local Daily Devotions

[04ctd]

Creating a Memory



"The greatest among you will be your servant" (Matthew 23:11).


Ken Blanchard, the author of the One Minute Manager, once shared a story about what can happen when individuals in a company model servant leadership, no matter where they are on the totem pole.


A business consultant was training more than 3000 employees of a mid-western grocery chain to approach their jobs with a goal of creating a memory for their customers. She stated that "this is what will distinguish your store from all others."


Johnny was a 19-year old bag boy that had down-syndrome. His first response to the consultant's suggestion was "I'm just a 'bag boy.'" Nevertheless, he went home and shared what the consultant said with his mother. They began to ponder the consultant's words about how he could create a memory for his customers. Johnny had a habit of collecting inspirational thoughts that he would often read. He decided he would begin printing these sayings and place one in each of the bags of his customers. When customers came through the line he would place the sayings in their bag and say, "I've included some of my favorite sayings in your bag in hopes it will encourage you today. Thanks for shopping with us."

After just a few weeks, an amazing thing began to happen. One day the store manager noticed that all the customers were lined up at only one cashier station when there were other stations open. He began to panic, thinking the other stations were broken. After further investigation he found this was not the case. Actually, customers wanted to come through Johnny's line in order to get his saying of the day.


One woman came up to the manager and said, "I used to come to the store only once a week, but now I come everyday!" Johnny's example spread to other departments in the store. The florist began giving a flower to each florist customer. The meat department put Snoopy stickers on each meat order with a special greeting. This one act by a bag boy changed the entire climate of the store.*


How can you create a memory for someone in your workplace today? Jesus was all about creating memories.



*Ken Blanchard, presentation made at 2004 His Presence in the Workplace conference, San Antonio, TX, 2005

[04ctd]

Face to Face





I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. - 2 John 12

It is easy to fire off a letter to someone in this age of electronic communication because of its expediency. In business we call this being efficient. However, there are times when nothing but a face-to-face meeting is the appropriate means of communication. We know that verbal skills are a very small portion of communication. Body language, voice tone, and our expressions make up the majority of our overall communication. This cannot be seen through a letter or electronic medium.

John knew that being face to face with those he ministered to was important. And for John, it meant some major trouble to get from one place to another. It wasn't as simple as getting into a car or hopping onto an airplane. John's desire and determination to visit and talk face to face reinforces the importance of one-on-one personal communication.

I once had to confront a businessman about some problems we were having in a business deal. He lived in another town. The negotiations had stalled to some degree. I could have attempted to solve the problem over the phone. But I realized the serious nature of the issues required a face-to-face meeting. I drove two hours to his office and met with him face to face. It meant all the difference. It demonstrated to my friend I was serious enough about solving the problem to take a day to come see him. It also showed I valued him and he was worth the effort. This resulted in him giving greater emphasis to the issue.

Next time a situation arises that requires more focused communication; consider whether the situation requires a personal visit. You may find this will be the key to resolving issues that otherwise might end in a stalemate.

[04ctd]

Are You a Threat?





"One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?'" - Acts 19:15



Are you a threat to the kingdom of darkness? If satan and his demons had a board meeting and your name came before the board, what would they say? Would they say that you are one of their most feared enemies and they needed to keep many demons harassing and opposing you? Or would they say, "Gentlemen, this person poses no threat to our activities. Leave him alone. He needs no help from us." There are millions of church-going believers sitting in pews Sunday after Sunday who pose little threat to the kingdom of darkness.



If we truly believe that we war against rulers and principalities that cannot be seen, then we must realize that their mandate is to hinder any believer who is seeking to walk in the fullness of God. However, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4b KJV).



If you are seeking to fully follow the Lord, you can expect harassment from the enemy. God permits temptation because it drives us deeper into the soil of God. These times reveal God's power to keep us and walk us through the temptations. Our message becomes fruitful when it is born out of obedience and suffering for His name. Do not consider it strange if you find yourself fighting major battles the more obedient you become to the Master. God desires each of us to become a feared enemy of hell in order to affect satan's domain. When you begin to feel harassed, chances are you are beginning to affect the kingdom of darkness, and satan doesn't like this. So, how many demons do you think are assigned to you?

[04ctd]

The Workers' Pay

by Bill Moeny



"Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who reaped your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts." James 5.4 (see also 5.1-6)

Does this apply to us as business owners? Have we failed to pay our workers their due? Have we lived in self-indulgence? Are we sharing the profits of the business with our employees or keeping it ourselves? Are we sharing the profits of the business with God? The business belongs to Him.

