THE FULLNESS OF TIME

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, August 31, 2011

THE FULLNESS OF TIME

“But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:6, 7).

In the fullness of time, God sent Jesus into the world.  Jesus completed us and made us whole.  We no longer need a schoolmaster; we no longer need to be controlled by the letter of the law: touch not, taste not, handle not.  When Jesus came He completed all things and we are now free to walk in the Spirit-- with demonstration and power.

Today, let us thank God for the fullness of time.

HEIRS OF GOD

IN THE BEGINNING...THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, August 29, 2011

HEIRS OF GOD

“And because you are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ (Galatians 4:6, 7).

Today, let us walk in the power and privilege of a son of God!

THANK YOU

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 28, 2011

THANK YOU

“He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan”(Luke 17:16 NIV).

God does so many wonderful and gentle acts of kindness for his children, sometimes we forget to give him thanks.  He protects us in the storm; He gives fruit to our womb and makes our quiver full; He provides for our needs and heals our bodies.  He does so much that we almost in every situation expect the blessing. Yes, God does enjoy showering us with his goodness and mercy, but He looks for the praise, too.  “Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner,” asked Jesus in Luke 17. We must acknowledge God’s goodness, praising and glorifying Him for his goodness towards us. For we know that if we keep quiet the stones will cry out (read Luke 19:40).

Today, Let us praise and glorify our God and Creator, whose mercy endureth forever. 

I WILL TEACH YOU THE FEAR OF THE LORD

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

I WILL TEACH YOU THE FEAR OF THE LORD

“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” Psalm 34:11.

The Holy Spirit wants to teach us the fear of the LORD.  He wants us to sit under his tutelage as he shows us the power of the Almighty.  Can you see God’s hand in the storm?  Will you be afraid?  Will you allow the fear of the LORD to transform you?  Today, many are preparing for a hurricane that is scheduled to hit the New York area within the next twenty-four hours.  Yes, the hurricane can destroy the body, but we must rather, repent in the fear of God.  For Matthew 10:28 tells us “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul:  but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Indeed, we have an eternal soul that we must be mindful of.  Instead of worrying over earthly food and shelter, we must be sure that we have eternal habitations.   For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens” (II Corinthians 5:1).

Today, let us learn to fear the LORD and embrace salvation.

  

HE FEARED GOD

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

HE FEARED GOD

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil”(Job 1:1).

God knew that Job was perfect and upright, a man who feared Him.  We see that Job sanctified his children and offered burnt offering for each of his children.  This is a demonstration of an act of reverent fear toward God. “Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.  Thus did Job continually" (see Job 1:5).  How do we express the fear of God in our lives?  How do we show our fear of Him?

 Today, let us demonstrate the fear of the Lord. 

WHERE IS MY FEAR?

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 24, 2011

WHERE IS MY FEAR?

"A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master WHERE IS MY FEAR? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name.  And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name" (Malachi 1:6, emphasis mine)?

The Scriptures tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).  Yet, we are not accustomed to fear.  We are taught to be bold and brave and fearless.  So, we wonder: how is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom?  Fear is the beginning on a continuum that perhaps leads to passion.  Fear is the first and primary way one shows respect in a relationship.  We have manners, for fear that we may disrupt the order of things-- or offend.  We are especially kind in relationships,because we are afraid we may hurt someone’s feelings.  Children do what parents desire, for fear of punishment.   In relationships, it is wise to show fear. It is especially wise to fear God who holds all power and might in his hand, so that none is able to withstand him (see II Chronicles 20: 6).  How unfortunate and reckless is the one who does not understand the need for fear.  Imagine a driver having no fear of the police officer.  Imagine a wife having no fear of her husband.  Imagine a child having no fear of his parent.  Now, imagine a person having no fear of God.  When we don’t fear someone, we quickly (unwittingly) despise them, as stated in Malachi 1:6.

But if fear is the beginning of wisdom, what is the end?  I think we see the beginning and end of wisdom laid bare on the cross of Calvary,  Jesus demonstrating ultimate wisdom in submission to his Father.  Yes, Jesus had the fear of God; but more than fear, he had a passionate willingness to lay his life down, loving the obedience, finding great pleasure in the pleasing.

Today, let us repent and pray for fear-- as a beginning of wisdom.

