Day 21 - Always Look Where You're Going

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Life comes with its distractions.  We can be so easily side-tracked by the unexpected and miss the very thing that God has called us to do.  I am so dauntingly reminded of the words of my mother while attempting to follow her in the store.  Bumping into people and things, she'd say, "Look where you are going."  The tragedy of unawareness can strike any one of us at any time. The most perilous of facts is that unawareness is cloaked in awareness.  Some have never dreamed the impossible dream.  They have never tasted of the world to come.  Their problem is to experience the awareness.  My problem is to maintain it.

Nothing is more embarrassing to experience (or witness) than to see someone try to use influence after they've lost it.  Mohammad Ali revolutionized the sport of boxing by sheer power and magnetism of his personality.  Reporters would line up by the dozens awaiting a quip, a quote or anything they could use in their articles.  Near the end of Ali's career, you could barley hear him in his press conferences amid all the background noise and chatter.  He was talking but the world was no longer listening. 

Remember Samson, he took his strength for granted.  He assumed because he had it, it was always going to be available.  He thought God needed him.  He violate his Nazarite vows and God left so quickly and so quietly, Samson was completely unaware.  The sun of God's favor had gone down, but he thought is was still shining.  Don't blame God.  Don't blame Delilah.  Don't blame the Philistines.  Blame Samson. He defeated himself long before they ever got to him. 

Always look were you are going!  Are you looking at Jesus, or the size of your problems?  Are you walking by faith, or wandering by fear?  Paul says, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Where are you going? to Jesus?  He's seated at the Throne of God.  Look... where you are going.  If you are not aware, get aware.  If you are aware, stay aware.  Remember, you are not the only runner.  This is a relay.  You must pass the baton to the next generation.   So, always look where you are going!  #wemadeit #finishstrong

Prayer
Father, I look to You, Amen.  

Go Deeper
Judges 16; Psalm 1:1-3; Psalm 51:17; Ecclesiastes 5:5; John 19:19-22; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 1 Peter 5:5-6; Revelation 4:11

Day 20 - The War is Over

And in any business needing wisdom and good sense, about which the king put questions to them, he saw that they were ten times better than all the wonder-workers and users of secret arts in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:20)


The fall of the angels and man created a dilemma for God.  God’s intent was that His creation accept His authority, yet both created beings rejected it.  God’s response was to withdraw His presence but not His authority.  He will establish His Kingdom.  The Kingdom is established through obedience.  Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David all disobeyed.  Yet, Jesus never once was disobedient or resisted God’s authority.  Just as our Lord has done so must we do.  Our biggest problem is not outside of us our biggest problem is within us.

The board member who can never say “I was wrong”; the leader who constantly criticizes others; the sunday school teacher who cannot tolerate a different point of view; the preacher secretly addicted to pornography; the missionary who uses prayers meetings to escape a marital duties; the servant- leader who constantly volunteers but runs down the pastor; they may present themselves as spiritually mature but something is terribly wrong in their walk.  Being spiritual can be misleading because a few well quoted scriptures gives the indication that one is also emotionally intact. We all have struggles.  I recall carrying a heavy suitcase through the airport, rushing to catch my plane.  I got all the way to my destination before I realized – it had wheels.  The trip back home was so much better because I could roll what I use to carry.   The burden was still heavy but the wheels made it light.

When we are born again the local church becomes the place where we are “re-parented”.  Our past is forgiven not erased.  God places his authority in a leader who is then empowered to provide the sincere milk of the word and we must then die daily to the parts of us that do not honor God and follow Jesus.  I can memorized entire New Testament passages and still be unaware of a deep depression threatening my sanity.  Spiritual maturity is about honest reflection of the positive and negative impact of my family origin, my childhood, my socialization and other influences in my life.  Once we understand how this has shaped us then we can, through the help of our leaders and the power of the Holy Spirit, go on to break any destructive patterns and pass on constructive legacies to the next generation.

The execution of Osama Bin Laden took place over two years ago but the battle rages on because of insurgents who don’t want to admit defeat.  Let there be no doubt about it.  The war is over!  The devil is defeated, but his insurgents keep playing his tapes in your mind trying to get to your soul and cause you to think like him.  This is why we have public success and private failure.  We must discipline ourselves, be transformed by the renewing of our minds and receive the engrafted word of God which is able to save our souls.  Daniel and his friends refused the kings delicacies, though tempted.  After a thorough examination Daniel and his friends were ten times better.  How?  They learned how to say no to self, love God and love others.


Prayer
Father, may the pain of my past act as labor pains to birth a new mature man in me.  Transform me by the power of your Word and Spirit, Amen.

