The Priority of Obedience- By Charles Stanley

Read John 14:23-26

The Creator gave two commands to Adam and Eve—first, to fill the earth and rule over it, and second, not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen. 1:28; 2:17). Because they chose to disobey, their relationship with God was broken, and they had to leave Eden.

The first couple’s rebellion not only impacted their own lives but also had far broader implications: all future generations have suffered. In Romans 5:12-19, the apostle Paul explained the reason. Through the trespass of one man, Adam, sin made its entrance into the world, and death resulted for all mankind. Because Adam was head of the human race, his actions affected everyone born after him. His disobedience resulted in each of us having a bent away from the Lord and a desire for self-rule.

By contrast, Jesus made conformity to the Lord’s will the priority of His life. He obeyed God in both word and deed (John 8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life—one entirely without sin—He qualified to be our Savior (2 Cor. 5:21). Through the death of one man, Christ Jesus, payment was made for the transgressions of all mankind. God’s acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness and freedom from sin’s power.

Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death upon us, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom. 6:4). Our Savior calls us to deny selfish desires, live sacrificially, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). A godly life will bring Jesus honor and influence others for Him.

"Why does God require Faith?

 "Why doesn't God "prove" Himself to us so there is no need for faith?"

Our relationship with God is similar to our relationship with others in that all relationships require faith.

 We can never fully know any other person. We cannot experience all they experience nor enter into their minds to know what their thoughts and emotions are.

Proverbs 14:10 says,

"The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy."

We are incapable of even knowing our own hearts fully. Jeremiah 17:9 says that the human heart is wicked and deceptive, "Who can know it?" In other words, the human heart is such that it seeks to hide the depth of its wickedness, deceiving even its owner.

We do this through shifting blame, justifying wrong behaviour, minimizing our sins, etc.

Because we are incapable of fully knowing other people, to some degree faith (trust) is an integral ingredient in all relationships.

 

For example, a wife gets into a car with her husband driving, trusting him to drive safely, even though he often drives faster than she would on winter roads. She trusts him to act in their best interest at all times.

 We all share information about ourselves with others, trusting they will not betray us with that knowledge.

 We drive down the road, trusting those driving around us to follow the rules of the road. So, whether with strangers or with intimate friends and companions, because we cannot fully know others, trust is always a necessary component of our relationships.

If we cannot know our fellow finite human beings fully, how can we expect to fully know an infinite God?

Even if He should desire to fully reveal Himself, it is impossible for us to fully know Him.

 It is like trying to pour the ocean (seemingly infinite in quantity) into a quart-measuring jar (finite)... impossible!

Nonetheless, even as we can have meaningful relationships with others that we have grown to trust because of our knowledge of them and of their character, so God has revealed enough about Himself through His creation(Romans 1:18-21), through His written Word, the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21), and through His Son(John 14:9), that we can enter into a meaningful relationship with Him.

But this is only possible when the barrier of one's sin has been removed by trusting in Christ's person and work on the cross as payment for one's sin.

This is necessary because, as it is impossible for both light and darkness to dwell together, so it is impossible for a holy God to have fellowship with sinful man unless his sin has been paid for and removed.

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross to take our punishment and change us so that the one who believes on Him can become a child of God and live eternally in His presence (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 2 Peter 3:18; Romans 3:10-26).

There have been times in the past that God has revealed Himself more "visibly" to people.

 One example of this is at the time of the exodus from Egypt, when God revealed His care for the Israelites by sending the miraculous plagues upon the Egyptians until they were willing to release the Israelites from slavery. God then opened the Red Sea, enabling the approximately two million Israelites to cross over on dry ground. Then, as the Egyptian army sought to pursue them through the same opening, He crashed the waters upon them (Exodus 14:22-29). Later, in the wilderness, God fed them miraculously with manna, and He guided them in the day by a pillar of cloud and in the night by a pillar of fire, visible representations of His presence with them (Exodus 15:14-15).

Yet, in spite of these repeated demonstrations of His love, guidance, and power, the Israelites still refused to trust Him when He wanted them to enter into the Promised Land.

They chose instead to trust the word of ten men who frightened them with their stories of the walled cities and the giant stature of some of the people of the land (Numbers 13:26-33).

These events show that God's further revelation of Himself to us would have no greater effect on our ability to trust Him.

