I recently read the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume. (Matthew 26:6-13) I have read and taught on this story many a time, but it is amazing how God shows you something different that you never noticed before. The phrase that stuck out to me is, "Why this waste?". the disciples saw this action as a waste of money. Money that could have been given to the poor.
Then the Lord spoke to my heart, nothing is wasted on me. We have all done things for the Lord. Often this requires our time, energy and finances. Often it may go unnoticed by others, or even unappreciated by others. Sometimes we do things for the Lord, and we wonder if it is really worth it. It is easy to be discouraged as we serve the Lord. It is especially difficult when we pour our lives out as a drink offering to the Lord, and seemingly there is little reward.
The word of the Lord for you today is that your time, energy and effort, no matter how small, given in the Lord's name (this is worship) is not ignored. It has not gone to waste. God sees our heart and our every act of worship. It is a beautiful thing to him. (Matthew 26:10)
Friday, July 22, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Keys to Prosperity
Now I am not a name it claim it kind of guy. I don't agree with much of the prosperity doctrine, but I believe that there is an under lying theme through out the Bible that God provides for His children and loves to give them good gifts. There are many examples of this in the Old Testament and principles taught in the new testament on this.
I would like to give you a number of these key principles.
Psalms 24:1 say that, "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it"
The first key is that we need to recognize that God is Lord and make Him Lord of our life. When we do this we will put our confidence in Him. The result will be that we will have peace in our hearts and mind, no longer worrying about our finances. The other result will be that God will honor our faith and provide for us. Also, when we do this, we will no longer try to resolve our financial problems in our own strength. The result, we will no longer tire ourselves in making money. The other result, we will be led by the Holy Spirit in our financial decisions. Also, we will put God above all else and walk up right before Him which will encourage God to provide for our every need.
The second key to prospering as a believer is giving. God promises those who give their tithes and offering will be blessed in a tangible way. (Malachi 3:6-12) Also, God promises to bless those who give to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9) The Bible teaches that the measure we give will determine the measure we receive. (Luke 6:38) Yet, it is not sufficient to give, but we must give with a proper attitude, if not, will not be blessed. (2 Corinthians 9:7; Matthew 6:1)
Another key to prosperity is a spiritual life. Prayer plays an important part in receiving from the Lord. (Matthew 7:8) Accompanied with this prayer there must be faith. Without genuine faith, we shouldn't expect anything from the Lord. (James 1:6-7) James talks about how the prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. (James 5;16) Also, Psalms 1 talks about the blessings that accompany a righteous man.
There are other practical things that we must apply to our lives to prosper which I don't have time to elaborate on here: faithfulness, creativity, excellence, and strategy.
I would like to give you a number of these key principles.
Psalms 24:1 say that, "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it"
The first key is that we need to recognize that God is Lord and make Him Lord of our life. When we do this we will put our confidence in Him. The result will be that we will have peace in our hearts and mind, no longer worrying about our finances. The other result will be that God will honor our faith and provide for us. Also, when we do this, we will no longer try to resolve our financial problems in our own strength. The result, we will no longer tire ourselves in making money. The other result, we will be led by the Holy Spirit in our financial decisions. Also, we will put God above all else and walk up right before Him which will encourage God to provide for our every need.
The second key to prospering as a believer is giving. God promises those who give their tithes and offering will be blessed in a tangible way. (Malachi 3:6-12) Also, God promises to bless those who give to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9) The Bible teaches that the measure we give will determine the measure we receive. (Luke 6:38) Yet, it is not sufficient to give, but we must give with a proper attitude, if not, will not be blessed. (2 Corinthians 9:7; Matthew 6:1)
Another key to prosperity is a spiritual life. Prayer plays an important part in receiving from the Lord. (Matthew 7:8) Accompanied with this prayer there must be faith. Without genuine faith, we shouldn't expect anything from the Lord. (James 1:6-7) James talks about how the prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. (James 5;16) Also, Psalms 1 talks about the blessings that accompany a righteous man.
There are other practical things that we must apply to our lives to prosper which I don't have time to elaborate on here: faithfulness, creativity, excellence, and strategy.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Saying I Will is Not Enough
As I was reading yesterday, I came across a wonderful parable in Matthew 21:28-32. Jesus gave the following parable to the religious leaders of his day.
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”“The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."
