061115 Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Daily Message

Spanish Version Available

Psalm 63:5 My soul will feast and be satisfied, and I will sing glad songs of praise to you. (GNB)

Today I want to encourage you! Too many times, a "guilt trip" is laid on us and we make some commitments to change that quickly fail. Don't think of today's devotional as "if you don't pick up that heavy load, you're gonna be punished". Think of them as "there's a load of gold waiting for you. It's heavy and will be hard to pick up, but if you choose to do it, you will be rich beyond measure!". An encouragement leading to blessing, not a guilt trip!

I often challenge individuals, and groups concerning their private devotions (prayer and Bible study). It is rare that the immediate facial expressions don’t reveal the opinion that “devotions” and Bible study are boring, painful duties; to be endured because “God says you have to do it”.

How tragic. For the person who makes the choice to sacrifice time each day to spend with God, there is inexpressible joy waiting. Over time, as your intimacy with God grows, your biggest “frustration” will be your insatiable desire to INCREASE your time with Him! Now that’s a “frustration” we can all use more of!

Sometimes we think that consistent devotion and real time with God in private is only for the Pastor, or the “super Christians”. My Brethren, this should not be! Anticipation and excitement for time with God should be TYPICAL of Christians, not extraordinary!

I’m not a “super Christian”. I’m just a normal, average guy who CHOOSES to spend time with God. Notice I said "choose" not "feel". Hopefully we get to a point where we genuinely feel like it, but it always begins with a choice.

Feelings always follow choice.

Like a caboose being pulled by a train engine, feelings are always manifestations of our choices. Your CHOICE (train engine) may turn you in a new direction, and it might be a while before your feelings (the caboose) round the bend. But it WILL happen.

Through God’s power, you can choose to make your time alone with God your highest priority. You can CHOOSE now to do it, even if you honestly FEEL like you'd rather be doing other things. You can CHOOSE to make your private time with God more important than your work, entertainment, ministry and leisure time. These other things will NOT suffer because they are lower priority. All other areas in your life will be blessed by your choice to put God first.

Okay, let’s be honest. Many of you at this point are thinking “yeah, whatever”. You have come to think and believe that your time with God is just another task, duty or “command” that you have to get done every day so you can be a “good Christian”. Or maybe you've failed so many times, you just don't realistically think it is possible. You wish could get excited about it, but you just can't anymore. Maybe you even experience guilt for having this feeling but that's honestly the point you're at right now. God understands.

Beloved, let me challenge you to give God the chance to fill your life with blessing. Open wide your heart and time... see if the Lord will not fill it beyond measure. There will come a time when God will so incredibly bless your choice to get to know Him, that you will laugh at the silly thought your private devotions to God used to be a “duty” and a hardship!

Psalm 81:10 I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (NKJV; God was speaking directly to the Israelites here, but the promise to fill (bless) you and I is no less applicable; Luke 6.38)

"Open your mouth wide..." Opening your mouth (in other words, "making yourself available to God in expectation that He will use you") requires action, you have to be DOER, not just hearer. You will never know this blessing until you CHOOSE to act accordingly. Start with one hour. Get alone with God. Pray to Him. Spill your heart out to Him. Read His Precious Word and get to know Him. Then be amazed when very soon you will be longing for 2 hours with Him!

Father in Heaven, help us to know the joy of spending time with You. We pray for the strength to make the choice to arrange a time with you every single day. We ask that you will quickly allow our feelings to follow our choices. Amen.

Contemplation: Is prayer and Bible study hard for you? Is it boring? Is it a task you HAVE to perform in order to be "good" Christian? Do you wish you could have a FEELING of excitement about prayer and Bible study?

Application: God rewards commitment and discipline. It is a guarantee that the more time you spend in God's presence, the more you will begin to "feel" like doing it. Eventually, you will have excitement, expectation and anticipation about your time with God. It all begins with a choice.

1. What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
2. What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
3. What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?

http://www.seriousfaith.com/teaching_detail.asp?teachingnumber=246

A Servant Thought for Today - Love
060522 Monday, May 22, 2006 Daily Devotional

Spanish Version Available

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (NKJV; emphasis mine)
 As a servant of Christ we can explain and fulfill the entire law of God in one word: "love".

This isn't a wishy-washy, standardless love. Nor is it a Hollywood, sensual, feelings-only love.  It is not a love that everyone gets to determine on their own.  It is not love that says "live and let live", "you do your thing, and I'll do mine". It's not "tolerance" or a "don't judge anything I do" mentality. It's not political correctness or "all roads lead to God".

"Love your neighbor as yourself" is also not a call for "self love".  In fact, that command presupposes and assumes that we already love ourselves naturally, which is true despite the current humanistic teachings of self-esteem and self-love.  Humans have no trouble loving themselves and this is aptly demonstrated and proven by the fact that most of our waking thoughts and efforts are geared towards doing what we want, what we feel like and what will benefit us.

