Wednesday, January 31, 2018

January 31, 2018

Follow Justice

"Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."  Dt. 16:20

It has only been in the last year that Scriptures about God's justice have been opened afresh before my eyes.  A burden has been placed on the ministry for those persons being trafficked, especially women and girls who end up incarcerated as a result.  And so I read what the Lord says about justice. 

In this verse the Israelites are told to follow justice.  It was the justice system laid out under the law, a system of God's just principles nonetheless.  When I follow Jesus, I am following justice.  It is His justice system under the New Covenant, and it is not easy.  It is a justice system that describes forgiveness and blessing those who curse you.  Yet, Jesus cared deeply for the lost, the lonely, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger.  Luke's gospel presents these truths so well for us.  Jesus went right to widows, to Samaritans, to the infirmed and the afflicted.  He presented and demonstrated the good news and people were healed and restored.  Injustice was replaced by the justice of Jesus.
I do not need to follow justice so that I may live.  I live because of Jesus, and I follow justice out of love.

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

January 30, 2018

He is the Alpha and Omega

"I am the Alpha and Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."  Rev. 1:8

Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, thus reinforcing the Lord's statement of truth - He is the First and Last, Beginning and the End.  Jesus is, Jesus was, and Jesus will.  He is Almighty.
He knows our needs before we are even aware of them.  He sees the future and is creating things right now in readiness for what that future holds for us.  God has a plan, a Mighty Big Plan, and we are part of it as followers of Jesus.  That is exciting!  The Great I Am has invited us to be part of His wondrous plan that will be accomplished.  We are each called to play our part in that Plan.
Let us ask the Lord to show us what our part is and let us be thankful that He is the Alpha and Omega of our lives.

Monday, January 29, 2018

January 29, 2018

Depart from Evil


“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.”  Prov. 3:7-8 

Rom. 12:16 says, “Do not be wise in your own opinion.”  If we read through this proverb, we can draw a moral truth that guides us in the ways of health:  be humble in your estimation of yourself; revere the Lord; and, depart from evil. 

When we are obedient to these three areas of conduct and character, we receive health to our flesh and strength to our bones.  This can described as receiving medicine to our external body and marrow to our bones.  Strong bones begin with healthy marrow, and marrow is where the source of blood is found.    And so we are called to admit that we don't have all the answers and that our plans are completely inadequate compared to God's plans.  We are to hold the Lord in awe and reverence, for He is Loving and Kind and Holy and Mighty.  We are to depart from evil.  What are those triggers for us that try and lure us back into old evil behaviors?  Those are the very ways we are called to put off and put down.

The result is health - good health for us.  We might consider this part of God's Health Plan for our lives.  Strong bones and healthy bodies come from humility, awe of the Lord, and clinging to what is good.

Sunday, January 28, 2018

January 28, 2018

Put On Christ

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;”  Col. 3:12.

Putting on a favorite shirt or sweater just feels right.  It is comfortable, well-worn, and puts us at ease.  Like that favorite garment, Paul is instructing us to put on Christ by putting on His characteristics and attributes.  We are called to put tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering.

It would be an interesting 21 day exercise if we purposed to do just that - to daily dress ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit, as we first put on Christ the King.  Romans 13:14 declares that we clothes ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Next we put on those tender mercies, or compassion.  Our next piece of spiritual clothing is kindness.  We become intentional about wearing humility.  We place on meekness, or gentleness.  Finally, according to this verse, we put on longsuffering or patience.  After being properly dressed, we are ready for the day ahead - for only the Lord knows what the day will bring to us.
Lord, help me to get dressed according to Your word and be prepared for what today will bring.

Saturday, January 27, 2018

January 27, 2018

The Heavens Declare God's Glory


"The heavens praise Your wonders, O Lord, Your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.” Ps. 89:5

There is a testimony in heaven.  Open your heart to the declarations and proclamations happening in the heavens.  God is good!  God is great!  God is glorious!  This is a continuous testimony.  The Lord is excellent in all the earth and in all creation.

I remember the day when this verse became internalized for me; when I experienced the skies and heavens declaring God's glory.  We were in a nursing home and standing by my mom.  She had fought a good fight against illness and now she seemed ready to leave us.  I whispered to her to go be with Jesus and that we would be fine.  And so she did.
As she left this earth, my husband and I looked at each other and then out the window, because it thundered.  Heaven declared the glory of God in my mother's life.  The skies resounded with rejoicing at the work of His hands - my mom, His daughter!  It was staggeringly beautiful.
I try to look up to see heaven declaring the glory of God.

