God has given the victory to every Christian--not just in the hereafter, but in the here and now. You may say, "But I know some Christians who aren't living a victorious life, and I'm one of them."
Then, I hate to break it to you, but you are living beneath your privilege. God's Word admits the possibility of failure in our lives, but it never assumes the necessity of failure.
As a matter of fact, 2 Corinthians 2:14 says, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." Do you know what you need to do? You need to possess the possessions God has already given you in Christ.
"For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands."
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Romans 3:25-26
When I was a little boy, I thought God was like Santa Claus with a long beard--making a list and checking it twice, trying to find out if I was naughty or nice.
I thought then when life was over, we would face him and he would pull out these massive scales and weigh our good works against bad ones to see if we would make it to Heaven.
This type of thinking made me fearful that at the end of my life I would face God and He would say, "Brad. I'm sorry, but according to my calculations, you didn't make it." Then, I would have to turn and ashamedley walk past family and friends. Friend, maybe you even believe this, but let me set the record straight. Salvation is not an attainment, it is an atonement.
Study Romans chapter 5. What better way to start the New Year off than to remember what God taught you about His salvaton.
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, i say, at this time his righteousness: That He might be just, and the justifier of Him which believeth in Jesus.
I thought then when life was over, we would face him and he would pull out these massive scales and weigh our good works against bad ones to see if we would make it to Heaven.
This type of thinking made me fearful that at the end of my life I would face God and He would say, "Brad. I'm sorry, but according to my calculations, you didn't make it." Then, I would have to turn and ashamedley walk past family and friends. Friend, maybe you even believe this, but let me set the record straight. Salvation is not an attainment, it is an atonement.
Study Romans chapter 5. What better way to start the New Year off than to remember what God taught you about His salvaton.
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, i say, at this time his righteousness: That He might be just, and the justifier of Him which believeth in Jesus.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Luke 22:44
"And being in an AGONY he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
This is the only time the word AGONY is used in the Bible. It is used when the Lord Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane. The word agony speaks of a contest. In the Greek language, the agon was a wrestling match. Jesus was wrestling, not with God the Father or with Satan, but with His own humanity. It was his sinless holy humanity vs. His divine love.
I'm glad that love paid the price in dark Gethsemane.
This is the only time the word AGONY is used in the Bible. It is used when the Lord Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane. The word agony speaks of a contest. In the Greek language, the agon was a wrestling match. Jesus was wrestling, not with God the Father or with Satan, but with His own humanity. It was his sinless holy humanity vs. His divine love.
I'm glad that love paid the price in dark Gethsemane.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Psalm 139:1
God sees everything you do. God knows all about you. God loves you. It is an amazing thing that the Lord would feel this way about us, when we are smaller than a grain of sand compared to the universe He has created.
There is no more reason for God to be interested in us, than for the President of the United States to be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. And yet, God is interested......very interested.
The sun that stays in the sky and warms the earth will ripen a bunch of bananas like it has nothing better to do. In the same way, the Almighty God runs the universe and is concerned about you as though you were His only concern. You are very special to Him.
"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me."
There is no more reason for God to be interested in us, than for the President of the United States to be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. And yet, God is interested......very interested.
The sun that stays in the sky and warms the earth will ripen a bunch of bananas like it has nothing better to do. In the same way, the Almighty God runs the universe and is concerned about you as though you were His only concern. You are very special to Him.
"O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me."
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
John 6:69
Jesus Christ is a fact of history. All secular historians who have an merit admit that regardless of what they believe about Him, Jesus lived! There's no way to explain that the Christian Church exists apart from the fact that Jesus Christ was here.
What did the early church preach? Not only that Jesus was here, but that He walked out of the grave. How do you explain that? Somebody said, "Well, they must have made up the story. They just said they touched Him, they said they ate with Him."
Oh? We're talking about men who died for their faith. Do you think they would willingly, knowingly die for a lie?
Are you willing to die for the cause of Christ? This man who died for you--are you willing to die for Him?
.......We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the son of the living God."
