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“Joy Comes In The Morning”

by • on 12:33 PM • in 320, Journaling

 

December, 23, 2011

 

Scripture

John 16:20 (NASB)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.

 

Observation

Life is tough! And Jesus told His disciples to expect to be persecuted, hated and betrayed by the world, loved ones and even friends. Since sin entered the world in the garden of Eden, life has simply become difficult.

While the world parties and rejoices and lives for entertainment and self-pleasure, the life of a follower of Jesus Christ is very difficult and often filled with tears. Jesus says that it is through many trials and tribulations that we enter the kingdom of heaven. The world has its heaven in the here and now, and they live the good life – rejoicing and partying and living each day to their hearts desire. The believer’s paradise is eternal, as the Apostle Peter says:

1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Wow! Praise God! To suffer now through many trials and tribulations for the sake of Christ is of great eternal reward!

 

Application

Do not be discouraged! Life can be so difficult, but that does not mean that God doesn’t love you, and neither does it mean that He doesn’t care about you. He is with you and He stands for you, nothing has the power to destroy your life. It may at times feel like life is too much to bear, but it is through our tears that we enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus suffered many things in this life, and He told us to expect the same. The great things is, is that He leads us every step of the way. God doesn’t send us through the valley of the shadow of death alone, He leads us – He is there every moment with us.

I am reminded of again what the Apostle Peter said in his epistle:

1 Peter 4:12-19
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”  19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I rejoice today in my tears of suffering. Many my sorrow be turned to joy today; I’m trading my sorrow; I’m trading my shame; I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord! I’m trading my sickness, I’m trading my pain, I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord! I’m pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, Struck down but not destroyed! I’m blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure, And his joy’s gonna be my strength!!!!
Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning

And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen!!!!

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“Raising Lazarus From the Dead”

by • on 7:15 PM • in 320, Journaling, Life Journal


 

Scripture

When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth”.  John 11:43

 

Observation

Lazarus had died. All hope seemed gone. Mary was in so much grief that she had a hard time looking to God for a miracle. Martha was full of faith, no matter what their circumstances, she believed in the power of God! At God’s exact appointed time, in God’s exact appointed way, He raised Lazarus from the dead! Nothing shall be impossible for those who believe.

 

Application

I see this and believe this is a word from God to me concerning the ministry of Calvary Chapel Buffalo. A word of knowledge, a promise from God Himself! I feel it the very hand of God upon our ministry and something awesome is about to happen in 2012. I believe God is about to do a work that will be felt by all of Buffalo. Lazarus had to die before God stepped in. CCB has become in many ways a ministry in ashes. So much pruning in our entire church family over the past 24 months – Lazarus had to die before God could resurrect the dead!

God spoke to my heart 6 years ago on that cool Chicago night of revival… “I have to build the man before I can build the ministry”. For 5 years, God has been pruning me and breaking me of self-dependence. And for the past 24 months God has been pruning our little ministry back- almost to the nub! Some might have looked at it and said, “It’s dead, it’s all over, they had their run, but now God’s moved on.” Not so, when Lazarus was suffering and about to die, they notified Jesus. But Jesus didn’t rush to their aid…He waited another couple of days, and Lazarus died. Every work of the Lord is a work out of the ashes. Until a man or ministry dies, God can do nothing. Until a man or ministry comes to the point of total reliance upon the work of the Holy Spirit, it can be nothing but a sick and dying entity.

For what God is about to do, ears will tingle, spirits will soar and God will be glorified! Greater things are yet to come in 2012. We’ve been on a roller coaster climbing that steep hill for 2 years and we’re about to crest the top of the track and watch the mighty hand of God raise another Lazarus! Do you believe? If so, you will see the glory of God! (John 11:40)

 

Prayer

“LORD, I believe! In Jesus’ name, I believe!” Amen.

