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Showing posts from April, 2022

4 Rs: Plugged in to the Power Source!

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  4 Rs: Plugged in to the Power Source “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”  (Ephesians 4:30) To grieve the Holy Spirit is to live in direct disobedience to the known will of God. Why is this so important for us to avoid? Relationship The Holy Spirit is the one who has sealed us for the day of redemption. However, we must remember that this sealing is just the  beginning  of a living and vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has been poured into our heart to enlighten us about the will of God. The Holy Spirit gives us direction and a sense of mission. This is  Son Power  at work. Revelation The Holy Spirit reveals to us the secrets of the kingdom of God which those who do not know Christ cannot know or understand. He is the one who empowers us to live what Christ taught when he was in the world. He is the one who intervenes for us in our prayer life. When we grieve the Holy Sp...

PRAY!

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  Lord Jesus, help me to be bold in my witness to you and to proclaim in word and deed the good news of your love and salvation. Amen.

Pearls!

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  “Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” Matthew 7:6 Pearls Jesus says to overcome evil with good and to bless our enemies, but He also says to not cast your pearls among swine. By “your pearls,” He meant to not keep trying to convince those who refuse to believe the gospel, but it also includes you. Some people won’t value the calling on your life, the gift God has given you, or your anointing. They will reject and trample over the gospel and who God made you to be, and they will not respect what you have to offer. Your time is too valuable to waste it with people who discount your pearls. Don’t hang around people who try to lessen you, who make you feel like you have to prove to them who you are. You don’t need their approval; you have Almighty God’s approval. He created you in His own image. He calls you a masterpiece. Hang around people who recognize your gifts, who inspire you to go further, who bring out the best in you...

4 Rs: The Judgment Factor!

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  4 Rs: The Judgment Factor “This is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. ” (Romans 2:16) The judgment of God is something we often do not want to think or talk about. But the message of this verse in Romans is that judgment is very real. Our life on earth is temporary. Hebrews 9:27 tells us, “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”. The apostle John wrote, “The Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge” (John 5:22). Judgement is real. Relationship A right relationship with God through Christ saves us from the wrath of God. “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24). We have already passed from death to life through God’s provision. Revelation Trust in Jesus Christ alone is what...

Paid in Full!

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  “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12, NKJV Paid in Full When God talks about debts, He’s talking about the times when people hurt you and do you wrong. It’s a debt because human nature says, “I was wronged. Now I want justice. You have to pay me back.” But the mistake many people make is in trying to collect a debt that only God can pay. Your parents can’t pay you back for not providing a loving childhood. Your friend can’t pay you back for the pain they caused by something they said or did. Only God can truly pay you back. If you spend your life trying to get from others what only God can give, it will ruin relationships. Your attitude should be, “God, I will not be bitter, trying to get people to give me what they don’t have. You promised You would settle my cases and pay me back double for every injustice. I’m leaving it up to You.” When you see the person who did you wrong, stamp the account “Paid in Full” in your imagination. Forgive so you can...

4 Rs: Son Power Helps Us Understand the Times!

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  4 Rs: Son Power Helps Us Understand the Times “From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.”  (1 Chronicles 12:32) In the Old Testament there were men of great wisdom who knew what they needed to do. We need insight provided by the Holy Spirit to understand the signs of our times. The world around us is confused, but God will give us the wisdom necessary to navigate the difficulties facing us. Relationship Our relationship with the Holy Spirit enables us to have that understanding. Revelation We know that the Holy Spirit not only seals us, but also reveals to us the secrets of God’s kingdom. Then he deals with us as he leads us in the way God’s desires. Reflection We need to look to him to empower us to do the things that he reveals to us. Redemption We must make sure the Holy Spirit is in control of our life moment by moment, asking him to ta...

Roar Back!

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  “I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it.” Jeremiah 5:22, ESV Roar Back Jeremiah 5 says that though the ocean may be a billion times bigger and more powerful than the sand, God put an everlasting ordinance in the sand that it would keep the ocean in its boundaries. The ocean may roar and pound the sand with its waves, but because of God’s decree, the sand will not be overpowered. What you’re up against may look bigger, more powerful, but when you have God’s Word in your heart, that’s the everlasting ordinance. His Word is the decree that enables you to withstand storms that are stronger, overcome challenges that are bigger, and accomplish dreams that seem impossible. Now make sure you do your part and keep God’s Word in your heart. For any area that you’re struggling in, you need to find Scriptures that you can stand on. There’s nothing more power...

The Power of the Cross!

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  The Power of the Cross “You once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.”  (Ephesians 2:2) In the flesh, everyone is following the course of this world that is being led by the prince of the power of the air, Satan, who works in the sons of disobedience. Without Son Power we end up being led by this spirit that follows the course of this world. The power of the cross enables us to break free from our disobedience. Without Christ washing away our sins by his own blood, we have no salvation. Without the death and resurrection of Jesus, we cannot experience freedom. He restores our relationship with God and gives us access to Son Power for everyday living. The power of the cross helps us to overcome the “joy busters” that attempt to rob us of our peace and contentment in times of instability. When we face unsettling problems, we hold on to the power given to us through C...

The Final Word!

