Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Hope for Our Future

Do you ever get depressed thinking that life will never get better?

Most of us have found ourselves stuck in that place, but God doesn't want us to stay there. Winston Churchill once said, "When you're going through hell - keep going!" Regardless of our present situations, God wants us to have hope. Jeremiah 29:10-14 gives us His hope for today and our future.

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Meditate on these verses today and see what God has to share with you.

Be wise today and always - know God has better days ahead for all believers.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Trials

Anyone who goes looking for trouble would be thought a fool. Trouble comes at us soon enough. Why go looking for it? Consider this encounter with Jesus found in the book of John.

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:20-24

Imagine the scene. Some Greeks, complete newcomers, went to meet Jesus. What attracted them? They immediately hear ominous predictions about suffering and death. We don't even know if they understood or were frightened off.

How do you react to Jesus’ talk of coming trials?

Remember that you are told these things not to frighten but to strengthen you.
 
Be wise today and always - die to self to live with Christ.

 

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Eternal Life

We all know of John 3:16, but have you applied it to your life and shared God’s love with the world around you?

Jesus said to Nicodemus "And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:14-18

With Moses in the desert, the people looked up at the serpent and were healed. Jesus wants me to look up at him and be healed. Our lives are full of serious problems and life can go very badly wrong. In the times of greatest crises, the Son is there for me.

Can you open your heart to accept all of God's love for you?

Be wise today and always - open up your life and let the Son shine in!

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Clarity

You could not ask for a clearer expression of the revolutionary character of Christianity than these words from the apostle Paul.

For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:25-30

Do you practice the standard spelled out here?

What must you do today to live out your life totally for Christ?

Be wise today and always - fool the world around you and share the truth.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Listen Up

Listening is a great skill. My boss used to say, "God gave you two ears and one mouth - use them proportionately!" In today's scripture we're reminded who to listen too.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. Mark 9:2-10

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

How do you imagine this scene, and what does it mean to you?


At the end of the scene, it was just Jesus and His disciples. When you are alone with Him what is He telling you?

 

Be wise today and always - look up and listen to Jesus.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Proper Response

Do you ever wonder if you are doing the right thing?

Jesus models for us how to be in God's will all the time, and to be about the Father's business.
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the Good News." Mark 1:12-15

Solomon said that there is time for every activity under the sun- a time to act and a time to pray.

In obedience we need to be ready when we are called on to act. We prepare ourselves at other times when we listen and spend time with God.

Where is God calling you now?

Be wise today and always - know and respond to His voice.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Right Attitude

Having the right attitude in serving God and being His hands and feet is so important to your witness.

Yet even now, says the Lord,
Return to me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
Rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
for the Lord, your God? Joel 2:12-14

We love to say we have freedom in Christ to “take it or leave it”. Why would we ever want to take the bad and give away the good?

What habits make you hard to live with?

A Christ filled life is about regaining self-control, especially in those areas that damage others. God, create a pure heart in me, and renew a right attitude within me. Psalm 51:10 ISV

Be wise today and always - desire a Christ centered heart and mind.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Times of Trouble

Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For though I was poor and needy, he rescued me from my oppressors. -NLT

God never promises us a life that there will never be unhappiness or problems. He tells us that there will be troubles, but God is greater than any of lifes pressures.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,  as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Those who are faithful in well-doing need not fear those that are spiteful in evil-doing, for they have a God to trust to who has well-doers under the hand of his protection and evil-doers under the hand of his restraint.  - Matthew Henry

Be wise today and always - focus on God where all hope comes from.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Hope for Everyone

What happens when you have a bad day, and how do you normally respond to it?

Jeremiah not only had a hard day but a hard life. He really let the Lord know how he was feeling.

You pushed me into this, God, and I let you do it. You were too much for me. And now I’m a public joke. They all poke fun at me. Every time I open my mouth I’m shouting, “Murder!” or “Rape!” And all I get for my God-warnings are insults and contempt. But if I say, “Forget it! No more God-Messages from me!” The words are fire in my belly, a burning in my bones.
I’m worn out trying to hold it in. I can’t do it any longer! Then I hear whispering behind my back: “There goes old ‘Danger-Everywhere.’ Shut him up! Report him!” Old friends watch, hoping I’ll fall flat on my face: “One misstep and we’ll have him. We’ll get rid of him for good!” - Jeremiah 20:7-10 The Message

Jeremiah turned his despair into confidence in God in Jeremiah 20:13.

Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord!

It is proper to express our hope in God by our praising him, and our praising God by our singing to him.

He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.

Be wise todayand always - let Christ turn your day (and life) in to joy.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Bad Days

I did a Bible word search on "bad day". It came up with just one result from John 11:39, “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Not what I was looking for, but Lazarus and his friends and family were certainly having a bad day. But it was about to get a lot better! I think that this a great lesson for us. Regardless of how bad your circumstances are Jesus can change them for the better in a hurry. Isn't that amazing?

Today wherever you are and whatever your circumstances - call on Jesus. He brings dead things back to life, and makes a way that seems impossible to us.

Be wise today and always - Cry out He hears your cries. Are you listening for His voice?

