SCRIPTURE
The evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul, I recognize- But who are you?"
Acts 19:15
OBSERVATION
The seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were trying to cast out demons by the "Jesus that Paul preaches." Since they had no relationship with this "Jesus that Paul preaches", they had no authority by his name. As a result, this person who was demonized pounced on them, overpowered them, and sent them running away, beaten and naked!
APPLICATION
You cannot have the authority of Christ, without a relationship with him! God has given us authority, through Christ, over ALL the power of the enemy. The key words: THROUGH CHRIST! This scripture is a lesson for those who do not yet have that relationship, but for those of us who do, it's an encouragement. Just before this, God was doing miraculous things through his servant Paul. If you have that relationship with Christ, and are filled with the Holy Spirit, EXPECT God to use you! EXPECT to see the miraculous operating through you!
PRAYER
Father, give me a spirit of expectancy! I want to pray for people expecting to see your hand at work. Thank you for the authority that you give your children over all of the power of the enemy.
Amen.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
In The Face Of Opposition
SCRIPTURE
Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, "Don't be afraid, but keep on speaking and don't be silent." Acts 18:9
OBSERVATION
Paul was coming up against opposition while preaching to the people of Corinth. The lord sent him this vision discouraging fear and encouraging him to keep preaching the good news.
APPLICATION
Often, when we try to share Christ, we come up against opposition! Satan begins to do whatever he can to keep the message from reaching lost souls. Listen to the Lord...Don't be afraid, but keep on speaking! We're in the last leg of the race and if we don't do everything that we can to get the Gospel to those who have not heard or received, we have failed!
PRAYER
Father, thank you for the opportunity to be involved in sharing the "Good News." Give me the courage and boldness to speak your word, no matter how much opposition comes my way. Amen.
Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, "Don't be afraid, but keep on speaking and don't be silent." Acts 18:9
OBSERVATION
Paul was coming up against opposition while preaching to the people of Corinth. The lord sent him this vision discouraging fear and encouraging him to keep preaching the good news.
APPLICATION
Often, when we try to share Christ, we come up against opposition! Satan begins to do whatever he can to keep the message from reaching lost souls. Listen to the Lord...Don't be afraid, but keep on speaking! We're in the last leg of the race and if we don't do everything that we can to get the Gospel to those who have not heard or received, we have failed!
PRAYER
Father, thank you for the opportunity to be involved in sharing the "Good News." Give me the courage and boldness to speak your word, no matter how much opposition comes my way. Amen.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
SCRIPTURE
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.
Acts 14:1-3
OBSERVATION
Paul and Barnabas go to Iconium and preach the gospel. As a result, many Jews and Gentiles believed in Jesus Christ. However, there were Jews who rejected the message and stirred up controversy and difficulty for Paul and Barnabas. The result... boldness and courage for the sake of the gospel. Paul and Barnabas actually spent more time in Iconium and spoke more boldly. As they did this, the Lord empowered their ministry with signs and wonders.
APPLICATION
It's easy to take the easy road. But, the easy road rarely leads anywhere of consequence. Paul and Barnabas could have packed up and headed to the next town, but they chose to stay and respond with boldness. As a result, God broke through and lives where changed. In ministry, we too need to be willing to choose the difficult road that requires boldness, courage and faith in the living God. And, as we step out beyond our comfort, beyond our confidence, beyond ourselves, God will show up and lives will be changed.
PRAYER
Father, give me more boldness. Give me more confidence in you. Give me courage to step outside my schedule, my comfort, my plans, my ideas, my...whatever... for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.
Acts 14:1-3
OBSERVATION
Paul and Barnabas go to Iconium and preach the gospel. As a result, many Jews and Gentiles believed in Jesus Christ. However, there were Jews who rejected the message and stirred up controversy and difficulty for Paul and Barnabas. The result... boldness and courage for the sake of the gospel. Paul and Barnabas actually spent more time in Iconium and spoke more boldly. As they did this, the Lord empowered their ministry with signs and wonders.
