God's Blessing

Ready for God's Blessing

 

Today’s Verse Comes from Hebrews 6:13-14

"When God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.'"

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Notes from Today’s Scriptures

God gave Abraham a clear guarantee: He promised to bless him "over and over again" and to "extensively increase" his numbers (Collins translation). Yet Abraham did not receive these abundant blessings instantly. He had to wait patiently.

There were times when he became impatient, when he even doubted God and concluded that He had forgotten about His promises. There were times when he felt he needed to take action on his own.

But God demonstrated in Abraham's life that He never forgets and that He always acts to fulfill His Word at the right time. When that time came for Abraham, he had been prepared. He had been tested and tried. Yes, he had made mistakes, but there was much that he had learned.

As the "father of faith," Abraham established a pattern that is true for all of us. In fact, God is ready to bless all of us "over and over again"-bringing extensive increase to every part of our lives.

We too can expect God to make sure we are prepared to receive these blessings. This means we will be tested and tried. We will need to be prepared to wait patiently, realizing that God's promises are true, even during times when we don't immediately see them come to pass.

As we wait, we must never be discouraged. Rather, we must continue to live by faith and believe God. We need to continue to serve Him and be faithful with our resources, being good stewards and Sowing Seeds from the time, talent, and treasure He's given us.

In your life, make sure that you continue to prove yourself faithful. Keep Sowing Seeds from everything He's given you. Stay persistent. You can trust God. Your Harvest of blessings will come!

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Prayer Father, thank You that Your promises are true for me! Thank You for promising to bless me over and over again. I trust in You for the Harvest I need. In Jesus' name Amen

 

Extended Reading Hebrews 6

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The Holy Spirit abides with you.

The Spirit's Presence

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Bible Verse of the Day Haggai 2:5

"As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst."

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Notes from the Scriptures

It was a time of celebration, but also a sobering time-a time to reflect and remember. As Jews returned to their homeland following years of exile, many pondered their past. They considered anew the land to which they were returning and the history of their people.

The thoughts of many turned to their new Temple, realizing that it could not compare with the glories of Solomon's Temple. They seemed to be filled with regrets and thoughts about the mistakes they had made, and the opportunities and blessings they had lost.

For all these exiles, Haggai delivered a message from God. He wanted to remind them that God's Spirit was "abiding in their midst." They may have had to live with the consequences of their actions, but He wanted them to know that He still was with them. And He did not want them to be afraid.

When we acknowledge the presence of God's Spirit, we realize that He is with us in every situation. Instead of being with us just as a critic or an observer, He actually is "abiding in our midst."

In a similar way, Jesus said that "the Spirit of truth...abides with you and will be in you" (John 14:17). His Spirit is with us, so we can know that we are not alone. Whatever we go through, He is with us and within us. We can call on Him at any time. We can rely on Him for wisdom and peace, direction and protection.

Today, in every situation you face, remember that God's Spirit is abiding with you. In fact, He is with you and in you right now. Draw on His strength. Seek His peace and wisdom. Call on Him to help you in every situation.

Prayer Father, thank You that Your Spirit is abiding with me right now. Help me to be still and hear His voice. Guide me. Give me wisdom and direction. I trust in You. In Jesus' name Amen

 

Extended Reading Haggai 2

Are You A Noisy Gong or A Beautiful Symphony ?

Aim for Love

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Bible Verse of the Day I Timothy 1:5

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

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Notes from the Scriptures

Have you ever lived next door to a musician? It can be a real treat at times when he or she is accomplished, but what about when said musician is, for instance, a lousy drummer who knows how to do nothing but pound?

We all understand that in the right context musicians gathering to play is lovely. A symphony, for example, can perform tremendously beautiful and resonating pieces. They each play their part, complimenting one another to form one cohesive sound.

But remember Paul’s warning to the Corinthians, that “if I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (I Corinthians 13:1)?

A Christian who misses that the “aim of our charge is love” is like someone pounding away at a cymbal, drowning out everything surrounding it. Realize then, that the body of Christ is meant to be a beautiful symphony, with everyone following the Conductor’s baton, playing in concert with one another, everyone’s sound harmonizing with the others.

