Devotion: Knowing Versus Doing
 

Knowing Versus Doing


"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection...." - Philippians 3:10

If I asked you the purpose for which God made you, what might you say? You might give a lot of answers that required some action on your part. However, the simplest answer to that question relates to one primary thing: fellowship. The most important thing God desires from us today is to have a deep and intimate fellowship with each of us.

The apostle Paul said he wanted to know Christ, and by knowing Christ he could experience the power of His resurrection. I find this to be the hardest thing for many of us workplace believers to do. So often it is much easier to be busy with the urgent (or even Christian) activity than spending quiet moments before the Lord. Before we realize it, days have passed since our last quiet time with Jesus.

Jesus understood how important quiet moments were with the Father. "After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone" (Matthew 14:23). The more mature I become in my relationship with the Lord, the more precious this time becomes to me. It is a time I look forward to almost daily. It offers me a time to reflect, to share my concerns with my Lord, and to hear Him speak. In the last few years I have begun prayer walks, which accomplish three things: fellowship, prayer, and exercise. It has changed my prayer life.

I have come to understand that Jesus views us as His friend and He wants to spend time with us. We are depriving Him of His time when we put Him aside for the urgent. An interesting thing happens when we make prayer a priority: Urgent things seem to wane as we focus on Him. He makes all these other things fall into place.
Are you taking the time to get to know Him today?

Devotion: The Root of Bitterness
 

The Root of Bitterness

See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. - Hebrews 12:15

The enemy of our souls has a very specific strategy to destroy relationships. Whether these relationships are in business, marriage, or friendships, the strategy is the same. A conflict arises, judgments are made, and feelings are hurt. What happens next is the defining point of whether the enemy gains a foothold, or the grace of God covers the wrong.

When a root of bitterness is allowed to be planted and grown, it not only affects that person, but it also affects all others who are involved. It is like a cancer.

Breaking satan's foothold requires at least one person to press into God's grace. It cannot happen when either party "feels" like it, for none of us will ever feel like forgiving. None of us feel like talking when we have been hurt. Our natural response is to withdraw or lash out at the offending party. It is only obedience that allows God's grace to cover the wrongs incurred. This grace prevents the parties from becoming victims who will seek compensation for their pain.

The next time you are hurt by someone, realize the gravity of the crossroads where you find yourself. Choose grace instead of bitterness. Then you will be free to move past the hurt, and a root of bitterness will not be given opportunity to grow.

Devotion: Hearing the Voice of God - Even on the Job
 

Hearing the Voice of God-Even on the Job


"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. . . . My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:14, 27).

Tom Fox is a successful financial investment manager who heads up a workplace ministry in the Twin Cities, Minnesota area. He used to be troubled when he heard Christians say, "The Lord told me . . . "He certainly had never heard God speak to him like that.ÔÇØWhat is different about those people and me?" he wondered. In the book of John, Tom had read that Jesus had said that His sheep hear His voice, but he didn't understand how they could do that. His pursuit to answer that question began his quest to discover how to hear God's voice himself.

Today, Tom realizes that God does speak and that we, as His children, can hear His voice. He has discovered how to hear God's words of guidance in his daily life, which includes the day-to-day operations of his business, and he is teaching others how to hear God's voice as well.

A friend of mine told me a story about an experience he had in Israel that demonstrates how sheep know their shepherd's voice. He and his wife were visiting some of the famous biblical sites when they saw a group of shepherds and their flocks. They watched as three different shepherds put their sheep in the same pen for the night, and they wondered how in the world the shepherds would separate their sheep the next day, since none of them had any identifying marks on them.

My friend got up early the next morning to watch the shepherds gather their sheep. The first shepherd went over to the pen and called out to his sheep. One by one, his sheep (and only his sheep) filed out to follow him. The same thing happened with the other two shepherds. My friend said it was amazing to watch how only the shepherd's sheep followed him while the others remained in the pen--and all because they recognized his voice. What a picture of Jesus' words spoken centuries earlier.