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Critical Hope

Today we'll look at the last objection that believer's have in sharing their faith.

I will be criticized by others or embarrassed if people do not respond. Look at the story we are told in Matthew 9:11, When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew was criticized, but there were great results:

  1. Jesus was the focus of the meeting.
  2. Sinners confessed their sins and received forgiveness from Jesus.
  3. New believers met other followers of Jesus and were established in their new faith.
  4. Matthew grew spiritually.
  5. The critics were silenced.
 “I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

What is your response?
 
Be wise today and always - go to My Hope with Billy Graham at bgea.org to learn more on how to share your faith today.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Hope for the Unlovely

Sometimes Christians are reluctant to share there faith because they believe that people are not interested in the Gospel of Christ and will not respond. Matthew 9:9 says, As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.)

Jesus looked deeply into Matthew’s lonely life and spoke to him.

Matthew followed Jesus immediately and invited others: the poor, the tax collectors, and sinners.

People try to hide their needs so others do not see them. But Jesus sees, and He knows how to help those who are hurting.

A wise Pastor once encouraged his church with, Love the unlovely.

Aren't you glad Jesus loves you?

Be wise today and always - love the world and the unlovely.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Know Enough


Most believers never lead another person to faith in Christ. We are all commissioned to share the Gospel with the world around us. One of the big reasons I hear is, I am not trained to tell people about Jesus. It is too hard for me to do. Matthew 9:10 tells us, While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.)

Matthew used what he had to introduce others to Jesus Christ: his home, his food, and his relationships.

He did not forget his old associates (tax collectors, sinners, family, friends, and neighbors).

He shared what he found in Jesus, and it was a powerful witness for Jesus Christ.

If you know Jesus then you know enough - tell someone today.

Be wise today and always - share what you know to be true.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Hope in Forgiveness

I've heard it said that as long as someone's breathing there is still hope! When it comes to believing in Jesus this is absolutely true. Look at what He says to the people ridiculing Him for associating with "sinners":

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13

Sometimes Christians fearfully think, that some people are too sinful for God to forgive.

Matthew betrayed his people by becoming a tax collector. He cheated people by collecting too much tax. He led a sinful lifestyle, but Jesus loved Matthew in spite of his sinful lifestyle.

God loves this world and does not want them to perish in their sins. (John 3:16)

The next few days we will look  at reasons we give for not sharing our faith, and the answers that can be found in the calling of Matthew as Jesus' disciple.

Be wise today and always - God loves people so should we.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Jesus Calling

I love this quote by Matthew Henry concerning Jeremiah’s call and commission: Because he had no reason to fear the wrath of men if he were faithful; for the God whom he served would protect him, and bear him out, so that they should neither sink his spirits nor drive him off from his work, should neither stop his mouth nor take away his life, till he had finished his testimony.

 Two things he (we) must consider:

Our calling – your vocation in Christ.
Our commission – sharing the Gospel with the world.
 
Our "fear" in life should not be of man, but of the Lord. When God is in it no man can stand against it! Amen?
 
Be wise today and always - serve God faithfully every day.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Hope for Our Life

All of us desire to hear from God. I think He speaks to all of us through His Word. Our problem, like Jeremiah's is that we don't want to obey - especially when sacrifice is involved. When need to trust God when He gives us a job to do.“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 1:17-19
 
Two things that Jeremiah and we are told to be faithful:

(1.) We must speak all that we are told.
(2.) We must speak with everyone God instructs us to share His message with.

Be wise today and always - do all that God instructs you to do speak to the world around you.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Hope For Life

Are you in the need for encouragement and direction in life? How about a Word from the Lord? This is exactly what a young man named Jeremiah received, and I believe can help us all today.

“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:17-19
 
God can help us overcome all obstacles, and an evil world! Amen?
We need to be ready, stand up for our God, and remember God is with us always.
 
Be wise today and always - do what God commands and expects.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Future Shouting


We see that there will be Shouting in the Future - as fortold in the book of Revelation:

Revelation 1:10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,  Revelation 5:2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”

Revelation 5:12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 6:10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

Revelation 7:10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 8:13 As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

Revelation 10:3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. Revelation 11:12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Revelation 14:7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God,  Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

Be wise today and always - keep shouting for God through all eternity!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Church Shouting

The First Church who went out after Pentecost shouting and proclaiming the risen Lord!

Acts 16:17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” - the result of a changed life!

Acts 16:28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” - The jailer and his family were saved!

Acts 21:34-36 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”

Acts 24:21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

Acts 25:24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

Acts 26:24-25 24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.

Be wise today and always - Share the Gospel even if people think you're crazy!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Keep Shouting

Shouting the goodness of the Lord is found throughout the Word of God. We see shouting in prophecy in the book of Isaiah:

 Isaiah 12:6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Isaiah 26:19 But your dead will live, LORD; their bodies will rise— let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy— your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.

Isaiah 44:23 Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.

Isaiah 49:13 Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 52:8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.

Be wise today and always - keep on shouting about what Jesus has done in your life.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Shout

Praise be to God who has conquered death and gives us eternal life. It is something to shout about! Jesus cleared His throat on the cross so with a loud voice He could proclaim what God has done
 
The word shout or "loud voice" is found 199 times in Scripture.

