HIS LOVE IS OUR LIGHT :
Mark 4:21, "And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?"
Just as a candle or lamp is not to be hid, but rather displayed so that everyone can benefit from its light, so a Christian must let his light so shine before men that they might see his good works and glorify his Father which is in heaven. God has ordained us to go and bring forth fruit (Jn. 15:16). The great commission of the Church is to reach the world.
The early Christians experienced the love of Christ in an intimate and life-transforming way. This motivated them to reach their known world with the Gospel of Christ more than any other generation of Christians has since. They didn't have the benefits of our modern technology, but they did have the benefit of being full of the love of Christ. Experiencing the love of Christ causes us to be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19) and makes us a witness that the world cannot resist (Jn. 13:35).
Today, much of the emphasis of the Church is placed on techniques of evangelism or spiritual warfare. We motivate people to witness through feelings of guilt or punishment if they don't. Much of our evangelism has become as dead and non-productive as the efforts of the cults whose people knock on doors and argue others into their way of thinking. The Church today needs a revival of our personal relationship with the Lord. When we can truly say with Paul that the love of Christ constrains us, then we will impact our world for the Lord, too. We can't give away what we don't possess. We need to personally know the love of Christ in an experiential way before we try to share it with others. Let Him love you, and let His love flow through you to others. The world is hungry for love, real love.
POUR BLESSINGS INTO OTHERS ….
You’ve probably heard about the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do to you. But did you know this is actually a spiritual principle? In the book of Genesis, we see that God’s system is set up on the basis of sowing and reaping. The seeds you plant into others will reap a harvest in your own life in return.
Last weekend in the church service, I was telling about a children’s story I read one time to my kids that talked about how we all carry emotional buckets. When your bucket is full, you feel happy, satisfied and encouraged. When your bucket is empty, you feel down and discouraged.
In this world, there are “bucket fillers” and “bucket dippers.” A bucket filler is a person who adds to other people by encouraging them and investing in them with kind words and actions. When bucket fillers pour into others, they find that their own buckets are filled up, too. Bucket dippers, on the other hand, are those who take away from people by using harsh, critical or negative words. They not only deplete other people’s buckets, but they also diminish the contents of their own.
God intends for us to be bucket fillers. He wants us to use our lives and resources to help people be the very best they can be. I think about Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter was impulsive. He said things he shouldn’t have, and he needed to grow in a lot of areas. In spite of Peter’s personality drawbacks, Jesus referred to him in surprisingly positive terms. He said, “Peter, you are a rock.” Peter’s very name actually meant “pebble,” and I wonder if he felt like a tiny pebble at times, especially after some of his foolish blunders. Nevertheless, Jesus reminded Peter of what he was becoming—a solid, stable rock. He spoke potential and confidence into Peter’s life, and we should follow that example in our relationships.
Today, let’s look for ways to be bucket fillers not bucket dippers. Instead of reminding people of their failures and faults, let’s see the solid rock in them and speak positively about what they are becoming. Pour into others and watch how God will fill you up in return!
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today… (Hebrews 3:13, NIV
INSTRUMENT RATED :
'...The Father is seeking such to worship Him.' John 4:23 NKJV
Instrument rated for discouragement. God has promised to give you '...beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...' (Isaiah 61:3 KJV) Satan can't stand it when someone other than himself is receiving praise and honour, so the spirit of heaviness will lift when you begin to praise your God. It will fall off you like a garment. The weight will be gone. Your pity party will turn to a scene of gladness. Here's something remarkable: Jesus said, '...The Father is seeking such to worship Him... in spirit and truth...' (John 4:23-24 NKJV)
When you begin to worship God, instead of you seeking Him, He starts seeking you! And since He knows where to find you at all times, He blesses you, strengthens you and causes you to rise above your discouragement. You can literally praise your way through the storm! When an instructor is teaching a new student to fly, he constantly reminds the student to keep the nose of the plane up. New students are likely to keep the nose of the plane down so they can better see where they are going. Also, the plane has a natural tendency to fall - if you let it. When you keep your head up and your eyes on Jesus, your heart begins to rejoice even in the toughest test. It takes effort, but it's worth it.