What will the “aim of your charge” as love look and sound like?

Related Devotions:



1. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – Eros Love (Languages of Earth and of Angels)


2. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love: Displayed More Than Defined (What is Love)


3. John 15:12-13 – Agape Love ( The Language of Love)

You can look these devotions up by going to the Blog Archive just below the Followers.

Rules or Souls?

Shutting Off the Kingdom

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Bible Verse of the Day Matthew 23:13

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."

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Notes from the Scripture

Jesus knew the history of the scribes and Pharisees, their origins, and their passions. He knew that groups like these had developed after Judah was taken into exile in Babylon.

He understood that many Jews had been overwhelmed with regret because of the sins of their people, so they had determined to do whatever was possible to avoid repeating these same mistakes.

Groups like the scribes and Pharisees were to be commended for their commitment to God and for resisting compromise. But, over time, this commitment had become dominated by rigid rules.

These men smugly felt they were the protectors of Israel's purity, preserving their traditions and enforcing their personal understanding of the Law. They saw it as their duty to defend the Jews against anyone who threatened their national life.

But Jesus warned that something else had happened: They had become hypocrites and were blind to the implications of their beliefs and actions. They had "shut off the kingdom of heaven." In spite of all their study and analysis, they had not developed a personal relationship with God or a deepened compassion for others.

They had not entered the Kingdom themselves, and in fact, they had prevented others from entering. Today, many people are just like these scribes and Pharisees! They're more concerned with rules than Souls, and they're focused on their own traditions rather than on God's Kingdom.

What is the focus of your life? Are you seeking God's Kingdom or your own? Does your heart burn with compassion for Souls, or are you more interested in rules and rituals? Seek God and His Kingdom, and don't shut off His Kingdom from others.

Prayer Father, give me a heart of compassion for the least and the Lost. Forgive my sins and cleanse me of pride. Use me to impact others with the Gospel. In Jesus' name Amen

Extended Reading Matthew 23

Joy/ Heaven

Saturday & Sunday

Devotions

March 26th -27th 2011

Saturday the 26th

Peace and Joy

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Bible Verse of the Day Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, let us have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

And let us rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but let us also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

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Notes on the Scripture

 

One of the most perplexing issues in Christian thought is why a loving and all-powerful God allows His faithful children to suffer. I am not smart enough to answer it. Personally, I simply accept it: if God allowed Christ, who was perfect, to suffer such a terrible death prior to reaching His heavenly reward, who am I to ask for more lenient treatment?

In this passage, after reminding us that we will be saved through our faith in Christ, Paul asks us to rejoice in our sufferings. Our suffering builds character, just as the pain of physical exercise makes us physically stronger, or the task of studying makes us more learned.

We must learn to persevere, because the act of perseverance will lead to hope. In the mist of our sufferings we should look at it also as a teachable moment. What does God want us to learn from this? Do we depend on ourselves in difficult times, or do we lean on God?

What is God wanting to teach you in your suffering? Are you willing to learn?

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Sunday

March the 27th

Heaven

Revelation 7:9-17

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honor

and power and might

be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat;

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

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Notes on the Scripture

 

"Revelation" is generally known for its bizarre, surreal, and frightening imagery of the Day of Judgment.

Yet here we have one of the most beautiful and comforting poetic passages in the Bible. And with all of the “STUFF” that is happening around the world today this brings comfort.

I believe it’s important in these days to have a right relationship with Christ. He is coming back again and we need to be ready. I like to say, “I am Prayed Up, Packed Up, and Ready to Go Up!” Can you honestly say that?

Heaven is real, and so is Hell! One day you will end up in one or the other.

Have you made your choice?

Get in the Word

False Teachers

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Bible Verse of the Day 2 Peter 2:1

"False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves."