If we want to truly hear GodÔÇÖs voice we have to spend intimate time with Him so that we can recognize Him speaking to us. Ask God to help you hear the voice of God--even on the job.

ASSURANCE OF ANSWERED PRAYER
 

ASSURANCE OF ANSWERED PRAYER

Part 2
How many times have you been talking to someone and they appear to be distracted or disinterested and you wonder if they are really listening. Many times when we pray we wonder if our prayers are being heard. ÔÇ£Are you there God?ÔÇØ seems to be the unspoken question on our hearts. Does God really answer all our prayers?

What happened to all our prayers that go up for loved ones who have terminal illnesses? When our loved ones die, we may ask ÔÇ£Where did our prayers go?ÔÇØ

This is a very valid question. What happens? Does God turn a deaf ear to us when we pray? Have we done something to prevent the answer to our prayers? Why do bad things happen to good people? Have you ever asked these questions?

God is very clear in His Word. He most certainly does answer prayers. We so often want to believe that we must tell God how to do His business.
Remember God is the perfect parent and He has the perfect plan for us. As parents we always try to do our very best with our children, but we are human and make mistakes. God doesnÔÇÖt make mistakes.

Parents know they should never give their children everything they ask for. There are many things that our children ask for that we know would not be good for them. ItÔÇÖs the same way with God, our Heavenly Father, and our perfect Father. There are many things that we ask for that are not in our best interest. He knows the future, He planned it. Who are we to tell Him what to do?
So then how are we supposed to pray? There are some conditions.
ÔÇ£If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.ÔÇØ

John 15:7
Jesus was speaking to His disciples about vines and branches. We must remain connected to the vine. How do we remain connected to the vine?
ÔÇ£This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us ÔÇô whatever we ask ÔÇô we know that we have what we asked of him.ÔÇØ

1 John 5:14-15
He will do what we ask of Him, but the question for us is will we do what He asks of us? ThatÔÇÖs what it means to abide in Him ÔÇô to be connected to Him. We must pray within His will. How do we know what His will is for us?
ÔÇ£Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.ÔÇØ

Philippians 4:6-7
Once we pray, leave it up to Him. DonÔÇÖt be anxious. Lay it down. How can we just lay it down and turn it over to Him? What prevents us from laying it down?
ÔÇ£When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.ÔÇØ

James 4:3
We must approach prayer with the right motives. What are the right motives?
ÔÇ£If I had cherished sin in my heart the Lord would not have listened.ÔÇØ

Psalm 66:18
We must not harbor sin in our heart. Do we have any sin that is honored or held in high esteem that could hinder our prayers? How do we keep from having sin in our heart?

If we are connected to the vine and abide in Him, if we come to Him with an attitude of humility and acceptance of His will concerning our prayer, if we come with peace of mind having surrendered our sin and turned away from it, then we are ready to approach the throne.
ÔÇ£Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.ÔÇØ

Hebrews 4:16
We approach it boldly, not with arrogance, but confidently knowing that He will hear and answer our prayer.
ThatÔÇÖs our assurance!
What about our earlier question concerning loved ones with terminal illnesses? ÔÇ£When they die, what happened to all our prayers for them, where did they go?ÔÇØ

Psalm 139:16b
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
God has the Master Plan. We submit to His will in all things.


--
Shalom Alechem B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach.
(Peace be unto you in the Name of Jesus the Messiah)

Phil and Patti
www.philandpatti.com.
www.philandpatti.blogspot.com.

"We live by faith, not by sight."
2 Cor 5:7

Devotion: Two Types of People
 

Two Types of People


"O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life" (Psalms 17:14).

There are two types of people in the world. There are those whose activities are designed to generate a reward in this lifetime. And there are those who live to generate a reward when they meet our Lord in Heaven.

Not every Christian models the latter. How does one judge whether they are living for the future reward versus the earthly reward? There are several key indicators.

