Acts 2:46-47 – “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” NKJV

I am sure you are wondering what part of this I’m calling revolutionary.  Well… Notice the first few words, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple….”   They got along in Church!  Wow, what a concept, Church Unity! 

Sadly, I’ve seen more than I would like to remember of infighting within the local congregations where people were jockeying for position and control.  I’ve watched churches split over internal disagreements that could have and should have been solved by biblical principles.  I’ve watched as those outside the faith were so alienated by this type of attitude and activity that the church virtually lost its witness in the community and became a clique rather than a church. 

On the other hand, I have also seen churches that were so harmonious that they touched their communities powerfully and impacted members’ lives positively and dynamically. 

Imagine this fledgling entity called The Church after Jesus’ ascension having such unity that they could meet together DAILY and still get along, be in one accord.  They had a common goal and vision and unitedly pressed toward that mark. They fellowshipped, not just getting together for a social event but a blending of lives, hearts, minds, and faith.  They were people of simplicity, gratitude, and praise, and as a result, they had a dynamic impact on their community.  I suggest that we would have like effects if we had like minds as they do.

I have no problem with people having different ideas on many things within the church.  We are all individuals and do not all think alike.  However, allowing it to become a dividing wedge is not good.  I’m not talking about compromising your convictions or winking at sin and disreputable behavior.  I’m talking about power struggles, positions, and titles being allowed to become more important than the purpose for which the church originated.  Notice the last sentence where we see the LORD adding to the church DAILY those who were being saved.  That says something about their daily lives and witness. 

Some think you have to be in the church building to get saved, but you don’t have to be in a hospital to get sick or well, and you do not have to be in a mortuary to die.  If the church were unified in purpose and touching its community as these, we would find that Sunday morning was less of a preaching service and more of a reporting service of what had transpired during the week.  I’m not against preaching.  I am for reaching our communities DAILY.

As you consider the church and examine the early church, please allow the Holy Spirit to mold your thinking so that your prime objective is the central purpose of God.  

May the Lord be with you and bless you as you go through your day!

1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. “NKJV

I interviewed for a sales job once, and the interviewer commented, “Well, I guess you are qualified. After all, preaching is the ultimate in sales.”  I have thought about that many times since and disagree.  Someone once asked if I knew the definition of a salesman, and I knew he had something clever to offer.  So, I played the game and said no.  He said, “A salesman is someone who convinces you to buy what you don’t need at a price you can’t afford.”  

That may be true of some, but undoubtedly not true for all who are in sales. However, sales does involve convincing someone to purchase a particular item.  I do not consider preaching a ‘sales job’ or a ‘pitch.’ It is the presentation of GOOD NEWS pointing to the door of salvation and life.  It is more of a public service announcement than sales. 

Once in witnessing to a particularly difficult individual and presenting the GOOD NEWS, he stopped me and said, “You are quite the salesman, aren’t you?”  I said, “No sir, I’m not trying to sell you anything. I am simply offering information that, if received, will completely transform you” I make no commission, the price has already been paid, and the warranty is eternal.  It is up to you to decide whether you will receive or reject the offer.  If the Holy Spirit is tugging your heartstrings, I urge you to accept.  I know this might be splitting hairs, but I have never considered preaching the gospel as sales or politics.  I am not seeking a sale or garnering a vote; I want to see a life transformed!

The apostle Paul packaged what the gospel is in a beautiful package in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8.  He identified that Christ died for our sin, was buried, rose on the third day, and was seen by eyewitnesses.  He continued in the following verses declaring that there is a resurrection from the dead for Christ arose.  He made the arresting declaration that if Christ did not rise, our faith would be in vain.  If that is the case, then we are still without hope; all we have is here and now.  That makes it a pitiable existence.  But Christ did arise, and we have hope!