This is a challenging set of verses. Every one of us running a business in the United States is wealthy compared with the rest of the world. How are we dealing with that wealth? Do we understand that we are stewards of Christ's company and He owns it all (I Corinthians 7.23)? I believe this set of verses is challenging us to take our monetary decisions to the Lord and ask him how He wants us to treat His money. He has not given us these companies to enrich ourselves, but rather to further His Kingdom. How will he have us spend His money?

And another thing, are we doing business with suppliers who exploit their workers? Do we seek a lower price on a product at the expense of someoneÔÇÖs workers being unfairly treated? Or are we doing business with suppliers of integrity, who have righteous business practices and treat their employees fairly? Will God hold us accountable for the selection of the companies we do business with? These passages suggest that may be the case.

It seems the best course is to not make money-based decisions, but rather make all of our decisions God-based. And to make sure that we are taking care of His kingdom first, then our employees - before taking care of ourselves, as directed by Him. We need to spend substantial time in prayer with the Owner of the business to determine how He wants His resources spent; how He wants His employees cared for, and who He wants us to do business with. Our prayer relationship to God needs to be so strong and our management of His company so on-target that we will get a good performance review for managing it His way. (ÔÇ£Well done, good and faithful servant.ÔÇØ ÔÇô Luke 19.17)

[04ctd]

The Lies of the Adversary “I can do whatever I want and God will forgive me” by Bill Money





For we know Him who said, "It is mine to avenge, I will repay" and again, "the Lord will judge His people." It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10.30-31



It is God's purpose to mold us and shape us to be like Christ (Romans 8:29).



He loves us intensely, evidenced by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us. As part of that love, He disciplines us. It is an integral part of shaping us into the image of Christ.



"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son." Hebrew 12:5-6 (see also Hebrews 12:7-11)



Therefore we should expect to be disciplined when we sin - accidentally or willfully. It is part of His explicit plan in molding and shaping us to be like Christ.

There are significant consequences for sin. There are especially significant consequences for willful sin - that is, actions that we know are wrong and we choose to do it anyhow (Psalms 19:13.)

Out of His love for us He must discipline us to drive the heart of rebellion out of us so that we might become more like Christ. He loves us too much to leave us in a rebellious state rebelling against his commands.

Therefore, do not yield to the lie of the adversary that you can do whatever you wish and God will forgive you.

As with most lies from the adversary, there is an element of truth to this.

He will forgive you, He will continue to love you, and out of that love He will discipline you. And the discipline will be significant if the rebellion is significant.



It is His goal and purpose to change us from the rebellious people we are into the image of Christ, Who was not able to do anything unless God did it through Him and Who did only what He saw the Father doing.

And God will do what He needs to do to accomplish that change in us.

Don’t rebel, Obedience matters, big-time.

[04ctd]

The 9 to 5 Window





Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15-16).



A few years ago, the "AD 2000" movement was a major emphasis in the church and had a goal of reaching the "10/40" window. This reference was related to the 10th parallel and the 40th parallel of the globe. It was determined that this was where the most people resided who had never heard the message of the gospel.



Today, there is a new move of God that is focused on the "9-5" window. This represents those who work, whether they are homemakers, construction workers, nurses, executives, Fortune 500 CEOs or pastors and vocational ministers. The one thing many of us have in common is that we work. However, the one thing most workers have failed to do is bring Christ into their work lives. But, God is changing this.



God is helping workplace believers today understand the importance of bringing the presence of Christ into their work lives so that He may be shared with those who have yet to receive salvation. God is calling us to move past "principle-based" living to "presence-based" living. It is only when we bring God's presence into our work lives that we see real transformation in us and others. It is the mission field of the 21st century, the "9-5" window. It is where more unsaved people live than the 10/40 window.



God is calling us to establish "church plants" into this new frontier that the church has failed to focus upon. The "Church" is a Church when two believers come together in the name of Jesus. It is not a building. It is a people. So today, bring the Church to the workplace by focusing your mission activity on the greatest mission field of the 21st century, the 9-5 window.

[04ctd]

Give Me Your Last Meal





"I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die" (1 Kings 17:12).



Imagine telling a widow who was about to eat her last meal with her only son to give you a portion of that meal. That would seem like a cruel and unusually selfish thing to do. Imagine you have a need for provision and God tells you to go to the most desperate person in the land to get your provision.



