"Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." 2 Corinthians 4:4
"When you are blinded, you cannot see things as they really are, even though others around you see them clearly. You cannot experience the full reality of all that is around you. You may feel you are experiencing all that there is to life, yet you may be unaware that you are missing what God desires for you. You may even be in danger because of your blindness and not know it.
Paul warned that the "god of this age" can blind you to the reality of Jesus Christ. Christ's presence can make a significant difference in your life. However, if Satan convinces you to doubt that Christ can do what He promised, he will have blinded you to the reality of what your life is really like and to what it could become. Others may see what your unbelief causes you to miss, but you will be unaware of it. Your life may be steadily moving toward disaster, but you will be oblivious to it.
Christ comes to you as light (John 1:4-5, 9). He illuminates your sin so that you see its ugliness and destructiveness. He reveals Himself so that you can appreciate the glory of His person and the marvelous riches He brings. His presence lights your path so that you can see impending danger. Don't let the god of this age distort your spiritual vision. Don't be fooled into thinking that everything is as it should be when, in fact, you are missing out on so much that God wants to do in your life. Ask Christ to illuminate your life and let you clearly see your spiritual condition."
Experiencing God Day by Day, Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Devotional ~ Is There Someone You Need to Forgive?
"Forgiving one another...even as Christ forgave you." Colossians 3:13
"The greatest power you have over anyone who hurts you is the power of forgiveness. When you say, "I forgive, and no longer hold it against you," both sides are set free from the negative bond that exists between you. But there's more: we also free ourselves from the burden of being the "offended one." As long as we don't forgive those who've wounded us we take them with us, or worse, carry them like an albatross around our neck. One of our great temptations is to cling in anger to our enemies, then define ourselves as being wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, not only liberates the other party, it liberates us too! It's the way to true freedom. Now, forgiving doesn't always mean forgetting. Though we forgive somebody, the memory of what they did might stay with us a long time. We can carry it in our emotions as a scar, or even in our bodies as a physical sign. But forgiveness changes how we remember. It turns the curse into a blessing. When we forgive our parents for their divorce, our children for their lack of love, our friends for their unfaithfulness in times of need, our counselors for their bad advice, or our boss for treating us unfairly, we no longer have to experience ourselves as the victims of events over which we have no control. Forgiveness allows us to take back our power and not let the events embitter, limit, or destroy us. Is there someone you need to forgive?"
Devotional - June 5, 2010
"The greatest power you have over anyone who hurts you is the power of forgiveness. When you say, "I forgive, and no longer hold it against you," both sides are set free from the negative bond that exists between you. But there's more: we also free ourselves from the burden of being the "offended one." As long as we don't forgive those who've wounded us we take them with us, or worse, carry them like an albatross around our neck. One of our great temptations is to cling in anger to our enemies, then define ourselves as being wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, not only liberates the other party, it liberates us too! It's the way to true freedom. Now, forgiving doesn't always mean forgetting. Though we forgive somebody, the memory of what they did might stay with us a long time. We can carry it in our emotions as a scar, or even in our bodies as a physical sign. But forgiveness changes how we remember. It turns the curse into a blessing. When we forgive our parents for their divorce, our children for their lack of love, our friends for their unfaithfulness in times of need, our counselors for their bad advice, or our boss for treating us unfairly, we no longer have to experience ourselves as the victims of events over which we have no control. Forgiveness allows us to take back our power and not let the events embitter, limit, or destroy us. Is there someone you need to forgive?"
Devotional - June 5, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Devotional ~ You Have the Power, Use It!
"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." Acts 1:8
"When Ray and Dorothy Buker went to Burma in 1926, there were other missionaries there. These missionaries had established their own banking system and afternoon tea routine, complete with trained butlers - none of which fit Buker's concept of preaching the gospel. A former Olympian, accustomed to hardship, he wanted to go where others wouldn't, and that brought him north into China. When his wife suffered a nervous breakdown and help wasn't available, Buker prayed, read to her, and nursed her back to health. During WWII he fled for his life from the Japanese army, and when he died at ninety-two he left a legacy of souls won to Christ. Where did Buker get his grit and tenacity? Jesus said, "When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to preach with great effect." During the early days of computers, when the power went out, if you hadn't saved your work you lost it. Now an uniterruptible power supply (UPS) stops that from happening. God never intended us to operate on the world's system, His Spirit gives us: (1) Power to choose. By keeping us "established...[strong in...purpose]...having control over [our]...will and desire" (1 Co 7:37 AMP). (2) Power to endure. Handling trials with grace proves "our...power is from God...not from ourselves" (2 Co 4:7 NLT). (3) Power to overcome. "We are weak...but..we...live...by the power of God" (2 Co 13:4 RSV). (4) Power to minister. "According to the...working of his power" (Eph 3:7 RSV). (5) Power to witness. "For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power" (1 Co 4:20 RSV). You have the power, use it!"
