Devotion for the week of July 24, 2011

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25 NKJV)

God desires that we live in His Spirit. We must eat, breathe, and move in Him. When we do, things work out. When we don't, we are on our own.

God promises us peace, truth, joy, freedom, righteousness, life, and victory over the flesh in His Spirit. That's a great package. It's everything we need.

Walking in His Spirit involves a conscious decision to acknowledge Him in everything we do. His Spirit does the work, all we do is receive Him.

Father I receive your Spirit in my life today. May, I walk in close communion with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.


-Come Lord Jesus Come

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the lord with all your heart and acknowledge Him in all of your ways, because He is cooler than you and still hangs out with you.

When life punches you in the face

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Some say that life throws curve balls. I guess that's true. But, life punches me in the face. Punches hurt when you're expecting them. But, they really hurt when you get caught off guard. So what can we do?

1) Remember that God is not surprised.

Just because we are caught off guard, doesn't mean He is. Sometimes, He warns us of coming trouble, and sometimes He doesn't. Either way, He knew it was going to happen and He is in control.

2) Use your faith not your eyes.

A punch in the nose makes your eyes sting and can make you blind. Life's punches act the same way. We get stunned and knocked off balance. Keep trusting God. It's your only option anyway.

3) If you fall, Get up.

A good punch in the face can knock you off your feet. Get up quick. Don't wallow in self pity or fear. Stand up as soon as you can. You may be to weak to fight, but you can always stand in your faith.

4) Let God take the next punch.

Don't fight back against people who hurt you. Let God handle them. He hits harder. Just continue trusting Him. Use God's strength and not your own.

5) Look towards the future.

It will get better, or it may get worse. Life will always have its ups and downs. But, all this is temporary. If you know and trust Jesus, you have an inheretience in heaven.

Please feel free to share this with someone who needs some encouragement.

God WANTS to bless you.

The Spirit's Mission

God's Voice Test

If God is really speaking today, then we should be able to recognize Him.

Not everyone who thinks God is talking to them is right. If they were, then God is bi-polar and a liar. And, He isn't. How can we tell if we are hearing God? How do we know that we aren't making stuff up, that we didn't eat some bad sausage, or that we aren't off our rockers?

Is there a test we can use?

1. God doesn't contradict Himself.

Everything that's in His Word should agree with whatever we think we are hearing. Use this simple test, "is this thought leading me to love God or people more?" If it is, you're OK. If not, junk those thoughts.

2. God doesn't waste words

God loves you, but He probably doesn't care if you wear a blue or green shirt. He will talk with you often, but He is not "chatty." He is God. He's not a 12 year old girl.

3. God is not weird.

Jesus is the clearest picture of God that we have. He wasn't a weirdo. He is naturally supernatural. We should be too.

4.We don't hear perfectly

Even biblical characters didn't always fully understand what God was saying to them. Paul was called to minister in Macedonia through a dream about a man. But, when he got there, he met a woman. Abagus prophesied that Paul would be bound and tied by the Jews, but the Romans bound him.

Practice Test

Let's see if you learned anything. Here are a few "possible" words from God.

1. Roger, you should rob a bank for My glory.

Answer: Not God. God has golden streets. He doesn't need you rob a bank or rip off a 711.

2. Sandra, lend that man $20. He needs it.

Answer: If you have $20, do it. If you're wrong in giving someone $20, you'll be OK. At least, you're being nice. If you keep your $20 and it was God, you'll both miss a blessing.

3. Hector, wear a bow-tie today.

Answer: If you normally wear bow-ties, go for it. If you are like the other 99.9% of the population who think bow-ties are for wierdos, don't do it. It's probably not God.

4. Tammy, divorce your husband and marry your brother.

Answer: This definitely isn't God. You need prayer, and you may need counseling.

5. Jerry, tell your waiter that Jesus loves him and remind him that God will workout every troubling situation in his life.