Future reward people tend to be givers. They make their time and resources available to be channeled for Kingdom purposes. They realize their sowing will ultimately be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ where what they have done on earth will be judged and rewarded by God (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Future reward people live a life based upon obedience-based decisions. They don't make decisions based on their perceived outcome. They realize a decision based on obedience alone may not result in an immediate outcome. Jesus was obedient to the cross, but the immediate outcome was His own death on the cross.

Future reward situations show up in daily life in a number of ways. Perhaps a person has wronged you and God calls you to forgive and even bless that person without expectation of their response. Perhaps God calls you to sow money into a ministry or another person's life without expectation of return from them. Perhaps you are called to serve another person without expectation of any earthly reward. The situations we might encounter are unlimited.

Are you living a life based on a future reward, or short term reward? Today, evaluate how you make decisions and how you allocate resources. This will reveal whether you are a future reward Christian

Proverbs 31
 

See if your mother/wife has a lot of these good qualities...they usually do!

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character


10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Glenn's email today was a repeat, so here is something else:


First, we need to reject some secular ways of thinking about our work. For instance, there are cultural portrayals of work as a necessary evil.


Five Truths for Shaping Character at Work

Second, we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds to affirm a biblical view of work. Here are five thoughts that can influence how we act at work.

1. We were all created to work.

Work is not a result of the Fall. In Genesis 1:28, image bearers of God (male and female) are called to exercise domination or rulership over the whole creation.

Only God can make something out of nothing. We are to create something out of something. We are what Frances Schaeffer and J.R.R. Tolkien called ÔÇ£sub-creators.ÔÇØ

We can take wood and make a table or a house. We can take metal and make a tool or musical instrument and so on. Knowing that we are created to work alters our attitudes and actions at work.

2. Work is not a result of the Fall, but it is made more difficult because of the Fall.

Genesis 3:1-7 says the ground is cursed because of the Fall into sin. The ground will yield thorns and thistles. There will be much blood, sweat, and tears in the context of our work.

The Fall is what makes work burdensome and leads to the TGIF or ÔÇ£Happy Friday.ÔÇØ

3. Work is more than a place to make money or to evangelize.

It is certainly appropriate to give to the church, or, when the appropriate situation presents itself, share the gospel, but these purposes are not the central reason to work. Work is valuable in itself.

4. The ministerial calling is not higher than other professions, such as medicine, law, business, or carpentry.

Jesus was a small businessman for about twenty years. The Greek work for carpenter (ÔÇ£tektonÔÇØ) can also mean something like a general contractor that works with wood, stone, or other materials. It is estimated that Jesus worked in this manner from age twelve or thirteen (when he would become an apprentice) to about thirty (Luke 3:23).

GodÔÇÖs kingdom can be advanced from all valid professions. We are all ÔÇ£priestsÔÇØ called to offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim his excellences in a world of darkness (1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 2:9-10).

5. We are called to glorify God at work.

1 Corinthians 10:31 indicates that we are to give glory to God in how we eat and drink and surely in how we work. Our work is to be done for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

If our work is done well, he may say ÔÇ£Well done, my good and faithful servantÔÇØ (Matthew 25:23).

If we sow these five thoughts and really appropriate them, they will influence how we act at work.

The beginning of character at work starts with how we think about it.

- See more at: http://blog.tifwe.org/five-truths-fo....Q14bmF3W.dpuf

Devotion: Obedience in the Big Things
 

Obedience in the Big Things
By Bill Money

"to obey is better than sacrifice" 1 Samuel 15:22

For the scenarios discussed in this devotional, we are assuming that God has made His commands clear.

We are assuming that when God spoke, you knew it was God and you knew what He said, just as described in the Scriptures. The issue is not hearing. The issue is obedience.

Suppose you own a medium to large size home. Suppose it requires both you and your wife working to be able to afford it. Suppose God told you to sell the home and downsize because He wants your wife to be home with the children. Would you do so? Would you be obedient to God's command?

