2015 Blessing

May this New Year be Your Best Year and may Blessings continue to follow you Many More Years to come. May God be the Center of your Life and He will bring new Good Things. 

Allow God to bring Healing to your Heart, replacing pain, hurt, rejection and brokenness with Love, Joy and Peace. May Kindness, Goodness, and Gentleness replace un-forgiveness, strife, jealousy, slander and gossip with family, friends, and co-workers. 

I pray that your Godly Desires and God given Talents and Gifts come to fruition, fully realized and multiplied. May you have more than enough and you become a blessing to others. 

This is your year. You are blessed because you belong to the King. God bless us all and Thank You God for who You are and all that You do for us. Amen

God's Plan for You

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

It's amazing that God actually has a plan for your life that is far greater than you can imagine. Unfortunately, this existence we have on earth has us so preoccupied with the demands of life that most of us give little thought to what it will mean to be completely sanctified.

Sanctification: Three-stage Process

At the moment of salvation, God sets us apart for Himself. Then throughout the rest of our earthly life, He works to transform us into the image of His Son. One day, however, there will be a glorious culmination to our sanctification. Presently, we all struggle with sin, but when we die, our spirits and souls will ascend to heaven and be completely sinless. Then we'll see our Savior face to face and experience unimaginable joy. No longer will we struggle with the pride of life or the lusts of the flesh and the eyes (1 John 2:16).

Not the Final Step

Some day in the future, Jesus will descend from heaven, bringing with Him the souls of those who have died in Christ. They will be united with their resurrected bodies, and believers who are still alive on the earth will be changed (1 Thess. 4:14-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). Then sanctification will be complete: spirit, soul, and body.

Not just a Story

This is not a fairy tale, but the believer appointed destiny. God Himself promises to bring it to pass. We'll walk in His presence, spotless and without blame, for all eternity. Knowing this, how will you live today? The promise of salvation doesn’t mean to just give us hope, but to spur us on to holy living.

God Works Within Us

Ephesians 3:20-21

Take these words in slowly and let them sink into your understanding: “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (v. 20). What an amazing description of God’s ability to work within us.

Yet so often our focus is mainly on what we want Him to do around us: If He would change this situation or fix that person or problem, only then my life would be better. But God invites us to think and ask bigger because He wants to change the heart. 

The Holy Spirit has more than enough power to transform lives from the inside out, but working change within is usually a slow process. Spiritual fruit takes time to grow and mature. That’s why we need patience and faith to believe He is working even when we don’t see the results right away. God is never in a hurry and will never give up on us.

The Lord has a purpose for your life, and He is constantly working to achieve it. Although He has an individualized plan for each one of His children, He also has an overarching goal to conform every believer to the image of His Son Jesus Christ. In order to accomplish this, He may have to bring us through some struggles and heartaches. It might make no sense to us, but God knows exactly what He’s doing.

What would you like to see the Lord do within you? As you read the Bible, look for qualities that God considers precious, and ask Him to work them out in your life. Then rely on His wonderful promise to do even more than you have asked or imagined.

Defeating the Devil's Strategies

John 21:15-19

All of us make tracks through the valley of failure. Then the key question is, what we will do next? Sadly, many believers who stumble give up a vibrant kingdom-serving life for a defeated existence. But failure can also be a chance for a new beginning of living in Christ's strength.

In pride, Peter thought his faith was the strongest of all the disciples' and swore that even if the others left Jesus, he never would (Mark 14:29). Yet when the time of testing came, he denied even knowing Christ--and did so three times (Matt. 26:69-75). Satan hoped the disciple would be so wounded by his own disloyalty that his faith would be undermined by shame, condemnation, and despair.

Likewise, when the Enemy sifts believers today, his goal is for us to become shelved and ineffective for God's kingdom. That's why he goes after our strengths, especially the areas in which we proudly consider ourselves invincible. But if we're willing, the Lord can use our failures to do spiritual housecleaning, as He did in Peter's life. After the resurrection, Jesus met with the disciple personally and restored him, preparing him to become a great leader in the early church. He made it clear that Peter's potential to serve was defined, not by failure, but by his unwavering love for Christ.

Peter laid down his pride, received the healing Jesus offered, and put on courage with the Holy Spirit's help. He then risked his life fearlessly to further the gospel, and many came to Christ through his example. Failure was the catalyst that grew in him a stronger, more authentic faith.

Accepting God's Love

1 John 4:7-12

Many people simply can't believe that the Lord loves them. Others believe that He loves them, but only when they are pleasing Him in some way. Why is it so hard for us to accept His unconditional love?

One reason is that we have a hard time loving others without condition. We might say the words "I love you" to our spouse, children, friends, co-workers, or fellow believers but all too often are calculating in our mind whether or not they've lived up to our standard. We sometimes excuse ourselves from loving certain people because their behavior upsets or annoys us. The fact that we place restrictions on extending favor causes us to wrongly assume that the Lord does likewise.

Another reason is poor self-image. Considering ourselves unworthy, we refuse to accept God's love. None of us are worthy of the heavenly Father's goodness and mercy so you can let go of that excuse once and for all. We're not coming to Him based on our worth. Rather, we're coming to Him based on His grace, and our position is secure in Christ. To put yourself down as "beneath His grace" is to trample on His loving, generous gift. God arranged an awesome divine way for us to be reconciled to Him, and His greatest desire is for relationship with each of us.