Go Deeper
Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 1;  Matthew 10:37-40; Matthew 11:28-30; James 1:19-22   

Day 19 - What Do I Love When I Love My God

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  Genesis 50:20

There is a strong vein of hostility against those of us who hold on to traditional Christian values in America today.  When people are asked by researchers to give their impression of the devoutly faithful, we are instantly casted as the enemy.  The truth is, all mankind has a great spiritual need and deep desire in their heart to connect with their Creator (Eccl.3:11).  The problem is the institutionalized church and man made religion with its rules and manipulation have sneeked in to the amazing awespiring adventure of what it means to be a Christian.  Freedom was snatched from our hands and subtle control was incorporated.  I get that, but let's not throw away the baby with the bathwater.  There is a romance between God and his elect classically marked by combinations of faith and doubt, clarity and confusion, rebellion and righteousness that retracts us to Him. 

Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph served in Potiphar's house.  He was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and became a prisoner.  He offered no defense of himself.  He suffered continually as an innocent man.  Once elevated and reunited with his family, Joseph should have wanted to pay back his brothers for selling him in to slavery, causing such misery to befall him, but he did not.  He states, "ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good. "  Joseph does not pretend that what his brothers did to him was not evil.  It most certainly was.  He knew the intent of their heart.  He also knew that God utilized it for a greater purpose.  This nation seems to be doing everything it can to displease God, but God is doing something far more wonderful - accomplishing His eternal plan.

I don't have an easy time encountering myself.  I still have routine brushes with right and wrong.  But it's not about me.  God is waiting for a seat in our hearts as well as our houses of worship.  The more we pursue Him is the more we love Him and the more we become like Him.  It's not that we are cold, unapologetic, rigid or lack empathy.   But loving God means loving His ways.  
  
If you are curios how true believers interact with their faith check out Augustine's message: What Do I Love When I Love My God.  He says, “It is not physical beauty nor temporal glory nor the brightness of light dear to earthly eyes, nor the sweet melodies of all kinds of songs, nor the gentle odor of flowers, and ointments and perfumes, nor manna or honey, nor limbs welcoming the embraces of the flesh; it is not these I love when I love my God. Yet there is a light I love, and a food, and a kind of embrace when I love my God — a light, voice, odor, food, embrace of my innerness, where my soul is floodlit by light which space cannot contain, where there is sound that time cannot seize, where there is a perfume which no breeze disperses, where there is a taste for food no amount of eating can lessen, and where there is a bond of union that no satiety can part. That is what I love when I love my God.”  (concluded)


Prayer
Father, thank you for the unique relationship we share.  What a privileged and honor to be a part of Your plan.  Make me more like Jesus, Amen.

Go Deeper  
Genesis 41:45-57;Matthew 11:28; Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Corinthians 10:11; James 1:3; Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews. 13:5; 1 Peter 1:7-8; 1 Peter 5:7

Day 18 - Pulling Meaning Out of Mystery

But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:7

You get results in an unconventional way.  That's why God chose you.  Prophetic ministry is never easy.    You are not your own and you must learn to obey God rather than man.  Loyalty to the call is essential and adherence to an ethical code that runs contrary to your natural desires and selfish ambitions can be maddening.  Don't be a preacher if you can help it.  And if you can quit, by all means do so.  This is not for the faint of heart.  When you do your best, it's too little for some and too much for others. If you're like me you didn't take up ministry; it took you.

What is particularly difficult, not just for preachers but all true believers, is we must often lead from behind.  It is blatantly clear to all who observe you in your ordinary life that your are "losing".  The words that come up commonly about you include “religious,” “old-fashioned,” "boring" and “out of touch.”  It’s not surprising because there is a huge gap between the way we as believers actually experience faith and the way it is perceived by the world.  During the great Egyptian empire Joseph was strategically placed there by God to preserve his family during a time of great famine.  One of the most important rules for them to follow was to keep their occupation as herdsmen a secret because the Egyptians hated shepherds (Gen.46:34).  The world still hates shepherds/pastors and those who truly care for others.  Why? Because representing Christ to those around you means that others get to see Him in you.

Those who were just casually going about their day to day activities are now being confronted with the personality of Jesus in you.  They become aware that He really is a person who loves them because you prove it by being like Him.  This is God's way of vindicating your testimony and life.  So rejoice!   You are pulling meaning out of mystery. You, like Joseph have been sent ahead of others to preserve them.  (continued tomorrow)


Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the special call on my life to reach others by becoming more like You.  Transform me into Your likeness for Your glory, Amen

Go Deeper
Genesis 37:36; Genesis 39:11-23; Psalm 37:1-9; Isaiah 42:8; 2 Timothy 2:3; Hebrews 2:11; 1 Peter 4:12

Day 17 - Mountain Movers

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23

We all have certain blocks within ourselves stifling creativity.  Habits and insecurities can prevent us from making full use of our God given ability to alter our environment.  Our accustomed way of perceiving things interferes with the ability to see new meaning.  Psychologists call this "functional fixity".  The predisposition to perceive things in certain ways.  Consequently, based on scenarios that seem familiar, a pastor, doctor or scientist or may continually misclassify a problem and treat it incorrectly.  This perceptual block is like a mountain and it can hinder the hopes of finding countermeasures to create new possibilities.  

