the Bible!

“Lord Jesus help me today to always listen for Your voice, even in my dreams!  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen.”

Just Imagine if John Lennon . . .

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Many people from strong nations will come to Jerusalem to worship me and to ask me to treat them with kindness.  When this happens, ten people from nations with different languages will grab a Jew by his clothes and say, "Let us go with you. We've heard that God is on your side." I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken!

Zechariah 8: 22-23

Almost 50 years ago John Lennon challenged the world to “Imagine” there is no Heaven and no Hell.   The world grabbed hold of the idea and has spent the last half century pretending that “peace on earth” can come from the goodness of human beings!  Such a fantasy has produced nothing but bitter fruit and destruction among men!

God wants us to “imagine” that everything He has said is true!  Like a little child who believes every word that comes from his or her father, when we believe God we will please Him in everything we do.

What will it be like when there are no more atheists because everyone has come face to face with Jesus Christ and has fallen down before Him?  Imagine there are no skeptics, no doubters, and no debate about whether or not God really exists.  How do you doubt the existence of God when you have been brought before His judgment seat and have been sentenced to Eternal Death or been given Eternal Life?

Imagine that the age of wondering whether or not God exists is over.  And imagine that the Eternal purposes of God are clear to everyone!  As John Lennon said about his imaginations, you are not the only one!  

“Lord Jesus, I do want to imagine what it will be like to stand before You and hear You say ‘Well Done.’ May Your Name praised now and forever.  Amen.”

Because Of Who He Is!

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About twelve months later, I was walking on the flat roof of my royal palace and admiring the beautiful city of Babylon, when these things started happening to me. I was saying to myself, "Just look at this wonderful capital city that I have built by my own power and for my own glory!"
  But before I could finish speaking, a voice from heaven interrupted: King Nebuchadnezzar, this kingdom is no longer yours.  You will be forced to live with the wild animals, away from people. For seven years you will eat grass, as though you were an ox, until you learn that God Most High is in control of all earthly kingdoms and that he is the one who chooses their rulers.

This was no sooner said than done--I was forced to live like a wild animal; I ate grass and was unprotected from the dew. As time went by, my hair grew longer than eagle feathers, and my fingernails looked like the claws of a bird.  Finally, I prayed to God in heaven, and my mind was healed. Then I said: "I praise and honor God Most High. He lives forever, and his kingdom will never end.  To him the nations are far less than nothing; God controls the stars in the sky and everyone on this earth. When God does something, we cannot change it or even ask why."

At that time my mind was healed, and once again I became the ruler of my glorious kingdom. My advisors and officials returned to me, and I had greater power than ever before. That's why I say: "Praise and honor the King who rules from heaven! Everything he does is honest and fair, and he can shatter the power of those who are proud."

Daniel 4: 28-37

God is in control of even the mind of man.  When God chose to, he caused Nebuchadnezzar to be unable to think and live like a man.  So for 7 years the king lived in the fields with wild animals and ate grass!  

Then, when the king had come to know that God is in control of all earthly kingdoms and that He chooses their leaders, King Nebuchadnezzar regained his sanity and was restored to the throne.

Here is a sobering truth: Even your ability to think and reason and understand is a gift from God that He could withdraw at any moment.  I met a man once who had been an accomplished surgeon until a mugging left him bed ridden and unable to communicate about even the ordinary things in life.  

So, remember that your ability to think, reason and understand comes from God!  It is not because of how great you are that you are "smarter" than other men.  It is because of who He is that you have whatever capabilities you have!  No matter how important you may be in this life, you must humble yourself before Almighty God and recognize that everything you have is a gift from your Heavenly Father!

"Lord Jesus, me help today not to be stubborn about learning that You are in control of everything.  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen."

