This Week's Focal Passage:
"I say then: 'Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so you do not do the things you wish." Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)
Strong's:
Walk #4043 peripateo = to live, to be occupied with
Lust #1939 epithumis = longing for something forbidden, desire
Flesh #4561 sarx = human nature, carnally-minded
Contrary #480 antikeimal = adversary, to be opposed
This past week has been one of victory in my life. Years ago, there was an event in my family's life that truly broke Glen and my heart. We did not react to it properly and I allowed myself to dive deep into the bondage of unforgiveness and fear. About four years ago, the Lord lead us to a body of believers who surrounded our family with love and prayer. When we first entered the doors of that church, we were emotionally and spiritually wounded and we refused to get involved or to serve in the church.
The Lord God used our pastors, the teachers, and the entire congregation to minister truth to us, encourage us and to hold us accountable. We began to move forward in our spiritual walk and Glen quickly began to serve alongside of other godly men. It has taken me a lot longer because I was holding onto to sinful pride, fear, and unforgiveness. Last year, the Lord revealed to me the unforgiveness I was clinging too and HE began peeling away those layers of hurt, shame, guilt, pride and bitterness. Over time, I began to see the Lord's hand as each layer was removed and one by one, I forgave all those who had hurt me. I also confessed and repented of my sin in that situation and asked the Lord to forgive me. The process was difficult and VERY painful at times; however, by God's grace, I was able to continue healing.
A few months ago, our Sunday school class began a Bible study by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom entitled Seeking Him…Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival. Through that study, the Lord really brought a Biblical awareness of my sin and revealed deep-seeded hurt, shame, and fear. I was allowing Satan to convince me that because I failed in the past to minister appropriately, that I was no longer usable to the Lord. I was withholding my gifts and talents from the Body for fear that the past would repeat itself.
Two weeks ago, I was faced with the "past", I again began to panic and feel very defeated. This time; however, I chose to run to the Lord and seek His discernment. I cried out to Him and begged Him to show me any unconfessed sin and to help me put the past completely behind me ("But Jesus said, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of heaven." Luke 9:62). Over the next four days, the Lord graciously opened my eyes to an area of unforgiveness. I was shocked because I truly thought I had dealt with all that. "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) For the first time in my life, I understand what Paul meant when he said, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)
Read our focal passage once more. "I say then: 'Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so you do not do the things you wish." (Galatians 5:16-17) In January, we began studying together what it means to live a life surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. We have seen in Scripture the destruction and worthlessness that accompanies a life lived for "self". There is no victory in a life lived for the flesh. Each child of God is equipped with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. It is our choice whether or not we live by the Spirit or by our flesh. Certainly, the flesh screams to be satisfied and it is often times painful not to "give in." But God's Word is clear that when we live according to the flesh there is death.
Now, for a child of God, our salvation is eternal. Nothing can "snatch" us from the hand of Christ. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one." (John 10:27-30) God's Word promises us that our salvation is secure; however, a Christian can miss out on the blessing of fulfilling their God-given purpose by living their life by the flesh. God created each of us to glorify Him in specific and unique ways. When we allow our flesh to be our guide and ignore the Truth of Scripture, we fail in our ministry. Do not allow Satan to tell you that you do not have a ministry. Each one of us has been called to minister to those around us by loving and living as Christ Jesus did. Keep in mind that "living according to the flesh" does not only mean living a materialistic lifestyle. We also live by the flesh when we refuse to live our lives rooted/based on the Truths of God's Word, thus we live according to our human understanding and rationale.
For about five years I missed many opportunities to minister to others because I was too busy focusing on my past. I was selfish and allowed my fear of being hurt or making mistakes prevent me from using the spiritual gifts God gave me to glorify Him and edify the Body. By the grace of God, I was able to continue this ministry because I am able to write and send out the devotion without being seen. That fear of rejection was decreased because I never know who reads the devotions and who discards it. My rebellion against the Lord was in the area of public ministry, i.e., teaching and speaking. The Lord has been so merciful to allow me a "do over" in ministry. My heart's cry is that I do it right this time!!! To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen!!
