Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you enjoyed this beautiful “Terrific Tuesday”. I am doing well, and am feeling much better today! I guess my first day back in the gym wore me out, more than I realized. When I sat down to write, I could not hold my head up. Well that, and the fact that I have not been sleeping as well I would want, conquered my will to write last night. Transitions are awesome, especially when God takes you into a quiet corner, and teaches and molds you into an awesome servant. I am learning that there are times where you are not supposed to do anything but listen and learn. The only way that we will be able to teach what we have learned, is to allow this much needed season. I remember when I was living in Portland, OR, and we were about to enter into the rainy season. We had gotten halfway through November and the rain still had not started. I was elated about that, because I was not looking forward to eight straight months of rain. When I said this, my friend, who grew up in Portland, looked a little worried, and she said, “There is a reason for the rain, and if we do not get it, that means that we could have terrible forest fires next year, and things just would not be right”. Sure enough, after that painful rain season, the spring peaked through, the trees and flowers bloomed, and it was the most beautiful, green, lush place that I have ever seen. If it had not been for the rain, who knows what it would have looked like. When we are going through periods of nonstop rain, or when God sits us down to just listen, it seems like it is never going to end. Quite frankly, it is just downright boring and sometimes painful, however, everything happens for a reason, so it is important for us to allow the seasons. I’m in a season of listening and learning so that I can better teach the Word, which is what I was called to do. Always be sure to know which season you are in, and embrace it. Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family.

Today’s scriptures are about walking in perfection. Perfect is what we all strive to be, even though God never created us to be that way. In the flesh we are actually imperfect and sinful in nature, yet we try to be perfect. What’s wrong with this picture? You may be wondering why God asks us to be perfect, when it is absolutely impossible to do. Well the answer lies in Christ Jesus. He was perfect and sinless, because we were incapable of being that on our own. He gave up His life, so that we do not have sacrifice another living breathing soul. He taught us how to walk in righteousness through His teachings, and the way that He walked in faith. He endured everything that we could ever face, and more, so that we can understand that it is all a part of life, and we too can overcome any obstacle. So in Christ, we are indeed perfect, because we’re washed by His blood. When we accept Jesus as Lord we’re baptized with the Holy Spirit, and born again. We’ve become “new creatures”, which gives us the opportunity to be perfect. To clarify: within the flesh we will never be perfect, but in Christ we are made perfect by the blood of the Lamb. The only thing left for us to do is to conduct ourselves in such way, so that we can grow in our faith, as well as be great representatives of Christ.

It amazes me how much scrutiny Christians are under. It seems like we are under a microscope, because people analyze everything we do—believers and non-believers alike. I don’t know how many times I've heard someone say, “He’s not acting very “Christian-like”, or “Did you hear what she said, isn’t she supposed to be a Christian”. This annoys me because sure we’re Christians, but we’re also human, and are going to make mistakes. We’re only perfect through Christ! The person who’s trying their best to make their outside match the inside, deserve all of the credit in the world, because it is not easy. If you wake up each morning with the intention of making God proud, then you’re perfect in your spirit. If you happen to fall short, which each and every one of us will at one time or another, then that’s okay, because God knows your heart. He sees us trying, and that is all that we can do. I mean genuinely trying, by making sure that we have Him in mind with everything we do. Just getting up and making it to church every Sunday, or donating money when a disaster happens—which are all great things—are not enough. You must walk, talk, and think like Christ, which takes practice. You have to actively want to be better, do better, look better, work harder, love deeper, and have a stronger sense of the Kingdom of God. That, brothers and sisters, is perfection in Christ.

In order to maintain this perfection we have inherited from Christ, our entire lives must change, because again we are in the flesh, and the flesh is indeed weak. We have all heard what the Apostle Paul had to say about this, when he wrote the “Instructions on Christian Living”. My favorite part is when he wrote: So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:17-24) You may have read this and thought “that is easier said than done”, but trust me, it could be easier, if you do it with your heart. If you really Love Jesus, then you are going to want to live in a way that pleases Him, because He gave up so much for you. Do you think if Jesus had to do it all over again He would? Of course He would, because He loves us just that much, and He knows better. All He's asked of us to do is LOVE Him; is that too much to ask?

To take a few moments to think of your life. With sin comes payment, and that payment takes a toll on you physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When you walk in righteousness, it also comes with payment, which builds us up physically, spiritually, and emotionally. All you have to do is make a conscious decision—choose Jesus, and trust Him to show you the way. Believe me when I say that you DO NOT have to be perfect to accept Jesus as Lord, He'll take you just as you are; I am a living witness. Besides, Jesus is the only way to achieve perfection in God's eyes. Take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verse today is: Ye shall Be Holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. (Leviticus 20:26)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Today's scriptures are about receiving a new heart and a new Spirit from God. I spent many years trying to be good, and do well on my own, but I had it all wrong. Knowledge is power, so when we seek God’s wisdom, we'll find everything we need to grow in our Spirit, as well as keep a peaceful heart. I'm so grateful for the Grace of God! When we come to the realization that we're inadequate, and cannot live a righteous life without Him, we'll surrender. We'll take on a meek spirit, and open our heart up to Him.