How often have we said to the Lord, I will, and then we don't do what we have said. It is usually during a moving church service that we say to God I surrender all. It is in the quiet place we often make promises to God that we don't keep. We are often like the son in this parable and are quick to say, yes, but don't follow through.
God is not looking for the willing, but those who will do what he has asked them. What is God asking you to do? What are the scriptures asking us to do? Today is the day to stop saying I will do, but to actually do it. Let us not be like the religious leaders of Jesus' day.
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”“The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."
How often have we said to the Lord, I will, and then we don't do what we have said. It is usually during a moving church service that we say to God I surrender all. It is in the quiet place we often make promises to God that we don't keep. We are often like the son in this parable and are quick to say, yes, but don't follow through.
God is not looking for the willing, but those who will do what he has asked them. What is God asking you to do? What are the scriptures asking us to do? Today is the day to stop saying I will do, but to actually do it. Let us not be like the religious leaders of Jesus' day.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Lord's Prayer
As I read once again this well known prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, I thought I would share a few of my thoughts on it.
Our Father in heaven - Wow! What a way to start off the prayer. We have a spiritual father who is the King of kings and the Lord of lord's. Heaven refers to where is at and His exalted position. Talk about having connections in high places. What's most amazing is the we are His children.
Hallowed be your name - Holy is the name of the Lord. Do we treat His name as holy? Does our attitudes and actions reflect His holy name? The child is a reflection on the Father. When a person looks at a child and watches his attitudes and actions, he will form an opinion of the Father.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. - This is not a prayer for future events. This is a prayer for present day action. God wants to bring heaven to earth. He wants what is on earth to line up with what is in heaven. Of course the complete fulfillment of this will not happen until the Father puts everything under the Son in the last days. Yet, the prayer is not, come Lord Jesus, but Lord Jesus be revealed in us in the here and now.
Give us today our daily bread. - Do you depend on God for your daily bread or are you seeking your daily bread in your strength or relying on others for your daily bread? God wants our focus to be on Him for our every need. He wants us to rely on Him only.
Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. - Christ paid our debt of sin. Are you willing to do the same for another? God gave us grace - unmerited favor. There may be someone in your life who is not worthy of forgiveness, but we need to forgive them anyway. There may be someone who owes us big time, not just financially. God would say, don't try to collect. Let me be your reward.
An lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one? The Bible says that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We can only be delivered from his mighty jaws with the help of God. I know for my own life God has delivered me many a time. It is not always from Satan, more often it is from my self.
Our Father in heaven - Wow! What a way to start off the prayer. We have a spiritual father who is the King of kings and the Lord of lord's. Heaven refers to where is at and His exalted position. Talk about having connections in high places. What's most amazing is the we are His children.
Hallowed be your name - Holy is the name of the Lord. Do we treat His name as holy? Does our attitudes and actions reflect His holy name? The child is a reflection on the Father. When a person looks at a child and watches his attitudes and actions, he will form an opinion of the Father.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. - This is not a prayer for future events. This is a prayer for present day action. God wants to bring heaven to earth. He wants what is on earth to line up with what is in heaven. Of course the complete fulfillment of this will not happen until the Father puts everything under the Son in the last days. Yet, the prayer is not, come Lord Jesus, but Lord Jesus be revealed in us in the here and now.
Give us today our daily bread. - Do you depend on God for your daily bread or are you seeking your daily bread in your strength or relying on others for your daily bread? God wants our focus to be on Him for our every need. He wants us to rely on Him only.
Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. - Christ paid our debt of sin. Are you willing to do the same for another? God gave us grace - unmerited favor. There may be someone in your life who is not worthy of forgiveness, but we need to forgive them anyway. There may be someone who owes us big time, not just financially. God would say, don't try to collect. Let me be your reward.
An lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one? The Bible says that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We can only be delivered from his mighty jaws with the help of God. I know for my own life God has delivered me many a time. It is not always from Satan, more often it is from my self.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
What Do You Hear
What Do You Hear?
Revelations 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' NKJV
Two keys to entering into the promises that are common to all seven churches in Revelation are an ability to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches and the ability to overcome. We live in a world inundated with constant sound, voices from every area pulling upon our attention, drowning out what God is wanting to speak to us to enable us to overcome and come into the abundant life Jesus has provided for us.