Were God to interact in a similar fashion with people living today, we would respond no differently than the Israelites because our sinful hearts are the same as theirs.

The Bible also speaks of a future time when the glorified Christ will return to rule the earth from Jerusalem for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-10). More people will be born on the earth during that reign of Christ.

 He will rule with complete justice and righteousness, yet, in spite of His perfect rule, the Bible states that at the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will have no trouble raising an army to rebel against Christ's rule.

 The future event of the millennium and the past event of the exodus reveal that the problem is not with God insufficiently revealing Himself to man; rather, the problem is with man's sinful heart rebelling against God's loving reign.

We sinfully crave self-rule.

God has revealed enough of His nature for us to be able to trust Him.

 He has shown through the events of history, in the workings of nature, and through the life of Jesus Christ that He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, all-loving, all-holy, unchanging, and eternal.

And in that revelation, He has shown that He is worthy to be trusted.

 But, as with the Israelites in the wilderness, the choice is ours whether or not we will trust Him.

Often, we are inclined to make this choice based on what we think we know about God rather than what He has revealed about Himself and can be understood about Him through a careful study of His inerrant Word, the Bible.

 If you have not already done so, begin a careful study of the Bible, that you may come to know God through a reliance upon His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to earth to save us from our sins, so that we might have sweet companionship with God both now and in a fuller way in heaven one day.

Empowered for a Purpose

Isaiah 6:8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
   And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Understand two things.

 First, that borrowed beliefs have no power.

You must have a personal encounter with God or your life will have no impact.

After they'd been filled with the Holy Spirit, we read,  'The apostles testified powerfully...and God's great blessing was upon them all.' (Acts 4:33 NLT)

 Secondly, that unused power has no value.

 Isaiah writes,

'The posts of the door were shaken...and the house was filled with smoke.' (Isaiah 6:4 NKJV)

What a mind-blowing experience to have in church! But Isaiah had to leave, go out and perform God's purposes.

 'I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send?...

Then I said, Here am I! Send me.

And He said, Go, and tell this people.' (Isaiah 6:8-9 NKJV)

 You must spend time in God's presence building a relationship with Him, then carry His Word to those hurting around you.

 When Jesus took His disciples up the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter got so caught up in the experience that he wanted to stay there. '...Lord, it is good for us to be here...' (Matthew 17:4 NIV)

 But Christ explained that His power is not for storing, but sharing.

 Paul wrote,

 'I will not...speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me...' (Romans 15:18 NIV)

 Paul didn't glory in what Christ had done for him, but through him.

God has only one reason for filling you with His Spirit, and that's to pour you out in service to others.

Jesus said,

 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach...[and] heal the broken hearted...' (Luke 4:18 NKJV)

You have been empowered for a purpose! 

Are you ready?

Regards,

Samuel Machado

Rhema Marvanne - Hallelujah

Thank You Father....

Dear God:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards,
    I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better,
    I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me,
    I am thanking you right now.

 

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears,
    I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves,
    I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet,
    I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,
    I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief,
    I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.
    I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because Father, you haven't given up on me.

 

 

Who Are You Depending On?

'My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth' Psalm 121:2 NIV

If you desire to do God's will but don't draw on His power, you'll fail in spite of your skill, your connections and your resources.

 You must develop an increasing sense of dependence on God.

Now you can't just sit on the sidelines expecting Him to do everything for you.

 You've been called to step out in faith, obey His instructions-then trust Him for the right results.

God-sufficiency should become your goal, not self-sufficiency!

This calls for praying,

 'Lord, I'm tempted to do things in my own strength, but I don't like the results. Teach me to strive for excellence, not omnipotence; to maximise my talents and minimise my ego. Remind me that You will never give me an assignment that doesn't require obedience, commitment, and Your enabling grace.'

The Psalmist cried,

 'My help comes from the Lord.'

Think: if He's Lord of every situation and He's promised to help you, then your victory is assured.

 It's when you think you can do it without Him, or with limited input from Him, that you get into trouble.

Jesus said,

 '...The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do...' (John 5:19 NKJV)

Jesus knew He couldn't do anything apart from the Father, so He never bothered to try.

We, on the other hand, quote the verse, '...without Me you can do nothing' (John 15:5 NKJV), then go out and act like it all depends on us. And what happens?

We fall flat on our faces. So learn to stop regularly and ask yourself,

 'Who am I depending on?'