God wants our happiness, but happiness is impossible without peace. I don't know one person who just wants to be pure evil, because it takes more energy to be angry, upset, and mean; it's just plain exhausting. We were created with a conscience, which is a God-given sensor that everyone has, to help us recognize right from wrong. It's different, yet very similar to the Holy Spirit. Whether saved or unsaved, we’ll feel remorseful for the bad things, and proud of the good things we do; it's just in our nature. So believe me, that person whose main purpose in life is to make others miserable, is fighting his or her own demons. There's some type of pain on the inside of them, which makes them act and react the way that they do.

We notice the immediate remorse and regret in Adam and Eve right after they disobeyed God, and they didn't have the Holy Spirit within them. Before Christ, God used the conscious to persuade people to repent, and make sacrifices for their sins. He had many messengers, prophets, and His written Word, to help man avoid evil. Nonetheless, it wasn't until they surrendered to Him, could He change their heart. Today we're so very blessed to have Salvation, once and for all, through Jesus Christ. It's written: For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (Heb. 9:13-15)
The best day of my life was when I received the call. I decided that I'd had enough of uneasiness, pain, heartache, anger, and utter chaos in my life. I grew weary, which was the most humbling period in my life. I was so weak from trying to fight my battles alone, that I literally couldn't get up out of the bed. I had been trying to change, and start going to church regularly. I wanted to stop the smoking, drinking, partying, lying, and other sins I was committing. I was tired of being tired, so I eventually I fell on my knees and cried out to the Lord. That was the moment I realized that I couldn't do it on my own. The more I tried, the harder it became. I asked God to fix me, renew me, and strengthen me, and that's when the light came on. I was filled with the Spirit, and my life changed from that day forward. What a lot of us don't realize is that when we accept Jesus as Lord, we become one with Him, and He's one with God. We cannot live in evil, because we're no longer subjected to it.

God will refine us, and start the rebuilding process, and sometimes things need to be torn down, in order to be rebuilt on a solid foundation, with a stronger frame. When I deliberately sought the Lord, things just started to change. I started to hunger and thirst for Him more, and found that my cravings for the ways of the world decreased. It's a daily walk with Him, and the enemy still works hard to take me out of this place, but Jesus said: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29) I find true peace in the promises of the Lord, because I know that no matter what happens in this life, I am His.
I can't count the amount of times I heard a person say, I can't go to church, or surrender my life to God, because I'm not ready. People are under the notion that they have to become "better" in order to be saved. If there's only one thing you take from this message, let it be the fact that you're incapable of becoming "better" without God. He is who will make you righteous, but only when He becomes one with you. The only thing you need to do is surrender. Realize and understand that you need Him, and He'll show you the way. He has a calling on your life, and He's been knocking and knocking, waiting on you to answer that call. If you’re trying to "fix" your life before you answer His call, then you will never experience the love of God. Remember He said, "My grace is sufficient in your weakness".

If you don't know Jesus, then don't wait any longer, ask Him to come into your life today! He doesn't care what state your life is in, or how many sins you've committed, He'll take you just as you are. You're clay, and He's waiting to mold you. As my Pastor taught us this past Sunday, the good thing about clay is if you notice a blemish or make a mistake in your sculpture, it's really easy break the mold down, and start again fresh. Don't allow the enemy to lie to you any longer, submit to the Lord, and allow Him to mold you into the beautiful Spirit you're intended to be. My favorite verses today are: There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Today's scriptures are about renewing your mind in Christ. What does being a Christian mean to you? After you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and are baptized, what comes next? Most of us are on fire for the Lord initially. We join a church, and volunteer for every committee, show up for every picnic or church function, and even join the choir. Eventually that fire dies down, if you aren't building a relationship with God. For those of you who are faithful churchgoers, you see it all the time. The new members are constantly in your face, and then you eventually start seeing them less and less, until you don't see them anymore. Being a Christian goes way beyond confessing your love for Christ, it's a lifestyle. You have to walk in love, and the only way to do that is to immerse yourself into the Word of God.

Ultimately, we're on a personal journey, and we're responsible for our individual growth. Growth doesn't come with just going to church on Sunday morning, but you have to change your mindset. You have to want to be righteous, and everything that you do have to reflect that. There's a reason we call, becoming a Christian, being "Born Again", because your old self dies, and you become a new person in Christ. You're resurrected from death, and given life eternally, and it's very important for you to know that. It's written: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:1-3) It's rather awkward to begin this awesome transformation, and have no idea who or what you're being transformed into, because you haven't taken the time to learn who Jesus really is. This is what causes the struggle in our flesh, and why people end up losing their fire, because they have no idea of which way to turn, or what to do next.

I wonder how many people spend years of their Christian life miserable, and lost, not knowing what to do next, as I did. Before I rededicated my life to God, all I knew about Him was what I was taught as a child. The things my parents instilled in me, by taking me to church, and bible study. My dad used to send us bible study worksheets in the mail, and have us send them back to him. He and mom also had us memorize Psalms, or certain bible verses, and quote them. My Aunt would come over and have bible study sessions with my sister, our girlfriends, and me, weekly, to teach us how to read and understand the bible. I had all these roots, but was still lost. These things play a vital role in who I am today. However, I wasn't able to use them, until I made a commitment to strengthen my personal relationship with God.

