January 31st- Not One Hoof Left

Exodus 12/14-13:16
Matthew 20:29 – 21:22
Psalms 25: 16-22
Proverbs 6:12-15

(Exodus 12:32)
Too often we find ourselves trying to negotiate with the devil, trying to make a deal…where God clearly says- no deal today or ever. When God speaks it’s a done deal.

The children of Israel had been in bondage. God heard their cry and sent a deliverer. Standing before Pharaoh Moses demanded he let God’s people go. But Pharaoh over and over again refuses, thus bringing the judgment of God upon the land ( plaques). Pharaoh then tried to make a deal with Moses. “I’ll let you go – but all your animals and possessions stay!” Moses replies “not one hoof will be left…it’s all or nothing.

Pharaoh thinks –I’ll show them now. Now they won’t want to leave! But God again had another plan. When we have God on our side we are assured complete victory.

Stop making deals- and saying ‘I guess that’s’ not a bad compromise?’ Any compromise is choosing to vacate the complete promises of God for our lives. We can think (or try to convince ourselves) that we have to except satan’s offer – but really he doesn’t even have the right to make a deal. He tries to convince us that he holds all the power and dominion – where the reality is, it not his to give.

Stop making a deal – and believe that God is going to bring you out with nothing lost and nothing lacking. Psalms 23 tells us that He is our shepherd- We shall not want! – there is no lack in God. The only time we ‘lack’ is when we make a deal with satan.

Tell him today…”no more deals! I’ve been bought with a price and I’m coming completely out! – Deals are not going to stop me from entering my promise. What God has blessed me with – satan is not going to take.

Satan no deal with my life, my family, my finances, my health, my future – God’s already make ‘the deal’ and it’s sealed with Blood.

January 30th- Work Hard/ Play Hard

Exodus 10:1 – 12:13
Matthew 20:1-28
Psalms 25:1-15
Proverbs 6:6-11

Proverbs 6:6-11
Ethics of work today have certainly dwindled in their values. The day of a ‘hard worker’ is almost a memory of the past. Everyone wants to ‘play’ but very few choose to ‘work’ – I’m not talking about being unemployed…but failing to achieve the standards of excellence we should excel to.

AS Christians we should be ‘seen’ as the most valued employees of the company. We should be the ones that are unable to be over looked when it comes time for promotion and praise. God’s word tells us to be diligent in our work – and be the best that we can be. Work is a time to work – not an excuse to ‘play’.

We want the high dollar jobs, great benefits and spacious corner offices but we’re not prepared to first take out the trash and run the copy machine. We speak over our lives blessing, favor- and the word of God – but fail to put it into action through our lives. If only we realized God’s takes care of those who take care of themselves. Meaning, God will promote and increase those who remain faithful in the menial tasks.

While at work we need to work hard. We need to be the example to those around. When we learn the importance of this…then we will embrace the joy of ‘play’.

There will be time to ‘play’- but first there has to be a time to ‘pay’!. Heard this saying once ‘we can pay now and play later, or ‘play’ now and pay later.

Be diligent ( which literally means to strain every nerve) and work hard. That’s the type of people that catch the attention of God.

Work hard…play hard. Live a balanced life. Be His model example.

January 29th – One more night with the frogs!

Exodus 8:1-9:35

Matthew 19: 13-30

Psalms 24: 1-10

Proverbs 6:1-5 

Tomorrow I will change!  Tomorrow I will diet!  Tomorrow I will make sure this never happens again!  It’s like that restaurant that had a sign up on the wall ‘tomorrow free steaks’ – the next day someone returned expecting to receive what was advertised only to realize  the sign still hadn’t changed.  ‘Tomorrow’ free steaks’! –No one would ever taste one of those! 

It sounds all too familiar though, doesn’t it?  Procrastination- what a curse word- but one we all play victim too in various shapes and forms.  We build our lives within a day that may never materialize.  We’re never promised tomorrow but we have the here and now. 

Egypt is going crazy, frogs everywhere.  There is no escaping their presence…in the bed, bath, couch, kitchen, den, pool, yard, hair…everywhere.  Pharaoh please do something about this.  Moses is called and asks Pharaoh when they should be taken away.  To my amazement as I read this passage he says ‘tomorrow’ – he had the power to say today, right now, but instead he chooses ‘one more night with the frogs’. 