Suppose your children are grown, and God wanted you to downsize to have more time and resources for ministry. Would you do so?

Suppose your children are grown and God wanted you to downsize so you could work fewer hours and have more time for ministry. Would you do so? Would you obey?

Suppose you own a medium to small home, and God wants you to buy a significantly larger home to use for His ministry purposes, and provides the money so you can do so without debt. Would you do so? Would you accept something special from His hand, even though others may think you're being selfish or self-indulgent?

Sometimes our Christian culture focuses on sacrifice, and much less so on obedience. We still want to be in control, even controlling how we will serve God.

Sometimes, we have our own preconceptions as to what God might ask of us, and miss God's plan. But we are taught that "God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8).

He may very well ask us to do something that is outside what we are expecting. Obedience means embracing the plan God has for us, even when it does not fit our preconceptions, our expectations, or our culture. Obedience is far more important than sacrifice.

Devotion: No Manna Stores
 

No Manna Stores


Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow My instructions." - Exodus 16:4

When God took the nation of Israel through the desert, there was one thing the people simply could not do outside of God alone: They could not provide for themselves. They could not plant. They could not harvest. They could not manufacture. It was a place and time where nothing but complete dependence was the rule.

God gave manna one day at a time.

The manna spoiled the day after, so they could never store it. They could not go to the manna store to get more. They couldn't start a manna business to capitalize on all the free manna. I can tell you from personal experience that when God takes you to the desert, there is nothing you can do to change it until He wants to change it, so do not strive against God in the desert place.

Has God taken you into the desert? Is He forcing you to depend wholly on His provision? Pray that you will learn the lessons God desires you to learn in the desert place. He will bring you out when He has accomplished all He wants to build in your life. Remember that it is a season; you will not be there forever. He understands that no one can stay in a desolate place forever.

Devotion: Integrity
 

Integrity

ÔÇ£Let your ÔÇÿyesÔÇÖ be ÔÇÿyesÔÇÖ, and your ÔÇÿnoÔÇÖ be noÔÇÖÔÇØ (Matthew 5:37)

InÔÇótegÔÇóriÔÇóty
1. Adherence to moral & ethical principles; soundness
of moral character; honesty.
2. the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished
3. a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition.

When people are asked to describe a Christian business leader, integrity is usually high on the list of expected character traits  and well it should be. The scripture is full of evidence that God values integrity, morality, honesty  ethical behavior.

However, in a business world today that seems to operate from a relativistic moral base  where the ends are thought to justify the means  where the bottom line is king  integrity is an increasingly scarce commodity. Part of that is also due to the fact that integrity can have its costs. That cost can be as simple as going back to a store to pay for something the cashier missed, or as impacting as losing a contract for refusing to give a bribe.

In either of those examples  as in every instance where operating with integrity requires a choice  its interesting to consider who is watching, and how your choice can have an unexpected influence on the lives of, not only the people directly involved in your situation, but of people who are watching  and people DO watch.

A fascinating word in that first definition is ÔÇ£adherenceÔÇØ. To ÔÇ£adhereÔÇØ means to stick to something ÔÇô in this case to stick to your moral and ethical foundation ÔÇô not just to stay close to it, or maneuver around it, but to be inseparable from it. As Jesus simply states it, ÔÇ£Let your ÔÇÿyesÔÇÖ be ÔÇÿyesÔÇÖ, and your ÔÇÿnoÔÇÖ be noÔÇÖÔÇØ (Matthew 5:37) ÔÇô and to base that clarity on the foundation of biblical truth.

The result of that kind of commitment is described quite well by the second part of our definition: The state of being whole, entire or undiminished. Perhaps you know how compromising your beliefs can make you feel diminished, less than you were when you stood firm  I confess I know all too well the hollow feeling that comes from that kind of failure  no matter how minor. I also have seen the evidence of how my failure to live what I say I believe can diminish me in the eyes of others  my employees  my friends  my family. It can also diminish the impact of other things I say I believe  including my commitment to Christ.