My Friend, no matter what your past or your present, the Lord God loves you and has given Himself for you. "For God so loved the world that HE gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17) The blood of Christ offers complete forgiveness, redemption, healing, restoration, renewal, and eternal life. There is nothing that HE withholds from His children (Psalm 84:11) and HE has a specific plan for your life and for the ministry HE has created for you. Please do not allow Satan to convince you that Scripture is not true or that it does not apply to you. Satan is the Deceiver and he does not want you to glorify the Lord (John 10:10). Allow the Lord God to search your heart and reveal any and all sin that you may be harboring in your heart. Be willing to allow Him to show you things you may not be aware of. HE loves you and His heart is for your best interest. And it is in your best interest to deal with your sins openly and honestly before the Lord God.
Time is short, My Friend, and Christ is preparing to return. There is so much work left to be done and so many souls that are lost and in spiritual danger. Christians MUST rise up and repent so that the Lord can renew us and use us to bring light to the darkness. Are you willing to minister in ways that you never imagined possible? God is the God of second chances. HE will restore, renew, and rebuild. Take His hand and allow Him to be that guiding force in your life. Say "NO" to your flesh, no matter the cost. We are warriors in the army of the Almighty!! The victory is ALREADY His, but we have the awesome privilege to walk with Him through this life and bring others to the foot of the cross. No other accomplishment will stand the test of time!!!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Monday Morning Devotion #258
This Week's Focal Passage:
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because HE first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Strong's:
Fear #5401 phobos = to be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror
Love #26 agape = affection, benevolence, dear, love
Perfect #5046 teleios = complete, completeness
Perfect #5048 teleioo = accomplish, fulfill, make perfect
Casts #906 ballo = throw down, to thrust
First #4413 protos = foremost in time, place, order or importance; before, beginning, best
About a year ago, my pastor lovingly confronted me on my sin of fear. He had noticed that my life seemed to be driven by fear. Everything I did was rooted in trying to control my surroundings so I would not experience pain. This "fear" was evident in every aspect of my life…My relationship with other people, the well-being of my children, my need to "control" events in our marriage and basically in life in general. I know I have shared this with you previously, but allow me to simply state that I was truly not aware of this sin. I was actually shocked when he mentioned it me.
Throughout the following weeks, the Lord began to open my eyes to this truth and show me in His Word why fear was a sin and how it affects the very nature of my relationship with Him. You see, there is no room for fear in the life of a believer. Fear stems from not trusting/believing God. I said I trusted God and I could quote Scripture supporting that truth, but deep within the secret places of my heart, I did not trust God. "The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And HE knows those who trusts in Him." (Nahum 1:7) "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father". (Romans 8:15) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
This past week, our nation elected a new president. For those whose heart is to preserve the standards which God's Word established, our prayer seemed to go unheard. As I laid down Tuesday night, I found myself having a very difficult time resting. I cried out to the Lord and asked, "Why, Lord? Your children have prayed, confessed and repented of our sins, and asked You to establish our next president as a man who stands for those things that You command." In the stillness of the night, the Lord God comforted me with His Truth. HE spoke to my heart and reassured me that His children are called to obedience and HE is the Author of the days, the outcome of all things are by His perfect design. HE promises to bless our obedience ("Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you." Jeremiah 7:23) and that HE hears and answers the prayer of the righteous ("Then you will call upon Me and go to pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13) His Word also promises us that HE is the One who sets the kings of this world in position and that HE is sovereign and nothing happens without His permission. "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgement and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7) "And HE changes the times and the seasons; HE removes kings and raises up kings; HE gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding." (Daniel 2:21) "…That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever HE will And sets over it the lowest of men." (Daniel 4:17) "…until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever HE chooses." (Daniel 4:25, 32 & 5:21)
My Friend, the children of God have no reason to fear, even when things appear to be spiraling out of control. God is love (1 John 4:8) and HE loves us with an everlasting love. As we studied last week, everything God does is rooted, established and executed through that love. God did not ignore our prayers. HE did not forget about us. HE was not surprised by the outcome of the election, nor is HE surprised by any trial/circumstance/event that occurs in our lives. HE designs our days and HE orchestrates the events in our lives to bring glory to Himself and to establish our good.