In I Kings chapters 17 and 18 there had been no dew nor rain in Israel for three years and there was “severe famine.” God had supernaturally provided for Elijah with ravens that brought him bread and meat and a widow who only had a “handful of flour” and “a little oil jar.” Elijah came into this supernatural provision in famine because of his ability to hear the voice of God in the midst of insurmountable challenges and the courage to obey that voice. But God’s plan was not only to provide for Elijah, but to use Elijah to impact a nation.
In chapter 18, Elijah calls down fire from heaven, kills the prophets of Baal and then in verse 11 makes a startling pronouncement to Ahab: “Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” There has not been rain nor dew in three years, there is not a cloud in the sky or even a hint of rain, yet Elijah hears what others do not hear, he hears the sound not of a little rain but the sound of abundance of rain. While Ahab eats and drinks, Elijah prays in what he has heard in the Spirit. Seven times he bows down and prays, six times he sends his servant to look and there is nothing, but the seventh time the servant sees “a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea.” Elijah leaps into action and outruns Ahab’s chariot to Jezreel in the midst of pouring rain.
To survive, overcome, and lead in today’s world, we need to hear what others do not hear. If all we do is listen to what others say, what we see on the news or read on the internet, magazines or books, we are simply being influenced by voices around us whether good or bad. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our ability to act with faith and confidence even in the midst of drought and famine is rooted in our ability to clearly hear the voice of God and to pray it into reality.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.” God has hidden manna for you to eat today if you will shut off the shouting voices of the world and get into God’s presence. For those who hear and overcome there is also a new name that “no one knows except the one who receives it.” A name in Bible times defined identity. God has a new identity for you that does not come from this world, no one can give it to you, and no one knows it but God. He wants to reveal it to you if you, will hear His voice and respond in faith and obedience.
Revelations 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' NKJV
Two keys to entering into the promises that are common to all seven churches in Revelation are an ability to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches and the ability to overcome. We live in a world inundated with constant sound, voices from every area pulling upon our attention, drowning out what God is wanting to speak to us to enable us to overcome and come into the abundant life Jesus has provided for us.
In I Kings chapters 17 and 18 there had been no dew nor rain in Israel for three years and there was “severe famine.” God had supernaturally provided for Elijah with ravens that brought him bread and meat and a widow who only had a “handful of flour” and “a little oil jar.” Elijah came into this supernatural provision in famine because of his ability to hear the voice of God in the midst of insurmountable challenges and the courage to obey that voice. But God’s plan was not only to provide for Elijah, but to use Elijah to impact a nation.
In chapter 18, Elijah calls down fire from heaven, kills the prophets of Baal and then in verse 11 makes a startling pronouncement to Ahab: “Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” There has not been rain nor dew in three years, there is not a cloud in the sky or even a hint of rain, yet Elijah hears what others do not hear, he hears the sound not of a little rain but the sound of abundance of rain. While Ahab eats and drinks, Elijah prays in what he has heard in the Spirit. Seven times he bows down and prays, six times he sends his servant to look and there is nothing, but the seventh time the servant sees “a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea.” Elijah leaps into action and outruns Ahab’s chariot to Jezreel in the midst of pouring rain.
To survive, overcome, and lead in today’s world, we need to hear what others do not hear. If all we do is listen to what others say, what we see on the news or read on the internet, magazines or books, we are simply being influenced by voices around us whether good or bad. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our ability to act with faith and confidence even in the midst of drought and famine is rooted in our ability to clearly hear the voice of God and to pray it into reality.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.” God has hidden manna for you to eat today if you will shut off the shouting voices of the world and get into God’s presence. For those who hear and overcome there is also a new name that “no one knows except the one who receives it.” A name in Bible times defined identity. God has a new identity for you that does not come from this world, no one can give it to you, and no one knows it but God. He wants to reveal it to you if you, will hear His voice and respond in faith and obedience.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Having a Positive Effect
What kind of effect are you having on the people around you? Are you having a positive or negative effect on them? Are you making their day better or worse?
Matthew 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men"
Salt brings out the good flavor in food. It has a positive effect on the food. We are to positively effect those around us. We are to bring out the best in a person. What they see in us should be appealing and cause them to desire us or that which is in us, namely, Christ. Or do our attitudes and actions leave a bad taste in others mouths?
