Philippians 4:1-5
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Before you give up on these scriptures because of the hard names this morning, read them again. You really don't want to miss out on the message that is within them. It is something needed more today than ever before. There is a huge battle between the flesh and spirit of a Christian in our days. We know that we must take a stand for truth and Christ being the only way to heaven while at the same time being gracious and merciful like He would be. So how do we do this? Look at what these passages say. Let's start with the last one.
He tells us that our moderation must be known unto all men. Moderation is not having respect for one person over another. Moderation is having self-control, fairness, balance or restraint. It is beholding the filthiness of sin but looking at the value of that soul to God. First of all this scripture is not, nor any other scripture in the Bible, telling us to accept sin and that everything is okay in moderation because it surely is not. This scripture is teaching us that to have grace upon the good and not upon the ungodly is wrong and sinful. We must treat all people with value and grace. "...be known unto ALL men." is what the scripture says.
So you may be asking... How can we be graceful and moderate while standing upon the Word of God? It's in the way you ask. See we stand UPON the Word of God! Too many today think that it's all about standing UP for the Word of God. Can I tell you that the Bible says that Heaven and Earth will pass away but His words will stand forever? Our mission and goal in Christian life is to stand UPON the Word of God. This means to live according to the scriptures in everything. Our greatest tool that we have as Christians is called a testimony. Testimony is not what you say you are, it is what you live before others.
Lastly, look at what the scriptures said. "...stand fast in the Lord, ...be of the same mind in the Lord, ...rejoice in the Lord, ...The Lord is at hand." Surrounding this scripture of moderation and grace we see that we can accomplish this how? IN THE LORD. Will you go out this morning and stand IN the Lord and UPON His Word? Come on, let's do it.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Take Hold of the Reins
Romans 6:12
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Earlier in these scriptures they tell us that that a dead man is free from sin. In the grave there is no sinning. No works of evil. God says we that have been buried in Christ are also now dead to sin. Our desire to sin should be dead and in the grave. Now you may say that we all still mess up and fall to sin sometimes even when we are in Christ and that is true. A Christian can fall to sin. They can backslide and venture off of the right path tempted by their own lusts into sin.
What about the person who continues to sin even though they know it is wrong? This is very dangerous ground. To continue in sin and sin willingly over and over should cause for an examination of your salvation. We, who are dead to sin, should no longer live in sin. So how could this happen? Because we allow sin to come in. We allow the door to be open and it walks right into our lives and takes control. Before long sin reigns in the mortal body. It takes a front row seat in our flesh.
Sin loves the flesh, the mortal body. So we must take back the reins. If you allow the fall to sin to have the reins or control then it will no longer be a fall to sin. It will be wallowing in sin. It will be living in sin. Remember a Christian can't live any longer in sin. You're dead to it. The desire to sin is buried in Christ. So take the reins today and don't let failures become a lifestyle. If it is your lifestyle, then you need a new life in Jesus. If it is a failure then pray for the forgiveness of God and continue walking in Christ.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Earlier in these scriptures they tell us that that a dead man is free from sin. In the grave there is no sinning. No works of evil. God says we that have been buried in Christ are also now dead to sin. Our desire to sin should be dead and in the grave. Now you may say that we all still mess up and fall to sin sometimes even when we are in Christ and that is true. A Christian can fall to sin. They can backslide and venture off of the right path tempted by their own lusts into sin.
What about the person who continues to sin even though they know it is wrong? This is very dangerous ground. To continue in sin and sin willingly over and over should cause for an examination of your salvation. We, who are dead to sin, should no longer live in sin. So how could this happen? Because we allow sin to come in. We allow the door to be open and it walks right into our lives and takes control. Before long sin reigns in the mortal body. It takes a front row seat in our flesh.
Sin loves the flesh, the mortal body. So we must take back the reins. If you allow the fall to sin to have the reins or control then it will no longer be a fall to sin. It will be wallowing in sin. It will be living in sin. Remember a Christian can't live any longer in sin. You're dead to it. The desire to sin is buried in Christ. So take the reins today and don't let failures become a lifestyle. If it is your lifestyle, then you need a new life in Jesus. If it is a failure then pray for the forgiveness of God and continue walking in Christ.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
The Rest of My Time
1 Peter 4:2
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
I can't even put into words the person that I used to be. It seems as if that was not even me. My life before Christ was one filled with sin so much that I don't even like talking about that person at all. Many people have told me that I should never forget who I was before Christ and I understand their words. But if there were things that I wanted to erase from my memory it would be the days I took the Lord's name in vain. With tears today I tell you that the words that came from my mouth were so wicked. The actions of that person were vile. My heart still breaks today because I drown myself in the sins of sex, alcohol, fighting, cursing. I was so messed up by sin. Peace was something that I could never find. It breaks my heart! I cry and weep always because of that person. Not because I'm not forgiven and not because I struggle with it today, but because I never wanted to be that person. I was so lost without Christ. I was so close to death without Him.
