When You Boast, Do So About Jesus Christ Crucified

It seems fashionable to be humble in front of others. This kind of humility is a reproach to God. When God saved me, His purposes were also to sanctify me and to strengthen me for service. This is all a God thing, but He does so because He does not want His work to be in vain. It is good then to boast, but boast in the power of the God you serve and not about your unregenerate skills.

Daily Prayer: Yes Father, I do thank you for equipping me for godly service. Apart from You, I can do nothing, but with You I can do all things because You strengthen me. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Jesus Is Not An Example: He Is A Savior

Many religions and even many Christians regard the life of Jesus Christ as an example for holy living. To those who see no more than that, they will forfiet the blood of the lamb, regeneration of the spirit, the Kingdom of God and forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ is all about laying down His life for His friends and for His Father. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the beginning and the end. He is the expression of God's will.

Daily Prayer: Father, let us not lose sight or be short sided when it comes to the Son. Jesus is God incarnate and no less. He came to take upon the sins of the world and put and end to death.
He is victorious and we must explain the gospel as the necessary shedding of blood to Christians and to the world. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

It Is Better To Receive Than To Give

You probably think I made a mistake by saying it is better to receive than to give. This is not an error, rather it is the gospel of grace. That which was beyond you (forgiveness of your sins) suddenly came to within you (Holy Spirit) and allowed you to go above (to where Christ is).
Unless you come to Jesus as a sinner he cannot help you. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, I do accept your invitation of grace. I realize I am a sinner in need of a savior, so be my savior today. Amen.

Our Spiritual Life: We Do Our Part (And God Does His Part)

Because of the cross, our lives are to be directed to the service of Jesus Christ. The WWJD is appropriate. What would Jesus do? This should be the guiding question that determines our daily life. This is called consecration which means dedicated to God. Now God has a part also.
His part is to separate you from sin and to provide a way for you to live a holy life. This is called sanctification. Many people work on sanctification like it is a work of man and it is not. This is God's work and your part is dedicated service to Him.

Daily Prayer: Father, help us to straighten out our priorities. Let us not try to do godly work, only the work that we have been separated from the world to do which is service to you. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

What It Mean To Be Grounded In Christ Jesus

For the mature Christian, their message is simple: "Jesus Christ crucified." Apart from the Cross, the Christian's life is a fraud. Christians are sinners saved by grace on their best day. On their worse day, they are sinners saved by grace. The entire message is Christ crucified. The result: forgiveness of sins and dying to our sin nature. Then our soul dwells in heavenly places while our body members labor on earth grounded in Christ.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for enduring the cross for me. You know what is in a man, yet You laid down Your life for Your friends. Thank you. Amen.

Recognize The Difference Between Humility & Spiritual Laziness

If a person is not under the council of God, one may think in their heart, I don't want to show off by taking a stand for God. That would be too assertive. It is better to remain humble. No true servant of God has drawn back when it came to taking a stand for God. Elijah commanded the skys to withhold the rain. Daniel refused the food from the king's court. Jesus threw the trader's out of the temple. The real people of God are His front line soldiers. They don't make claims to themselves, but they do make claims for their awesome God. Christians are brave and do not cower back.

Daily Prayer: Lord, let us stand beside You when facing your adversaries. Let us learn from you so that we may be equipped when our time of service draws near. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Following The Mind of Christ

It is your mental aptitude that control the decisions made for your mouth, hands, and feet. The most hurtful part of sin is that if we are not careful, we may become hardened to it. You may think that my sin is not as bad as another's sin. In God's world, both are reproachable. Be as condemning of your own sin as the sin of another. Never try to explain your sin to God by way of the circumstances that you are in. Remember, God made your circumstances what they are, so no need to explain them to their author. Finally, do not fight spiritual warfare in the flesh. There is not a thing the flesh can do that will affect the heart. If your heart is healthy, so will be your flesh.

Daily Prayer: Father, let us not disturb the leading of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Let us keep on track by making response to Him and not to our circumstances or to the world. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

So Spiritually Minded & No Earthly Good

Jesus said in his high priestly prayer, " I do not desire to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the Evil One." Jesus wants us in the world. He doesn't want us up on a cloud or in the depts of hell. He wants us in and among those who he died for. He wants us to be salt and light, but we fail in that charge if we exalt ourselves over others. Our time is not on the mountain top, but in the valley where people walk, run, play and work. This is the life of the people of God - not separated from the people, but among them.

Daily Prayer: Lord, a servant is never greater than his master. Let us be like you who came not to be served, but to serve. Amen.

It Is Finished

These words by Christ on the Cross typify the conclusion of His mission. His mission is the redemption of man by making the ultimate sacrifice to the Father - By being the Passover Lamb to all those who believe. Jesus came out of necessity. It was not by mercy or pity, but by a decree of God that Jesus was sent to live, dwell, and die among us. Short of the Cross, men would be separated from God, but because of the Cross, Jesus has made reconcilation possible and righteousness in through Him.