When God calls you to do something it will always appear impossible.  He will diminish your natural resources until any hope of success requires His involvement.  Faith must be released in order to get over a perceptual barrier and produce miraculous abundance. Words are powerful.  Speak in faith and you will frame your life with the power of your speech.  Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you chose to respond.

Remember, God always begins with chaos.  The earth was "without form and void" and he made a beautiful planet.  Don't say what you see, say what you want to see.  If you keep saying it the way you see it, then you are going to keep seeing it, the way you say it. You can transform rubbish into riches with the power of the spoken Word.  God watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).  Life and death are in the power of your tongue. Choose to speak life.  Expect a miracle.  Speaking faith is what causes God to move for you.  Expectation is why He does it.  You cannot wish you troubles away. Perceive the impossible. Believe the impossible. Receive the impossible.  Today you are a Mountain Mover!


Prayer
Father, I thank you for in my weakness, You are my strength.  I speak to my mountain today and I command it to move and go to the sea.  I Perceive... I Believe... I Receive a miracle today, Amen.

Go Deeper
Genesis 1:1-2; Exodus 14:13-28; Judges 6:11-24; Psalm 78:11-12; Psalm 126:3; Jeremiah 32:27; John 9:25; Romans 14:23; Hebrews 11:1-3; Revelation 7:13-17

Day 15 & 16 - Stop Trippin'

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.  1 Peter 2:7-8

Many desire a walk of fame, glory; a religion that preaches happiness and good feelings.  They do not desire a “crosswalk” where self-denial and service to others is order of the day.  Those who walked with Jesus were offended by His walk.  They saw His walk as one of that should have been done with fame and glory.  They argued over seats, position and power.  They could not bear to see it all go down the drain via Calvary.  The Gospels record the many times they skinned shins and bruised knees stumbling over Him.

God is either our stumbling block or our cornerstone.  There is no in between.  If we are not properly aligned with God in a particular area, we stumble all over Him.  He becomes the barrier to our desires and lusts.  Too often have I been offended by God when I wanted to have certain friends or other things and He would not allow it.  So if I keep tripping, something is wrong with me.

Yet the writer of Hebrew states, “Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross”.  Our Lord and Savior found joy in the most miserable place on earth.  The very thing we avoid, He embraced.   Please note, there is only one place designated for the Cornerstone.  If not in its proper place, we will stumble over it repeatedly.  After a while, it gets to be quite painful.  God is not denying us victory and power (He desires that for us) but He says we will get these things by placing the foundational cornerstone in its proper place.

Check your shins.  Take a look at your knees.  Are you kicking against the prick?  Are you submitted?  Like Christ, the joy of the cross set before you will carry you through many a dark day, through proper placement.  Put Him first, that's where He belongs and stop trippin’!


Prayer
Father, I do not like saying no to myself daily, but because of the joy You have set before me I surrender.  I embrace my cross-walk today and look for my victory and power tomorrow. Amen.

Go Deeper?
Psalms 37:37; Psalms 118; Matthew 21:42-46; Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 9:22-26; 1Corinthians 1:18-29; Hebrew 12:1-3

Day 14 - Dirt Won't Hurt

David was afraid of God that day and asked, "How can I ever bring the ark of God tome?"  He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David.  Instead,he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.  1 Chronicles 13:12-13

I must not deny the therapeutic influence of God’s character.  What would make King David abandon the throne of God and give it to another?  Do you remember Uzzah, the man who died trying to catch the Ark as it fell from the oxen cart?  My research has uncovered there theologians who believe the writers of this story and others were forced to interpret what they saw in light of their own peculiar theology.   They argue that Uzzah simply had a heart attack upon seeing the idea of God’s presence hitting the ground.  They state that the Jewish writer, who lived pre-modern science and autopsy times, simply attributed the cause of death to an act of God.  These scholars have authored curriculum suggesting that God had nothing to do with the death of this innocent man.  They conclude this cannot be a manifestation of the true character of God.

There’s only one small problem. Uzzah was a Koathite! The Koathites were a family clan within the tribe of Levi whose sole task was to care for the items in the sanctuary.  From a child up, they were drilled concerning the specific details on how each item was to be treated.  When it came to the Ark, there was one blaring statement, GOD SAID, DO NOT TOUCH!  They were to use long poles, slide them through the golden rings on the Ark.  Then place the poles on their shoulders for the transport of it.  God’s order had already been violated seeing that the Ark was being transported by an oxen cart.  And when the oxen stumbled, Uzzah did the unthinkable.