Remember, you don't always win every fight in the first round. But if you hang in there and keep answering the bell with praise, you will be victorious. Why? Because the fight was fixed by Jesus a long time ago.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? - Isaiah 43:19
New beginnings are possible. Just ask Brayan, a young man who joined a gang in elementary school. Brayan ran away when he was 12 years old, and for 3 years was lost in gang and drug life. Although he left the gang and returned home, it was difficult for him, as he had been expelled from school for selling drugs. When he enrolled in a new high school, however, a teacher inspired and encouraged him to write about his experiences rather than repeat them. He embraced the challenge and is now experiencing a fresh start.
God, through the prophet Isaiah, encouraged Jewish exiles to think about a new beginning as well. God said, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old” (Isa. 43:18). He told them to stop dwelling on their punishment and even on His display of power through the original exodus from Egypt. He wanted their attention to be focused on God who would give them a new beginning by bringing them home from Babylon through a new exodus (v.19).
With God, new beginnings are possible in our hearts. He can help us to let go of the past and start clinging to Him. Relationship with Him provides a new hope for all who will trust Him.
Lord, we need Your touch on our lives. Work in our hearts in whatever areas need a fresh start. Help us to do our part and to trust You to do what only You can do.
God gives fresh starts from the inside out.
WEAPON OF PRAISE :
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. – Psalm 9:1-3
Never underestimate the importance of praise. It's one of the most powerful spiritual weapons you have.
Praise is more than a pleasant song or a few uplifting words about God. It does something. It releases the very presence of God Himself. And, when the presence of God comes on the scene, your enemies are turned back. Sickness and disease can't stay on your body. Poverty can't stay in your house.
Even physical weariness has to flee when it's faced with real joy-filled praise. I know that from experience. Years ago, when I first began conducting Healing School, I had a real battle with fatigue. I'd minister and lay my hands on the sick for so many hours at a time that by the time the meeting had ended, I was sometimes too physically weak even to close the service.
Then, in one particular meeting, I discovered the power of praise. I had just finished praying for those in the prayer line, and as usual, I was exhausted. But instead of rest, the Spirit of the Lord impressed on me that what I needed was to rejoice in the Lord. So, I did. I began to praise the Lord with my whole heart, mind and body. Do you know what happened? The tiredness left me. And I was energized with the presence of God!
The next time the devil tries to stifle your effectiveness, to drain you of the strength and wealth and victory that's yours in Jesus, turn him back with that powerful weapon. Lift your hands and your voice and whole heart to God. Praise!
ELIMINATE EVERYTHING UNNECESSARY IN YOUR LIFE IN ORDER TO PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST.
1 John 5:21 says, Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. The Amplified Bible elaborates on this: Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. (AMP)
It is imperative that you prevent any sort of substitute from becoming first place in your life. Fill your life with the true, living God, not a phony substitute.
You can tell what is important to you simply by examining how you spend your time. If you are spending so much time trying to make money that you don't spend any quality time with God, then wealth is more important to you than God. Likewise, if you are always spending time with friends and don't have any time to spend with God, then your social life is more important to you than God.
How you use your time is so important, because you can either invest it or waste it. However, if you waste your time, you'll never get it back. On the other hand, if you invest your time into forming a deep, close, personal relationship with God, then you will reap the rewards of such an investment for the rest of eternity.
Decide to put God first in your life: spend significant, quality, personal time with Him. Put the first, most important thing (God) first place in your life.
LOVE IS THE VISIBLE ATTRIBUTE OF AN INVISIBLE GOD
1 John 4:12 says, No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. In other words, even though no person has ever actually seen God the Father, we are able to see God's character as we love one another.
Remember that God is love (1 John 4:8); so, when we walk in love, we are like God.
Thus, although we can't actually see God, we can see his character in our love for each other (and in his love for us). Indeed,Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Furthermore, Jesus said that we, his disciples, will be known by our fruit: By their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:16, 20). Galatians 5:22 tells us what that fruit is: The fruit of the Spirit is love ... . Thus, we are known by our love—love for one another and love for God.