LET MY PEOPLE GO, THAT THEY MAY SERVE ME

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 23, 2011

LET MY PEOPLE GO, THAT THEY MAY SERVE ME

“And the Lord spoke unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Let My people go, that they may serve me.”  (Exodus 8:1)

Just as God saw the cry of the children of Israel when they were in hard bondage in Egypt and sent deliverance, so he sees the bondages of his children today.  The Holy Spirit comes to deliver the Church from every bondage today.  The scriptures tell us in Romans that God has made a way for us to be eternally delivered from the bondage of corruption.  Instead, as we are led by the Spirit, we receive the glorious liberty of the sons of God.  As we receive this liberty we are to serve the Lord.

Today, let us serve gladly, as we continue to live in the Spirit.

THE GUIDE TO LIFE

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, August 22, 2011

THE GUIDE TO LIFE

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:  for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify me:  for he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you” (John 16:13, 14).

Joyfully, we have the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, to comfort us, empower us and to guide us.  We would lose our way and our bearings if it weren’t for the quickening guidance of the Holy Spirit.   For me, the Holy Spirit plans my days and guides my future; by faith, I expect him to guide me in the way of truth, leading me not into temptation.  The Holy Spirit will guide you as you sojourn down here on earth-- warning you when you are going off course, leading you into paths of peace and prosperity.  As we entrust our lives to the guidance of the  Holy Spirit, we can expect God to be glorified, revealed in and through every aspect of our existence.

Today, let us rejoice because we have a guide in the Holy Spirit who won’t lead us astray.

THE PROMISED LAND: GO IN

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 21, 2011

THE PROMISED LAND: GO IN

Behold, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give unto them and their seed after them” (Deuteronomy 1:8).

“Thou art the LORD, the God who …promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hast sworn to give them” (Nehemiah 9:7, 15).

“And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father which, saith he, ye have heard of me” (Acts 1:4).

We know that God’s people, the children of Israel, were promised a land flowing with milk and honey (read Exodus 33:3).  In the same way, God has a promised, flowing land for the church.  For God said in Acts Chapter 1, “Wait for the promise of the Father.”  On the day of Pentecost, the promise came and filled the believers.  For God had promised the Spirit would come,  and Jesus said of the Spirit“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).  A life living and flowing in the Spirit is our promised land today.  No longer are we bound to the ways and traditions of men; we are free to show forth the manifestations of the Spirit to profit withal (read I Corinthians 12:7-11).

Today, let us claim our promised land by flowing in the Spirit, manifesting the gifts of God.

THE PERFECT LAW: LIBERTY

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 19, 2011

THE PERFECT LAW:  LIBERTY

“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetterh what manner of man he was.   But whoso looketh into THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, and continueth  therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,  but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25).

Liberation is what the Spirit comes to bring--breaking us out of bondages of mind, tongue, heart, soul, and flesh.  The Spirit of the Lord is freeing us, changing us into the image of the Lord, from glory to glory.  We must desire to see what the Spirit is saying to the Church.  The Spirit is showing us his gifts.  Will we see them and believe them and receive them.  The Scriptures tell us that we must behold and hear what the Spirit is saying and doing—and not forget.    What gifts is He distributing?  We are not to behold ourselves (see) and then “forget what manner of man" God has made us to be.  The Holy Spirit is revealing, liberating  our gifts and talents and we must see and continue seeing the outpouring of the Spirit as we enter in to the work of our ministry. 

Today, let us behold the perfect law of liberty.

WILL YOU BE REFORMED?

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 18, 2011

WILL YOU BE REFORMED?

“And if ye will not be REFORMED by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins” (Leviticus 26:23). 

God has always desired for his children to walk in his ways.  If we choose to turn to our own way, God must bring the rod of correction.  Through this process, God reforms his church so that it looks like it should look—like his Son (who is the express image of the God as stated in Hebrews 1:3).  We must allow the word of God to work in our heart to reform us to the image of God.  We must submit to the hard corrections of God, those hard lessons he teaches us in our trials.  Did we learn anything through the trial?  God wants to reform us so that we can “come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (see Ephesians 4:13).

Today, let us be reformed!

MADE TO GO UPRIGHT

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

MADE TO GO UPRIGHT

“I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of  your yoke, and made you go upright”( Leviticus 26:13).

The Lord designed us to be an upright people.   We are made in the image of God, therefore anything that causes us to be bent over or bowed down is not of God.  It is good to know that “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up those that be bowed down” (Psalm 145:14).   We shall be delivered from all that would oppress us, that which causes our soul to stoop.  We shall put on strength as we live and walk in the Spirit.   Our heart and our stature will reflect the beauty, the purity, the majesty of our creator as the Spirit brings deliverance.  Indeed, the Holy Spirit has come to deliver us from every bondage of the flesh because “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7,8).