I can remember being the person on fire for God, and then that fire would die out as quickly as it started. I remember turning to a liquor bottle, or another person, in times of hardship, which in most cases made things worst. I think Jesus' Parable of the Sower , best describes the different levels of Christians. I used be the one who fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. (Luke 8:6) Jesus goes on to explain: the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13) I think we all have, or will, experience all of these seeds that Jesus explains, but we must consciously strive to be the ones that fell on the good ground who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15) I can honestly say that this is where my heart is, and will be forever more in Christ. This is possible because He reveals Himself to me more and more each day, and I remain open to receive Him. The key to bearing good fruits is to understand that you cannot bear that fruit alone. We're designed with a dependency on the Lord, because we're created for His purpose.

Putting on a "new man", or renewing your mind in Christ, isn't as hard as it may sound. It isn't written anywhere in the bible that you have to change your wicked and sinful ways, before you receive salvation, because that isn't possible. The order is this, recognize that you’re a sinner, humble yourself before the Lord, and confess your sins. Ask Him to come into your heart as Lord and Savior, and accept Him. From there, your new life begins. Get to know your Heavenly Father. Seek His face, ask Him questions, pray for strength and wisdom, and make an effort to follow His Will. If you're tempted or weak, pray and ask for Strength. If you're sad or lonely, pray and ask for companionship, and spend some quiet time with Him. Most importantly STUDY HIS WORD! Thank Him and give Him praise for your blessings, and you'll find that you've changed into this righteous person right before your own eyes. You didn’t even notice, but everyone around you did, because they see His light in you. Today is the first day of the rest of your life, don't worry about what happened yesterday, but keep looking ahead to a better tomorrow. My favorite verses today are: I beseech you, ... brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1-2)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Today's scriptures are about the frailty of the flesh and earthly life. Paul often wrote about life and death, but most importantly, he wrote about the importance of preparing for death. He refers to the flesh as our "earthly house". It's written: Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (2 Cor. 5:1 NIV) In Paul’s second letter to the people of Corinth, he wrote about the despairs or life, the inevitability of death, but the joy of salvation. He encourages them to stay faithful to Christ, and the church, because through Him they’re offered eternal life. It’s written: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor. 4:16-18) As of today, I'm going to vow to stop taking life for granted, because lately I've noticed that I've been doing way too much complaining. I have no reason to complain, because even through my trials, pain, and heartache, I'm still blessed. I know Who God is, and most importantly, I know how much He loves me, so there’s no need to worry and complain. Life is way too short, it's a like a race to the finish, and if we don't stop long enough to listen to God, then we're not only missing out on our earthly blessings, but our eternal treasures. I can still remember being in high school like it was yesterday, and here I am, fifteen years later, and it seems like nothing has changed. I can, however, remember how much God has done for me over the years, and the tremendous growth He's given me. I can also recall the rough spots, but the in all actuality, the good always outweighs the bad. I write all of this to point out the fact that life is precious. The way to avoid wasting any more time, being down and out, lost and confused, or beaten and battered, is to commit your entire life to God. In everything you do, use the eyes of Christ, because you have His Holy Spirit in your heart. Consult Him any time you question about your actions. Ask Him for the strength to endure through the hard times. Thank Him for each day He walks with you, and you'll notice your attitude change tremendously. Look at the life of the Apostle Paul, who was once a man who persecuted and killed followers of Christ. When it came close to his death, in Paul's final letters to Timothy, he accepted his fate. He knew that he had to suffer much, and Jesus even said, when questioned about His choice of Paul, "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:16). Once Paul surrendered to Christ, he never avoided suffering for Jesus' sake, because He knew were His rewards laid. Like Paul, we too have sinned against God, and we must be willing to "suffer for His name's sake". If Jesus suffered, and He never sinned, how much more will we endure? At the same time, He has redeemed us through His death, so we won't have to experience eternity in hell. The next time you're going through something, shake it off, because none of that really matters. As long as you continue praise God, and look for His blessing throughout, then your rewards will be great now and forever more. Be sure to share your testimony and knowledge of Him, to all who's willing to listen. Always feel “Heaven”, live as though you're already there, and trust God to supply your every need. This will ensure your peace within. Go through some of Paul’s Epistles, and notice how he never complained about all of his hardships, he simply encouraged us to keep loving, praising, and fighting for the Lord. That's the same message I want to ensure I'm relying to you every day. Start by surrendering your life to God, and allow Him to take you to that place Paul was. This "tent" is temporary, and will soon be destroyed by this earth, but when you’re absent from the body, you'll be present with the Lord. That's a reason to rejoice all the days of your life, no matter what's going on around you. This reward only comes through Salvation through Christ Jesus. If you don't know Him as Savior, get to know Him today. He's a simple prayer away. My favorite verse today is: What is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)

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