The Love of God

The Love of God

1 John 4:7-21

Most Christians agree that God loves them. We hear catch phrases about this in the church today, and believers often recite Bible verses on this topic. Yet do we really grasp what it means to be cared for in this way by the Creator of the universe?

Let’s explore three aspects of God’s love. First, it is uninfluenced by anything within or around us. We know that even while we were still living in sin, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8); there is simply no greater sacrifice. Nothing we do can hinder God’s love for us—and coming to that realization should lift a burden off your shoulders.

Second, divine love is eternal. Believers will never be separated from it. In fact, Ephesians 1:4 tells us that the Father chose us before the foundation of the world. We know, therefore, that His care for us has always been a fact—and always will be.

Third, we know that God’s love is part of His character (1 John 4:8) and directed toward all people (Matt. 5:45). Yet believers experience it differently from those who do not follow Jesus. Consider what would happen if a patio umbrella shielded part of a garden. When it rains, some flowers might be surrounded by water without actually getting wet. Similarly, a person who doesn’t have a relationship with God isn’t impacted by His love, though it exists and is available.

We can trust the One who loves us intensely and completely. Jesus proved this by dying in our place to spare us the consequences of our sin. He promises to stay with us always and redirects us when we stray. Though we do not always feel His love, it surrounds and protects us forever.

Spiritual leaders in the church must meet spiritual qualifications.

1 Timothy 3

Spiritual leaders in the church must meet spiritual qualifications.

INSIGHT

The church is inherently a spiritual entity and must have spiritual leadership. While it is valid to have leaders who have knowledge and experience in many of the practical matters facing a church, practical leadership must be undergirded with spiritual maturity. A person who desires to be a bishop (elder) or a deacon should be a Christian with a strong track record of integrity and wisdom (see vv. 2-4, 7). These qualifications should be weighed carefully by all who aspire to lead in the church.

PRAYER

We praise Christ, the Head of the church:
I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man . . . to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen
(Ephesians 3:14-16, 19-21)

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully (Psalm 24:3-4).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes . . .
I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13:3, 5-6).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Peace and contentment
• Physical safety
• Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
(Colossians 2:6-7)

Answer the Call

Answer the Call

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

     God calls us to a particular work at an appointed time. He has a special assignment for each and every person. To accomplish His assignment He has placed a gift in us that is to be used to bless others. This gift is to be used for His honor and glory. He gives gifts to different people to complete different tasks. 

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the working of the ministry, for the edifying (building) of the body of Christ. " He does not call everyone to be a pastor or an apostle. He calls some to usher, to attend the parking lot, to sing, etc.

     No matter the position we have in church, we are all called to serve. Galatians 5:13 says, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”We are all under God’s authority. Jesus is the Shepherd, Governor and Lord and all of our service should be done out of love for Him. Even as we are being faithful to God's earthly ministers and others; we are actually serving the Lord Jesus Christ by obeying His word.

     A servant is one who is under subjection, authority and submission and there are ten ingredients to being an effective servant:
1.  A willingness to serve – it starts in the heart.
2. Accountability - being responsible for your assigned tasks.
3. Diligence - not quitting until the job is done at all cost.
4. Consistency - compatibility and agreement with the set standard.
5. Submission - obedience.
6. Commitment - a willingness to change your plans to meet the vow.
7. Boundaries - operating where God has placed you.
8. Prayer - receiving from God as you give to God.
9. Standard - completing the task in excellence without compromise.
10. God's Word - yield yourself to God's divine purpose.

     My friend, God has anointed you with the ability to accomplish the work of service He has called you to do. The Bible says in Romans 8:30,“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”  God has called you to His church for a special task and purpose. That task and purpose is to fulfill His vision for your life. God has called you for such a time as this. Now answer the call!

Enduring Satanic Attacks

Enduring Satanic Attacks

Ephesians 6:10-14

Every believer faces temptation. Take a moment to recall a particularly enticing situation involving something that would displease God. Did you realize you were involved in a satanic battle?

The Devil is real. Scripture reveals that he leads an army of fallen angels and is prideful enough to think he can gain victory over God. By definition, a satanic attack is a deliberate assault upon an individual, which is designed to cause spiritual, physical, material, or emotional harm. Satan desires to thwart the Lord's purpose in believers' lives, to rob them of joy and peace, and ultimately to deny God the worship He receives through yielded followers.

