Looking with the Eyes of the Spirit

The Samaritan woman at the well was just trying to get some water. Yet, her conversation with Jesus caused her spiritual thirst to be quenched with the eternal living water of the gospel. (John 4)

The lame beggar at the temple was just trying to get some money to live. But one encounter with Peter and John got him healed of his illness altogether. (Acts 3)

The Ethiopian eunuch was just riding along the road reading the Scriptures. But a talk with Philip opened his eyes to the revelation of Jesus' saving power that those Scriptures pointed to. (Acts 8)

Jesus, Peter, John, and Philip were able to recognize opportunities to minister the gospel. Jesus was able to look into the heart of the Samaritan woman and see all the troubles that she wrestled with. Peter and John knew that a few coins would not help the lame man in the long run. Philip heard the discerned that the Ethiopian eunuch was trying to find his way to God's Truth.

All of these men looked with eyes of the Spirit and was able to see each person where they were and allow the power of God to meet their every need.

How often do you look at those around you with the eyes of the Spirit? Do you just see people passing by, or do you look closer and allow the Lord to show you their needs? Once you see what is wrong, do you step out on faith and allow God to use you to meet that need?

We have been given a command to go into the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). Sharing that gospel can start with just an awareness to our surroundings.

That person looking for a handout has a greater need than some money. Your friend who is agonizing over their marriage needs more than your words. The neighbor's child needs more than just an interested mentor.

They need the power of Jesus Christ.

You hold that power.

Don't let it go to waste.

Verse of the Day: And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Salty?

I love to cook. I love to watch cooking shows on television. I like reading cookbooks and picking out recipes that I'd like to try one day. I follow a bunch of food blogs. I especially love to eat really good food.

One thing I've learned in my food explorations is that seasonings make a world of difference. Get the wrong flavors on your ingredients, and you mess up the meal. One of the best and most simplest seasonings a cook can use is salt. It's presence magnifies flavor bringing joy to the taste buds. It's absence is often quickly noted and sends one searching for the remedy.

Jesus called His followers the "salt of the earth". (Matthew 5:13) We are called to be a desired presence in the earth. We are called to permeate the world around us and change it for the better. The effects of our witness should be openly known.

Yet too many of us are hiding our flavor. We don't want to be judged, persecuted, or labeled as strange. So, we try to assimilate with the world around us. We don't go against the grain. We overlook what disagrees with God's Word. We shy away from openly standing up for godly principles.

Oh, we're okay being "salty" around other saints. We can preach, sing, and serve in the church. Our "amens" are loud and clear in the sanctuary. Our flavor is turned all the way up when we get in the church walls.

But, this behavior is ultimately defeating. No one eats salt by itself. No one has ever enjoyed a nice big ol' bowl of salt.

Salt is always used to affect something else. It flavors any type of food you can bring to the table. It's The same principle applies to your Christian walk.
effectiveness is only realized when it is applied.

If you aren't flavoring the world around you, you're not accomplishing what Christ wants you to do. In fact, Jesus says that a flavorless witness is "good for nothing". (read Matthew 5:13 again)

Are you being the "salt of the earth"? Is the world being impacted by your presence? When you show up, does change take place?

Don't let your Christianity be "good for nothing"!

Verse of the Day: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13 (KJV)

Stand Firm

First things first: Can I just ask for you all to forgive me? I apologize for leaving you blogless these past few months. It was necessary in the beginning, and then I just lost my mojo. I have no words. I am ashamed. I have prayed. God's forgiven me. Will you? I thank you in advance for your mercy.

On another note, I've missed blogging. I'm not sure if I will return to daily posts, though. But, I don't want to give up the blog totally. I will, however, be posting more regularly moving forward. I'm still figuring out how to make things work.

So, on to today's inspirational moment.

It seems like every single day there is news about how the church is being challenged to give ground to the world and accept the world's way of doing things. The church is consistently being asked to compromise what the Bible says for what is the current views of the day. And, far more frequently, the church is giving in.