APPLICATION
It's easy to take the easy road. But, the easy road rarely leads anywhere of consequence. Paul and Barnabas could have packed up and headed to the next town, but they chose to stay and respond with boldness. As a result, God broke through and lives where changed. In ministry, we too need to be willing to choose the difficult road that requires boldness, courage and faith in the living God. And, as we step out beyond our comfort, beyond our confidence, beyond ourselves, God will show up and lives will be changed.
PRAYER
Father, give me more boldness. Give me more confidence in you. Give me courage to step outside my schedule, my comfort, my plans, my ideas, my...whatever... for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Earnestness
SCRIPTURE
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Acts 12:5
OBSERVATION
Amazing things happen when the church prays together. Especially when the church prays earnestly. When God's people come before him with great purpose, seriousness and deep sincerity, miraculous things happen. In this case, Peter was freed from prison. This was a mark of the early church. They had great passion to pursue God. They sacrificed for the purposes of God's kingdom.
APPLICATION
The picture of the early church is quite moving. And, because of their faith, devotion and earnestness, amazing things happened. Who wouldn't want to be part of a community like that? And, the reality is, God is the same today that he was when Peter was miraculously released from prison. God can still move in amazing ways when his people pray earnestly. The question for me is when was the last time I did anything earnestly? When was the last time I prayed with great diligence or great purpose?
PRAYER
Father, give me a renewed vision of prayer. Give me a new passion for prayer. Give me a new confidence in prayer. Help me to see the world around me as those first Christians did.
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Acts 12:5
OBSERVATION
Amazing things happen when the church prays together. Especially when the church prays earnestly. When God's people come before him with great purpose, seriousness and deep sincerity, miraculous things happen. In this case, Peter was freed from prison. This was a mark of the early church. They had great passion to pursue God. They sacrificed for the purposes of God's kingdom.
APPLICATION
The picture of the early church is quite moving. And, because of their faith, devotion and earnestness, amazing things happened. Who wouldn't want to be part of a community like that? And, the reality is, God is the same today that he was when Peter was miraculously released from prison. God can still move in amazing ways when his people pray earnestly. The question for me is when was the last time I did anything earnestly? When was the last time I prayed with great diligence or great purpose?
PRAYER
Father, give me a renewed vision of prayer. Give me a new passion for prayer. Give me a new confidence in prayer. Help me to see the world around me as those first Christians did.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Awe
SCRIPTURE
The heavens declare the glory of God.
The skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth
their words to the end of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4
OBSERVATION
Scientists estimate that there are 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars. Think about that! Here, we read that the skies proclaim the work of God's hands. Isn't that amazing. God's creation constantly reminds us of his glory, might, beauty, power and presence. We are surrounded by it always. All we have to do is look up and see the sun or moon or stars and we are reminded (or at least should be) of God's magnificence.
APPLICATION
I frequently forget how incredible God's creation actually is. It's so easy to take for granted the amazing facts of the world we live in. I take for granted the world around me, when in actuality, it is a constant demonstration of God's might, beauty and ultimately, his love. I need to view the world around me with new eyes.
PRAYER
Father, help me to see the world I live in with new eyes. Help me to be in awe of you. Have mercy on me. Stir my soul.
The heavens declare the glory of God.
The skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth
their words to the end of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4
OBSERVATION
Scientists estimate that there are 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars. Think about that! Here, we read that the skies proclaim the work of God's hands. Isn't that amazing. God's creation constantly reminds us of his glory, might, beauty, power and presence. We are surrounded by it always. All we have to do is look up and see the sun or moon or stars and we are reminded (or at least should be) of God's magnificence.
APPLICATION
I frequently forget how incredible God's creation actually is. It's so easy to take for granted the amazing facts of the world we live in. I take for granted the world around me, when in actuality, it is a constant demonstration of God's might, beauty and ultimately, his love. I need to view the world around me with new eyes.