From my devotional, 6-29-10
"When Ray and Dorothy Buker went to Burma in 1926, there were other missionaries there. These missionaries had established their own banking system and afternoon tea routine, complete with trained butlers - none of which fit Buker's concept of preaching the gospel. A former Olympian, accustomed to hardship, he wanted to go where others wouldn't, and that brought him north into China. When his wife suffered a nervous breakdown and help wasn't available, Buker prayed, read to her, and nursed her back to health. During WWII he fled for his life from the Japanese army, and when he died at ninety-two he left a legacy of souls won to Christ. Where did Buker get his grit and tenacity? Jesus said, "When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to preach with great effect." During the early days of computers, when the power went out, if you hadn't saved your work you lost it. Now an uniterruptible power supply (UPS) stops that from happening. God never intended us to operate on the world's system, His Spirit gives us: (1) Power to choose. By keeping us "established...[strong in...purpose]...having control over [our]...will and desire" (1 Co 7:37 AMP). (2) Power to endure. Handling trials with grace proves "our...power is from God...not from ourselves" (2 Co 4:7 NLT). (3) Power to overcome. "We are weak...but..we...live...by the power of God" (2 Co 13:4 RSV). (4) Power to minister. "According to the...working of his power" (Eph 3:7 RSV). (5) Power to witness. "For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power" (1 Co 4:20 RSV). You have the power, use it!"
From my devotional, 6-29-10
Monday, June 21, 2010
Devotional ~ Stumbling Blocks
"Take the stumbling block out of the way." Isaiah 57:14
"To fulfill your God-given purpose in life you must confront your defects of character, see them as stumbling blocks and begin to remove them. Here are six of the most common ones:
(1) Pride. Spiritual pride, social pride - God hates all forms of pride. His Word says, "With humility...regard one another as more important than yourselves" (Php 2:3 NAS). Pride toppled Satan from the number two position in heaven, and it will topple you too if you let it.
(2) Insecurity. Insecure people aren't willing to take risks. They complain about their lot in life; yet they're afraid to embrace change and do something about it. They prefer to remain comfortable. What's the solution? Stepping out in faith, being confident in God!
(3) Moodiness. Moody people are like the wind, you don't know which way they'll blow. You can't depend on them. Confidence is never built on a person who's fickle.
(4) Perfectionism. Perfectionism is the obsessive need to perform flawlessly. It stifles your creativity, and turns others off. Perfectionists can't affirm themselves, therefore it's difficult for them to affirm anybody else.
(5) Over-sensitivity. Over-sensitive people are always licking their wounds and looking inward; as a result they're unaware of the needs of others. Ironically, they never understand why they're so lonely.
(6) Negativity. Negative people are hard to be around. Their personality says no to life in general, and folks tend to avoid them like the plague.
Do you recognize any of these stumbling blocks in your life? If so pray, ask God for help, and go to work removing them."
Numbers 2, 3, 4...OUCH! Lord, please help me, refine me, change me that I may follow You unhindered.
"To fulfill your God-given purpose in life you must confront your defects of character, see them as stumbling blocks and begin to remove them. Here are six of the most common ones:
(1) Pride. Spiritual pride, social pride - God hates all forms of pride. His Word says, "With humility...regard one another as more important than yourselves" (Php 2:3 NAS). Pride toppled Satan from the number two position in heaven, and it will topple you too if you let it.
(2) Insecurity. Insecure people aren't willing to take risks. They complain about their lot in life; yet they're afraid to embrace change and do something about it. They prefer to remain comfortable. What's the solution? Stepping out in faith, being confident in God!
(3) Moodiness. Moody people are like the wind, you don't know which way they'll blow. You can't depend on them. Confidence is never built on a person who's fickle.
(4) Perfectionism. Perfectionism is the obsessive need to perform flawlessly. It stifles your creativity, and turns others off. Perfectionists can't affirm themselves, therefore it's difficult for them to affirm anybody else.
(5) Over-sensitivity. Over-sensitive people are always licking their wounds and looking inward; as a result they're unaware of the needs of others. Ironically, they never understand why they're so lonely.
(6) Negativity. Negative people are hard to be around. Their personality says no to life in general, and folks tend to avoid them like the plague.
Do you recognize any of these stumbling blocks in your life? If so pray, ask God for help, and go to work removing them."
Numbers 2, 3, 4...OUCH! Lord, please help me, refine me, change me that I may follow You unhindered.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Learn To Value Others
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31
"Here are two things we should never do: (1) Expect to feel fully at home in this world because "we are citizens of heaven" (Phil. 3:20). (2) Become so heavenly minded that we are no earthly use. The "salt' and "light" principles Jesus taught call for us to influence and illuminate others for good and for God. That means taking responsibility to do things better at home, on the job, and in all our dealings. If the only people you show genuine care for are in your church, your salt isn't flavoring and your light isn't dispelling darkness. Christ's command to "Love your neighbor" includes the less-than-loveable. And you only love others when you add value to their lives! You ask, "How do I do that?"
(1) By truly valuing them. That calls for believing in them before they believe in you, serving them before they serve you, loving them before they love you, and giving to them without expecting anything in return.
(2) By making yourself more valuable. But you can't give what you don't have. So you must earn and grow, in order to give and guide.
(3) By knowing what they value. What happens when you're interested only in your own agenda? You know very little about the people around you. Make others' priorities, your priorities. Ask to hear their stories. Discover their hopes and dreams. Make their success part of your mission.