I can only assume that many believers don't want to be seen as bigots or hateful or crazy or unreasonable. We don't want our friends, family members, co-workers, or society in general to place us in an unflattering light.

So, we find little ways to compromise. Maybe we misinterpreted that scripture on fornication. Perhaps a child really doesn't become a human being until a certain point during pregnancy. There are pastors who are gay now, so maybe the original thoughts on homosexuality were incorrect. God is so loving perhaps there are multiple ways to get into heaven.

Little by little, we keep giving in. Yet, how long until we have nothing left to stand for?

When Daniel was torn away from everything he knew and was chosen to serve a new king, he purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king's provisions. (Daniel 1:8) There were other Jews who were taken into captivity as well. But Daniel was the one who chose to remain true to the Lord's will. He stood up for what he believed in. And the Lord showed him favor. Because of his stance, the Lord blessed Daniel with wisdom and insight far greater than anyone else in the king's service. (Daniel 1:19, 20)

Are you allowing the world to make you compromise what you know is right and holy? Are you standing for righteousness? Can the Lord count on you to stand firm in the midst of complacency?

Today, purpose in your heart to follow after God no matter who around you is giving in. Don't compromise what you know is right for the popular view of the day. The Lord will bless you and show you favor because of your faithfulness to His Word.

Verse of the Day: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:33

Wednesday's Word: You Must Be Born Again

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him."

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
"How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John 3:1-21 (NIV)

 

 

Have you been born again? Are you living in the light? The word is clear: we must be born again. God sent His only Son so that we could have eternal life. Eternal life comes when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus has been lifted up on the cross. Believe on Him and find eternal life.

 

Have a blessed day!

Searching for the Lost

I hate losing things.

I'm naturally a pretty neat person, and everything I have has it's own "place". So, when I can't find something, it drives me nuts. I can't sit still or move on with things until I find it. I take time and thoroughly look for it. Every crevice, hiding spot, and space is looked at over and again until I find what I'm looking for, and I have to keep looking no matter how long it takes until the item is found.

It reminds me of Jesus' parable about the woman who lost a coin. Even though she still had nine other silver coins, she diligently looked until she found the one she lost.

Jesus was using this parable as an analogy of the great value God places on the lives of the lost. The Lord has a great desire to recover those that are lost. He is searching out their hearts and knows those that are ready to receive Him.

Yet, how many of us are looking out for lost souls? How many of us are diligently going after those who do not know the God we have found? Do we go after the lost with vigor? Or do we even care that they are lost?

You can help bring joy into the Kingdom of Heaven by going after lost souls. Every single person that comes to Christ brings celebration to heaven. Don't you want to have a part in that party?

It doesn't matter how lost a person may seem. God still values them and wants them to be a part of His kingdom. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it takes diligence. Yes, it requires focus and fortitude. But, the payoff is someone receiving eternal life! Today, allow yourself to be used in searching out the lost. Who knows how many souls can be added to the kingdom of God because of your witness?

Verse of the Day: Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:8-10

12 Days of Christmas: The Shepherds, The First Evangelists

Can you imagine just minding your own business and an angel showing up? Not only that, the angel tells you the most amazing news that the Messiah - the One everyone has been praying for, waiting for, and anticipating - has finally come to deliver you! On top of that, the angel is suddenly joined by a host of angels who treat you and your friends to an amazing display of heavenly praise!

That's what happened to the shepherds the night Christ was born.

After they went and saw the child for themselves, they couldn't hold back what they knew. They spread the good news of Christ's coming to everyone they came across! The shepherds were the first evangelists. They were the first ones who spread the gospel to the world.

We have met Jesus. We have experienced His affect on our lives. Yet, have we told our good news to the world? Have we shared our excitement in meeting Him? Have we shared our joy in knowing that He came to save us?

This holiday season, be sure to share the real meaning of Christmas. Make sure you tell everyone the great news that Jesus came to give us life and that more abundantly. Tell someone that they don't have to be depressed around the holiday. Jesus came so they could have joy! He came down personally to save them from an eternity of misery. He came so they could have everlasting life!