Friday, January 26, 2018

January 26, 2018

To Know Christ

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.”  Phil. 3:7

What are your credentials in the world?  What are your accomplishments, successes, and your background?  What has been your education?  Have you married and had children?  Have you done well in a job?  Are you involved in ministry?  Do you hold a place of service in your church?  Do you have good friends?  Now, beloved child of God, which of the above will you take to heaven?  Can you truthfully say, those things that were gain to me, I have counted loss for Christ?  This is difficult, because it addresses the issue of what we hold onto too tightly.  It is one thing to identify the qualifications we had “before Christ” – but what about the ones we have held onto or created after accepting Christ?   Paul’s goal was to know Christ.  His goal is to be ours.
When we write down our list of "gains" or achievements, may we be quick to lay them down and count them as loss; as rubbish, according to Paul.  Lord, show us what we are tightly clinging to in order that today we would surrender it into Your hands.  Let us gain You, Jesus, and be found in You.  This is our prayer today.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

January 25, 2018

From Everlasting to Everlasting

"...Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting."  Neh. 9:5


El Olam   is the Everlasting God who is eternal, from “everlasting to everlasting” according to Nehemiah and also referenced in Psalm 90:2.  He is God always, without end, who reveals what is concealed in His timing.  When Abraham made a covenant with Abimilech, according to Genesis 21:33: “Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.”  God’s perspective is an eternal perspective. 
The prophet Isaiah writes that God is our Everlasting Father.  We can take great comfort in knowing God won't go away, disappear, or vanish.  He is eternal, everlasting, and immanent.  There is nothing the Lord does not see, hear, or understand.  God makes known the end from the beginning.  He is our Loving Daddy with staying power!
If God is everlasting, then He surely sees us and knows our struggles.  He is present, real, active, and wants to be invited into our lives.  So let's join with the Israelites of Nehemiah's day and stand up, praise the Lord our God and call out to the One who is from Everlasting to Everlasting!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

January 24, 2018

Holy Boldness

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."  Acts 4:31


Oh to have the kind of holy boldness that saturated the apostles!  The entirety of Chapter 4 of Acts leads us through a series of events leading up to this verse.  The action begins in Acts 3, when a lame man is healed at the Gate Beautiful.  Peter calls the onlookers to task and he and John end up in jail.  They were eventually released and returned back to the "upper room company."  Together, they prayed.

And so it was that following their time of prayer, the place shook and they all were filled with the Holy Spirit.  Everyone there was filled with the Spirit.  Wow!  No one was skipped over or passed by.  Maybe the reason was due to the unity and agreement among the believers.  As a result of this filling of the Holy Spirit, they spoke the word of God boldly.
Lord, may we be the people who come together in unity and pray in unity.  May we find the room shaking with Your presence.  May experience a fresh filling of Your Spirit, enabling us to proclaim Your word of truth - the gospel of Jesus Christ, with divine courage.  We ask for Your holy boldness this day.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

January 23, 2018

Unity

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"  Ps. 133:1

We were in a chapel in Florida on a weeknight.  The place was nearly full and we were nearing the end of a program.  The evening had been powerful; the Holy Spirit was moving in strong ways.  As we called for prayer, the pews emptied and virtually everyone was standing together by the altar.  Standing in the middle was a gentleman, very quiet and subdued.  Everyone else seemed to be focused on him.
A few people shouted out, "let's pray for him, he is sick."  And so we all began to pray.  We prayed for his healing, together.  It seemed like the whole place was praying - people weeping, praying, moaning.  Yet it all being done decently and in order, as if the Lord was conducting a symphony orchestra of intercessors - all standing and praying together in agreement.
The prayer went on for some time.  The more we all prayed together, it felt like the faith multiplied.  At one point the man was standing there, tears streaming down his face.  He was the chaplain, the shepherd of the flock at a women's federal prison.  His flock loved him enough to pray for him.  The diagnosis wasn't good.  Yet a year later I returned and there he was - a healed man, to the glory of our great God.

It was good and pleasant to God to see his daughters together in unity, praying as one.