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WORDS OF MINISTRY

The Body of Christ will be infiltrated by false teachers. As Peter warned, this is inevitable. It is certain to happen. Peter wrote that these teachers will argue that we can decide for ourselves what is true. They will deny the "Master" and attack the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

They also will attack those who believe in one Master and Lord. How will they do this? They will "secretly introduce destructive heresies." In crafty ways, they will interject ideas to undermine and weaken the Christian faith.

These people are characterized by "greed." They desire power and influence, not truth. They may appear to be committed to God, while they're actually just seeking to gain personal advantages. They express their greed by attempting to "exploit you with false words." They want to change the way you think! But God knows what they're doing. He will judge them, just as He judged the angels "when they sinned."

Peter encourages us to remember that God also knows those who are faithful to Him. We can trust Him, for He "knows how to rescue the godly from temptation."As Peter stressed, we need to focus on doing what is right.

For God "preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness." He "rescued righteous Lot" and "saw and heard that righteous man" and "felt his righteous soul." In contrast, He knows how to "keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment."

Today, deceptive forces are at work in the world and even in the church. Make sure you aren't being deceived. Fill your life with God's Word, and use it as your standard and guide. Declare that Jesus is your Lord, and trust your life to Him each day.

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Prayer Father, help me to be alert to the presence of deception. Help me to stand strong in my commitment to Your truth. Keep me from compromise. In Jesus' name Amen

 

Extended Reading 2 Peter 2

Do You Believe?

A Life’s Work

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Bible Verse of the Day John 6:29

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

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WORDS OF MINISTRY

Have you ever had someone ask you what your life’s work is, or what type of work you would like to spend the rest of your life doing? That can be a difficult question, especially today, when the average worker will have had 10-14 jobs by the age of 38!

We quickly move from task to task, even job to job, and often times there is little sense of continuity. But even so, Jesus’ answer to the question, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” (John 6:28), is still the same in this age of rapid change: “believe in Him whom He has sent.”

So the primary, overarching work of our life is believing in Jesus Christ, and walking as He walked. That is our daily agenda. So no matter what job you find yourself in, you still have your life’s work at hand, believing in Him who was sent.

Is your view of Jesus high enough, realizing your life’s primary purpose is to believe and become more like Him daily? Do you Have a personal relationship with Him and believe in Him?

The Morality Trap

The Morality Trap

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Bible Verse of the Day Romans 8:29

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

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WORDS OF MINISTRY

Remember, if you will, the recounting of Jesus at the pool of Bethesda in John 5. He was among throngs of the sick, blind, and lame crowding around that pool during a Jewish holiday hoping for healing. When Jesus found a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years he told him, “Get up, take your bed, and walk and at once the man was healed; he took up his bed and walked” (John 5:8-9).

This miracle happened on the Sabbath, “so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed” (John 5:10). So rather than celebrate a miracle of God through Jesus, the Jews concerned themselves with a rigidly external morality with only the appearance of holiness.

We too can get caught in the “morality trap” today. We too easily focus only upon the behavior of ourselves or other individuals. And when we shift into consistent thinking of this nature our spiritual walk can be relegated to simple behavior modification where we put forth our effort into fulfilling a list of “do’s and don’ts”.

Rather than getting stuck in this cycle of hollow religion we ought to remember that we have been “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son”. In other words, we are meant to imitate Jesus, becoming more like him with every passing moment. When we focus and pattern our lives after Christ, genuine morality and good fruit will follow.

Do you get caught in the “morality trap”, simply following a list of religious do’s and don’ts, rather than imitating Jesus?

God’s Presence

Continue from March 11th and 12th

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 God’s Presence

Moses’ Prayer Part 4 –

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Bible Verse of the Day Exodus 33:15

And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.

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WORDS OF MINISTRY

Do you ever become more passionate about completing the task and accomplishing the mission than about knowing and experiencing Jesus? Maybe you worry more about checking off your Christian list of things to do than to feel the presence of God?

Moses realized that the Promise Land (and really any blessing from God) meant absolutely nothing without God’s presence. Moses only wanted the Promise Land if it was the byproduct of knowing and following God. The big danger for many of us is that having a great ministry or succeeding can be more important than, experiencing, and following Jesus.

