Monday, February 25, 2008

MESSAGE OF CHANGE

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Matthew 6:33


Jesus began his ministry when he was 33 years of age. The message he conveyed to the Jews and Gentiles; poor, rich and the intellectuals of his time was a message of change. His message was not political, but it stirred up those who knew the Laws and were very educated in Scriptures of The Old Testament.

Much like those who run in presidential elections, he caused people to notice Him, because of the message he was bringing. He wasn’t well received by those who knew the Law, because it meant change from the old ways and traditions.
Jesus’ message was about hope for mankind. – To believe in God and for man to change their ways in order to have a relationship with the Father. But in order for this change to take place it must first start in man’s heart. This is what must take place first in order for any people, or nation to have change.

Just before Jesus had said to seek his kingdom first, he was telling his disciples not to worry about life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. (Matthew 6:25) The importance to all of this is that you first must seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, in other words, reconcile your relationship with God. Come to Jesus and ask forgiveness of all your sins, because he is merciful and a compassionate God. He says in John 14:7 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through me.” He was talking to his disciples about believing in Him in order to be reconcile with his Father. But also that we should not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:34) Once your heart is cleaned from sin, leave it up to Him and he will take care of your needs.

Today, as we listen to political promises of hope and change, it seems that the words spun a repetitive quote from another time. But the delivery of such powerful words can only be attributed to the One who made his words right and true. Only Jesus had the right to say, “I am the way, the truth and the life” because in order to be change, it must begin in man’s heart.

Remember, my friend, brother, and sister that in order to have true hope, or change, it must begin with you. Listen to His voice and that old hymn: Stand only on the promises of God, our Savior.

Monday, February 18, 2008

JESUS OUR INSPIRATION

I would like to tell you the story of a little girl whom I will call “Katie”. This little girl was walking along her mother’s side and stopped abruptly to pick-up a penny on the sidewalk. She said: “Mommy, with this penny, I want to feed the poor children.” That day, our little Katie was killed in an accident. Her mother wanted to keep her daughter’s memory and honor her by collecting pennies and giving them to a charity that would help feed and provide help to children in Dar Fur. Yes, this is a true story.

When I first read this story, I was touched by this little girl’s unselfishness to help children. Her words were an inspiration to her parents to get involved and honor her memory.

It brings to memory the role that God played by sending his son Jesus to be nailed on a cross for my sins and yours, so that we could make peace with Him. It was through his sacrifice that we have been reconciled from sin. It says in Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Because of our sin, we are separated from a holy relationship with God the Father. In Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”, it mentions a gift that is given to us when we come to the cross and ask forgiveness. This gift is eternal life. We are not only forgiven, but have eternal life. Isn’t it wonderful!

God provided a way for us to be forgiven when Jesus, who was without sin, took our punishment on Himself at the cross. But if you are wondering how this all parallels to our story about Katie, it’s simple. Her death made a difference to others, likewise Jesus makes a difference in our lives when we accept Him to be Lord and as Christians we commit to live in obedience to his word. He is our inspiration.

It’s not enough to know about Christ intellectually, we must put our trust in Him, to be Lord of our lives. Then we will be reconciled with God. The death of Jesus was not in vain, because it brought hope to mankind and continues to change people’s lives. Katie’s story inspired her parents, because it was Jesus that was in their daughter’s heart and only Him can bring that kind of hope to mankind. The same hope that was given to Katie and shared with others is the one being offered to you. BELIEVE!

Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

IS YOUR SEED IN GOOD SOIL?

Jesus told a parable about a farmer who went out to sow his seed:
“As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path: it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rocks, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

Jesus explained this parable to his disciples as follows:
“The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.
The seed that fell among thorns, stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”( Luke 8:1-8)

As I read this passage from Luke, it clearly speaks to the listeners, those who hear the word of God. They may be hearing God’s message at church, on television, read it, or even study it; but because of the cares of life they don’t grasp it in depth. It is like building a castle on sand. When the waves touch the sand, the castle disappears. Many worry about their finances, how much money they can make on the stock market; others worry about paying bills, and the mortgage payment on their house. All are legitimate concerns, but Jesus tells us to be calm, not to be anxious about anything, but by prayer and supplication he tells us to bring our request to the Father. (Ephesians 4:6)
He adds, “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”(Ephesians 4:19)