It is so important to walk in love, because love is the visible attribute of an invisible God.
Mark 4:21, "And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?"
Just as a candle or lamp is not to be hid, but rather displayed so that everyone can benefit from its light, so a Christian must let his light so shine before men that they might see his good works and glorify his Father which is in heaven. God has ordained us to go and bring forth fruit (Jn. 15:16). The great commission of the Church is to reach the world.
The early Christians experienced the love of Christ in an intimate and life-transforming way. This motivated them to reach their known world with the Gospel of Christ more than any other generation of Christians has since. They didn't have the benefits of our modern technology, but they did have the benefit of being full of the love of Christ. Experiencing the love of Christ causes us to be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19) and makes us a witness that the world cannot resist (Jn. 13:35).
Today, much of the emphasis of the Church is placed on techniques of evangelism or spiritual warfare. We motivate people to witness through feelings of guilt or punishment if they don't. Much of our evangelism has become as dead and non-productive as the efforts of the cults whose people knock on doors and argue others into their way of thinking. The Church today needs a revival of our personal relationship with the Lord. When we can truly say with Paul that the love of Christ constrains us, then we will impact our world for the Lord, too. We can't give away what we don't possess. We need to personally know the love of Christ in an experiential way before we try to share it with others. Let Him love you, and let His love flow through you to others. The world is hungry for love, real love.
POUR BLESSINGS INTO OTHERS ….
You’ve probably heard about the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do to you. But did you know this is actually a spiritual principle? In the book of Genesis, we see that God’s system is set up on the basis of sowing and reaping. The seeds you plant into others will reap a harvest in your own life in return.
Last weekend in the church service, I was telling about a children’s story I read one time to my kids that talked about how we all carry emotional buckets. When your bucket is full, you feel happy, satisfied and encouraged. When your bucket is empty, you feel down and discouraged.
In this world, there are “bucket fillers” and “bucket dippers.” A bucket filler is a person who adds to other people by encouraging them and investing in them with kind words and actions. When bucket fillers pour into others, they find that their own buckets are filled up, too. Bucket dippers, on the other hand, are those who take away from people by using harsh, critical or negative words. They not only deplete other people’s buckets, but they also diminish the contents of their own.
God intends for us to be bucket fillers. He wants us to use our lives and resources to help people be the very best they can be. I think about Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter was impulsive. He said things he shouldn’t have, and he needed to grow in a lot of areas. In spite of Peter’s personality drawbacks, Jesus referred to him in surprisingly positive terms. He said, “Peter, you are a rock.” Peter’s very name actually meant “pebble,” and I wonder if he felt like a tiny pebble at times, especially after some of his foolish blunders. Nevertheless, Jesus reminded Peter of what he was becoming—a solid, stable rock. He spoke potential and confidence into Peter’s life, and we should follow that example in our relationships.
Today, let’s look for ways to be bucket fillers not bucket dippers. Instead of reminding people of their failures and faults, let’s see the solid rock in them and speak positively about what they are becoming. Pour into others and watch how God will fill you up in return!
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today… (Hebrews 3:13, NIV
INSTRUMENT RATED :
'...The Father is seeking such to worship Him.' John 4:23 NKJV
Instrument rated for discouragement. God has promised to give you '...beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...' (Isaiah 61:3 KJV) Satan can't stand it when someone other than himself is receiving praise and honour, so the spirit of heaviness will lift when you begin to praise your God. It will fall off you like a garment. The weight will be gone. Your pity party will turn to a scene of gladness. Here's something remarkable: Jesus said, '...The Father is seeking such to worship Him... in spirit and truth...' (John 4:23-24 NKJV)
When you begin to worship God, instead of you seeking Him, He starts seeking you! And since He knows where to find you at all times, He blesses you, strengthens you and causes you to rise above your discouragement. You can literally praise your way through the storm! When an instructor is teaching a new student to fly, he constantly reminds the student to keep the nose of the plane up. New students are likely to keep the nose of the plane down so they can better see where they are going. Also, the plane has a natural tendency to fall - if you let it. When you keep your head up and your eyes on Jesus, your heart begins to rejoice even in the toughest test. It takes effort, but it's worth it.