This time of the year is one of the best times to be a witness for Christ. Don't miss you're opportunity to truly give someone a Merry Christmas by sharing the love of Jesus with them.

Verse of the Day: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2:16, 17

Shine Your Light!

Today, more than most days during the year, I am reminded that I am serving the LIGHT of the world. While everyone else is celebrating darkness, fear, horror, and gore in the name of a good time, I realize how much work needs to be done for the Kingdom of God.

Jesus told us that we are God's light. We can't hide our lights under bushels. We have to place them on a pedestal so everyone can see the great luminance of of our God. Everyone should see God's light shining from us every day at all times.

Too often, we do hide our lights under bushels. Many times we hide our lights in order to blend in with the world we are supposed to be leading to the light. We quench our own fires in order to be found more acceptable by people who are lost in darkness. We would rather not 'bother' or 'annoy' someone who is on their way to an eternal life of misery than show them the answer we have found.

We have the light! We know the way for those in darkness to see! We have the answers to their questions. We know the way they can find peace.

We cannot afford to hide our light. We cannot afford to hold back the message of Jesus Christ. The world is crying out for answers but can't find their way because there is so much darkness surrounding them.

Don't let your light be hidden. Don't hold back the gift of eternal life from those who so desperately need it. Choose to place your light on a pedestal. Choose to open your mouth and share your testimony. Choose to offer Christ's love to someone in need.

Let your light shine, so others can find their way to salvation.

Verse of the Day: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Is Your Light Shining In Darkness, Or Just Brightening Up An Already Lit Room?

In my last class, I came across something interesting in my reading concerning evangelism. Most people get saved because of a friend or family member who leads them to Christ. The majority of people don't get saved in a church setting.

On top of that, most of the active evangelists are new Christians. Most Christians who have been saved for some years don't evangelize. We are too busy socializing with our saved friends, attending our Christian events, dealing with our Christian issues... The lost doesn't come up that much. Sure, we talk about saving souls and winning the world for Christ. Yet, when it comes down to it, we are usually preaching to the choir.

Now, as I was reading I was struck. That is me plain and simple. I have to go back to my college days to identify any friends I have that do not know the Lord. Right now, my contact list is full of saints. I'm missing it somewhere. I need to broaden my circle.

Jesus did leave us a great example. When He came to earth, He didn't hang with the rabbis, the leaders of the church, or the priest. Jesus kicked it with the tax collectors, the publicans, and those that were despised by the society of His day.

Why?

Because they were the ones who needed His light. They were the ones who needed to have the Kingdom revealed to them. They were the ones who were lost. And Jesus came right in and showed them the way to right standing with God.

So, for all of us (I am definitely included), how many people in darkness are benefiting from our light? How many friends do we have that don't know the Lord? When is the last time that we were able to share our testimony with one of our friends or loved ones? How often do we get to model Christ to someone who truly does not know Him?

We were all told to go into the world and preach the gospel. Too many of us are staying comfortable in our self-made bubbles and not venturing into the world.

Today, ask the Lord to show you someone who needs your Christian friendship. Ask God to send someone who is truly lost across your path. Open up your mouth and share your testimony with that loved one that you know needs Jesus. Take some time and show concern about someone's eternal well-being today.

Every day is an opportunity for us to be like Christ. We have the benefits of salvation and freedom from sin. There is a whole world out there that is dying to get what we have.

Verse of the Day: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Living for Eternity

Right now in my class we are studying on living on earth with a constant view of heaven. We are getting a better understanding that this earthly life is temporal, and only what we do in light of eternity really matters. I find it ironic with all that's been going on in my life lately.

One thing has stuck out: Only two things on this earth will last forever: God's Word and His people. Everything else falls away and means nothing in the long run.

God's Word never fails. We can hold on to it because we know that it will always fulfill it's purpose. We can have faith in it because it never returns void. It will accomplish all God sent it forth to do.