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“Confidence” Dec. 1, 2011

by • on 12:02 PM • in Journaling

 

   Scripture

   Romans 8:31

 

 

Observation

Life is a battle and there are many people and difficult circumstances that we must face every day. Here Paul reminds us that God is for us and because of this fact, we have nothing to fear. ‘Since’ God is for us, then Paul’s logical question is ‘who then can defeat us’? With God on our side, there is no trial, temptation or testing so great that we should ever have to live in fear or defeat.

With God on our side, we are ‘more than conquerors’. Though we often must ‘walk through the valley of the shadow of death’, we need not fear any trial in life, because God is for us. God’s call today is to abide in His peace, in the assurance that everything will be just fine.

 

Application

God never promised to keep us from trials, nor did He promise us that we would never suffer. Suffering and trials do not mean that God has forsaken us, nor does it necessarily mean that He is punishing us. God loves us so much, and to prove it He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to save us.

In Hebrews 13:5, Jesus said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” I just can’t be reminded of God’s love too much. If God loved us so much that He would die for us, then it only makes sense that He is for us and will never leave us nor forsake us – no matter how hard life may get.

Our LORD is loving, kind, compassionate, merciful and slow to anger, and as one of His adopted children today, we can rest in the assurance that He is with us and for us in all that we may face today.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for this day, and I thank You LORD for this assurance that You are for us. Teach us to trust You and to live in the assurance of Your presence. Thank You Lord that You are for us, and that You will never leave us nor forsake us. In You Lord, we have peace and confidence and joy!

I love You and pray that You would make me a blessing to everyone I see today. In Jesus’ wonderful name, Amen.

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Solid Ground

by • on 9:35 AM • in Journaling, Life Journal

 

 

Scripture

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Mark 13:31

 

Observation

Everything in this world is unsure, everything – the future, the economy, our government, world peace. Everything is like shifting sand and is set to pass away. Even as God has set an appointment for man to die, so too He has set a time that this present heaven and earth will pass away.

Jesus says that nothing is secure but His Word. He said that the world will pass away. Not “it might” or “it could”, but “it will pass away”. Only a fool puts his trust in that which is unsecure. The Bible says that ‘the foolish man builds his life upon the sand’ and when the storms come, he will experience total loss.

For a man to build his hope upon this life and the luxuries it affords is like a man investing his entire life in a beach home just before the tsunami hits.

 

Application

My trust must always be in the Word of God alone. What God says He means and I can take that to the bank. I can confidently build my entire life upon the promises of God’s Word.

The Word of God has always been and it will always be. Nobody can destroy it, and nothing can nullify it and what God promises, will happen in His time. It is the only way to live secure with peace in this world, and the wise man will build his house upon its promises.

I must constantly remember that I am a pilgrim passing through this world. I brought nothing into this world and I will certainly bring nothing out of it. My life is secure in Christ and in the world to come and I must keep my priorities straight.

I must guard my heart against the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches so that the Word of God is never choked out of my life. It’s a battle that I will always face – a battle between the temporal (and insecure) and the eternal absolute rock of security. What feels right now must never be allowed to overrule the truth of God’s Word. God’s Word is a rock that will not pass away, while my emotions may change, God’s Word remains the same.

No amount of ‘fixing up’ of this old world will make it any more secure (Government; economy; social good) – “it will pass away”. Man will never stabilize that which God intends to destroy and it’s a shame that so many Christians waste their lives trying to ‘prop up’ and ‘store up’ that which will pass away.

The only thing stable today in this otherwise unstable world is the Word of God. Jesus Christ warns us “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away”…so don’t build your security upon this passing world.

 

Prayer

Father, daily remind me to build my life upon the promises of Your Word. Thank You that Your Word never changes and it will never pass away.

In You, on Your Word I am secure. I love You and it is my joy to take you at Your Word and to build my life upon Your promises that will never pass away. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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“Have Faith In God”

by • on 10:35 AM • in Journaling, Uncategorized

 

 

 

 

Scripture

 

Mark 11:22-24

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

 

Observation

 

Earlier that morning as Jesus and His disciples had passed by the fig tree, they were hungry and sought nourishment. But when they came to the tree, they found no fruit, so Jesus cursed the fig tree saying, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

I can just imagine seeing Jesus and His disciples standing under that tree, looking for fruit and not finding any. After looking diligently, they heard Christ curse this fig tree.