The positive side, however, is how incredibly fulfilling it can be to know that living and operating with integrity honors God and allows the reflection of His image in us to be seen by others as undiminished as a redeemed man or woman can represent it.

This brings us to that third part of our definition: ÔÇ£sound, unimpaired, perfectÔÇØ. My construction background tells me that something ÔÇ£soundÔÇØ has a solid structure based on an excellent design and a firm foundation ÔÇô a perfect description of what God has provided in His Word. Something ÔÇ£unimpairedÔÇØ can operate in the way it was intended ÔÇô without the barriers caused by compromise, moral failure or lack of trust in the Designer.

And that leaves us with perfect  and that is a problem. There is simply no way you and I can make the grade here. We are simply not going to get a life-long grade of 100% on the integrity scale  whether by commission, omission or any other kind of mission, we are going to come up short  and that is where the good news comes!

We CAN be perfect  in Gods eyes  when He looks at us through the lens of our relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the source of our ability to adhere to His moral and ethical principles, to reflect His undiminished image, and to experience the cleansing that is available when we confess our failure and ask for His forgiveness  and a fresh  perfect - start.

The world looks for ÔÇô and it needs - integrity. Jesus has it. His followers can have it, too.

Devotion: Your Work is not in Vain
 

Your Work is not in Vain
ÔÇ£Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain". I Corinthians 15.58

Our work matters to the Lord. We are to be excelling in the work that God has called us to do. We are to be the very best. The light of Christ should shine out of the business so brightly that others see Christ when they look at us in the business. We are to be steadfast in the direction of the business and our lives, not getting swept around by adversity. The Lord is given us a vision for the business, and we are to be steadfast in pursuing that vision. When the waves of business troubles sweep over us, we are to be immovable because our feet are firmly planted on the rock of Jesus Christ.

As we do so, we find God rewarding us for this.

"Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord - you serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3.23

So when it gets hard, remember who we serve. When the impossibilities stack up to the ceiling, remember Christ owns our business, and we serve Him. When sometimes it seems uphill in every direction, remember that the work we are doing for Christ is not in vain - it matters forever. The reward is not better profit or more income, the reward that we are working so hard for from Christ is: "Well done good and faithful servant".

There is nothing happening to your business or life that is beyond the control of Jesus Christ. There is no set of circumstances that is impossible for Him to deal with. We serve a mighty God whose arm is not shortened, who does not know the meaning of ÔÇÿhardÔÇÖ, who deeply and passionately loves us, in spite of who we are. This is the God we serve through our businesses, through the impossibilities, through the things that seem just too hard. And that service is not in vain. It matters forever.

So we need to pick ourselves up off the floor, brush off the dust, and get back to it. But first, let us pray. Let us ask our Lord, Master, and Owner for the things we need to accomplish the task He has given us. What seems impossible to us is trivial for Him.

He has said: "Never will I leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13.5). He has said: "...and my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4.19). He has said: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him" (James 1.5).

With such promises as the very foundation of our businesses and lives, how can we fail?

The Graduate-Level Test: Self Defense
 

The Graduate-Level Test: Self-Defense


"He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." - Psalm 37:6

As a believer grows in trusting obedience and love, God often brings a test that seems uncharacteristically cruel. The test: being wrongfully judged by those close to you. It is not for the reactionary. It cannot be passed over by simply gutting it out. Supernatural grace is the only means of passing this one.

It is one of those tests the Savior had to experience Himself when being tried by the court of public opinion, the religious community, and the government of His day. His response to the government was silence. His response to the religious establishment was silence at the final judgment. To the rest of His accusers He remained quiet and left vindication to the Father. He lived the commandment He gave to the disciples:

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35).