If you feel unloved or struggle to accept yourself, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of our heavenly Father's love for you and to sink it deep into your heart. Receive the truth that He reveals. It will be a completely different story about your value as an individual.

Jesus the Source of Peace

Colossians 1:15-20

Before we knew Jesus Christ, our life was full of godlessness and wickedness—we had self-seeking ways and stubborn, unrepentant hearts (Romans 1:18; 2:5, 8). Like our strife-filled world, we clamored for peace and tried to find it, but our efforts failed.

When we came to faith in the Savior, all of that changed. We were rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into Christ’s kingdom (Col 1:13). Every one of our sins—past, present, and future—was forgiven. Divine justice was satisfied by Christ’s sacrifice, and God’s wrath upon us was removed. We became a new creation, washed clean by Jesus’ blood (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Now that sin’s power over us has been broken, we can live in accord with God. He sent His Holy Spirit to be our personal guide in this new life, helping each of us experience Christ’s peace (Rom. 8:6). We also can look forward to an eternity spent in heaven, where righteousness, tranquility, and joy abound (Romans 14:17).

The story of the prodigal son’s return is a picture of our reconciliation with the Lord (Luke 15:11-24). The son had chosen to leave his father, living instead to please himself. Repentant, he eventually returned home; his father joyfully greeted him and forgave him, and there was harmony between them. God has done all this for us.

Our unity with the heavenly Father came at a great price—the sacrifice of His only Son. Christ gave His life for us so that we could be reconciled to God (Col. 1:20). Christian lives are to testify that Jesus is the source of our peace. 

Remember God's Blessings

Psalms 9:1-2

We are given amazing privileges when we trust in Jesus. Recalling these promises is a good way to maintain a thankful heart, even when facing challenges in other areas. Consider four such blessings:

Christ’s gift of salvation: No matter what trial we’re facing, it is microscopic next to the enormity of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. The cross was a steep price to pay, but the Savior willingly took our place in order to offer us forgiveness and eternal life.

Assurance of God’s love: The Lord cares for us unconditionally—that is His very character (1 John 4:16). Unfortunately, the storms of life can cause us to question this, but Romans 8:31–39 unequivocally tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Answered prayer: We have the awesome privilege of talking to the Father about anything burdening us—and He never grows tired of listening to His children. Our omnipotent, omniscient God is not only able to help us in any situation; He also knows the best possible way to do so.

A personalized plan: The Lord has a will, plan, and purpose for our lives that He will accomplish if we obey Him. No one is exempt from adversity, but we can trust God to bring good from everything He allows to come our way.Hardships, temptations, and tests will touch us all, but the Lord allows difficulty for a reason, even when we don’t understand why (Romans. 8:28). Therefore, submit yourself to the Father, thank Him for His wisdom, and be confident that He will accomplish His purposes for you.

Justice and Mercy

Romans 3:21-26

The sinful condition of mankind presents us with a dilemma: How can a holy, righteous God forgive our sins? If He deals with us only on the basis of His justice, every human being would suffer the eternal punishment of His wrath, which their sins deserve. But if He extends mercy instead of justice, no one would pay the penalty for sin, and God would then cease to be just.

There was only one way the Lord could stay true to His nature and at the same time forgive our sins. The solution was to satisfy His justice by pouring out His wrath on a substitute. Then the penalty for sin would be paid, and He would be free to extend mercy to sinners. This is the only plan that accommodates both aspects of His divine nature. So Christ came as our substitute; He took the punishment for our sin, enabling us to experience the Father’s mercy. Now, by placing faith in Jesus, anyone can be justified—that is, declared legally righteous.

God’s plan of salvation is simple enough for a child to understand. Yet at the same time, the complexities of the transaction that occurred at Calvary are far beyond human comprehension. Although we may not fully grasp what transpired there, we can know that the cross is the greatest possible display of the Lord’s love for us.

Can you even imagine the cost of your salvation? The magnificent plan of the Father and the willing cooperation of the Son prove your tremendous value in God’s eyes. From His perspective, you are worth all the pain and suffering that was necessary to secure your eternal presence with Him in heaven.

Faith versus Reason

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The first battle between faith and human reason took place in the Garden of Eden. Spurred on by the lies of the serpent, Eve began to look at her situation from a purely logical perspective and decided she was being cheated by God out of something good. Her faith faltered as "reasonable" thoughts of self-interest filled her mind.

Not saying that the way of faith is never logical, but by operating only on the basis of reason, a conflict with the Lord is inevitable. The reason is that His instructions and actions don't always appear reasonable from a human perspective. Although Isaiah 55:8-9 describes God's thoughts and ways as higher than man's, many people judge divine ideas to be lower than human intelligence.

Paul emphasizes this when he points out that God's choices are illogical by the world's standards. His message of salvation seems foolish, and His messengers appear weak and unimpressive. In an age that thrives on recognition, admiration, and importance, a person who believes the Bible is considered a weakling in need of a religious crutch to cope with life. While this description is object to ridicule or scorn, it's actually quite accurate. Recognizing their helplessness, believers lean on Christ so He can raise them to stand with Him in righteousness.