So, why do we pay so much attention to what other people say? Why do we spend our lives sitting being entertained by all these other voices, opinions, and views that are contrary to God's Word?

In the end, those words will fall short. They will let us down. They will tell us lies. They will fail. Yet, God's Word stands forever.

God's people last forever too. Because of the resurrection life we received from Jesus Christ, we no longer have to fear death. We are owners of life everlasting in Paradise with our King. We don't have to live in fear. We don't have to be afraid of an earthly passing. Yes, our earthly beings will pass away, but our spirits will live on forever.

Knowing this truth, it is so important that we bring other people over into the eternal life of Christ. Those who don't know Him are doomed to the horrors of hell for eternity. In light of this short life, we should be doing all we can to save those who need to be redeemed.

So, why are we fearful to tell others about Christ? Why don't we speak up when we see people hurting who don't know the Lord? What makes us apprehensive about evangelizing?

Just some nuggets to think about as you go about your day. Time is flying!

Verse of the Day: For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Taste and See!

The Bible says that we should taste and see that the Lord is good.

When you taste something, you have to put it in your mouth and allow your tongue to touch it for you to experience its flavors. Sometimes it takes the influence of someone else letting you know that the food is good for you to take the morsel.

That's the way it is sometimes with our Christian faith. People know about God, they've heard things, or even had a casual encounter with the things of God. From these surface experiences, they've formed conclusions about what it means to be a Christian and decided that Jesus isn't the flavor for them. But they haven't fully tasted and seen how great God really is!

Have you ever seen something you thought you would not enjoy only to taste it to find out that it was delicious? Sometimes, that's what it takes in order for someone to come to Christ. We believers have to let others around us know how great Jesus really is, and then encourage them to try Him for themselves.

This includes spending time talking with God (prayer), reading His Word (study), participating in praise and worship, and fellowshipping with other saints (church). When all of these cylinders are pumping and in sync - you can't help but notice how great it is to be a child of God!

So, this weekend I encourage you to encourage someone else to "taste and see" God's goodness! Invite someone else in on how great God can be. Don't just tell them about the Lord and leave it at that - help them to fully embrace the things of God.

Don't keep your good God all to yourself!

Verse of the Day: O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8

No Set Mold

When Jesus walked the earth, He kicked it with some folks and did some things that the upstanding religious people of the day frowned upon. Jesus went to parties with tax collectors and publicans, He actually paid attention and cared for the poor, He healed on the Sabbath... All of these things were not what the "esteemed" people of the day did.
Yet Jesus did them.

Today, many upstanding religious people have their "standards" of what good Christians are to do. They have rules of how they should and shouldn't look... where they should and shouldn't go... and who they should and shouldn't hang around.

I'm so glad that our Father doesn't look on the outward appearance but instead looks at the heart! Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Somebody's going to have to go to the "off limit" places and shine the light of Christ. Someone's going to have to go and touch the "untouchable" and guide them to the joy of the Lord.

Once these people are introduced to God, they may not dress or act the way traditional Christians think they should. Yet, the important part is that they offer up their lives to Christ. Once they allow His love to permeate through them and inward change will come that will far outweigh any outward action they could make.

So, don't be so quick to judge a person's Christianity by their outward appearance. Many of us are going to be surprised to see who's worshipping at God's feet when we get to heaven!

Verse of the Day: ...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:17

Being a Believer

The tragedy that befell Trayvon Martin has been haunting my thoughts this past week. Looking at his innocent face and knowing how he was taken away breaks my heart. It's sad that this is the nation that I live in.

Yesterday at my church we wore hoodies in honor of Trayvon. We prayed for his family, this nation, and covered our children under the protection of Jesus Christ. I'm glad that we have the power of the Holy Spirit to cover and guide us. I'm glad we have the Lord's protection and can hear His voice. It comforts me to know that I have His angels watching over me.

I had the privilege of bringing the Word on yesterday as well, and I spoke about what it means to be a believer. As believers in Christ, we are to go into the world and preach the good news to every creature. We are to be sharing God's love with everyone that we come across.

