“Christ Lives in Me”

Posted March 11th, 2010 by Doug Armand

Scripture


I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

Observation


Paul recognized that the source of his life did not come from himself but from Jesus. The freedom that he is preaching to Galatian church is not obtained through the keeping of the Law – it is not an issue of conduct. The freedom that we enjoy as believers comes through identification with Jesus’ death on the cross and the reality of His life-giving presence living in us and through us every day.

Application


It is so easy to make the Christian life all about conduct. It is so easy to make our lives about trying to “do the right thing.” The fact is, God never expected us to “do” the right thing all of the time. He expected us to fail and in that failure for each one of us to recognize our inability to live the Christian life apart from a daily, living, breathing relationship with Him. Jesus is the only One Who can really live the life that God’s holiness demands. As we surrender to Him and begin to walk in daily dependence upon Him, He begins to live that life in us and through us. That yielding comes as we realize that He loved us and gave His life for us. Wow, thank you God!

Prayer

Jesus, forgive me for the times when I have tried to do the Christian thing apart from You. You created me to need You and for that I am grateful. I invite You to live in me today – live through me today. Thank you for loving me and giving Your life for me. Thank you that You make me free as I simply yield to You and cling to You in desperate dependence. I love you God! Amen.

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The Lord’s Release

Posted March 10th, 2010 by Gary Borgstede

Scripture


Deuteronomy 15:1-5 “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord’s release. Of a foreigner, you may require it, but you shall give up your claim to what is owed by your brother, except where they may be no poor among you; for the Lord will greatly bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance – only if you carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today.”

Observation


In these passages of Scripture, God establishes a financial plan among His people that calls for creditors to release anything that is owed to them by their neighbor or their brother at the end of every seven years. Remaining true to His nature, God takes full ownership and responsibility for such a plan by calling it “the Lord’s release” and He promises to greatly bless His people in their land if they carefully obey His voice and observe His commandments.

Application


In the natural, it may not seem like a wise plan to release a neighbor or a brother from the debts he may owe us as his creditor; however, in this situation, the Lord promises to provide His guarantee for the debt by greatly blessing us in the land He has promised to give us as an inheritance. In this plan, God is modeling in the natural what happens in the supernatural when we forgive our neighbors and our brothers for their trespasses against us and release them from anything they may have done against us. When we obey the voice of the Lord and release others of their debts and trespasses against us, the Lord in turns releases us from the debts and trespasses that we owe Him. Therefore, by releasing others of their debts, we are actually released by God of our debts and can walk freely into the fullness of His promises for us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy that endures forever and Your faithfulness to forgive my trespasses against You as I forgive those who trespass against me. Help me Lord to always be mindful of the great price that You paid for my debts at the cross so that I can walk in freedom, grace, and mercy with You and others each day of my life. I love you Jesus! Amen!

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Rain of God’s Favor

Posted March 9th, 2010 by Randy Craighead

Scripture


Deuteronomy 11:10-12 10 For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; 11 but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, 12 a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.

Observation


While in Egypt the children of Israel watered their gardens by foot, having to daily carry the heavy pots of water from the Nile back home to their gardens. After a long, hard day under the lashing whip of the Egyptian taskmasters making bricks in the mud pits, the children of Israel still had to care for their own needs of sustenance. It was a long, hard day’s work, to say the least. So for them to come into the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, and where the rain-soaked hills of Lebanon watered the lush valleys below, it was like a dream come true – it was the “rain of God’s favor.”

Application


God is such and good God. For those who delight in His word and obey His commandments, there is a daily rain of favor that will come from the hills of heaven and descend on your life EVERY DAY! Even when life doesn’t seem to be going your way, God has a plan and a purpose in everything that He does and allows in your life. Even when you’re in the middle of a dry desert in your life, like the children of Israel, He is still leading you to a place of “still waters” and “green pastures” (Psalms 23).

Prayer


Lord, let me never lose sight of the good and perfect plan you have for my life. Help me to keep a good attitude of faith in the midst of the “dry” times in my life, and to realize there is a spiritual rain in the hills of your presence to water my soul. EVERY DAY! Amen!

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Special access!!