PRAYER
Father, help me to see the world I live in with new eyes. Help me to be in awe of you. Have mercy on me. Stir my soul.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Pause
SCRIPTURE
You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord.
Exodus 35:2
OBSERVATION
The Sabbath. A day of rest. God places great value on this concept. In Exodus alone, the Sabbath is mentioned 16 times. In the midst of building the tabernacle, God's people were supposed to take a day to rest. In the midst of plowing and harvest seasons, God's people were to take a day of rest. What's amazing to me is that this idea of the Sabbath is even placed in the 10 Commandments. The idea of Sabbath rest is a key to connecting with God.
The concept of rest here isn't simply laying on the couch watching football. Many times, that is what my "rest" looks like. Rather, it is supposed to be a "holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord." Sabbath seems to be a concept where we take our hands off our frantic lives and acknowledge that God is in control. Additionally, Sabbath rest tells us that our identity is not wrapped up in our activities, availability or actions, but rather it is found in being children of the Living God.
APPLICATION
Let go! Turn off the phone. Put away the laptop. Shut off the TV. Stop managing the busyness of life. Stop working! Just for one day. One day out of seven. 14% of my week. Stop. Pause. Rest. Acknowledge that we are not in control, God is. Acknowledge that our worth is not wrapped up in our activities, but in the saving grace of a loving heavenly Father.
PRAYER
Father, forgive me for ignoring the Sabbath. Forgive me for allowing my life to become too full to follow your command to rest in You. Help me to let go of all that I feel like I need to manage and control on a day to day basis.
You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord.
Exodus 35:2
OBSERVATION
The Sabbath. A day of rest. God places great value on this concept. In Exodus alone, the Sabbath is mentioned 16 times. In the midst of building the tabernacle, God's people were supposed to take a day to rest. In the midst of plowing and harvest seasons, God's people were to take a day of rest. What's amazing to me is that this idea of the Sabbath is even placed in the 10 Commandments. The idea of Sabbath rest is a key to connecting with God.
The concept of rest here isn't simply laying on the couch watching football. Many times, that is what my "rest" looks like. Rather, it is supposed to be a "holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord." Sabbath seems to be a concept where we take our hands off our frantic lives and acknowledge that God is in control. Additionally, Sabbath rest tells us that our identity is not wrapped up in our activities, availability or actions, but rather it is found in being children of the Living God.
APPLICATION
Let go! Turn off the phone. Put away the laptop. Shut off the TV. Stop managing the busyness of life. Stop working! Just for one day. One day out of seven. 14% of my week. Stop. Pause. Rest. Acknowledge that we are not in control, God is. Acknowledge that our worth is not wrapped up in our activities, but in the saving grace of a loving heavenly Father.
PRAYER
Father, forgive me for ignoring the Sabbath. Forgive me for allowing my life to become too full to follow your command to rest in You. Help me to let go of all that I feel like I need to manage and control on a day to day basis.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Promised Land: Little by Little
SCRIPTURE
Exodus 23:29-30
29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.
30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
OBSERVATION
The Lord told the Israelites that He was going to give them the Promised Land as their inheritance, BUT that He was not going to give it to them all at once. Instead, they were going to have to conquer the Promised Land little by little. He gave them a practical reason for this — if He were to give them the Land all at once, they would not be able to handle it.
If God had given the Israelites the land all at once, their numbers would not have been sufficient to populate the land and much of it would have gone unmanaged and unmaintained because their population was not large enough to be able to inhabit the cities and govern the territory. As a result, the cities would have deteriorated and the land left unproductive.
APPLICATION
If the Israelites are a spiritual example of our own walk of faith, then we can draw a direct correlation between their physical Promised Land and our spiritual Promised Land. In our own life, there is territory that God desires us to take and govern. This territory is vast and beautiful but God gives us only as much as we can handle at any one time. As we walk in victory in our lives, then He gives us more and more territory.