What a powerful request of faith that Christ had made of His Heavenly Father, and His disciples heard Him. Jesus wasn’t concerned about ‘praying out loud by faith’. He made the request by faith, believing that it would be done, and it was done.

 

Application

 

What a powerful lesson on faith! Jesus says, “Have faith in God”. Our faith is only as powerful as the object we place our faith in and when we pray believing our God, nothing is impossible!

Whoever has genuine faith in God will always act on that faith by asking  God. The fact that I am asking, proves that I believe God has the power and desire to answer me. If I say that I believe God, but don’t ask God for it, then I prove that I really don’t believe God. Either I am predetermining His answer/will on this request, or I really don’t believe that He can handle it. This idea is consistent with a child’s faith in his earthly father. No child ever asks from his earthly father more than he believes that he is able to provide. A child will only request as much as he believes that his father is able to provide. So too my coming to my Heavenly Father and making requests is proof that I believe that ‘He is able’!

How often I think that we are afraid to ‘ask by faith’, even in our prayer meetings?

Too often I think that we are afraid to boldly (out loud) pray statements of faith, that God is prompting us to pray, because we lack faith and are afraid that what we are asking for may not come to pass and that we may end up looking foolish or praying ‘presumptuously’. I think that the only foolish prayer request is the one not asked in faith.

To come to God and ask by faith requires great faith. To pray out loud in front of others, I believe is an even greater demonstration of our faith. Not only am I willing to come to God by faith and ask of Him, I’m willing to put my faith on the line in front of my church family. God wants us to come to Him in prayer and I believe that He is longing to do even greater things than we are willing to ask and believe Him for.

What a great God we serve, yet so often we doubt His power in our lives, His love for us, and His desire to answer our petitions. God is not angry with us, nor is He disappointed in us. I believe that God is looking for sons and daughters who will come to Him by faith and ask. I wonder how often I have ‘drawn back’ in not asking God by faith for what He is prompting me to ask Him for. How many unanswered prayers are in my heart today simply because I have not asked God by faith? What is God be prompting me to ask Him for by faith today so that He may finally do great and mighty things in my life? Maybe God wants to ‘part the Jordan river’ before me, or ‘calm the storms’ or bless me with ‘joy unspeakable’? Maybe the only thing that is keeping me from answered prayer, is my failure to ask.

I believe that God wants us to come to Him by faith, knowing that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I believe today God is prompting me to ask Him to do ‘great and mighty things that I know not’!

D. L. Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I will try my utmost to be that man.”

The LORD our God is an awesome God, Who alone is Omnipotent. There is no prayer request that is too big for the LORD; only lack of faith that keeps us from asking. When we ask by faith, our faith grows. As our faith grows, so will our requests. As our requests grow, so will the power of God in our lives.

May we not ‘edit’ our prayer requests before we bring them before His throne; attempting to predetermine what is ‘too big’, or ‘not His will’. Let’s put our faith in God and let Him show us great and might things.

Jesus said, “whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them!”

 

Prayer

 

LORD this morning I worship You and praise Your holy name. You are great and awesome, and there is none like You. I adore You and I lay my life down before You.

My faith is in You alone. Thank You that You will never leave me nor forsake me and I believe that You desire to do even greater works in my life today.

I ask by faith that You would touch my heart, increase my faith and teach me to pray. May my faith never limit the work of Your hand in and through my life.

I love You and I worship You alone. Be glorified in me today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Man Made Ministries

by • on 7:10 AM • in Journaling

 

 

 

 

 

Scripture

It was planted in good soil beside abundant waters, that it might yield branches and bear fruit and become a splendid vine. Say, Thus says the Lord GOD, “will it thrive? will he not pull up its roots and cut off its fruit so that it withers – so that all its sprouting leaves wither? And neither by great strength no by many people can it be rasied from its roots again.” Ezekiel 17:8-9

 

Observation

Many people initiate many various types of ministries within the church. Though many of these ministries may look and sound godly, many of them are not initiated by God. They are man-made ministries and because of that, they are doomed to failure from the beginning.

