Afternoon Ti: Lift the Savior Up!

Often, when Jesus ministered to someone they could not contain their gratitude and told everyone they knew about what He had done:

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. Matthew 9:29-31

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. Mark 1:27, 28

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:28 29

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. Mark 5:19, 20

How often do you share the greatness of what God is doing in your life? It's one thing to share during a testimony service with other Christians. But, how often do you share God's marvellous works with everyone you know?

You may share stories of your blessings - but do you give God the credit? Do you exalt your Heavenly Father to the point where others want to learn more about Him?

Today, I want to challenge all of us to put Jesus on blast. We should broadcast His goodness to all we know. We should share His wonderful works with our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers whether they know Jesus or not.

Today, let's give God His just praise, so others can see how great God really is.

Verse of the Day: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32

Living A Blessed Life

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:

and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:1-12

For the next couple of days I want to focus on this passage of scripture. Many people are optimistic at the start of the year. We decree and declare that this year will be better, greater, and more significant than all the ones that came before. Yet, somehow, we tend to lose our zeal. Midway through the year we start looking ahead and writing off the year that we thought was going to be so great.

In this passage, Jesus is beginning to share what it means to live a blessed, Kingdom centered life with the great crowds who came to Him. Here, we find out how to get into the Kingdom, how to inherit the earth, how to find fulfillment, how to see God... and a host of other things.

What I find so intriguing, is that so many of the keys to obtaining God's promises for us are so simply obtained. All we need is a meek, humble, loving heart that strives to get closer to the Lord. Plain and simple.

Today, search your heart. Ask the Lord to reveal any places that are full of false pride, hatred, unforgiveness, and fear. Ask Him to remove the hardness and replace it with God's pliable love.

As we embark on our new year with excitement, we can only keep our zeal by reaping the blessings that come from living purely before the Lord. We can make this year one of the best years yet! We can do bigger, better, and more amazing things! We can reach our goals! All we have to do is remember who we are and how we are supposed to live as children of the King.

Start Now!

Well, I pray you had a blessed holiday. I certainly did! I had fun enjoying my family and friends and got some nice gifts along the way. God is good. Today we're back to our regularly scheduled programming. I'm sure many of you are at work trying to get back in the 'working' mode.

As we move forward, many people are now focusing on the impending new year. They're making lists of things that they want to get accomplished. They're trying to set goals for what they think they can do. Some people (like me) are already planning to eat better, exercise more, and live a healthier lifestyle once January 1 rolls around.

But, what I have learned (especially this year) is that tomorrow is not promised. None of us is guaranteed another day or week. Every day we wake up is a gift. Each day that we can get up and give God praise on this earth is a blessing. Why wait for tomorrow or next week? Why not start living better and living on task today?

Today you can start on your goals. Today you can start accomplishing your dreams. Today you can do better than you have for most of 2012. You don't have to wait for a new year. You can just start with this new day.

You've been blessed with a gift in today. Why not make it special? Go ahead and get on the path of greatness now. You may be surprised how much you can get done by next week!

Verse of the Day: LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Psalm 39:4, 5

Don't Forget Your Benefits!

David actively took time to remember the benefits of being in relationship with the Lord. Do you take time to remember the perks of being a child of God?

First of all, we have received forgiveness of our sin and were given righteousness in its place. That alone trumps everything right there. We are no longer sinful creatures in the eyes of God. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we are seen as blameless individuals worthy enough to spend eternity in heaven's glory with our King.

We also have the benefit of being able to have a personal relationship with our God. In fact, we can come boldly to the throne with whatever request or subject we want to talk about, and the Lord with talk with us! (Hebrews 4:16) Whenever, whatever, wherever we like, God is always ready and willing to listen.

In addition we have the added benefits of the fruit of the Spirit. As we live our lives according to God's Word, we get to experience love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, 23) Who wouldn't want to have those things bubbling up in their lives?

There are so many more benefits to being a child of God. Take some time today to remind yourself of your benefits. Explore the Word and find out some things that you might have forgotten or overlooked.

Like any other benefit, the benefits of the Lord are there waiting for you. You just have to take advantage of them. Make use of your benefits today! Don't let your benefits just sit by the wayside unused. Take full advantage of the joy of being in God's Kingdom!

Verse of the Day: Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits... Psalm 103:2

Matchless Mercy

Mercy: a manifestation of favor, especially by a superior; mercy, clemency, pardon

God's mercy is what delivered us from the penalty of sin. He took Jesus' substitutional sacrifice as payment for our sins and granted us His mercy. Because of this, we stand righteous before the Lord, we're able to come boldly into His presence, and are guaranteed to have an eternal life in Paradise with Him.

The Father's mercy is renewed to us every morning. (Lamentations 3:22, 23) Even though we are human, fallible, sinful beings in our nature, every day our Father chooses to show us mercy all over again. Despite how we may have failed Him the day, hour or minute before, our pleas for forgiveness are always heeded and granted. The Lord is faithful!

Isn't that amazing? The Lord gives us favor in spite of ourselves! There is nothing that can separate us from His love! There is nothing we can do to make Him take away His mercy. Once we accept His Son as Lord over our life, we are brought into His family for good. All of our mistakes, sins, and shortcomings are covered by Jesus' precious blood, and we are seen as pure beings in the eyes of the Lord.

The Lord's mercy is manifested in the blessings we receive as we develop a right relationship with Him. We enjoy peace in our minds, joy in our hearts, love for others, and wisdom as we navigate through life. God's mercy is a powerful tool!

None of us are worthy. None of us deserve it. None of us can ever live up to it's powerful effect.

But it's ours just the same.

Doesn't that make you love God all the more?

Verse of the Day: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9, 10