Remember, you don't always win every fight in the first round. But if you hang in there and keep answering the bell with praise, you will be victorious. Why? Because the fight was fixed by Jesus a long time ago.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? - Isaiah 43:19
New beginnings are possible. Just ask Brayan, a young man who joined a gang in elementary school. Brayan ran away when he was 12 years old, and for 3 years was lost in gang and drug life. Although he left the gang and returned home, it was difficult for him, as he had been expelled from school for selling drugs. When he enrolled in a new high school, however, a teacher inspired and encouraged him to write about his experiences rather than repeat them. He embraced the challenge and is now experiencing a fresh start.
God, through the prophet Isaiah, encouraged Jewish exiles to think about a new beginning as well. God said, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old” (Isa. 43:18). He told them to stop dwelling on their punishment and even on His display of power through the original exodus from Egypt. He wanted their attention to be focused on God who would give them a new beginning by bringing them home from Babylon through a new exodus (v.19).
With God, new beginnings are possible in our hearts. He can help us to let go of the past and start clinging to Him. Relationship with Him provides a new hope for all who will trust Him.
Lord, we need Your touch on our lives. Work in our hearts in whatever areas need a fresh start. Help us to do our part and to trust You to do what only You can do.
God gives fresh starts from the inside out.
WEAPON OF PRAISE :
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. – Psalm 9:1-3
Never underestimate the importance of praise. It's one of the most powerful spiritual weapons you have.
Praise is more than a pleasant song or a few uplifting words about God. It does something. It releases the very presence of God Himself. And, when the presence of God comes on the scene, your enemies are turned back. Sickness and disease can't stay on your body. Poverty can't stay in your house.
Even physical weariness has to flee when it's faced with real joy-filled praise. I know that from experience. Years ago, when I first began conducting Healing School, I had a real battle with fatigue. I'd minister and lay my hands on the sick for so many hours at a time that by the time the meeting had ended, I was sometimes too physically weak even to close the service.
Then, in one particular meeting, I discovered the power of praise. I had just finished praying for those in the prayer line, and as usual, I was exhausted. But instead of rest, the Spirit of the Lord impressed on me that what I needed was to rejoice in the Lord. So, I did. I began to praise the Lord with my whole heart, mind and body. Do you know what happened? The tiredness left me. And I was energized with the presence of God!
The next time the devil tries to stifle your effectiveness, to drain you of the strength and wealth and victory that's yours in Jesus, turn him back with that powerful weapon. Lift your hands and your voice and whole heart to God. Praise!
ELIMINATE EVERYTHING UNNECESSARY IN YOUR LIFE IN ORDER TO PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST.
1 John 5:21 says, Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. The Amplified Bible elaborates on this: Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. (AMP)
It is imperative that you prevent any sort of substitute from becoming first place in your life. Fill your life with the true, living God, not a phony substitute.
You can tell what is important to you simply by examining how you spend your time. If you are spending so much time trying to make money that you don't spend any quality time with God, then wealth is more important to you than God. Likewise, if you are always spending time with friends and don't have any time to spend with God, then your social life is more important to you than God.
How you use your time is so important, because you can either invest it or waste it. However, if you waste your time, you'll never get it back. On the other hand, if you invest your time into forming a deep, close, personal relationship with God, then you will reap the rewards of such an investment for the rest of eternity.
Decide to put God first in your life: spend significant, quality, personal time with Him. Put the first, most important thing (God) first place in your life.
LOVE IS THE VISIBLE ATTRIBUTE OF AN INVISIBLE GOD
1 John 4:12 says, No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. In other words, even though no person has ever actually seen God the Father, we are able to see God's character as we love one another.
Remember that God is love (1 John 4:8); so, when we walk in love, we are like God.