Today, let us thank God for deliverance from the flesh and for the power to go upright!

ONE NEW MAN

IN THE BEGINNING… THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 16, 2011

ONE NEW MAN

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity , even the law of commandments in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:15).

So many expect to achieve what is called the American Dream—the idea that in America one can develop one’s talents and employ them to full potential, thereby being rewarded with nice cars and homes,  vacations and things.  But for the children of God, we must know that God has a dream, a design, a purpose, a plan.   It is unfolding day by day, moment by moment-- it is a dream of souls and of salvation:  “the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:38).  It is a dream of unity, the making of the one new man, where grace blossoms in the earth, where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). God’s dream is that his children live through the Spirit:  “For as many that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

Today, let us pray for unity and the bond of peace.

THE LAW OF KINDNESS

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, August 15, 2011

THE LAW OF KINDNESS

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her mouth is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26).

Are you breaking the law?  The woman described in Proverbs 31 is said to have her tongue governed by the law of kindness.  Not only does she speak wise words, but she allows no corrupt thing to proceed out of her mouth.  As Christians we are to have our tongue in subjection to God so that he might allow the body to be built up.  We are commanded: “Let no  corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearer” (Ephesians 4:29).  If we speak well,  we will live well:  “For he that would love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile” (I Peter 3:10).

Today, let us pray for kind words and a kind way.

THE BLESSINGS OF BOUNTIFULNESS

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 14, 2011

THE BLESSINGS OF BOUNTIFULNESS

“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor” (Proverbs 22).

When you see a need, do you respond?  We are told in Proverbs 22:9 that if you have a bountiful eye you will be blessed.  The story of the Good Samaritan is an example of the bountiful eye.  The Good Samaritan saw the need of the traveler and gave of his time and his resources to meet the need (read Luke 10:29-36).  In 2 Corinthians 9:6, 7 we read:   But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  Our attitude toward the work of God and the needs around us should be met willingly, cheerfully and immediately.

Today, let us pray for a generous heart and nature.  Let us see the needs and cheerfully meet them for the glory of God.

SAMUEL, A STANDARD AGAINST HIM

IN THE BEGINNING …THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 12, 2011

SAMUEL, A STANDARD AGAINST HIM

“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun.  When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up A STANDARD AGAINST HIM” (Isaiah 59:19).

Eli, the priest, was in the temple, but was not truly honoring God in the temple.  Before Samuel had grown up, a man of God came to Eli and warned Eli of sudden calamity.  Why calamity?  “And thou shalt see an enemy in my habitation…” (I Samuel 2:32).  Yes, Eli had seen an enemy in God’s habitation, but he allowed him to flood the house.  “Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear:  ye make the Lord’s people to transgress” (I Samuel 2:24).  Yes, Eli saw the enemy, but did not stop him-- so God had to come in to take divine control.  “Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at my offering, which I have commanded in my habitation and honorest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people” (I Samuel 2:29)?

  Eli had spoken to his sons as expressed in I Samuel 2:23, 24, 25, but this was not enough.  It is as if God asked Eli, Do you love me more than these, your sons? By his actions, or lack thereof, Eli communicated allegiance with his sons over God.   Remember, if you love anything more than God, you have hatred toward God.  God saw Eli as one who despised God and His house, because he honored His sons above God.

God came in the midst of this flood of evil and raised up a standard.  What is a standard?  A standard is a flag, especially a war flag.  God raised his war flag, letting the enemy know “this far and no farther.”

 “And I will raise me up a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house: and he shall walk before mine anointed forever.  And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests’ offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.”

Samuel is God’s standard against the flood of ungodly men in the house of God.  Today, let us thank God for His salvation, and pray for the continued RAISING UP of God’s standard!

A NEW RULE

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 11, 2011

A NEW RULE

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  But it shall not be so among you:  but whosoever is great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever shall be chief among you, let him be your servant:  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister , and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).

In Matthew 20, the mother of Zebedee’s children attempts to secure a position of authority and rulership for her sons in Jesus’ kingdom:  “Grant that my two sons may sit, the one on the right hand, the other on the left in thy kingdom” (Matthew 20:21).  Jesus sees that she has the wrong concept of his kingdom.  In Jesus’ kingdom, ruling is not about sitting, but about serving.  As Christians, we are not to seek dominion over others, practicing our gift of leadership.  We are to be busy finding and meeting the need of those around us.  Not waiting, wishing to be served, but surrendering our will that our Father's will might be accomplished.  Like Jesus, we are to give our lives to serve and save the many.  The kingdom of God operates in a higher rule than man.  The world teaches ambition and domination.  Jesus teaches that our greatness is in our willingness to be broken for others. Our ministry comes out of our ability to see what needs to be done in our home, our church, our neighborhood, our government, our city, our state, our country, our world.  How can we help, bless and build?  