I know… I know… his motive was pure.  He had good intentions.  He was trying to keep the throne of God from being desecrated by the dirt.  But, here’s the revelation: God says, “I’d rather fall, then let you catch me”  Uzzah made a fatal calculation.  Do you think that your hands are less polluted than the dirt? The earth is the Lord’s.  In fact, in the Most Holy Place of Moses' Tabernacle the Ark of the Covenant actually rested on the ground. God doesn’t have a problem with mud. It is man that most troubles the Creator.
 
Prayer
Father, I reverence your presence and am careful whenever I come in contact with You.  As fearful as I am of you, I am more fearful of living without you.  Cleanse me that I may draw nearer to thee.  Amen!

Go Deeper?
Gen.46:11;Ex.6:16; Num.3:17-32; 2Sam.6:1-11; Luke 13:1-8; Acts 5:1-11

Day 13 - Shift Happens without Warning

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:9

No one would design a system of intense supervision to prepare people for a lifetime of extreme openness.  But this is exactly what has emerged in the modern world today.  Schools and colleges are creating an environment that demands one set of navigational skills, and students find out that upon graduating they are then cast out into a different environment requiring a different set of skills.  This they have to figure out on their own.

The remnant of Israel that returned from Babylon were forced to navigate the troubled waters of nation building alone.  Genealogy records were incomplete.  The priesthood was maligned.  The charred remains of a previous civilization brought about despair.  Now, this was a difficult time for both the old people and for the young people.  Remember, the old were sad because things were not like they use to be.  The young are becoming frustrated by the disposition of the old.  Bear in mind this question: Why is there a need for a new Temple? The "new kids on the block"  had been ill served by the "sage saints".  The tears the elders shed over short-comings of the new Temple should have be shed over 70 years prior in repentance when idolatry was running rampant in Israel.  Don't cry now!

The purpsoes of God must be upheld and kept in mind.  God has a purpose beyond what is seen and he will bring it to completion, with or without our involvement.  So if we are going to play a role in His plan, we must get busy.  The light did not come into your darkplace for you shine.  It came for you to rise and see how to walk in your destiny. God has a plan. He says to Israel,  “the glory of this latter house will be greater than the former.”  He is referring to the coming of Jesus.  Years later, this new temple was remodeled by Herod, and into that newly remodeled temple walked: the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.  The Lord came to that temple and fulfilled the words of scripture.  He came to Solomon’s temple in the glory cloud, but one day, without warning, He walked into this new temple in the flesh!

Beloved, if you are on a well beatened path, you are on the wrong road.  Prepare yourself, because shift happens without warning.  You and God must create your own system and you must discover His plan for your life.  Do not be limited by what others have done. You are the answer to someone's question.  You are being called by a problem and your true identity will be constructed as you respond.  Your latter will be greater than your former!

Prayer
Lord, I thank you for giving me a special place in Your plan.  Help me to discover and uncover the details.  I want to do Your will.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Go Deeper 
Ezra 3:7-4:5; Jeremiah 29:10-14; Daniel 11:32; Luke 17:20-21; Philippians 1:6;1 Peter 4:12

Day 12 - Shift Happens Continually

As a result, the people couldn't distinguish between the noise coming from the shouts of joy and the noise coming from the weeping people, because everyone was shouting loudly and could be heard a long way off.  Ezra 3:13 (ISV)

Because of Israel’s refusal to abandon their idols and worship the one true God, they were judged by the Lord and taken away into captivity by the Babylonians.  This captivity was to last 70 years.  The Persians overthrew the Babylonians in 539 B.C. and King Cyrus made a decree granting all Jews permission to return to their homeland.  The main objective upon returning home was to rebuild the Temple that the Babylonians had previously destroyed.  When the foundation for a new Temple way laid, for many it was a time of great joy.  However, others were not happy about what they were witnessing.  Why was one group so excited and praising the Lord, while the other group was sad and weeping?

The elders of Israel remembered the first temple.  They remembered the gold and the glory. They remembered the old days when the temple of the Lord was one of the wonders of the ancient world.  They remembered a temple that housed the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat.  They began to see that this temple new would be smaller.  They also knew that all the things that made the first temple precious, the Ark and its contents, the mercy seat, and the glory cloud were forever gone.  This realization broke their hearts and they wept bitterly.

The other group, did not remember the first temple.  They had no idea of what it had looked like or of the glory that had been in it.  All they remember was a life of captivity and bondage in a foreign land.  No doubt many of these people had been born during the time of Israel’s captivity and all they could remember was their slavery.  But, they also remembered how God in His power had delivered them from that bondage.  They could not remember that first temple, but they were thankful for what they had!  These young people had no frame of reference concerning the old days, but they were excited about what God was doing in their day.