That day in Eden, sin and self-importance entered the human heart. But all the worldly wisdom that fuels our pride is nullified by God. He is looking not for great and impressive people but for weak, humble servants who can boast only in Christ. The Savior alone is our strength and wisdom.

Our Eternal Rewards

Revelation 4:9-11

Throughout Scripture, we find references to "crowns." Let's take a look at these eternal rewards for a victorious Christian life and a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Crown of Victory: To finish life well, believers need Olympic endurance. Athletes in those ancient games received a perishable circlet of laurel leaves. But when we are effective in our God-given ministry and triumph over sin, we'll be given an imperishable crown (1 Cor. 9:25-27).

The Crown of Exultation: The believers that we had a hand in bringing to Christ will be "our glory and joy" before the Lord (1 Thess. 2:18-20). Just imagine how you will rejoice in heaven upon seeing and talking with the people who recognize your contribution to their spiritual development.

The Crown of Righteousness: The Christian life is not easy, but there is great reward for living righteously when facing temptation or hardship. Believers who pursue godliness are always thinking about the life to come and striving to meet God with a pure conscience (2 Tim. 4:5-8).

The Crown of Life: Heartache and pain are unavoidable in this life, but we can take heart because much spiritual growth happens in adversity. Hang in there to receive the crown of life that the Lord promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).

In heaven, what will we do with the crowns we have earned? We will cast them before Jesus' feet (Rev. 4:10), laying them down as a tribute to the One who saved us, gifted us, equipped us, and lived in us. Everything good and right came to us through the Lord, so He deserves our crowns.

God’s Compass for the Heart and Mind

Proverbs 3:7-12

There is great importance of depending on the Word of God as our compass throughout life. Following the Lord’s directions will change behavior and challenge our thinking, attitudes, and desires. He leads us to think differently about ourselves, our values, and and even the difficulties facing us.

We naturally want to determine our own course in life.It seems like the only logical way to get where we want to go. But being wise in our own eyes is pride. To combat this tendency, the Lord instructs us to fear Him and turn away from evil (v. 7). This “fear” is not a horrified dread of the Father, but an attitude of respect that motivates us to obey Him for both our good and His glory.

We naturally want to keep our money for ourselves. A desire for a better lifestyle or fear of not having enough leads us to hang onto everything we get. But our compass directs us to honor God by giving Him the first part of all we have, trusting Him to provide for our needs (vv. 9-10).

We naturally hate God’s discipline. His painful reproofs seem to prove that He doesn’t care about us. But our heavenly Father says His discipline is the evidence that confirms His love and delight in us as His children (vv. 11-12).

Sometimes in our desire to follow the Lord, we focus on obedient actions—doing what He says—but miss His directions concerning our attitudes and thought patterns. To stay on God’s path for our lives, we must make course corrections not only in our behavior but also in our hearts and minds. 

In Step with God

Ephesians 4:1-3

People are saved when they trust Jesus Christ as Savior and choose to follow Him. Right then, most Christians realize that they will dwell with Him forever in heaven. But many don’t understand what they can expect for the remainder of their lives on earth.

One benefit that’s available immediately is a growing relationship with the Lord. The Father’s oneness with Jesus (John 10:30) illustrates the intimacy God wants to have with His children. He had this type of closeness in mind at creation—a relationship with man is an avenue for Him to express His love and for us to worship and understand our Maker.

Another advantage is that Christ-followers are promised clear guidance through God’s Holy Spirit. Decision making is a part of everyday life. It is impossible for a mere human to know every variable and nuance before choosing which path to take. But the Lord knows all things—past, present, and future. With godly wisdom available, it’s hard to understand why anyone would prefer to trust his own hunches.

Provision is yet another blessing guaranteed for believers. There will be hard times, but God gives Christians everything necessary for following Him (Phil. 4:19). And His grace will always prove more than sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). How abundantly God gives to His children! One word of caution, though: these gifts are effective only when believers walk obediently with Him. Sin can stifle them.

The heavenly Father desires that all of His sons and daughters have these blessings; if you’re living in obedience before Him, they are available to you. 

A Worldly Heart

2 Peter 2:9-18

God warns us against misguided desires, because sinful passions can lead to emptiness, suffering, disappointment, pain, and even death. Wise believers let the Father direct their yearnings and then make changes if necessary.

Impure desires have been part of the "flesh" nature since the fall of man, and they can be hard to see in ourselves. Instead of obvious things like theft, drugs, or immorality, they often involve more subtle attitudes and behaviors, like hoping for a rival's downfall, despising authority (2 Peter 2:10), obsessing about wealth (1 Tim. 6:9), or even speaking arrogant and vain words. Since worldly passions can cause great damage (2 Peter 2:18), believers are to deny them (Titus 2:11-12). But we can't overcome these desires on our own. Submitting to God's Spirit is the only way to live righteously.

