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

Wednesday's Word: Be At Peace

Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?

You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and

 live in peace with each other.

Mark 9:50 (NLT)

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.

Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak.

 Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil,

but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15

Jesus told us that we are the salt of the earth. We are the ones who are supposed to make an impact on the world around us. Our atmospheres should be flavored with the seasoning of the love of Jesus Christ.

In reflecting Jesus' love, we are admonished by Him to live in peace. Paul reiterates this teaching when he tells the church to be patient and to always do good to everyone. It is this Godly peace and unity that glorifies the Father and causes others to be drawn into God's Kingdom.

We cannot live at peace bickering and fighting.  Peace is not found in holding grudges and bitterness towards someone else. We cannot show forth goodness to the world when we are stirring up strife among ourselves.

So, we have to work at living in peace with one another. We have to strive to be patient. We have to rein in our emotions and put forth the effort to do good in the face of evil.

We have to live like Christ.

Are you living at peace? Is there someone that you need to forgive? Do you need to go and apologize to someone else? Today, let's make the effort to live in peace.

Looking Back With A Smile

Saints, we've made it! 2012 is fading into the past, and we are looking into a whole new year.

As we move forward, it's important to celebrate what we have gotten accomplished this past year. So often people look backwards with regret. We look back with sadness thinking of all the things that haven't happened, things we didn't do, places we didn't go, and all of those instances where we were disappointed.

But today, let's think back on 2012 with some pride. Let's enjoy what we did do, let's take note of what was accomplished, let's smile about those beautiful memories we were able to make this past year. We just completed 365 days of life! There's some greatness tucked in those days, and we should acknowledge that fact.

Personally, I'm thankful for the opportunities that I was given to speak and preach this past year. I love ministering God's Word, and I welcome every opportunity I receive to share what God has revealed to me. It's a privilege and an honor, and I'm thankful that God has blessed me to participate in such a way in the body of Christ.

I'm also pretty proud of how well I did in seminary this year. With everything that has been going on, I was still able to maintain my A/B status, and I am on track to graduate this summer. I have learned so much in my classes! Everything that I'm learning only reignites my passion to share the gospel with truth and clarity.

Lastly, I'm grateful that I was able to show love to an amazing man - my father. I'm not sitting here with regret over something I didn't say, or full of guilt because of an argument that was left unresolved... every day I was able to serve him, show him affection, and give him the honor he was due because of how he loved and raised me as my dad. I am reassured and at peace because I know that he is with my Heavenly Father, and I will see him again.

There's a host of things both big and small that I could list in addition to these. But, my aim is for you to reminisce on what you've done this year. What are you proud of? What made you happy? How did you grow? What did you learn? What are the sunny days and happy times of 2012 that you're pleased about?

Take some time and think back with a smile on your face. Let's go into the New Year with some joy!

Verse of the Day: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Testimony Thursday

Last night, my church had a wonderful service of praise and testimony before the Lord. We shared what God had been speaking to us and how we had seen Him moving in our lives. It was quite encouraging. So, today I thought I should share a testimony with you.

God has really been keeping me and my family. As some of you know, my father passed away this past September. Since his passing I have missed my father every single day. But, you know what? God has blessed me to walk with happiness and joy.

I know that my father is safe and having an awesome time in heaven. But that knowledge alone is not what is keeping me full of joy. God has sent supernatural strength and encouragement to me. He has eased my fears, comforted my heart, and buoyed my spirit.

There was a time where I thought I would turn away from God if He allowed my father to die. Yet, I have drawn closer to God. In my time of weakness, I drew near to the Lord, and He gave me everything I needed. I simply reached out my hand, and the Lord grabbed me up in His arms.

I'm so blessed!

So, be encouraged today. Maybe your heart is heavy or you are experiencing sorrow and loss. Choose to come close to your Heavenly Father and watch how He comforts you and fills you with His peace! I am a witness that the Lord is a present help in the day of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

I'm sure you have a testimony too. Share with a friend what the Lord is doing in your life. Encourage someone with how God is blessing you. Take some time to brag on your Father today!

Verse of the Day: My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalm 34:2

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

Handle With Care

Right now, millions of people are walking around thinking that no one cares. No one cares about them… No one cares about their problems… No one cares about a certain situation or issue… No one cares about the tragedies going on around them…

They walk around feeling helpless and alone. They don’t see any hope. They don’t feel any love.

Jesus’ ministry was so effective because He cared. He could have walked around performing miracles and preaching God’s Kingdom and not had as great of a result if He had not have cared in the midst of all of it.