God led Elijah to a poor widow who was on her last meal of flour. Why would God lead Elijah from one desperate situation into another? He wished to perform yet another miracle and show His faithfulness to those who needed it most.



Elijah proceeded to tell the widow: "But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land'" (1 Kings 17:13-14).



Would you have questioned such logic in the face of a life-threatening situation? The woman demonstrates her faith in God and Elijah by giving him her last meal. This act of faith insured that her provision would be there day after day. God multiplied her flour and her jug of oil. Provision followed obedience.



"For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah" (1 Kings 17:16).



God often multiplies what we already have in our hand in a miraculous way when we yield it to Him. God took her only resource just like He took the loaves and fishes, and multiplied it for those who were in need.



God has placed skills and resources in our hand already. We need to apply faith to that which He has placed in our hand in order to see His provision manifested through them.

[04ctd]

Like a Shepherd





He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11a).



Sometimes we can see Christ modeled in the most unusual ways.



Gerry, our neighbor, is a shepherd to the neighborhood dogs. Once Buddy, the roving black lab of the neighborhood discovered that Gerry was a wellspring of treats by simply pushing open his broken front door, he began bringing other dogs on his visits. They made themselves welcome in his front foyer.



One of them was an older cocker spaniel named Joe Cocker. But unlike Buddy, Joe didn't leave after thirty minutes. He ended up staying for two days! Finally Gerry called the name listed on his dog tag and found out that his owner lived up the road. As Gerry started to walk him home Joe stopped as soon as he reached the hill because he was too weak to climb it. So Gerry picked him up and carried him home. It was not a short walk and Joe was not a small dog.



Day after day this routine continued and I was amazed at how much Gerry grew to love that dog. He'd let him stay at his house for days at a time and Joe was content to just hang out with him and loved to sleep on top of his dirty laundry. Then one day Gerry got a call from Joe's owner to let him know that Joe had died. When I called Gerry to see how he was, he choked back the tears as he talked about him.



Jesus is often referred to as the good shepherd in the scriptures and his followers are referred to as His sheep He carries close to His heart. There are times in our lives when Jesus knows that we cannot make it up our own hill in life. It may be because we are facing financial ruin, debilitating health or insurmountable grief. But no matter what the reason, we can trust that Jesus is there to carry us.



Allow Him to pick you up so you can find rest in His arms and comfort in hearing His heartbeat as He carries you close to His heart.

[04ctd]

Two Grocers





"You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 25:15).



A few hundred years ago there were two Christian grocers in London. One of them said to the other, "You know, as Christians, we're supposed to have honest scales. It says so in the Bible. So how should we do that?" "Well, I'll tell you what, I'll come and check your scales on Wednesdays to make sure they're accurate and you come on Sundays and check mine. We'll make sure they're accurate." The two grocers developed a list of twelve principles that they felt should guide the way they were to do business.



People preferred to buy from them because they knew they would get a good product, at a fair price, with honest scales. Other grocers who were Christians decided to join in and they formed an association of Christian grocers. In those days it wasn't called exactly that, but was actually called the Most Worshipful Company of Livery Merchants. The name is very odd and peculiarly British.



This group led to other industries adopting a similar idealism known as Livery Companies in the City of London. There are now 300 companies in the City of London registered as Livery Companies. The latest one was the Most Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. Everybody that joins one of the companies in the City of London, even today, receives a list of the principles they have to agree to. The list contains 36 biblical principles to guide your life. And they call the book, Some Rules for the Conduct of Life to Which Are Added A Few Cautions.



The rulers of the nation in Britain began to see the affect of these companies and said 'What we need to do is make it a law for the whole nation. So instead of just these grocers having their honest scales, every scale in Britain needs to weigh accurately." The government Weights and Measures Department, which is in existence today, can trace its history back to the day when these two grocers decided to keep themselves accountable for biblical principles."



Are you operating based on honest weights and measures?

[04ctd]

Follow Him in Humility


K.P. Yohannan




"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord." - James 4:10

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6)

Two men went to the temple to approach God in prayer and seek His favor. One, a Pharisee very sure of his outstanding spiritual achievements, recounted to God his flawless service record. He even thanked the Lord that he was better than others, especially that tax gatherer over there. This other man didn't dare lift his head. He stood at a distance and pleaded guilty as a sinner, asking God for mercy

Jesus, who told the story, informed His audience that this man went home forgiven, while the self-righteous man did not. Why? Because God always rejects pride and accepts humility: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Walking in humility, just as Jesus did when He was on earth, is God's plan for us as believers. We take the first step when we accept Christ's invitation from Matthew 11:29 and take His yoke upon ourselves. The second step comes when we learn from Him how to humble ourselves.