 Then answer, 'You, Lord!'

Communion with God

Read | Philippians 3:7-10
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3&version=NIV


God created men and women to be in a relationship with Him. The type of communion Adam and Eve first enjoyed with Him was meant for us as well. Then sin entered the world and everything changed. God’s intended intimate relationship with mankind was broken, and it has been passed down through the generations in that damaged condition.

But, as we know, that’s not the end of the story. God sent His Son Jesus to die in our place so our sins might be forgiven and our relationship with Him restored. Through faith in Christ, we are adopted into God’s family and belong to Him forever—just as He originally meant for it to be. He has provided us with everything we need to experience intimacy with Him.

So what happens if, following salvation, new believers never go deeper? Some may drift away from their initial zeal for the Lord, failing to make Bible reading or church attendance a regular occurrence. Perhaps others try to focus on the Lord but allow earthly matters to distract them. Over time, some Christians settle for what’s comfortable and familiar. Sadly, they will miss out on the deep contentment God wanted to provide. Yet those who make Jesus the priority of their life will have a deepening relationship that transcends any earthly one.

Communion with God made King David “fully satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Ps. 63:5 niv). Paul viewed his accomplishments as nothing in comparison with “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:8). Draw near to your Father, and experience the blessings of knowing Him.


- Charles Stanley

Here I Am to Worship - Tim Hughes

What is the Meaning of Life?

How can purpose, fulfilment, and satisfaction in life be found?

How can something of lasting significance be achieved?

So many people have never stopped to consider these important questions.

They look back years later and wonder why their relationships have fallen apart and why they feel so empty, even though they may have achieved what they set out to accomplish. An athlete who had reached the pinnacle of his sport was once asked what he wished someone would have told him when he first started playing his sport.

 He replied, "I wish that someone would have told me that when you reach the top, there's nothing there."Many goals reveal their emptiness only after years have been wasted in their pursuit.

Boris becker was still considering suicide after winning his third Wimbledon.

In our humanistic culture, people pursue many things, thinking that in them they will find meaning.

Some of these pursuits include business success, wealth, good relationships, sex, entertainment, and doing good to others.

People have testified that while they achieved their goals of wealth, relationships, and pleasure, there was still a deep void inside, a feeling of emptiness that nothing seemed to fill.

The author of the biblical book of Ecclesiastes describes this feeling when he says,

 "Meaningless! Meaningless! ...Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

 King Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, had wealth beyond measure, wisdom beyond any man of his time or ours, hundreds of women, palaces and gardens that were the envy of kingdoms, the best food and wine, and every form of entertainment available.

 He said at one point that anything his heart wanted, he pursued.

 And yet he summed up "life under the sun"-life lived as though all there is to life is what we can see with our eyes and experience with our senses-is meaningless.

Why is there such a void?

Because God created us for something beyond what we can experience in the here-and-now. Solomon said of God,"He has also set eternity in the hearts of men..." (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In our hearts we are aware that the "here-and-now" is not all that there is.

In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we find that God created mankind in His image (Genesis 1:26). This means that we are more like God than we are like anything else (any other life form).

We also find that before mankind fell into sin and the curse of sin came upon the earth, the following things were true:

1) God made man a social creature (Genesis 2:18-25); 2) God gave man work (Genesis 2:15); 3) God had fellowship with man (Genesis 3:8); and 4) God gave man dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26).

 What is the significance of these things?

God intended for each of these to add to our fulfilment in life, but all of these (especially man's fellowship with God) were adversely affected by man's fall into sin and the resulting curse upon the earth (Genesis 3).

In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, God reveals that He will destroy this present earth and heavens and usher in the eternal state by creating a new heaven and a new earth.

 At that time, He will restore full fellowship with redeemed mankind, while the unredeemed will have been judged unworthy and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). The curse of sin will be done away with; there will be no more sin, sorrow, sickness, death, or pain (Revelation 21:4).

 God will dwell with them, and they shall be His sons (Revelation 21:7).

 Thus, we come full circle: 

God created us to have fellowship with Him, man sinned, breaking that fellowship, God restores that fellowship fully in the eternal state. To go through life achieving everything only to die separated from God for eternity would be worse than futile!

But God has made a way to not only make eternal bliss possible (Luke 23:43) but also life on earth satisfying and meaningful.

How is this eternal bliss and "heaven on earth" obtained?