When Christ saved me, this scripture came to me. "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." No longer seeking the desire of my flesh. NO longer sleeping around! NO longer drinking it up! NO longer cussing like a sailor! NO longer fighting to prove my manliness! But now and forever living for the will of God.
God, my soul cries out to you this morning! Thank you for saving me. Thank you for your forgiveness. You never said that I had gone too far. You never said that you could forgive me of everything except... No you forgave it all. You died for it all. God, I feel your presence in my life right now. You took a vile sinner and made him clean and new. You took someone who loved his flesh and now leads him to walk in your will. Will you please do the same for my friends who are reading this right now? Help them to no longer live in the flesh, because if they do they will die in the flesh. But help them now to decide to walk in your will so that when you call them home they will go home in your will and in your arms.
Sing with me this morning before you head out to work...
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day,
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
Wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
I can't even put into words the person that I used to be. It seems as if that was not even me. My life before Christ was one filled with sin so much that I don't even like talking about that person at all. Many people have told me that I should never forget who I was before Christ and I understand their words. But if there were things that I wanted to erase from my memory it would be the days I took the Lord's name in vain. With tears today I tell you that the words that came from my mouth were so wicked. The actions of that person were vile. My heart still breaks today because I drown myself in the sins of sex, alcohol, fighting, cursing. I was so messed up by sin. Peace was something that I could never find. It breaks my heart! I cry and weep always because of that person. Not because I'm not forgiven and not because I struggle with it today, but because I never wanted to be that person. I was so lost without Christ. I was so close to death without Him.
When Christ saved me, this scripture came to me. "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." No longer seeking the desire of my flesh. NO longer sleeping around! NO longer drinking it up! NO longer cussing like a sailor! NO longer fighting to prove my manliness! But now and forever living for the will of God.
God, my soul cries out to you this morning! Thank you for saving me. Thank you for your forgiveness. You never said that I had gone too far. You never said that you could forgive me of everything except... No you forgave it all. You died for it all. God, I feel your presence in my life right now. You took a vile sinner and made him clean and new. You took someone who loved his flesh and now leads him to walk in your will. Will you please do the same for my friends who are reading this right now? Help them to no longer live in the flesh, because if they do they will die in the flesh. But help them now to decide to walk in your will so that when you call them home they will go home in your will and in your arms.
Sing with me this morning before you head out to work...
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day,
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
Wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away
And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away!
Monday, July 17, 2017
Locker Room Talk
Psalms 52:1
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually.
When I was growing up as a teenager I remember the "locker room" talk. Guys would be together competing over one another's weekend stories. One would tell what they did that weekend and the other would chime in and boast of his being greater. Story after story and boasting upon boasting would take place. I remember some of those very talks. Like the one about.... Hahaha nope, I ain't telling that junk.
I still see this happening today. The locker room talk among the people. Why do we do this? Why are we so tempted to boast about mischief? Makes us look tough doesn't it? Let me say also, it's not just the men. No, no, no it's the women also. Tale after tale and mostly lie after lie come from these conversations. Making themselves look great and mighty.
What is the fruit of it all? Boasting in mischief or sin will lead to disappointment and discouragement. There is an old song that I love and the words go something like this...
I thought number one would surely be me,
I thought I would be what I wanted to be.
I thought of myself as a mighty big man,
But I can't even walk without you holding my hand.
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually.
When I was growing up as a teenager I remember the "locker room" talk. Guys would be together competing over one another's weekend stories. One would tell what they did that weekend and the other would chime in and boast of his being greater. Story after story and boasting upon boasting would take place. I remember some of those very talks. Like the one about.... Hahaha nope, I ain't telling that junk.
I still see this happening today. The locker room talk among the people. Why do we do this? Why are we so tempted to boast about mischief? Makes us look tough doesn't it? Let me say also, it's not just the men. No, no, no it's the women also. Tale after tale and mostly lie after lie come from these conversations. Making themselves look great and mighty.
What is the fruit of it all? Boasting in mischief or sin will lead to disappointment and discouragement. There is an old song that I love and the words go something like this...
I thought number one would surely be me,
I thought I would be what I wanted to be.
I thought of myself as a mighty big man,
But I can't even walk without you holding my hand.