Today, let us ask God for the strength to serve, and to keep on serving, until  many have been blessed.

THE PROMISED SEAL

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 10, 2011

THE PROMISED SEAL

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that ye believed, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT  OF PROMISE, who is the earnest (guarantee) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians1:13,14).

I Promise.  That is what God must have told Jesus.  I Promise.  For Jesus told his disciples to go and wait for “the promise of his Father.”  We see Jesus instructing his disciples before he was taken up out of their sight:  “And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem , but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:4, 5).  This promised gift of the Holy Ghost was just what the disciples needed.  For even though our Lord and Savior departed the earth, we are comforted by the Comforter , He bearing witness that He is with us always, “even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).  Jesus said, “you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” ( see Acts 1:8).  Jesus must have felt comforted by knowing that His Father promised to provide the Holy Spirit for His Church, His Bride.  Yes, the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, our Power to Witness.  But we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory because the Holy Spirit is our Seal-- for we are sealed, “having an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you”(I Peter 1:4).  “We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”( I Peter 1:5).  We are sealed IN CHRIST--no man can pluck us out of His Hand.  Jesus testified (John 10:27,28) before his crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension, saying:  "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."  God Promised!

Today, let us rejoice over the Promise of the Father!

MORE THAN THESE?

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 9, 2011

MORE THAN THESE?

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?  He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee.  He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.  He saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:15, 16)

It was the third time Jesus had shown himself to his disciples after he was risen from the dead, and he had a very pointed question for one of his disciples: lovest thou me more than these?  It is not clear in Scripture what Jesus was asking Peter to compare his love to.  They were sitting down having a meal of bread and of fish.  Jesus may have been pointing to the food.  Asking, do you love me more than that which satisfies your belly or are you given to your appetite?  Or, it could have been the other disciples Jesus was pointing to.  Asking, do you love me more than your love of being a part of the group, more than the praise of man, more than your friends?  Jesus wanted to know if there was anything that he loved more than Jesus because if there was anything that he loved more than Jesus, he didn’t love Jesus at all, nor would he be worthy to feed Jesus’ sheep.

Today, let us allow Jesus to bring to our attention those things, persons or practices that may be in the way of our devotion to God.

WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 8, 2011

WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION?

“He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for  himself a kingdom, and to return.  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, OCCUPY till I come”( Luke 19:12,13).

In the parable of the long journey described in Luke 19, Jesus illustrates the manner in which the kingdom of God works.  Jesus is the nobleman in the story.  He came from heaven to earth (a long journey) and purchased for himself a kingdom.  He will return to earth one day, and all of us, his servants, must give account for the work we have been engaged in.  We must be responsible, wise stewards of the gifts and talents the Holy Ghost has distributed to our care. Our occupations are to be for the work and glory of our Lord.

Today, let us OCCUPY, and commit to a life that is forevermore about our Father’s business!

YOU SAY YOU LOVE GOD?

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

YOU SAY YOU LOVE GOD?

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also (I John 4:20,21).

 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren(I John 3:16).

He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.  But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes (I John 2:9,10).

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.  He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and we know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him (I John 3:14,15).

Today, let us love our brother, also.

GOD'S NEW IMAGE IN YOU

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, August 5, 2011

GOD’S NEW IMAGE IN YOU

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

From the beginning, God’s design included you-- for he created you in his image, after His likeness.  Many of us desire to trace our family’s lineage, yet we fail to see that we need to look to our creator for clues to our identity and personhood.  We are made in the image of God, male and female.  We are designed to have authority and creativity. However, just as the first Adam had to be changed into the second Adam—Christ Jesus, so does our carnal nature have to change into Spirit.  God has a new image for his sons and his daughters.  Colossians 3:9,10 tells us to put off the old man with his deeds, and…put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all in all.

What good news! God has renewed his image in us.  This new image is not fallen or corrupt.  (According to Genesis 6:6, it repented God that he had even made man, “grieving him at his heart.”)  This image of God that is now in His Church is the new man, Christ Jesus.  We can rejoice with praise and thanksgiving because Jesus is the express image of God.  Jesus is the firstbegotten of God, the brightness of his glory.  Yes, Jesus is the firstborn, but we are the many brethren desiring the fullness of the firstborn.  According to Romans 8:29 we have been predestined to be conformed to the image of the firstborn who is Christ. Jesus.