Though these man-made ministries may be ’planted’ in the good ground of a solid ministry that has plenty of ‘water’, yet these para-ministries will still fail because they were conceived by man. Many people go from ministry to ministry looking to fulfill their personal ministry goals. Some people seek a name for themselves or personal validation and in these man-made ministries, no matter how many people try to prop up these works of the flesh, they will always fail.

Jesus said in John 3, “That which is of the flesh, will always be of the flesh”, and can never be blessed of God – even if these paraministries are planted in fertile soil. Every para-ministry that is begun in the flesh is doomed to failure. These man-made ministries may have a season where it ‘blooms’ and looks like it will ‘produce fruit’, but they will always, eventually die.

Henry Blackaby once said, “The secret of success is to find out where God is at work and then join Him.” Too often people seek to begin a work in the power of the flesh for the purpose of accomplishing thier own agenda, and then they ask God to join what they have started. And when God doesn’t bless the work of a man’s hands, the ministry fails, and all too often many people are hurt & blamed in the process.

Though many paraministries within the church may be of God, if the wrong person assumes the position of leadership, that ministry will fail. The fault of the failure is not the soil that the ministry was planted in, nor the water that watered the ministry. The cause of failure will be that it was a man-made ministry.

If your ministry fails, don’t look for someone else to blame, look in the mirror and ask the LORD to examine your motives. I note here in these verses from Ezekiel, the fault was not the soil nor the water. The failure was because the ministry was never of God.

In the parable of the wheat and the tares, it is important to note that Satan only sows tares where God plants the wheat. Satan doesn’t wast his time planting tares in dead ministries. It’s always the ministries with the fertile soil and the flowing water of the Word of God where Satan seeks to begin these man-made ministries.

 

Application

Don’t let failed para-ministries discourage you. Para-ministries that fail, prove that they they were never of God (Acts 5:38-39). Every ministry that is begun by God will always succeed because its success is based on God alone; man simply is given the priviledge of serving God, but God alone brings the success.

If a leader fails in a ministry that was begun by God, the LORD simply raises up another leader; but if a man fails in a ministry that he began, that ministry simply dies.

When God opens a door, no man can close it; and when God shuts a door, no man can open it. When a ministry dies, let it alone, its death proves that it was not a work of God; but every ministry begun by God will accomplish the purposes that He has planned.

Calvary Chapel Buffalo and KSLW were planted by God and no man can shut its door. God begun this good work and God alone will complete it. Anyone who seeks to stand against a work of God, will find themselves fighting directly against the LORD. I don’t need to defend God or His ministry. He is in control, I am merely His servant.

 

Prayer

Father today I thank You for the priviledge of serving You in a Spirit filled, Spirit led, Spirit begun ministry. Thank You that You alone hold the keys to my future and You alone will build Your work. Let me not think it strange or be discoruaged by ‘failed’ para-ministries. Help me and others to realize that whatever fails is not of You, and to let it go. I love You. Amen

 

 

 

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Holiness Unto The LORD

by • on 8:05 AM • in Journaling

 

 

 

 

Scripture

Even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves, declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 14:14

 

Observation

All 3 of these men lived in wicked environments, among prideful, rebellious and disobedient people. They live amongst people who loved darkness rather than light becasue thier deeds were evil. Even so, Noah, Daniel and Job folled the LORD and did what was right in His sight. In so living, they proved thier own righteousness and did not allow the world to conform them into its image.

 

Application

Today I live and work among very sinful people. Some know it and others think that they are pretty good, yet their mouths prove that their religion is useless (James 1:26). My focus today must be my own holiness unto the Lord GOD. God has not called me out of this world, but to live in it, yet living sanctified in holiness, as salt and light to a lost and dying world.