Answer: Likely God. God loves your waiter. God can workout everything in his life. Go for it. Take a chance and share your faith.

6. Mike, tell your waitress that God loves her instead of leaving a tip. Jesus' love is what she really needs.

Answer: Probably, Not God. You're a cheapskate looking for a way to save a few bucks. Tell her God loves her and tip her 20%.

7. Jan, dance around your neighborhood with a large sword while shouting, "I am a knight in Jesus' army!"

Answer: Please don't do this. Chances are this is not God, and you will be committed.

8. Kristin, you need to be kinder to your husband

Answer: If you are married and named Kristin, it's God.

9. Gary, leave your job and preach my word in Africa.

Answer: Maybe, God. Speak to some people you love and trust. Examine some missions agencies, make sure you aren't in debt, and ask for confirmation. God says things like this, but make sure it's Him. And, wait for the right timing. Don't try to go preaching around Africa if you have unfinished business or obligations. Be a person of integrity. But, don't be afraid to go for it either.

10. I should share this post with my friends

Answer: Maybe God. Go for it and see what happens. Some people need to hear this


-Come Lord Jesus Come

Devotional for Sunday July 17, 2011

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And ado not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord (Eph 5:17-20 NKJV)

God's plan is that we are all filled with the Spirit. 'Be Filled' in verse 18 is in the plural case. It's like Paul said, "ya'all be filled." We are all to be filled with God. God's plan is that everyone of us is filled with Him.

It's not the responsibility of one man or woman to be full of God. It's the responsibility of every man and woman to be full of God.

God's not about a one man show. He is about Himself expressed in His people through His Spirit. Unity doesn't come from us trying to be One, but from all being filled with the One.

Father, help me to be full of God's presence today. May I overflow with Him. In Jesus, name Amen.

This is the Day that the Lord Hath made

Devotion for Thursday July 7, 2011

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (1 Thess 5:9-10 NKJV)

God's plan is simple. It's easy to understand because it has never changed. God's plan is that we "live together with Him."

The Garden of Eden was designed for God and Humanity's relationship. It was a place where Humans could interact with the Divine. Our sin brought some challenges. We messed things up. But in Jesus, He fixed it all.

God's plan isn't for some far off distant spiritual existence with Him. Yes, He wants a future relationship with us. But it is supposed to begin here and now.


Father, I want to walk in your plans for me. I want to walk in relationship with you. Help me to realize you are near me always, and that Jesus makes the way for us relate to each other. In Jesus name, Amen.

-Come Lord Jesus Come

Devotion for Tuesday July 5, 2011

We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. (Hebrews 8:1-2 NKJV)

A priest is a mediator between the human and the divine. We have a very capable mediator in Jesus Christ. He is capable because is fully human and fully divine. He, alone, can mediate between us. He knows the frailty of our human reality, and He know the glory of the Divine Majesty.

He is able to bring us together with the Divine nature. Through Him, we have redemption and forgiveness. Through Him the divine enters our reality, and humanity can contact the heavenly.

Only the Heavenly One who came to earth could make our connection with God possible. Only Jesus unites us to the Divine.

Father, I thank you for Jesus the Christ. I thank you that you sent Him to restore that which was lost. He being fully God and Fully man makes the restoration of my relationship with God possible. May I walk in that relationship. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Devotion for Monday July 4th, 2011

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev 12:11 KJV) 

A Persian Christian was being threatened with torture and loss of  property. He could avoid it all if he would just worship the Sun once.  He refused and told his captors that, "Even the Sun mourned when its creator died on the cross."

Persecution against Christians is not new, and it hasn't stopped. Christianity is diametrically opposed to this world's systems.  You may suffer persecution, but Christ suffers with you. Persecution comes from living for and like Jesus, and it is an honor. Find your strength in Him.

"The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the church." Tertullian.


Father, may I live my life completely for you. When persecution comes, may I stand strong. May I recognize that you are with me. In Jesus Name, Amen.