How do you react when you are accused or mistreated for no reason? Do you listen quietly, or do you justify each and every action? Most of us take pride in doing what is right and expect the same from others, especially our brothers and sisters in the faith. Jesus knew that if you were to be a true follower of His, you would enter this test eventually.

It is part of the program. The workplace gives ample opportunity to be wronged, misunderstood, and maligned. When God brings a measured assault against one of His children, it is to find out if he truly believes in the Cross.

The Cross is where each of us is given the opportunity to die to our pride, our reputations, and our ego. When He allows a measured assault upon us, it is to find out if the cross is sufficient. He wants to see if we will seek to rescue ourselves. Jesus said if we die with Him, we will be raised with Him.

When God allows satan to bring the measured assault, ask God for the grace to cling to the cross. Let the pride and arrogance that Jesus wants to remove from our lives be crucified. Thank God for the opportunity to be crucified with Christ. Then your righteousness will shine like the noonday sun and the justice of your cause will be in His hands.

Glenn's email today was a repeat, so here is a one from Phil & Patti:


One of the themes in the book of Ecclesiastes is that "without God, life is meaningless and empty". Keep in mind the book of Ecclesiastes was written by a man who had it all - wisdom, power, wealth.

Some thoughts:

"Like the fool, the wise man too must die!"
Death is the great equalizer.

Everything in life is meaningless in the whole scope of things. The only thing that really matters is salvation in Jesus.

"Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil."
Be righteous and live an anointed life. After all we are anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Happiness is dependent on circumstances. True joy comes from God and brings contentment no matter what the circumstances. (see the website for Walking in the Word - Joy Parts 1 and 2.)

We donÔÇÖt find meaning in life through money, pleasure, work, or popularity. Meaning in life comes from doing things that are part of GodÔÇÖs purpose for us.

To be in His will is the greatest place to be.

How do we know how to be in His will?

Simple - talk to Him, listen to Him, and read His Word!

Devotion: Giving Him the Key
 

Giving Him the Key


Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

A friend of mine tells the story of an encounter he had with a very important government official - the head of state for a country. In the course of some meetings with my friend, the official came up to him and said, "I perceive that there is a difference between you and me. Is it because I come from a different denomination?" My friend began to explain why there was a difference.

"If you were to come to my home, I would invite you in as an honored guest. As my guest, you would enjoy everything I had in my home. However, you would still be a guest. You would not have the keys to the home, and your authority in that home would be merely as a guest. However, if I said to you that I am turning over my home to you and you now have the keys to my home, I would be your servant." My friend continued, "This is the difference between you and me. You have merely invited Jesus into your home as a guest. I have given Jesus the keys to my home [heart] and I am his servant."

"How can I do this too?" the man replied.

"All you have to do is invite Him in as the new owner."

The man did this and is now allowing Jesus to rule and reign in every detail of his life.

So often many of us enter a relationship with God that brings us salvation. This is the gospel of salvation. But what God really desires for us is to experience the gospel of the Kingdom. He wants us to experience His power and presence every day of our lives and to see His hand at work in us. This only happens when we give Him the key to our life; He must be more than an honored guest.

Where are you today? Has your life with God been more like an honored-guest relationship, or does He have the key to your life?

Devotion: Moving in Presumption
 

Moving in Presumption


"Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up toward the high hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the Lord's covenant moved from the camp." Numbers 14:44

The people of Israel were brought out of Egypt to enter a new land-the Promised Land. This land was not handed over to them freely; it required the removing of God's enemies through battle. It required a partnership between God and the people. As long as the people remained true to God, they were victorious.

The people were camped at Kadesh Barnea, near the border entrance to the long-awaited Promised Land. All the hardships of their journey from Egypt were now culminating at this important crossing. However, Joshua and Caleb were the only scouts who proclaimed faith in God to take them into the land and conquer their enemies. The other spies saw all the dangers and refused to take the risk. The people of the camp shrank in fear because of their report. They decided not to enter in.