Monday, January 22, 2018

January 22, 2018

The Greater Gift

"But the gift is not like the trespass.  For if many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"  Rom. 5:15

Paul compares the one man Adam to the one man Jesus and finds there is no comparison.  It is like comparing a gift to a trespass.  Have you ever gone into a "no trespassing zone?"  That is in a sense what Adam did in the garden when he sinned against God and his one sin ushered in spiritual death.
Along came Jesus, sent by God as the greatest grace gift the world has known.  He entered a "no trespassing zone" too - called the cross, where He took all the sin of humanity upon Himself.  He did this so that all who believe would be given spiritual life.  The death sentence was removed by Jesus.  He was the only One who could enter that particular "no trespassing zone."  In doing so, He gave us the gift of eternal life.
Paul was right.  The gift is not like the trespass.  The gift far outweighs the trespass.  The gift is all-surpassing in its power and effect.  The gift is Jesus, the Light of the World and the Way and the Truth and The Life.  What is your response to Jesus today?

Sunday, January 21, 2018

January 21, 2018

The Lord is Mighty to Save

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."  Zeph. 3:17

This is a wonderful passage of truth.  God is with us.  He is mighty to save us, when we are in trouble or in despair.  He delights in us.  He quiets us with His great love and rejoices over us with singing.  It truly is remarkable and so very life giving.
We may even sense the voice of a loving Father speaking these words to us today:  "I am here and I am with you.  I know what you are going through right now and I want you to know that I am with you.  I am mighty to save -- to save you from a trap.  I delight in you, not because of anything you did. but simply because I created you, I love you, and I delight in you.  Let my love bring you quietness and peace today.  Let any troubled waters be calmed by My love.  I wrote a song, just for you.  Today I will sing it over you, from the rising to the setting of the sun.  Hear the words of hope and love I sing over you today.  Rest in My presence awhile this day and receive my gifts for you."

Blessed be our God and Father, who delights and rejoices in us!

Saturday, January 20, 2018

January 20, 2018

Don't Worry

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Phil. 4:6-7

It was the winter of 1995.  I had been looking for a church to attend, and after several attempts, finally went to the church closest to my home.  As I entered the church, a person handed me a bulletin.  On the cover it read, "Don't Worry About Anything.  Instead, Pray About Everything."  It must have made quite an impression, since I recall it so vividly.
This verse is one of those that changed my life, because I began to put it into practice.  When I would find myself worrying, I would stop myself and pray.  I would pray and thank.  I would give it over to the Lord.  When I found myself trying to take it back, I would start over again and give it to Him.  Something profound happened during these prayers - peace came into my life as I realized God was responsible for these answers, not me.  It took the pressure off!

I am so thankful this was one of my earliest spiritual lessons - learning to pray.  The peace Paul describes in Philippians does defy description; it is very difficult to explain.  This peace of God has an active role in protecting my heart and mind. 
If you have a worry today, give it God.  Talk to Him about it and thank Him for handling it.  Sense His peace flowing over you.

Friday, January 19, 2018

January 19, 2018

God's Presence and Rest

"The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."  Ex. 33:14

Have you ever done things without the presence of God?  Did you find very little rest in it?  God's presence provides peace, comfort, and allows us to take a breath when times are challenging.  When we become intentional about inviting God into our day, He gives us rest.  One of the great facets of God's rest is that we can have it even when we are very busy.
Some days my life is very full and other days less so.  I discover much greater rest when I invite Jesus into my day.  A couple of my favorite examples of this practice is when the laundry is being folded and when beds are being made.  These are not exactly the most exciting activities on the planet.  Yet, when God's presence (literally, His "face") is with me as I fold the laundry, there is peace and rest and joy in the task.  I find myself praying for the person whose clothes I am folding, or bed I am making.  I've had a God-moment and it cannot be taken away from me.

Try inviting God's presence into your day today.  See what happens.  Write it down or let a friend know.  The Lord may give you rest.


Thursday, January 18, 2018

January 18, 2018

Fight the Good Fight of the Faith

"Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."  1 Tim. 6:12

The Apostle Paul stresses to Timothy that he fight the good fight of the faith.  Paul writes something similar in 1 Corinthians 9:25-26, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air."  Paul is letting his readers know that battles are part of the life of faith.  This should not surprise us.

When the world is trying to drag us down, it can be a battle to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus.  When the sudden losses of life come upon us, it can be a struggle to find God in it.  The saturation of images we come across in the media can produce challenges to remain focused on the benefits of the Lord. 

Paul continues in this passage, "take hold of the eternal life to which you were called..."  This is similar to taking possession of eternal life.  We are to do just that - to grab hold of eternity, to lay claim to it as we say yes to Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  We are stake our claim to this great and glorious title deed: life forevermore. 