So what kind of "love" fulfills the entire law of God?  It can be summed up as "the first shall be last" - the humble servant mentality. It's love that puts others before Self.

It's an unselfish love that elevates other's needs and desires to the same importance, or higher, than our own.  It's the kind of love that obeys and adheres to God's commands and principles.  It's love that causes us to look past our own agenda, our own needs, our own plans and own our desires and begin to live daily life with SOME OTHER FOCUS THAN "ME".

That's a hard one to swallow because this is the point where everyone gets defensive and starts trying to prove in their own mind that they hardly ever think about themselves. It's certainly not for me or anyone other than YOU to examine your life, your heart and your motives to see if you live your life loving "self" or loving your "neighbor".  You must ask God to reveal the truth about that to you.

Who is your "neighbor"? It's anyone and everyone that God puts in your life that you have an opportunity to show love to.  As well as being your spouse, kids and family, it may be other Christians or friends. It will be the actual people in your neighborhood (who we commonly call "neighbor"). Or it may be a person you run across only one time, and will never see again.

To fulfill the whole law of God is to LOVE.  True Godly love is getting your mind off "self" and focused on to others.  The world says, "love self, esteem self, take care of self, put self first".  God says, "love others, esteem others, take care of others, put others first" and by doing this, you not only fulfill the whole law of God, but in truth, you are loving "self" because you are putting "self" right with God.

Find a neighbor and love them today, for God's glory.  If you are struggling and unhappy, find a neighbor to love and see how quickly you feel better. If you don't feel close to God today, find a neighbor to love and see how dramatically your intimacy with God will improve. If you are suffering or lonely, find a neighbor to love and enjoy the soothing, refreshing feeling that comes with fulfilling God's law.

By Brent Riggs 
www.seriousfaith.com
Psalms 119:33 Teach me Your laws, O Lord, and I will keep them to the end.

 

`The Lord is Full of Mercy and Compassion` James 5:11 

Psalm 139:1-3
1 O LORD, you have examined my heart
      and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
      You know my every thought when far away.
3 You chart the path ahead of me
      and tell me where to stop and rest.
      Every moment you know where I am.

Matthew 10:29-31  
29Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.
30And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.
31So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.

Genesis 1:27 So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself;
male and female he created them.

Acts 17:28 For in him we live and move and exist. As one of your own poets says, `We are his offspring.'

Jeremiah 1:4-5
4 The LORD gave me a message. He said, 5"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."

Psalm 139:15,16 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it.

Psalm 71:6 Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother's womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!

John 8:41-44 (I've been Misrepresented by people like this---) 41No, you are obeying your real father when you act that way." They replied, "We were not born out of wedlock! Our true Father is God himself." 42Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43Why can't you understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to do so! 44For you are the children of your father the Devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 John 4:16   "GOD IS LOVE"

1 John 3:1 See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don't know God, so they don't understand that we are his children.

Matthew 7:11 If you, being sinful know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights.[a] Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows.

Matthew 6:31-33 31"So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, 33and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

Ephesians 3:20 Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

Romans 8:31 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

John 1:12,13 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan--this rebirth comes from God.
 

 

 

 

Once upon a mountaintop, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars twinkling like diamonds above him.  "I want to hold treasure," he said.  "I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones.  I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!"
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean.  "I want to be a strong sailing ship," he said.  "I want to travel mighty waters and carry powerful kings.  I will be the strongest ship in the world!"
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town.  "I don't want to leave this mountaintop at all," she said.  "I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they will raise their eyes to heaven and think of God.  I will be the tallest tree in the world!"
Years passed.  The rains came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall.
One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.  The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful.  It is perfect for me."  With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell.  "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest," thought the first tree.  "I shall hold wonderful treasures."

 

The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong.  It is perfect for me."  With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell.  "Now I shall sail mighty waters," thought the second tree.  "I shall be a strong ship fit for kings!"

 

The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way.  She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven.  But the woodcutter never even looked up.  "Any kind of tree will do for me," he muttered.  With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.

 

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought him to a carpenter's shop.  But the busy carpenter was not thinking about treasure chests.  Instead, his work-worn hands fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals.  The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold or filled with treasure.  He was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took him to a shipyard, but no mighty ships were being made that day.  Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat.  Too small and too weak to sail an ocean or even a river, he was taken to a little lake.  Every day he brought in loads of dead, smelly fish.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard.  "What happened?" the once tall tree wondered.  "All I ever wanted to do was stay on the mountaintop and point to God."
Many days and nights passed.  The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.  But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box.  "I wish I could make a cradle for Him," her husband whispered.  The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood.
"This manger is beautiful," she said.  And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
 

Years passed.  One evening, a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat.  The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake.  Soon a thundering and crashing storm arose.  The little tree shuddered.  He knew he did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and rain.
The tired man awakened.  He stood up, stretched out his hand and said, "Peace!"  The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun.  And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

 

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile.  She flinched as she was carried through an angry, jeering crowd.  She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her.  She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.

