GOD GAVE

1 Corinthians 3:6 (NKJV) ... God gave the increase.
    In other parts of the world, the church is alive and thriving, men and women worship together, their lives are being changed, by the supernatural power of God. Whole cities are being transformed by the presence of Jesus Christ, lives once living in darkness to the gospel have been given hope and light. However even in these remote countries there is an ever present danger of deception and it slips in often unnoticed by the church.
   In Hebrews 2:1 (NKJV) "1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away," the evidence in the New Testament church proves the enemy is quite effective in disturbing the worship and fellowship in the church. The same is true in our personal lives, the enemy seduces us through compromise and we soon fall to deception.
   Often what we prefer in our relationship to God takes precedent over the convictions we once embraced. What do I mean, we often tell ourselves this little thing will not hurt, and we proceed to the excuse stage and submit to the lie? The conviction once strong, we soon become overpowered by, it takes a life of its own, and we find ourselves being controlled by the presence of the thing once loathed.
   Remember God gives the increase, therefore God protects the produce, if you are struggling right now with compromise, stop, get down to business with God, give that thing back to Him, He washed all the sin in our lives away, it has no place with us. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Amen
  

ANY GOD

Isaiah 64:4 (NKJV) ... has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him. 
    The insight of man is curious at best, desiring truth he often discovers what satisfies his wants, very seldom do men honestly examine, and accept the obvious. Often going beyond the evidence, men will manufacture answers to meet a more basic urge, what do I want, how does this help me, where will I be met, when will this affect me?
    Jesus says in Matthew 19:21"If you want to be perfect," and that is where the truth is met, we do not wish to be perfect, we want only to make us, happy. Someone responded recently, "Oh, God knows me and He understands," that will not do. God has called us to be Holy, not self centered, we are being called to a higher standard and that will not take place as long as we are in control. Jesus died a cruel death, not because He is sadistic, it is because we are so sinful, blood was required for eternal cleansing.
    Isaiah writes, "Eyes have seen," our spirits know right, it is written on our hearts, Romans 2:15, God is searching for those who will love Him with everything, not somethings.
    Every one will be held accountable, because we can see God and what He is up to, Romans 1:20 (NKJV) 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
    Friend you have seen God, He is all around you, have you trusted Him?
Heavenly Father thank you for eyes to see and thank you for working still in spite of man. Help us to see clearly that we may respond to your will. Let us search diligently, for the Truth that will make us free. May Jesus be glorified in all we do, let others see You are the reason we exist. Amen

THE MESSAGE

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV) 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, ... 
   In a recent documentary a person died in a remote mountain area, no trees grass or vegetation of any kind existed. Rocks covered everything, there was no place to bury the body, a sky burial was ordered and the deceased carried in ceremony to a hill, was left in the open to be consumed by birds. Every land has its culture and beliefs about death, it is the process of life, however not everyone has the hope of eternity that God is providing for His creation.
   God's eternal message is clear, live this life so that others recognize God in us. He is giving to man the way to eternity with Him, it is through His Son Jesus. John 11:26 (NKJV) "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."
   Many religions claim authority and insight into the spiritual dilemma we face with death. God gives man the ability to use this life in preparation for the next, what we do here affects where we will be in eternity. The most high God has made One way, through His Son, no other way or name is given. Acts 4:12
   Then why all the confusion, because God's message to most men is foolishness, and they will not look like a fool to others, even if it means an eternity of suffering. Living for God in this life is such a small price  to live eternally, in the life to come.
   Do you understand the message of the cross, have you received Jesus into your life, it is "foolishness to those who are perishing."
Heavenly Father help me to live so that others may see You. Let the breath you have put in us be used so others may find You. May all we do reflect You, so that anyone can find the way to You, by Your light. Let Your message resonate in this life, that others may hear and see You. Amen

THE MYSTERY KEPT SECRET

Romans 16:25 (NKJV) 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you …, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
   Not so many years ago, challenged to hear about God from His Word, I listened and discovered the most amazing truth. Wisdom does not come from man, it is not outlined in a book that we can discover, neither is it found in the quiet meditation of some religion, wisdom and its source comes only from the God of creation and He has prescribed how it is received. How can we get wisdom, I am so glad you asked?
   In the book of Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV) 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, the starting point of wisdom is with God. Only the beginning, the entire life of a person can be spent chasing dreams and never glean enough wisdom to satisfy the searching heart. Studying in all the schools for all ones life will not quench the honest thirst for the seat of wisdom, the wisest known man ever to live said, "I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of wind." Ecclesiastes 2:11
   Jesus says, "Come to Me," Matthew 11:28, the God of all things says, "seek Him," Matthew 7:7 the mystery of wisdom we are all searching for lies in plain sight in the Power and Presence of God. The Lord of salvation says, "I am the way," can it be any simpler than trusting our maker? He made the way to wisdom clear and Jesus Himself is that wise truth.
   Only Jesus can establish us, only Jesus will reveal wisdom to the one who has embraced Him, His way, for His Glory. Won't you do that today, ask Him, to forgive you of searching in the wrong places of living for you and tell Him you want His way living in you.
Heavenly Father, thank you for making the way to wisdom clear, thank you for Your Son Jesus, and for His blood that makes us clean. Let all of Your Word sink into our hearts, that we may reflect the light of Life for all to see. Amen

