It ALL Comes From Him

I Chronicles 29:12-17 NKJV

[12] Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it  is to make great And to give strength to all. [13] “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. [14] But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You. [15] For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, As were all our fathers; Our days on earth are as a shadow, And without hope. [16] “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own. [17] I know also, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here to offer willingly to You.

What a wonderful reminder for all of us that all that we have comes from the Lord. Time, talents, abilities, wealth (great or small), all come from the Lord. So why do we hold on to these things as if we had not received them, but acquired them with our own strength? Even the ability and talents we have to go out and earn a living comes from Him. The health and strength we enjoy comes from Him. Yet, we often selfishly hold on to all He has given us, when He only asks for a little in return, in order to use us to bless Him and others. What are we holding onto tightly today that we need to let go of? All that we hold dear, in this world, will one day perish, and can disappear in the blink of an eye. Is it not best to place it in the hands of the One who can do more with a little than we could ever do with a lot? Lest we forget, I simply want us to be reminded that it ALL belongs to Him and comes from Him.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Is It Truly Our Desire?

I Chronicles 28:9 [9] “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever."

If we seek Him, He will be found. In Jeremiah 29:13, he wrote to those exiled in Babylon telling them that if they sought the Lord with all their heart, they would find Him. In the New Testament, James 4:8 tells us that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Stop and think about the undeserved privilege we have in Christ, that each of us can truly have an intimate relationship with God, if we so desire. The Apostle John was "the disciple Jesus loved". When we consider that any one of the disciples could have been that disciple, we only see John leaning on Jesus, and the only one at the foot of the cross, when Jesus was crucified. Today, those of us who seek the Lord with all our heart, will have the opportunity to experience a close and intimate relationship with Jesus. Sadly, what is mostly seen today is a Chistianity that treats God like a "genie in a bottle" who we summons whenever life goes sideways, or we are looking to gain a worldly blessing. We say that we love God, but we never seem to have time for Him. The real reason being that we don't make time for Him, because we don't truly want to seek Him. So what will it take to have an intimate relationship with the God of the universe? It will take our willingness to commit and submit. It begins with having a true relationship with Jesus; receiving Him as Savior and Lord. It means that He becomes a real priority in our lives. What does that look like, you ask? It means that we seek Him early in the morning, even if it means that we go to bed earlier, so that we can rise earlier; and if that's not possible, it may mean that in the afternoon or evening, we set time apart to be in His Word and in prayer. Yes, that may mean putting down our phones and not playing a video game. It might mean not watching a sporting event or a TV series. It means that we will actually have to make every effort to be doers of the Word, and not just hearers. It means that we actually stop and consider our words and attitudes when dealing with others, and making a real effort to allow Him to increase in our lives, and we decrease; so that others see more of Him and less of us. Much of this will not be easy, at first, but because we have God's Spirit, it's not impossible. Do we really want true intimacy with our God and Savior? Then it's time to stop making excuses and start making a true effort. The level of intimacy we have with our God will depend on the level of desire and effort we put forth, in Christ, and by His Spirit.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

It’s Not Always About the Action

I Chronicles 21:1-7 [1] Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. [2] So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.” [3] And Joab answered, “May the Lord make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” [4] Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem. [5] Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword. [6] But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. [7] And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel.