Friends, what Jesus gives to us, we should take hold of for our lives.  What is He giving you today?

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

January 17, 2018

My Soul Waits

"My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning."  Ps. 130:6

There we were, my husband, my brother, and I.  We were sitting in the waiting room and had been there quite a while.  It was a hospital that I hadn't been to in a long time, yet it brought back some memories.  Somewhere in another room was my dad, who had been brought to this hospital.  It was a Sunday afternoon, and we were waiting.

That waiting room became God's waiting room and I was in it.  I was waiting - waiting for the doctors, a nurse, anyone from the hospital who could give us some news about my dad.  I was waiting for the Lord.  It had been two years earlier that we had lost my mom after a seven month illness.  I had waited for the Lord a lot during that time.  Now, two years later, this scene was familiar.  My soul was waiting for the Lord.
My mind waited for Jesus.  My heart waited for Jesus.  My energy was directed to a singular prayer, "Jesus, help."  The doctor eventually came to see us and give us the news - it wasn't news we wanted to hear.  We were brought to my dad, where we could wait together.  There as a family, we waited for the Lord.
My soul still waits for the Lord - for the day when my dad and I will be reunited in eternity.  It will be a sweet reunion.  Only Jesus can bring it about.  Watchmen wait for the morning - they wait with diligence and perseverance.  More than the watchers of the night, my soul waits for the Lord.

January 16, 2018

Go to the Street Corners

"Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find."  Mt. 22:9

In the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, Jesus is describing the kingdom of heaven to a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.  When the people who had made the "guest list: refused to come after several invitations, the king instructed his servant to go out to the street corners and invite any person they came across.

It is a humble reminder for me - do I show partiality with whom I share the gospel?  Or am I impartial, sharing the good news of Jesus the King with "anyone I find?"  Am I willing to roll up my sleeves and go into the streets, the shelters, the projects?  After a Sunday church service of worship and soul care, am I prepared and ready to be moved out of my comfort zone to the combat zones that the Lord may want to place me?  Yes, a humbling question indeed.

May we be ambassadors of Christ bringing the gospel message to the places God has prepared for us, as instruments of peace, armed with hope and filled with joy.  May we be faithful to His call when His gentle whisper summons us to a street corner that only the enemy has visited, so we may reclaim lost ground for the Kingdom.

Monday, January 15, 2018

January 15, 2018

Trained for War

"Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle."  Ps. 144:1

Beloved, we are in a battle!  There is a war that rages with constant conflict between good and evil, light and darkness.  Here is the good news:  THE BATTLE HAS BEEN FOUGHT AND THE BATTLE HAS BEEN WON!  Our job is to appropriate and enforce the victory.  Jesus has fought the battle and triumphed!  The defeated forces of darkness would have us believe we have not won.  This is a lie.  The truth is that a man, who shed His blood for us, secured victory on a hill.  The truth is the death of Jesus Christ at Calvary secured our victory.  There, the battle was fought.  There, at Golgotha, it was won.  There, Jesus said, “It is finished.”  The burial of His body allowed Him to descend into the depths to take the keys of Hades and of Death.  His resurrection was the demonstration of His authority, power, and life.  His ascension to sit at the right hand of His Father and mediate on our behalf in intercession is the evidence of His eternal life, and representation of us to God.
King David wrote a song of praise in Psalm 144, as he thanked the Lord for training his hands for war and his fingers for battle.  In the days of David, the war was fought in the natural.  For believers today, the war is fought in the spiritual.   For our purposes, we want to glean spiritual truths from the natural realities in the times of David, Nehemiah, and Jehoshaphat.  The battle continues – the Lamb has achieved our victory.  Let us go forth in triumph!

Sunday, January 14, 2018

January 14, 2018

The Power of Silence

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.”   Isa. 53:7 



This passage prophetically provides the choices, thoughts, and behaviors of the Suffering Servant Jesus, and this is fulfilled in Matthew 26:63 and 27:12-14. 