As in any war, knowing the enemy's plan helps us prepare for the attack. First, be aware that the battlefield takes place in our minds. To walk in a godly manner with Christ, we must first be sure that our thoughts are in submission to His Spirit. This takes daily surrender and time in God's Word. Second, Satan tempts us during vulnerable moments. Be cautious when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (This is often known as the H.A.L.T.  warning). Third, he is deceptive; we won't recognize the trap as an evil scheme. Instead, it will seem good, and we'll likely wrestle with some sort of doubt.

As Christians, we should walk closely with Jesus. Satan desires to lure us into destructive actions that rob us of God's plan for a good, full life. Stay connected to the Savior: read the Word, pray, and fellowship with other believers. These are weapons we use against the Devil in spiritual war.

The effective teaching of the truth in the Scriptures will benefit both the teacher and the hearers.

1 Timothy 4

The effective teaching of the truth in the Scriptures will benefit both the teacher and the hearers.

INSIGHT

Anyone who has tasted the maturity given from the Lord to those who serve Him over time will testify that it did not come quickly or easily. Paul writes that we should exercise ourselves to godliness; that "bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things" (v. 8). Like an athlete, a Christian should rejoice with a rigorous course of training - knowing that the more demanding the training, the greater will be the spiritual prowess at the end. The present discomfort is fitting him or her for more victorious effort later. Present painÑlater gain. This message is difficult to communicate and even more difficult to learn. But to this end we must labor (v. 10).

PRAYER

Because the Lord uses trials to make us spiritually strong, we can praise Him even when we are in the midst of trials:
I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. . . .
The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted (Psalm 18:1-3, 46).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
"I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you" (Isaiah 44:22).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
(John 11:25)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for the lost
• Missionaries in Africa
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

The Way of the World.

A good friend Alex Magaisa said these words. "Each morning, somewhere in Africa, the Lion wakes up when the sun rises and knows it must run faster that the slowest Gazelle otherwise it will starve and die.

Each morning, somewhere in Africa, the Gazelle wakes up when the sun rises and knows it must run faster than the fastest Lion otherwise it will be captured and killed. 

It doesn't matter whether you are the Lion or the Gazelle, when the sun rises, you must run. (unknown)

That's the way of the world, Cdes - and Good Morning to you all but don't forget to run.

Either you have to catch like the Lion or avoid being caught by the Lion". I also add the following that those that have trusted in the Lord shall neither have to run, to catch nor not to be caught for the Lord will hide and feed you in plain site. He said he who dwells in the secret place of the Almighty, shall abide under his shadow and seek refuge under His pinions and wings. In conclusion be strong into the Lord in his bountifulness mighty provides, through your union with him.

Togetherness in the Body

Togetherness in the Body

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Paul wrote today’s passage in a letter to the divided body of Corinthian believers. The church was allowing a disagreement to hinder their fellowship. Paul knew the steep danger of dissension among believers.

Scripture is clear about the church’s mission. Some of its highest goals include sharing the gospel with all nations, caring for those in need, and worshiping together, along with loving, encouraging, and admonishing one another in God’s truth. None of these is fully possible if a church is divided, whether physically or mentally.

God wants His people to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3 niv). So if all Christians base their beliefs on the Bible, they should be able to settle every argument according to its truth, right? Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Our human nature, preferences, and different interpretations of Scripture can cause disagreements. Consider, for example, how many churches have experienced strife over music styles.

Tragically, when differences are divisive, our mission becomes blurred and we are ineffective. Just as fishermen cannot catch fish with a broken net, we are unable to effectively share Jesus with the world when our fellowship is not intact. Tomorrow, we will explore how to keep unity in the church.

Are your actions and words strengthening your fellow Christians? Or do you gossip, express negativity, and push your own preferences and opinions? Be careful. God has mandated that our conduct positively impact the church’s unity. This is essential if we are to accomplish His purpose.

Today's Word - Large Mountains.

When everything is so overwhelming, and looks like large mountains in front of you. Do not fret for you have already overcome them, you are more than a conqueror. It's not about you, it's about who is backing you up. Therefore stand strong and keep your head up and trust in him. Go out there show them what you are made of and enjoy your day.

Today's Word - Giving Love.

Scripture says give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Today let's wish 5 people a day full of love and joy, for with the same measure we will also receive love and joy. I declare a day of love and joy for all, may God bless you.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Work

How to Get the Most Out of Your Work

Matthew 20:25-28 

According to Scripture, work is to be part of the believer's life. We all have daily tasks, and many Christians hold jobs outside the home. Some people view these as drudgery. Others wake up excited to face the day's challenges. What is your outlook?