God was angered at the people for their lack of faith. Moses had to intercede on their behalf. Once they realized what they had done, it was too late. But they thought their repentance was enough to right their wrong. They presumed this was all that was necessary.

Moses informed them they were deceived in their presumption of God's favor. They went to battle against the Amalekites only to be soundly defeated. Those who returned did not understand why they lost the battle.

It is important for us to know whether we have God's hand upon our endeavors. Presumption leads to failure. God's favor leads to success. Ask God to confirm His hand on your endeavors.

..."If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (Exodus 33:15).

Devotion: Receiving Only From God
 

Receiving Only From God


"I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me-to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share." Genesis 14:24

Abraham's nephew was a man named Lot. Lot was part of Abraham's household until the land on which they fed their flocks could no longer support their growing families and herds. Abraham allowed Lot to choose the land where he wanted to live. Lot chose the land of Sodom.

Afterwards, four kings invaded Sodom, and Lot's family and goods were taken into captivity. When Abraham learned of this, he immediately gathered his best fighting men and pursued the armies to free Lot and his family. He was successful in freeing Lot's family and the families of Sodom. The king of Sodom was grateful to Abraham for what he did and wanted him to keep the goods he recovered. Abraham had made a decision before the battle that he would only keep what he recovered for his nephew Lot, and goods as payment for the men who fought.

Abraham understood the principle of receiving from God. He was a man with great integrity in God. He did not want to be known as someone who became wealthy because of the kindness of a wicked king. He wanted others to know that whatever prosperity he gained was a result of the blessing from God's hand alone. Abraham understood an important principle of receiving from God.

Jesus also modeled this principle by receiving only what His Father wanted Him to receive. God's will for Jesus was to receive based on a carpenter's wage even though He was the God of the universe who had access to all things. Imagine the discipline Jesus had to have, knowing what He could have had. He upheld His own financial integrity in God. Each of us must discern what comes from the hand of God rather than the hand of man.

As workplace believers, there are situations that allow us to manipulate, sweat, and toil our way to profit. There is also profit as a result of hard work done in obedience to our calling to the workplace. Knowing the difference in these two concepts is a sign of integrity before God. Only God receives glory when we receive what God wants us to receive. Are you receiving the fruit of your labor in God? Ask God to show you the difference of these two concepts for your own life.

ÔÇ£Peace on earthÔÇØ
 

A Message of Peace


This phrase is spoken often during this time of year. We all wish for tranquility and harmony in this world. But is that all there is to peace? For the answer to this question, we must return to the original meaning of the word peace.

The earliest form of the Hebrew language is written in word pictures. They are simple pictures. They not only portray a word, but convey a greater, deeper meaning. They also evoke a very emotional feeling. They help us understand the heart of what is being expressed.

As in all of Scripture, God presents a very simple story with a much deeper meaning. The Hebrew picture word for peace illustrates this point very well.
In Hebrew Word Pictures, Peace means ÔÇ£to destroy the authority that establishes chaosÔÇØ.

Satan is the one who establishes chaos. Even though we cannot destroy Satan, we can destroy his authority in our lives.

When we look at the true meaning of the word peace, it means not only tranquility and harmony in the world, but it becomes extremely personal. We as Believers in Jesus have the power through the Holy Spirit to destroy SatanÔÇÖs authority. And this will bring us true peace.

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Our prayer for 2015 is that through the power of the Holy Spirit,
we will all be victorious over the authority of Satan and truly experience this peace that only God can give.

Devotion: Whom You Will Serve
 

Whom You Will Serve

(Proverbs 3: 5-8)
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones

When we read Proverbs chapter 3, verse 5 through 7, we read the instruction, given by God to live in His will. Verse 8 is the results of living in the Will of God! So many people today are so unhappy because they are living according to their will instead of God's will. Everybody wants to live a blessed life but they do not want to follow the way of God.

