No one wants a fair weather friend. You want someone that will stick by your side in good times and especially the bad; someone that will be there for you when you are at your lowest.
The Lord deserved no less. Continue reading
Philippians
Thanks Giving It Up
What would you willingly give up for another person?
I know some people that have given a kidney or bone marrow to help someone. But my question leans more towards what lifestyle would you give up to help someone.
Would you give up drinking and never touch another drop if it would rid your mom of Alzheimer’s?
Could you give up bacon or seafood if you knew it would cure a child you know of leukemia?
What about church? Would you never miss another service if it made grandma well again?
What are you willing to give up for your children or spouse to insure they are happy and safe?
The things you say you would give up are the things that Jesus did give up!
He never got drunk, never committed adultery, and never ate bacon or seafood. He did not lie, steal, murder, or back talk His parents.
He was never jealous or envious. He did not cuss or take God’s name in vain. He never missed the opportunity to worship God with others in a synagogue or Temple.
And He did this all for YOU!
Then He did something else!
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21
Jesus took upon Himself the sinful things you weren’t willing to give up so you could be made whole.
So you could be made perfect.
So you could have a more abundant life!
So you could have eternal life with Him in heaven someday!
Paul testifies of the things he was willing to give up after he accepted Jesus as his Savior.
I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Phil 3:8-9
Abba, on this Thanksgiving Day I am reminded of what I am most thankful for – that you gave up the opportunity to sin so that I can live. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Persevere
Yesterday morning three women answered phone call after phone call to sign up thirty-one children to sing Christmas carols on the radio.
It took a couple of minutes with each caller to get the needed information. It took over an hour to sign up all thirty-one.
After it was over I checked the call logs and there were over 1,500 phone calls during that time. That’s not 1,500 individuals – it’s 1,500 calls with many parents calling over and over trying to get through.
In checking the logs one individual called 146 times!
I could tell from the time line that he called, got a busy signal, hung up, and tried again.
His persistence paid off. He did get through and signed up his children.
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11
Likewise, God blesses perseverance! It shows commitment as a strong characteristic.
In fact the Bible says,
tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; Rom 5:3-4
These days there are not many people that can persevere, endure, and commit – whether it’s going to church, holding down a job, or being married.
You will be rewarded in any situation for your moral and ethical perseverance. Do not give up. Keep pushing, reaching, and moving forward!
Paul gives his own example for you to keep going.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Phil 3:12
Abba, I press on in Jesus name. I put one foot in front of the other and keep going! I know You will bless me as I keep going. YES&AMEN
Who will profit?
Ask yourself who stand to profit from the message?
That’s easy when it’s a TV commercial.
A commercial about a Whopper will profit Burger King. When the new Tundra is in an ad then Toyota and the local dealership will profit.
The manufacturer of weight loss pills will profit when you buy them but will promise that you will profit by using them by loss of weight!
You are bombarded with hundreds of messages everyday and someone stands to profit from each of them.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. 2 Cor 4:5
There are many preachers and evangelists out there – and I’m one of them.
But is the message you hear benefit the preacher or the Lord Jesus.
Like the weight loss pills, each of us will say, “If you listen to what I’m saying – you will benefit from it!”
And that’s true. The message of the cross has the power to transform your life.
But there are also the charlatan’s that seek worldly profit from preaching and evangelism.
Though the message may be Biblically based or contain bits of scripture, does the message continually point to Christ or someone else.
Does the message end with the way of salvation or does it end with an encouragement to buy my book or send your money.
Who stands to profit.
What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him… Phil 3:7-9
Abba, let the words from my mouth always be the message from Your heart! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Hoarders
There is a reality show called Hoarders about normal people that cannot or will not throw things away.
They stash, stack, stuff, push, cram, ram, and pile things like magazines, cardboard boxes, collectibles, photo’s; just anything they can.
Most have mere trails through the mountains of stuff so they can move around their home.
It’s ridiculous how many things these homes are crammed with.
Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. 2 Chron 29:5
There are Christian hoarders too.
They stash, stack, stuff, push, cram, ram, and pile things into their lives that are nothing more than rubbish. Things like unforgiveness, hate, anger, grudges, grief, griping, and the such, really have no place in the life of a Christian.
Like trash in your home, it needs to be taken out! Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and there is no room for that kind of rubbish!
Paul said this about it –
I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Phil 3:8
Don’t hoard. Make room for more of Christ in your life.
Abba, let’s take out the trash today and clean house! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN
Just read and enjoy!
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
It’s New
I realize that the Bible says that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun (2 Cor 5:17) but sometimes it just doesn’t feel new. Continue reading