Our Commitment Does Not Automatically Make Us Humble

In our relationships with others, we often find a lack of love in our hearts. We are insensitive to people's feelings and indifferent to their circumstances. Our lack of love shows up as hidden anger, impatience, irritation, bitterness and a tendency to quickly pass judgment. If we analyze these feelings and actions, we find that all of them have their roots in some form of pride. Like the Pharisee in Jesus' story, we feel superior because of our background, ministry position, education, knowledge or spiritual experience.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord." - James 4:10

Jesus' disciples were radical: They were men who forsook all to follow Christ and held nothing back. They left their homes, parents, familiesÔÇöeverything. Yet after three-and-a-half years of listening to Jesus' teaching, learning from His example and experiencing His presence, they were fighting about who among them was the greatest.

For us this means that we, too, can forsake all, be totally committed to world evangelism and be willing to die for Christ. Yet within our hearts, pride can still exist, as well as the longing to be more important than others.

Jesus: Humble before God and Men

In contrast, Christ dealt with people in humility. During His earthly life, He always sought to lift others up, even when He confronted them with their problems. He never looked for opportunities to gain a higher position, more respect or greater honor for Himself. That's why He could tell His disciples to follow His example and be servants of all, to choose the last seat instead of the first and most prestigious one.

When we look at Jesus, we find that He first humbled Himself before God, to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:7ÔÇô8). That heart attitude before His Father enabled Him to be humble before men as well.

Humble Yourself

The Bible tells us that we received our pride and self-important nature from Adam. So we must receive humility from the second Adam, Christ.

The way we receive it is to learn from Him how to humble ourselves like He did. Therefore, the key to Christ like humility is that we first humble ourselves before God. Only then is it possible for us to be humble before others as well.

When we forget who we are when we stand before God, this is when we think we are better than others. The one who is aware of how much he was forgiven will find it much easier to meet a wretched man and deal mercifully with him, even saying to him with conviction, "You are better than I, because my debt was much greater than yours."

The problem with most of us is that we forget from where God has brought us. I have an old, worn-out shirt that hangs between my nice dress shirts in my closet. I wore it when I was 18 or 19 years old. It doesn't fit me anymore, but once in a while I stand there and look at it. It takes me back to those days in North India when I worked with a mission team. It helps me remember God's grace and stay down-to-earth.

James 4:10 exhorts us: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord." For our transformation into Christ likeness, this is where it all starts!

Will you make a commitment today to practice this Scripture? You will find that your love and compassion for others will grow tremendously, and you will experience the joy of being a servant like Jesus.

[04ctd]

SIN

Genesis 3: 7 "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."

I have always said that this verse is the clear evidence of the beginning of manmade religion. Adam and Eve put on themselves, fig leaves to COVER their sin. No one had to tell Adam and Eve that they had sinned, they KNEW IT! No one had to tell them the severity of their sin, THEY KNEW IT.

Today, mankind has used a church building, a denomination, a certain type of clothes they wear to HIDE their sin. Mankind has also explained away the severity of their sin by saying "NO ONE IS PERFECT."

From the very first transgression of God's way to today's transgression, SIN is just as severe. Sin is an awful thing and it is the one thing that will send a person to hell. Yes, Sin is that bad.

What are you hiding? Adam knew God, Adam knew that God is Omnipresent, Omniscient and yet he still tried to hide from God. Mankind today everywhere is doing the same thing. WHY? God knows and HE can see everybody and everything that they are doing. He knows every word that comes from your mouth, and, HE knows every thought that is generated in your mind.
The blood of Jesus is the only thing that can hide sin from a Holy God. The Blood of Christ is the only Atonement for Sin. God's way is not a cover up; it is a complete wash away!

[04ctd]

Disappointments



Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12)

Life is filled with disappointments. Many of God's greatest servants experienced deep disappointment in their journeys of faithfulness to God. Joseph, after spending years as a slave and in jail for crimes that he did not commit, revealed deep disappointment when he was forgotten another two years in prison. John the Baptist, when awaiting execution, doubted whether Jesus was, in fact, the Christ because he was sitting there awaiting his death. Elijah, losing all hope and despondent to the point of death, asked God to take his life in the desert; and Peter, who left his fishing business and invested three years of his life only to watch his Savior crucified, wondered whether the purpose of those three years could be justified.