The Lord knows what we really desire--and more importantly, what we need--even when cloudy judgment leads us astray. And He understands honest mistakes. When a believer misinterprets the Spirit's guidance or receives bad advice from a friend, God looks at the heart. He may allow the consequences of a poor choice to play out, but He won't shame His children for an honest mistake. He can turn a bad situation into something good (Rom. 8:28).

God can save us from worldly desires, but we must be willing to commit ourselves to Him and trust that His response is the best thing for us. When we put our lives entirely in the Father's hands, we can claim the wonderful promises He has for us and then rest in His grace.

Acquiring Great Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19

I recently heard someone say, “I wish I had great faith.” While most of us would like God to just drop that kind of confidence into our laps, it’s not the way He operates. Faith increases as a result of our obedience in little things. We all marvel at Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac at the Lord’s command. But have you ever stopped to consider all of his smaller steps of submission that prepared the way for this enormous test?

Throughout his lifetime, Abraham obeyed God. At the Lord’s command, he left his country (Gen 12:1-4), was circumcised (17:10, 26), conceived Isaac in his old age (21:1-3), and sent his son Ishmael away (21:9-14). By the time he was asked to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he already knew that his God would always be faithful to His promises. His previous experiences had taught Him to trust the Lord.

In the same way, each small step of obedience solidifies our confidence in God. Then, when He challenges us with a more difficult assignment, a firm foundation of assurance enables us to trust and obey Him. Great acts of faith flow from our past interactions with the Lord. By neglecting His simple commands, we miss priceless opportunities to witness His faithfulness.

Having trouble trusting God for something big? Maybe it’s because you’ve ignored those “small” and “insignificant” promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Lord considers each of His commands important and promises to reward every act of obedience, regardless of size. Great faith begins with little steps. 

Conquering Fear

Psalm 63:1-11

Every one of us will experience moments of apprehension, and denial or trying to hide from it will do no good. When fear arises, ask yourself the following questions: Where does it come from? (You know it isn't from God.) Has God ever failed me in the past? Does He promise to meet all of my needs? Does He keep His promises?

If we read the Bible, we'll find countless stories of God's faithfulness. For example, Paul lived through hardship, persecution, pain, and all kinds of terrible circumstances. The apostle wrote these well-known words: "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans. 8:28). This testifies to the fact that for those who trust in Him, God turns every difficulty, loss, and separation into something good.

From Abraham to Isaiah to David to Job to Jonah to Paul to John, we see God's constant love and care for His people. His Word is a lamp that will give us clear guidance when circumstances are bleak. It offers the best direction we will ever find. When we meditate upon it, pray over it, grapple with it, and incorporate it into our lives, His light chases away the darkness. The psalms, in particular, are helpful in dealing with fear.

God, the sovereign ruler of this universe, is in control of your life. Don't make the mistake of thinking He isn't, simply because He does not operate according to your will and schedule. If you read your Bible and meditate on it, you will find genuine strength in His promises.

Seasonal Changes: People

Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go.
Proverbs 22:24

The seasons of the year change naturally without any assistance from us. But there is another kind of change that is wholly dependent on our choices and actions: changes in relationships. Sometimes we can tell when a change is needed -- for positive or negative reasons. 

For instance, Proverbs 22:24 warns against becoming friends with an angry person. Why? Because "an angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression" (Proverbs 29:22). So the chances of becoming involved in strife and sin are multiplied when we form a friendship with an angry person. On the positive side, Paul writes that we should "associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion" (Romans 12:16). In short, just as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), so people have a telling influence on each other -- for good or for ill. Paul also warned about the dangers of believers becoming partners with nonbelievers, whether in business, marriage, or other intimate relationships (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). 

Ask God to show you any changes you need to make in your relationships. And make sure your closest relationship continues to be with Jesus Himself. 

Friendship is the marriage of affections. 
Thomas Watson

God's Clear Instructions

Joshua 6:1 - 5

Joshua needed guidance as he faced one of the most crucial moments of his life. Because the Lord had promised him success in conquering Jericho, he knew the outcome of the battle, but as the day of combat approached, he needed a specific strategy for victory. What he heard the Lord say must have made his jaw drop.

Can you imagine the soldiers' thoughts as they carried out this bizarre battle strategy? In confusing times like this, it's good to remember three requirements for benefiting from God's instructions. We need:

• Faith to believe the Lord
• Courage to obey Him
• Patience to wait for His timing.

When God gives us clear instruction through His Word or His Spirit within us, our response shows how much we trust Him. If we truly believe Him and His promises, precise and complete obedience will follow. His victory in any area of struggle is available only to those who act upon His directions.

Submitting to the Lord's timing is also an essential part of obedience. What would have happened if the army decided to bypass God's plans for the first six days and skip straight to the seventh day's march around Jericho? They would have missed the victory.

How often do we beg the Lord for guidance, yet hesitate to obey when He finally gives it? Living by faith can seem like a huge risk when His instructions make no sense or require a lengthy wait. But knowing His eternal perspective and unlimited power can strengthen our resolve to obey.

Pride Blinds

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance" (Mark 2:17)

Children will sometimes fake an illness to get out of school and may even convince themselves they are sick. The Pharisees had the opposite problem. They convinced themselves they were better than others and avoided those they saw as lower than themselves.