My friends, it is not fair to compare the visible demonstration of the height of what was with these early moments of what we are now experiencing.  Understand this, we have yet to see the Church as God has planned it.  God is laying a new root system and foundation for things to come.  Some people are so caught up on the past, they miss what God is doing in the present.  Does that mean we trade in church pews for theater seats and lighting?  Does that mean we exchange the preacher for illustrated sermons and worship dramas?  NO!!!! We also can not become so trendy that we forget about what God has done and the power used to do it. 

We can sit here looking back to the past, longing for the old days, dreaming of the way things were, and get absolutely nothing done for the Lord.  We can also become all caught up in the latest movie, book or trend and still fail to do anything for the Lord.  The key is to be where God IS not where he was or where you think He'll be.  The people of God have always done better, when we are all focused on opportunity God has before us and not our own little agendas.

If we’re going to "SHIFT", we all need to focus on the real concrete issue: What is God saying NOW?  We should not focus on secondary issues and get sidetracked. (to be continued)


Prayer
God, help me to do what You have called me to do!  I realize cannot go back to the times of great revival in the church and live in them.  Neither will I, embrace everything that is being promoted in this modern age.  I commit my life to You, show me where I can be most effective in giving You glory while I still have time in Jesus Name, Amen.

Go Deeper
Ezra 3: 7-13; Isaiah 43:19; Jeremiah 31:13; Matthew 10:34; Matthew 23:23; Acts 2:17

Day 11 - Shift Happens

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. Ezra 3:12

Suddenly the whole church world is talking about a "shift" coming to the body of Christ.  But, as this dialogue goes on, it is beginning to look as though the thing is being misconceived.  This "shift" may be confusing matters more than clarifying them, and it is leading us off in unhelpful directions. In the first place, to properly frame the issue one must be careful not to lump together different issues that are not especially related. What we call “the shift” is caused by two different groups.

One the one hand, there are the "sage saints".  Those of us who remember the good old days.  A time when all you had to do was show someone in the Bible what God said and the issue was settled.  We recall a time when the Word of God and the House of God were held in high regard by all.  A time when both the pulpit and the pew were full of Holy Ghost power.  We remember a time when the fear of God was on the community and even sinners respected the things of God.  Yes, we who remember the “good ole days” look at the modern church with a broken heart and long for the things that have passed.

One the other hand, there is an even larger group of people called the "new kids on the block".  Those of us who possess no knowledge of the "good ole days" or the power demonstrated then.  All we know is that when we were weak and wicked, Christ died for the ungodly and we have been justified by faith.  We can not remember the old days but we can see a new day of opportunity and we are embracing it wholeheartedly.  (to be continued)


Prayer
Father, I thank you for what was and for what is, but most of all I thank you for what shall be, Amen.

Go Deeper
1 Kings 8:8-13; 2 Chron. 5:13-14; 7:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 4:10; Luke 17:20-21

Day 10: Just Keep Thinking

And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Albert Einstein did not learn to speak until he was three years old.  Yet, his equation e=mc2 revolutionized physics and electromagnetism.  In describing his thought process he said, “Words do not play a role.  There are only more or less clearer images.”  He discovered the theory of relativity by imagining himself riding though space on a light beam and capturing the images he saw into mathematical equations.

Old science said that the human IQ is fixed, but recent studies prove intelligence grows as we use it.   So, whether you are 8 or 80, your mind and intelligence can still increase.  This is called the neuroplasticity of the brain.  It is the ability for the brain to rewire itself.  Finally, modern science has caught up with the Word of God.  We have known this for years.  Paul told the Romans almost 2,000 years ago in order to be transformed, one must renew the mind.  This rewiring doesn’t take place in isolation.  Meaning that if one brain system or element changes, then all systems connected with it change as well.  This is exciting because scientists have witnessed that one positive change in one area of the brain leads to positive change in the other areas.  They have recently concluded that the mind acts on the impulse of the strongest suggestion given to it.  We already knew that too, King Solomon told us, “As a man thinketh, so is he”.

Your thoughts will dictate your life.  Tell me what you are thinking and I will tell you your future.  The potential to fail is as great as the potential for success.  Did you know that more people die from the prognosis then from the disease itself?  Once they hear cancer, HIV, diabetes, etc… they give up on living.  Here’s another… How many of you have ever said to someone, “You make me sick”?   Well, Relational Illness in now in the medical books.  Some people are toxic to your existence and you need to get away from them -- today!  I know some folk so negative, they are just like the film in your camera the darker things get, the more they develop.  Guard your thoughts and your words.  Bounce back from adversity, move to another city, and reinvent yourself.  Another person’s opinion of you does not have to be your reality.  The same foot that almost stepped on you as a caterpillar will be the same foot you will soar high above as a butterfly.  Just keep thinking.