Meaning of life restored through Jesus Christ

 

Real meaning in life, both now and in eternity, is found in the restoration of the relationship with God that was lost with Adam and Eve's fall into sin.

That relationship with God is only possible through His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; John 1:12; 14:6). Eternal life is gained when we repent of our sin (no longer want to continue in it) and Christ changes us, making of us new creations, and we rely on Jesus Christ as Savior.

Real meaning in life is not found only in accepting Jesus as Savior, as wonderful as that is.

 Rather, real meaning in life is when one begins to follow Christ as His disciple, learning of Him, spending time with Him in His Word, communing with Him in prayer, and in walking with Him in obedience to His commands.

 If you are not a Christian (or perhaps a new believer), you might be saying to yourself, "That does not sound very exciting or fulfilling to me!"

But Jesus made the following statements:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b).

 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25).

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

What all of these verses are saying is that we have a choice.

 We can continue to seek to guide our own lives, which results in emptiness, or we can choose to pursue God and His will for our lives with a whole heart, which will result in living life to the full, having the desires of our hearts met, and finding contentment and satisfaction.

 This is so because our Creator loves us and desires the best for us (not necessarily the easiest life, but the most fulfilling).

The Christian life can be compared to the choice of whether to purchase the expensive seats at a sporting event that are close to the action, or pay less and watch the game from a distance.

Watching God work "from the front row" is what we should choose but, sadly, is not what most people choose.

 Watching God work firsthand is for whole-hearted disciples of Christ who have truly stopped pursuing their own desires to pursue instead God's purposes.

 They have paid the price (complete surrender to Christ and His will); they are experiencing life to its fullest; and they can face themselves, their fellow man, and their Maker with no regrets.

Have you paid the price? Are you willing to?

If so, you will not hunger after meaning or purpose again.

What Are You Called to Do?

'...I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not...' 1 Corinthians 9:16

Only when you accept failure as final, are you finally a failure.

 Any time you learn from failure, you've taken a step towards success. You can't hit a home run unless you step up to the plate and face the pitcher.

Baseball legend Babe Ruth hit a record 714 home runs, but he also struck out over 1,300 times.

During a low period, an interviewer asked him how he overcame discouragement.

He replied, 'If I just keep swinging the bat, the law of averages says I'll catch up. In fact, when I'm in a slump, I feel sorry for the pitcher because I know that sooner or later he's going to pay for it.'

When Benjamin Disraeli attempted to speak in Parliament for the first time they booed him into silence. But he said,

 

'Though I sit down now, the time will come when you will all hear me.'

 And they did! He became one of Britain's best orators and Prime Ministers.

 Today Disraeli's critics are forgotten, but his contribution to history lives on.

You say,

 'How can I recognise my destiny?'

 First, your destiny is a desire that won't let you go.

 Paul said, 'I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not.'

Second, your destiny will be more than a job, it will be joy.

 The Psalmist said, 'I delight to do thy will' (Psalm 40:8).

Third, your destiny will unlock your creativity. When God called Gideon a '...mighty man of valour' (Judges 6:12) he was hiding in a cave. But God wasn't addressing his present state, He was speaking to the potential within him.

So, what are you called to do?

The God who speaks - By Charles Stanley

Read | Hebrews 1:1-2

Throughout human history, God has been speaking to mankind in various ways. His prophets were moved by the Spirit to proclaim and write His words, but His ultimate expression came through His Son. Today most believers acknowledge that God speaks primarily through His written Word, yet the voice that dictated the Bible has not ceased. Through His Holy Spirit, the Lord still communicates to every Christian who takes the time to listen with an open and receptive heart.

Stop to consider the wonder of having a God who speaks—not just a distant deity who thunders orders and admonishments from heaven, but one who actually wants to have a conversation with you! Why would the Lord of all creation go to such lengths to communicate personally with each of us? Consider the following reasons:

• God loves you and desires a relationship with you.

• He wants you to know Him personally through intimate communication.

• He longs to encourage you to trust Him. As you experience the fulfillment of His words, your faith grows strong.

• He wants to guide you. The Lord has a good purpose for your life and is willing to direct your decisions and ways so you can experience all that He has planned.

In our busy world, it’s easy to take for granted this invaluable privilege of communication with God. If we are too busy or distracted to hear, His voice will not stop—but we’ll miss out on the riches of an intimate relationship available only to those with receptive hearts and ears.