Jesus confused them. His authority and healing power could have allowed Him to choose His associates and to gain status in the synagogue. Instead He was moved with compassion toward those who called upon Him: the sick, destitute, and unclean.

Pride makes us blind to the work of God. We forget His sovereignty. Pride also blinds us to our own need for a Savior, and we withhold grace from those we feel do not deserve it. It is important to confess our pride or we will end up like the Pharisees, taking God's grace for granted and missing opportunities to lead others to Christ. If we are not careful, pride will distance us from others and from God.

“None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves.” Charles Spurgeon

How to Cry Out to God

In the tragic storms of life Jesus specializes in calming waves and silencing the winds (see Mathew 14:22-33). It is amazing. How can Jesus do such things? How indeed. He is God! 

Bad news, danger, and pain all cause us to look for help. As believers, we dwell with the almighty God, who is able to help us. At those moments when we are hit by life’s circumstances, we can cry out to Him. In the Bible, crying out refers to speaking audibly with great emotion concerning an urgent need. God invites us to use this form of prayer to communicate that we desperately need His mercy.

·         Start with humility: It takes humility and faith to share our heart’s concern aloud. Crying out is a way for God’s children to express trust in the Lord’s ability and willingness to help. “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). By calling upon Him with such urgency, we also lay down our pride and any attitude of self-sufficiency.

·         Inviting God into your situation: The Word of God assures us that our Father hears our cries and responds. In Psalm 3:4, David wrote, “I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered from His holy mountain.” When we speak the names of God aloud and call for help in name of Jesus, we invite His power into the situation. Remember that there is strength in just speaking His name.

·         Waiting upon the Lord: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I put my Hope” (Psalm 130:5). When we cry out to God, He may remove the problem immediately, yet we often have to wait for His perfect timing. Harsh circumstances might even be allowed to remain for His good purposes. But we can always count on His comfort and presence, which enable us to live with joy and hope.

Seeking Guidance to Grow

By forsaking the worldly way, believers have chosen a narrow path (Matthew 7:13). However, we’re not wandering blindly on it. The Holy Spirit is our guide. He directs our steps toward new opportunities and offers discernment so we can make wise decisions that keep us on course for God’s will (1 John 1:8-10).

It is the nature of this journey that we have to stop often and seek guidance. God is pleased to respond to earnest requests for direction, as He wants to keep His followers in the center of His will. Many Christians wonder how to pursue divine guidance.

·         Seeking God’s guidance and direction involves a pattern that begins with cleansing. In other words, the first place to look is at yourself. Ask, “Father, do you see anything in my life that might interfere with my understanding what you are saying?” Sin shuts down the guidance process: it strangles the power flowing from the Holy Spirit and thereby clouds our judgment (1 Thessalonians 5:19). First John 1:9 tells us that God cleanses unrighteousness when we confess our sins. The Bible also contains a clear warning for those who refuse to relinquish a rebellious habit or attitude and the Lord does not hear their cries (Psalm 66:18). As He brings to mind problem areas, lay them before the cross and give them to the Lord.

·         Cleansing is a continual process while receiving guidance from God. The Holy Spirit brings sin to our attention as we’re equipped to deal with it. So on the way to receiving His clear direction, we may revisit this step often and in that way can experience a time of rich spiritual growth and renewal. Doing things God’s way is not always easy; but it’s always worth it.

Measuring your Spiritual Growth

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).  

Since our Heavenly Father wants us to mature in the faith, we should stop from time to time and examine our lives to see if we're making progress in this area. Physical growth is fairly easy to evaluate, all you need is a tape measure. But how can you tell if you're growing spiritually?

·         Desires: Have you noticed that your childhood toys no longer interest you? The maturing process changes our desires in the spiritual realm too. When we're growing, the world's pleasures lose their appeal, while our hunger for God and His Word increases. We are eager to be with Him and share with others how He's working in our lives.

·         Understanding: When you were young, your perception of the world was very limited. In the same way, we lack spiritual understanding when we're new believers. But in time, we begin to see life from God’s perspective. Trials and temptations become opportunities for growth, and service for the Lord becomes an honor instead of a burden.

·         Selflessness: The most obvious sign of a child's immaturity is his or her selfishness. He wants his way, and he wants it now! Hopefully that is no longer characteristic of you. A mature believer is submissive to the Lord, willing to wait, and more concerned about others than themselves. How are you doing in these three areas of growth? Maybe it's time to let go of a few childish ways in order to grow into a mature believer. The greatest evidence of maturity is love. When the Lord and other people have first place in our hearts, it's then that we're most like Jesus.

The Narrow Way

Are Christians Narrow-Minded to say that Jesus is the only way to God? We sure are, because Jesus Himself was, is, and always will be. The only way to God is a Narrow Way.

·        
In John 10:9, Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he shall be saved.” Of course, not all men enter through Him. This does not mean they enter in through another way; rather, it means that they do not enter in at all. Jesus totally rejected the popular notion that God is a castle on a hill with many doors. Jesus said, “I am the door”, the only door. He opens and no one can close. And He closes and no one can open (Rev. 3:7). Jesus changed the metaphor slightly and said, “I have the keys” (Rev. 1:18). If you want into Heaven with God, you have to go to Jesus.