Bullseye of Satan's Target

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Listen to my concerns, God, and protect me from my terrible enemies.  Keep me safe from secret plots of corrupt and evil gangs.  Their words cut like swords, and their cruel remarks sting like sharp arrows.  They fearlessly ambush and shoot innocent people.  They are determined to do evil, and they tell themselves, "Let's set traps! No one can see us."  They make evil plans and say, "We'll commit a perfect crime. No one knows our thoughts."  But God will shoot his arrows and quickly wound them.  They will be destroyed by their own words, and everyone who sees them will tremble with fear.  They will be afraid and say, "Look at what God has done and keep it all in mind."  May the LORD bless his people with peace and happiness and let them celebrate.

Psalm 64: 1 - 10

The attacks of Satan on followers of Jesus Christ often consist of simply words and cruel remarks!   The Enemy of all that is good and right wants you to be discredited so that you cannot spread the amazing message of Jesus Christ!  The Devil wants you to be seen by all around as a person not to be believed.   

If Satan destroys your health or even takes your life, he simply turns you into a martyr for Jesus and it defeats the purpose of the Enemy.  But if he can destroy your reputation and your credibility, then everything you have done for Jesus or have said about the Lord comes into question.

When you are in the bullseye of Satan's target pray that "God will shoot his arrows and quickly wound" those who are coming against you. Watch as they are being "destroyed by their own words."

"Lord Jesus, thank You that I am not alone in the battle against Satan.  And with You Lord Jesus, there is no question who will win that battle.  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen."

Explanation for Everything!

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God's power is unlimited. He needs no teachers to guide or correct him.  Others have praised God for what he has done, so join with them.  From down here on earth, everyone has looked up and seen how great God is-- God is more than we imagine; no one can count the years he has lived.  God gathers moisture into the clouds and supplies us with rain.  Who can understand how God scatters the clouds and speaks from his home in the thunderstorm?  And when God sends lightning, it can be seen at the bottom of the sea.  By producing such rainstorms, God rules the world and provides us with food.  Each flash of lightning is one of his arrows striking its target, and the thunder tells of his anger against sin.

Job 36: 22 - 33

As I write these words, the United States is experiencing the largest April snow storm in memory.  Those who call themselves "scientists" have a great dilemma if they are not believers in Almighty God.  

The focus of everything a scientist does is to study the works of God and their impact on humanity!  So, not believing in God forces them to "dream up" some kind of reason for the existence of all their is.  And without an "Almighty Intelligence" in control of all that is happening, there is no certainty that what has happened will ever happen again.  Laws of Nature demand that Someone is enforcing them.  Any laws without an enforcer are fundamentally irrelevant.

Here is the hard part for anyone to grasp: These verses say that lightning strikes it's target and thunder is the Voice of God expressing His anger against sin!

Don't follow the example of those "scientists" who say they don't believe in God and search for random explanations to things that happen in Nature!  God Himself is the Explanation for Everything!

"Lord Jesus, help me today to see Your power in the things that You created and recognized You in every strike of lightning and Your voice in every clap of thunder.  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."   

Not Here Not Now

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Paul and his friends went through Phrygia and Galatia, but the Holy Spirit would not let them preach in Asia.  After they arrived in Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not let them.  So they went on through Mysia until they came to Troas.  During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!"  After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia. We were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there.

Acts 16: 6-10

As the Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul in his ministry of spreading the Gospel all over the world, He not only showed Paul where to preach, but also where not to preach.   

Of course, it is the will of God that the Gospel be spread to the entire world, but the Spirit told Paul, "Not Here Not Now" when Paul wanted to preach in Asia.

So even the Apostle Paul could not just go about preaching anywhere he wanted to preach.  After being told that he should not go to Asia he had a vision during the night of a man calling him to go to Macedonia and Paul concluded that God wanted him to go there.

So there is a two part process in deciding what you will do for Jesus.  First, ask "is it the will of God" that a thing be done.  Secondly, you must ask God if is His will that you do it!  If God's will does not include the thing you want to do, then of course you must abandon the idea.  But you must also ask God if a thing, which is clearly part of His will, is something that He wants you to do! 

"Lord Jesus, show me today what You want me to do as well as what You want me not to do!  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

Feed Your Brother!