Prayer

Lord, help me to rid myself of “stinking thinking”.  Give me the plan you have for my life.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Go Deeper?

2Kings 7:3-5; Prov. 15:22; Prov. 19:21; Prov.23:7; Jer. 29:11; Luke 9:51; Eph. 4:23; Phil. 4:8

Day 8 & 9 - But I Have My Reasons

…bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Our mental habit of reasoning is something we inherit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Our decisions were never intended to be made from this vantage point.  Before the fall man’s sense of right and wrong was in the hands of God.  By eating from the tree they obtain a sense of right and wrong from a source other than God Himself.  To this day, man doesn’t feel like he needs God to provide a sense of right and wrong.  He has it in himself.  This is how God can command us pray, fast, tithe, love, etc…  and yet we still manage to reason our way out of obeying God and right into satan’s rebellious hands.

The devil employs all kinds of reasons to enslave us so that we, instead of following God, are at odds with Him.  The devil reasoned with Eve until her thoughts were anti-God.   Although, she saw God daily, she did not recognize His authority.  She saw a tree that was good for food, pleasing to the eye and could make one wise.  She did not listen to God, because now she had her reasons.   Oh my!  How often have we reasoned our way out of obedience to almighty God?

Paul says these reasons are like skyscrapers blocking your town from the sun.  He tells us to destroy these reasons along with everything else that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.  We do this by governing our thoughts.  It takes thought to build reasons.  We must bring every thought to the obedience of Christ (God’s authority).   


Prayer
Father, You are the only source of my life.  I am governed by Your authority and not my reasons.  I bring my thoughts under the obedience of Christ, today.  Amen.

Go Deeper?
Gen 2-3; Rom.12:1-5; Phil.4:8-9; 2Cor. 2:11, 3:14; 4:4; 11:3

Day 7 - Going All Way (Final)

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Mark 10:21-22


We live in a beckoning world.  There are many opportunities to deter us from the will of God.  We must learn to close off our options. We generally want to keep out options open.  We make a series of tepid commitments just to see what pans out. Ancient Israel wanted Baal's image, Ashteroth's pole and Jehovah's Tabernacle all at the same time.  Because our God is jealous this proved to be disastrous.

The rich young man came face to face with truth. Although he claimed to have kept all the commandments since his youth, Jesus reveals not only did he not keep all 10 commandments, but he failed in keeping the very first: Thou shall have no other gods before Me.  His wealth was his god. He needed to get rid of the god he already had before he could receive the true and living God.  No one can serve two masters. It will leave you impotent. You spread yourself thin. You dissipate your energies and never put full force behind any cause. You make your own trivial desires the object of your attention, not the vision that inspired you in the first place.

This man was looking for an easy fix. He wanted the things of God, but he wanted them on his terms. He wanted to keep all the things he had and just add Jesus and stir. He went to Hell with Heaven on his mind. Many have a preconceived notion of how they think things should be.  They even manage to go beyond others and go on to make significant achievements but they still lack one thing.  Do not allow your "one thing" to keep you from hearing "well done".  Say with me, "I'm going all the way". (concluded)


Prayer
Father, I say no to this world and it lures and I say yes to You and your goodness.  I choose Jesus above all else. Help me to be a distance runner for the kingdom. I want finish my course and hear you say "well done", in Jesus name, Amen.

Go Deeper
Exodus 20:1-17; 2 Chronicles 34; Matthew 25:14-28; 2 Timothy 4:6-9; James 5:12; 1 John 2:15

Day 6 - Going All The Way (3)

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:19-21

A common problem today is how to put the lyrics of high aspirations with the music of effective ministry. Thus, when Jesus tells the rich young man what it takes to go all the way, he shrinks back and tears follow.  At first our Lord tries to show him his selfrightousness by citing a few of the Ten Commandments.  It appears as if the young man might have interupted the Savior with his proclamation that he has observed all of them since he was a child.

If we only see the words in the Bible we will miss the heart of God.  It's more than verses to memorize and dicsiplines to be mastered.  Certain people are good at transmitting what is called technical knowledge. This is the sort of knowledge that can be expressed in rules and put down in books — like the recipes in a cookbook. But there are kingdom craftsmen who possess the ability to transmit practical knowledge. This sort of knowledge exists only in use. It cannot be taught, only imparted by imitation and experience.  It’s knowing when to depart from the recipe.