In the Sermon in the Mount, Jesus had this to say: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).

·         All men are one of two roads. Most are on the wide road that leads to destruction, that is, eternal Hell. Oddly, many people think that they must be right because the majority of people agree with them. Wrong. Most people are wrong and are on the wrong way. Truth is not determined by a majority vote. These words tell us something else. Jesus taught that most me go to Hell to suffer for their sins (see Matt. 25:41). Jesus rejected the view that says that all men will be saved from their sins and make it to Heaven with God, regardless of their religion. If they do not turn to Jesus, they will certainly go to Hell, not to God.

By contrast, Jesus is the way to God. He is the narrow way, what Peter called “the right way” (2 Pet. 2:15). Are Christians narrow-minded to say that Jesus is the only way to God? We sure are because Jesus Himself was. The one way to God is a narrow way. God said it, so be it!

Getting Back on Course

“Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18).  

·         It’s never too late: No matter how far away from God you have drifted, you're always welcome back. That's the lesson from Jesus' parable about the prodigal son, the young man who foolishly followed a pleasure-filled path to ruin before returning to his father and finding redemption (Luke 15:11-32). Perhaps ruin has not yet come to you, but you know that your heart has grown cool to the things of God. Whatever your drifting story, make this the day that you point yourself back to the Lord.

·         Admit the truth: As with any sin, the first motion toward getting back on course is to acknowledge that you have slipped away from the Lord. Then you confess and repent, which is like turning your boat in the opposite direction and paddling toward God with all your strength. If you're wondering exactly how to do that, I suggest this strategy: In the morning and before you step out of bed, give yourself to God by acknowledging Him and surrender your entire life to Him for the day. When something comes up that runs counter to His plan and consider pursuing it, the Holy Spirit will remind you that you belong to Him. Only God's way will do for each of us.

·         You make the choice: Every day we choose whether to row or drift. As for me, I choose to vigorously pursue God. Peter gives a warning to be on guard against attitudes and ideologies that would carry you away from truth (2 Peter 3:17). Instead, choose to paddle your lifeboat toward the Lord by meditating on Scripture, praying, and living obediently. Practicing the spiritual disciplines keeps a heart warm toward God.

God Is at Work

“So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted Him. Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’ For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him, not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. Jesus gave them this answer: ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” John 5:16-19.

Throughout the Bible, we observe God at work in people's lives. Sometimes He acts in dramatic fashion, as in parting the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape the Egyptian army. At other times it may seem as if He is not taking any action. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother needed His help, but Christ delayed before traveling to their home “So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is sick.’ When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’ Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” John 11:3-6.

Our Father has given us the Holy Spirit to help us recognize His presence and handiwork. The Spirit cultivates spiritual discernment in us so we can understand when and where He's at work. In addition to spiritual discernment, we must develop patience because the Lord operates according to His timetable, not ours. After being promised numerous descendants, Abraham had to wait until he and Sarah were beyond childbearing years before she gave birth. Impatience can cause us to take matters into our own hands and therefore make mistakes.

The Lord's efforts can bring delight, as was the case when Hannah bore a child: “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him” 1 Samuel. 1:27. “Then Hannah prayed and said: ‘My heart rejoices in the Lord; In the Lord my horn ‘ is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance” 1 Samuel 2:1. His plan can also lead through painful times, which was Joseph's experience. Before the Lord elevated him to a position of authority to help his family, Joseph was sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned.

Jesus told the disciples that His Father was always at work and so was He. We will be encouraged and strengthened in our faith when we recognize the ways in which God is operating. These glimpses of His handiwork will motivate us to stay the course and help us maintain a godly perspective on life.

Let your Conscience be your Guide?

“The goal of this commandment is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they confidently affirm” 1 Timothy 1:5-7.

There is an old saying that goes like this: “Let your conscience be your guide.” This folk tale seems to make sense since our conscience is designed to help us discern right from wrong. However, people cannot always trust their internal radar to steer them correctly. This is particularly the case with those who do not follow Christ and who do not have the Spirit of God within them to reveal truth or to offer His guidance for making wise choices. While those who do believe in Jesus as their Savoir and diligently practice His ways do have the Holy Spirit, they too  should be careful not to continue to sin in their life, as a sinful life can interfere with the way the sensor for morality functions.

A conscience programmed with scriptural teaching is a trustworthy conscience. Those who believe in God and follow His ways build a stable and sensitive spiritual radar system by applying God’s truth to their lives. They are committed to thinking and doing in ways that honor and please the Lord. Then, when sinful thoughts or choices come across that radar, a trustworthy conscience will deliver a warning.

A person with a reliable conscience will have a strong desire to obey God. He or she won’t settle for what just feels right or might look good, but instead seeks God’s will for their lives. They do not rely solely on the conscience but also incorporate prayer and Bible reading. When their spiritual radar does sound the alarm, they are willing to draw back, and consider the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the Scripture. .

For the believer, the conscience isn’t designed to be our guide. Rather, it is a tool of the Guide. The Holy Spirit not only convicts us of sin, but also guides our minds and heart towards godly principles and leads us onto the path of righteous living. The Holy Spirit is our Guide and He uses a variety of tools to conform us to the likeness of Christ. “For those God foreknew to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers” Romans. 8:29. Let the Holy Spirit be your Guide. 

Why go to Church

“For He Himself is our peace, who was made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to those who were near. For through Him we have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit” Ephesians 2:14-22.

There is no shortage of church buildings in and around our country. Finding a church might be easy enough, but deciding which one to join may involve more effort. To find wisdom in this decision, we can look to the Bible for specific instructions.

The original biblical meaning of the word "church": The term “ecclesia” meant a group of people who are called out of the world's system by God's grace for the purpose of assembling to worship and serve Christ. “And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.” Colossians 1:18 explains that believers are the body and Jesus is the head of biblical fellowship. Under His leadership, we can enjoy the unity and purpose that He intended.

God's design for this sacred gathering involves worship, instruction, encouragement, evangelism, and ministry to those in need, both within the fellowship and outside its walls. A healthy, vibrant congregation is possible only when members rely fully on the Holy Spirit's guidance. The work of the church is to be done in His power, in humble, prayerful submission to the Lord. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” Ephesians 4:2-3.

Consider the following questions to help determine the right church for you: Do they believe God's Word is infallible and inerrant? In other words, there are no errors and there can be no errors. Is the church disciplining her people? Church discipline refers to the authoritative right and duty of church officers, for the edification of the church and the honor of Christ's name, to admonish church members, and to control access to the sacraments, see Matthew 18. Does the fellowship have some kind of missionary or evangelistic program? Joining a congregation is an important decision, as a fellowship of believers is one tool God uses to mature and encourage His children. These three questions can be helpful in discerning God's will. Listen for His Spirit to warn or direct as you prayerfully investigate your options.

See more posts on related topics by clicking on the links below:

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-caring-church.html

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/p/nine-fundamental-christian-beliefs.html

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/p/we-grow-when-we-worship-god.html

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/2011/07/grace-helps-us-to-grow.html

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/2011/08/people-help-us-to-grow.html

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/2011/09/seeking-his-righteousness-to-grow.html

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/2011/09/gods-promises-bring-good-success.html

http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/2011/09/we-grow-when-we-believe-right-think_4451.html

Grounded in Truth

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant” Psalm 25:4-10.

God’s Ways: If we'll let the truths of God’s Word fill our minds, guard our emotions, and influence our conduct, God will richly reward us with spiritual blessings and becoming more like Jesus. God may choose to bless you in worldly ways too like a better job or nicer things. By reading and meditating on His Word, we can better learn to understand His ways. This isn't something we can figure out on our own, because His ways are unlike ours: they are higher, bigger, and eternal.

Growing in Faith: Your relationship with God will continue to grow each day and more intimate as you seek Him in Bible study and prayer. The Lord will reveal Himself to those who seek Him and who are willing to obey His instructions and commands. When you begin to learn that God always keeps His promises, your confidence in His faithfulness will grow. No matter what the situation, you'll know you can trust Him. Then He will transform your worries into joyful anticipation about what He's going to do next in your life. Even if hard times are around the corner, you'll be convinced that the Lord will work them out for good.

Benefits to Godly Living: A life grounded in truth is powerful. Those who live by the Word develop spiritual discernment, which guides their choices and guards against deception. Because they demonstrate wisdom and godliness, the Lord enables them to impact others greatly. Since He knows they can be trusted, He also gives them greater responsibilities and opportunities for service in His kingdom.

Everyday Living: It is wise to invest your time and energy in building the truth of God's Word into your life. The other activities which clamor for your attention seem so important or pleasurable, but none of them can offer you the spiritual riches of a life grounded in truth.

From Ordinary to Great

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11.

Anyone who studies God's ways soon realizes the ways of God are quite different from the ways of man. Worldly wisdom says that extraordinary people and abundant resources are needed for great tasks, yet the Lord often chooses the small and insignificant to achieve His purposes on earth.

One such example is a rather unimpressive group of men Jesus chose as his disciples, yet after being filled with the Spirit, they did amazing things. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” Acts 4:13. During His ministry on earth, Jesus fed thousands with a child's meager lunch, and He viewed the widow's two small coins as a greater offering than all the other generous donations (John 6:5-12; Luke 21:2-3).

God specializes in using people who aren't naturally qualified to accomplish His tasks. Moses was a verbally impaired 80-year-old shepherd who liberated a nation. After Gideon hid from the enemy, God made him a valiant warrior. David was the overlooked youngest son who killed a giant with a small stone and became Israel's greatest king.

God isn't looking for impressive people; He wants willing ones who will bow the knee in humble submission. Being weak and ordinary doesn't make you useless. Rather, it positions you for a demonstration of divine power in your life. God takes insignificant people and delights in making them great.

Consider that what you might lack in the area of ability, talent, or skill is the ideal setting for a great display of Christ's power and glory. If you are willing to submit to His leading and venture into the scary yet rewarding territory of faith and obedience, He will do great things in and through you. 

Refined by Fire

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

There is purpose through times of adversity:

God is always at work in our lives. Even though it is hard for us to understand God’s purpose for allowing seasons of adversity, we can be sure He wants to accomplish something powerful and good. With this knowledge we can have the correct response. We can choose to rejoice during difficult times. This doesn't mean we have to be happy about the hardship itself. Instead, joy comes from drawing close to the Lord and believing steadfastly that through His redemptive power, He is growing and preparing us for something new. If your usual response to trials is anxiety, anger, or depression, the idea of having joy in the midst of a negative situation might not seem logical. However, if you look beneath the surface, you will discover that this biblical directive makes sense for several reasons.

No pain no gain:

Often, our natural reaction to pain is to run in the opposite direction, and as fast as possible. Much like a long-distance runner builds up strength in training; God wants to teach us endurance so that we can fully benefit from what He is doing in our hearts. He uses trials as a refining fire to purify us like gold and bring us to greater spiritual maturity. As we realize that we are actually being made more complete through our adversities, we'll begin to face challenging times with confidence that He always has our best interest in mind.

There are seeds of greatness inside you:

While a worldly viewpoint sees hope and joy in the midst of dark times as naïve, a spiritual perspective discerns that we're really progressing on a journey toward life at its fullest. We can be filled with supernatural joy, knowing that the Lord is making us into world-changing spiritual warriors. “Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4

The Battle is Won

There will come a time of battle where strife, lies and deceit are commonplace. This is a ferocious battle for it is not with flesh and blood, but of evil and wickedness and unseen forces. Each day the people of God prepare themselves with the full armor of God.

The people of God fight the enemy in the valley of the shadows of death. And equipped with the full armor, God's people stand strong and firm. With the Promises of the Word written on their hearts and with wisdom and strong mind they guard themselves. With courage they endure and with the Sword of the Spirit they drive back and prevail over the enemy.

And the people who humble themselves before the Lord and with Faith in their hearts they ascend to the mountain and call out to El Shaddai the Lord God Mighty: "Your Promises are true. You said greater is He, Who is within me, than he who is in the world. You are my rock and my deliverer. You have set me up on high. I am the head and not the tail. You stand before me, at my side, and behind me. You are my shield and protector. No weapon before me shall prosper. You are Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is my Banner" Exodus 17:8-16.  

"Your Word never changes. Your Grace is enough. Your Mercy is everlasting. I put my Hope in You. I fix my eyes upon You and the battle is won. The voice of my accuser has been silenced. God has shown favor to the righteous and just and given victory over the enemy." 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the lord say this-those He redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from the east and the west, from the north and the south" Psalm 107:1-3.  

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggles is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" Ephesian 6:10-18.  

See more posts on related topics by clicking on the links below:

  http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/p/armor-of-god.html 

Drawing from the Source of Life

“My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13).

For believers of Jesus Christ, contentment should be governed by their inner attitude and decisions rather than by external circumstances. The Apostle Paul had learned this truth that in any kind of situation he was in, regardless of in plenty or in need, or surrounded by friends or isolated in prison, he was able to experience joy and peace. Paul learned to draw from the source of life.

Paul understood what it meant to live in Christ and to have Christ living in him (John 15:1-9; Gal. 5:22-23). He had made a simple but profound faith decision to draw his life from the Lord and, as a result, had the calm assurance that what he possessed inside could never be stolen. He was confident in his identity as a child of the Almighty, with full access to the abundant life Jesus offers.

When something threatens to steal your joy and contentment, choose to draw from God. Decide to stop drawing from other sources and trying to be in control. When you find yourself becoming flustered, anxious, or angry, stop and say, "Lord, You are my source, and I draw from You. From the capacity to be kind. I draw from You. From the forgiveness I need to extend right now, I draw from You. The love I need to express I draw from You.” This decision is a matter of simple trust: put your faith in God’s sovereign control into action.

Watch and see how God will quiet your spirit and provide confidence when you draw only from Him as your source. When you respond from within rather than from reacting to the external, you will come to know and understand that only Jesus will give you the ability to respond as He would.

Check out this related post:http://goodeyeconcepts.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-heart-for-god.html

Setting Goals is Key to Success

“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things” see Philippians 3:7-14.

What three goals would you set for your life if you knew that you could achieve them? Would any of them be spiritual in nature? The apostle Paul was one of the most goal-oriented people in the Bible, yet he understood which pursuits were the most important. His chief ambition was to know Jesus, His resurrection power, and the fellowship of His suffering.

We would do well to adopt these goals, but they sound so broad. How do we put them into practice? First, it's important to comprehend that a goal is a purpose or direction toward which we work. This concept is fairly easy to understand when we're talking about specific objectives like going to bed earlier or losing ten pounds, but what steps would you need to take in order to achieve spiritual goals like Paul's?

Success requires steps that are specific, reasonable, and measurable. For example, if you want to know Christ more intimately, you might commit to spending a reasonable amount of time each day praying and reading His Word. After developing your plan and the steps to accomplish it, put your desire into action. If you don't take the necessary steps, it will simply remain a wish. Intimacy with Christ requires commitment, diligence, and perseverance.

If you feel as if your faith is lacking strength, it may be that you've become spiritually lazy. Faith requires action. Unless you set specific goals and work to achieve them, you'll drift through life and miss the greatest accomplishment of all, learning to know the Lord intimately.