Spiritual Pretenders

Acts 5:1-3, 7-9 [1] But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. [2] And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of  it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. [3] But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?"

[7] Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. [8] And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” [9] Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

Who are we deceiving when we pretend to be more spiritual than we really are? Does not the Lord see right to the heart? What we see in what Ananias and Sapphira did back then is no different than what many in the church do today; and at some point we are all guilty of this. We put up the religious facade, pretending to be someone we are not, spiritually, when we get around others. The Apostle Peter wasted no time getting right to the heart of the matter. Satan put it in their hearts to lie, not to men, but to the Holy Spirit. When we pretend to be someone we are not, in Christ, we are choosing to lie to the One who sees our hearts, knows our hearts, and clearly sees our attempts at deception. We may be able to "pull the wool" over people's eyes, but we are only deceiving ourselves. God is not interested in our religiosity. He wants a genuine relationship with us, and He made it possible for us to have that by way of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. So, the next time the devils tempt us to put up a fake religious front, stop and realize that God sees who we really are. He simply wants us to be who He is molding us and shaping us to be; and when it comes down to it, we are all a work in progress. Let us not be spiritual pretenders.

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).

The Day Is Coming…Soon

Acts 2:16-21 [16] But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. [18] And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. [20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. [21] And it shall come to pass That  whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

Quite often when we speak of Peter's first sermon at Pentecost, we speak of his boldness, and about how many were saved. What I have never heard was the fact that Peter's first sermon not only was one of invitation to accept Jesus as Savior, but was also a grave warning that one day Jesus will return to judge. When he spoke of "the day of the Lord", he spoke of a time when Jesus was not coming as One who would seek and save, but One who will come in judgment; and because the remnant of Israel will see God's judgment poured out on the earth, that remnant will finally call upon Jesus as their Messiah. The Prophets Zechariah, Jeremiah, and others clearly prophecied about this, including the Apostle Paul. For us today, the day of salvation is today. The fact that we are seeing prophecy unfold before our very eyes, today, should motivate us to do all we can to share the Gospel message with family, friends, and anyone the Lord gives us opportunity to speak to. The Lord could return for His church at any moment. The rapture, or taking up, of the church could take place today, tomorrow, and in the blink of an eye. Who do we know that would potentially be left behind to endure the horrible things that will take place during the Tribulation period to come? If you have not put your trust in Jesus for salvation, do not wait! The time is now! If you have, what are you waiting for to tell those around you? Know this...the Day of the Lord is coming...soon!

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).

Why the Suffering?

(Devo by Christine Serrano)

‭‭‭‭‭Psalms 119:71 [71] It  is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.

Friend, do you ever wonder why we suffer? Why do we experience difficulties in life that filter into our thoughts and behavior? Why do we face trials that challenge the way we see ourselves and others? 

Psalm 119:71 not only tells us exactly why but it says our suffering is good! How could suffering be good? It is good because it turns our attention back to God. It reminds us that our Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent Father in Heaven allows all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Our suffering draws us to the One Who suffered the greatest. The One Who was rejected by His own creation yet willingly placed Himself on an old rugged cross in order to pay the price for our sins. He shed His precious Blood and died in our place so that we may have everlasting life. 

Our suffering brings us back to Jesus Who understands our sorrow and our darkness. He says, "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11: 28, 30). Jesus also says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. I give not as the world gives so do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

Jesus loves us so much in that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) so that we may have overwhelming victory in Him. So why is suffering good? Because it brings our attention back to Jesus Who paid the price for our sins, Who wants us to rest in Him, Who gives us His peace, and tells us not to be afraid because He has overcome all suffering 💜

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).

A Dead Life That Lives

Romans 12:1-2 [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which  is your reasonable service. [2] And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The previous chapter of Romans makes it clear that God has not forsaken His promises to Israel. Their state of unbelief will one day be shed, and a remnant who survive the Tribulation will finally be saved, when they all recognize Jesus as their Messiah. In the meantime, their partial blindness has been a blessing to us who have been grafted in, with Israel, and we are now known as the church. Please do not misunderstand this. God has made promises, specifically to Israel, that He will fulfill to them. We, as the church, also have promises made to us that will also be fulfilled. The Apostle Paul tells us, because we have been given this wonderful undeserved opportunity, and blessing, we should be willing to lay down our bodies, on God's altar, as living sacrifices. How can a sacrifice be living, when a sacrifice that is put on the altar is supposed to be put to death first? I'm glad you asked. Very simply put, we are to be dead to the world, its ways, and all it offers; and be alive to God, in Christ, ready to serve Him in accordance with His will. That means that God, His Word, prayer, and serving Him, should be of greater priority than fulfilling our lustful and selfish desires for the empty promises the world makes us, day in and day out. Far too many of us have sold out to the world, chasing after money, status, popularity, and all kinds of prosperity; only to find out that all those things are ever fleeting. Even when we achieve these worldly goals, it all still leaves an emptiness that is never filled. We try to fill it all kinds of perversities, but it all usually ends in destruction of relationships and even the taking of one's own life. The only true life of satisfaction, here on earth, is a life lived for Jesus. It is a life that is dead to the things of this world, and has crucified its desires for them. It is a life that, though it be dead, is focused on heavenly things, and lives for the glory of 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).