Daily Prayer: Father, allow us to live our life under the cover of our Lord Jesus Christ. By Your Spirit, protect us from evil and the Evil One. Let us walk by faith in Him who died for me. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

The Miracle Of Forgiveness

Most people believe that God's forgiveness of our sins is the result of a combination of grace and mercy on God's part. While God certainly has those capacities, the problem arises when we speak of God's holiness. In holiness, there can be no defilement. This is God's nature. This is why we are born into the world separated from God. Here is the miracle: We are born separated from Him, but He makes a way for reconcilation to occur. How? By slaying His own Son at the Cross at Calvary. Only a perfect sacrifice can be sufficient for an all-powerful and all-holy God to reconcile to sinful man. The result is that sin only needs to be paid for once which is through the atonement of Christ on the Cross.

Father, You did for us that which we cannot do for ourself. You made way for us a reconcilation which will go into eternity. Keep our hearts and minds on this as we live our daily lives. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

What Happens When God Forgives

God forgives my sin not because He has mercy on me, but because I have been identified with His Son. God forgives me because of Jesus and that's all. God's love is shown in the Cross. Without the Cross no amount of love would bring forgiveness. With the Cross I am forgiven because I am "in Christ" and forgiven based on the merit of Christ which is given to me a sinner.
This is why I can make no claim to righteousness apart from Jesus, because without him I am an unpardonable sinner.

Daily Prayer: Father, bring to my consciousness the level of payment that has been rendered for my sins. Keep me abiding in you so that I do not stray after such a great price has been paid for me and all who come to Christ for forgiveness. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Our Role In The Spiritual Life

I have a role to play in my spiritual life which is abiding with the Holy Spirit so that I do not obey the passions and lusts of the natural life. I myself, must beat myself into submission and obedience. I must discipline myself so that I do not require divine discipline. I must agree with God in His choices and values, but I must conform myself into acting on them. This is not for the purpose of salvation, but to have the freedom and life earned by Christ on the Cross.

Daily Prayer: Lord, let me not take my salvation for granted. Instead, let me with all my might to fight the good fight for the freedom earned me on the Cross. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

When You Say Amen To God

God and His Son Jesus Christ reveal themselves to me through my mind. The extent to which I understand it measured by my obedience. When I say Amen, I am saying "so be it." In other words, I am agreeing with God about what He has revealed in me. It doesn't take a great work of faith because God rewards even small actions of obedience. When we come to obedience, then we have come into relationship with our Savior.

Daily Prayer: Father, convince and convict me of Your ways to me. Let my belief be an action word that works itself out in my life to where I say Amen, so be it. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Hidden In Christ

To be hidden in Christ means that in your everyday life you exhibit the values of Jesus. Most of these details would invlove asking the question: What would Jesus do? Where would Jesus go? To whom would Jesus speak? It is our imitation of these things, most of which go un-noticed in the secular world that sets us apart in the eyes of Jesus as those who are His and working for Him. We do not do this for our own recognition or self-worth, but in loyality to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be mindful of all of Your needs for us to be You in the world to others. Let us be others minded and mindful to You in the living of our daily life. Amen.

Where Is God? - Anywhere & Everywhere

Many people when asked about the presence of God say they are looking for a sign. There is no sign because God is everywhere. God exists in the darkest of places and the most brilliant places. He is on the ground, in the heavens and above the heavens. He is beneath the earth but most importantly He is in you. All that you will ever be or do is witnessed by Him. He is the one to chasten you and to exalt you. So in all things seek God, because you will find Him.

Daily Prayer: Father, you truely know each of us before we were born. You gave us our name. Let is not seek the supernatural, but the natural because You are there for everyone who recognizes You and seeks You. Amen.

The Fear of Christ is the Beginning of Wisdom

Try to recall a time in your life when you were utterly ashamed. Now, recall a time when you were really afraid. Recall a time when you were guilty. Recall yet another time when you were all alone. Take all of these together and multiply them times the number of days in your life and that's what Jesus has removed from you past plus a whole lot more. What a relief it is to be released from the guilt, the shame, the fear, and the utter aloneness. Your release from bondage is only possible because of the Cross. If Jesus does not save you, who is going to? Should you not fear the only man ever born that can save you from everlasting judgment? Yes, you should fear and revere Him because He cares for you in a way you can never repay.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, let us wake each and every day to thanksgiving for our release from bondage and judgment. But it is more than that. Aside from our rescue, you put us in a high place and with opportunity and life. Let the words of my mouth and the actions of me each day express my gratitude. In Your Holy Name I pray Amen.

Knowing God Better

One may ask how to know God in a better way? The answer is found in my obedience to Him. We have already discovered that God is in control of our circumstances, whatever they are. And we know that all things come together for good to those who love Him and work according to His purposes. But there are many well-minded individuals who will obey but start of by saying "wait." True obedience doesn't wait, it employs. When we delay, we are leaning to our own understanding which is in sharp contrast to wisdom. To know God better, we must depend on Him and not on ourself.

