Thought For The Day

Everyone one of us in the Lord, will have to deal with offences. Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of offences! For offences must come, but woe to that man by whom the offence comes! Offence: a resentment, feeling hurt or angry for something that was done to you. An insult or a crime. Offended people become self-righteous, they become judgmental, fear drives them. They start out displeased, then they become resentful, then bitterness sets in and they act upon that bitterness. Their priorities become wrong when they hold bitterness in their heart.   Confusion will set in. James 3:13-16 (Heavenly wisdom verses demonic) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in meekness and wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, c...

Do you understand that it is because of God's goodness that we have a desire to repent, knowing that Father loves us. God's judgment on the unworthy, ungodly things going on. Romans 2: 3-4 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and do the same , that you will escape the judgment of God. Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads to repentance? There is a difference between, remorse, guilt and regret, they are not repentance. Being remorseful only produces sorrow,  it keeps you feeling guilty and ashamed. We can have regret and feel bad, but still that is not repentance. True repentance demands change in heart and actions. With you depending on the Holy Spirit to help you, He will make lasting change. True change of heart is all the Holy Spirit will need to work in you. We can have remorse for something we have done, and feel sorry, bu...

We have the righteousness of Christ in our life. That counts for everything. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags, counts for nothing. Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned through the one, (that was Adam) much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. There are great benefits for believers in Jesus and those that follow Him.  He gave us His righteousness as a gift, along with the grace of God. (Psalm 103:1-5) Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. So many in the Christian world struggle to become righteous, but God has already given us His righteousness. Why would we try to add to that fact. Since righteousness is an attribute of God, it entails His faithfulness and truthfulness. Attributes  that we are to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our new nature in Jesus Christ....

The word peace, shalom, means: rest and contentment, wholeness, harmonized relationship with God and man, undisturbed. Jesus is our peace. Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace , who has made both one, and has broken down the wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two , thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (Jew and Gentile are made one in Christ Jesus) We are not going to find real peace in this world. Jesus gave us His peace. John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." In Isaiah 9:6 (the Trinity is listed there ) Jesus is called the Prince of Peace . Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace . whose mind is sta...

Funny how we tend to think we have to fix ourselves, we do have to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, but God does the lasting work. Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for all of you with joy., for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is the Lord working in us, He knows we are but flesh and need Him to complete us in everyway to reflect His love and nature. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit has begun the work in us, He said He will complete it.   So don't be so hard on yourself when you fail, get up and keep going forward in the Lord. He is working  in us,  as long as we will yield our will to His, we will continue to progress. Make it easy on yourself, remember it is the Holy Spirit's job to bring you to completion. Spiritually speaking, we...

Good works are admirable, but what is the motive behind them. Motive: being that inward drive, impulse, that causes one to act.  Is it to look good to people, so we can feed our ego, or is our heart motive to please our Lord and obey His word? Its our heart that Jesus is interested in.   Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to make the changes that will make us more like Jesus, So that we will have a Jesus heart? 1Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him,  For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Someone may appear to be serving the Lord, but in their heart they may be serving themselves, trying to promote themselves, when promotion only comes from the Lord. They are feeding their own ego. Trying to prove something that just is not reality in their heart. Edging God Out . That's what ego d...

God will always have a remnant of believers who will remain faithful, especially under pressure. Remember what the Lord said to Elijah? When he thought he was the only one left after the Jezebel assault on Israel. Elijah the great prophet ran in fear from the words that Jezebel had spoken about his demise . He ran into a cave only to have God confront him 1Kings 19: 11-18 Then He said, Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rock in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind ; and after the wind an earthquake , but the Lord was not in the earthquake ; and after the earthquake a fire , but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, What are you doing here Elijah?" And he said...

The very thing that the devil used against you, God will use to promote you, unless you hold onto bitterness. We often times ask ourselves, how did I get into this mess? Not understanding that the enemy was used to bring about your promotion. The devil has to play Father may I. Just like with Simon Peter when Jesus said, Satan has desired to sift you. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. When we are sifting flour, we do it to reveal anything that does not belong in our flour. Fear, doubt and unbelief, were deep in the heart of Simon Peter, it had to be revealed so that he could be the great leader God was making of him. If you are in a trial now, know that greater blessings are ahead of you as soon as you come out of that mess. Have you ever considered that all the devil was doing to Jesus was planned all along, it was the will of God in order to provide for your salvation? Forgive...

There are a lot of new doctrines out there, some are making provision for sinful flesh. The same lies of the devil to cause confusion and uncertainty. (Has God said) Yes, we all will fail at times, but it should grieve our heart, that we followed our own desires, instead of the Spirit of the Lord. Real repentance starts with a grieving heart, you are sorry, and even though we have forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ, we need to repent, turn completely around and change our direction, and ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen that weak area in our life. Repentance calls for a change of heart and mind. God loves us, He does not want us to feel guilty and sad and miserable, close that door to the enemy, repent and move on, and thank God for the precious blood of Jesus, His forgiveness and peace. Compromise seems to be the teaching of today in some churches. That is so sad as it only will open the door to confusion. Mainline denominations ar...