Moses understood that the only thing that set him and the Hebrew people apart was the presence of God. Whether you are doing life and ministry in Atlanta, New Brunswick, Burlington, Mexico, Haiti or Japan, the only thing that sets you and the people you are ministering to apart is the presence of God.

In fact, we can have the most talented people, abundant resources, cutting edge strategy, and even be doing all the right things and without God’s presence it just won’t matter. It is only as God leads us and works through us that we can become the aroma of Jesus to the world around us (2 Corinthians 4).

It is only as we know, experience, and follow Jesus that we can make an eternal difference where God has placed us.

Do you really want to know and experience Jesus more than anything?



Humility

Moses’ Prayer Part 3 – Humility

Continue from March 11th & 12th

 

Bible Verse of the Day Exodus 33:13

Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”

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WORDS OF MINISTRY

As we reread Moses’ prayer today, we are struck with the humility with which Moses asks God to continue revealing His ways. If anyone had firsthand experience of watching God work, it was Moses. Here are a few examples:

-God speaks to him through a burning bush (Exodus 3).

-God uses Moses to prophesy 10 plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7-11).

-God works through Moses to split the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

-God gives Moses the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20).

-God speaks to Moses as a man speaks to a friend (Exodus 34:34).

Moses had seen God do some amazing miracles. Moses was the first person to read God’s law. Moses had an incredibly intimate knowledge of God… Yet he prays, “Please show me your ways.”

If Moses realized he had not arrived, then there’s a good chance we have not either. Throughout scripture and history the best leaders are those who posture themselves as life-long learners. Solid spiritual leaders continuously lead out of the overflow of what God is teaching them. As we pray, there should be a sense of humility in our prayers for guidance only God can give. Learn from Moses today the man considered to be one of the most humble (Number 12:3).

Is there sense of Humility in your prayers?

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Yes We Are....

Saturday March 19th /

Sunday's Devotion follows this Devotion 

Alive In Christ

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Read the Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-6

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

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WORDS OF MINISTRY:

The most important truth in all of Christianity is stated right here: We are made alive together with Christ. Notice that Paul says with Christ three times: We are made alive with Christ. We are raised up with Christ. We are made to sit with Him. He has come to live in us, and He has joined Himself to us, and we are one person with Him. That is the most important fact upon which to build all the rest of Christian faith and experience--this great, tremendous statement that we are made alive with Jesus Christ.

Do you remember how the Lord Himself taught that? He said I am the vine; you are the branches (John 15:5a). Can you tell where the branch ends and the vine starts? No. They are one plant, sharing one life together. So from here on our identity is no longer in Adam but it is in Christ. We are no longer just ordinary human beings. We are new creations, begun again, linked with the life of Jesus Christ.

Later in this letter Paul likens the church to a body, of which Christ is the head. Have you examined your body lately? Have you noticed that your fingers don't come off if you merely twist them a half-turn and pull? They are tied to the body, and they share the life of the body. They are not attached by any mechanical process, but rather they are an organic part. These figures are all given to us to show us the intimate way we are united to Jesus Christ, to tell us that He is our life.

So never think of yourself in any other way, because the whole work of the enemy is to get you to disbelieve that and to go back to thinking that you are just an ordinary individual, struggling on through life, trying to make it the best way you can, needing to mobilize all your human resources to try to get ahead of the other fellow and to achieve as much of the fulfillment of life as you can. Any time you believe that, you go right back to acting as you once did--back to the misery, back to the heartaches. You can escape that only when you come back again to this central truth--we are alive in Jesus Christ!

There is one final thing to notice here. These verbs are all in the past tense. This is something that has happened, not something that is going to happen. It has already occurred when you believed in Jesus Christ. You don't have to work toward it. It is not something that great saints achieve after years of effort. It is something that is already true, and every Christian has this experience. We were made alive in Jesus Christ. We cannot be the same again. Even if we try, we won't be able to. This is why I sometimes say to people who get discouraged with their Christian life, well, quit then, go back, and try not to be a Christian. See what will happen. They can't do it, and they know they can't, because they are new creatures, made alive in Jesus Christ.