Friday, July 14, 2017
Put Me In, I'm Ready!
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
One of the things that I love the most about being a Pastor is my fellowship with the children. I love them and love being around them. Whether at church or at my house, we always have a great time. My favorite thing about them is their desire for conversation. Many times I don't have to say a word, or maybe it's that I can't get a word in, I'm not sure.
One of my favorite conversations recently was with my nine year old buddy. We were watching a basketball game and he began to be pumped up. He said, "If I was down there, and the coach put me in, I would be scoring on them all day!" Then he said it, the funniest thing I've heard in a while. He said, "I've been playing Dude Perfect on my tablet and I've got some mad skills now". I didn't laugh out loud but I wanted to. He thought because he was awesome with his jump shot on a game that it obviously had to pass unto his natural abilities on the court, right?
Isn't that the way the mind of a child is? Well just like the thinking of my friend, Christians have somehow thought that their presence and practice of church attendance will in some way give them the only skills they need on the court. Coming to church is right. It is holy! But just attending church out of habit or going through the emotions will never give you the skills you need. No, you must pray, worship, read and put into practice the things you do read in order to have the skills on the court. Just like a pattern of thumb and finger moves on a tablet will not help on the court, neither will a series of Sunday morning attendances, because it's just the thing to do, will help you in this world.
Are you asking God to put you in and you aren't even ready? Are you holding on to your Dude Perfect or Christian Perfect skills to get the job done on the court? Practice! That is what Christians need today, practice! Practice in prayer, practice in studying the Word, and definitely practice in worshiping Him with the local body.
Lastly, my little buddy wasn't wrong for his excitement about the game and wanting to be on the court, but if we would have put him in he would have been left behind by the others because they were ready and conditioned to play basketball. What about you?
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
One of the things that I love the most about being a Pastor is my fellowship with the children. I love them and love being around them. Whether at church or at my house, we always have a great time. My favorite thing about them is their desire for conversation. Many times I don't have to say a word, or maybe it's that I can't get a word in, I'm not sure.
One of my favorite conversations recently was with my nine year old buddy. We were watching a basketball game and he began to be pumped up. He said, "If I was down there, and the coach put me in, I would be scoring on them all day!" Then he said it, the funniest thing I've heard in a while. He said, "I've been playing Dude Perfect on my tablet and I've got some mad skills now". I didn't laugh out loud but I wanted to. He thought because he was awesome with his jump shot on a game that it obviously had to pass unto his natural abilities on the court, right?
Isn't that the way the mind of a child is? Well just like the thinking of my friend, Christians have somehow thought that their presence and practice of church attendance will in some way give them the only skills they need on the court. Coming to church is right. It is holy! But just attending church out of habit or going through the emotions will never give you the skills you need. No, you must pray, worship, read and put into practice the things you do read in order to have the skills on the court. Just like a pattern of thumb and finger moves on a tablet will not help on the court, neither will a series of Sunday morning attendances, because it's just the thing to do, will help you in this world.
Are you asking God to put you in and you aren't even ready? Are you holding on to your Dude Perfect or Christian Perfect skills to get the job done on the court? Practice! That is what Christians need today, practice! Practice in prayer, practice in studying the Word, and definitely practice in worshiping Him with the local body.
Lastly, my little buddy wasn't wrong for his excitement about the game and wanting to be on the court, but if we would have put him in he would have been left behind by the others because they were ready and conditioned to play basketball. What about you?
Thursday, July 13, 2017
I'm Tha' Man!
2 Samuel 12:7-14
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
I know that this scripture for our devotion is longer today than normal but please take the time to read it entirely. It is the most important thing that you read in these Daybreak Discoveries every day.
"I'm da man! I'm da wo-man!" Have you ever heard someone say this before? Usually this phrase is tied to some kind of pride issue in the life of that individual. Most times there is something boastful said or done and this phrase follows it up. We want to be "the man" or "the woman" at times don't we? (and for all of you that think I'm being politically correct because of "the woman" added to this devotion, evidently you haven't been around many women lately...haha) There is nothing wrong with being "the man", but it's what kind of man or woman you desire to be.
David in our scripture today found out that he really was "the man". I'm sure he convinced Bathsheba that he was "the man" when he invited her to his house for possible dinner and adultery. But that was prideful David, now we are seeing humble David. We see a repentant David who has sinned against the Lord. But I want you to notice something important this morning. Because of David acting like the prideful man and allowing his sin of pride to lead him down a destructive road of more sin and more sin, look at what happened. God said that he has now given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.