Posted March 8th, 2010 by Aaron Herman

Scripture


Deut. 7:6 “For you are a holy and set apart people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a special people to Himself out of all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
Mark 15:37-38 “And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life. And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Observation


The nation of Israel is so special to the Lord that he deemed them altogether “holy” unto Himself. And yet, so Holy was the place in the temple where He allowed His presence to be ever manifest that only one special man, the high priest, only one moment each year was allowed access and that only by the blood of sacrificed animals! How Holy is the presence of God! In dying on the cross, Jesus tore the curtain of this most Holy place (which was so high and so thick that no man could have torn it) from top to bottom!

Application


Special access is now mine! Because of my relationship with God through faith in Christ, I am counted among His special chosen people. Through the cross the way has been opened for every believer to go into God’s presence! I must never take for granted this radical gift, but enjoy His love and favor in worship every day!

Prayer


Wow, You love me! I know I’ll never understand why, but I gladly receive the gift You offer me just the same! As I worship You in this moment this ordinary room becomes the Holy of Holies and I am changed in Your awesome presence!

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Caesar’s Due

Posted March 5th, 2010 by Kirk Henderson

Scripture


Mark 12:13-17
Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”
But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” 16 So they brought it.
And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
17 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
And they marveled at Him.

Observation


We live in two worlds: the natural and the spiritual. Jesus understood this and used a simple coin to prove this very important principle. The State (or Government) is an earthly institution with necessary functions, and taxes are a vital part. Jesus is not telling us we have to always agree with the government…but give it the honor it is due. Don’t pretend you live in only the spiritual world. We need our government, and are commanded to pray for governing officials. Believe it or not, God ultimately uses earthly governments to fulfill his grand purpose. We can confidently give to Caesar his due because Caesar is always in God’s hands.

Application


We can give honor not only by paying taxes, but by being agents of change in local, state, and federal issues. Don’t complain but be part of the solution!

Prayer


Lord help me to give honor where it is due, and to not criticize, but to pray for governing officials and their important tasks which lay before them. Help me to know my part in these important issues and use me as you can to accomplish Your will. Amen.

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Finishing Strong Together

Posted March 3rd, 2010 by Bob Bruce

Scripture


They came near to him (Moses) and said, “We will build here sheepfolds for our livestock and cities for our little ones; but we ourselves will be armed ready to go before the sons of Israel, until we have brought them to their place, while our little ones live in fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. We will not return to our homes until every one of the sons of Israel has possessed his inheritance. For we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the sea.” Numbers 32:16-18

Observation


The land on the east side of the Jordan had been conquered. The hard work was done by all the tribes of Israel together. The tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, although they lived on the other side of the Jordan, did not stop after their land was cleared. They promised to keep working with the others until everyone’s land was cleared and conquered.

Application


After others have helped you, do you make excuses to escape helping them? We need to finish the whole job, even those parts that may not benefit us directly.

Prayer


Lord Jesus, cause us to give of ourselves fully, even after our needs have been met. Help us to go beyond just what’s necessary, to help others in ways that completely meet their needs.

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Being Honest With God

Posted March 2nd, 2010 by Doug Connor

Scripture


Jesus said to him, “if you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24

Observation


This father came to Jesus to get his son healed. I imagine he had tried everything in their culture and religious tradition to help the boy – doctors, rabbis and priests, as well as home remedies but none had done any good. Then he heard about this amazing rabbi who healed so many and so he left his home and traveled however far he needed to in order to try one more time, one more cure. But then, the disciples tried and failed and his last, greatest hope was dashed to the ground. You can hear it in his voice when Jesus shows up… “if you can do anything, please have compassion on us and help us” (verse 21). Jesus understands the man’s condition and his hopelessness and speaks directly to that telling him that if only he can believe, if he can bring himself to believe once more in spite of all that he has been through, then indeed, all things are possible. At this the father cries out in brutal honesty – I want to believe, I’ve believed before and been disappointed so many times, can I really believe again after so many failures? Help me to overcome my unbelief. And with that little bit of faith and honesty, Jesus heals the boy!