There is an important biblical principle to follow if you are going to enjoy your work: View yourself as a servant. This might be hard if you feel unappreciated or your coworkers are difficult. But consider the example that the Lord set for us. He was rejected, tortured, and crucified. Yet Jesus was willing to serve even His tormentors with His attitude and, ultimately, with His life. Colossians 3:23-24 states, "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men . . . It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."

When I was in college, this proved to be a valuable perspective. I worked in the bleachery, which was the hottest and most uncomfortable job at the local textile mill. At first, I focused on how much I disliked this position. But I decided to change my attitude and look for opportunities to serve Jesus through my work. For the first time, the heat did not bother me. In fact, I was eager to share my faith with those around me. People listened and responded because they noticed my demeanor.

No job is perfect; each position has negative aspects. But we can find joy and excitement even in the most menial task when we decide to work for God. Choose to serve Christ in all you do. After all, why face each day with dread when you could experience excitement and anticipation?

The coming of the Lord will be instantaneous, and we should be ready!

1 Thessalonians 5

The coming of the Lord will be instantaneous, and we should be ready!

INSIGHT

Many people who claim to believe in God have never made a commitment to Him. They say that at the end of their lives they will accept Jesus as Savior, preferring instead to live as they please rather than bowing to His claims. In their deceived minds, they have outwitted God and had it both ways. This is extremely foolish and very dangerous. Such people rarely get more spiritually sensitive in their old age. In fact, they often become more resistant to the Lord. Also, we never know when we will die. An accident might take us before we can repent. Or the Lord could come at any minute, and it would be too late. The coming of the Lord will be like "a thief in the night" (v. 2).

PRAYER

Praise God that in Christ we can be ready for the coming of the Lord:
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him;
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! (1 Chronicles 16:28-29).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared. . . .
O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
(Psalm 130:1-4, 7)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
(2 Timothy 1:12)

The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• The hungry around the world
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you." (Numbers 6:24-25)

When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

When You're Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Isaiah 43:1-5 -  1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  3For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  4Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.  5Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;  


When reading this passage of scripture, Moses and the children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt, comes to mind.  In the 14th chapter of Exodus, Pharaoh finally lets God’s people go, but suddenly changes his mind.  He than pursues after them, with great intensity.  When Pharaoh does catch up with them, they are camped by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon (verse 9).  The children of Israel see Pharaoh coming…they are stuck.  The Red Sea is in front of them, and Pharaoh and his army are in back of them. What are they to do?  They began to cry out to Moses.  Moses cries out to God, and God says “move forward”.  He tells Moses to stretch out his rod.  The Red Sea parts and the children of Israel walk in the midst of the sea, on dry land.  Pharaoh’s army pursues and drowns as the waters return to normal (verses 10-31). 

Have you ever been between a rock and a hard place?  To be between a rock and a hard place means that in difficulty you are faced with a choice between two unsatisfactory options.  Moses was between a rock (Pharaoh’s army) and a hard place (the Red Sea), but God showed up and showed out, giving them the victory in a definite impossible situation. What is your rock, or what is the thing that so deeply affects you?  What is you hard place…your unbearable situation.  We don’t have to be afraid, we don’t have to worry, because we have confidence in knowing that no matter what it looks like… no matter what it sounds like… no matter what it feels like ultimately everything in our lives, good or bad must bow to the will and purpose of God in our lives. 

Be encouraged to know that God, our God is telling us to “move forward”!  Even if you are between a rock and a hard place, you are never stuck, when God is doing the leading.  March on to victory in Jesus’ name!

Transforming Your Workplace

Transforming Your Workplace

This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." (Matthew 6:9-10).

What would your workplace look like if this prayer were answered today where you work?

"Transformation" is a powerful word. Just hearing it, you almost automatically think of radical conversions and incredible change. But is it possible to transform your workplace into something Christ-like? Jesus thinks so.

One example involves a story told in Ed Silvoso's book, Anointed for Business, about a Filipino business man who owned a hotel chain. God saved this man and began an amazing transformation in his life and his large scale hotel.

The man owned a 1600-room hotel that covered three buildings. Because of its rates and location, the hotel had become a haven for prostitution, with the rooms being used as much as five times a day. There were over 2000 employees, and the primary clientele were more than 3000 prostitutes. One of Silvoso's associates shared with the owner a formula for winning the lost, so he hired 40 pastors and told them to follow these instructions:

a. Speak peace to the wolves. Bless those who curse you. b. Eat and drink with the sinners. Become their friends. c. Pray for them and their needs.