When life doesn't add up, it leaves the heart sick. When we have done all we know to do and the formula has not worked, it leaves us questioning. These are times that try the very souls of men. There is no human sense to be made of it. We are left with a choice: to cling or not to cling. There are times when holding on to our Master's robe is all that we can do. It is all that He wants us to do.

The heights by great men reached and kept Were not obtained by sudden flight; But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.
Standing on what too long we bore,
With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,
We may discern-unseen before-
A path to higher destinies!
Longfellow

There is only one answer to life's disappointments. Like the psalmist, we must "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken" (Ps. 62:5-6).

[04ctd]

ÔÇ£DiligenceÔÇØ

By Scott Hunter



But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)



I believe that this year is a year for op*portunities, new territories and a year for establishment. As I began to meditate on the awesome things that God was going to do, I asked the Lord what is the key to walking in these things. He said to me ÔÇ£DiligenceÔÇØ. In Hebrews 11:6, it says that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. This means that those who are whole heartedly seeking God will be re*warded. Diligence is defined as painstaking effort. This means it costs us something to persevere.

There are three enemies that I believe we need to be aware of that will try and derail our diligence.

The first is complacency. When we become self satisfied with where we are, we stop pressing forward. Paul is an excellent example of this. He was never satisfied with his accomplishments until he knew that he had finished his course. We have to keep pressing forward for more of God and more of His plans for our life.

The second is discouragement. No matter what you have accomplished, the enemy will still try and bring discouragement against you. Elijah had just finished a great victory, but still he had to bat*tle the temptation to quit.

You can go from a spirit of victory to a spirit of suicide if you are not careful. We have to keep our guard up when we are coming out of a great victory, be*cause sometimes the greatest battle is after the victory and not before.

Lastly, there is weariness. Paul instructs us not to be*come weary while doing good. Esau was willing to sell his destiny to satisfy the need of the moment. We must remain future minded and not present minded. We have to protect our*selves against becoming weary. The joy of the Lord is our strength and Jesus endured the cross because of the joy that was set before Him. We must continue to keep our eyes on the prize and not on the circumstances of the moment.



Check Scott out at www.compassionfireandglory.org

[04ctd]

CURIOUS TO KNOW GOD





And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. (Exodus 33: 14-15)



In what I have to say I may not be joined by any ground swell of public opinion, but I have a charge to make against the Church. We are not consciously aware of God in our midst. We do not seem to sense the tragedy of having almost completely lost the awareness of His presence.



I do not say that to condemn. I say it with a grieving spirit. I pray that the churches in this day may yet reap the joys and fruits of gracious revival and the deep inward awareness of GodÔÇÖs presence.



Revival and blessings come to the Church when we stop looking at a picture of God and look at God Himself. Revival comes when, no longer satisfied just to know about a God in history, we meet the conditions of finding Him in living, personal experience



Modern mankind can go everywhere, do everything and be completely curious about the universe. But only a rare person now and then is curious enough to want to know God.



Lord, increase my curiosity and help me to know You so intimately that I am especially, specifically, consciously aware of Your Presence throughout the day. Help me to know You that intimately, Amen.

[04ctd]

think about that.....how much time we spend on FB or CHP, and how very little time we spend in the Bible,

or even how very little QUALITY time we spend with our kids/family wives.

[04ctd]

I guess the bold/italicized part is how I feel about this forum, and my life, I don't try to use "wise and persuasive words"

i just try to act like i have some sense, not cheat no one, and not cuss & carry on. hopefully, that small example would help some you guys to see some truth to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.


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Real Customer Service

"While they were going out a man, who was demon-possessed and could not talk, was brought to Jesus." Matthew 9:32

Years ago, it was not uncommon to have your milk delivered to your home. Doctors made house calls. And when you made a call to a company to discuss a problem, you actually spoke to a human being. Those days of personal service are gone, and if we are not careful, we will follow the same trend in how we share the gospel.

So often we are encouraged to bring people to church. Yet, we see no examples of where Jesus brought people into the synagogue to get them saved or healed. The miracles happened more often in the workplace because that was where Jesus could be found. Jesus had less response and found more resistance in the synagogue than in the workplace. He took the gospel to and modeled the gospel in the workplace. That is where the power of God was manifested. This is not to say we should not bring people to church, only that our priority should be to bring the Church into the workplace, not bring the workplace into the church.

Paul understood this when he said, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Corinthians 2:4).

Paul understood that it wasn't words that impacted people; it was the power of God manifested through him.