God will use this time in history to teach us more about Himself. We simply need to trust in the Lord God to be who HE promises HE is.
Certainly, we cannot ignore that Scripture is unfolding and all heaven and earth is anticipating Christ Jesus' return. Scripture is true and the end is getting closer with every passing day. What a joy that will be when we hear Christ shout and turn to see Him coming into our presence in all His glory. Everyone, no matter what they claim to believe or not believe, WILL bow their knees in complete surrender and worship of Him who is and was and always will be!!! (Romans 14:11) Christ Jesus will establish His kingdom and call His children to Himself. Our focus at this time must be to come before the Lord God in complete repentance and submission. Allowing His blood to wash over us, cleansing us from all unrighteousness. When we come humbly before the Lord God, we are changed, a new creation in Christ Jesus. Our primary focus will be to live a life worthy of our Lord and to lead others to the cross so they will have the opportunity to surrender their lives to Him who is able to forgive all sin, heal all wounds, and restore us completely to Himself.
Read our focal passage once more. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because HE first loved us." (1 John 4:18-19) In this verse, God promises that His perfect/complete love completes us. His love accomplishes its purpose and upholds us in times of trouble and in times of peace. When a child of God is residing in His perfect love, no fear can reside with us. His love casts out fear and establishes us in Himself. HE is our fulfillment, our comfort, our peace, our hope, our sustainer, our refuge, our life and our very breath.
My Friend, no matter what you are facing today, trust in the Lord. Seek Him above all else. Ask Him to search your heart and know your anxious thoughts. Allow Him to reveal to you what you need to confess and repent and then do that immediately. Trust the Lord to be exactly who His Word promises HE is. Allow Him to wash over you and heal you from the past and/or the present. As children of God, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. We are no longer prisoners of sin. We can walk freely and intimately with our Lord. May that be the prayer of our hearts this week. May we love Him and trust Him alone.
Your Sister in Christ,
Michelle Jones
November 10, 2008
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"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because HE first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19 (NKJV)
Strong's:
Fear #5401 phobos = to be afraid, exceedingly, fear, terror
Love #26 agape = affection, benevolence, dear, love
Perfect #5046 teleios = complete, completeness
Perfect #5048 teleioo = accomplish, fulfill, make perfect
Casts #906 ballo = throw down, to thrust
First #4413 protos = foremost in time, place, order or importance; before, beginning, best
About a year ago, my pastor lovingly confronted me on my sin of fear. He had noticed that my life seemed to be driven by fear. Everything I did was rooted in trying to control my surroundings so I would not experience pain. This "fear" was evident in every aspect of my life…My relationship with other people, the well-being of my children, my need to "control" events in our marriage and basically in life in general. I know I have shared this with you previously, but allow me to simply state that I was truly not aware of this sin. I was actually shocked when he mentioned it me.