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Simon Peter got back into the boat and dragged the net to shore. In it were one hundred fifty-three large fish, but still the net did not rip.  Jesus said, "Come and eat!" But none of the disciples dared ask who he was. They knew he was the Lord.  Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave some of it to his disciples. He did the same with the fish.  This was the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from death.  When Jesus and his disciples had finished eating, he asked, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than the others do?" Simon Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know I do!" "Then feed my lambs," Jesus said.  Jesus asked a second time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you!" "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus told him.  Jesus asked a third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him three times if he loved him. So he told Jesus, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you." Jesus replied, "Feed my sheep.

John 21: 11 - 17

Jesus fed the disciples with fish and bread.  The night before His crucifixion Jesus gave the disciples bread and wine and established the memorial feast that we call "Communion."  But this time the meal is only remembered when a Bible teacher decides to talk about it or we run across these verses in our regular Bible reading.

But the lesson of these verses should impact your walk with Jesus every day!  Jesus feeds you and He expects you to feed others!  That is the essence of what Jesus told His disciples in this early morning encounter.  

My mother was known for wanting to "feed" everyone who entered our house. When I was in high school my friends all knew that coming over to my house meant they would get something to eat!

When you meet a brother or a sister in the Lord today you should ask yourself this question: Is there anything I have that I can give him or her that would strengthen their walk with Jesus?  That would indeed be taking care of and feeding the sheep of Jesus!

"Lord Jesus, open my eyes today to the needs of my brothers and sisters and show me what I have that will strengthen them in their walk with You.  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen."

Jesus Give Me What I Need!

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The time of prayer was about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Peter and John were going into the temple.  A man who had been born lame was being carried to the temple door. Each day he was placed beside this door, known as the Beautiful Gate. He sat there and begged from the people who were going in.  The man saw Peter and John entering the temple, and he asked them for money.  But they looked straight at him and said, "Look up at us!"  The man stared at them and thought he was going to get something.  But Peter said, "I don't have any silver or gold! But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, get up and start walking."  Peter then took him by the right hand and helped him up. At once the man's feet and ankles became strong, and he jumped up and started walking. He went with Peter and John into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God.


Peter saw that a crowd had gathered, and he said: Friends, why are you surprised at what has happened? Why are you staring at us? Do you think we have some power of our own? Do you think we were able to make this man walk because we are so religious?  The God that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and our other ancestors worshiped has brought honor to his Servant Jesus. He is the one you betrayed. You turned against him when he was being tried by Pilate, even though Pilate wanted to set him free.  You rejected Jesus, who was holy and good. You asked for a murderer to be set free, and you killed the one who leads people to life. But God raised him from death, and all of us can tell you what he has done.  You see this man, and you know him. He put his faith in the name of Jesus and was made strong. Faith in Jesus made this man completely well while everyone was watching.

Acts 3: 1 - 8 & 12-16

The man who was born lame asked Peter and John for money, but instead he got the thing that money could not buy, he was healed!  If Peter and John had given the man money, I suppose it would have been a good thing, but in a few hours, or even days the money would be gone and the man would be begging again.  

When you encounter Jesus in your day, what do you ask from Him?  Do you ask Jesus for things that would make your life more comfortable and less of a struggle?  Do you ask Jesus to deal with the little aggravations of life and the issues that cause you pain?  Or do you ask for the healing of your feet so that you can walk, jump and run with Jesus and praise Him every moment of the life you have on this earth?  Of course, I am not talking about your physical feet because you can run with Jesus without their help.  

Put your faith in Jesus and ask Him to make you strong and completely well so that everyone around can see the Power of God in your life!

"Thank You Jesus for giving me what I truly need instead of only what I ask for!  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

Jesus Speaks My Language

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On the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place.  Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting.  Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there.  The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.  Many religious Jews from every country in the world were living in Jerusalem.  And when they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages.  They were excited and amazed, and said: Don't all these who are speaking come from Galilee?  Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages?  Some of us are from Parthia, Media, and Elam. Others are from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were born Jews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done.  Everyone was excited and confused. Some of them even kept asking each other, "What does all this mean?"