 

Prayer

Father guard me today. I recognize LORD that its only You in me that is Holy. Apart from You I can do nothing. I desire to be set apart for You today in Holiness. I love You LORD, and I surrender to live for You alone today. In Jesus’ name Amen.

 

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My Joy!

by • on 8:14 AM • in Journaling

 

 

 

 

Scripture

I was very glad to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have recieved commandment to do from the Father. 2 John 4

 

Observation

John was focused on those believers who were living for the LORD. Those who were doing the right thing; loving others as Christ loved them. John was not distracted nor discouraged by the disobedient and non-believer. He was consumed in joy by those who were walking rightly. There willnever come a day when everyone will do the right thing and if John was focused on them, he would have never found joy. Don’t let those who wont, discourage you from being in fellowship with those who will obey the LORD and walk in His command to love.

 

Application

today I must be focused on my brethern who are living for Christ in full obedience. Not that we / they are already perfected, but that we are ‘pressing on to be more like Jesus; forgetting those things which are behind.’ Today I must set my eyes upon Christ and seek the joy of encouragement from my brothers and sisters in Christ who ARE living for Him.

 

Prayer

Father may i be consumed in and by Your love today. Set my eyes upon Jesus and may I be encouraged by my fellow believers who too are seeking to live for You! Amen

 

 

 

 

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Forgiven!

by • on 7:51 AM • in Journaling

 

 

 

 

Scripture

“There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side and Jesus in between.” John 19:18

 

Observation

Christ was crucifed for all of our sin. He knew no sin, yet He died for the sin of all men so that for all who would believe in Him, would be forgiven and never perish. Two men died beside Him. One repented of his sin, put his faith in Christ. As a result, he was forgiven and gained eternal life. The other man, rejected Christ and he died in his sin and perished. God’s grace is available to all who call upon the name of the Lord. No matter how terrible the sin - all sin, past/present/future is completely forgiven at the moment of salvation – never to be dealt with again! Once God pays our debt, He will never require a second payment! Without Christ, sin is awful and has terrible, eternal consequences; but for all who call upon the name of the Lord, there is eternal life! Never to be lost, never to be questioned, never to be taken away!!! Praise God for His eternal mercy, grace, love - all because He completely forgives those who call upon the name of Jesus Christ!

 

Application

All of my sins are completely forgiven! On the day that Jesus died, all of my sins were burried with Him there at Calvary! Never to be brought up again, never to be recounted, never the need to be paid for again! When Jesus said “it is finished”, He was declaring that everything that was needed for me to gain perfect forgivesss took place, there at the cross! I can live free from the guilt of all my sin, free from the worry of standing before God and free from the weight of trying to earn my salvation; all becasue I’m forgiven! I don’t deserve it, but that’s why God calls it mercy! If God had required me to earn my forgiveness, then it would no longer be a gift. But it is a gift! A gift that is freely given from a God of love, who eagerly seeks to forgive even the vilest sinner who will call upon the name of Christ! Praise Him! Today I have hope – not becasue of who I am or what I’ve done or haven’t done, but becasue I AM FORGIVEN! Therefore, all I need to do today in order to walk in the joy of the Lord, is to stand on His promises!!!

 

Prayer

Father today, I just want to say ‘thank You’! You are so good and I love You! Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, Your love and Your willingness to forgiven me, even of the most vile sins! I love You so much, and it is my desire today that my life be a living sacrifice of thankfulness to You today. May You be glorified though me. May my mind be fixed upon Your presence in my life today and may I rejoice today in the fact that I am eternally forgiven! You’re just too much LORD, I can’t comprehend Your love for me, but I thank You with all of my heart! My joy comes in the morning as I fix my gaze upon the One who loves me. Bless me today Lord with Your strength and may I be a blesssing to all who know me. In Jesus precious name, amen.

 

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“Consider Jesus”

by • on 12:55 PM • in Journaling

 

 

 

Scripture

Hebrews 12:3 (NASB)

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

Observation

Here the Word of God instructs us to ‘Consider Jesus’, or look to Christ when we go through various trials that are threatening to discourage us.

