In 1954, our country added the “One Nation under God” phrase to our pledge of allegiance. This past couple of months we have seen banners in yards showing allegiance to political parties. As believers, we a greater kingdom! How are you lifting up your banner?
Psalm 20:5: "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God".
Last night after reading some scriptures, I began thinking about this coming week. Lots of tough stuff headed my way. As I began sinking into a little depression, the word dwell from my reading came to mind. We are not to just read God's Word. When we dwell on it , blessings will come our way. This is going to be a great week as I walk with the Lord. Where are you dwelling?
Philippians 4:8 CSB
[8] Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-dwell on these things.
Once, my mom sent me to the store to get eggs, as she needed them to bake a cake—or that is what she told me. I have since learned that you can bake a cake without eggs, but I'm not sure that it would come close to tasting as good as my mom’s. I do know that there is no replacement for faith in being a child of God.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
The older I get, the more I realize the most precious time in life is when I spend it with the people I love the most. Even after 47 years of marriage, I love spending time with my wife. I have never gotten over the fact that she married me, and she still loves to spend time with me.
Yet even more amazing to me is that God desires to spend time with me!
How much time do we spend with our Lord?
Ps 37:4
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
If you are like me, it is much easier to offer praise to God when good things are happening. I am reminded while studying in Acts that Paul shows us that even in tough times, it is good to praise God. On Paul’s 2nd missionary journey, he was not permitted to go where he first chose to go. Nor was his second choice accepted. So, he set out on a trip where he was beaten and then thrown in jail. What does he do? He sings and prays to God in praise worship.
Psalm 145:18-19 (ESV)
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
An Army Chaplain shared a story about going out in the darkest of nights to talk to a soldier. He was following an officer who was wearing night goggles. The only thing the Chaplain could see on that very dark night was the reflectors on the back of the officer’s helmet. When the two men arrived at the soldier's location, the chaplain thought that he was alone with the soldier. It wasn’t until the officer gave the chaplain his night goggles that he could see the situation. When we don’t see the scriptures with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, we won’t see what God has for us.
God never intended for us to flounder through life with the best of our abilities. The Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s Word and He convicts us when we stray off track. He prays for us, encourages us, and guides us.
Romans 8:11 (ESV)
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
When one argues, how do they appear? Many times arguments bring out drama in the participants. What subject is worth losing our witness over? Even to our family members.
Mark 9:33-34 (ESV)
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.
Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Judas was able to do the wicked things that he did because he never really knew Jesus. Sure, he learned about Him more than most people did. He spent 3 years walking with the Master. But he never personally knew Jesus.
If you can habitually sin without remorse, does that mean you are like Judas? Does that mean you don’t know God? Many people are running around today saying, “I’m a believer. I’m a follower of Jesus.” Yet, if they can persist in sin, something isn’t right.
The Bible doesn’t say that a Christian won’t sin, only that a Christian won’t habitually sin. As sinners, where do you need God to do surgery in your life?
1 John 3:9 (ESV)
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
When I am set on course for a particular destination, roadblocks often prevent me from completing my route as planned. You can count on roadblocks when God sets us out for His purpose. What would keep you from completing the task He has set before you? Paul was stoned yet went back to complete the task.
Acts 14:19-20 (ESV)
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
Don’t know about you, but some of my trials felt “fiery,,,” but they really were not. God was just refining me. Resistance (trials/challenges) builds strength and endurance. Rejoice in Jesus and grow.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV
God assured the Israelites that their victory was inevitable in Joshua 6. Thousands of Israelites were commanded to march around the walls of Jericho. But then comes this extraordinary restriction that Joshua puts on them. Joshua said, “As you march for the next seven days, don’t speak a word. Don’t let a word come out of your mouth. Don’t talk. I command you to keep silent.”
Joshua understood a couple of things. He understood that God had surely promised victory in the lives of His people. But he also understood that there was a natural inclination for His people to talk themselves out of the victory that was certain to unfold in their lives.
We need to listen to God and move on His words.
“…Fools are destroyed by their own words.” Ecclesiastes 10:12
In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks, “What’s in a name? … That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
She’s certainly right. The person we love is far more valuable than his or her name. Still, names are important. Names today don’t reveal much about us, but names in Bible times often did. Many times, in the Bible times people’s names would be changed or they were called by a different name to reflect their character. Today, most parents spend time selecting the “right” name for their newborn child. As believers, we are born into the image of Christ. Christian means Christ-like. Does our character match His name?
God has given us a new name. It’s his name.
Proverbs 22:1a says a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 a good name is better than precious ointment.
Live an upright life that will not tarnish our savior’s name.
Someburger’s old grill made the best hamburgers in town. Now the new owner is adding a new Someburger to his portfolio. It will have a brand new grill that will not have the flavor of the old grill. It takes cooking lots of burgers to season a grill like the one at the original Someburger. Each day we should let God season us with His word. Someburger is known for a great hamburger. What are you known for?
Matthew 13:31-32 (ESV)
31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
This morning I was running a little behind schedule and the dawn was breaking. I was looking at the cloud formations; thinking, is this the day? Is this the day that Christ will appear in the clouds? Or will this be the day He calls me home? What a glorious day that will be when my work here is done. The question I ask is, are you ready? If today is the last day for you here, will you leave things undone?
Revelation 1:7 (ESV)
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
A power cord, better known as an extension cord, once plugged into a power source can allow that power to be received away from the source. In Ephesians 6 Paul encourages believers to put on the whole armor of God. Not only do we need the power that comes from the Father, but Paul asks us to pray for him as well as other Saints. We can share the power when we have the power in us. Take time today to digest the power of God’s word and then spread His word to others.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10
Some 20 years ago when we moved into our home, I planted six trees. I wanted good strong trees that would have little maintenance. I selected Live Oaks, which I considered the perfect tree for our yard. Yes, slow growing, but a strong tree for our area. When we had our first hurricane come through, I saw how they could not stand up to the strong winds. I was pulling them back up as the winds blew them down. Now some 15 years later when this last storm came through, they withstood the winds. They had matured growing close to each other. When strong winds come at us, it is the roots of other believers around us that help us withstand the pressures.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
I have never owned a horse, but I have dogs. The principle is the same. I can fill their bowls with water and I can show the dogs where the water is located. Until they have a thirst, they won't drink. We are called to share the gospel, it's not our job to force them to receive the gospel, but it is our job to lead them to the water to make sure that they know when they're thirsty where the water can be found.
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Show someone where the eternal water may be found today!
Gone are the days of having just one doctor. When I go and see my doctor about an issue, more than likely he will give me a referral to a specialist. In fact, my primary physician is unable to do surgeries. He can poke and prod, but he cannot cut. As believers, we have one book, the Holy Bible, that serves as a specialist for every situation in which we find ourselves. We are instructed to hide its words in our hearts and to meditate on it for our benefit. How much time do you spend in the Word?
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
As I drove in this morning, I drove through many conversations that I did not see, nor did I hear. I did see the cell towers and guessed that they were in use. I even wondered if more people were talking on their phones or if more people were praying.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
This morning as I was driving into the office, I noticed the street light was working. I also noticed that there was a power line attached to the light. Without some source of power, the light would not be able to do the task set before it. We like the streetlight have a task. We are to be the light into the world. Our source of power comes not from our strength and experience, but from the Holy Spirit. When we become a believer, we are filled with all the power we will ever need to be a bright and shining light for our Lord and Savior.
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