Thus, although we can't actually see God, we can see his character in our love for each other (and in his love for us). Indeed,Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Furthermore, Jesus said that we, his disciples, will be known by our fruit: By their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:16, 20). Galatians 5:22 tells us what that fruit is: The fruit of the Spirit is love ... . Thus, we are known by our love—love for one another and love for God.
It is so important to walk in love, because love is the visible attribute of an invisible God.
RIGHTEOUS FOREVER THROUGH CHRIST’S OBEDIENCE
ROMANS 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
Take some time today to meditate on how you have been made righteous forever through Christ’s obedience.
Because your righteousness from the Lord is not based on what you’ve done, but what He has done at Calvary, you cannot lose this righteousness through what you do or don’t do. And because you are righteous, healing and provision—blessings that belong to the righteous—belong to you!
When you realize that you cannot earn this righteousness, you’ll realize that your failures cannot cause you to lose this righteousness, and therefore your right to God’s healing and supply.
Beloved, you are forever righteous because of Jesus’ obedience (not your obedience) and finished work. Through His perfect sacrifice, He has qualified you for healing, wholeness, good success and long life!
Take some time today to meditate on how you have been made righteous forever through Christ’s obedience.
Because your righteousness from the Lord is not based on what you’ve done, but what He has done at Calvary, you cannot lose this righteousness through what you do or don’t do. And because you are righteous, healing and provision—blessings that belong to the righteous—belong to you!
When you realize that you cannot earn this righteousness, you’ll realize that your failures cannot cause you to lose this righteousness, and therefore your right to God’s healing and supply.
Beloved, you are forever righteous because of Jesus’ obedience (not your obedience) and finished work. Through His perfect sacrifice, He has qualified you for healing, wholeness, good success and long life!
GOD STILL PERFORMS MIRACLES :
JOHN 11:40 - Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
God, who parted the Red Sea, rained manna from heaven, caused the walls of Jericho to fall, shut the lions’ mouths, healed the sick, raised the dead and calmed the sea, still performs miracles today.
However, some Christians doubt that God wants to work a miracle for them today. They believe that there were miracles when Jesus walked the earth, but they think that the day of miracles is over. And they talk about how everything will be perfect one day in the sweet by and by. But God wants us to know that He is still the God of miracles today.
Martha was like one of those Christians. She wondered if Jesus could perform a miracle when her brother Lazarus died. By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. So she thought that Jesus was four days too late. That is why she said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21) And even when Jesus said that Lazarus would rise again, she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24)
Martha believed that Jesus could perform miracles in the past and would do the same in the future, but she did not believe that He could give her a miracle when she needed it right then. You see, Martha was someone who lived wishing that the past could be changed and believing that the future would be better. But she did not believe that the “I Am” was there to meet her present need.
Today, God stands at the point of your need. What miracle do you need from Him? Believe that He is still the same miracle-working God today. Believe that you will see the glory of God. Believe and you will see your miracle!
JOHN 11:40 - Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
God, who parted the Red Sea, rained manna from heaven, caused the walls of Jericho to fall, shut the lions’ mouths, healed the sick, raised the dead and calmed the sea, still performs miracles today.
However, some Christians doubt that God wants to work a miracle for them today. They believe that there were miracles when Jesus walked the earth, but they think that the day of miracles is over. And they talk about how everything will be perfect one day in the sweet by and by. But God wants us to know that He is still the God of miracles today.
Martha was like one of those Christians. She wondered if Jesus could perform a miracle when her brother Lazarus died. By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. So she thought that Jesus was four days too late. That is why she said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21) And even when Jesus said that Lazarus would rise again, she said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24)
Martha believed that Jesus could perform miracles in the past and would do the same in the future, but she did not believe that He could give her a miracle when she needed it right then. You see, Martha was someone who lived wishing that the past could be changed and believing that the future would be better. But she did not believe that the “I Am” was there to meet her present need.
Today, God stands at the point of your need. What miracle do you need from Him? Believe that He is still the same miracle-working God today. Believe that you will see the glory of God. Believe and you will see your miracle!
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