What did the early church preach? Not only that Jesus was here, but that He walked out of the grave. How do you explain that? Somebody said, "Well, they must have made up the story. They just said they touched Him, they said they ate with Him."
Oh? We're talking about men who died for their faith. Do you think they would willingly, knowingly die for a lie?
Are you willing to die for the cause of Christ? This man who died for you--are you willing to die for Him?
.......We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the son of the living God."
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Psalm 63:1
The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. In Palestine some stones look amazingly like little loaves of bread. I can just see the devil looking on the ground and knowing Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and he said, "Well, look here. Just turn this into bread!"
Now, there's nothing wrong with eating bread. In fact, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. Yet, Jesus had been led into the wilderness to fast and pray and seek the face of God. The devil was trying to put the bread above the will of God, saying "Pamper your flesh." But, what he was really saying was, "Commit spiritual suicide." Jesus overcame the flesh, and you can, too.
Next time you start to think something that God would disapprove of, watch the second hand of a clock--you'll never get that time back, so why keep throwing it away?
"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth you thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."
Now, there's nothing wrong with eating bread. In fact, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. Yet, Jesus had been led into the wilderness to fast and pray and seek the face of God. The devil was trying to put the bread above the will of God, saying "Pamper your flesh." But, what he was really saying was, "Commit spiritual suicide." Jesus overcame the flesh, and you can, too.
Next time you start to think something that God would disapprove of, watch the second hand of a clock--you'll never get that time back, so why keep throwing it away?
"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth you thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Ephesians 4:27
Have you ever gotten into an argument with a family member on the way to church? Every preacher knows the devil will try to attack God's children right before and after church. There is a spiritual principle here we need to learn. It is what I call "the devil after the dove" principle. When Jesus was baptized and a dove descended, right after that He was led into the wilderness and tempted.
When God does something great, or when you get the approval of God about something, you can expect the attack of the enemy. Leonard Ravenhill said, "When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil is going to open the doors of hell to blast us."
Have you had a wonderful spiritual experience recently? Then, you better not start coasting. If the devil tempted Jesus, be sure he will temp you, as well. Ask God to give you strength to overcome temptation this week.
"Neither give place to the devil."
When God does something great, or when you get the approval of God about something, you can expect the attack of the enemy. Leonard Ravenhill said, "When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil is going to open the doors of hell to blast us."
Have you had a wonderful spiritual experience recently? Then, you better not start coasting. If the devil tempted Jesus, be sure he will temp you, as well. Ask God to give you strength to overcome temptation this week.
"Neither give place to the devil."
Monday, November 16, 2009
Matthew 5:9
Many years ago, you were somebody if you joined the Peace Corps. But, how much peace has been established between brothers and sisters around the world as a result?
Do you know how to bring peace to earth and goodwill to all men? Introduce men, women, boys, and girls to the Lord Jesus. That is the only way. Churches are filled every Sunday and yet where do people go during the week? Are they sharing God's salvation story with the lost? It's not your faithful attendance to church that is going to bring peace to earth.
Are you living like a child of God and telling others about Jesus? Ask God to give you a holy boldness to ask your neighbors how you can pray for them. Ask God to give you courage to ask about their lives, and while doing so to discover their needs. Then do what you can through Christ to help meet those needs to the glory of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Do you know how to bring peace to earth and goodwill to all men? Introduce men, women, boys, and girls to the Lord Jesus. That is the only way. Churches are filled every Sunday and yet where do people go during the week? Are they sharing God's salvation story with the lost? It's not your faithful attendance to church that is going to bring peace to earth.
Are you living like a child of God and telling others about Jesus? Ask God to give you a holy boldness to ask your neighbors how you can pray for them. Ask God to give you courage to ask about their lives, and while doing so to discover their needs. Then do what you can through Christ to help meet those needs to the glory of God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Matthew 5:7
Those who have received mercy, are those who show mercy. And only those who show mercy will be those who continue to receive mercy. And this mercy isn't just sentiment or softness. It is sympathy that serves.