Throughout the following weeks, the Lord began to open my eyes to this truth and show me in His Word why fear was a sin and how it affects the very nature of my relationship with Him. You see, there is no room for fear in the life of a believer. Fear stems from not trusting/believing God. I said I trusted God and I could quote Scripture supporting that truth, but deep within the secret places of my heart, I did not trust God. "The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And HE knows those who trusts in Him." (Nahum 1:7) "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father". (Romans 8:15) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
This past week, our nation elected a new president. For those whose heart is to preserve the standards which God's Word established, our prayer seemed to go unheard. As I laid down Tuesday night, I found myself having a very difficult time resting. I cried out to the Lord and asked, "Why, Lord? Your children have prayed, confessed and repented of our sins, and asked You to establish our next president as a man who stands for those things that You command." In the stillness of the night, the Lord God comforted me with His Truth. HE spoke to my heart and reassured me that His children are called to obedience and HE is the Author of the days, the outcome of all things are by His perfect design. HE promises to bless our obedience ("Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you." Jeremiah 7:23) and that HE hears and answers the prayer of the righteous ("Then you will call upon Me and go to pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12-13) His Word also promises us that HE is the One who sets the kings of this world in position and that HE is sovereign and nothing happens without His permission. "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgement and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6-7) "And HE changes the times and the seasons; HE removes kings and raises up kings; HE gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding." (Daniel 2:21) "…That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever HE will And sets over it the lowest of men." (Daniel 4:17) "…until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever HE chooses." (Daniel 4:25, 32 & 5:21)
My Friend, the children of God have no reason to fear, even when things appear to be spiraling out of control. God is love (1 John 4:8) and HE loves us with an everlasting love. As we studied last week, everything God does is rooted, established and executed through that love. God did not ignore our prayers. HE did not forget about us. HE was not surprised by the outcome of the election, nor is HE surprised by any trial/circumstance/event that occurs in our lives. HE designs our days and HE orchestrates the events in our lives to bring glory to Himself and to establish our good.
God will use this time in history to teach us more about Himself. We simply need to trust in the Lord God to be who HE promises HE is.
Certainly, we cannot ignore that Scripture is unfolding and all heaven and earth is anticipating Christ Jesus' return. Scripture is true and the end is getting closer with every passing day. What a joy that will be when we hear Christ shout and turn to see Him coming into our presence in all His glory. Everyone, no matter what they claim to believe or not believe, WILL bow their knees in complete surrender and worship of Him who is and was and always will be!!! (Romans 14:11) Christ Jesus will establish His kingdom and call His children to Himself. Our focus at this time must be to come before the Lord God in complete repentance and submission. Allowing His blood to wash over us, cleansing us from all unrighteousness. When we come humbly before the Lord God, we are changed, a new creation in Christ Jesus. Our primary focus will be to live a life worthy of our Lord and to lead others to the cross so they will have the opportunity to surrender their lives to Him who is able to forgive all sin, heal all wounds, and restore us completely to Himself.
Read our focal passage once more. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because HE first loved us." (1 John 4:18-19) In this verse, God promises that His perfect/complete love completes us. His love accomplishes its purpose and upholds us in times of trouble and in times of peace. When a child of God is residing in His perfect love, no fear can reside with us. His love casts out fear and establishes us in Himself. HE is our fulfillment, our comfort, our peace, our hope, our sustainer, our refuge, our life and our very breath.
My Friend, no matter what you are facing today, trust in the Lord. Seek Him above all else. Ask Him to search your heart and know your anxious thoughts. Allow Him to reveal to you what you need to confess and repent and then do that immediately. Trust the Lord to be exactly who His Word promises HE is. Allow Him to wash over you and heal you from the past and/or the present. As children of God, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. We are no longer prisoners of sin. We can walk freely and intimately with our Lord. May that be the prayer of our hearts this week. May we love Him and trust Him alone.