Because Jesus cared He reached out to the lepers – a group of people the whole nation was instructed to shun because of their illness. Because Jesus cared He ministered to the Samaritan woman – a member of a race with whom the Israelites were enemies. Because Jesus cared He preached and ministered to the crowds when He Himself just wanted to rest and get away. Because Jesus cared He followed through on His mission all the way to the cross and the grave.

I know at times I go about life as if I have blinders on. I have tunnel vision and can only see what relates to me and my needs, wants, and desires. Too often, I miss out on interacting with another person in a more meaningful way or doing a good deed that would bring a smile to someone’s face. All because I didn’t take a minute to notice… to care.

Do you care about those around you? Do you consider other peoples’ feelings, issues, and situations? Do you notice when someone around you needs some care?

Today, make an effort to care about what’s going around you. Turn off the tunnel vision and pay attention to the people, situations, and issues happening in your world. What can you do to show that you care? How can you give someone the same kind of attention that Jesus did?

Don’t just live today for yourself. Make it about someone else.

Verse of the Day: But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36

Acts of Kindness

Because of the way society was ordered during the times the Bible was written, women didn't get to much shine on the pages. It took a woman of caliber to get mentioned in the Good Book. We do have Esther and Deborah, Mary and Elizabeth. Yet, there is one lady who came to my mind this morning.

Dorcas - or Tabitha - was a woman who was not known for her preaching or teaching. She wasn't a queen on a throne or mother to a prophet. Dorcas was an ordinary woman who just lived her life doing good deeds for those around her. She looked out for the poor and widowed. She used her gift of sewing to make clothes for those who had none.

Simple, right?

This woman's simple acts of kindness and generosity gave her friends and loved ones who cherished her greatly. They cared for her so much that when she got sick and died, they sent for Peter. When he came, they shared about her life and all the good that she had done for them. After seeking God, Peter performed a miracle and called Dorcas back from death.

Dorcas' generosity in life granted her more time to live.

Who knows what your simple acts of kindness do for those around you? Who knows how deeply someone will cherish something that you may think little of. A kind word, a hug, sharing your talent or gift can mean so much to someone who needs what you have to give!

Make sure you're using all your gifts for the glory of God! No matter how large or small, every action causes an effect. And, who knows? Your decision to go out of your way for someone else could inspire God to do something great for you!

Verse of the Day: Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

 Acts 9:39-42

My God is Great!

One thing I've learned is that people love to brag about other people they are proud of. From proud parents to friends (even associates) of someone who has done something notable, everyone loves to talk about their connection to someone they think is great.

Usually when someone boasts on others, it causes the other person to acknowledge the greatness in the person receiving praise and sparks an interest in that human being.

David said that he boasted on God. He bragged on the greatness of the One who was ordering his footsteps. And as a result of that, David was able to bring joy into the lives of those around him.

Have you boasted on God lately?

Boasting on God is not just talking about what He's done for you. Boasting on God is talking about how great He is, how powerful He is, how loving He is... Hearing about the One who can do anything can make just about anyone sit up and take notice.

So, today, let's make sure we take some time to brag on our God to someone else. Let's lift up our God just because He's God. As we open up our mouths and praise our Father, we will be bringing some joy into the lives of those around us.

Verse of the Day: My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalm 34:2

Still Good

God is good!

God is good all the time. And all the time God is good.

Despite what's going on in my life right now, I take comfort that through it all God's goodness is shining through.

The Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians, yet the Lord blessed their numbers to increase to the point where Pharaoh was threatened. When they were travelling in the wilderness, God sent countless miracles, fed them out of thin air, and caused them to be victorious over every enemy that crossed their path.

Despite how it seemed that they were down and out, God was still good.

When Esther was orphaned, she was left to her cousin Mordecai who took care of her as his own. Then, she was stolen away to become a part of the king's audition for a new queen. God allowed her beauty (and quite possibly her intelligence as well) to make her stand out from the impressive group of women. Esther was chosen to be queen, and was in the right place to save her people.

In spite of how her life twisted and turned, God was still good.

Daniel was taken as a hostage from his homeland. He was brought to a foreign place and forced to take on a foreign culture as his own. Still God allowed Daniel's wisdom and comeliness to give him a place in the king's palace. Even when Daniel faced having to surrender his religious practices, God granted Daniel favor with those over him. Daniel received special treatment because of his devotion to the Lord. And, because of Daniel's continued devotion to the Father, he moved up to one of the highest positions in that kingdom.

No matter that Daniel's entire world was taken from him, God was still good.

So, what's going on with you? What has turned your world topsy-turvy?

Are you still recognizing God's goodness in the midst of it all?

Or are you just focusing on the negative?

Just some thoughts for you as you go about your day.

Verse of the Day: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:6