April 7, 2016

Ezekiel 37:7-8  So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone.  And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them.  But there was no breath in them.

Isn't it interesting that there seemed to be a great deal of activity going on - rattling, bones coming together - probably a little noisy BUT there was no breath in them.  I think this can happen in our Christian walk.  We can have a lot of activity - going to church, going to Bible study, joining the praise team, etc. etc. etc.  but without the Spirit (breath) of God having His way in our activities, they will have no real life.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to breath life into you afresh and into everything you do.

April 6, 2016

Psalm 115:1  Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

How often we need reminded to give glory to God, and not to us.  It seems to me that society promotes just the opposite.  So often we find ourselves in a position that almost demands we tout our accomplishments, but fail to recognize without our God-given talents we could do nothing.

If we just think upon God's steadfast love and His faithfulness, we will be compelled to give all the glory to Him.  There is none like Him.  His name is above all else.

Let's agree with the psalmist - Not to us, O LORD, not to us - but to your name, alone, we give all glory, honor and praise.

April 5, 2016

I Kings 19:3  Then he (Elijah) was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

This verse by itself doesn't reveal much, until you go back and read what has transpired just before this.  Elijah has just had a major victory.  He had challenged the prophets of Baal to see if they could get their god to outdo the God of Israel.  In an elaborate show of might the God of Israel prevailed and shamed the prophets of Baal.

This whole scene had enraged Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab.  She threatened Elijah and we see in the above verse - he was afraid and ran for his life.  Why is it that after a victory with the Lord, we can let someone or something scare us so?  Had God not just proven Himself to be strong on the behalf of Elijah?  Yes!  How soon we forget the strength there is to be found in the Lord, and we cower down to the threats of man.

As you read on you will find that God did not let Elijah down, but ministered him back to a better frame of mind.  Satan loves to attack us right after a victory, and we need to be aware that it is coming.  Remember that and stand strong and firm in the victories the Lord gives you.  Don't give Satan a foothold.

April 4, 2016

I Corinthians 15:19  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

As I am contemplating the resurrection of Jesus in this Easter season, I realize this is where my hope lies.  Without that we would have nothing.  It was the single most important event in all of history.

As Paul says, if it is only for this life, then we are to be pitied.  If we can't believe and count on our own resurrection because of Christ's, we have nothing.  I would go so far as to say that as we encounter people in this world who obviously have no hope, they do not understand the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Maybe that is where we need to begin when we tell others about Jesus.

He is risen!  Hallelujah!

April 3, 2016

Hebrews 12:14  Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Unity, peace with others, is something that the Lord prayed for before going to the cross, and commands us to pursue throughout the Scriptures.  Why is this so hard for us?  It is bad enough when the "world" can't get along, but when it is the "body of Christ," it hurts Christianity beyond description.

I am always  intrigued how we pray the Lord's Prayer frequently, asking for God's will to be done "on earth as it is in heaven," while we know that there are no divisions or walls in the body of Christ in heaven.

We need to take God at His word and take to heart the fact that it says without peace and holiness we will not see the Lord.

Give it a try......pursue peace with all people.

April 2, 2016

Psalm 63:6  When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.

There is no sweeter way to drift off to a restful night of sleep than to be meditating on the Lord.  I have often found when I think of the Lord as I go to sleep and recount the many blessings He has bestowed upon me during the day - that in the night I have sweet dreams, or He will answer a prayer or things I have asked Him in my quiet times of devotion.

If you are like me and talk too much, your sleep is a great time to be quiet before the Lord.  He will let you know that He is God by visiting in the night watches.

April 1, 2016

Psalm 14:1  The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

This may be April Fool's Day, but it is no joke that only a fool thinks there is no God.  The verse makes sense that if a person doesn't believe in God, he will become corrupt, commit vile deeds, and see no reason to do good.  Don't be a fool!   Tell God right now that you believe that He is God, and give Him your life.