Jesus also instructed us to make disciples out of those who believe. A disciple is a follower of Christ. A follower of Christ adheres to His commands, and they try live their lives in ways that are pleasing to God. Too many people in this world claim Christ but do not reflect that claim in their daily walk.

You never know when someone's time is up. That person you come across may be dead tomorrow. Do they know Jesus? Have they been cleansed of their sins? It's our responsibility to present them with that option.

Even those who we come across that know God may need to get to know Him a bit better. Are they hearing from God? Do they know their purpose in God? Are they practicing biblical principals in their lives?

Can you imagine how brightly this world would shine if everyone who was saved lived their lives like Christ asked us to?

We say we believe in Christ. As believers, we should be doing the one thing He asked us to do before He left this earth: Share the amazing gift we received from Him with the world.

If we do our part, we could drastically reduce the number of tragedies like Trayvon's in this world.

Verse of the Day: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

Beautiful Feet

The temps are hot here in Chicago, and people are breaking out the summer gear early to deal with the weather. Folks are rocking shorts, t-shirts, and... sandals.

One thing I can't stand is when people rock sandals without making sure their feet are presentable. Notice I said feet. Someone could have nicely polished toes while their heels look like they haven't even been touched. That's never a good look.

The Word tells us that the feet of those who carry the gospel are beautiful. Those who take the time to step out of their comfort zones to take the time to reach the lost have fabulous looking feet.

Have you carried any good news lately? Have you gone out of your way to minister to someone who doesn't know the Lord?

Or, are you too busy making sure that your personal agendas are being taken care of? Are you so concerned about your own business that you're not considering those who are in desperate need of God?

Make sure you are taking the time to witness God's love. One thing that's great about the warmer temperatures is that there are more people out and about. It just increases the pool you can pull from to strike up a conversation about Jesus.

Keep your feet looking pretty by carrying the gospel of Christ!

Verse of the Day: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. Romans 10:15

Living Water

It is so beautiful here in Chicago! It's 55 degrees outside! I'm loving it. Thank You, Lord, for this taste of spring!

I love water. All day, every day I have to have water around. You cannot tell me that a nice glass of ice cold water is not the best drink in the entire universe. Can. Not. I will go into restaurants and say "just water" and it's not me being cheap. It really is what I prefer. Hands down.

It's something about water that truly quenches my thirst. Everything else I drink, I have to wash it down with a glass of water afterwards. It's like my throat is not satisfied until some water splashes through.

The Word says that our belief in Christ gives us the benefit of living waters. These living waters enable our spirits to thirst no more. These waters satiate our souls to the very core. There's something about Jesus that makes your spirit satisfied. After tasting of His goodness, you don't want anything else.

We can't be selfish with what we've found, though. We can't just keep it all to ourselves.

There's a world around us that is trying any and every thing to try and quench their inner thirst. They're turning to drugs, sex, money, alcohol, their jobs, their loved ones, their hobbies, other gods, the internet... they're looking all over for anything that will ease their soul's cries.

But they won't find satisfaction until they drink from the living waters of Christ. And we have an unlimited supply!

Take some time to 'quench the thirst' of someone around you today. Make sure you pour out some of the living waters that flow through your soul. What you pour out could very well cause someone to tap into their own constant supply of God's satisfying goodness.

Verse of the Day: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

Total Surrender

I'm back! I apologize for yesterday. Now, for some Morning Ti...

When Jesus called the disciples to follow Him, they gave up their entire lives to be with Him. They left family, friends, jobs, hometowns... Everything was dropped with no questions asked in order to follow the Savior. As a result of their surrender, they went on to lead lives that witness the miraculous work of the Messiah, they were able to work miracles themselves, and they turned the entire world upside down with their evangelism.

We too are disciples of Jesus. Yet many of us answered His call only to hold on to everything we liked and selfishly wanted. Jesus may not be calling for us to give up families and jobs now, but He does want us to give up our will for His.