The pastors were not to share the gospel until they'd met these three requirements for two years. What an investment. But ultimately, it paid off. The pastors followed these three rules and saw every single one of the 2,000 employees become saved. The hotel was upgraded to an executive level, raising the rates and forcing the prostitutes out because they could no longer afford it. They even added a prayer chapel with 24/7 prayer available to anyone by dialing '7' on the telephone. Two years later, 10,000 guests had received the Lord on the property.*

That's transformation! And that's the kind of transformation we can see in our workplaces. We just have to find the vision and the willingness to ask God, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me do?"

 *Adapted from story in Anointed for Business, Ed Silvoso, Regal Books, Ventura, CA 2006.

A Life of Obedience

A Life of Obedience

John 8:28-29

God knows who we really are—sinners by nature and practice. Before salvation, we were actively rebelling against His authority and pursuing our own way. Yet He loved us so much that He sent His Son to sacrifice His life in payment for the sin debt we owed (John 3:16). God’s love for us is a compelling reason to obey Him in all things.

Christ demonstrated what a life of obedience looks like. He regularly withdrew from the crowds to spend time in prayer and thereby discover God’s will. Jesus sought to please His Father in everything He did—and wanted the world to recognize that to obey demonstrates love (John 14:31).

Both the Old and New Testaments provide examples of this principle. David lived an imperfect life, but God knew the king was wholeheartedly committed to Him (1 Kings 15:5). David declared, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:8). And the apostle Paul was single-minded for Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). However, before his conversion, he persecuted Jewish believers (1 Cor. 15:9).

These two men experienced God’s forgiving love firsthand, which motivated them to actively pursue His will. And our heavenly Father knows that none of us can live perfectly, so He wants His children to let the Holy Spirit help them obey.

A life of obedience requires a mind that is focused on the Lord and His plan, a heart committed to following Him, and a will that is surrendered to His authority. It consists of many daily decisions to deny self, resist temptation, and choose His way. How strong is your desire to carry out His will?

Paul informs the Thessalonians regarding the Lord Jesus Christ's second coming.

1 Thessalonians 4

Paul informs the Thessalonians regarding the Lord Jesus Christ's second coming.

INSIGHT

Death is a mysterious, unavoidable experience. For the most part a fearful and foreboding process, death is a common factor in human experience: We live to die. Understandably, the most profound question human beings ask is: What happens when we die? Death is fully addressed in the Scriptures - and the answer is one of the most satisfying answers in the Bible: "The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (vv. 16-17).

PRAYER

Praise God that Christ's death andresurrection removed the sting of death:
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God (Psalm 14:2).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Deeper understanding of Scripture
• Missionaries in west Africa
• Whatever else is on your heart

Close your worship time with this prayer:
I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17)

I can't believe you think that!

I can't believe you think that!

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom"(James 3:13-14).

"I can't believe you think that," I complained. "I was simply trying to explain that I don't have the same feelings about that issue as you do." The other person's response left little empathy for my position because of the tone in which I had responded. We resigned ourselves to agree to disagree.

We all see things through our own set of glasses at times. Men view things differently than women. Bosses see things differently than employees. One ethnic group will see a situation totally different than another. Our life experiences, our past treatment of circumstances and our personalities all contribute to how we view situations in daily life.

Perception is often each person's reality whether that reality is true or not. Your perception of a situation is going to dictate your response more than the actual reality of it.

Whenever conflict arises from viewing things differently there is really only one way to resolve the difference. Usually the other person is offended by the tone of the other more than the position that is taken. If the other person is offended, we can only offer a few words: "I'm sorry. Will you forgive me for my tone?"

Humbling ourselves is the only way to resolve the relational breach. This does not mean you must agree with the other person's position, it simply means you acknowledge their right to their position and you apologize for the manner in which you responded to their statements. This will usually allow most conflicts to avoid a breach in the relationship.

Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from for taking an adversarial position?

Obeying God

Obeying God

Acts 5:27-32

The high priest ordered Peter and the apostles to stop teaching about Jesus, but they ignored the order. When questioned about their actions, Peter replied, “We must obey God rather than men” (v. 29). What motivated them to follow the Lord with such conviction?

