Archives for July 2016

 

Bible Reading: Acts 28:1-6

Focus Scripture: But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. Acts 28:5 (NKJV)

The month of July has been challenging for me. Family emergencies, website issues, transportation loss and the passing of a loved one, just to name a few. As each thing would come, sometimes I would think, “God, please have mercy on me and give me a break. This is way too much stuff for me to deal with right now. I have been doing everything you’ve asked of me. Why am I experiencing so much adversity?”

Then I was reminded of all the times God has made a way, consistently covering and protecting. In spite of the challenges I’ve experienced, God has consistently been faithful.

Paul, in the book of Acts, also experienced some consistent challenges. First in chapter 21, we learn that he is advancing the Kingdom of God when he gets arrested for preaching the Gospel. While he was under arrest, the Jews plotted to kill him in chapter 23. Paul then pleads his case and while on his way to Rome with other prisoners, he was shipwrecked in Malta. The storm was so violent that although the prisoners survived, the boat was destroyed, chapter 27. Finally, it appears that Paul was able to catch a break. He was safe on land and no one was trying to kill him on that island. I couldn’t imagine experiencing trouble of that magnitude! But now he could breath a bit, or so we think. In chapter 28, as Paul was trying to build a fire to keep warm, a snake bites him. Really God? Were the previous misfortunes not enough? But what Paul did next was simply amazing. He just shook the snake off his hand and continued with what he was doing. After everything he had just gone through, Paul was confident that God didn’t deliver him to die from some snakebite.

The same is true for you. I don’t know what the snakebite in your life is right now, but I encourage you to be like Paul and shake it off. God didn’t deliver you from previous troubles for you to suffer and die here. If he delivered you before, He will do the same again. Don’t let the venom from your snakebite keep you paralyzed from moving forward to the greatness God has called you to.

Prayer: Father God, the challenges in my life have been great, but You are greater. Thank You for consistently covering and protecting me. Although I may get weary at times, help me to remember that You have all power in Your hands and that Your track record is good. I ask for Your strength as I shake off every adversity that comes my way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

 

Focus Scripture: Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

It takes a lot of self-control to not say something when you really want to. I have learned over the years that I don’t have to say every thought that comes to mind. One sign of a mature Christian is knowing when and how to speak.

How many times have you been in a situation where you may have said something that should have remained a thought? Even if your comment was true, that doesn’t mean it was necessary for you to say it. Often times we think we are helping others when we are “just being honest” or “keeping it real.”

It isn’t essential for us to comment on everything we observe to be wrong especially when we don’t do it in love. Not being able to control our tongue is a sign of a lack of self- control. Proverbs 25:28, teaches us that a person without self- control is like a city broken down, without walls, unprotected. Without self- control, you set yourself up for trouble.

When we resolve to always say something, we don’t leave room for God to do what He needs to do. God can do a whole lot more in changing someone or a situation than we ever could. We win people over by our actions, not what we say.

It is important that we are in tune with the Holy Spirit and operate in wisdom on when and how to speak. There are times He will prompt you to say things. But there are times when He may be working on someone or something and your fleshly comments can be a hindrance to His work.

Choose on today that you will operate self- control and watch your words.

The Bible is filled with wisdom on controlling our tongue, below is additional scripture on helping you accomplish that.

Proverbs 21:23; Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 15:1; 1 Peter 3:10; Matthew 15:11; Ecclesiastes 3:7

Prayer: Father, Your wisdom in infinite. Thank You for caring about everything involving me. I am not always mindful or careful with the words that I say. My words, in the past, have caused pain to others, please forgive me. Honestly, it’s much harder to not speak than to speak. But, I want to operate in self control in every area of my life. Help me to be mindful that it isn’t my responsibility to speak everything I think and to be in tune with Your spirit to know when I should. It is in the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and to humble all who are renowned on the earth. Isaiah 23:9 (NIV)

I knew that I needed to purchase a new car for sometime now, but I just wasn’t ready. Yes, having a new car is fun, but the process can be very tedious! From the search, to negotiating to the actual purchase, it all can be overwhelming.

However, I started looking and I felt that I had found it, the vehicle that I was ready to take the next step with and purchase. Everything felt right, I liked the dealership, the sales people where amazing, and I loved the vehicle. I had already had my financing covered before hand. I knew how much I was willing to pay for a vehicle, and I was not willing to pay more, no matter how much I liked it. Everything went great. I loved the car, all of my questions were being answered the way I preferred, and I enjoyed the test drive. This was my car!

But once it was time to actually go through with the purchase. Things were difficult. The sales people kept going back and forth. Although I had a check ready to sign over to them for the car, they weren’t willing to allow me to purchase the car at the price I was comfortable with. It was only $2000 less than the asking price. What’s $2000 in the grand scheme of things when purchasing a vehicle?

After realizing they weren’t going to sale me the car, I thought, “Why does everything have to be so difficult with me? For once can it be simple?” Then I started comparing myself with others, thinking about how things have come about in my life. “Where was the favor that I knew God would give me in this process?” I was having a real pity party.

Looking back over the situation, one of the biggest things that I realized was missing was prayer. I never really prayed and asked God for guidance or His blessing because I felt I had everything under control. I had found the vehicle, my financing was taken care of and I was willing to negotiate everything I needed. I was so proud of myself for having everything in order. “There was no way this wasn’t working out,” I thought.

There is a difference between having confidence in God and pride. Even though we have confidence in Him, we still go to Him and tell Him what we need. Pride says, “I got this covered, so I don’t have to pray about this because I don’t need God’s help here.” God Confidence says, “ Lord, although everything appears good, I need Your wisdom and guidance to lead me through this.”