Jesus doesn't merely save us from something. He saves us for something. He wants to express His life through us as we serve others. I thank God for our beautiful churches, but i believe the thing that is going to touch the lives of our communities are not our buildings, but our merciful acts of kindness.
One by one, we can make a change as we go out and show the love of Christ to our neighbors. People do not care how much we know, until they know how much we care.
"Blessed are the mereciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
Jesus doesn't merely save us from something. He saves us for something. He wants to express His life through us as we serve others. I thank God for our beautiful churches, but i believe the thing that is going to touch the lives of our communities are not our buildings, but our merciful acts of kindness.
One by one, we can make a change as we go out and show the love of Christ to our neighbors. People do not care how much we know, until they know how much we care.
"Blessed are the mereciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Matthew 5:5
Meekness is one of the most confused adjectives in all of the Beatitudes because most people confuse meekness with weakness. Jesus said He was meek and lowly, but He certainly wasn't weak.
The word "meek" means "strength that is brought under control." When horse trainers "break" horses, they describe what they do as "making them meek." They do not intend to cripple the horses or take away their strength. They train them to use their strength in control.
In the same way, God doesn't come into your life to cripple you. He wants us to be teachable and coachable. "Blessed are the meek: For they shall inherit the earth."
The word "meek" means "strength that is brought under control." When horse trainers "break" horses, they describe what they do as "making them meek." They do not intend to cripple the horses or take away their strength. They train them to use their strength in control.
In the same way, God doesn't come into your life to cripple you. He wants us to be teachable and coachable. "Blessed are the meek: For they shall inherit the earth."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Psalm 1:1-2
Tge Beatitudes teach us the heart of the way we are to live, just like the Old Testament's Ten Commandments teach us how we are to live. Now, there is a key word in what I just said, and that word is "are."
You see, the world is more interested in the word "have." If you have things, then you are considered blessed by the world's interpretation of that word. The world thinks happiness comes from your ability, money, cleverness, possessions, good looks, power, or fame. But I think we both know people who have a lot and they are perfectly miserable.
Happiness does not come from what a man has, but from what a man is.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
You see, the world is more interested in the word "have." If you have things, then you are considered blessed by the world's interpretation of that word. The world thinks happiness comes from your ability, money, cleverness, possessions, good looks, power, or fame. But I think we both know people who have a lot and they are perfectly miserable.
Happiness does not come from what a man has, but from what a man is.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
Monday, November 2, 2009
1 Corinthians 15:4
One of the greatest blessings in the Bible is often missed and over looked by believers. It is the burial of Jesus Christ! The burial of Jesus is a blessing to you. Because not only have you died with Him, you have been buried with Him.
When Jewish people died in Bible times, they were immediately embalmed with special oils and wrapped in linen. The body was hidden and buried in a tomb. That is what Jesus has done with your old body of sin. Not only have you been crucified with Christ, you have been buried with Christ.
Why the emphasis? So that you will not be haunted by the ghost of guilt. The devil will try to remind you what you were. Don't let him do it! Don't go prowling around in the dead bones of your old life. It is gone by the GRACE of GOD!
"And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
When Jewish people died in Bible times, they were immediately embalmed with special oils and wrapped in linen. The body was hidden and buried in a tomb. That is what Jesus has done with your old body of sin. Not only have you been crucified with Christ, you have been buried with Christ.
Why the emphasis? So that you will not be haunted by the ghost of guilt. The devil will try to remind you what you were. Don't let him do it! Don't go prowling around in the dead bones of your old life. It is gone by the GRACE of GOD!
"And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 29, 2009
"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13.
One day a little girl was reading the Bible and came across a picture of angels. She asked her daddy, "What is the difference between a cherubim and a seraphim? Well, this daddy didn't know, but he took her to the encyclopedia and they looked for the answer. He discovered the cherubims excelled in knowledge, and the seraphims excelled in love. The little girl thought for a minute and said, "I would rather be a serpahim. I'd rather love God than know everything."
That's awesome! First Corinthians 13:2 says, "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing." Love excels knowledge.
God Bless.