 

But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better that being the tallest tree in the world.
So dont think that what you can do for God does not count, - you may just be surprised.

"Encourage One Another Daily"

Hebrews 3:13

I think everyone goes through times when it seems God is quiet and other's are just too preocuppied to listen or be there.   Sunday, my pastor said 'When you can't hear God, Read Him. ' Meaning...read the Word.  Well....God wants us to fully rely on Him, even when it seems He is silent.  Other's can't take His place.  'For we walk by faith, not by sight'. 

I know alot of people struggle with, where's the balance.  We are all part of one body mean't to lift each other up.  "Above all, love each other deaply" 1Peter 4:8a  I will let you down.  At times you will let me down. But you know what? When JCFaith was running really slow before the updates, i dissapeared from here. I couldn't get from one page to another.  I let the dearest friend i have online down.  I hate that so badly.  But she never gave up one me. For that i'm forever thankful!

I NEED YOU and YOU NEED ME!

Yeah..."Two are better than one, If one falls down his friend can help lift him up" Ecclesiastes 4:9,10. "But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

I make beaded necklaces in my spare time.  I especially like the 3 stranded necklaces and bracelets. They are not only pretty, but less likely to break.

"A cord of three strands is Not easily broken." Ecc. 4:12b "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves."  The only thing God said was not good during creation, was that Adam was alone.  We Need Each Other.

I need YOU!  But i need GOD more!  Balance??? "Cast All your cares on Him because He Cares for You!" 1 Peter 5:7 "Therefore Confess your sins to one another and Pray for One another, and the effectual prayer of a fervent man avails much." James 5:16 

God has always worked through People. We fullfill the great commission.  We weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. We have been given spiritual gifts, for the uplifting of the body of Christ.  This is Gods plan.  My fingers need your hands. Your hands need someones arms to reach out.  You and I may be the only Jesus in skin others will ever see.  We are called to the ministry of Reconcilliation.  Bringing others in right relationship with God.

The Balance....Encourage One another DAILY*** in Jesus!  Be sensitive to their needs. Help them to depend on God. Portray His likeness. 

I Need You...You Need Me!  You may show me something from God that i need! I May do the same for You.

Love

Cj

 

 

Ever wonder why some people only call on you when they need prayer?  Reckon its because they have seen it work in your life and Theirs when you pray for them?!

I think so. One of my goddaughters is like that. She will call me and ask me to pray when she has a need or is making a major life decission. We have prayed with her, her kids, and she has seen God's blessings and answers.  If only people could see their own need for God instead of when they want something from Him.

It was like that with Jesus. Many followed Him to get healing. Like the 10 lepers. Only 1 came back and thanked Him.

This is a lesson for 'Me' to check myself and make sure i don't follow in those same steps. Talking to God is worship, addoration, thanksgiving and so much more than asking.  All this to say, i'm So thankful to be able to talk to Him myself knowing He hears me! 

Love

Cj

 

Last night at church the preacher was talking about the body and each member using the gifts God has given them within the church. He told this story. A man was looking for a church and went to a pastor and said..."Pastor, I want to come to church, but I don't want to have any obligations, be asked to teach a class or anything. I JUST want to come to church. Is this the place for me? The pastor replied...I don't think so, but i'll give you the address where you will fit in perfectly! So he wrote down the address of a church for him to visit the following Sunday. The man goes to the address the pastor gave him, and the building had no doors, the glass was all broken out, and weeds had overtaken the building. He called the pastor before his church service started and told him he MUST have given him the wrong address. There was nothing here! The pastor told him, No...you're at the right address! We all have been given spiritual gifts to use within the body. Romans 12. The story is a good lesson to be learned. God Bless* Cj

DIRECTIONS HOME ,//// \\, ___________ *'o oo`* /__/ _/_ ____/ ```)"(''' | | | | | | | || |l+-+-+-+-| ,,.-*o' ,,.-*~*~*-.,, `o*-. :oo *~*~*-..,, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. DIRECTIONS TO OUR FATHER'S HOUSE. Make a Right onto Believeth Blvd. Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ. There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith, which is over troubled water. When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight. You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound. Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost. Then exit off onto Grace Blvd. From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane. Keep Straight and then make another Right on Prayer Road. As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave. Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END. Pass up Envy Drive, and Hate Avenue. Also, pass Hypocrisy Street, Gossiping Lane, and Backbiting Blvd. However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane, Persecution Blvd. And Trials and Tribulations Ave. But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straight ahead! AMEN!!!!! SEND THESE DIRECTIONS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY SO THEY WILL NOT GET LOST. Life is God's gift to you. The way you live it............is your gift to God. ***My stepmom sent this to me.*** Love, Cj

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