Are you going to God with every one of your needs even if you feel like you have it under control? Ask yourself today, “have I allowed my pride to got in the was of my confidence in God?” Although He knows exactly what we need, it’s our responsibility to humble ourselves and go to Him to make our request known.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for truth and revealing to me the condition of my heart. Thank You for being true to Your promise of looking past my faults to meet my need. I ask You to forgive me for allowing pride to overshadow my confidence in You. I declare on today that I will bring everything to You, no matter how big or small because You are concerned about everything concerning me. It is in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Focus Scripture: And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NKJV)

A few months ago I went on vacation to Central America. While I was there, I had the opportunity to hike Pacaya Volcano, an active volcano in Guatemala. I have never experienced anything so mentally and physically difficult in my life.

As we were going through the trail that was filled with volcano ashes, in some areas it became VERY difficult to climb. It was as if you where consistently walking up steep stairs. Imagine working out at the gym on a stair master that’s filled with sand. So every time you take another step, you sink farther in the sand, having to lift your legs higher. As if the incline of the volcano wasn’t enough of a challenge.

Since our guide took this trip at least three times a week, he wasn’t having any problems navigating the journey. He knew every turn, trail and path to take. It wasn’t until we were about two-thirds of the way up that we realized the hike was easier if we stepped in the exact footsteps of our guide. He had already paved the way for us and we just needed to step directly in his footsteps and follow his exact path. Doing this didn’t relieve us of all difficulty, but it did offer some assistance. We didn’t have to stop as often to rest like we had earlier in the hike.

Isn’t this the way we should approach our journey in following Christ? So many times we want to pave our own way and create our own path, not realizing how much more difficult we are making things for ourselves. The word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path according to Psalm119:105. It is important that we use it as a guide on our daily walk with Christ. When we make up in our minds that we will follow in Christ’s footsteps, although our heart my plan our ways, the Lord will establish our steps, Proverbs 16:9.

Prayer: Almighty God, my Shepherd and King. Thank You for holding fast to Your promise of never leaving me or forsaking me but always leading me in the path of righteousness. I admit that sometimes I make things difficult for myself by not following Your leading, please forgive me. Sometimes this journey can get tough, but help me to remember that You go before me, preparing the way. And because of this I don’t have to worry or fear or try to figure it out. All I have to do is follow. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Bible Reading Matthew 4:1-11

Focus Verse: And the tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” Matthew 4:4 (ESV)

“I need a drink.” I had come to find myself saying regularly. Where had this come from? I wasn’t a drinker. There had been times in my past where I would drink from time to time, but after I decided that I didn’t want to subject myself to any other spirit but the Holy Spirit residing in me, I decided that I would no longer partake in consuming alcoholic beverages.

So where was this coming from? Why was this, something that was never an issue for me, now causing me to question my decision on drinking?

“It’s only one drink. You deserve it, you had a long day. There’s no harm in it, it will just help you relax.” All of these thoughts had started to cross my mind and at one point, I began to entertain them.

“There’s nothing wrong with one drink. It’s the weekend. What could one drink really hurt?” And then a portion of the church convent I said every month when taking communion, came to mind, “…to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating and behavior altering substances for recreational purposes.”

Often times we hear about the enemy using those things that we like to entice us. That very thing that has caused us to stumble and fall in the past. But what about that thing that hadn’t been an issue for you, now all of a sudden, blindsiding you causing you to consider it?

Maybe your blindside isn’t drinking, maybe its entertaining lustful thoughts that will lead to acts of sexual immorality. Or maybe it’s innocent frequent shopping mall visits or online shopping that leads to unnecessary spending or debt. All these things appear innocent, but if left unchecked has the potential to jeopardize your walk with Christ.

The enemy will do everything he can to trip you up and keep you from being everything God has called you to be. Don’t let those things that appear innocent blindside you where you find yourself unpleasantly surprised asking “how did I get here?”

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for coming to my rescue whenever I am tempted. Your word promises me that with every temptation, You will provide a way for me to escape. Grant me the wisdom to identify what appears to be innocent enticings of the enemy. And when You provide the escape, give me the discipline to operate self control and take it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

 

Focus Scripture: And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

A father was enjoying worship service with two of his sons one morning. When it had come to the time in the service to give, the father gave one of his sons, the one sitting the farthest away from him, two dollar bills. As the other son waited for his dad to give him his portion, the son that already received his offering, kept trying to share one of his dollars with his brother. But the most interesting thing happened, the brother without an offering kept refusing his brother’s offering.

Instead, he kept looking up at his father, because he just knew that his dad too had an offering for him. His very own, not a portion of someone else’s. And sure enough, after a few minutes, the father handed the other son two dollars as well.

How many times have we found ourselves, like the son, watching and waiting for God, our Father, to give us our portion? We see others around us being blessed, some may even want to assist in helping God with giving us some of their portion after it appears we have been looked over.

God wants us to be so in tune and dependent upon Him, that with each and every one of our needs, we are going to Him, looking to Him to provide. Even when He doesn’t provide right away, like we think He should, He wants us to be so dependent upon Him that we aren’t willing to settle for someone else’s portion to provide our need, even when it appears to be from God.

Prayer: Father, thank You so much for being my provider. Thank You that I can look to You to supply my every need. Your word promises me that You will provide my every need according to Your riches in glory. Help me to be so close to You that even when it appears that I have been looked over, I am willing to wait until You bless me. It is in Your son, Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.