 

Prayer: Father, thank You for this great truth. I pray that You would make plain to me that this is who I am and that I will never be able to handle life alright until I understand this.

Life Application: Experiential, the most important truth in all of Christianity is that we are: made alive in Christ. Considering this reality, have we discovered His life which is our life?

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SUNDAY

 

Sunday March 20th

 

Jesus Loves Even Me

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Today’s Text Comes From John 15:9

"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love."

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WORDS OF MINISTRY:

It was an evening service in June 1870. Philip Bliss joined the audience in Chicago, singing about loving Jesus. But as he sang, he asked himself this question: "Have I not been singing enough about my poor love for Jesus, and shall I not rather sing of His great love for me?"

That night, Bliss, who was born on this day in 1838, wrote a hymn, "Jesus Loves Even Me." In the morning, his wife announced, "Last night Mr. Bliss had a tune given to him." She instantly recognized its impact, saying she was unable to "get it out of my mind."

Bliss had written about divine love: "I am so glad that our Father in Heav'n tells of His love in the Book He has giv'n; wonderful things in the Bible I see, this is the dearest, that Jesus loves me." Bliss recognized that even if we wander away, Jesus still loves us.

It was love that brought Jesus "down my poor soul to redeem." And the Presence of the Holy Spirit constantly witnesses that "Jesus loves me." Just knowing this love enables us to "find sweetest rest." When we trust in Jesus, we know we are blessed. Satan flees "when I just tell him that Jesus loves me."

Envisioning what would happen when he saw Jesus face to face in eternity, Bliss wrote that this would be his song: "Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!"

Today, are you glad that Jesus loves you? He loves you just as you are, with all your faults and mistakes. Don't make it complicated! Confess that love. Receive that love. Let that love banish all fear and worry.

Allow Jesus' love to transform your life. And let that love inspire you to share His Gospel with others. Let them know that He loves them, too!

 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me. Thank You for coming to this earth to die for my sins. Open doors for me to share Your love with others. In Your name  Amen

Extended Reading John 15



 

We Have Choices

God Remembers

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Today’s Text Comes From 2 Kings 24:2-4

Then the LORD sent bands of Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Judah to destroy it, just as the LORD had promised through his prophets. These disasters happened to Judah because of the LORD’s command. He had decided to banish Judah from his presence because of the many sins of Manasseh, who had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood. The LORD would not forgive this.

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WORDS OF MINISTRY:

For generations, God's people had drifted further away from Him. They ignored His laws and disobeyed His commands, even embracing idolatry. Over and over, God tried to warn and correct them. He sent prophets to remind them of His Word.

For a time, the Lord continued to forgive them and grant them His mercy. But finally, the day came when they needed to face the consequences of their actions.

This happened when Jehoiakim was king of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army captured Jehoiakim and brought Judah into submission. God told them to cooperate, but when they ignored His Word, He sent bands of raiders against them. They needed to realize that His warnings were real...His Word was true...and their sins were so terrible that God "would not forgive."

The same principle is true in our lives. God wants us to know that He is a God of grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love, but He also is a God of law and justice. One of His unchangeable principles is that we Reap what we Sow (Galatians 6:7). We have choices about our words and actions, and in every area of life, we experience the consequences of our choices.

This is God's warning to each of us as individuals, and it's also His warning to nations. He always stands ready to forgive us, but He will not always shield us from the consequences of our actions.

Today, think about the Seeds you're Sowing in your life through your words and actions and what you do with your time and talent. You will Reap what you Sow. Make sure you are Sowing good Seed into Good Ground.

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Prayer

Father, help me to stay sensitive to Your truth. Show me what kinds of Seeds I'm Sowing with my words and deeds. I want to have a Harvest of blessings. In Jesus' name  Amen

Extended Reading 2 Kings 24

Our Motives

Knowledge vs. Experience

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The Bible Text of the Day is Luke 10:1-2

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to go. And He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

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WORDS OF MINISTRY:

We tend to give people a lot of Bible based theology, thoughtful philosophy, even helpful strategies for life, but this great wealth of information does not necessarily translate to a long-haul-life-change.