Oh how easy it is to fall for Satan's deceptions. The devils cannot force us to sin against God, but they can tempt us and cause our flesh to rise up against God's commands. 1 Corinthians 10:13 it is very clear that with every temptation God gives us a way of escape. However, it is up to us to take it. In this instance, God gave David a way to avoid sinning against Him, through Joab's counsel. Nonetheless, David chose to follow his own arrogance and pride. Instead of choosing to remember that it was God who gave him the many victories he experienced, he chose to count the size of his armies and find assurance in the strength of those numbers. There is a valuable lesson in what God recorded for us here, because David's sin was not in what he did. The census itself was not sinful, for God called for a census to be taken in Numbers 1 and 2. David's sin was in the motivation of his heart. The census he commanded did not originate with God, but came from the pride that was deep within his heart. We must always be careful to examine the motives of our hearts when we do the things we do. In the Gospels, Judas rebuked Mary for what she did for Jesus, in washing His feet with expensive perfume. He used the excuse that it could have been sold and the money used to help the poor. Yet, we are told that his true motivation came from the fact that he held the money bag, and was a thief. We may be able to mask our intentions and motivations from others, but God sees straight to the motivation of our hearts, and He always knows why we do what we do; even when we do not initially see it ourselves. The next time we choose to do something for someone else, or "for the Lord", let us stop and and ask the Lord to show us the true motivation of our hearts. We may find that the action itself may not be sinful, but the heart with which we do it may be what crosses the line and causes us to sin against God.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

How Will They Know?

Romans 10:13-15 [13] For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  [14] How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Let me ask us all a question to consider. What if we found out, personally, that there was a sure cure for cancer, and it was the only way anyone could be cured 100%? How many people would we tell? How many things have we boldly shared with others, not even really knowing it was true, but moreso because it was our strongly held opinion? Some of us have even shared things, only to later find out that what we shared was not true. If this is so, why are we so hesitant to share the one truth that will do more for anyone than any number of medical break throughs? The single most important message we could share with others has become the world best kept secret...the Good News of what God did for us. The bottom line is that we have a message that can change lives for eternity. We have been called to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). We have been sent to proclaim what Jesus did for a lost and dying world, and that means that we should be looking for every opportunity to share the only cure for the deadliest disease that exists today...the cure for sin. That cure is salvation in the only Way to the Father; the only Name by which anyone can be saved...Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords. There is only one Way, and one Cure. We hold the truth that will bring ultimate healing to anyone who believes and is willing to put their complete trust in the One who purchased salvation for us with His Blood. It is far past the time that we stop allowing the enemy, and the world, intimidate us. We need to pray for boldness and humility, and begin to open our mouths, before it's too late. How will they call on Him, and change their eternal destination, if we won't open our mouths and tell them?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

He Will, If We Will

Acts 17:6-7 [6] But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. [7] Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another King—Jesus.”

As I read these verses today, I had to stop and seriously consider, and ask myself, how much of an impact is the church making in society? Are we, as ambassadors and followers of Jesus, turning the world upside down? Quite honestly, I don't see that happening today. Instead, If we are honest, we have to admit that even though there are some local churches that are striving to truly make a difference in this world, the good majority are lukewarm. So I must ask you all, and myself, what kind of impact are we making, personally? Are we turning our own circle of influence upside down for Christ or have we settled for being lukewarm? Have we focused so intently on the things of this world, that no one would know we are a follower of Jesus, unless we happen to mention it in passing, or they happen to catch us leaving the church building on Sunday? How will we have any spiritual influence in this world if we are not sharing the Gospel with others? How will we show them Christ if we are not loving and serving Jesus as we should? We cannot control what the church does as a whole. However, we can choose, individually, to seek the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul; and choose to share the Good News wherever we go, and with everyone we possibly can. Do this, and watch Jesus turn our world upside down for His glory. There is no doubt that He will, if we will.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

More Listening and Less Talking

Acts 16:6-7 [6] Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. [7] After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

Who or what is guiding our daily lives? Today, far too many of us have lost the art of listening. Most of us are more interested in speaking our minds and opinions, than we are in truly listening to others who are trying to communicate with us. As born again followers of Jesus, many of us have taken that attitude with us when we approach God's throne. We are eager to tell the Lord what we need and want, and tell God what He should be blessing in our lives; but we fail to be still long enough to hear what the Spirit wants to say. Romans 8:14 tells us that all who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. So why are so many of us not hearing from the Spirit in our daily walk? Well, I would have to say that it is not because the Spirit is silent, but rather that God's children are not listening. We have allowed the busyness of this world, and all the noise around us, drown out the Spirit's voice. Far too many of us are so busy trying to bring our own plans to fruition, that we are ignoring the Spirit's leading. When things don't work out the way we expect them to, we blame God for our failures; when in fact, we were following our own desires and plans. If we expect to hear from God, and expect to be led by His Spirit, then we need to get back to learning how to be still and start doing more listening and less talking. God wants to hear from us, but He also want us to be still, and silent, long enough for Him to get a word in edgewise.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Take Time to Digest It

(A Devo by Christine Serrano)

‭‭‭Deuteronomy 32:45-47 [45] Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, [46] and he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law. [47] For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.”