Jesus endured so much! Much more than I will ever have to experience, so He knows how discouraging life can be. Jesus was ill-treated, hated and despised by those whom He came to save. He offered them love, mercy, grace and forgiveness if they would repent of their sins and turn to Him. Yet they hated Him and treated Him with hostility because “men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

Men love their sin and as a result they reject the holiness of God. Many people today have created a ‘god in their own image.’ That is, they have rejected the Holy God of repentance and faith, and have instead created a false ‘jesus’ who is liberal- anything goes. ‘He’ is ok with sin, and ‘he’ offers false peace and cheap grace.

This is a ‘god’ who cannot save, nor can he forgive men of their sins and ‘he’ is also a ‘god’ who is ok with drinking, drugs, hatred, un-forgiveness and sexual immorality. Their ‘god’ is ok with ‘forsaking the assembling of themselves together’ (Heb. 10:25). Their ‘god’ allows them to party like the world, spending time in the mountains on Sunday mornings or attending sporting events when they should be in church.

Their ‘god’ never convicts them of sin, because he can’t – he doesn’t exist! But one day they will all stand before the Righteous Judge of all the earth, and he will hold them accountable for all their wicked deeds. (If their deeds weren’t wicked, then they wouldn’t have to create a god to fit their lifestyles).

Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1-9  “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

 

Application

In spite of all that is happening around me – in the church and in the world, I MUST “Consider Jesus” or I will become weary and lose heart!

Life, this world, and the actions of people can be so discouraging that if I’m not careful, I will become very discouraged and lose heart. I can’t change the world. I can’t make people love Christ and serve God and desire to be in fellowship. All I can do, and all that I am responsible for is myself and I must diligently guard my mind from those who would discourage me by their actions, words and deeds.

When I am tempted to be discouraged over my past, I need to ‘Consider Jesus’. If today I am tempted to be discouraged by the economy or politics or Christians who aren’t living for the Lord, then I must ‘Consider Jesus’. If I am tempted to ‘borrow trouble from tomorrow’ with the fear of sickness, finances or trials, then I must ‘Consider Jesus’.

I MUST LOOK TO CHRIST when I am struggling. I must look to Christ when I don’t know what to do. I must look to Christ when I am feeling fearful, anxious or worried – He alone will keep me from growing weary and losing heart.

When I leave a Wednesday night bible study and we only have a handful of people show up to study God’s Word, and on the way home I drive past the ball park and it is filled with people, and I am tempted to become discouraged. It is especially at these times that I MUST ‘Consider Jesus’ lest I become weary and lose heart.

When I see so many ‘Christians’ who are so faithful to attend the all events of the world, (even on the week nights when they say that they can’t come to church because ‘it’s a school night’), yet I see them at bars and community events… I really must look to Jesus so that I do not become weary and lose heart!

When I see Christians who live like the world and would rather be everywhere else but in church edifying one another; I must look to Jesus!

When I see a detractor’s car parked in the driveway of one of our church member’s home, I must ‘Consider Jesus’ so that I do not grow weary and lose heart!

 

Prayer

Father today I praise You for my daily manna! You are always so faithful to feed me and encourage me by Your Precious Word! Your Word is a lamp unto my path and a light unto my feet and You daily keep me from stumbling. Keep my eyes upon the One who matters – Jesus Christ Your only begotten Son! I love you and I pray that I will grow in my readiness to ‘Consider Jesus’ every time the devil tries to discourage me through life, circumstances or by people. You alone LORD will strengthen me. You alone LORD will keep my feet upon the paths of righteousness. May I ‘strengthen myself’ in Your Word today! In every trial or temptation, may I immediately ‘Consider Jesus who has endured such hostility by sinners, so that I will not grow weary and lose heart!’ Thank You LORD that the true battle is spiritual and as I ‘Consider Jesus’, I will daily walk in victory! I love You! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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