What’s wrong with him, he must be crazy…but so must we!  How many times do we prolong our deliverance and freedom- how many nights do we lay down with something that God can remove today – right now. 

We don’t have to go through another night this way.  God’s word proclaims that ‘today is the day of Salvation’!  Your moment of freedom is right now.  It’s time we start to believe God and kick those frogs out. I’ve had enough nights with the frogs- tonight I’m sleeping in peace.  That needs to be the answer we give according to our deliverance.  Jesus already accomplished it once and for all, now it’s up to you to live in it. 

“No more nights with the frogs please”!

January 28th- Divorce

 

Exodus 5:22-7:25

Matthew 18:23-19:12

Psalms 23: 1-6

Proverbs 5:22-23

 Divorce

Matthew 19:4-8

Unfortunately all around us today screams the effects of divorce.  Unhappy people, families divided, kids suffering maybe the hardest, bitterness, anger and despair…the list could go on.  They tell us that the

divorce rate of this nation is approaching 50%- that’s almost one half of all marriages are destined for failure.  What’s sadder than that is it’s just as prevelant within the church.

 

 

Divorce is not Gods design – but rather the destruction to the plan.  Satan know that a divided house can help promote his kingdom and design.  The reason’s are endless – the excuses  are many- but the results are the same.  The destruction of the family unit.

 

 

 

Perhaps with better counseling and instruction.  Perhaps with people taking more time and consideration in their decision.  Perhaps with more listening to their peers this tragedy would be avoided.  For many the reasons are mainly all external factors – allowing the outside to infiltrate our homes.  I believe the problem goes down deeper than that.  Those things are just the symptoms but not the cause. 

 

 

 

Notice what Jesus replied to their question of divorce.  It was because of hardness of heart!  It was because of a heart that was no longer was soft and pliable!   In our relationships it’s so important to keep short accounts.  What I mean by that is not allowing ourselves to fuel the already present forces that try to oppose.  Life is hard…marriage is work…and a lot of it, but when we add fuel to the fire it will burn brighter and further

 

It’s so important that we learn to forgive and say I’m sorry.  It’s so important we don’t allow wedges to be driven between.  Don’t let the sun go down of your wrath – is what God asks.  In a society where it’s becoming part of the ‘norm’ it doesn’t have to be part of our world.

 

 

Work daily on keeping your heart soft and pliable.  Work daily on new understanding and communication.  Work daily on your relationship with God, as truly He is the only one that can give you a new heart.

Grow together and not apart – keep a soft and pliable heart.

 

January 27th – “Greatness”

Exodus 4:1-5:21
Matthew 18:1-22
Psalms 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21

(Matthew 18:1-4)
What really is being the greatest? The dictionary tells us to be great, means you are the most important, the main, the chief. I’m sure we would have to all agree with that- but Jesus taught His disciples one day another meaning to greatness. A meaning which really requires a greater greatness.

We love to get mad and point the finger at others for their actions sometimes. We say things like “if only they could see ( or hear) themselves and see how foolish they are making themselves look ( or sound)”. Many times the image we judge can be a mirror looking back at us. Now whose reflection are you seeing? –Let me explain.

One day the Disciples are having a discussion amongst themselves. They really are arguing who is the greatest out of them. I’m sure opinion and reason were flying from the left and right. Each had a point to prove why it should be them. What would you use to get your point across? In the midst of this ‘squabble’ Jesus shows up. “Let’s let Jesus tell us who’s the greatest”! They all agreed.
The next words that came from the mouth of Jesus not only silenced their pride – but also taught them a lesson they would not soon forget. Expecting for one to be singled out Jesus brings another in their midst…a small child. Turning to the child He points and says “here is the greatest among you”!
‘What’? He’s been out in the sun too long today? He’s really lost it this time! No, He was showing them that in order to be the greatest you have to be willing to be first the least. Greatness is not a position to achieve, but rather a position to leave! Greatness is being willing to become humble, to become child like with no strings attached.

