Tag Archives: Divine Mentor

“Fruit of Repentance” (Daily Devotions 2.19.11)

by • on 1:16 AM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

Acts 26:19-20 (NASB)
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.

O – Observation

The Apostle Paul was disliked and hated by many. In fact, at this point in his live, ‘modern success values’ would have said “Paul you should have written several best seller books by now and be the pastor of a mega church.” But that’s not necessarily the evidence of success that God uses. Paul was what many today would consider a failure. He was hated by many and the Jewish leaders were seeking to put him to death. At the end of Paul’s life, he ends up in Rome, dying alone with only Luke and a few earthly possession. Why was this? How could this be with such a man of God? All because Paul preached the simple message of faith and repentance towards God – ‘turn from your sin, repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ’ was Paul’s message. That message was not popular then, and it’s still not a popular message today. Jesus said in Matthew 7, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” According to Christ, the vast majority of people today will perish. Paul kept his message simple, “If you repent and put your trust in Christ, then your life will bear the fruit of repentance.” People will be able to look at your life and see the changes that God has made in you since you became a believer. Paul is stating the same thing that Christ stated – “If you are truly saved, then your life will reflect it through the way you live.” Paul didn’t live in the life he lived in following Christ to be saved. Rather he lived the life he lived – in obedience to Christ, because he was saved. Our works don’t save us, they merely prove what we really believe in. True salvation will always produce the fruit of righteousness.

A – Application

I must continue to stand strong and ‘Preach the Word’! God has not called me to make friends, be popular or to write books – simply preach the message of  ‘repentance and faith towards Jesus Christ’. Some will respond, but many others wont. I must never become consumed with what others say and do. I must simply be wholly given to the Preaching of the Word of God

P – Prayer

Father today, set my eyes and heart fully upon the calling YOu have put upon my life. Make me a better preacher. May I never draw back from preaching the truth to appease man. I love You and seek the boldness of Your Spirit as I speak the truth in love today. Amen

 

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“Devouring the Word” (Daily Devotions 2.10.11)

by • on 4:19 PM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

“These were more fair minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11

O – Observation

The Bereans were very teachable people. Their hearts were wide open to the Word of God and in being taught by it. They eagerly received the Word of God. They were not reluctant to be taught God’s Word, or to study the Word on their own. They received the Word of God with all eagerness, and then searched out the scriptures to see if what they had been taught was correct. They loved the Word of God and were hungry to be taught, but they did not just believe everything they heard. They were not close-minded in their learning. They had not become ‘old hardened wine-skins’, set in their ways and self-righteousness. They were pliable. It was their teachabilty, and the love for God’s Word that continued to cause them to grow in their faith. Their minds were consumed by God’s Word. The Word of God was their final authority in all their decisions and not even a popular preacher or the thinking of the majority could sway their decisions from the Word of God. The Bereans were given to God’s Word and made every decision in life based on what it said, regardless of what the rest of the world was doing. Each Berean chose to study the Word of God on their own, they made it their personal life-style. They didn’t wait for everyone else to get on board, they just individually to devour God’s Word.

A – Application

If i want to be more fair-minded (teachable) than the average Christian, then i must always remain teachable. I need to be daily being taught God’s Word, both thru what I listen to (KSLW), and in my personal time of devotions. when my mind is consumed by the Word of God, I will make correct decisions and I will abide in fellowship with my LORD throughout the day. ‘Though no one join me, still I will seek the face of my God, to be mentored by His Word and to always remain teachable.”

P – Prayer

“Lord keep me from ever becoming a hardened wineskin. Keep me from ever believing that I have ‘finally arrived’ to the point of full spiritual maturity. Keep me in Your Word every day. Teach me through the Mentor of Your Holy Spirit, to make correct decisions in life. Cause me to ask You first, to seek answers to my daily decisions and to always make Your Word my final authority. Kindle the fire of my love for Your Word every day of my life so that my personal time of devotions never again becomes a legalistic ritual. I love You! and I submit to the authority of Your Word today.” Amen.

WHAT DID YOU GET TODAY??? Feel free to share with me what the LORD showed you in your devotions today! Just click on ‘Comment’ and share your insights

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“Ulitmate Burnout” (2.9.11 Devotions)

by • on 3:48 PM • in 320, Life Journal

S – Scripture

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them and they died before the LORD.  Leviticus 10:1-2

O – Observation

Nadab and Abihu were son’s of Aaron and men who were called of God to fulltime ministry. Although they were called of God to be in the ministry, they failed to the LORD and experienced the ‘Ultimate Burnout’ from ministry because they relied on ‘strange fire’. God had provided His Holy fire to empower them for the work of the ministry. But instead of relying on God’s strength to fulfill their ministries, they relied on the ‘strange fire’ of their fleshly strength and ended up paying the ultimate price – Total Burnout!

A – Application

Where God guides, He provides. Whatever God calls me to do, and wherever God calls me to serve, He has already provided for me His ‘Holy Fire’ which is the power of being filled with His Spirit! When i am consumed by His ‘Holy Fire’, I will never burnout in serving my LORD, but if I begin to rely on the ‘strange fire’ of my fleshly strength, i will quickly burnout. the key for me to keep from burning out is to daily be filled with God’s Holy Fire. The only way that i can be consumed by God’s Holy Fire is for me to constantly dwell in His presence.

P – Prayer

“Father, thank You for Your Holy Fire. I pray that today You would fill the firepan of my soul with Your Holy Fire! Fire me up with joy, excitement and a heart that anticipates great and awesome things that you have planned for me today! By faith, I receive a fresh filling of Your Holy Fire as I draw near to You.”  Amen.

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