Acts 2: 1 - 6

Have you ever been witness to the undeniable power of God being miraculously displayed before men?  If you have, then you can certainly relate to the response of the people who were "excited, confused" and didn't understand what it all meant when they heard the followers of Jesus speaking languages that they had never learned.

When someone knows more than one language it is usually true that one of his languages could be called his "heart language."  That would be the one that he uses to communicate about matters of the heart.  A man may know many languages, but for him expressions of personal feelings and love are best communicated in his heart language.  

Here is an exciting and amazing truth to ponder.  Jesus speaks your heart language!  The Holy Spirit will clearly and powerfully lay out in your heart language His will for every step you take in life!  No language on the face of the earth is foreign to God.  In fact, at the Tower of Babel, God was the author of every language!  

"Thank You Jesus, that You not only know my Heart Language, but You also know my heart and everything about it.  May my heart be given to You in every way and at every moment today and always.  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen." 

Truly Love Others!

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If we truly love others and live as Christ did in this world, we won't be worried about the day of judgment.  A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.  We love because God loved us first.  But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?  The commandment that God has given us is: "Love God and love each other!"

1 John 4: 8 - 11

What do these verses mean when it says we must "truly love others and live as Christ did in this world?"  Having the love of God in your heart does not give you the privilege of loving one and hating another!  It does not say that we are to "truly love some others."  

When you have the love of God in your heart, everyone, even your enemies become the object of your love!  To live as Christ did means that you give of yourself for the sake of those that you love and that means everyone! 

Test your heart by asking this question: Do I truly love even the most unattractive, in every way person I know?  The Bible clearly says that we do not fight against flesh and blood.  The man or woman who seems to be totally committed to evil in this world is not your enemy or the enemy of God, but rather that person is a captive of Satan!  And the love of God living in your heart can draw them back to the Creator of all!

Guard your heart and mind today against the hate that Satan wants you to feel toward those who oppose God and everything that is good and right. Ask God to bless them again with a renewed call on their lives.  Then the enemy you thought you had will become the brother or sister you certainly need!

"Lord Jesus, thank You that every living human being can come to You in repentance and restoration!  Your Blood washes us clean and restores a right relationship with God.  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."

Example of Christ!

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When we obey God, we are sure that we know him.  But if we claim to know him and don't obey him, we are lying and the truth isn't in our hearts. We truly love God only when we obey him as we should, and then we know that we belong to him.  If we say we are his, we must follow the example of Christ.

1 John 2: 1 - 3

What is the "example of Christ" that John, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is telling us to follow?
  
I believe we are often confused by thinking that we must simply do things that will remind others of the way Jesus lived.  Of course our lives will remind the world of Jesus, but it is because we get our "instructions for living" from God, just like Jesus did.  

If you ask the question "what would Jesus do" in any situation of life, the answer is that Jesus would listen to His Father and then do whatever His Father told Him to do!  That is the example of Jesus!  

Jesus didn't heal all the sick or raise all the dead!  He only did those things when the Father directed His steps to display Supernatural power before the world around Him.

So the example of Jesus is this: Learn how to listen to God and then do whatever He tells you to do!  If you don't know how to recognize the voice of God, you will hear "many voices" calling you to act in ways that are not based on the Will of God!  

Spend lots of time in fellowship with God through listening to or reading the Bible and in prayer.  Then you will come to know the sound of God's voice and have no doubt when you hear Him direct your steps.

"Thank You Jesus for giving us Your example of listening to God for every step You took.  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen."  

Jesus is the Winning Number!

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Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.

1 Peter 3: 7

When was the last time someone asked you about your hope?  They may ask you about your church, your religion, or even your faith, but what about your hope?  

In today's world, HOPE is perhaps the best anti-depressant of all.  When you are depressed you feel "HOPELESS."  I can't imagine a depressed person hanging on to that discouraged state of mind after matching up the numbers on his or her lottery ticket and seeing that 50 million dollars was there for the taking when the ticket was turned in!  The prospect of a life without money worries would quickly drive away despair!