We need to lift our voices and shout in Song (or Psalms):

Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.  

Psalm 95:1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Psalm 98:4-6 4 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Be wise today and always - shout about what God has done in your life!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Believe


Today we will look at the third truth of our great salvation:

I am saved from the darkness of doubt, and enter into the light of a new beginning.

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:24–29).

Do you believe in your heart?
If you do believe look at what God has promised!

You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).
 
Be wise today and always - believe and be saved.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Present Peace

Today we'll continue to explore three aspects of this “great salvation” we’ve been exploring in this series, in the light of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The second great salvation truth is: 

I am saved from the darkness of fear, and enter into the light of a new presence and peace.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” (John 20:19–23).

Be wise today and always - accept God's peace for now and all eternity. 

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Be in the Light

Over the next three days let’s explore three aspects of this “great salvation” we’ve been exploring in this series, in the light of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The first great salvation truth is: 

We are saved from the darkness of confusion, and enter into the light of a new commission.
 
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:1-18

Be wise today and always - step in to the light of Christ and leave the darkness behind.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Ask and Listen


Do you admit your need God’s guidance to make any decision?  None of us can see the future. We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow—much less next year, or 10 years from now. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) On the other hand, God knows everything that has happened to you, that is happening to you and that will happen to you. In order to keep our lives heading in the direction God desires, we have to go to him for guidance in making decisions. We must ask and listen for the answer.

Ask in faith for direction. James 1:5-6 says, “If you want to know what God really wants you to do, ask Him, and he will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him; but … if you don’t ask in faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.” (TLB)

God is willing and anxious to give you wisdom in all aspects of your life. But you need to expect that he will answer your prayer for guidance. Often, we ask God for guidance, but then we walk away without waiting for his answer. When we think our decisions depend totally on us, it only increases the stress level. When we ask God for guidance, we need to then begin looking for his answer. He will provide it.

Listen for God’s response. God designed you to hear His voice. Job 33:14 says, “For God does speak—now one way, now another though man may not perceive it.” God speaks to us through His Word, His people, circumstances and impressions—among other ways. You need to be sure you’re listening to those “channels”, so you can hear what the Lord is saying to you.
 
Be wise today and always - follow God's Word for your best life.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Trust in God


Do you trust God even when you don’t understand? 
 
Remember what Solomon tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
 
 This is another reminder that you can’t figure everything out on your own. You’re a child of God—not God, and only the Lord can tell you the best direction to go when you are making life decisions.

God doesn’t want you to be confused, and he will never lead you into confusion. If you’re having trouble figuring out which way to go, get back to the basics and trust that God will give you the guidance you ask for.

What areas of your life do you need to admit your need for God’s guidance in making a decision?

Be wise today and always - trust in God in all matters of your life.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Live Like Your Saved

Believers must have your heart and minds focused on doing things God’s way, and not swaying back and forth between it and the world. Being indecisive is a form of double-mindedness and James says that leads to instability

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. - James 1:2-8

I think part of the problem is we complicate decisions, often factoring in information that isn’t really important—relying on our own wisdom while failing to specifically seek God and his wisdom.
 
Be wise today and always - live like you are saved.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Plugged In

The Holy Spirit is our ultimate power source. Are you plugged in? As you know you can have the most expensive electronic device in the world, but if it's not plugged to an outlook it's not going to work. The same is true in our Christian walk. If we are not in God's will and power then life is not going to work.

Two prongs of the plug is the Spirit's ability to pray for our needs even when we can't voice them, and the other is to keep us in harmony with God's will for our lives. On some plugs there is a third prong, and that is for grounding. The same must be true in our life that we stay grounded - in the Word of God!

Remember those three prong plugs are for the appliances that need more power and can do more. May the same be said of us. Amen?

Be wise today and always - stay plugged in to the Holy Spirit.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Promises

People always want to know a secret, but with God there are no secrets only promises! Let's continue to look at Romans 8 today, and God's promises to believers.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  

Believers have a new prayer guide:
A. His identity - the Holy Spirit
B. His intercession - prays for us when we don’t know what we should pray for
C. His intensity -The Holy Spirit is the power source we need to be plugged in to. Look at:
1. How He prays - in our groaning
2. What He prays - for us to be in harmony with God’s will

 
Believers have a new confidence.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

What is God calling you to do today?

Be wise today and always - live your life God's way.

Monday, April 1, 2013

New Hope

The apostle Paul wanted everyone to know about the hope God gives to the world. Let’s take a closer look at Romans 8:18-21, and what it is saying to believers.

1I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

Believers have a new hope:
  
All Christians – all those who believe in Jesus for salvation
1. Present sufferings – We will experience pain and grief
2. Future glory - today’s grief is nothing compared to His coming glory. We are to wait patiently and confidently.
 
All of Creation - natural things made by God - Genesis 1:1 - God made everything!
1. Nature is the victim - the natural world of plants and animals groan in pain because of the fallen world.
2. Nature is the victor - nature will be liberated from decay and death to freedom and fruitfulness.

Be wise today and always - have hope!