We hear  many in the media, telling us what we should eat and what we should avoid eating. Funny how each one has a different message, but it all sells books and cd's. Like I told a lady in the grocery store, pray over it and eat it. It gives us an opportunity to share Jesus any way we can. According to 1Timothy 4:4-5 For every creature of God is good , and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. What if someone asks you to come to dinner and you do not like the food?  Pray over and eat it or else you insult your friend. When your focus is on only food, and as you know, food can become an idol in our life, then our focus certainly is not on Jesus and the word He spoke to us about our food. We all want to eat healthy so we can finish our race of faith. However we have God's word to digest that tell us how to stay healthy. Proverbs 4: 20-22 My son, give attention to my words;  incl...

So many of God's children are walking around with guilt in their hearts, that they just are not doing enough to please God. He is already pleased with us, because of Jesus. He has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing. With all our busyness for the Lord, some believe they are gaining brownie points with the Lord the more hours they put in. We don't do works to please God, we do works because we love God, and its part of our new nature. If I never do another thing in the kingdom of God, God will still love me and bless me, because I am His. Jesus gives you rest. If Jesus sees us complete in Him, shouldn't that give a peace and rest in our soul? Colossians 2:6-10 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men , a...

So many people believe that they can only meet with God at churches or special meetings. Do not forget that Peter and Andrew found God on the seashore. Not in the temple. Jesus meets with us where He finds us. Matthew 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."   They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Blind Bartimaeus, was along the roadside. When Jesus came by. Jacob was in a country place, when He met God. The woman at the well, I could go on and on. Some will have an encounter with the Lord, in a home, or church, or in the country where it is quiet, or in their car as they pray.  Don't limit Jesus to where He must be to meet with you.  He is everywhere, and He will be in some of the most unusual places. I can surely attest to that. I h...

Every believer in Jesus Christ, should spend some quality time reading just the words Jesus has spoken. John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words  that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life. Mark 1:14 The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, Repent (change your mind and actions), and believe in the gospel. (The good news that your sins are forgiven) Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 7:24-25 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them , I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the Rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; it did not fall , for it was founded on the Rock. Refresh yourselves o...

God's love reaches the far corners of the earth, in order  to reach those who have never heard of Him and His love. His love, hand picks out of society a person to go to places unknown, to share God's love to the lost. God saves! When we are upset or don't know what to do.  God quiets our soul with His love. Zephaniah 3:17 (An old song we use to sing at church) The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save , He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love , He will rejoice over you with singing." 1. He saves 2. He rejoices  over you with gladness 3. He sings over us. 4. His love strengthens us 5. His love heals us (Psalm 103:1-5) What great devotion the Lord has for His children. Psalm 42:8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me. Have you ever thought that a song is a prayer to God? As we praise our Lord in song, we are communicating to Him, just ...

One thing is for sure, Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever. He has not changed! The power of God is in you, if you love and are following Jesus. He hasn't changed, but some in the church are so wrapped up in themselves, that they have no power to fight the good fight of faith. Self is sitting on the throne. Some are returning to the world and all it has to offer.  I feel so sorry for them, they will miss the greatest event to come to the earth. No oil in their lamps! The word says, for those that are looking for Him will He appear a second time. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.  To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Like in the days of Habakkuk the prophet. Judah and Jerusalem were completely backslidden. They were into materialism, and selfish pursuits. God warned them, Habakkuk 1:5 "Look among the nations and watch- Be utterly astou...

I have heard some preachers on Christian TV,  say that it is not their calling to witness. That their calling is to only teach. (Wrong!!) We are all called to be God's witnesses, pointing people to Jesus. Our entire lifestyle should be a witness to those outside of the faith.  They should see a difference in us. Psalm 66:16 Come and hear , all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul. Romans 10: 14 How then shall they call on  Him whom they have nor believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? For it is written, " How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things !" The word Gospel, means : Good News! Everyone has a story, from where you were before you received the Lord, to where He has brought you to, today. Sometimes just a few of the rig...

Sometimes we wear ourselves out trying to fight battles that the Lord does not intend for us to fight in. Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." There are times we take on battles that just do not belong to us. We think we are doing the right thing, but many times we are going ahead of God, and we tie His hands in the situation. Only when we let go and say "Lord, this is too much for me," then the Lord will come in and deliver. Nehemiah 4:20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there.  Our God will fight for us. When we try to handle things in our natural mindset, it will cause there to be strife and disagreements. Pride enters in. James 4:1-3 Where do wars and fights come from among you?  Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have.  You murder and covet and cannot obtain.  You fight and war.  Yet you do not have because you d...

Have you ever thought about how many times Jesus has breathed resurrection life back into you? When we feel like we cannot go on any further, that resurrection life comes and breaths on us. We don't know how we gained a new perspective and strength and hope once again, but there it is. God breathed. It is the divine CPR.  only Jesus can perform this for us. We feel like we are down for the count, but here comes the divine CPR, helping us breathe normally once again. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life,  He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?" Then Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave after being there 4 days. Why four days, because the Jews believed that your spirit would leave the earth after 3 days.  Jesus made certain that they knew Lazarus was dead and gone. I love the part where Jesus tells the people to un...

Have you ever had someone ask you what is love? Not the worlds definition of love, but God's definition of Love. L is for life and laughter along the way. O is for optimism that God give us everyday. V is for Victory we have in the Jesus Christ our Lord. E is for eternity and a love that has no end. John 3:16 (Amplified bible) For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He (even) gave up His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish- come to destruction, be lost--but have everlasting life. Father God is a great giver, we too, are to be great givers. He has given us so much, The very breath in our body, and the air we breathe. Take a good look at how your body has been made. It is so uniquely put together, it is a wonder in itself. Love did that for us. Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to...