Your Sister in Christ,
Michelle Jones
November 10, 2008
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Sunday, November 2, 2008
Monday Morning Devotion #257
This Week's Focal Passage:
"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God may bless you in land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land…" Deuteronomy 30:15-18 (NJKV)
Strong's:
Life #2416 chay = alive, merry, running, springing
Good #2896 towb =favor, graciously, joyful, loving, most pleasant, prosperity, wealth
Death #4194 maveth - pestilence, ruin, violent
Evil #7451 ra = calamity, distress, exceedingly, great grief, harm, misery, sorrow, trouble, worst wretchedness
Commandments #4687 mitsvah = percept
Statutes #2708 chuqqah = appointed custom
Judgments #4941 mishpat = divine law
Live #2421 chayah = revive, give life, repair, restore, save, be whole
Multiply #7235 rabah = to increase in whatever respect,
Tuesday, November 4th, Americans will raise their voices and bring a new president into the White House. The true heart of America will be revealed and the desires of her people will be shown. Before we head to the voting booths, may each of us bow before the Lord God and allow Him to examine our hearts and reveal to us any sins that we may be harboring in our hearts. May we repent of those sins and ask for His unconditional forgiveness to fall fresh upon us. May we allow Him to do whatever work necessary to change our hearts and make them new. May we seek Him above all else and experience Him in the way that HE has always intended for us to experience Him…As our Life, our Joy, our Hope, our Protection, our King, our Shelter, our Reward, our Comforter, our Sustainer, our Purpose, our Direction, our Freedom, our Best Friend.
May the Lord God look upon His people and see one heart, one mind and one desire. Please Lord, bring about a spiritual revival across this nation in a way that has never been seen before. May Your glory be so evident and so magnificent that it draws the lost to You and Your children into a deeper relationship with You. May our cries be heard and our prayers be answered. My Friend, we deserve nothing, but death and destruction. Nothing in us or about us is good, worthy, or valuable. We are sinners saved by grace and nothing more. The Lord has chosen to extend His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and life to each of His children. It is because of His greatness that we exist. His power sustains this universe and everything in it was made by Him and through Him and for Him (John 1:3). Every decision we make as individuals and as a nation must be made with the Lord God and His glory as our first priority. When we live a life that brings honor and glory to God, God pours out His blessings upon us. His heart is to shower His children with blessings beyond our wildest dreams. Not because we deserve it or have earned it, but because HE is love (1 John 4:8) and all His actions are birthed and executed in and through that love.
Over and over in Scripture, we find the Lord God calling His people back to Him. His heart is for each person to repent and to allow the blood of Christ to cleanse them, heal them, renew them, restore them and recreate them into His own image (2 Peter 3:9). Look at our focal passage. "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God may bless you in land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land…" (Deuteronomy 30:15-18)
As a nation and as individuals we have failed to honor and glorify the Lord. We have allowed our world to be filled with vile and sinful concepts, ideas, entertainment, values, morals, and teachings. We call it "freedom of expression" but what the Lord God calls it is SIN. We live in ways that bring shame to the Lord God and to the name of Christ, but we ask Him to protect us, sustain us, prolong our freedoms and comforts. Why do we think that we deserve such things?! God's Word clearly states that God wants to bless us, but we have to make a choice. We have to either choose to live according to His Word or we choose to live in rebellion against Him. There is no middle ground, My Friend. His Word is also clear about the outcome of our choices. If we choose to live according to His Word, HE will bless us with His presence and provisions, but if we choose to live in rebellion against Him, HE will allow us to perish through the destruction we bring upon ourselves.
This election is not about protecting our comforts so we can continue to live unchanged and uninterrupted for the next four years. This election is about electing a man that will uphold the values and morals of Scripture and continue to protect our great nation against those who desire to destroy it, so that God's children will be able to use the next four years to proclaim Christ Jesus to a lost and dying world. Christ Jesus is going to return and call His children home. We know this for certain because God's Word tells us HE is coming again. Jesus promises in Matthew 14:2-3 "In My Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Three times in Revelations, Jesus promises, "Behold, I AM coming quickly…" (Revelations 3:11; 22:7; 22:20) For God's children, Christ return is the best possible gift; however, to the lost, Christ return seals their death and destruction, their complete separation from the Lord God for all eternity.