It is amazing how much the Lord draws near to us when we draw near to Him (James 4:8). It is something we cannot explain with mere words, but instead, it is to be perceived more comprehensively when experienced. You see, when we sit quietly, purposefully studying Scripture everyday, the Holy Spirit reveals details and aspects of God's Word we never understood or even noticed before. Scripture becomes alive and ripe with insight because it is the Living Word. The Lord speaks to us, guides us, and provides wisdom in our current circumstances through His Word. If you ever asked "How can I know God's will?"; this is God sharing, directly with us, what is on His Heart and Mind for each one of His beloved children! It is hard to gleen God's discernment and direction when we quickly read through a few passages or say a fleeting prayer just to check off our to do list. Our faith becomes grounded and deeply rooted when we spend time understanding the Lord's purpose for our existence. Our perserverance becomes steadfast as we weather the storms of life knowing Jesus is our Anchor. We cannot gain the peace that passes all understanding when we rely on our own limited knowledge regarding this difficult journey called life (Philippians 4:7, Proverbs 3:5). We must look to God's Omniscience. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3: 16,17). It is our Bread of life (John 6:35). It nourishes our souls, it sustains us in our weakness, it calms our hearts, and focuses our minds on God's truth. It provides safety and security, reminding us that we can hide under the Shadow of His Almighty Wing (Psalm 91:1) when we need rest. The Bible is God's love letter to us! May we take time to digest and comprehend God's plans and desires for our lives through the daily meditation of His Word.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

He Was, Is, and Will Always Be

Proverbs 16:4 [4] The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

Here is a reality many of us have a difficult time accepting. God has made EVERYTHING for Himself. Yes, even the wicked. God uses everything and everyone He created for His purpose and for His glory. We are living in times when we are seeing God's Word unfolding right before our eyes. We are seeing the wicked rise up, the devils increasing their activities, and it just seems like the world is falling apart. However, for those of us who are students of Scripture, and who are students of what is to come, we know the world may seem like it's falling apart; but in actuality, all things are falling into place. They are falling into place exactly as the Lord is directing and allowing. So, regardless of what is being put before our eyes by the media and social media, know this...our God always has been, is now, and always will be in control of all things.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Time to Examine and Rethink

‭‭‭Revelation 1:12-18 [12] Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. [14] His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; [15] His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; [16] He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. [17] And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.  [18] I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

There is a very subtle danger lurking in how we view Jesus today. This view has been programmed into our brains by the way Jesus has been portrayed in the many movies and series that have been produced over the years. Yes, Jesus came as a Man, a perfect Human Being who was both Man and God. He came to seek and save those of us who were lost, and still seeks those who remain lost. However, we who have believed and called upon Him have lost sight of one very important detail of who Jesus is today. He is the God who is not only coming back to get us on the day least expected, which could be today, but He is also the God who is coming back to judge this world and those who do not believe, and will not believe. That being said, how did John describe Jesus in the Book of Revelation? Did he describe Him like the Jesus that many say they will confront to ask, "Why this and why that?" Did he describe Him like the God who some refer to as, "the Big Guy in the sky" or by any other name that lessens who He really is? No. He described the Risen Christ as Someone who John could not even stand before. The presence of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, made John fall at His feet like a dead man. That should cause us to seriously rethink how we approach God's throne every time we pray. That should cause us to rethink who we think we are offending when we choose sin over righteousness. It should cause us to examine and rethink how we live for, and represent, the One who gave His life to save ours.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Praise That Glorifies God