·         Mt. 26:63 – Jesus kept silent after the accusations of two false witnesses;
·         Lk. 23:9 – Jesus kept silent when Herod asked him many questions; and,
  • Mt. 27:12-14 – Jesus did not respond to the accusations of the chief priests, elders, and of Pilate.  
Jesus remained silent in the face of accusations, false charges, and false witnesses.    In Mt. 26:59-63, we read that the chief priests, elders and council tried to find false testimony by false witnesses, in order to put Jesus to death.  Two false witnesses came forward and in response to the high priest’s questioning, Jesus kept silent.    In Mt. 27:12-14, when the Pilate was questioning Jesus in response to the false accusations, Jesus said nothing.  In M.t 27:15-16, when the crowd yelled out for Barabbas to live, and Jesus to die, Jesus said nothing.  He chose to keep quiet and not respond, even when the beatings, whippings, and scourging took place. 
In Lk. 23:9, Jesus refused to ask the many questions of Herod, who was hoping to see a miracle.  And, as He hung on a cross, Jesus asked His Father to forgive those who had persecuted Him.  He did this intentionally to fulfill every prophecy and to take upon Himself all sin, that those who believe in Him could be set free and live.  
Can we relate on some small level to what Jesus suffered?  There are times when accusations are plaguing us and the taunting and mocking of others is an issue in our lives.  There can also be times when we are hated, despised, forsaken, or beaten.  At those moments it can be disarming to the enemy to simply say nothing.  When we let Jesus be our defense, we are in the best position!  There is power in silence.   There is power in overcoming evil with good.  There is power in meekness.  Beloved, may you discover the power of Jesus as your defender and advocate!

Saturday, January 13, 2018

January 13, 2018

Jesus is Our Hope

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Rom. 8:38-39 

So often we find ourselves in situations where we are in need of hope.  The Bible gives us great hope through Scriptures that encourage us to face battles, dilemmas, and obstacles.  These verses are given to us so we can better understand our Savior, and draw closer to Him.    

This is exemplified in Hebrews 6:19:  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”  Verse 20 continues, “It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
It is powerful to know we have hope as an anchor!  Anchors are secure, rock-solid, and immoveable.  When a boat lowers its anchor, the boat is secured.  The hope mentioned in Hebrews serves as an anchor for our soul.  It is described as a firm and secure anchor.  Think upon such hope as being firm and secure in our lives.  It acts in such a way that in the midst of hopelessness, an anchor is tossed to us.  We can grab hold of it and hold onto it.  It is an eternal hope, made possible by covenant.  Jesus Christ is our hope. 
Many people suffer from shame and guilt in their lives, and need an anchor whose name is Jesus.  When we place our hope in Him, freedom comes!  Nothing can separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus.  He is our anchor and our hope!

Friday, January 12, 2018

January 12, 2018

You Shall Bloom in the Desert


“The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing.  The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon.  They shall see the glory of the LORD, the excellency of our God.  Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear!  Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.’  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.  Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing.  For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.”
Isa. 35:1-6


This miraculous passage of Scripture provides an amazing promise from God:  the desert will rejoice and blossom as the rose; blossoming abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.  The desert place will receive the same recognition and treatment as the beautiful places of Lebanon, Carmel, and Sharon.  Whatever is in the desert shall see the glory and excellency of God.  God is coming – to the weak, the feeble, and the fearful.  He will save them!  The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, and the dumb will sing.  Waters will burst forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
Do you feel like you are in the desert?  If so, the Lord has something to say to you.  Out of the desert will come great and beautiful things!  Miracles will occur in a wasteland.  The Lord is coming to meet you in the desert - He is on His way!  He will come and save you.  Be strong, do not fear.  Your eyes will be opened, your ears shall be opened.  Behold, your Savior lives and He is coming to you.  Water are bursting forth now in the desert.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

January 11, 2018

All things are Possible

"Everything is possible for him who believes."  Mk. 9:23

That which God speaks forth in His word is what He does!  He fulfills His promises and establishes His plan.  Beloved, we can take great comfort in this reality.  The Book of Hebrew 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Our Lord is unchangeable, immutable, and all-powerful.  He describes Himself in Rev. 22:13 as, “…the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, the Beginning and the End.”  Again in Hebrews 12:2 we read: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
These verses provide a powerful picture of who Jesus Christ is and what He is doing in our lives.  Envision for a moment our Savior upon the cross, with His pierced hands outstretched.  On one side we see Him as Alpha, First, Beginning – our Author.  The blood flows from the outstretched hand.  On the other side we see Him as Omega, Last, and End – our Perfecter.  The blood flows from that outstretched hand.  He was there for our Beginning and precious child, He is there at our end.  It is cause for great thankfulness, and yet, there is this:  between the Beginning and the End is now.  At this very moment in our lives, there is Jesus.  He hung upon that cross with a crown of thorns piercing His head, his feet pierced, and a spear thrust into His side.  Blood flowed.  His blood covers our present circumstance.  It is difficult to comprehend, but there was Jesus, over 2000 years ago, right in the middle of our lives.  It is as if eternity was etched in those hours: His hands covering our beginning and our end; His heart and mind considering our present moment and concluding that “greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends.”    