HE IS COMING

Psalm 96:13 (NKJV) 13 For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.
   The ancient world has long known of a day, when the works of men will be examined. The things we have done living this life will be brought to light, sins long forgotten will expose us as who we really are. Why, I am so glad you asked?
    God told the Old Testament believers, "I am Holy, you be Holy," Leviticus 11:45, God has no pleasure in the life that sins, He is looking for fellowship with the soul that longs to please Him. Living a life that will be accepted by God takes a super natural life, that is something man does not posses, the herculean effort to live without sin is not available. We are incapable of sinlessness, because the nature of man is to satisfy self, and selfish living gets in the way of Holiness.
    In Romans 8:21-22 (NKJV) ... creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption ... we read that God will even deliver creation from the bondage of sin. Mans sinful nature has infected everything, even the elements await deliverance.
    What we see today are the direct affects of mans influence and self centered living, God is coming to take those out, who live for Him. Men who wish to live the way that pleases them will suffer terrible consequences, all sin has consequences, and God will not allow it in His presence.
    Jesus speaks of the day of His reappearing, as do the old testament prophets, 2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. You can face Him on that day and have no sin in your account, you can be forgiven of all sins. Just trust Him! Are you looking for Him, He is coming?
Heavenly Father, we know You are coming soon, let my heart seek You early, give those around me  hunger for You. Let all who name your name do so with a desire to see You. Amen

PEACE IN BELIEVING

Romans 15:13 (NKJV) 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, ...
   Joy and peace are elusive emotions unless we find the source, like a river that disappears under ground only to surface in another place, there is comfort where you find it breaking into the light again. How do we hang on to these good qualities that God has provided, I am so glad you asked?
   A man obviously drawn to the gospel of God, said to me, "For the first time in my life I understand, what you have said about Jesus, there is joy and peace, I have never experienced before." This man covered from head to foot in tattoos, fidgeted while I shared the gospel to some 60 prisoners. He could not sit still and paced during the message, when the invitation to ask Jesus into the heart was given, he was the first to respond. He let the King of Glory, have first place in his life.
   Jesus gives the most amazing promise to the one who will trust Him with everything, "... Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst." John 4:14 (NKJV) What a promise, we all need, we all want, but the Son of God promises, we will get the inmost desire of our being filled, through Him. Joy and peace have a source, they are in God, anyone who comes to Him will receive.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving what I do not deserve, the water of life is in You and You give it freely. May I always look to You, trust You, find in You every breath I need to accomplish the goals You have for me? Let others find in You the joy and peace You promised, through Your Son Jesus. Amen

I AM NOT HEARD

Job 19:7 (NKJV) 7 "If I cry out concerning wrong, I am not heard. If I cry aloud, there is no justice.
   Have you ever heard the cry of one who has no hope, maybe you have experienced this yourself. The deep sadness and despair of living echos throughout the life. Why do we hurt so deeply, I am so glad you asked?
   Many years ago deep emotional hurt found me, it affected my family and all who knew us. The loss of a family member to murder was experienced and the judicial system failed, to bring vindication. Why, we asked, crying to God we were crushed, there seemed to be no comfort from heaven and bitterness waited by the door. Time stopped and we drifted in self pity and wonder of how these things happen, how do others cope.
   Looking around we began to see, deep suffering is part of life, it usually catches us by surprise, and is no respecter of persons, hurt is the proof we are not living on a cloud, but we really exist. So many emotions surface when you are affected by the sting of loss or extreme suffering, however a reality slowly begins to surface from the deep agony, for the christian, light replaces darkness and we see God is not only on His throne, He is walking with us in the bitterness. There is a comfort and presence of God that gives strength and life to extreme difficulty. The psalmist writes, Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. He hears, administers justice and holds the grieving soul.
   Jesus promises to give us rest from the torment, Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) 28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," He does and He will hear us, trust Him today.
Heavenly Father, You are in the middle of the storms in our lives, You have allowed them to show us yourself, You alone can keep us in them, thank you for loving us through. May we be an encouragement to others that they too find your rest? Amen