Today, let us put on the NEW MAN and let our prayer be: “God see your image in me.”

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, August 4, 2011

THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake,  although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jeremiah 31:31,32,33).

In the New Covenant, there is a new law. Galatians 6:2 calls this law the law of Christ.  In Romans 8:2  this law is called “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus."  God said that this new law would not be written on tablets of stone but would be in our inward parts, controlling, governing, preventing, warning, teaching, advising, preparing and convicting.  This new law is the law of the Holy Spirit placed inside the believer, causing the believer to have wisdom of God:  In Job 38:36 we see that God is the one who “hath put wisdom in the inward parts.”  The law of the Holy Spirit brings not only holy wisdom but a holy conscience:  In Romans 2:15 we see that the believer has a law in their hearts-- their conscience bearing witness with thoughts actively accusing or excusing  behavior.  Moreover, the governing law of the Holy Spirit causes us to have godly emotions—our hearts are moved with compassion when there is a need:  I John 3:17 says," But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"  However, the most important impact that the law of the Spirit has upon our inward parts is the quickening power that quickens us to abundant life, quickens us to the Word, and quickens us to Christ Jesus.

  Today, let us thank God for the New Covenant, which brought the NEW LAW, which has brought (and is bringing) newness of life!

THE WORKING OF THE SPIRIT

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, August 3, 2011

THE WORKING OF THE SPIRIT

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

God said by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah: “ I WILL DO A NEW THING; NOW IT SHALL SPRING FORTH; SHALL YE NOT KNOW IT? I WILL EVEN MAKE A WAY IN THE WILDERNESS AND RIVERS IN THE DESERT” (Isaiah43:19).  What is this new thing?  He reveals it on the day of Pentecost when he breaks down every confining barrier and sets us free to be one in Christ Jesus, thus giving us rivers of water in the desert.  Yes, the new thing is the pouring out of His Spirit for mankind to be free.  No longer must mankind be imprisoned by nationality, class, gender or race; in Christ Jesus we are equal and we are one!

 The Holy Spirit manifested this oneness on the day of Pentecost when language barriers were brought down:   The disciples who had been gathered together in the upper room and filled with the Spirit spoke languages of several nations, amazing onlookers: " And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia in Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya and Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jew and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:7-11).  This breaking down of language barriers was a sign of God’s intention to bring unity and oneness.  This was the working of God’s Spirit.

Language is one way that mankind is divided, but we are also divided by financial status, racial designations, gender and on and on are the distinctions, the barriers that the Holy Spirit comes to break down.  The day of Pentecost shows us that the Holy Spirit comes to bring freedom.  Our sons and our daughters are free to prophecy; whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How wonderful is the reality that “the Spirit is given to every man (every believer) to profit withal.”  The Holy Spirit came to baptize us into one body, Christ Jesus.  Again in I Corinthians 12:13 we are told:  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. And this one Spirit divides spiritual gifts severally, as he will.  And we know that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance.  In other words, The Holy Spirit pours out several gifts to members of the body, without apology or need of explanation.

Today, let us rejoice over the WORKING of God’s Spirit in the earth!

THE FATHER, THE WORD, AND THE HOLY GHOST

IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 2, 2011

THE FATHER, THE WORD, AND THE HOLY GHOST

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (I John 5:7).

The Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost are ONE-- what a demonstration of unity, oneness and perfect accord.  The Father’s thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts, yet they are in agreement with the Son and The Holy Ghost.  Every day we have the opportunity to walk in unity with “these three” by submitting to our Father’s will as the Holy Ghost leads, prompts and reveals that which brings God pleasure.  Additionally, as the body of Christ, we have an incredible privilege to unite as one and agree.  Jesus informs us in Matthew 18:19:  "Again I say  unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." 

 God is a God of unity, one accord and perfect fellowship, and he honors these qualities in his children.  Today, let us honor the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost.  As They agree in heaven, let us agree on earth.

TREASURES OF HAIL

IN THE BEGINNING… THE WORD

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY, AUGUST 1, 2011

TREASURES OF HAIL

“Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow, or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail” (Job 38:22)?

Today I saw hailstones that looked like pearls!  Yes, I have seen the treasures of the hail.  Indeed, God is a God that doest wonders (see Psalm 77:14).  He speaks from heaven, letting us know that He is near; He is at work; He is great and in control.  Still, we haven’t seen anything yet.  The best is yet to come.  Today, let us thank God for his wonderful treasures that ever remind us of His greatness and His glory.