The blood of Jesus Christ covers this moment in time.  He is perfecting us and preparing us for what He knows is ahead of us.  Beloved, all things are possible.  Do you believe?

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

January 10, 2018

To Know Christ

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."  Phil. 3:10-11


Paul writes in Philippians about his goal and desire to know Christ in an explicit way: to know the power of Christ’s resurrection and to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, by being conformed to Christ’s death; so as to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Beloved, what we empty ourselves of at the cross allows for spiritual room inside us to receive resurrection power.  The more we lose our lives, the more our lives will be preserved, according to the gospels.  God will preserve our lives through Christ Jesus, who resides within us and operates within us by the Holy Spirit.  We often express it as, “less of me, more of you, God.”  As Eph. 1:19-20 states, “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…”   This is a matter of the cross – what happened at the cross and the power of what occurred at the cross.  The issue of the cross is discussed in 1 Cor. 1:18-25, so let’s take a look at that passage.

The cross was where lies were replaced by truth; death was replaced by life, hatred replaced by forgiveness. At the cross violence was replaced by peace, retaliation replaced by reconciliation, condemnation replaced by God’s righteousness. The cross was the place and shall always be the place of the greater gain. Jesus would not retaliate. He spoke a few words, and after his death, the earth shook, the veil was rent, and the graves opened.  Though it didn't look it, life had triumphed over death.
My heart’s desire is to know Christ, to gain Christ, and to be found in Him.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

January 9, 2018

Prevailing in Prayer

"So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son.  She named him Samuel, saying, 'because I asked the Lord for him."  1 Sam. 1:20

Hannah’s longing and desire was to be a mom.  1 Samuel chapter one describes with some detail the pain, humiliation, rejection, and accusation Hannah experienced as she prayed for a child.  The pain came from a closed womb, the humiliation from those in the community who cast judgment on her for being barren (considered a result of sin at that time), rejection from her husband who had a second wife with whom he had children, and accusation from the priest, who mistook her sorrow for drunkenness.   Yet Hannah did not quit.  She continued to be persistent in her prayer.


Hannah prevailed.  In fact, she travailed until she prevailed.  She did not surrender but continued to pray for a son.  We read in chapter 1, verse 20, “so it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son…”   Some answers to our prayers come to pass in the process of time – dates are usually not given and we are left to lean not on our own understanding and to simply trust the Lord.  We can learn something from Hannah, whose name means “grace.”  Despite her anguish, she was persistent in her prayer and the Bible states “the LORD remembered her” (verse 19).   Whenever the Lord “remembered” someone in the Bible, it was always in a positive sense.  When the Lord remembers, He is preparing a blessing.  The Lord remembers you – hears your prayers, knows how long you’ve been praying for your children.  He knows ever obstacle you’ve faced.  He has faced them too.  Be encouraged this day to pray and keep on praying.

Monday, January 8, 2018

January 8, 2018

The Joy of Jesus

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”  John 15:11


Jesus addressed the subject of joy in the Gospel of John.  Let’s turn to John 15 - 17 and read through some key verses:

·         John 15:11 – “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

·         John 16:20-24 – “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.  A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.  Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.  And in that day you will ask Me nothing.  Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  Until now you have asked nothing in My name,  Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

·         John 17:13 – “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in them.”

There is a beautiful progression that occurs in these chapters of John’s Gospel.  John 15 begins with Jesus instructing the disciples about the significance of abiding (or remaining) in relationship with the true Vine (that is Jesus).  From that abiding relationship will be fruit, pruning, and then even more fruit.  Jesus then tells the disciples to abide in His love, which is done by keeping His commandments.  Then in verse 11 we discover one of the results of abiding in Him and in His love is that Jesus will give us His joy and it will remain!  It is added to our joy, and our joy then becomes full.  This is a combination package of joy: the joy of Jesus and our joy.  In Gal. 5:22 we read that one of the fruit of the Spirit is joy.  This fruit is established in our spirit by the Holy Spirit.