My friend, it is impossible to have happy living outside the will of God. Oh you may for a short while think you have found a great life, but the end thereof are ways of sorrow.

Choose you this day, which you will serve! Whatever way you choose, whatever god you choose to serve will determine the quality of your life.

GodÔÇÖs Word and Water Sports

There are many ways to enjoy waterfloating on a raft, water skiing, wading, snorkeling, and deep-sea diving. We can float on a raft, drifting aimlessly as the slight movement of the water lulls us into a very relaxing snooze. We can water ski, gliding over the surface of the water, feeling the spray of the water as it splashes our legs and mists our face.

We can wade into the shallow edge of the water, afraid to go too far from the safety of the shore. We can go snorkeling, diving into the water, but still connected to the surface. Or we can get fitted with an oxygen filled life support tank and go deep-sea diving.

Our approach of GodÔÇÖs Word is a lot like water sports. There are many ways to approach GodÔÇÖs word. We can float around on the surface, drifting aimlessly through His Word lulled into apathetic status, just playing with the words.

We can skim right over the top of GodÔÇÖs Word, flying too fast to let anything really soak in. We can just read lightly, not really wanting to get too deep into His Word for fear something in the Word may take us too far from the world. We can immerse ourselves in GodÔÇÖs Word, but yet still remain connected to the ways of the world. Or we can submerge into the depths, using the Holy Spirit as our guide, and search His Word as if searching for hidden treasure.

Which approach will we take concerning GodÔÇÖs Word; floating, skiing, wading, snorkeling, or deep-sea diving?
--
Shalom Alechem B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach.
(Peace be unto you in the Name of Jesus the Messiah)

Elisha prayed that his servant be allowed to see into the spirit realm and God opened the servantÔÇÖs eyes. The heavenly defenders were already there surrounding them. God allowed the servant to see them. Obviously Elisha already knew they were there.

Heavenly defenders surround us always. ItÔÇÖs just that most people donÔÇÖt see them except by special permission from God. ItÔÇÖs like listening to the radio. We may be listening to our AM radio but it doesnÔÇÖt mean that FM signals arenÔÇÖt there as well. WeÔÇÖre just not tuned in to hearing them. In our heart of hearts we KNOW that there is a spiritual battle raging all around. We just donÔÇÖt always see it. (ÔÇ£We live by faith, not by sight.ÔÇØ)

Sometimes, however we are allowed to see the heavenly defenders. Just as a four year old child was allowed to see his guardian angel outside the dining room window at his grandparentÔÇÖs house.

What great faith displayed by the servant girl in this story of Elisha! God placed her there for a purpose. She was an humble servant of her master. Has God placed you in a position to spread His word? A person doesnÔÇÖt have to be a certified seminary graduate to speak the word of God. A person just needs to be an humble servant of THE MASTER.

When Naaman went to the king of Israel with the letter in hand from the king of Aram, the king reacted in a negative way. Elisha then responded with these words. ÔÇ£Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.ÔÇØ

Naaman was to be healed so that everyone would know. Then when Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan to be cured of leprosy, Naaman questioned why he needed to go there instead of going to closer waters. IsnÔÇÖt that just like us today, we donÔÇÖt want to go to God and do what He says? We want to do something more convenient. We ÔÇ£dig our own cisternsÔÇØ so to speak instead of going to the ÔÇ£well of living waterÔÇØ.

Gehazi was doing so well until he took that first step on the slippery slope of self-indulgence and deceit. Sin has consequences. The leprosy with which he was afflicted as a consequence of his sin didnÔÇÖt start out as just a spot as it did with Naaman. His leprosy was full blown, not only for him but for his descendants.

The Aramean army heard the sound of chariots and horses and a great army and they fled. Were they allowed to hear the same thing that ElishaÔÇÖs servant was allowed to see?

Maybe if we were alert, listening and watching, we might be able to see and hear our heavenly defenders all around us! Why not look and listen a little closer today???