Onward to Victory

‭‭Luke 4:13-14 [13] Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. [14] Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

My friends, here is a fact that we must never forget. The devils may flee for a time, but know that they flee only to wait for an opportune time to return to do battle. As long as we are here on earth, our enemies will continue to launch their spiritual attacks against us. The Bible is clear that all of us who are born again believers have not only been adopted into God's family, but we have also been enlisted into His army. The enemies will do everything within their power to steal our joy and our peace, kill our testimony for Christ, and destroy all the relationships we have, starting with our relationship with Jesus. Praise be to God that we have a Lord and Savior who promised to never leave us, nor forsake us. However, this means that we must heed Peter's warning to be sober and vigilant, because our adversary, the devil, walks about seeking whom he may devour. My friends, that is you and me, who have put our trust in Christ Jesus. Note that in today's verses, Jesus returned, after resisting the devil, in the power of the Spirit. God promised that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. The result will be that the devil will flee. If we want to truly walk in the power of the Spirit, as Jesus did, then we must put on our spiritual armor (put on Christ), resist the temptations thrown at us by taking the way of escape that God provides with each temptation; and always remember that our enemies may retreat for a time, but will relaunch their attacks the moment we let our guard down again. My brothers and sisters, we must always be ready for the fight. We must put on our armor every day, pray without ceasing, read and study God's Word every day, and be doers of the Word, not just hearers. Only then will we be able to walk in the power of the One who indwells us, and the One who is greater than the one who is in the world. So for today, suit up, pray up, study up, and onward to victory!

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).

Why, Why, Why?

‭Acts 16:37-38 [37] But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.” [38] And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.

     Have you ever asked yourself, "Why did this happen?" "Why did this happen to me, or my family member or friend?" "Why did God allow this?" I'm sure many of us have asked one or all of these questions at some point in our lives. The verses above contain what may seem like an insignificant detail. Yet, it is a most important detail. That detail is the fact that the Apostle Paul was a Roman citizen, even though he was a Jew. I recently heard a message that told an interesting story about that detail. You see, back in those days, it was not a common thing for a Jew to have Roman citizenship. However, God, in His sovereignty, many years before Paul was born, allowed Paul's great great grandparents to be forcibly moved from Jerusalem to Tarsus, and given citizenship status in that place. I'm sure his great great grandparents questioned why God would allow that to happen to them. "God, why?" During the time that Paul's parents lived in Tarsus, there was a rebellion against Caesar, led by Brutus and Cassius. Tarsus became their headquarters. Upon their defeat, Rome honored the citizens of Tarsus, for their continued loyalty, by making them Roman citizen. Hence, the Apostle Paul was a Roman citizen by birth. The unfair jailing and public punishment Paul & Silas suffered, in Philippi, put them in a position where Paul could bring charges against those magistrates that sentenced them. So even though the magistrates begged them to leave, they could return at any time and seek legal charges. By the way, this incident also put the magistrates in check, should they decide to persecute the local church Paul established while in Philippi. Why does this matter today? Well, it answers the question, "Why?" You see, the truth of the matter is that God may allow things in our lives that we may not understand. However, we see what happened to Paul, and how God used what He allowed to happen to his great great grandparents, so long ago, to benefit the church at Philippi; keeping them from possibly being persecuted. My friends, everything that happens to us in this life has a purpose. Nothing is ever wasted, and the fact is that what happens to us today, may end up being for the future good of our family, friends, or even a coworker. We simply have to trust that it's all under God's sovereign control.

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).

At Any Moment

II Timothy 2:1-4 [1] You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [2] And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. [3] You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Jesus gave us the command to go out and make disciples. That requires that we go out and share the Good News of what He did for us. However, He also warned us that in this world we would have trials and tribulations. He warned us that we would face hatred and opposition; not because of who we are personally, but because we represent Him. The Apostle Paul gave the same command and warning to Timothy. The truth of the matter is that we have been left here on earth to proclaim the life-changing message of Christ, His death, resurrection, and return. He paid the ultimate price so that we could be reconciled to God and be given eternal life. The mission we have been given sends us out into a spiritual battlefield, and that battle manifests itself in the physical world. Therefore, the Apostle reminds us that we are to be mindful of Who enlisted us, and what our duty is while we are here, as strangers and pilgrims. He warns us not to be entangled in the cares of this world. Instead, we are to focus on the mission and remember that when we called upon the Name of Jesus, we were not only adopted into God's family, we were enlisted into His army. We are to proclaim His message, make disciples, and endure trials, tribulations, and do what pleases Him. Jesus promised that even though we will experience suffering in this world, we have His peace, and in Him we have already overcome the world and its way. So my brothers and sisters, today we must go forward proclaiming the Good News, and enduring whatever hardships He allows. His return is near, and we will only have to endure for a short while; as our time to be reunited with our Savior, Lord, and King could come at any moment.

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).