Daily Prayer: Father, you do work all things together for good, so allow this to penetrate our soul so that our body obeys without hesitation. Amen.

The Purpose Driven Life

The Purpose Driven Life is a curse for the believer. We hear people say that God has a plan for you. Well He certainly does, but if you have a plan for you then God's plan for you will never unfold. For us to have a purpose to God, we must give up all of our rights to ourself and be fully open for His use. It may not agree with what you have in mind, but God expects us to trust Him with the stewardship of our life in Hime.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, use me as You ought to. Reassure me that when I cooperate with You that it is indeed from You so that I may fully surrender to You. In Your Holy Name I pray Amen.

We Are To Be The Bridegroom's Friend

At a wedding, the focus is on the bride and the groom. What kind of man would try to steal the attention of the bride groom for himself? This one is not a friend to him. So it is with the preaching of the gospel. We are to be the messenger and not the message. We are to convey our Lord's life, death and resurrection and draw others to Him alone. These days you hear of charismatic speakers from the pulpit. What does that mean? Who are they trying to proclaim?
Its the message, not the messenger and be a friend to the bridegroom. Amen.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Father has turned all things over into Your hands. Let is be Your messengers in this fallen world. Let us not make the grave error of thinking more of ourselves than we ought to. Teach us Lord to walk humbly before you. Amen.

Why Your Body Is The Temple Of The Holy Spirit

Jesus said "My house shall be a house of prayer." In this New Covenant Age, no longer is the house of the Lord a temple made of bricks or clay. Instead the house of prayer is the inner-man who was grown when you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Now, the Holy Spirit indwells you and makes intercession for you to the Father. In our conscious life, we come to the Lord with our petititions, but sometimes we don't pray as we ought to. This is why we need a Helper so that our requests may be known to the Most High and expressed in a way to come to the aid of the believer.

Daily Prayer: Father, it is true that we often times don't pray as we ought to. However, keep your saints praying and petitioning You and Your Son so that we can thwart the schemes of the devil and to be empowered for our daily living. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Your Circumstances Are Ordained By God

If you have been called for salvation you need not worry about your life circumstances. All that you are and all of the people around you and the places you go are from the Most High. Our purposes in salvation for God are to draw other people to the Son for salvation. We do this through intercession. Intercession, though, is a two part work. Their is the godly side which God alone through His Spirit can do and their is a human side also. We are to be sensitive to those around us so that we work all things together for good to draw some to God. This is our calling and our life work.

Daily Prayer: Father, let all things work together for good, because we love You and because we are called according to Your purposes. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Taking The Long Road Home

There are no short-cuts to the Christian walk. We were transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit when we were saved so that we might be equipped to be partakers in Christ's suffering.
When you were in the world, you were a product of the world. When you were created in heavenly places, you are a product of heaven. This is so that we can be salt and light in the world and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to a wanting world.

Daily Prayer: Father, we thank you for your wisdom in supervising our lives. We ask that we remain steadfast in what you first started and not abondon our call. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

Life Begins When You Move Toward Christ In Faith

Life for the believer is one driven by faith. Our Savior is seated at the right hand of God and we envision a day when we will see Him face to face. But today we respond to His revelation not on what we can see or measure, but on faith. In order to proceed with the Christian life we must be both convinced and convicted by the the Holy Spirit of God. It is He who imparts new life into the soul and the being of us and from there we walk by faith until the Day of our Redemption.

Daily Prayer: Father, thank you for using faith to draw us. You were very wise not to use the physical body, but instead the immaterial soul for our redemption. Keep us in the faith and foster its growth. In Your Holy Name I pray Amen.

The Extreme Difficulty of True Surrender

Surrender is not an ordinary event. To surrender your will takes you outside of your instinct for survival. It is trusting in Christ to the point of dying with and for Him. You can have no say in your affairs and you have not control over your own life or being. It is fully committing suicide for Christ with the confidence of life in Him. Many want and desire to come, but few are able to live for Him alone.

Daily Prayer: Father, we know with our minds that surrender is the true act of devotion. We still struggle in our members Father, praising our Lord Jesus Christ whom we have yet to see face to face, but know very well that He is. Mind over matter is what I desire Father. Let my mind control my members so that I obey for all the right reasons. In Jesus name & for His sake I pray Amen.

Two Good Reasons For Obedience

We know that we ought to obey the desires and the imperatives of our Lord. There are two real good reasons for obedience. First, it is our only way to show our love for Jesus. It is doing what Jesus himself does not force us to do that shows we put Him first in our lives. The second real good reason for obedience is that it leads others to glory. When our life is over and we see Jesus face to face, we will learn that it was through obedience that thousands of people in our life were led to trust in Jesus as their Savior. One can only imagine what disobedience does in our life. Obedience is not grounds for our salvation, but it is our evidence of it.

Daily Prayer: Lord Jesus, command us not to do Your will, but do motivate us and enlighten us to the truth of what obedience is in Your Kingdom. Turn our hearts to day and let them never turn back. In Your Holy Name I pray Amen.