(4) By doing things that God values. When your life is done, what will you have lived for? Eventually everything on earth will turn to dust - including you! So give yourself to things that will last beyond your lifetime."
This was from my devotional this morning, and I was greatly challenged by it. Actually I would have to say I am in a very challenging season in my life right now. The Lord is revealing many areas in my heart that are not right, are selfish, critical, and are generally NOT like Him. I have seen many ways in which the decisions and actions that I have taken over the last few years were more focused on ME, rather than on God. I praise the Lord that He has led me to a place where I am solely dependent upon Him, so that I could finally hear and see these things that He is showing me now, as I desperately want to be like Him, and I don't want to make the same mistakes as He leads me down these different and unfamiliar paths. But I am a little overwhelmed by seeing the critical spirit that I have, and the decisions I have made that were not truly loving of others. I certainly have not been fulfilling 1 Corinthians 13. I thank God that He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love and kindness, and faithful in revealing at exactly the right time the things of which we need to repent and surrender to Him, that He may lovingly discipline and prune us that we might bear much fruit. It hurts...but I trust God and His word and believe that it will "yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness" in due season. Thank you, Lord.
"Here are two things we should never do: (1) Expect to feel fully at home in this world because "we are citizens of heaven" (Phil. 3:20). (2) Become so heavenly minded that we are no earthly use. The "salt' and "light" principles Jesus taught call for us to influence and illuminate others for good and for God. That means taking responsibility to do things better at home, on the job, and in all our dealings. If the only people you show genuine care for are in your church, your salt isn't flavoring and your light isn't dispelling darkness. Christ's command to "Love your neighbor" includes the less-than-loveable. And you only love others when you add value to their lives! You ask, "How do I do that?"
(1) By truly valuing them. That calls for believing in them before they believe in you, serving them before they serve you, loving them before they love you, and giving to them without expecting anything in return.
(2) By making yourself more valuable. But you can't give what you don't have. So you must earn and grow, in order to give and guide.
(3) By knowing what they value. What happens when you're interested only in your own agenda? You know very little about the people around you. Make others' priorities, your priorities. Ask to hear their stories. Discover their hopes and dreams. Make their success part of your mission.
(4) By doing things that God values. When your life is done, what will you have lived for? Eventually everything on earth will turn to dust - including you! So give yourself to things that will last beyond your lifetime."
This was from my devotional this morning, and I was greatly challenged by it. Actually I would have to say I am in a very challenging season in my life right now. The Lord is revealing many areas in my heart that are not right, are selfish, critical, and are generally NOT like Him. I have seen many ways in which the decisions and actions that I have taken over the last few years were more focused on ME, rather than on God. I praise the Lord that He has led me to a place where I am solely dependent upon Him, so that I could finally hear and see these things that He is showing me now, as I desperately want to be like Him, and I don't want to make the same mistakes as He leads me down these different and unfamiliar paths. But I am a little overwhelmed by seeing the critical spirit that I have, and the decisions I have made that were not truly loving of others. I certainly have not been fulfilling 1 Corinthians 13. I thank God that He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love and kindness, and faithful in revealing at exactly the right time the things of which we need to repent and surrender to Him, that He may lovingly discipline and prune us that we might bear much fruit. It hurts...but I trust God and His word and believe that it will "yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness" in due season. Thank you, Lord.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Observation
It is much easier to conform to some external code of righteousness than it is to allow the Holy Spirit to lay bare and purify the sins of the heart.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Having roots in ourselves
"Strong consolation is that which is not dependent upon the excitement of public services and Christian fellowship. We feel very happy on a Sunday here when we almost sing ourselves away to everlasting bliss, and when the sweet name of Jesus is like ointment poured forth, so that the virgins love it. But when you are in colder regions, how is it? Perhaps you are called to emigrate, or go into the country to a barren ministry where there is nothing to feed the soul. Ah, then, if you have not good ground for your soul to grow in, what will ye do? Those poor flowers which depend altogether upon being watered, how soon they fade if they are forgotten for a little while!
May we have root in ourselves and drink of the dew of heaven, and be like the “tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, whose leaf also shall not wither.” This is to have strong consolation. Ministries are blessed, but oh! we must live on surer bread than ministries if we would have the highest form of life. We must use the means so long as God gives us the means, but we must have a spiritual life that could live even if means were denied us, in fact, a grace that would become the fountain of the means of grace to others if we were banished to any distant land. May we have such a consolation."
Charles H. Spurgeon, from a sermon entitled "Strong Consolation," delivered September 26, 1869.
May we have root in ourselves and drink of the dew of heaven, and be like the “tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, whose leaf also shall not wither.” This is to have strong consolation. Ministries are blessed, but oh! we must live on surer bread than ministries if we would have the highest form of life. We must use the means so long as God gives us the means, but we must have a spiritual life that could live even if means were denied us, in fact, a grace that would become the fountain of the means of grace to others if we were banished to any distant land. May we have such a consolation."
Charles H. Spurgeon, from a sermon entitled "Strong Consolation," delivered September 26, 1869.
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