Jesus knew the young man had done a great job of going beyond his peers. He now challenges him to go all the way, "Go, sell your possessions. Give it to the poor and come follow Me".  He needed to see the real world, get a relevant perspective.  Going all the way entails getting our hands dirty. Jesus wants him to immense himself in habits and daily patterns of real ministry and stay long enough to forget what being rich young ruler feels like. There comes a time when we must exit the classroom and enter the culture.
Until the classroom starts to feel foreign we have not gone all the way. (contiued tomorrow)


Prayer
Father, I am blessed to be a blessing to others. Lead me to my next assignment today, Amen.

Go Deeper
Genesis 12:1-4; Judges 6; Ruth 1:1-16; Isaiah 61:1-7; Ezekiel 1:1; Luke 9:1-6; James 5:1-8

Day 5 - Going All The Way (Part 2)

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.   Mark 10:17-18

Let's take an even closer look at this young man. Yesterday, we looked at what he got wrong, but let's give him credit today for what he got right.  The other gospel accounts call him the rich young ruler.  Like many today he was seeking for something.  He came running to Jesus, kneeling before him and inquiring about eternal life. He came in the right way, he's concerned about the right issue and he's talking to the right person. He asks the right question but he is not ready for the answer.

When he calls Jesus "Good Master", Jesus immediately challenges that statement.  It is obvious the young man only considered Jesus to be a great teacher.  He was looking for a good tip for life's journey.  Jesus is not a stop along the way. He is the way! He is not something you add to your life. He Himself is life! People treat Christ as if He is something to add to their resume, as if salvation needs to be checked off of a To-Do list.

The young man is also confused about salvation altogether for he asks, "What must I do".  He thinks salvation can be earned by effort and heaven is the reward of such effort. He wants to have a hand in it. He wants to be involve.  When Abraham went to cut covenant with God he fell asleep.  When he woke up the covenant was ratified and Abraham had nothing to do with it.  Salvation is not a reward for good behavior. It is made available to all by grace through faith.

Many people still believe that salvation is based on “do”. They believe that they have to “do” something to be saved. Be it join a church, get baptized, teach Sunday School, preach, give, become a moral person and stop sinning and the list could go on forever! The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that salvation is never about “Do”. Salvation, through Jesus Christ, is always about “Done!” When Jesus died on the cross, He said “It is finished!” He did it all and there is nothing you and I can do you to add to it or to get it on our own.  Works cannot get you saved and works cannot keep you saved.  The just shall live by faith. It's time to go all the way.  (continued tomorrow)


Prayer
Father, thank you for sending your Son.  Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all. The work is already done. I believe, Amen.

Go Deeper
Genesis 15; Psalm 32:1-7; John 6:28-29; Romans 3; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5

Day 4 - Going All The Way

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest... Mark 10:21

If you are serving in your community or church, you probably had some moment of transcendence. Maybe a sermon, mission trip, conference, prophecy, speech or the like. Something motivated you to offer of yourself to a greater cause - than yourself.  Going beyond the norm and serving others is what labels the Christian.  However, its not enough to just go beyond - we must go all the way.  Most people get in for the right reasons but find it difficult to finish.

This young man came to Jesus seeking eternal life.  He was a nice young man. He had it all. He was everything a mother or father could want in a son. If you looked athis life, you might think that he was perfect example for his peers. But, looks can be deceiving.  In spite of all he had, there was still something missing in his life.

Like this young man there are many who say, "I live a good life. I try to treat everybody right. I'm looked up to in my community. I give back. I even go to church." There is no doubt you have what it takes to live. But my question is do you have what it takes to die? Paul say to the Galatians, "You did run well, but who hindered you?" You were off to a great start but somewhere along the way, you went off the rails.  Jesus saw the young man's good qualities, but He also saw his selfish greed that prevented him from becoming a true disciple.  Thus, Mark says, "Jesus beholding him loved him".  Christ saw his potential.  He knew that in the process of trying to get it all right, the young man got it all wrong. He had zeal but no knowledge (Rom.10:2).

Well, at least this young man was concerned about his assignment and his soul. Are you? You should be! (continued tomorrow)

Prayer
Dear God, Thank you for knowing everything about me and still loving me. I'm gonna get it together, Amen.

Go Deeper
Psalm 24:7-10; Psalm 27; Luke 18:18-29; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Galatians 5:7-10;  Philippians 3:12-14

Day 2 & 3 - God is Holy

"And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke."(Isaiah 6:4)

In the English language when we desire to place emphasis on something we bold, italicize and underline.  This informs our audience the degree of the topic's importance. However, in biblical times in order to communicate emphasis the holy men of old would use a different type of technique: repetition.  Since Jesus was a peripatetic rabbi, this made it easier for the disciples to commit to memory the things he spoke and taught.  Now, everything Jesus taught was important, but even our Lord took the time to use this special emphasis of repetition in some of his lessons.  For instance,  he tells Nicodemus, "Verily, verily I say unto you, you must be born again".  According to Luke, He does it again with Simon Peter, "Simon Simon satan has desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat".  This use of double repetition can be found throughout the bible old and new testament.  Repeating things twice gives the audience the signal: this is paramount.  

