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If you found out that Jesus (in physical form) was coming to your house for dinner tomorrow night…what would you do? Would you run to the grocery store, or would you pull out what you have and then ask him to bless it? Because after all, you’ve heard He can do a lot with just a little.
If you were preparing the meal, what would you serve Him? The very best…maybe your special dish that everybody loves, or perhaps what you’ve heard He likes: fish, bread, and maybe some figs. Or, would you prefer to take Him out to dinner? Would you clean your whole house or only the parts that He might see? How would you greet Him when He arrives? In Luke 19:1-9 we read about Jesus inviting himself to the home of a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus didn’t have time to warn his wife and family…time to clean up…or time to be sure they had plenty of food. But it didn’t really matter to Zacchaeus. When Jesus said, “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today,” Zacchaeus immediately climbed down and, with great excitement and joy, took Jesus to his house. Remember, Zacchaeus had climbed up a tree so he could see Jesus because he had heard He was going to be passing by. It’s interesting to note that Zacchaeus was not only looking for Jesus but he was also thrilled to take Jesus home with him. How about you? Are you looking for Jesus on a daily basis? Are you consistently welcoming Him with open arms into your activities...your home...your life? Zacchaeus discovered that when he welcomed Jesus in, he was fed as he’d never been fed before. Not only that, Jesus cleaned him up from the inside out, and Zacchaeus’ life was forever changed, for Jesus said, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.” Jesus doesn’t just want to visit for a little while, He wants to make His home in you. In John 14:23, Jesus said, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” How about inviting Him to make Himself at home in your life, not only today but every day. Bro. Joe Prayer: Jesus, thank you for making your home in me. Mi casa es su casa. Amen
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Are there times in your life when you feel defeated? Are there times when you feel victorious? Are there times when you find yourself stuck somewhere between the two? Do you spend more time living in defeat or living in victory?
Would you like to more consistently live in greater victory? Living in greater victory begins with understanding what victory is. The dictionary defines victory in two ways:
Let me remind you of what Jesus said in John 16:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” I believe in order to live in greater victory more consistently, we must recognize who we are. In Ephesians 2:10 Paul says: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” We also must recognize who Jesus is. He is the one who has overcome the world. Therefore, we don’t have to walk in defeat; instead, we can walk in victory. Think about what it is that often robs you of victory and keeps you living in defeat. Now consider Paul’s proclamation in Romans 8:35-37: “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Do you really believe this is true, that overwhelming victory is yours in Christ? If so, put your faith into action . . . “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.” 1 John 5:4 There is Victory In Jesus. Bro. Joe Prayer: Jesus, thank you for not only providing the way but also for being the only way that I can walk in victory. Amen Have you ever dreamed that you were back in school and showed up for class only to discover there’s a test you knew nothing about and were not prepared to take? The truth is we are often tested in life, and we may not know it until we are in the midst of the test or we look back after we’ve come through it.
Genesis 22 opens with the statement: “God tested Abrahams’s faith.” Often times God will test us so that we can grow in our faith, and so that we don’t have any false illusions as to where we stand in our relationship with Him. The Bible says that a person can deceive themselves. People can believe that they are saved, when in reality they aren’t. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” So we are to test ourselves, and sometimes God tests us. He never tempts us, but He tests us. There is a difference between being tested and being tempted. Every time God tests us it’s always for the purpose of building our faith and bringing us closer to Him. Are you ready for a test? Maybe you are in the midst of one, or maybe there is one coming your way. It may be big or small. Either way, are you ready? How to stay prepared for your faith to be tested:
Hold on to this promise from God: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT As you pass your test of faith you will be built up and you will be drawn closer to the Lord. Bro. Joe Prayer: Father, you have never failed me. Forgive me for those times I have failed you. Help me to stay mindful of your promises and to trust you as you faithfully guide my life. Give me a willing and obedient spirit to follow your lead. Amen “So, what’s new with you?”
I’ve asked that question on occasion, and the response I often receive is... “same old...same old.” Is this true for you? Are you stuck in the same old...same old. As we begin 2020, is it really a New year for you, or is it just Another year? You make think, “Well, what difference does it make?” The difference is found in our perspective. Think about the meaning of the word new; it’s that which is...
The year 2020 has never existed before…today has never been experienced before. It may seem the same…but it is new. So, how are you going to view the year 2020? How will you view today? In the book of Exodus, God gives Moses detailed instructions for building the tabernacle of God. After Moses followed the Lord’s instructions completely, God told him, “Set up the Tabernacle on the first day of the new year.” Exodus 40:2 The tabernacle was a place where the people met with God.
Where is the tabernacle of God today? Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” This Sunday marks the first “Lord’s Day” of the New Year. Why not be certain that your tabernacle is set up as a place of worship, sacrifice and service. A place for God to dwell. Be the temple of God with the children of God. Listen to what the Lord says in Isaiah 43:19: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Looking forward with great anticipation of the new. Bro. Joe Prayer: Thank you Lord for the promise found in your word that “the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3 NKJV. Thank for living in me. Amen |
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