When we play "the man" or "the wo-man", we not only bring ourselves into sin, but others around as and even give reason for those who are lost to blaspheme (reject) God. But when we confess... The Lord will put away our sin. Our testimonies can be restored again. Our ruined walls can be rebuilt again. But only if we are willing to say, "I am the man". Let me say this... I have always been "the man" and God has always forgiven me and cleansed me of my sin. Who are you? Say it out loud this morning...... I'm the man! I'm the woman!
And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
I know that this scripture for our devotion is longer today than normal but please take the time to read it entirely. It is the most important thing that you read in these Daybreak Discoveries every day.
"I'm da man! I'm da wo-man!" Have you ever heard someone say this before? Usually this phrase is tied to some kind of pride issue in the life of that individual. Most times there is something boastful said or done and this phrase follows it up. We want to be "the man" or "the woman" at times don't we? (and for all of you that think I'm being politically correct because of "the woman" added to this devotion, evidently you haven't been around many women lately...haha) There is nothing wrong with being "the man", but it's what kind of man or woman you desire to be.
David in our scripture today found out that he really was "the man". I'm sure he convinced Bathsheba that he was "the man" when he invited her to his house for possible dinner and adultery. But that was prideful David, now we are seeing humble David. We see a repentant David who has sinned against the Lord. But I want you to notice something important this morning. Because of David acting like the prideful man and allowing his sin of pride to lead him down a destructive road of more sin and more sin, look at what happened. God said that he has now given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.
When we play "the man" or "the wo-man", we not only bring ourselves into sin, but others around as and even give reason for those who are lost to blaspheme (reject) God. But when we confess... The Lord will put away our sin. Our testimonies can be restored again. Our ruined walls can be rebuilt again. But only if we are willing to say, "I am the man". Let me say this... I have always been "the man" and God has always forgiven me and cleansed me of my sin. Who are you? Say it out loud this morning...... I'm the man! I'm the woman!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Finding What He's Looking For
Luke 18:8
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The scripture is very simple this morning isn't it? Will the Lord Jesus find faith on the earth when He comes? Before that ever happens can I ask you this question... Is He finding faith in you now?
The Bible defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is our trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, friend, and most importantly Lord. Our faith is believing that He will always be there even when we can't see how. Trust is our total dependence upon Him. Knowing that there is absolutely nothing we can do apart from Him. Is this kind of faith found in us? The same faith that can tear down walls of fear as well as build up walls of hope.
Have you ever stopped to think of how God is always searching? In the beginning he searched for Adam and called out to him, "Where art thou?" Even though God knew where Adam was, the scriptures show us that He still searched. Then a little further into scriptures He is searching again. The world is evil and full of wickedness but there is God searching again. His eyes are scanning over it all and He is looking with Grace glasses on. Noah is looking up unto God and finds grace in the eyes of the Lord. Then we fast forward to Isaiah and see that God is still searching. "Seek him while he may be found..." the scriptures say. God is always searching and we should be seeking Him. Finally we see that Jesus is continuing the search, and still does even today.
What if, just if... the Lord returned right this moment. Would He find faith? Faith in the earth? If we are honest it would be very difficult to find faith in society, but what about you? Will the Lord find faith, trust, obedience, love, honor, devotion, dependence upon Him in you? Pray like David did this morning... "Lord search me and try me..."
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The scripture is very simple this morning isn't it? Will the Lord Jesus find faith on the earth when He comes? Before that ever happens can I ask you this question... Is He finding faith in you now?
The Bible defines faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is our trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior, friend, and most importantly Lord. Our faith is believing that He will always be there even when we can't see how. Trust is our total dependence upon Him. Knowing that there is absolutely nothing we can do apart from Him. Is this kind of faith found in us? The same faith that can tear down walls of fear as well as build up walls of hope.
Have you ever stopped to think of how God is always searching? In the beginning he searched for Adam and called out to him, "Where art thou?" Even though God knew where Adam was, the scriptures show us that He still searched. Then a little further into scriptures He is searching again. The world is evil and full of wickedness but there is God searching again. His eyes are scanning over it all and He is looking with Grace glasses on. Noah is looking up unto God and finds grace in the eyes of the Lord. Then we fast forward to Isaiah and see that God is still searching. "Seek him while he may be found..." the scriptures say. God is always searching and we should be seeking Him. Finally we see that Jesus is continuing the search, and still does even today.
What if, just if... the Lord returned right this moment. Would He find faith? Faith in the earth? If we are honest it would be very difficult to find faith in society, but what about you? Will the Lord find faith, trust, obedience, love, honor, devotion, dependence upon Him in you? Pray like David did this morning... "Lord search me and try me..."
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