Too often our thoughts are to grow up and mature – where maybe our lives need to take a drastic u-turn. Perhaps it’s time to revisit the child in us…and allow greatness to be the foundation on which we build. A foundation of servant hood and humility. That’s what Jesus defines the greatest to be!

January 26th- ‘The One Who Always Is’

Exodus 2:11 – 3:22
Matthew 17:10-27
Psalms 22:1-18
Proverbs 5:7-14

(Exodus 3:14)
Do you know who I am? Like that really matters in life. How many times have we possibility heard (or even used) that line; or at least had that thought. We like to try and throw our weight around in order to obtain favor or a greater position.
I remember once during a basketball game sitting near the owner of the both the gym and one of the school teams. He was very displeased at the calls of the referee ( to put it nicely). Finally he jumped from the bleachers and stood on the side of the court frantically screaming. The referee stopped the game and turned and motioned with his hands – kicking him out of the gym. The next words I heard still put a smile on my face even today… “Do you know who I am, I own this gym”! All eyes now looked to the ref…what would be his reply? With no hesitation the ref proclaimed and “I’m running this game…and we won’t re-start till you leave the building”. Finally he was escorted out of the building (against his will).
The reality of life is this…it doesn’t really matter who we are, but rather who’s we are. The world will not stop on it’s axis for us, neither can we accomplish true greatness according to our own merits. It’s only who He is that counts!
God was ready to deliver His children. The stage had been set, the wheels set in motion…but hold on God! Who do I tell them sent me? Tell them I AM, the I AM has sent you”!
Those words even still today carry such great weight and power for our lives. God was telling Moses that the ‘I AM’ is your deliverer. Think about that…what is it you need? Perhaps it’s a healing in your body? Perhaps it’s a new job? Or you need to see your husband saved etc..etc.. Put his name in reply to all those questions. I AM your Healer. I AM your provider! I AM your Savior. Getting the picture? He’s your I AM. Nothing is out of reach from the I AM. He is able to accomplish all things in your life.
Instead of wasting all your time being concerned and anxious, worrying whether God is able to meet your need, why not call out to the I AM – the one who always is…..!!!
The I AM is still your deliverer.

January 25th- Fortress against the World

Genesis 50: 1- Ex 2:10

Matthew 16: 13 -17:9

Psalms 21 :1-13

Proverbs 5: 1-6

(Matthew 16:18)

Everyone is looking for safety and security in life.  Orange – red alert…what is the status today in regards to the terrorist threats?  The stock market, economy, interest rates, safety of my kids at school?  Wow, the list can go on and on, but with all the same result – uncertainty. 

It can so easily consume us and literally paralyze us into questioning if there is any hope and future… is there going to be a positive outcome to our lives?  The word of God, amidst all this uncertainty, can still bring us a confidence and assurance.  A knowing that He is still in control. 

It amazes me how still so many Christians….I mean people who really love God, do not realize the importance of church attendance.  The importance of getting themselves and their families firmly planted in a local church family.  Church is not an option, and I’ll prove that to you. 

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus clearly tells us a force (or place) where satan and all His wiles and schemes cannot penetrate and over come.  In fact he uses the words ‘Prevail against’.  That means that any attack will not be ‘victorious’ – it will not succeed. 

That force (or place) is the Church of God.  A place that will bring about assured victory for both us and our families.  We learn to ‘lock’ our families into the protection of God.   

Some may say you are misquoting the passage, where I believe I’m not.  In visiting England this Christmas, I saw first hand the results of a ‘fortress against the world!  I looked and saw one after the other who grew up with me now still in church with their spouses and kids.  I looked and saw the protection and provision the House of God had been to them.  I saw all the ‘things’ that could have not been… because their parents made a whole hearted commitment to God’s House. 

I promise you this…. You build His house, you invest your time, energies and families into His Church, He will build your house!!  He will keep that entrusted into His keeping.  The gates of hell will not prevail against the fortress of God. 

Option….NO. necessity for success….yes!!!

January 24th- Through the Cross

Genesis 48:1-49:33
Matthew 15:29-16:12
Psalms 20:1-9
Proverbs 4:20-27

(Genesis 48:17-19)

Back in Biblical days there was so much more significance given to things. Today we look at them as non- important, just everyday decisions. Today for example, parents thumb through books containing alphabetical lists of names and their different meanings and pronunciations etc, to find a name that sounds right and something different. During Bible times a child’s name represented either its character, or situation from which it was born etc…in other words it had meaning to it.