Application


It’s OK to be honest with God. Jesus understands our condition and the things we have been through and He is not threatened when we are honest with him about our lack of faith. When we are honest with Him and with ourselves, He can deal with the root causes of our problems and in hope or even against all hope bring the physical, emotional or spiritual healing that we need.

Prayer


Father God, I want to believe but I need You to help my unbelief. Help me to overcome past disappointments and seeming failures and to always have hope; knowing that You not only are able to move in my life, but you are also willing to do so. Help me to see You as the loving Father You are and to develop the kind of faith that Jesus said could move mountains and accomplish “all things.”

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Keep Your Mind on the Things of God

Posted March 1st, 2010 by David DeGarmo

Scripture


31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 8:31-33

Observation


As Jesus began to explain clearly to the disciples how His life would play out, it became evident to them that it would not be as they had hoped. He had spoken often of a Kingdom, and up to this point they had apparently assumed that it would be established in this natural life, as a political kingdom, like every other kingdom that they had ever known. When He began to tell of His death, Peter pulled Him aside to rebuke Him, probably for giving up or quitting, and chastised His lack of faith. Jesus replied to Peter by challenging his perspective, telling him that he had set his mind on what he wanted out of this situation, instead of focusing on God’s intended purposes.

Application


This morning’s Old Testament reading in the Life Journal was from the book of Numbers, and described an elaborate system of animal sacrifices designed by God as a temporary means of satiating the death penalty of sin. God’s plan, through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, was to permanently satisfy that penalty through the sacrifice of a perfect, sinless life…Jesus’. At whatever level Peter may or may not have understood God’s plan for redemption, Jesus pointed out to him that his thoughts and interests were focused on his own agenda, but they should be set on the things of God. In my daily life, thoughts, and plans, although I may not necessarily be in direct opposition to God’s ultimate plan of redemption, is my heart fixed on God’s kingdom and His righteousness? Am I continually checking my thoughts and motives to be sure that I am walking with the Holy Spirit in the direction of God’s plan and agenda or do I have an agenda of my own?

Prayer


Father, search my heart today and show me any areas of my life where my agenda is in conflict with Yours. I want to walk in step with You, so that my life is constantly available to to be used as an instrument of righteousness, bringing glory to You and fulfilling Your will and plan. Amen

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Peace in a Storm

Posted February 25th, 2010 by Mike Cuccia

Scripture


Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:39

Observation


On the same day Jesus taught about the word, Jesus now gives His word to the disciples that they would be going to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. This was a word that would be tested. Somewhere between the disciples and Jesus leaving one side of the Sea of Galilee and arriving to the other side, there was a vicious storm that arose. This storm was so powerful that the disciples thought they were going to die (Mark 4:35). Interestingly enough Jesus was in the same boat but was not reacting as the disciples were. In fact, Jesus was asleep!! When the disciples finally awakened Jesus, He got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and everything became completely calm!

Application


No matter what circumstances or storms of life that rage in or around me, I can trust that if I speak His Word, my world will be at peace! I may not see the immediate calming of the storm on the external but I know that speaking His Word will calm the storm in me. Speaking God’s Word never fails. Sometimes you may have to stand up in the midst of the circumstance or storms of life and command the winds to cease by saying, “Peace be still”!

Prayer


Lord Help me to trust You regardless of what I see or feel. When the wind and waves rage about me I thank You for Your Peace and Power to calm the storm. In Jesus Name Amen!

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A Different Spirit!

Posted February 24th, 2010 by Aaron Herman

Scripture


Numbers 14:22-24 – Because all those men who have seen My glory and My [miraculous] signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tested and proved Me these ten times and have not heeded My voice,
Surely they shall not see the land which I swore to give their fathers; nor shall any who provoked (spurned, despised) Me see it.
But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

Observation


In the face of a seemingly impossible situation Caleb was somehow able to see a different picture. While the culture around him deteriorated into negativity and complaining the Bible tells us that Caleb, by believing God’s promises and following Him fully, was able to maintain “a different spirit”! And because he chose to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and shut out the negative voices of his peers Caleb was promised a bright future for himself and his family!