As a follower of Jesus Christ, what are you hoping for?  Are you hoping for better health here on earth and some more "creature comforts," or are you hoping for the return of Jesus Christ and the beginning of your Eternal Life with Him?  Christians have no guarantee or promise of better health and more money on this earth.  But those who walk with Jesus are assured that they will have life with Jesus forever!   That is a promise and a guarantee!

If you are hoping to become rich on this earth, then those who will ask you about your hope will be those who are seeking riches and wealth.  But if your hope is all about Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him now and forever, those who ask you about your hope will be those who are seeking Jesus!  And when you HOPE for Jesus, you will never be "Down" about tomorrow.  

Jesus is the winning number and with Him you will have more than you will need, now and forever!

"Thank You Jesus, for giving me the hope of Eternity!  May Your Name always be praised.  Amen."

Desire of Your Heart

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After Terah was seventy years old, he had three sons: Abram, Nahor, and Haran, who became the father of Lot. Terah's sons were born in the city of Ur in Chaldea, and Haran died there before the death of his father. The following is the story of Terah's descendants.  Abram married Sarai, but she was not able to have any children. And Nahor married Milcah, who was the daughter of Haran and the sister of Iscah.  Terah decided to move from Ur to the land of Canaan. He took along Abram and Sarai and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran. But when they came to the city of Haran, they decided to settle there instead.  Terah lived to be two hundred five years old and died in Haran.

Genesis 11: 13 - 16

The father of Abram decided to move to Canaan but stopped short in Haran. Then God called Abram to finish the journey and go to Canaan. When Terah decided to go to Canaan was he hearing the call of God and just didn't recognize it? Well of course we don't know because the Bible does not say, but it does seem odd that Abram, who was later called Abraham would be called by God to go to the place that his father had intended on going anyway.

If Terah had gone on to Canaan would he have been called the "Grandfather of the faithful?" His son Abraham was called the "Father of the faithful."

If Terah's desire to go to Canaan was put into his heart by the Lord then there is a lesson for us today. When you decide on an honorable course of action don't stop in Haran! Do you know for sure that your desire did not come from the Lord Himself? God can put the desire in your heart as easily as He can put the Word in your ear!

Faith itself says that God is involved in every step you take. If your heart and mind are fixed on Jesus, His peace will hover over you as you walk even without a specific Word from God. God is the author of every good and righteous thing. So if you are a Christian and you want to walk in righteousness you can be sure that God is directing your steps.

Terah stopped in Haran and the call, if it was a call from God, was passed on to his son Abram.

Remember God does not work in only one generation. God works from generation to generation and from age to age. He may call you to complete a work that began long before you were born. He may call you to begin a work that will not be completed until long after you are gone.

"Lord Jesus, forgive me for stopping in Haran and not going all the way to the place to which You have called me. Give me the strength to get up and move today to the place You want me to go. And may You be praised forever. Amen."

Originally published on 8/31/13

Mile Marker on the Road of Faith

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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.

Psalm 28: 6 - 10

Does God answer your prayers?  You may say "Yes," but please be more specific.  What prayer has He answered and when did He do it?  

I am afraid there are many followers of Jesus who can't tell you even one actual prayer that they prayed and then they saw specifically the answer come from God.  "Answered prayers" are not a general condition of life, where you somehow sense God's blessings in your life. 

An answered prayer happens when God addresses a concern you have and speaks His answer to your issue!  That my friend is an awesome realization.  I remember the first time I put a "fleece" out before the Lord and He specifically answered that prayer!  I remember quickly abandoning my concern for the issue about which I prayed as I stood in awe of the fact that God had spoken to me about it!  I was not yet 20 years old at the time, but God had made me aware of His Almighty presence!

Why should you pray specific prayers?  Because each answer to prayer that you can see is a mile marker on your road of faith! Those answers let you know how far you have come with Jesus and that you are still on the road to Heaven!  