We all know plenty of Christians who know what the Bible says but who struggle to connect these truths to their daily lives and even more importantly to what God wants to do in and through them in the context of the real world. We can see from this passage that Jesus was not about knowing the right things; He was about experiencing them as well.

After teaching the disciples He sends them out to apply the knowledge they have learned of Jesus and His mission. We even see Jesus applying His teachings to specific experiences His disciples went through (Lk. 5:1-11, 27-31).

We must continually examine our motives for reading our Bibles, listening to sermons, reading bible devotions, or even discussing spiritual matters with friends. These things we learn should spur us to action and not just lay dormant in our minds.

The ideas of knowing Jesus, following Jesus, and being sent out by Jesus are indivisible- they are all part of the same stream.

His Name is ...

Wonderful

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Today’s Text Comes From: Judges 13:17-18

"Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, 'What is your name, so that when your words come to pass, we may honor you?' But the angel of the LORD said to him, 'Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?'"

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WORDS OF MINISTRY:

The angel appeared without warning. The wife of Manoah was stunned by his presence and his message. Sadly, she and her husband had been unable to have children. But the angel announced that she would give birth to a son. She told the news to Manoah, but he wanted to hear for himself.

In answer to his request, God sent the angel again. As before, he appeared only to Manoah's wife. She "ran quickly" (v. 10) to tell Manoah the angel had come again. Together, they went to see him. The angel told them prophecies about the son who would be born (Samson) and gave them special instructions for his life. Then Manoah asked what seemed like a simple question: "What is your name, so that when your words come to pass, we may honor you?" (v. 17)

The angel said that his name was "wonderful" (v. 18). The Hebrew word here means remarkable or incomprehensible. It's a word used only one other time in the Bible. Through this word, the angel was telling them that he was from another realm, a dimension incomprehensible to their human minds. He also was giving them a peek into spiritual reality, the dimension we can enter only with spiritual eyes.

In the New Testament we read, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). And Jesus taught, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life" (John 6:63).

Today, ask God to give you supernatural understanding to grasp this truth. Ask Him to open your eyes to see the spiritual dimension of life so you can walk in the Spirit.

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Prayer

Father, I seek to understand more about Your Kingdom. Give me greater understanding of the spiritual realm. Help me to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name Amen

Extended Reading Judges 13

Sowing Seeds

Patiently Waiting for the Harvest

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Today’s Text Comes from, James 5:7-9

"Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it...You too be patient; strengthen your hearts...Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged."

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WORDS OF MINISTRY

The farmer provided the perfect picture for James. He realized that followers of Jesus had much to learn from farmers, so he used this analogy to describe important attitudes and perspectives we need to have.

When we think about farmers, we realize they have a clear goal: to gain a rich Harvest, which James describes as "the precious produce of the soil." But farmers also understand that this takes time. They must be patient, remembering the principles of Sowing and Reaping.

 If farmers want an abundant Harvest, they need to Sow Seeds in the right season and let these Seeds grow for the right length of time. If they've been faithful and persistent, they will Reap a Harvest...but only at the right time.

As Believers, all of us need to be like farmers-Sowing Seeds with the time, talent, and treasure we've been given, and making sure that we Sow into good soil. If we don't immediately receive the blessings God has promised, we must not become impatient.

If we don't experience immediate answers to our prayers, we must not give up. Instead, we must continue to have faith and trust in God, remembering that He has put seasons in our lives.

Today, make sure you are applying these principles in your life. Ask God to help free you from any anxiety and help you to be persistent-to persevere as you serve Him and await your Harvest.  Keep Sowing Seeds with the resources God has given you. Continue to seek first
His Kingdom. Never give up. Stay faithful. Trust Him!

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Prayer
Father, I commit my
  time, talent, and treasure to You. I will keep Sowing Seeds into Your
Kingdom. Thank You for the abundant Harvest ahead. In Jesus' name Amen

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Extended Reading James 5 

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