A Love Story

In 1 Sam 25, there is a wonderful love story between David and Abigail.  Abigail was married to a selfish and foolish man named Nabal.  He was very rude to David after David had been very kind to him.  David was going to take revenge when Abigail through and act of kindness intervened.  Later Nabal died and David married Abigail.  The Bible is full of great love stories.  There is Abraham and Sarah, Issac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel.  All these stories center around love.  God was in the middle of these relationships.  The Bible records that things did not always go smooth between these couples, yet their faith in God and their love for each other always prevailed.  Sometimes as married couples things are not always easy.  There is money troubles or sickness in the family.  If you put your trust in the Lord He will see you through.  He is the third person in your marriage.  Remember that today.     

What is in your heart?

In Mark 7:20-23, Jesus tells His audience what is in their hearts.  Jesus said that what comes out of man is in His heart.  He said that in the heart of men are adulteries and all kind of sexual sins, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness, lies, bad living, pride, foolishness and evil intents.  All these come from within and defile a person.  The only thing that can deal with the evil of the heart is a brand new nature.  That nature comes by giving one's life to Jesus Christ.  I love redemption and salvation for two reasons.  One, that it restores a person to right standing with God and two, that a sinner can be turned into a saint.  When a person comes to Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence.  He comes and lives in an individual.  He then begins to change that person from the inside out.  He works on our thoughts, words, actions, attitudes and motives.  He also regenerates our hearts and helps us to think differently.  As children of God we want to do the will of God.  We learn to appreciate what God has done and our desire is to show our love and appreciation by living for Him.  One of the keys of really understanding how much God has done for you is to realize what a sinner you were.  I know when I came to Christ I knew what a sinner I was.  I knew I could not save myself and so I knew how much God loved me.  Jesus said those that are forgiven much love much.  It is a realization of God's grace and mercy.  You know what Jesus has done and you are so thankful that He died in your place.  This also helps to bring about righteous living because you want to do the things that please God.  So today let righteousness and love flow out your heart into life and influence those around you for Jesus Christ.  You have a new nature now act like it.

Keep Your Promise

In Joshua 24:14-28, Joshua and the people of Israel were making a covenant to serve the Lord.  The people agreed to many things.  Yet in a very short time they would forget Joshua and God.  The whole theme of the book of Judges was, "Every person did was right in their own eyes."  One of the tragediies of man is that they can never keep a promise of agreement.  Many a covenant with God over the past has been broken.  I have been guilty of making a covenant with God and then breaking them.  The result is that our lives are not as fruitful or God cannot use us as He wishes too.  When you nake an agreement with God you better keep it.  Jesus dealt wit the problem of oaths.  He said we should only say, Yes or No.  Remember a person is only as good as their word.  How good is yours?  Your promises for today are Matt 6:33, Matt 22:37-40, 2 Chron 7:15, Rom 12:1-2, Prov 3:5-6 and Rom 14:17.

Resurrection of Life

In John 11:26, Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life and whoever believes in Him though He may die, He will live, and then He closes off the statement with a question.  Do you believe this?  This is quite the question.  Do you and I really believe this statement?  Do we believe that when we trust in Jesus Christ that we may die yet we shall live?  The hope of the Christian is that we will have both eternal and abundant life.  This has been the foundational statement for the Christian from the thief on the cross until now.  Stephen as he was being stoned and was passing from this life to the next, saw Jesus and made the statement, "I see Jesus sitting at the right hand of God."  Stephen had that hope.  His hope and ours is based on this statement and others that Jesus made concerning His resurrection.  Even today some 1500 people will give their lives around the world for Jesus Christ.  They will gladly suffer martyrdom for a belief that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.  The question is again do we believe this?  Do not let doubt, the rational of the world rob you of your hope, future and inheritance in Christ.  Jesus is the resurrection and the life.  Believe, stand and walk in this statement.  You may die and pass from this world to the next but you will live.  Paul puts it beautifully, he said, "I may be absent from the body but I will be in the presence of the Lord."  So today walk and stand on this reality for serve Him in the light of eternity in anticipation and hope. 

The Holy Spirit Conviction

In John 16:8, Jesus says the Holy Spirit will come to do three things.  To convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.  He said the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin because they do not believe in Jesus Christ.  All over the planet the Holy Spirit is speaking to people of every nation, creed and color about their sin.  Today 200,000 people from all over the world will give their lives to Christ.  Yet we need to pray that a revival will come to our country of Canada.  The Holy Spirit will convict of righteousness because Jesus has gone back to the Father.  You and I have become His representatives and ambassadors to our world.  We have been given the privilege and responsibility to witness and live for Him in our world.  We do that by how we live.  Our words are hollow if we do not walk the walk.  Talk is cheap if not follow by action.  Lastly, the Holy Spirit will convict of judgment.  Jesus said that the ruler of this world has been judged and so have all his followers.  Satan is the ruler of this world.  World means society with its values, goals and rules.  The world promotes, materialism, pride and pleasure.  It calls people to itself everyday and they follow blindly to their destruction.  The Holy Spirit convicts the world of these things.  Sooner or later people find out that materialism, pride and pleasure become hollow and meaningless.  We must be ready to tell and show them there is a better way.  A way that leads to eternal and abundant life.  The Holy Spirit will do His job we must be ready to do ours.  So today say to the Holy Spirit, wherever you lead, whatever you want me to do, or be I will.  I want to be your instrument Lord to touch my world for you.  When you do that you will be use for God.  For His praise and glory.

The Repentant Thief

Nov 3 – Luke 23:39-40 – The repentant thief

                This is such a powerful account.  On each side of Jesus is a thief.  One is cursing him and the other defending Jesus.  While hanging on the cross this man realized that Jesus was being unfairly crucified.  He told the mocking thief to being quiet.  On that cross, looking into those eyes of love this man realized that Jesus was truly the Messiah.  He asked Jesus to remember Him when He came into His Kingdom.  This is such a tremendous testimony.  Here you have a man about to pay for his crimes by death and in the last moments of his life he repents turns to Christ and hears these famous, “Today you shall be with me in paradise.”  It does not matter what the sentence structure of our statement of faith it is that fact you make the statement.  This man’s was, “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”  This man would Jesus first person coming into the new Kingdom.  What a privilege for a man who only hours before was condemned to death both physically and spiritually.  Now he is the first of the new Kingdom of God.  One mark with righteousness, peace and joy.  He was the first, don’t you be the last.  

Obedience is Key

In John 15:14, Jesus said that your are my friends if you do whatever I command you to do.  In his book, "School of Obedience," Andrew Murray says that as disciples of Jesus Christ, obedience should be the first characteristic we exhibit.  Jesus says we are His friends if we obey Him.  So the question we need to ask is, "What things show I am obeying God."  Well, how about loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  Then tell others about Jesus Christ.  Next, Read your Bible, pray and attend the house of the Lord on a regular basis.  Love those who persecute or despitefully use you.  Walk in love, acceptance and forgiveness.  Be involved in mending and restoring people.  Jesus commanded His disciples to love people unconditionally and with no strings attached.  Be involved in your community and pray for those who are in authority over you.  Be an honest person.  Walk with integrity and transperancy.  Be a person that people can trust.  Be mindful of what you say, do and think.  Most of all rely on the Lord.  Let the Holy Spirit have every part of your life.  Let Him lead, guide and direct your life.  Be aware of the fact that He wishes to give you gifts and help you to have a fruitful life.  Obedience is the key to all I have mentioned and more.  If you want both an eternal and abundant life.  Do what Jesus asks and you will truly be His friend.