Also, salt does not bring attention to itself. Salt is to blend into the food and enhance it. If there is too much salt in the food, it overwhelms the food and has an opposite effect. If we come on too strong to the world, we may overwhelm them and become a bad taste in their mouth. Often when we come on too strong, we end up detracting from God, Him who is in us. They focus on us more than Christ in us.
On the other hand if there is not enough salt, we will not bring the necessary change and positive effect that needs to take place. We must be careful not to water down the Gospel or our walk with Christ. Then the salt loses its saltiness and becomes worthless.
Finally, there are those who don't want the spiritual food no matter how we salt it. They have determined in their heart and mind that they don't like this kind of food. Often because in the past they have had a bad experience with the food or have chosen never to give it a chance.
The Bible says that we should never be tired of doing good and letting our light shine. Let us have a positive affect on our family, friends and everyone that we come in contact with today.
Matthew 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men"
Salt brings out the good flavor in food. It has a positive effect on the food. We are to positively effect those around us. We are to bring out the best in a person. What they see in us should be appealing and cause them to desire us or that which is in us, namely, Christ. Or do our attitudes and actions leave a bad taste in others mouths?
Also, salt does not bring attention to itself. Salt is to blend into the food and enhance it. If there is too much salt in the food, it overwhelms the food and has an opposite effect. If we come on too strong to the world, we may overwhelm them and become a bad taste in their mouth. Often when we come on too strong, we end up detracting from God, Him who is in us. They focus on us more than Christ in us.
On the other hand if there is not enough salt, we will not bring the necessary change and positive effect that needs to take place. We must be careful not to water down the Gospel or our walk with Christ. Then the salt loses its saltiness and becomes worthless.
Finally, there are those who don't want the spiritual food no matter how we salt it. They have determined in their heart and mind that they don't like this kind of food. Often because in the past they have had a bad experience with the food or have chosen never to give it a chance.
The Bible says that we should never be tired of doing good and letting our light shine. Let us have a positive affect on our family, friends and everyone that we come in contact with today.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Reaching Your Potential in Christ
Genesis 1:27-28 ‘God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
To reach our potential we must recognize our source of life and identity are in God. God formed man’s body from the earth, but the breath of life and what makes us who we are came from God. The day Adam and Eve sinned, they died because they were cut off from the source of life. Their soul man began to degenerate with sin and their body eventually died also. It was like cutting a healthy green tree from its roots. The tree will stay green for a while, but then the leaves will begin to dry and fall off. Eventually the whole tree will die and begin to decay. But through Jesus Christ we have been made spiritually alive and connected back to God.
1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Our training, education, five senses and, and life experiences try to keep us connected to the world. We measure ourselves and others by what we see, hear, and feel. It can cause us to worry and fret, feel devalued, measuring ourselves by how we look or what we own, or how we perform. If we are not careful, we even measure our spiritual life and ministry by man’s standards. As long as we see ourselves and others by worldly standards, we are bound to this decaying world. But we are not of the world, we are of God! Those who are of God, overcome the world!
Daniel, who was taken into captivity, rises to become the second in the empire. Joseph, unjustly sold as a slave in Egypt, rises as a slave to be in charge of Potiphar’s whole house. When falsely accused and thrown in prison, he is put in charge of the whole prison and from prison rises directly to be second in Egypt. David, the shepherd boy, kills a lion and a bear, then kills Goliath, and becomes the greatest general in Israel’s history. It was he of whom the people said, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” David then becomes the greatest king in Israel’s history.
What was their edge? What enabled them to rise above the injustices of life? It was because God was with them. Daniel, as a youth arriving in Babylon, purposed in his heart not to compromise himself with the Babylonian system. (Daniel 1:8) Three times a day he knelt down to pray to remind himself that he was not a Babylonian, that he was a child of God and that God was his source. (Daniel 6:10) Joseph understood his God-given destiny. David was a man after God’s heart. They all worked hard and were good at what they did, but their edge in life was their relationship with God.
We often relegate the Holy Spirit to ministry, but like Daniel Joseph, and David, the Spirit wants to give us success in every area of our lives. The Holy Spirit is a creative genius, a brilliant educator, ultimate economist, righteous politician, and noble warrior. But we often get so busy and caught up in the world’s way that we fail to hear His still small voice and do things His way. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” No matter what area or field of life you work in, your edge is your ability to bring the Holy Spirit to bear on what you are doing.
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