Many of us selfishly choose to still participate in sinful behavior after we've accepted Jesus as our Lord. We choose to ignore the wants of the Father deeming them 'unattainable' or something that we'll work on later. We continue to turn a blind eye to the Bible's commands self-righteously claiming that we're doing the best we can or even pulling God into it saying that He knows our hearts.

We cannot just accept Jesus as our Savior, stay the same, and expect God to be pleased. Jesus Himself said that you can't serve to masters. And when you refuse to give up your will, when you continue to allow sin to remain in your life... you're trying to serve two masters.

As Christians, we are no longer the masters of our fate. We no longer have control over our lives. When we commit to Christ, we place our lives in His hands and give Him permission to do what He wants.

Today let's remember that we've given our lives to Jesus. He's the Captain of our ship. He's the Master of our domain. He's the Conductor of our symphony. Our will has to die. Our desires have to take a back seat. It's His way.

As we allow Him to lead, guide, and direct us, He will take us places that we could never even imagine. Too many of us are still stuck in the ordinary because we refuse to let Jesus take us to His extraordinary. Let's stop thinking we know what's best and allow God to take us to the miraculous.

Verse of the Day: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

Let The Lord Be Magnified!

A few years ago, my mother preached a sermon encouraging the church to allow the Lord to be magnified in their lives. I was meditating on this as I had to deal with a pretty challenging morning.

Allowing God to be magnified means that you make the Lord bigger in your life. You spend more time thinking of Him, reading His word, giving Him praise, talking about Him, sharing His love, living as He would want... Every area where you acknowledge the Lord, you turn up the volume.

When you allow the Lord to be magnified, it causes those around you to notice Him too. Often we tend to condense the Lord in our public lives. We don't talk about God too much because we don't want to be labeled as "super saved." We skip opportunities to witness for fear of other folks reactions. We shirk back from giving God praise to avoid getting curious looks.

But Jesus told us Himself that if we lifted Him up, He would draw all men unto Him. (John 12:32) We have a chance to have a perfect record where evangelism is concerned! All we have to do is magnify and lift up our Savior. He'll pull them in.

Magnifying the Lord also encourages us. It allows us to remember the greatness and splendor of our God. Giving Him greater space in our thoughts and behavior gives Him more opportunities to bless us and show us His mighty works. It brings us closer to seeing the fullness of who He is.

So, let the Lord be magnified in your life today! Let His love shine bright! Let His greatness be known everywhere you go! Lift up the Savior, and watch Him save and deliver those around you.

Verse of the Day: O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

No Words

"Lord, I don't know what to say."

This has been my excuse for not witnessing on many occasions. I'll have it in my heart to go and witness or I'll see someone that I could talk to, but I just don't have the guts to go and open my mouth simply because I tell myself I don't know what to say.

I've never been that outgoing, so striking up conversations with random people has always been a challenge for me. Adding Christ into the mix?? That's an uphill battle I would rather not climb.

Now, if someone enters the house of God looking for salvation, I have no problem pointing them to Jesus. I can talk anyone's ear off inside the church. But that's not where it really counts. Jesus said go into the world and preach, not sit in the pew and wait for them to come to you. (Mark 16:15)

The Holy Spirit has convicted me about my attitude. I have the King of Kings sitting inside of me, and I'm afraid to have a conversation. There are no words.

When God called Moses to go before Pharaoh, Moses brought up his inability to speak. God told him that He would be with Moses' mouth and would show him what to say. How much more will the Holy Spirit help us when we call on Him?

Maybe you're like me and don't jump to witness since you don't know what to say. Or maybe you're staying silent out of fear of what the other person will say. Maybe witnessing as you're out and about doesn't even occur to you.

Whatever your excuse, don't let the work of the Kingdom be hindered by your inaction. I am leaning on the Holy Spirit to guide my lips and trusting that the King inside of me will stand up when I open my mouth. We can't let fear of man keep us from advancing God's Kingdom on the earth. Man cannot get us into heaven or hell, but our message could save their souls from eternal damnation.

