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"He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes." Deuteronomy 10:21 NLT
What are the miracles that you have seen God do? Maybe you have seen or experienced God's healing touch. Maybe you know of God's faithful provision. Perhaps the joy of a new day dawning or a glorious starry night. The birth of a newborn baby. The beauty of creation itself. God performs miracles everyday. Why is it some see them and others seem oblivious to the work of God all around them? It comes down to the simple statement at the beginning of this passage. "He alone is your God." In order to see the miracles you have to believe in the miracle maker. God has to truly be God in our lives. Then you begin to understand that He is the only one who is worthy of your praise. Praise God today for the miracles in your life no matter how great or how small. Look and see what He is doing. Bro. Joe
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"Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us." Colossians 3:10, 11 NLT
The process of renewal (putting on your new nature) occurs as we become more like Christ. In order to become more like Him we have to know Him better. That knowledge will only grow as we spend more and more time with Him. How are you spending your time? Are you spending enough time with God to be renewed or simply refreshed? Being renewed in Christ brings change in who you are because of whose you are. Being refreshed means you simply feel better about your experience. Renewal is more than feelings and experience, it's when true change occurs and we truly become more like Him. It begins with the understanding that Christ is all that matters. Bro. Joe “I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.” Psalms 17:6-8 NLT
Do you pray with the confidence that God not only hears your prayers, but that he answers as well? It's not so much of a confidence that you will always get what you ask, but a confidence in God, trusting that He knows what is best and will answer in His time and in His way. “Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.” Psalms 86:6-7 NLT Talk to the Lord, share your heart with Him, trust Him...He will answer. Bro. Joe You are chosen. "For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure." Deuteronomy 7:6 NLT
You are called. "Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." Ephesians 4:1 NLT You are sometimes going to face difficulties and discouragements. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT You are given right standing before God the Father. "So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:21 NLT You are given His Glory. "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory." Romans 5:2 NLT You are a child of the King. Walk in that truth today. Bro. Joe ““Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT
A choice...life or death...blessings or curses; one would think that this is a no brainier, an easy decision. However, the choice is made by three factors. First, loving the Lord your God. Second, obeying Him. Third, committing yourself firmly to Him. If we are honest with ourselves, we can see the choice we've made by the actions of our lives. One out of three or even two out of three is not a choice for life and blessings. We are only fooling ourselves if we think otherwise. Remember "this is the key to your life." So, what's your choice? Bro. Joe Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalms 23:6 NLT
The thought of being pursued by the goodness of God and His unfailing love is difficult to understand. When thinking of being pursued, you might think of being chased. At the very least being followed. His pursuit comes in many forms, through His care, provisions, blessings and even His conviction. All are evidences of God's direct involvement in our lives. "But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." Psalms 33:18-22 NLT The truth is, God's pursuit is really the fulfillment of the promise of His presence. "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NLT Bro. Joe "However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. . .Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. . .He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:7, 11, 12, 16 NLT
The purpose for which each of us have been given spiritual gifts is to build up the body of Christ. It's like each of us have pieces to a puzzle. God is creating a picture. We are to fit our pieces together with others to create the picture that God desires. What are the pieces God has given to you? Are you using your gifts to help build up the church? Do you see the importance? If you are not actively utilizing your gifts in the church, the picture God is creating will be incomplete. Every piece is important...Every piece is necessary...Don't be missing pieces. Glorify God in using the gifts He has given you in service to the body of Christ. Bro. Joe “‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’” Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
Have you ever wondered what makes God smile? Think in terms of what you can do that will bring God pleasure. Can you see it? It may begin as a slight grin and then move to a great big smile from the Father, all because of what you said, did or thought that pleased Him. When God smiles on you, the result is you experience God's favor. When you experience God's favor you are refreshed - renewed - blessed. “When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.” Proverbs 16:15 NLT What can you do today that would bring God pleasure...that would make Him smile? Experience His favor...His peace...be refreshed. Bro. Joe "But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him.”
Habakkuk 2:20 NLT “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I Corinthians 3:16 NKJV As believers we are the temple where God resides. That truly is an incredible thought. God in you. The realization of God's presence in us should influence the things we think, do and say. Walk through today with a consistent awareness of God in you and see what happens. "For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building." 1 Corinthians 3:9 NLT “Be still, and know that I am God! . . .Psalms 46:10 NLT Bro. Joe “My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.” Proverbs 4:1-3 NLT
Just as a father corrects a child there are times when God offers correction. It's up to us to receive that correction or reject it. God offers guidance and instruction as we go through life. “My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.” Proverbs 3:11 NLT “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” Proverbs 10:17 NLT It really comes down to a matter of trust. Do you trust the Lord to lead you in the right direction? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT Let God guide you through today. Bro. Joe |
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May 2019
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