Saturday, September 21, 2019

September 21

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he came out of the tomb bound with death clothes. He instructed the people to release him and let him go. The story of Lazarus is much like us coming to know Jesus. Before we knew him we were dead, and bound. Though Jesus has made us alive, many are still bound by the sins that our body of death carried from the tomb, keeping us from moving about freely. When are you going to let go of your past? Your sin and painful past has been removed from you and you are no longer tainted, yet because you haven’t changed your mind about it, you keep carrying around those filthy linen death strips. Whether you realize it or not, others can see them; they are exposed every time you are triggered, or get a painful reminder. Do you know who does that to you? The enemy! It is beneficial to him to keep you bound, because it renders you useless to the Kingdom. If you are living with fear, unbelief, trauma, or rejection, it’s time to let it go. Each time these chains show up and cause you anxiety, confess, repent, and pray. It’s all a matter of changing your mindset.

The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44

Friday, September 20, 2019

September 20

Have you ever made a regretful mistake that became hard to repair? I’m sure I have many, but the most recent one almost cost us a good amount of money. I read a count date wrong and found out too late to attend. We scrambled the next day to try and repair the damage. Thankfully, there was a way to hold off judgment for time to regroup. We had two options: 1) accept the final judgment and pay the fine, or 2) do what it takes to get a new court date. We chose option 2, and began the process. It’s nothing major, just a tenant issue, and part of being in real estate. The process is now longer; it would have been less stressful if we had shown up on time, and it would be over with, but now we are paying the consequences for my mistake. We all make mistakes, and sometimes we sin, but in the case of sin, God is the judge, and Jesus stands in as the defendant for those who’ve put their trust in him. Aren’t you glad you have him! It takes the stress off of us and places it firmly in the hands of Jesus. I’m so grateful for him, aren’t you?

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 john 2:1

Thursday, September 19, 2019

September 19

I grew up believing “once saved, always saved.” I still believe that, however, I question the salvation of those who go on sinning intentionally. It’s possible that they prayed the sinner's prayer out of fear of hell, and it seemed reasonable to recite it to secure a place in heaven. Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath that was blind from birth, and the only thing that the Pharisees could think about was that Jesus broke the Sabbath! They were not in awe of this amazing miracle. They were so jealous of his ability to captivate the people with his wisdom, and his signs and wonders, that all they wanted to do was to condemn him. But because of this miracle, which no one had performed since the beginning of time, it was obvious that Jesus was sent from God, yet they continued to deny his deity. Their eyes had been opened to who he was, yet they were blind. Now that they know the truth about Jesus and reject the gospel of grace, the guilt of their sin stays with them and they are not forgiven. Watch out that you don’t continue in your sin, because you know the truth about Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains. John 9:41

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

September 18

Jesus is no weakling! He is a mighty warrior, strong, and able to take out the enemy, and has already weakened him and numbered his days. You may need to get a full view rather than the narrow view that most see. I wonder what would happen today if Jesus were to show up in the flesh and begin hurting peoples feelings like he did back when he walked among the Jews. The same thing that happened then, would happen today. Jesus was not afraid to speak his mind, and call out the sinful nature of those around him. I’m sure he would be crucified again. He didn’t hold his tongue, he ripped through the Pharisees, and called them sons of the devil. How many servants, pastors, of Jesus do you think are willing to put their life on the line and call out sin? Most are too worried about offending the people that pay the bills. Offend them! It’s the only way to set them free! Our life is not our own, we have been bought with a price, if you lose your life, remember it’s not yours to lose, you belong to God! If you read John 8:31-59 you will understand. He made the Pharisees so mad that they were ready to stone him right then and there! Jesus is not weak!

but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. John 8:40

Monday, September 16, 2019

September 16

Who argues about helium? My daughters, that’s who! I saw them standing just outside the door at a family gathering. I noticed one doing the bump with her hips, and wondered what in the world she was doing; so I began filming her so she could see herself and her actions. I couldn’t see what her sister was doing, until suddenly I see her pretending to bang her head on the door. It was quite a sight, and gave me a good laugh. Thank goodness it was just family, otherwise people might think we were crazy! Christians are not dull and boring just because we are careful, and try not to sin. We are free from the wages of our sin, free from the fear of the afterlife, and are free to enjoy one another while we are in this dismal world. Stop being so serious about your life and the things of the flesh. Work on your relationships, and matters of the heart, and tighten your connection with the Almighty; these are the treasures for today and the treasures that won’t rust and be destroyed by the end of time. 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal

Sunday, September 15, 2019

September 15

When a season comes to an end, I tend to get busy cleaning and refreshing. When I bought my house two years ago, it was nearly perfect the way it was, so I hadn’t changed anything on the interior, except to add my furnishings. One of the bedrooms, had a dark paint on the doors and baseboards; it wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t my preference, so I set out to cover it up. Believe me, trying to cover the nearly black color with white paint wasn’t easy, and required multiple coats of paint. 

This story reminds me of when Jesus called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs.” He did not let up on them, and told them exactly what He knew was in their hearts. There are many preachers and churches today, who are full of greed and excess, just like the Pharisees. Be careful that you don’t get caught in their trap, and follow a teaching that cannot be measured by God’s Word. Just like me covering the dark paint with the white paint, it disguises the darkness underneath, but with careful observation, and a heart full of The Holy Spirit, you will be able to discern the truth.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27