Every victory results in a little more maturity and increases our ability to rule the territory that God gives us. If God were to give us all He desires to give us all at once, we would be unable to handle it! Instead of instantly becoming super-Christians, we would instead by destroyed as our immaturity attempted to handle our newly found power and authority.
So instead, He gives us territory that is enough to challenge us — challenge our faith, our gifts, our knowledge — and stretch us. As we learn the things He wants us to learn and walk in victory in the areas He is calling us into, then He gives us a new challenge. Little by little we "inhabit the land" He has given us as an inheritance — a territory we already have as a birthright but which we are not ready to possess in actuality.
So today, the key for me is to walk in victory in the areas He is calling me to. My concern is not the territory of tomorrow, but the faithfulness required today. While I must always fan the flame of desire to possess my entire Promised Land, I must not forget that the process is more about victory in the current battle then it is about the entire war.
I must live in this tension. I cannot become complacent and assume that today's victories will carry me through tomorrow. The Israelites made this mistake far too many times and ended up leaving pockets of their Promised Land unconquered as they made peace agreements with the enemy because it was convenient or easy. At the same time, I cannot become overly aggressive and try to take territory that I am not ready for.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see the challenges that are important for me to fight today. Continue to stretch me, continue to challenge me, continue to move me onward. But help me to consolidate the territory you have given me up to this point. Let me never become complacent and make the assumption that yesterday's victories need never be revisited, lest I give back territory to the Enemy because of a lack of vigilance. Amen.
Exodus 23:29-30
29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.
30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.
OBSERVATION
The Lord told the Israelites that He was going to give them the Promised Land as their inheritance, BUT that He was not going to give it to them all at once. Instead, they were going to have to conquer the Promised Land little by little. He gave them a practical reason for this — if He were to give them the Land all at once, they would not be able to handle it.
If God had given the Israelites the land all at once, their numbers would not have been sufficient to populate the land and much of it would have gone unmanaged and unmaintained because their population was not large enough to be able to inhabit the cities and govern the territory. As a result, the cities would have deteriorated and the land left unproductive.
APPLICATION
If the Israelites are a spiritual example of our own walk of faith, then we can draw a direct correlation between their physical Promised Land and our spiritual Promised Land. In our own life, there is territory that God desires us to take and govern. This territory is vast and beautiful but God gives us only as much as we can handle at any one time. As we walk in victory in our lives, then He gives us more and more territory.
Every victory results in a little more maturity and increases our ability to rule the territory that God gives us. If God were to give us all He desires to give us all at once, we would be unable to handle it! Instead of instantly becoming super-Christians, we would instead by destroyed as our immaturity attempted to handle our newly found power and authority.
So instead, He gives us territory that is enough to challenge us — challenge our faith, our gifts, our knowledge — and stretch us. As we learn the things He wants us to learn and walk in victory in the areas He is calling us into, then He gives us a new challenge. Little by little we "inhabit the land" He has given us as an inheritance — a territory we already have as a birthright but which we are not ready to possess in actuality.
So today, the key for me is to walk in victory in the areas He is calling me to. My concern is not the territory of tomorrow, but the faithfulness required today. While I must always fan the flame of desire to possess my entire Promised Land, I must not forget that the process is more about victory in the current battle then it is about the entire war.
I must live in this tension. I cannot become complacent and assume that today's victories will carry me through tomorrow. The Israelites made this mistake far too many times and ended up leaving pockets of their Promised Land unconquered as they made peace agreements with the enemy because it was convenient or easy. At the same time, I cannot become overly aggressive and try to take territory that I am not ready for.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see the challenges that are important for me to fight today. Continue to stretch me, continue to challenge me, continue to move me onward. But help me to consolidate the territory you have given me up to this point. Let me never become complacent and make the assumption that yesterday's victories need never be revisited, lest I give back territory to the Enemy because of a lack of vigilance. Amen.
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