So, if you want to know where you are today in your walk with the Lord, look for His specific answers to your prayers!

"Lord Jesus, may I hear Your voice today and see and know that You are the answer to all my prayers and even every question in my heart. My Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen." 

When Almighty God Gets Angry

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Then the twenty-four elders, who were seated on thrones in God's presence, knelt down and worshiped him.  They said, "Lord God All-Powerful, you are and you were, and we thank you. You used your great power and started ruling.  When the nations got angry, you became angry too! Now the time has come for the dead to be judged. It is time for you to reward your servants the prophets and all of your people who honor your name, no matter who they are. It is time to destroy everyone who has destroyed the earth."

Revelation 11: 16 - 18

It is always disturbing when someone is angry.  An angry man can and usually does things that he later regrets.  In our anger the foolishness of  human beings rises to the top of their character traits!  But when God gets angry, He never sins and certainly is not out of control or foolish.  

The Holiness and Purity of God are not in the least compromised by His Anger!  The Righteousness of the Almighty is fully intact as He rages against those who destroy the earth!  

Remember, it is only the Blood of Jesus Christ that will shield you from God's Anger!  If you are "covered by the Blood," your emotional contact with God will be with His Love and forgiveness!  But if you do not know Jesus, you have much to fear and an Eternity to regret your decision to ignore the Call of God!

"Lord Jesus, give me the urgency I need to warn those who do not know You.  You are the only way for any man or woman to be shielded from the Anger of God!  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen."

AMEN!

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In the right hand of the one sitting on the throne I saw a scroll that had writing on the inside and on the outside. And it was sealed in seven places.  I saw a mighty angel ask with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"  No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or see inside it.  I cried hard because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or see inside it.  Then one of the elders said to me, "Stop crying and look! The one who is called both the 'Lion from the Tribe of Judah' and 'King David's Great Descendant' has won the victory. He will open the book and its seven seals."  Then I looked and saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne that was surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb looked as if it had once been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God, sent out to all the earth.  The Lamb went over and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sat on the throne.  After he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders knelt down before him. Each of them had a harp and a gold bowl full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.  Then they sang a new song, "You are worthy to receive the scroll and open its seals, because you were killed. And with your own blood you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race.  You let them become kings and serve God as priests, and they will rule on earth."  As I looked, I heard the voices of a lot of angels around the throne and the voices of the living creatures and of the elders. There were millions and millions of them, and they were saying in a loud voice, "The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise."  Then I heard all beings in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea offer praise. Together, all of them were saying, "Praise, honor, glory, and strength forever and ever to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!"  The four living creatures said "Amen," while the elders knelt down and worshiped.

Revelation 5: 1 - 14

"Lord Jesus, I bow down before You and say 'Amen' with the four living creatures and the elders in Heaven!  May Your Name be praised in Heaven and on earth, now and forever.  Amen."

Weapon of Mass Redemption!

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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.  Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail.  Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured.  The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground.  All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised.  This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.

Hebrews 11: 32 - 40

When your life is pleasing to God it displeases the world!  That simple truth is often hard to grasp.

There are only two sides in the Cosmic struggle of Good and Evil!  God, who created everything and everyone desires that all men choose to walk the way of Righteousness as followers of Jesus Christ.  But Satan who is the father of lies, wants all men to die with him forever in the fires of Hell!   God wants everyone to have the choice of which side they will join.

Those on the side of Good reflect the Heart of God and desire that men and women who have joined the Enemy be redeemed from their Hell bound condition.  Those on the side of Evil simply want to persecute and destroy followers of Jesus!

Followers of Jesus have the ultimate weapon though, it is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  God not only Created everything there is with His Word, but His Word penetrates the life of a man or woman who is lost and puts them in contact with Jesus Christ!  

Satan is not powerless, but he does have less power!  Remember that love is more powerful than hate!  When you love your enemies and bring them the message of Jesus, you can destroy forever the power of Satan in their lives!

"Lord Jesus, make me a better soldier today in the struggle between Good and Evil!  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen."