SCRIPTURE
(Revelation 19:5&6) "And a voice came from the throne, saying, 'Give praise to our God, all you His bondservants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.' And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the almighty, reigns.'"
OBSERVATION
At the end of the judgements upon fallen mankind, a voice calls for praise of the most high God. After cleansing comes praise. Once justice has been served the way for Christ's return is open. And just like His triumphal entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion, there will be a triumphal entry this time for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with enough celebrating that it sounds like thunder.
APPLICATION
When we allow Christ to cleanse our lives, praise results. All who become servants of the most high God have reason to rejoice. Those who have made themselves their own god will pay the price for sin and wail for eternity for their hardness of heart. You can wail in agony or you can rejoice in praise. It all depends upon what you do personally with Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, let me be found faithful sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all who will hear. I want to be a part of that great choir ushering in the triumphal entry at the second coming of Christ.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Wrath of God, Should I Duck?
SCRIPTURE
(Revelation 15:1) "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished."
OBSERVATION
Do not think that because God is merciful, forgiving, and compassionate, that He is not also angry, just, and a dispenser of wrath. The sins of mankind have not gone unnoticed. The book of Revelations, which literally means disclosure, is about the judgement of God against His fallen creation, disclosed or revealed at the end of time.
APPLICATION
There is a cost for sin that must be paid. We can apply the redemptive work of the cross, paid by Jesus to remove our sins, or we can pay for our sins ourselves. If you chose the later, you better duck! However, that will do you little good. The plagues and the judgements that will be poored out on sinful mankind leave no place to run or hide. The agony and the pain of God's wrath is a price that is tooo heavy to pay for momentary selfish gratification. With the blood of Jesus poored on our sins we can and are made holy, blameless, and perfect. No need to duck.
PRAYER
God, give me Your urgency to share the hope of Jesus with a generation Hell bent on pleasing themselves. Let my words be seasoned with Your love to bring conviction and repentence to lost souls in my realm of influence.
(Revelation 15:1) "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished."
OBSERVATION
Do not think that because God is merciful, forgiving, and compassionate, that He is not also angry, just, and a dispenser of wrath. The sins of mankind have not gone unnoticed. The book of Revelations, which literally means disclosure, is about the judgement of God against His fallen creation, disclosed or revealed at the end of time.
APPLICATION
There is a cost for sin that must be paid. We can apply the redemptive work of the cross, paid by Jesus to remove our sins, or we can pay for our sins ourselves. If you chose the later, you better duck! However, that will do you little good. The plagues and the judgements that will be poored out on sinful mankind leave no place to run or hide. The agony and the pain of God's wrath is a price that is tooo heavy to pay for momentary selfish gratification. With the blood of Jesus poored on our sins we can and are made holy, blameless, and perfect. No need to duck.
PRAYER
God, give me Your urgency to share the hope of Jesus with a generation Hell bent on pleasing themselves. Let my words be seasoned with Your love to bring conviction and repentence to lost souls in my realm of influence.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Power to Overcome the Evil One
SCRIPTURE
(Revelation 12:10 & 11) "And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.'"
OBSERVATION
At the end of the ages Satan and his host are cast down and conquered. John gives the key to accessing the power to overcome satan in our lives: the blood of Jesus applied to the sins of a repentent soul; and the word of our testimony. Sharing with others what God has done and is doing for you will destroy the power and the hold that satan has upon you in any way.
APPLICATION
What is the source of hesitation we all feel when asked to share our testimony in a public place? Satan will speak fear and doubt into your ear to make you stop sharing with others. He is defeated if you share your faith, even though he wants to kill you, steal from you and destroy you if you do tell others about Christ. Defeat the devil in your life by making Jesus Lord of your life and telling others about it.
PRAYER
Lord, I surrender my fears to You and ask for Your empowering boldness to tell others about Jesus. At the end of the ages I want to be counted as one who overcame the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.
(Revelation 12:10 & 11) "And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.'"
OBSERVATION
At the end of the ages Satan and his host are cast down and conquered. John gives the key to accessing the power to overcome satan in our lives: the blood of Jesus applied to the sins of a repentent soul; and the word of our testimony. Sharing with others what God has done and is doing for you will destroy the power and the hold that satan has upon you in any way.
APPLICATION
What is the source of hesitation we all feel when asked to share our testimony in a public place? Satan will speak fear and doubt into your ear to make you stop sharing with others. He is defeated if you share your faith, even though he wants to kill you, steal from you and destroy you if you do tell others about Christ. Defeat the devil in your life by making Jesus Lord of your life and telling others about it.
PRAYER
Lord, I surrender my fears to You and ask for Your empowering boldness to tell others about Jesus. At the end of the ages I want to be counted as one who overcame the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Pay Attention to This!
SCRIPTURE Hebrew 2:1-3
Gifts for you!
1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
OBSERVATION
Have you ever wondered if Heaven or salvation was a myth? Is Jesus coming down to earth as a baby in a manger just a cute story? As an adult we sometimes forget the miracle of Christmas. We forget what the Prophet Isaiah prophecied:
1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
OBSERVATION
Have you ever wondered if Heaven or salvation was a myth? Is Jesus coming down to earth as a baby in a manger just a cute story? As an adult we sometimes forget the miracle of Christmas. We forget what the Prophet Isaiah prophecied:
In Isaiah 6:9 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus is wonderful person who has come to give us the gift of life, the gift of Salvation, Peace, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He confirms everyday that he loves us through signs, wonders, miracles and gift of the Holy Spirit.
APPLICATION
I am so glad that God does confirm salvation for us. What he did thousands of years ago is still for us today. It is not just a good read. The bible is not just another New York times best seller, only to be put on our shelves in a couple of months. We need to focus and pay attention to what he is doing today through his people. He is still the STAR of Bethlehem. He performs all types of cool miracles, and gives us signs. Several months ago I preached a message on a Wed night. I used a Country Western song called, " The three Wooden Crosses" by Randy Travis. I showed the music video and preached on how we need the Salvation of the Lord. That night we had 12 teens give their life to the Lord. I was so excited to see so many people respond to this message, but for me the miracle and the sign happen after the service as my family was driving home from church. One of my children looked up into the sky and said out loud, look dad there are three crosses in the sky. I looked up and the sky was dark but over our car was three clouds in the shape of perfect crosses. You can ask my children if you do not believe me, but that night God was giving me a sign. My children did not here the message or know about the video,They just saw the sign. This sort of things happens to me all the time, but they are not just for me they are for all of us.
PRAYER
Today, I pray that you will make your self known to all of us. Thank you for helping us with our unbelief. I pray that you will make your self known to those that have doubt or unbelief about your love, that you will give them a sign. I pray that you will give them a sign, like you gave the shepherds in the field on the day that you where born. I pray that you would give them a miracle this Christmas. I love you Dad, thanks for all the cool gifts this year.
APPLICATION
I am so glad that God does confirm salvation for us. What he did thousands of years ago is still for us today. It is not just a good read. The bible is not just another New York times best seller, only to be put on our shelves in a couple of months. We need to focus and pay attention to what he is doing today through his people. He is still the STAR of Bethlehem. He performs all types of cool miracles, and gives us signs. Several months ago I preached a message on a Wed night. I used a Country Western song called, " The three Wooden Crosses" by Randy Travis. I showed the music video and preached on how we need the Salvation of the Lord. That night we had 12 teens give their life to the Lord. I was so excited to see so many people respond to this message, but for me the miracle and the sign happen after the service as my family was driving home from church. One of my children looked up into the sky and said out loud, look dad there are three crosses in the sky. I looked up and the sky was dark but over our car was three clouds in the shape of perfect crosses. You can ask my children if you do not believe me, but that night God was giving me a sign. My children did not here the message or know about the video,They just saw the sign. This sort of things happens to me all the time, but they are not just for me they are for all of us.
PRAYER
Today, I pray that you will make your self known to all of us. Thank you for helping us with our unbelief. I pray that you will make your self known to those that have doubt or unbelief about your love, that you will give them a sign. I pray that you will give them a sign, like you gave the shepherds in the field on the day that you where born. I pray that you would give them a miracle this Christmas. I love you Dad, thanks for all the cool gifts this year.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Fan into Flames
SCRIPTURE 2 Tim 1:3-7
3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
OBSERVATION
God did not give us a spirit of timidity. God gave us power, love and self control. So many of us forget or spiritual heritage. We come from a long line of strong Christians. For example my Grandmother and my mother love the lord with all their heart, mind, and strength and they raised me to be a spiritual giant not some weak christian that is timid. I come from a family that put God first and made him #1. We did not bow to the spirit of fear, but we chased the spirit of fear down. I forget that God has given us the victory and that if we believe in him he will make us Victorious.
APPLICATION
Lord help me to fan into flame the little spark that of power that you have put inside of me. Like a fire that is being built, it needs oxygen to start. I need you to breath your Holy Spirit on me. Do not allow me to burn out or get smothered by the things of the world. I need the Spirit to blow on me like a fire needs someone to fan the flames. I do not want to die out like a poorly lit fire. I want to be a Christian that is on fire for you.
PRAYER
Lord send me your Spirit to fan my flames. I want to have a passion for you, a passion for lost and a passion for the world. I want people to see that you have raised me to be a victor and not timid christian. Please help me to have boldness and to let my light shine.
OBSERVATION
God did not give us a spirit of timidity. God gave us power, love and self control. So many of us forget or spiritual heritage. We come from a long line of strong Christians. For example my Grandmother and my mother love the lord with all their heart, mind, and strength and they raised me to be a spiritual giant not some weak christian that is timid. I come from a family that put God first and made him #1. We did not bow to the spirit of fear, but we chased the spirit of fear down. I forget that God has given us the victory and that if we believe in him he will make us Victorious.
APPLICATION
Lord help me to fan into flame the little spark that of power that you have put inside of me. Like a fire that is being built, it needs oxygen to start. I need you to breath your Holy Spirit on me. Do not allow me to burn out or get smothered by the things of the world. I need the Spirit to blow on me like a fire needs someone to fan the flames. I do not want to die out like a poorly lit fire. I want to be a Christian that is on fire for you.
PRAYER
Lord send me your Spirit to fan my flames. I want to have a passion for you, a passion for lost and a passion for the world. I want people to see that you have raised me to be a victor and not timid christian. Please help me to have boldness and to let my light shine.
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