Saturday, September 15, 2018

September 15

Have you ever been around people whom you assumed were Christ followers because they were in a Christian environment, but questioned their motives? We are servants of the Most High; and we should project His leadership, example, and loving attitude. We all want to do an excellent job for our Savior, but not at the expense of others. We should never run over and trample the hearts of other people while trying to reach a goal. We should walk in a manner worthy of our calling. Our humility, gentleness, and patience, should without a doubt, show everyone that Jesus is our King and that His goal of love is being carried out. No one should ever question whether or not you belong to Jesus. Yes, we all have times where we slip up, and we know God will redeem us, but those times should be few. Never get so wrapped up in the excitement or get preoccupied with the task at hand that you forget who it is you belong to.


I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

Friday, September 14, 2018

September 13

Unbelievers don’t understand why we have such confidence in an invisible God. As a matter of fact, they think we are insane! They don’t know the mystery that has been revealed to us and the hope we’ve been given. We didn’t come to know Jesus without the prompting from the Holy Spirit; He opened our eyes to our need. In a lot of cases, He shows us who we really are, how great our sin is, and our distance away from Him. Because of our faith, we can come before Him with boldness.

We are watching a scary storm barreling toward the Carolina coastline. Those in its path have either fled, or are bracing for the impact. In both situations, whether they know Jesus or not, they are praying. When they don’t know Jesus, who are they praying to, the air? What are good vibes, and what do they do for you? However, those that do know Him are coming before Him with boldness to ask for protection. We have confidence in Him, and know that whatever the outcome, He will be the one who picks up the pieces and puts things back together.
  
Stand strong, mighty warriors of God and know He is with you!


in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. Ephesians 3:12

September 14

Until the weather changes for the worst, we don’t realize the power that exists that is beyond our control. As Americans, we are taught that we are a mighty superpower, however, our strength is weak in comparison the category five hurricane making its way to the American coastline. When we witness its power we realize that we can’t control it, and are at the mercy of God. Thanks to the powerful prayer of many, the current storm is coming onto land at a much lower category, and instead God has relented and spared our people from complete devastation. It will still be catastrophic, but prayerfully, loss of life will be minimal. When the world seems to be collapsing, turmoil has taken over, and the storms around you threaten to bring you down, God has given you strength through His Holy Spirit to overcome all kinds of adversity. May you be at peace as a Cat 5 hurricane threatens to devastate your life, knowing that you can get through it with the powerful strength that is within you!


that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ... Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:16, 20-21

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

September 12

I became a mother early in 1990, before my son was born on November 4. It wasn’t until then that I fully understood the depth of love, even though I had the amazing love of my mom and dad, the giving of my love was not complete. Even though I feel like I now understand the fullness of love, it is dim in comparison to the depth and breadth of the love Jesus has for us. There is no measurement for it; it is a treasure chest without a bottom, you could search for the end and would never find it. So in my finite knowledge, my only comparison would be the love I have for my child. He could treat me with disdain, reject my love, withhold love from me, and I would still love him. Imagine a world full of children doing exactly that, yet Jesus’s love for us is unsearchable, there is no ending. This is the mission that Jesus gave to Paul, to take these riches to the Gentiles, to help us understand, as much as we can, the love, grace, and mercy He has for those of us who believe in Him. This love is reflected in the price He paid on the cross, and He did it so He could spend eternity with us. That kind of love is real love.


To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Ephesians 3:8

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

September 11

Many years ago, when all of our children were old enough, we went through the process of becoming certified to scuba dive. Our kids dive more than we do, and Richard is anxious to get into it again, so he signed us up to go to a gathering of divers he found on Facebook. We didn’t know anyone in this group and they already had a special bond with one another. I felt like we were outsiders. They talked about all their adventures, and diving to great depths, which made me quite anxious. They were nice and willing to share their experiences, which helped us to decide is we wanted to join them. I’m not so sure if it’s for me, but Richard liked it. Compare this to the revelation of the mystery given to Paul. The Jews, at the time had been made known of the gospel of Jesus, and word was spreading throughout that nation. The mystery that was revealed to Paul was that salvation was also available to the Gentiles, you and me, and that we are co-heirs with the believing Jews. We are no longer outsiders and have a special bond and are able to dive to great depths with them. In my comparison, I would be the unbelieving Gentile, not sure if I want to go to great depths with the Jews. It takes a lot of courage to be a follower of Christ. It’s not for the timid. The great thing is, you're not alone, there is always someone on the boat keeping a close eye on you, ready to rescue you when trouble arises. 


This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 3:6

Monday, September 10, 2018

September 10

My husband is a builder. A couple of years ago we decided to build two duplexes on some property we owned. There is quite a process that you must go through before you even move one ounce of dirt. After we cleared all the hurdles required by the county and state, and the permits were approved and ready, we could begin preparing the area for the foundation. Together, he and I measured and set the stakes for the corners. If you don’t get this important step right, the whole building will be off. Perfection for this step is imperative! After the corners are marked, then the dirt is brought up to the elevation required, then a footer is dug, rebar is placed, then it’s filled with concrete. A row of block is then set, dirt brought up to the perfect level and compacted, pest control sprayed, underlayment and rebar placed, then finally the foundation poured. If you get any of this wrong, your building will be weak, and could crumble. Throughout scripture we are compared to a temple, a building with Jesus as our cornerstone, the perfect corners; the foundation the apostles and the prophets. If we build upon this foundation, our structure will be strong and able to resist the elements, and the Father will have a dwelling place. The apostles and prophets are found in the Bible, if you’re not reading it, your foundation will be weak.


built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22

Sunday, September 9, 2018

September 9

Do you ever meet someone, and you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you feel you already know them? There's something familiar about them that you feel drawn to. There is a reason for it, the Holy Spirit! The Bible says that we are no longer strangers, but are fellow citizens and members of God’s household. We are not strangers because we both have access to the Father. If this is true, and the Bible says it is, you should be able to tell who isn’t a part of the kingdom through that same Spirit. Some people talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. There are imposters among us. The truth is that it’s easier to tell who is than who isn’t, because the spiritual connection is powerful, but if they are an imposter you may like them but something will be missing, and it’s usually their fruit. My question for you today is, are you fooling yourself? Many people sitting in the church pews on Sunday will be left behind when Jesus calls the saints. Don’t be one of them! There is a simple test: if it’s easy for you to lie without feeling convicted, you may be in danger. Even a tiny white lie will convict you. Do you pass the test?


For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Ephesians 2:18-19