Application


As in Caleb’s day, I sense a brooding pessimism growing in our nation. It is difficult to believe for good things when the word of the street is doom and gloom, but we must! We are the children of promise! The Lord will never leave us or forsake us, and He loves to pour out blessing and favor on us as we choose to live by faith. This is walking in a different spirit: Instead of complaining, speak words of faith, when others retreat press forward in obedience, and cast your fears aside always remembering the miracles He’s already done for us!!

Prayer


Father, give me a heart to always believe! I need Your help to defy negative thoughts and to walk in a different spirit than the culture in which I live. I will repeatedly speak Your Words of truth and promise knowing that as I do You will prosper me and give me good success. I bless Your name today!!

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The Value Of A Day

Posted February 23rd, 2010 by Gary Borgstede

Scripture


Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Observation


In the passages of Scripture in Psalm 90, the Psalmist meditates on the eternal everlasting existence of God and recognizes the vapor of time that a person actually lives on earth in comparison. To God, a thousand years are as a day when they are past; whereas, the days of our natural lives on earth are only 70 or 80 short years and when they are past, they are gone forever.

Application


Like a pebble of sand on the combined seashores of the earth is our life in comparison to the eternity of God; therefore, we must appreciate and value each day we are given to live on earth as a rare and precious gift from God. We are only given one opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others with each day of our life that comes and goes like the passing of a ship at night. If we fail to appropriately value and passionately live on purpose each moment of each day of our life, the allotted number of our days may come and go without the complete fulfillment of our God-given destiny and purpose.

Prayer


Thank You Lord for each new day that you give me to live life in the fullness of Christ. Because Your mercies are new every morning, I thank You for the opportunity to begin a fresh new day to live the abundant life that You died to give me. As Your Word declares Lord, “This is the day that You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” Help me Lord to be a wise steward of this day and each new day that You give me to live my life on purpose and make a lasting impact for Your kingdom. I love you Jesus! Amen!

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The Beauty of the House

Posted February 22nd, 2010 by Randy Craighead

Scripture


Psalms 27:4 – One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.

Observation


This verse finds itself in the context of David saying he will not be in fear when his wicked enemies that hated him rise up against him. The verse is then followed by him saying he will hide himself in the pavilion, the tabernacle, in times of trouble. It is there that he finds victory and vindication. It is there that he finds joy. It is there he says he will sing praise unto the Lord. David’s one seeking desire is to be in the house to the Lord all the days of his life. He loved the beauty and wisdom attached to the house of the Lord.

Application


David kept the main thing, the main thing. Here was a man that had many options in his life, but his one burning passion was the house of God. He had a such a spiritual ferver for the things of God. David understood the value of being in and planted in the house of the Lord, (see Psalms 92:13). I see three things in David’s proclamation that challenges us in attending church, today: 1—There’s a value in “dwelling” in the house of the Lord. It’s the routine-ness and regularity of sitting under the inspired word of God that produces a strong, gripping faith in your heart and life. 2—The “beauty of the Lord” is how he saves us and brings us all together in one place. We get to enjoy one another and do life together, and 3—There is faith-filled, Bible-based wisdom and counsel that’s available when we “inquire in His temple.” The church, the body of Christ is alive and vibrant. What a beautiful thing! I can’t live without it!

Prayer


Lord, let me never lose the passion and heart for the local church. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it, and help me to bring others into the beauty of this temple. Amen!

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Living Seperate for God

Posted February 19th, 2010 by Danny Mequet

Scripture


“When either a man or a woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazerite , to seperate himself to the Lord,” Numbers 6:2

Observation


The Nazerites were Israelites who took a special vow to abstain from certain behaviors, which represented their commitment to God. The behaviors they abstained from were simply a representation of what was in their heart. The Nazerites were committed to God in their heart and therefore were willing to “give up” things in order to show their heart’s devotion to God.

Application


Although I’m not called to follow the rules set forth in the Bible to live as a Nazerite, I am called to live a life set apart for God. My heart needs to be the same as that of a Nazerite. I need to live a life where I purposefully seperate myself from things that don’t draw me closer to God.

Prayer


Father, thank you for the example that you give me on living a life of total devotion to you. The verses that come to mind as I seek total devotion to you is Psalm 139:23-24 where it says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Father, my desire is that I would have a heart that pleases you in everything that I do.

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