Remember the story of Mary and Martha? (Luke 10:39-42, John 11:1-44, and John 12:1-11). The Bible tells us little about these two different personalities. But from this brief account we learn how life was in their house in Bethany-and what life is often for us. Mary was the calm one, the one who didn’t care about what went on in her surroundings, immovable from the spot where she was, hearing Jesus speak. Martha was the opposite. She was more concerned about the chores that needed to be done. Making sure the house was clean, the cooking done, the chairs and table arranged. Sounds familiar? This is not to say one is right and the other is wrong. We are all different, and that is just as God made us to be. When Jesus corrected Martha, he didn’t say, “Why can’t you be more like your sister, Mary?” he knew Martha would never be Mary, and Mary would never be Martha. But when the two were faced with the same choice-to work or to worship-Jesus said, “Mary has chosen the better part.”

You see Mary’s seed was planted in good soil. She had a heart that was in the right place. To me, the choice was available to both Mary and Martha. And it’s available to each one of us, regardless of our personality. It may have been easier for Mary because of the mellow nature she displayed, while Martha was caught up in the “dos” of the day. Jesus was our supreme example. He was never in a hurry. He knew who he was and where he was going. He wasn’t held hostage to the world’s demands.

Today, many have lost that intimacy that Jesus invites us to share. Just as he welcomed Mary to sit at his feet in the living room, and as he invited Martha to come, leave the kitchen for a while and share the blessings. In obedience to Christ’s invitation for you, you’ll find the secret to living beyond the pressures that would tear you apart and take away God’s word. When the seed is planted in your heart, then you’ll begin to grow in faith and trust. You’ll begin to have a change only when you spend time at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus was that farmer that spread the seed (his word), but how it grows in our hearts depends on how we use our time to be one on one with Him. LET IT BE IN GOOD SOIL!

Friday, February 8, 2008

NO COMPROMISE

A Weekly Devotional
NO COMPROMISE
by Vanessa
God does not want us to compromise according to the Holy Scriptures. He wants those who have been saved to live by biblical standards and not the standards of the world. By this I mean, following the truths of Jesus and his teaching. Jesus came to give us life and to have it in abundance (John 10:10). When we accept Christ as our savior, his righteousness comes to dwell in us, we are cleansed from sin. There is no room for sinfulness because our flesh is in a battle with our spirit. We yield to God’s word and it strengthens us each day to overcome the desires and temptations that come before us. Our friends and families that don’t have Christ begin to see this change. They say we are different. They see in us the peace, confidence and power of the spirit, because we continue to feast ourselves in God’s word and in prayer.

If we are new believers, the test of our faith becomes more prominent. And if we are not careful, that is, if we are not seeking God’s holy word everyday and praying everyday, we can stumble. Just like a newborn needs feeding and instruction to grow in learning right from wrong, the new believer needs God’s word (the Bible). In John 14:7 we find Jesus saying to his disciples that he is.." the way, the truth and the life…" Therefore, if we have any doubts about which way to go, or where we can find the truth- it is in Jesus. Your conviction in Jesus and his standard of living is the Truth. There is no compromise when it comes to having a different way of life.

When you compromise to sin, you are asked to do something that’s all not really bad till the next time. Take for instance, the believer who goes into a store and looks around making sure no one sees and gets a lotto ticket, fills it out and with his eyes down gives it to the cashier. The next time he comes back he is a little boulder until the next time he goes straight to the cashier and looks him in the eye. What has happened? The person has become resistant to the holy spirit. They have become sensitized by sin and are not listening to God’s word. In Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” God tells us that he will take care of our needs if we ask. It seems simple, but it is that simple. We need to trust God and wait on his answer, because he knows when it is the right time and day for Him to fulfill your request. Nothing is impossible for him, no matter how difficult it may seem in our eyes. Our God is an awesome God! Keep this verse in mind found in Jeremiah 29:11 “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.” Post it on your refrigerator, keep it in your wallet. BELIEVE IT, TRUST IN HIM, HE IS FAITHFUL!