Oh, My Friend, we are not ready for Christ to return!!! We have so much work that needs to be done. So much that we have allowed to be put on the "back burner" so that we could pursue other things…Wealth, personal success, accomplishments, dreams, hopes, ideas, employment, life in general, and comforts this world offers. My heart is heavy as I think of the time I have wasted and the opportunities that I had to share Christ Jesus and chose not too for whatever reason. May God forgive me and allow me the opportunity to share Christ once more with the lost in my family and in my sphere of influence. Satan is the father of lies and no truth is within him (1 John 2:4). His goal is to deceive us into thinking that Christ is either not returning at all or that His return is so far off that our delay in sharing the Gospel will not have a negative effect on those around us. That could not be farther from the truth. Christ is returning! HE is coming quickly! And every second counts! Our sole purpose for being on this earth at this particular time is to glorify the Lord by living for Him so that others may come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
God is Sovereign and HE alone is worthy of all honor, glory and praise. HE is our life and the length of our days (Deuteronomy 30:20). HE is worth whatever cost. HE is more valuable than gold, more priceless than the most precious jewel. Nothing in heaven or earth satisfies to the very marrow of our souls like Christ Jesus. Nothing is worth living for if HE is not the Center. We have no idea how much we miss and how much those around us miss when we do not live for Him and Him alone. When we allow our eyes to be removed from Him and our hearts begin to stray toward the things of this world. Father God, PLEASE open our eyes and our ears so that we can hear Your Truth and understand it. May we have a heart so broken before You that we pour out our repentance and allow You to restore us and create in us a heart that truly longs for You every moment of the day. May You give us such a passion for the lost that our first priority in every decision that we make will be to live in such a way that draws others to the cross of Jesus. Forgive our sins and the sins of this nation. Bring revival to our nation and throughout the world. Sustain us, protect us, root us and establish us in Your unchanging, unshakable, uncompromising Word. May our lives be exact representations of You, Lord Jesus.
"For this reason 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, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19) To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Your Sister in Christ,
Michelle Jones
November 3, 2008
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"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God may bless you in land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land…" Deuteronomy 30:15-18 (NJKV)
Strong's:
Life #2416 chay = alive, merry, running, springing
Good #2896 towb =favor, graciously, joyful, loving, most pleasant, prosperity, wealth
Death #4194 maveth - pestilence, ruin, violent
Evil #7451 ra = calamity, distress, exceedingly, great grief, harm, misery, sorrow, trouble, worst wretchedness
Commandments #4687 mitsvah = percept
Statutes #2708 chuqqah = appointed custom
Judgments #4941 mishpat = divine law
Live #2421 chayah = revive, give life, repair, restore, save, be whole
Multiply #7235 rabah = to increase in whatever respect,
Tuesday, November 4th, Americans will raise their voices and bring a new president into the White House. The true heart of America will be revealed and the desires of her people will be shown. Before we head to the voting booths, may each of us bow before the Lord God and allow Him to examine our hearts and reveal to us any sins that we may be harboring in our hearts. May we repent of those sins and ask for His unconditional forgiveness to fall fresh upon us. May we allow Him to do whatever work necessary to change our hearts and make them new. May we seek Him above all else and experience Him in the way that HE has always intended for us to experience Him…As our Life, our Joy, our Hope, our Protection, our King, our Shelter, our Reward, our Comforter, our Sustainer, our Purpose, our Direction, our Freedom, our Best Friend.
May the Lord God look upon His people and see one heart, one mind and one desire. Please Lord, bring about a spiritual revival across this nation in a way that has never been seen before. May Your glory be so evident and so magnificent that it draws the lost to You and Your children into a deeper relationship with You. May our cries be heard and our prayers be answered. My Friend, we deserve nothing, but death and destruction. Nothing in us or about us is good, worthy, or valuable. We are sinners saved by grace and nothing more. The Lord has chosen to extend His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and life to each of His children. It is because of His greatness that we exist. His power sustains this universe and everything in it was made by Him and through Him and for Him (John 1:3). Every decision we make as individuals and as a nation must be made with the Lord God and His glory as our first priority. When we live a life that brings honor and glory to God, God pours out His blessings upon us. His heart is to shower His children with blessings beyond our wildest dreams. Not because we deserve it or have earned it, but because HE is love (1 John 4:8) and all His actions are birthed and executed in and through that love.
