Our Prayer for today is that when we speak, that we "speak not in plausible words of wisdom, but in the words of the SPIRIT and Power, so that faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of GOD", (1 Corinthians 1:4). "More words, less meaning, it profits no one", Ecclesiastes 6:11. The Message reveals WHO IT IS FROM; GOD OR MAN.
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Does knowledge and understanding strengthen our Faith? When our legs begin to "burn" and give way under us, do we say, "why" OR LORD HELP ME? When our child is lying in a hospital facing life and death; is our Prayer WHY, OR LORD HELP THEM? Do Trials and Tribulations really STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH; OR GIVE US FAITH? "...you are saved through Faith. And this is not your own doing it is the gift of GOD (Ephesians 2:8). Is FAITH increased through our own understanding and worldly knowledge; OR is it GIVEN THROUGH "TRUST" AND "LOVE" when we cry out; LORD HELP ME?
Do we have someone who is so Special that we remember them on anniversaries, birthdays and certain Holidays. OR has GOD touched our lives so deeply through them that we "remember them in every prayer" and even if we are apart, "it gives us JOY to Pray for, and with, them (Philippians 1:1-7)? Even though our sins have been, and are, many; they understand that we seek and receive the GRACE OF GOD. We are ONE IN SPIRIT as we are "partakers" of this GRACE and we share in HIS righteousness. We become confident that JESUS CHRIST will complete HIS good work in us that HE BEGAN. Send this Prayer to those who touch you DON'T WAIT FOR BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES OR HOLIDAYS.
Does complaining about this and whining about that test our relationship with GOD? When things don't go our way do we make excuses, blame others, and complain? Do we even recognize our habitual complaining? It's too hot, not cold enough, sun is shinning now but it will probably rain, my new shoes are causing blisters. Complaining is a sin; it shows an attitude that we are ungrateful and yes, even bitter about life. When we complain we take our eyes off GOD. Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs...." If we prayed before we spoke; if we gave thanks before we spoke; if we smiled and complimented others on their strengths; then others would see GOD IN US. May our FATHER'S JOY, PEACE AND LIGHT RADIATE OUR LIVES SO THAT WE ARE A BREATH OF FRESH LIFE TO EVERYONE WE MEET.
Circumstances and events in our lives can cause us to focus on the circumstances OR they can strengthen our FAITH. We can surrender and quit OR we can "head FAITH strong" into the BIG MIDDLE of our troubles. What did the Apostle Paul and John do when they were imprisoned? Paul wrote in Philippians 1:12-18, "I want you to know...what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel...those who are guarding me has heard the Gospel and it has spread throughout the whole imperial guard...because of my imprisonment , others have become much more bold...to speak without fear...CHRIST is proclaimed, and in that I REJOICE." JOY comes when we allow the HOLY SPIRIT to break our vulnerability to circumstances in life. Negative or Positive circumstances do not determine if we are in or out of the WILL OF GOD. GOD WILL LEAD US THROUGH "CLOSED" DOORS AND "OPEN" DOORS.
Why do we appear "painfully gloom" when listening or talking about JESUS? Is it when we are confronted with GOD'S TRUTH we feel guilty instead of COMFORTED; shameful instead of JOYFUL? Do we think that if others see us JOYFUL and EXCEPTIONALLY SATISFIED WITH GREAT DELIGHT; that we are not taking GOD and JESUS on the CROSS SERIOUSLY? "The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...(Galatians5:22). When we think and meditate on JESUS is it SERIOUSLY PAINFUL what HE did and does for us? Or are we SERIOUSLY JOYFUL? "AND THE DISCIPLES WERE CONTINUALLY FILLED WITH JOY AND WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT" (Acts 13:52). ENJOY THE JOY...AMEN
The SPIRIT within me does not always control my tongue or thoughts. The HOLY SPIRIT in me does not direct my actions as the GODLY part of me is kept down by my pride, selfishness and ignorance. Romans 7:15, "...For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." Romans 7:19, "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." As sinful as I am, I give thanks that the HOLY SPIRIT shows me the evil in me. The evil I detest and hate in others is my own. That which I don't like in others is what I don't like about myself. Although I battle conscience over emotion, my words mean nothing without forgiveness and repentance. My actions will be more GODLY as I WANT HIM MORE THAN MYSELF. MORE OF HIM AND LESS OF ME.
At some point in our lives we have experienced excruciating pain and turmoil, until it was truly unbearable. At that time nothing gave any Peace or clearness of conscience, we had to have much more. We sought the purity of JOY of our LORD, where we enjoyed HIS COMFORT. HIS PRESENCE was our reward, nothing else could sustain the Soul as we QUIETLY SUBMITTED TO GOD. A place where WE ARE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD (Matthew 5:12). Just as we are no longer at Peace in this world, Heaven would not be happiness to the IMPURE. "We Rejoice and are exceedingly Glad", THIS IS OUR REWARD.
It seems like when we "know a little", we convince ourselves we "know everything" thereby REDUCING GOD to the merit of our "works". Do we really believe cosmology reveals Heaven in its entirety based upon visibility of of the sun, moon, and five planets in ancient times. Do we believe Dante's Divine Comedy provides revelation and explanation of GOD'S WORD? Do we believe that we live in different levels of Heaven based upon our "works" here on earth? Matthew 16:27, "...HE will reward each person according to what he has done." The only decision we have is, "to accept CHRIST" or to "reject CHRIST"; from that alone do we live in the Presence of GOD or away from the Presence of GOD, "...according to what he has done..." Perhaps a clear revelation about Heaven comes from Matthew 20:9, "...those who came to work in the eleventh hour were paid the same as those who worked all day..." Do we work for a better place in Heaven or do we do what we do because of the love we have for JESUS? Does someone who has know CHRIST all of their lives receive a better place in Heaven than the one who accepts CHRIST on their death bed? THE LITTLE WE KNOW, MAKES GOD EVEN GREATER.
We have witnessed, or have been guilty ourselves, someone who tries to prove a "point" (a point, usually worthless at best), or exhibit their "worldly knowledge" at the expense of someone else. Why do such actions anger us? Romans 1:22, that when people are professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. When we experience actions where someone is trying to elevate themselves through their own selfish "boasting" or "pretending"; or rude conduct, we become "angry" WHEN WE DO NOTHING! WE BECOME "EMPOWERED" when we defend the "defenseless" and "STAND FIRM" against those things which oppose GOD; and those things which GLORIFY GOD. We do not accept the vain imaginations (which naturally oppose GOD) and precepts of others because it separates us from GOD. Isaiah5:21, "Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes..." DON'T BE ANGRY; BE EMPOWERED!
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About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
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