God’s Sovereignty. Peter and the other disciples recognized that God had carried out His divine plan of redemption in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Convinced that salvation was found in Christ alone, they had the courage to speak boldly about their faith. They didn’t alter their words, even in front of a powerful authority. Instead, they gave allegiance to God and obeyed Him.

Thankfulness. Their obedience was also motivated by gratitude. After betraying the Lord, Peter had wept over his failure (Mark 14:72). Think of the disciple’s joy to realize that Christ had forgiven him for his mistakes and restored him to a right relationship with God (Mark 16:7; John 21:15-17). With his past behind him, Peter became a leader of the Jerusalem church, with a passion to obey fueled by a thankful heart.

God is in charge of our lives. He has rescued us from the bondage of sin, forgiven us, and brought us into His family. Grateful obedience should be our response too.

Each day we have a choice. We can acknowledge God’s sovereignty and trust Him, or we can turn away and follow our own plan. Cultivating a thankful spirit will motivate us to stay the course and obey the Lord. Like Peter, let’s commit to following our heavenly Father wherever He leads.

God Is Not About YOUR Success

God Is Not About YOUR Success

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-26).

God is all about your death so that HIS success can be realized through you! This is why the Church is having such little impact - there are too many believers who have not yet died to their old nature so that Christ can live fully through them. When believers come to the end of themselves they will lose their lives to Him and live through the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to see the reality of a living gospel that impacts lives, workplaces, cities and nations.

"Much of modern Christian enterprise is 'Ishmael.' Born not of God, but of an inordinate desire to do God's will in our own way - the one thing our Lord never did," said Oswald Chambers. The psalmist describes what it means to live in our own strength:

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves" (Ps 127:1-2).

How does one die so that Christ can be our all and all? It usually takes a crisis of significant proportions for most people to relinquish the control of their lives. It means we come to the end of ourselves and our striving to control the events in our lives and we finally come to the place where we can say, "Lord, I surrender. Please take full control of my life."

Have you come to this place with God in your life? Let go and let God make you a success His way.

Heirs to a Grand Inheritance

Heirs to a Grand Inheritance

Ephesians 1:9-14

Did you know you are an heir to unimaginable wealth that will never fade away? If you’re a believer, God has an inheritance reserved for you in heaven. In fact, He says you have already obtained it (v. 11). Your right to this treasure is based not on anything you’ve done but on whose you are. If you belong to Christ, it is yours and will be revealed in the last time (1 Pet. 1:4-5).

No one can take our inheritance from us, because God has guaranteed it by sealing us with His Holy Spirit of promise. The transaction is complete and merely awaits the ultimate consummation when everything will be brought under the headship of Christ. This seal shows His ownership and authority over us, and one day our full redemption will come.

Naturally, we all want to know what we’re going to inherit. Much of it is beyond our earthly comprehension, but Scripture gives us a few hints. Part will involve the transformation of both our body and soul. The goal for which God predestined us will be completed as we stand before Him, conformed to the likeness of His Son (Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:2). And these weak, perishable bodies will be changed into strong, glorious ones that are free from sin and death (Phil. 3:20-21).

Why has the Lord done all this for us? Amazingly, He says it’s so that throughout eternity He can show us “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). In love and gratitude for such amazing goodness, let’s devote each day of our lives to living for Him.

Paul's method of ministry is described. He communicates the Gospel with love and integrity.

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul's method of ministry is described. He communicates the Gospel with love and integrity.

INSIGHT

Whenever the message of your words and the message of your actions conflict, the message of your actions will always win out. You may speak gruffly but act kindly, and you will be known as having a hard shell but being a "softie" on the inside. Or you may speak well but act selfishly, and you will be known as a hypocrite. There is no accusation leveled at Christians more consistently than that of hypocrisy. Our lives must support the reality of the Gospel, or the Gospel will not be taken seriously and we will be resented. Paul writes: "We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives" (v. 8). Unless we are willing to impart our lives in ministry, our words will mean little.

PRAYER

Thank the Lord and praise Him that He was willing to give us His very life:
Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11)
"You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You,
nor is there any God besides You,
according to all that we have heard with our ears." (2 Samuel 7:22)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

As you pray this confession to the Lord, seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart
These, O God, You will not despise.
(Psalm 51:16-17)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affir-mation to the Lord:
There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
(1 Timothy 2:5-6)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater sensitivity to sin
• The ministry of your church
• Your activities for the day

Close with this prayer to the Lord:
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen
(2 Peter 3:18)