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  Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. John 4:50–51 The Final Word When a government official made a desperate plea that Jesus would come to his house and heal his dying son, Jesus simply declared that his son would live and he should go home. All the man was given was Jesus’ word of promise, yet his attitude was to mix in faith with the promise rather than mix in doubt or worry. Nothing had changed, and Jesus wasn’t going with him to pray, but the man wasn’t moved by what he saw. He had many reasons to doubt, but he kept believing Jesus’ word and found his son alive and well. That’s what happens when you mix in your faith with God’s promises—not doubt, not worry, not fear. Dare to believe what God told you. Don’t be moved by what you don’t see, by how long it’s taking, by how bad it looks, or by what yo...

4 Rs: The Kingdom of God!

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  4 Rs: The Kingdom of God “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.”  (Mark 4:26–28) Relationship The kingdom of God is established in the believer through Jesus Christ. John tells us, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life” (1 John 5:12). Revelation The Word of God is represented by the seed in the verses from the book of Mark. The seed is planted in the ground, sprouts, and then grows to a full crop. God’s Word is planted in us as we  soak our hearts  in it. It grows in our heart and then displays its fruit in our lives. Reflection We do not fully understand how this happens, but we do know that God causes the growth. Over time we will see God’s Word growing in our lives. Redempt...

Outrun a Chariot!

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  Then the LORD gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:46 Outrun a Chariot In today’s Scripture, the prophet Elijah had just defeated the 450 prophets of Baal who supported King Ahab, and no doubt he was exhausted. Yet it says that God gave him the special strength to outrun Ahab’s chariot over the twenty-mile journey to Jezreel. That chariot represented Ahab’s power, and it’s not possible for a man to outrun a horse even over a short distance. God was showing Ahab that His power was so far superior to anything Ahab had. You may look at what you’re up against today and feel that you don’t have the strength, the endurance, the fortitude to keep battling. Maybe it’s cancer, or an addiction, or a situation in your family. No, get ready. God is not going to let you stay feeling overwhelmed. Right now, He is breathing special strength into you. When you have special strength, y...

Son Power Grows Within Us to Possess Our Entire Life!

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  Son Power Grows Within Us to Possess Our Entire Life “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade. ”  (Mark 4:30–32) Those who do not have a relationship with God reject the principles of the kingdom of God. Satan, the god of this present age, the prince of the power of the air, does not want us to think about eternal matters. He only wants us to devote our time, talent, and treasure to the consumable things of this life which will have no value in eternity. However, when  Son Power  takes root in the heart of one who receives Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, that person begins to experience transformation into a new creature. This transformation brings abo...

PRAY!

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  Loving, kind, and gracious God, you desire all people to come to know you and the salvation you offer through your Son, Jesus Christ. With a humble and thankful heart, I am open to receive your rich spiritual blessings. In Jesus’s holy name I pray. Amen.

Think HIMpossible!

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  Think HIMpossible “Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”   (Matthew 19:26) “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!”  (Romans 11:33, NKJV) We don’t need to live in this world very long to come to the realization that there are circumstances, life events, and needs that far exceed our capacity to adequately deal with them successfully. In fact, at times there is so much facing us that we feel life is impossible. We need help in our everyday living. Thank God for  Son Power ! Many passages in the Bible tell us how great the counsel of God is and how mighty he is in his works. Since he is the God of all things, nothing is too hard for him. To help us in our everyday living, we need to think “Himpossible” rather than that the situations in our lives are impossible. No one can put God in a box. Nothing rest...

Perishable to Imperishable!

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  Perishable to Imperishable “The love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”  (2 Corinthians 5:14–15) The love of Christ compels us! He died for us and rose again to give us right standing with God, not only to provide our way to heaven, but also to save us to do good works while we are still in this world. He has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us, and he is coming back to receive us, so we can be with him. All of this motivates and enables us to take up our assigned places in his earthly kingdom to do his will until he comes to take us home. What does this mean? It means that we are so compelled by his love that we want to make sure his transforming power is at work in us, enabling us to convert the perishable things of this world into the imperishable inheritance of the kingdom. Paul tells us, “...

PRAY!

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  Sovereign God, I confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that you raised him from death. I have heard your message of faith and I know that your message is near me, on my lips and in my heart. Empower me with your Holy Spirit to proclaim your message of salvation to those who have not yet heard of your love and grace. Amen.

Down Is Not Your Destiny!

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  As for me, I look to the Lord for his help; I wait for God to save me; he will hear me. Do not rejoice against me, O my enemy, for though I fall, I will rise again! Micah 7:7–8 Down Is Not Your Destiny When we’re in difficult times, it’s easy to feel like the prophet Micah. He gave a list of negative things that happened to him—bad breaks, lack, injustice, betrayal. It was very depressing. But in today’s Scripture, he went on to say that he wasn’t giving up. He may have been knocked down, but in the middle of the difficulty, he was speaking victory. He was saying, “This problem didn’t come to stay; it came to pass. God being for me is more than the world being against me. I will arise.” Things may be coming against you, but know this: God didn’t create you to be overcome; He created you to be an overcomer. Down is not your destiny, and defeat is not how your story ends. If you’re going to come out of that challenge, you have to stop talking defeat. Quit giving it the power to kee...