Psalms 50:16-23 [16] But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, [17] Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? [18] When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers. [19] You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit. [20] You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son. [21] These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes. [22] “Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there  be none to deliver: [23] Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

As I read these verses, all I could say is, "Wow." God was speaking to those who were religious outwardly, but rotten to the core on the inside. I must ask this of each of us today, "Do we praise God, correct others, and pretend to be godly outwardly while living like the devil when no one is looking?" Do we look for every opportunity to correct others in their walk with the Lord, while we barely limp along in our own walk? The Scriptures tell us to remove the plank from our own eye, before trying to remove the splinter in our brother's eye. The bottom line is that we cannot walk in darkness, agree with the wickedness of this world system, compromise our faith in order to "get along"; then show up on Sunday morning, or Wednesday evening, to praise God, lifting unholy hands to a Holy God. We may be able to put on a good show for people, but we cannot hide what is in our hearts. Let us offer praise that glorifies God, praise that comes from a heart cleansed by the Blood of Jesus; a heart that strives to obey the Word of God, by living a life in obedience to His commands.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

Our Greatest Regret

‭‭Psalms 49:16-20 [16] Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; [17] For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him. [18] Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), [19] He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light. [20] A man who  is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 49 is a good reminder of what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, in 1 Timothy 6:7, reminding him that we were born with nothing and will take nothing with us when we die. So, why do we, who know the Lord, waste so much precious time chasing after fame, fortune, and the things of this world? How important would it all be if we were told today, at this very moment, that we only have a few days to live? What have we traded? What have heavenly, eternal, blessings have we forfeited for the sake of gaining what will eventually perish? Sadly, there are those who will reject Jesus, and refuse to believe, because they have been blinded by their own desires to gain the world. What is equally sad is the fact that many born again followers of Christ have also chosen earthly gain over the opportunities to gain heavenly rewards. We need to stop and ask ourselves, "Am I laboring to gain what is fulfilling my selfish desires, and my own plans for my life, or am I truly seeking the Lord, His will and His plan for my life; even if it costs me some earthly gain?" I guarantee that on the day when we take our last breath here, our greatest regret will be that we could have done more to serve the Lord, but we chose instead to serve ourselves and our desires to gain more of what this world convinced us was most important. Let us strive, today, and going forward, to avoid the foolishness of believing that the world has more to offer than the One who gave it all so that through Him, and in Him, we could gain eternal life, and eternal riches that will never perish.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).

No Other Treasure Compares

Matthew 13:44-46 [44] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  [45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,  [46] who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

How do we view the salvation that God so freely offers through Christ? Is it a cheap salvation that we simply see as "fire insurance" to keep us out of Hell? Do we pray a prayer of salvation, just to pray a prayer? Did we see salvation as something that we add to our earthly life so that we can continue to live life as usual, and think that at the end of our earthly existence we could simply pull out our "get out of hell free fire insurance policy", and be all set? I must remind us all that the salvation being offered by God was not a cheaply purchased salvation. It cost the Father His Son, and cost the Son His life. He loved us, as His treasure, to the point that He was willing to give it all to purchase our redemption and pay for a debt we could not possibly pay. Should we not then be willing to give it all in appreciation for the salvation we have received in Christ, if we are born again followers of Jesus? Let me make one thing clear, we can NEVER  earn salvation. We have a sin nature, and all our works of righteousness are like filthy rags to God. We are told in Scripture that salvation comes through faith and given to us by grace. Not one of us can boast before God. So let us consider this...if the Kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field, how many of us would give up whatever necessary to live a life worthy of such a great salvation? If we are one of Jesus' followers who claims they would do this, would it be evident if our life was closely observed? How much we value the wonderful treasure of our salvation will become evident when we live a life, in Christ, that honors and exalts Him in such a way that He increases, and we decrease; so that others see more of Him and less of us. The bottom line is that there is no earthly treasure that compares to the value of having the salvation that is freely offered in Christ.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation (Romans 10:13).