We have to be a witness. We can't stay silent. So, let's all put down our excuses, go out into the world, and be God's mouthpiece.

Verse of the Day: And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Exodus 4:11, 12

What's Your Witness Saying?

Paul and Silas had been whipped, put in stocks, and thrown in the deepest part of prison. Yet they were not despondent. They did were not angry. They did not lose hope.

In fact they were so full with the joy of the Lord that they burst into praise and worship. As they sang praises to God, He was moved to deliver them from their situation. Their chains were miraculously loosed. The very ones who had beaten them, dressed their wounds and set them free. More importantly, a whole household came into the Kingdom of God.

What is holding you prisoner right now? Who has wrongfully "beaten" you and tried to put you in bondage? How are you responding? What is coming out of your mouth? What actions are you taking?

Often it is our greatest trials that will produce our greatest witness. When we are at our lowest points, our true character shines through. David chose to honor God rather than take revenge on Saul. Daniel chose to face death at the hands of lions rather than abandon his worship of the Lord. Jesus forgave the people while he languished on the cross. Paul and Silas sang praises while they were imprisoned.

Are you so full of God's joy that others can't help but hear your praises and worship to your Father? Is God witnessing your faithful spirit in the midst of your pain? Are your oppressors being moved to repentance because of the way you respond to injustice?

Or is your response like everyone else?

Verse of the Day:
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Acts 16:25-30

Makes No Cents...

So, I was cruising my morning blogrolls this morning when I came across this article on The Christian Post. Apparently people are cutting back on their tithes, and the church is cutting back on charitable giving in order to keep those folks in the pews who are cutting back on their giving.

Did you catch that?

I'll wait while you re-read the sentence.

To me, this speaks volumes to where we are as a nation. We are a nation that is fully focused on self-preservation and keeping ourselves happy. There's nothing wrong with these things in theory. But when they start getting in the way of our mandated role to evangelize the lost, we start tipping into the wrong territory.

Yes, the recession is hard on a lot of folks. That doesn't mean that you neglect your Father's house.

And more shame on the churches who are stumbling over themselves to placate the people in the pews. Yes, people love to attend "how-to-get-your-blessing" and "prosperity-is-yours-today" and "you-are-amazing" conferences and meetings. Folks enjoy amenities like movie nights, trips, and coffee shops in the lobby.

But, at what cost?

Are the monies that are being used for these extra perks taking away from missions, evangelism, and community outreach?

According to the article they are.

We all need to take a good, hard look at how we handle these things with the Lord. Are we being good stewards? Are we being selfish? Are we acting out of fear?

There are lives that are hanging in the balance.

Verse of the Day: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

They Don't Know How to Love

Right now the rapper Lil' Wayne has a track out called "How to Love" that's keeping heavy rotation on the airwaves. Being a youth leader, I try to stay up on the current trends and have heard the song. The lyrics are quite poignant and speak about how a young woman's life is in disarray simply because she never figured out the right way to show or receive love.

Hearing this song, I thought about so many issues and problems that are happening in our world right now. Seeing how families are falling apart or never really coming together in the first place... Watching as young people are blatantly joining together just to rob and steal from others... Listening to a young girl tell how she got pregnant and now has to drop out of school...

Lil' Wayne hit the nail on the head: our world really doesn't know how to love.

What's missing is the link to Jesus Christ. He is the perfect example of how to show love. Once we receive His love and experience it's changing power, there should be no reason for us not to reflect that love to other people that cross our paths.

The world is hurting, confused, and angry. Yet are we showing the Love of God? Are we easing their pain,  helping to give a guiding hand, or bringing peace?

We can't just stay in our little corner and shake our heads at how the world is descending into chaos, We shouldn't just attribute the escalation of heartbreak and sin to signs of the imminent return of Christ.

We have to go out there and do something about what we are seeing. There are lives at stake! We know the answer to the questions they are asking. Let's make sure we are providing the example to others of how to love.

Verse of the Day: Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love... Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. I John 4:7,8, 11


For those who don't know the song, here's the gospel cover version.