John 16:20-24 describes the process of sorrow turning to joy.  Jesus has told the disciples about the coming Helper (John 15:26), the Holy Spirit, and now He is letting them know that His time is drawing near to leave them.  When He is crucified, the disciples will experience sorrow, even while the world rejoices.  However, the world will not have the final say!  Jesus tells His friends that He will see them again and “your joy no one will take from you.”  Beloved this is the “inexpressible joy” Peter writes about in 1Peter 1:8 – the joy of being united with Jesus.  Though sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes in the morning,” according to Ps. 30:5.  This is powerful!  Have you lost a loved one?  Have you suffered from deep sorrow and mourning over what you do not have?  Friend, Jesus has the last word on your situation and He has given you His joy to use as a weapon in the battle you are facing.  He is writing even now that joy is coming!  Hallelujah!

Finally, Jesus prays for the disciples in John 17 and in verse 13 our Lord states He is coming to His Father and what He has spoken in the world was done so that the disciples would have Jesus’ joy fulfilled in them.  Fulfilled means filled up, completed, not lacking any!  May the joy of Jesus be fulfilled in your life!

Sunday, January 7, 2018

January 7, 2018

Possess the Land

"So Joshua said to the Israelites, 'How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?"  Josh. 18:3

The Israelites stood in the promised land.  They had crossed the Jordan, entered Canaan, and fought some battles.  Yet we find Joshua reprimanding the people for failure to take possession of the land they had been given.  Some of the tribes of Israel had already taken possession of the land; other tribes however, had not.  What can we learn from this?
Jesus has given us a spiritual promised land.  He had provided for us peace, joy, hope, self control, kindness, gentleness, and goodness, to name just a few.  We are required to take possession of these.  Much like the Israelites who were standing in the land but did not yet possess it, many followers of Jesus are standing in the midst of every spiritual blessing, but have not yet laid claim to them and taken possession of them.  Today - peace can be ours, if we take possession of it.  Hope and joy can be ours, because Jesus has already made it available to His followers.  We simply have to engage in the act of claiming that which is ours!
If Jesus is asking us how long we will wait before we begin possessing what we has given us, may our answer be that we wait no more, but begin to take hold of the provisions this very day. 

Saturday, January 6, 2018

January 6, 2018

The Appeal

"I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.  Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.  I am sending him-who is my very heart-back to you."  Philemon 10-12

Unlike Paul, I have not been imprisoned.  Through prison ministry I have seen many "in chains" around the country whose lives are being transformed by the love of a Shepherd-King, Jesus.  Over the past seven years, my travels have taken me to many of the same prisons, where I see women repeatedly.  Over the course of time, I have seen positive change become part of them.  Sometimes it is big change; other times it may be a little thing.  Many of the women I see have grown to be spiritual daughters in my life, maybe in some small way like Onesimus had become a son to Paul.
It is interesting the meaning of the name Onesimus - it means "useful."  This man had been a slave to Philemon and had stolen from him and then run away.  This rendered Onesimus useless to Philemon.  While locked up Onesimus met Paul and became like a son to Paul.  He entered prison "useless."  he left it living up to the meaning of his name - "useful."
Paul appeals to his friend Philemon to receive Onesimus, not as a slave, but now as a brother. Keep in mind the slave master has seen none of this alleged change.  He is called to believe Paul's report by faith.  The basis of Paul's appeal to Philemon is simple: it is Jesus.  A useless man came to prison, met Paul, received Christ as Lord and Savior, and his life was transformed.  Jesus is the Great Transformer.  Paul pushes the limits by asking Philemon to receive the slave as a brother.  The appeal for this is simple: it is Jesus.  Onesimus had his life radically altered by Jesus, who indeed uses all things for good and transformed a life.  It is also Jesus who is our Great Reconciler and the one who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.  Paul taps into that ministry when he asks Philemon to receive the man who is now useful. 
A bit like Paul, I find myself sending women - who are my very heart - back to communities and families with the prayer that they will be received as a sister. 

Friday, January 5, 2018

January 5, 2018

The King of Glory

"Who is this King of glory?  The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle."  Ps. 24:8


Here we find David celebrating the Lord's entrance into Zion.  David answers the rhetorical question he asked -- the King of glory is the Lord; the Lord strong and mighty in battle.  Our Lord Jesus is strong, He is mighty, and He battles for us. 
It takes the pressure off to realize we don't have to be strong and mighty.  In fact, it is fine to acknowledge our weakness.  Where we are weak, the Lord is strong.  When we are weak, Jesus is strong.  If we think we have it covered, the Lord is gracious and gives us the space we need to figure out we don't have it covered at all.
We call upon the King of glory to be strong and mighty in the battles of our lives.  He fights for us, as He fought for Israel.  They key is knowing He is the One with the plan, the strategy, and the victory.  Let us come into agreement and alignment with Him - our Victorious Warrior and Mighty King of Glory!