One day a little girl was reading the Bible and came across a picture of angels. She asked her daddy, "What is the difference between a cherubim and a seraphim? Well, this daddy didn't know, but he took her to the encyclopedia and they looked for the answer. He discovered the cherubims excelled in knowledge, and the seraphims excelled in love. The little girl thought for a minute and said, "I would rather be a serpahim. I'd rather love God than know everything."
That's awesome! First Corinthians 13:2 says, "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing." Love excels knowledge.
God Bless.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October 28, 2009
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." -2 Timothy 1:12
I heard of a lady who memorized so many verses of Scripture that she quoted them back to the Lord in praise to His name. However, when she grew old and began to lose her memory, she could only remember one verse, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
She would quote that verse over and over and over. Later, her memory deteriorated more and all she could remember was just the phrase, "committed unto Him." It brought her much comfort.
Finally, she came to a place where all she could say was, "Him." You can distill the Bible down to that one word, "Him." Spend the next couple of minutes quieting your mind, stilling your heart, and tuning all of your life to that one note of praise--Him.
God bless,
Brad T.
I heard of a lady who memorized so many verses of Scripture that she quoted them back to the Lord in praise to His name. However, when she grew old and began to lose her memory, she could only remember one verse, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
She would quote that verse over and over and over. Later, her memory deteriorated more and all she could remember was just the phrase, "committed unto Him." It brought her much comfort.
Finally, she came to a place where all she could say was, "Him." You can distill the Bible down to that one word, "Him." Spend the next couple of minutes quieting your mind, stilling your heart, and tuning all of your life to that one note of praise--Him.
God bless,
Brad T.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
Psalm 30:5 says, "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
Sometimes God allows us to have "blue" times where there is more crying than laughing. However, what we must remember is that these times are only for a season. That is crucial. Joy will come in the morning, just as sure as the sunrise.
If you get up tomorrow morning to see the sunrise, let me tell you what not to do. Don't try to make it hurry up. You can't do it. The sun is not going to come up one second sooner than God intends. Waiting on the Lord is like waiting on the sun to come up. You can't hurry it. You also can't stop it. God is going to bring a sunrise to your soul. Just wait for it. And trust Him while you wait.
God bless,
Brad
Sometimes God allows us to have "blue" times where there is more crying than laughing. However, what we must remember is that these times are only for a season. That is crucial. Joy will come in the morning, just as sure as the sunrise.
If you get up tomorrow morning to see the sunrise, let me tell you what not to do. Don't try to make it hurry up. You can't do it. The sun is not going to come up one second sooner than God intends. Waiting on the Lord is like waiting on the sun to come up. You can't hurry it. You also can't stop it. God is going to bring a sunrise to your soul. Just wait for it. And trust Him while you wait.
God bless,
Brad
Monday, October 26, 2009
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
If you want victory, you must expose the place of your doubts and fears. Many of us are not willing to do that. The devil has intimidated so many of us that we hide our eyes from the Sonshine of God's light.
Do you know what fear is? It is False Evidence Appearing Real. You can be fooled by false evidence. For example, a bank robber with his hand in his pocket pretending it is a gun. His power comes from the power of deception. His power is the power of fear. Friend, victory's arrows cannot be shot through closed windows.
I just want to ask you if there is any area of your life that you have been unwilling to open the window on? Humbly turn your face to His Light and give your fears to the Lord Jesus Christ. Just remember, there is no panics in Heaven, only plans!
God bless,
Brad
If you want victory, you must expose the place of your doubts and fears. Many of us are not willing to do that. The devil has intimidated so many of us that we hide our eyes from the Sonshine of God's light.
Do you know what fear is? It is False Evidence Appearing Real. You can be fooled by false evidence. For example, a bank robber with his hand in his pocket pretending it is a gun. His power comes from the power of deception. His power is the power of fear. Friend, victory's arrows cannot be shot through closed windows.
I just want to ask you if there is any area of your life that you have been unwilling to open the window on? Humbly turn your face to His Light and give your fears to the Lord Jesus Christ. Just remember, there is no panics in Heaven, only plans!
God bless,
Brad
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