Interestingly enough, there is only one attribute of God that is ever raised to superlative or the third degree in scripture.  Yes, there is but one trait that emanates from the mouths of the angels in the superlative degree: HOLY,HOLY, HOLY.  The bible doesn’t say that God is good, good, good; love,love, love or just, just, just.  It says that our God is HOLY, HOLY,HOLY.  This is a dimension of God that consumes His very essence. When the revelation of God's holiness reached Isaiah, he observed the doorposts and thresholds of the temple shaking violently.  Wow! Inanimate, lifeless, unintelligible objects in the presence of the manifestation of the holiness of God had the good sense to be moved.  Yet, we who are made in his image and after his likeness refuse to come to church, share our faith, and are unmoved by His Majesty on a regular basis.  God and God alone is holy! 


Prayer
Father, You and you alone are Holy and I am humbled to be in your presence.  Cause the scales to fall from my eyes that I like Isaiah may receive a revelation of your holiness and join the angels in crying Holy, Holy, Holy are You, Lord of Hosts.  The whole earth is full of your glory. Amen.

Go Deeper?
Ex.15:11-13; Ps.8:1-6;Ps.29; Is.6:1-8; 2Cor. 7:1; Gal.1:6-9; Rev.4:1-8

Day 1 - The Unction is to Function

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1 John 2:20

Millions of people begin online courses, but very few actually finish them.  Primarily because most students are not motivated to impress a computer the way they may be motivated to impress an actual human professor.  2014 is a year of opportunities.  Many doors will open for you this year, but you must be discerning.  Being Spirit led and directed in your decisions will be crucial in this season.  The warfare against your assignment will be intense.  So you must learn the rules of engagement and seek the Lord for strategies to deploy against the enemy.  Finish what you start.  Getting what you desire in Christ is simple but not easy.  Be certain to put on the Whole Armor of God (Eph.6) and get aggressive.  Impress Him who matters most.

Some opportunities are going to find you and some you will find. Either way, do not procrastinate. Procrastination is the burial ground for opportunity.  You have an unction from the Holy One. The unction is like an impulse.  However, instead of it being prompted by emotion or reflex, it is prompted by the Holy Spirit.  When the Spirit moves, you move - just like that!  The victory will be established in your rapid obedience.  Be quick to serve, assist, and show kindness.  When you sense the urge to pray - do so immediately.   When that loved one, co-worker or even a stranger comes across your mind begin to intercede for them.  When you feel the unction to praise don't wait for someone else or your pew pastor - don't even wait until you get to church.  Just do it - be the first to engage in worship.

Remember an unlocked door is also considered an open door.  Meaning that some opportunities will require a slight push for you to get through.  So don't sit around waiting for everything to come to you.  People who wait around for life to supply them with joy and satisfaction usually die bored.  The unction is to function!  Have you ever wondered why successful people are never lacking for opportunities? God always gives those who are productive more.  When I talk to great people, they always mention their big plans for the future.  Others hear about them and say, "Man, if I were in their shoes, I'd kick back and do nothing."  I suspect that's why they are not.  Success doesn't diminish the desire for dreaming.  One blessing leads to another as we go from faith to faith and glory to glory.   Start today, what is the Spirit leading you to do?  Begin where you are. Large doors will open as you make the most of the small ones.

Prayer
Father, I thank you for your finishing touch on my life. Make me sensitive to your unction. Lead me today.  Order my steps. Open my eyes.  Help me to serve you and others bringing glory to your Name, Amen.

Go Deeper
Genesis 1:2; Genesis 9:27; 1 Samuel 30:1-8; Proverbs 8; Matthew 25:14-30;
Luke 19:12-28; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 John 2:20

21 Days of Fasting & Consecration

Happy New Year!!! God is increasing us more and more through this time of dedication to Him. Consecration is the act of setting oneself apart from the world to become dedicated as an instrument of righteousness for the purposes of God.

Fasting is a voluntary abstinence and restriction of food and/or activities for a specified period of time to devote ourselves to prayer and Bible reading. It is a means of seeking God by denying the physical in order to focus on the spiritual. Remember fasting without praying and Bible reading is simply just skipping a meal.

Look here for a daily devotional to aid you in staying focused and committed to this kingdom endeavor. We do it better when we do it together! #everydreamhasarighttolive #2014 #ideas #imthinking #opendoors

Maranatha,
Bishop J. Donald Edwards, II