Another such tradition of significance was passing on the blessing (inheritance) of the household to the eldest son (the first born). This blessing was given by the right hand being placed upon the child’s head.

When Jacob was about to die he asked for Joseph to bring his two son’s to him – he desired to bless both of them. Manasseh was the first born his name meant ‘God has caused me to forget’. Ephraim was his second child his name meant ‘God has caused me to be fruitful’. When Joseph positioned his sons before his father he placed Manasseh in front of the right hand and Ephraim before his left. (So Manasseh would receive the ‘special blessing’.)

As Jacob reached forward he crossed his hands much to Joseph’s displeasure. ‘No dad, you’re wrong.’ And he repositioned each hand upon the correct head. Once again Jacob ‘crossed’ his hands and insisted this was to be the way. Notice what he did…he ‘crossed’ his hands.

I want you to see something here. Remember Manasseh ‘forgiveness of past hurts, and Ephraim ‘fruitfulness’ in our eyes we so often begin to think that fruitfulness (blessing) is something that maybe one day we will obtain. But through the cross (what Jesus did) our lives can become fruitful and blessed, and as a result we can reach out with forgiveness to those who have wronged us and hurt us. As a result of his blessing upon our lives we now can move beyond every hurt and disappointment of the past.

Through the cross – His right hand of Blessing will be placed upon you.

January 23rd- ‘Lip Service’

Genesis 46:1-47: 31
Matthew 15: 1-28
Psalms 19:1-14
Proverbs 4:14-19

Matthew 15:8-9
It has to be more than just a talk!

We have gotten so good at talking the walk. To listen too many of us, you would think that we have everything in order and that our spiritual lives are absolutely complete. What would happen if the ‘mute’ button was pressed. How complete and together would we be then? The sad reality is that without sound many of our lives would not have anything to offer…especially to those who are crying out for true meaning in life. The saddest fact is – that we are supposed to be the Hope of the world….their light in darkness..their salt of healing and purification! – Without us…there is no Hope!!!!

We have once again got to discover the true source of the words we should bring. From the abundance of our heart should come the words we say. From the reality of a relationship with God should scream out His words of Hope and Life.

Hypocrite is what Jesus calls it! One of the best definitions I have heard of a hypocrite is someone who plays a role in a play hiding behind a mask…assuming a role that is not a part of what they usually are. Sounds like the role of many ‘Christians”…or so called ‘Christians’.

It has to once again come from the right source- our hearts need to be the ‘backing’ place of our words. Let’s not just talk about it – when we can totally live it.

Make sure your life is more than just ‘lip service’.

January 22nd- Dyslexia

Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalms 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13

Genesis 45:5-8
‘What satan meant for evil – God has turned around for good’ – was the words Joseph told his brothers. What a promise we have in God. God choses to take the onslaughts of satan, all his devices and plans and turn them around for good in our lives. It’s not always easy to see it at the beginning – but as we hang in there and trust God we can look back over our shoulder and see His saving grace. See how He turned around situations meant for our harm to be thing of blessing.

There is, however, another side to this – the side of dyslexia- seeing things backwards. I have witnessed in many peoples lives the Blessings of God turned around for harm in their lives. I remember a specific incident while I was a Youth Pastor in Georgia, a young girl asked us to pray for God to give her a job. She got a great job with great pay. She went in there with the right intentions. She boldly told them she couldn’t work any Sundays or Thursday nights (that was our youth night). They agreed…no problem when do you start? It wasn’t long before Sundays and Thursdays began appearing on her weekly working schedule. Making excuses for her bosses she began to work the odd one or two –that turned into 3 and 4 – which turned into her not coming to church anymore.

Her blessing turned into a curse for her life. Just a little at a time she exchanged her blessing from God into harm from satan. What God means for good, left unguarded, can be used against us if we don’t watch. We have to guard His blessings. We have to continually observe and treat His blessing as should be treated! Don’t take lightly what God has blessed you with….hold onto it with everything you have and don’t allow satan to steal that blessing.
Don’t be dyslexic- Live in the blessings of God!