When is the last time someone saw something happen through your life that could not be explained other than God working in your life? When you begin to see this happen, you will be modeling ministry as Jesus modeled it. You will be bringing the Church to the people, not the people to the church. Pray that God makes you a vessel of His power, not simply a vessel of words.

[04ctd]

God Speaks through Circumstances





"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things" (Ecclesiastes 11:5).



God will often use circumstances in our lives to direct us in making and confirming decisions. I have often discovered this to be the case - but only after a situation have occurred.



God often confirms His direction through circumstances. Be on alert that when God sets up situations that are out of your control - He may be giving you direction through these circumstances.

[04ctd]

this one don't do anything for me, post up if you understand it.

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Activating What’s on Your Life



Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (I Chronicles 4:10)



As we continue into this year of great opportunity, we should be aware that not only has God opened many great things to us but also to the fact that much is required of us. In the book of first Chronicles chapter four, we see a passage about a man named Jabez. There is a demand that he places on God that pleases God. This demand comes from a revela*tion which is, God has something for me. When you are able to recognize what is on your life, you can then successfully activate it. Jabez is probably born illegitimately, which is why his birth is so painful to his mother. His life is defined as a mistake and sorrow. He has no inheritance or hope, so he has nothing to look forward to. I believe that he got a revela*tion of his Heavenly Father which changed his identity, and then ultimately his speech and outlook. He makes a five part declaration to God that defines his future and overrules his past. Five is the number for grace, and it is always important to remember that it is by grace that we have been adopted into the family of God and have become joint heirs with Je*sus. He begins by coming to God with authority. We must know that we have that means to enter into the throne room of grace boldly. He then begins to praise God for the bless*ing. We must come to Him in an attitude of praise which be*gins to activate the victory that’s already there. He then begins to make a demand on his heavenly inheritance. We have got to recognize that man can’t put a boundary on us when God has blessed us. He then asks for divine guidance. Spiritual wisdom is a must in this hour. It is the hinge that holds everything to*gether. He then asks God to keep him from unnecessary prob*lems. Jesus taught His disciples to pray this same way. We don’t need anything extra when we are going into new terri*tory. Lastly, he prays not to revert to his past, but to walk in his future. Don’t give up on your destiny. Be persistent as you are awakened to the fact that it’s yours. Make a demand on God’s best for you today.

[04ctd]

Is America Independent from God?

By Jay Younts

On July 4th, two hundred thirty-eight years ago, Americans declared their independence from England and her King. Unfortunately, such matters are seldom settled by simply signing a piece of paper. England was not pleased with this declaration and went to war. But in the end, America had her desire—she was independent of the English.

But in what sense are people and countries ever independent? It is an enticing idea that a person or a country can independently forge their own destiny, write their own history. However, this idea is just as deadly as it is enticing. Reality is this: no country is free from the rule of the Great Sovereign of the Universe. Each person owes his next breath, and each country its next day of freedom, to the God of heaven and earth.

Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king who thought he was in control of his world. God chose to humble him with a small demonstration of his power. Afterwards, the great king said this:

Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;

his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth

are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases

with the powers of heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand

or say to him: “What have you done?”

God does as he pleases with the countries and people of earth. The most secure position anyone can have is to acknowledge that God is the Ruler, the Sovereign, and the King of all. Independence from the rule of God is not an option.

Americans achieved independence from England, but we shall never be free from the dominion of Christ. This is an offensive statement to many. Laws are made that challenge the authority and rule of God. Marriage is redefined by man’s decree and not God’s. It has become unconstitutional for leaders to pray and acknowledge that we owe our lives to the God of the Bible and his Son, Jesus Christ.

The hope for America lies not in the passage of laws and in elections, but in the gospel.

The political leaders of 21st Century America want to be independent of the God of the Bible. Our leaders have forgotten Nebuchadnezzar’s warning: the God of Heaven is able to humble those who walk in pride.

This July 4th, praise God that you are dependent upon him. Pray that our leaders would heed the warning of Psalm 2:10-12:

Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!



Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.



Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

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Freedom and Boundaries



Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" - Genesis 3:1

God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries--freedom to manage what He has entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. The boundaries in the Garden of Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam. Man got into trouble when he questioned those boundaries. God had provided everything he would need for life. He also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves creatively through our work.

Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits are and stay within them.. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God's authority and our authorities at work

Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God's will for His life. It was God's will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the temptation. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4b).

You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries. Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward God. Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to enhance your life, not hinder it