The Good Shepherd

In John 10:1-10, Jesus says that He is the good shepherd and all who are His sheep will listen to His voice.  Jesus today is calling people to Himself.  He wants to become their good shepherd.  Jesus tells His audience that the thief comes to rob, kill and destroy but He has come to give life abundantly.  There is an old hymn that tells that in the Lord we have life more abundantly. To have abundant life means that you have the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit.  The fruit of the spirit, is love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, patience, gentleness and self control.  Wonderful qualities to display in life.  Jesus as the good shepherd gave us the opportunity to live this abundant life.  So whatever you need today you will find in Jesus Christ.  He came to give you the life that God wishes for you today.  In Christ you have all of heaven at your disposal.  In Christ you have connection with divine life and the victory that it brings.  Through this divine life you can impact your world for the Lord so today ask the Lord to impact your world and see how He can use you to bring all the fruit of the spirit which you have culitivated through prayer, Bible Study and corporate worship.  Be His hand extended today for His praise and glory.

Jesus of Nazareth

In John 19:19, there is such a powerful statement. "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews."  Now we know that Pilate had that sign put up for the agitation of the Jews but it was such a powerful statement.  Hanging on that cross between heaven and earth was Jesus of Nazareth, who was and is, the King of the Jews.  Jesus had come for one purpose and that was to be the eternal sacrifice for mankind.  He died that man might be free from their sins and be forgiven.  Pilate may not have known that He was doing what God wanted him to do but no truer statement was made.  Jesus of Nazareth is the King of of the Jews but also of all mankind.  Paul said, that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.  What a day that will be.  When the sign put above Jesus' head will have a more universal application.  Today many people believe so many lies but when a person knows the Son and they know that He came to set them free no greater reality becomes apparent.  When Jesus Christ sets your free from your sin.  When you have been forgiven and are given eternal and abundant life you want to share this truth with everyone who will hear.  Paul did and He said in 1 Cor 11:23, "That which I have receive I pass unto you."  There is no greater message and reality then salvation.  Things are so abundantly clear to you.  Jesus is the reason you live and the message of His redemption becomes your focus.  So today live and promote the message of Jesus Christ.  The apostles did and they reshaped their world.  Tell this wonderful message to your family and friends and reshape yours for the glory of God.   

The Problem with Riches

In Mark 10:23-27, Jesus addresses a problem many have today.  Money has always been an ammoral thing.  That means it has both a good and negative effect.  For those who know how to use it and are not subject to it, money is a good thing.  To those who love it and it is part of who they are it is a bad thing.  Paul said that the love of money is the root of all evil.  Jesus addresses a problem with those who are rich.  They have a hard time entering in the Kingdom of God.  The reason is clear.  They love their riches.  They love what it can do for them and who they can buy with it.  When you have the finest things the last thing you want to think about is the fact that one day it will end.  Another problem with riches is that they become your security.  I have heard many people say over the years.  "If I could win the lottery I would be set for life.  I would have no more worries."  This statement and the meaning behind it tells us that this person is trusting in riches rather than God.  Riches and treasures on earth keep us from God.  They stand between us and God.  To truly be free of riches or money you must first realize that God is your source.  Paul says, "My God shall supply all your riches in glory."   Paul knew that God was his source.  He knew that everything belongs to God and that we are just managers of it.  When you place your trust in God to supply your needs you are opening an avenue of blessing.  You trust God and He supplies.  So today let go of your love for riches and trust God to supply.  Do not be like the rich young ruler who walk away from Jesus because he did not want to give up His riches.  Remember where your treasure is that is where your heart is.  Your promises for today are:  Josh 1:8, Psalm 1:2-3, 35:7, 84:11, 92:12, 122:6, Prov 8:21, 28:13, Isaiah 48:17, 55:11, 3 Jn 2.   

Demon possessed man healed

June 22 – A Demon possessed by healed - Mark 9:14-29

                Yesterday we see Jesus coming off the mountain and having to deal immediately with a demon possessed boy.  His father had brought the boy to Jesus’ disciples but they could not cast the demon out because of the unbelief of the crowd.  Today we will look at four other lessons we can learn from this passage.

1.        Jesus during this account reveals that He is going to die and be raised to life.  This caused His disciples to be filled with grief.  This is because He had commented that He would not be with them much longer.  The lessons they would learn would have to learn quickly.

2.        Jesus had helped the father of the child when he cried out, “Lord help me in my unbelief.”  Doubt and unbelief can hinder the work of God but if we are honest with the Lord He will help us overcome them. 

3.        Jesus reveals here as well that some demonic forces cannot be driven out except through fasting and prayer.  These are keys to spiritual victory. 

4.        When Jesus told His disciple that He was going to die and rise again it was hard for them to grasp this truth.  Even in Galilee Jesus was paving the way for His disciples to know the extent and end of His mission.  God is so faithful in preparing us for each step of our journey of life.  Let us not allow unbelief or lack of faith stop it.  If necessary let us have extended times of fasting and prayer to help us clearly discern God’s will for our lives.

Eternal life

In John 17:3, Jesus stated, "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you sent."  Jesus put what eternal life was in a nutshell.  Eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you sent.  Life is broken down into one statement.  To know God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  There are many voices in this world that try and tell you what life is all about.  The person who does finances will tell you it is all about accumulating wealth.  The fitness guru will tell you it is about being healthy.  The environmentalist will tell you it is about saving the planet and the social activist will tell you it is about saving the world.  Jesus said it was about knowing who God is and what He is about.  The will of God and eternal life are about knowing God.  Jesus Christ is the avenue through which we come.  The exciting thing about the Christian life is that you can spend this lifetime and eternity getting to know God.  Jesus said, in John 10:10 that He came to give us life abundant.  This wonderful eternal life has so many benefits.  You learn how to love, walk in peace and truly get connected with God.  So today make it you aim to get to know the Lord better.  Spend some time in prayer, read the Bible and have an open heart.  God wants you to know Him.  He has plans, dreams and a destiny for you.  He wants to show you how to love, accept and forgive others and the beautiful thing is, He is only a prayer away.

Sis things a godly father does

Six Things a Godly Father Does

1. To teach - Deut 6:7
2. To train - Pr 22:6
3. To provide for - 2 Cor 12:14
4. To nurture - Eph 6:4
5. To control - 1 Tim 3:4
6. To love - Titus 2:4

Marriage

Marriage. Women are more likely to get depressed about marriage because of unrealistic expectations, desired to be loved and most women think their man will change. Men are less depressed about marriage. When surveyed most men said they were glad someone was willing.