Thursday, January 4, 2018

January 4, 2018

Fullness in Christ

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over power and authority."  Col. 2:9

Think on this truth:  you have fullness in Christ.  Full.  Complete.  In Greek it is pleroma and can refer to a ship with full cargo and crew as well as a town with occupied homes.  You have this kind of fullness and completion in Christ.  Our own kind of fullness will always come up short.  The fullness of Christ is not lacking.
God sent His one Son to dwell on earth and Jesus came with fullness.  He dwelt, or tabernacled, among men, women and children.  In some ways you can think of this as Jesus pitching a tent in your heart.     He came with fullness and He has given His followers that fullness. 
Let this truth radically change the way you think, speak, and act.  You have fullness in Christ.  You think out of His fullness.  You speak out of His fullness.  You act out of His fullness.  If your struggle has been operating out of lack, may the word of God transform you today.  For the truth is, you operate out of Christ's fullness.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

January 3, 2018

Repairer and Restorer

"Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."  Is. 58:12

This is a powerful portrayal of Jesus and His followers.  King Jesus is our Repairer of Broken Walls and Restorer of Streets with Dwellings!  We can see this literally on the images that flash before our eyes of hurricanes and other natural disasters, where walls of homes are destroyed and the streets are flooded or torn up.  King Jesus comes to our rescue then - and He invites His followers to join Him in the rebuilding process.
We sense it as well in people around us.  Life has dealt a cruel blow and walls that were meant for safe-keeping and protection have crumbled.  There is no sense of community or family.  There is no safe place to live.  King Jesus is the answer, as He gently, humbly, and lovingly restores and repairs.  The process can take time to complete.  Our King has the time.
We have walls around our heart - three layers of walls, in fact.  Each one has a specific purpose.  Hurts from long ago can damage and break those walls, exposing our heart.  The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.  King Jesus came that we might be repaired and restored from every heartache, every broken piece of our lives, and restored to become the person God designed us to be.  Come King Jesus!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

January 2, 2018

What Have We Borrowed?

"The borrower is servant to the lender."  Pvbs. 22:7

When we read this proverb the tendency is to think first about finances.  While that is an appropriate consideration, today let's be encouraged to think about what we have borrowed other than money.  In prison ministry, we talk often about:
Borrowed time;
Borrowed trust; and,
Borrowed identity.
Are there things we have foolishly borrowed?  Have we borrowed time, only to throw it away and wonder "where the time went?"  Have we borrowed trust by believing the wrong group of people in times of making decisions?  Have we borrowed our identities to the point where we have no idea who we really are anymore?
The things that we have borrowed that are not from God are the things we need to return.  It may be the enemy who has loaned us time, trust and a false ID.  Let's turn those in for the truth!
Saul tried to lend David his armor in preparation to fight Goliath.  David put it on and the armor did not fit him.  David didn't need Saul's armor, he needed his own.  David realized he wasn't comfortable in Saul's armor and he would not be successful in battling against Goliath by what he borrowed.  David found his own armor - and it was very different than Saul's.  He picked up five smooth stones and used them with a slingshot to defeat Goliath.
May we return what we have borrowed and no longer serve the lender.

Monday, January 1, 2018

January 1, 2018

We Are God's Workmanship

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us in advance to do."  Eph. 2:10

You are special to God.  You are significant, important, valuable, and dearly loved.  You are God's workmanship - His very special "work of art."  You are unique, made by God and created in Christ Jesus.
Listen for the voice of your Father today as He whispers to you - "You are mine.  I thought about you before I fashioned you in your mother's womb.  I made you as an reflection of Myself and as an expression of My love to a broken and hurting world.  You were intentionally made; I thought about every detail that would go into your personality, skills, gifts, and talents.  I created you in My Son, and in doing so, you have been given good works to do for My Kingdom to be advanced.  Stay close to Me, listen for My voice, and follow Me.  I will show you the works that you have been given to do; created to do.  You have been prepared for this.  Everything you have been through has been part of that preparation.  I delight in You."
Beloved, you wear the best designer label I know.  It is a spiritual label.  The label does not indicate you are made in the USA or some fancy designer label from Europe.  Your label states: "Made By God."