Over and over in Scripture, we find the Lord God calling His people back to Him. His heart is for each person to repent and to allow the blood of Christ to cleanse them, heal them, renew them, restore them and recreate them into His own image (2 Peter 3:9). Look at our focal passage. "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God may bless you in land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land…" (Deuteronomy 30:15-18)
As a nation and as individuals we have failed to honor and glorify the Lord. We have allowed our world to be filled with vile and sinful concepts, ideas, entertainment, values, morals, and teachings. We call it "freedom of expression" but what the Lord God calls it is SIN. We live in ways that bring shame to the Lord God and to the name of Christ, but we ask Him to protect us, sustain us, prolong our freedoms and comforts. Why do we think that we deserve such things?! God's Word clearly states that God wants to bless us, but we have to make a choice. We have to either choose to live according to His Word or we choose to live in rebellion against Him. There is no middle ground, My Friend. His Word is also clear about the outcome of our choices. If we choose to live according to His Word, HE will bless us with His presence and provisions, but if we choose to live in rebellion against Him, HE will allow us to perish through the destruction we bring upon ourselves.
This election is not about protecting our comforts so we can continue to live unchanged and uninterrupted for the next four years. This election is about electing a man that will uphold the values and morals of Scripture and continue to protect our great nation against those who desire to destroy it, so that God's children will be able to use the next four years to proclaim Christ Jesus to a lost and dying world. Christ Jesus is going to return and call His children home. We know this for certain because God's Word tells us HE is coming again. Jesus promises in Matthew 14:2-3 "In My Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Three times in Revelations, Jesus promises, "Behold, I AM coming quickly…" (Revelations 3:11; 22:7; 22:20) For God's children, Christ return is the best possible gift; however, to the lost, Christ return seals their death and destruction, their complete separation from the Lord God for all eternity.
Oh, My Friend, we are not ready for Christ to return!!! We have so much work that needs to be done. So much that we have allowed to be put on the "back burner" so that we could pursue other things…Wealth, personal success, accomplishments, dreams, hopes, ideas, employment, life in general, and comforts this world offers. My heart is heavy as I think of the time I have wasted and the opportunities that I had to share Christ Jesus and chose not too for whatever reason. May God forgive me and allow me the opportunity to share Christ once more with the lost in my family and in my sphere of influence. Satan is the father of lies and no truth is within him (1 John 2:4). His goal is to deceive us into thinking that Christ is either not returning at all or that His return is so far off that our delay in sharing the Gospel will not have a negative effect on those around us. That could not be farther from the truth. Christ is returning! HE is coming quickly! And every second counts! Our sole purpose for being on this earth at this particular time is to glorify the Lord by living for Him so that others may come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior.
God is Sovereign and HE alone is worthy of all honor, glory and praise. HE is our life and the length of our days (Deuteronomy 30:20). HE is worth whatever cost. HE is more valuable than gold, more priceless than the most precious jewel. Nothing in heaven or earth satisfies to the very marrow of our souls like Christ Jesus. Nothing is worth living for if HE is not the Center. We have no idea how much we miss and how much those around us miss when we do not live for Him and Him alone. When we allow our eyes to be removed from Him and our hearts begin to stray toward the things of this world. Father God, PLEASE open our eyes and our ears so that we can hear Your Truth and understand it. May we have a heart so broken before You that we pour out our repentance and allow You to restore us and create in us a heart that truly longs for You every moment of the day. May You give us such a passion for the lost that our first priority in every decision that we make will be to live in such a way that draws others to the cross of Jesus. Forgive our sins and the sins of this nation. Bring revival to our nation and throughout the world. Sustain us, protect us, root us and establish us in Your unchanging, unshakable, uncompromising Word. May our lives be exact representations of You, Lord Jesus.
"For this reason 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, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19) To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Your Sister in Christ,
Michelle Jones
November 3, 2008
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