The word gospel means good news.  The image is that of a newborn calf skipping in delight as it leaps and plays.  The Good News makes our hearts leap for joy because it transforms us from children of darkness into children of light.  We are born again and become new creations in God.  The old is gone, and the new has come to life.  So today, I come with a Public Service Announcement that Jesus is alive and is extending the offer of salvation to whosoever will.  Harken to the call of the Spirit of God if you have not, and if you are a child of the King, then allow Him to live His life through you completely. 

May God be with you as you go through your day!

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 – “So let no one boast about men. For all things are yours— ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Kefa, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come. All are yours, ²³ and you are Messiah’s, and Messiah is God’s.” TLB

As I prayed and read this morning, many things filled my heart. This passage grabbed my heart.  I believe it is important to muse on, meditate, ponder God’s word, and find the nuggets under the surface.  These verses brought me to consider the Message, the Promise, and the Provision for the believer.

I ask that you notice several things, the first being – “All things are yours.”  When we read the word ALL, we must determine what that means.  ALL THINGS?   He included all things past, present, and future.  Immediately I was reminded of the declaration of Jesus – “Fear not, little flock, for it is My Father’s good pleasure (desire) to give you the Kingdom.”  Also, Paul’s statement that the Kingdom of God is not material but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  So, what are the ALL things spoken of here?

As we ponder the matter, we realize that The Kingdom of God is God.  He said we are to seek the Kingdom AND Righteousness, THEN; all things will be added or given to us. Again, we come to All Things.

Therefore, if ALL THINGS are ours, then God declares that we ARE in Him abiding and His Word in us, producing the fruit of righteousness in us.   How many of us see ourselves as possessors of ALL things?  How many of us have struggles, trials, difficulties, problems, and something we seem unable to overcome? 

Where we see ourselves is vastly different from the declaration of God that ALL things are ours and that we are the possessors of ALL things.  But, according to the Bible, that is how we are.  We are IN CHRIST.  If we are IN Christ, then we are Abiding IN Him, and His Word is Abiding IN us.  What does that suggest? 

God calls us to live AS WE ARE, in Him!  Our call is not how the natural minis d influenced but the devil wants us to think.  If Jesus is WHO The Bible said and did WHAT the Bible says, THEN we are the Righteousness of God, and ALL things are ours.

God views things from Heaven’s perspective FINISHED.  We view things from our earthly human perspective as they exist in our time-space continuum.  God calls things that are not (in the natural) as though they were because they are in Heaven.  God is not looking at the problem from the problem but from the solution.  He is not looking at things from earth, reaching for heaven. He is looking at things in his Eternal Present and sees them done. 

If we believe the Bible, it is time for us to begin to view ourselves as Abiding in Christ, and from that position and condition, we can see ourselves as being AS HE IS.  How is He?  He is Victorious, having triumphed over the devil.  Jesus did not live with any sense of lack.  He saw things as the Father saw them.  He did what He saw the Father doing and said what He heard the Father saying.  Therefore, if we are IN HIM, we, too, need to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our thinking to view life from God’s Eternal Present rather than our human frailty.

It is time to declare our victory, dispossess the squatters on our promises and possess our inheritance.  

WHO ARE WE?  We are those to whom all things have been given. Therefore, as a Child of the King and more than a conqueror, a New Creation in Jesus, I can be a manifestation of Jesus on this earth.  Today I urge you to dismiss doubt and disregard all the flaws you think you see in yourself, open your heart and hands to God, and say THANK YOU!  Receive it; it’s yours.

God bless you as you embark on a new way of thinking and living, Victorious in Jesus

Hebrews 13:5-6 – “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”  NKJV

In my years of ministry and life, I have learned that without contentment, a person lives in an unending miserable state.  Covetousness is a vicious companion, as are Envy and Greed.  No wonder the apostle Paul told us that he had learned to be “content in the state he found himself.”  He knew how to abound, and he knew how to be abased.  His confidence was not in Things but in GOD, which is where ours should be.  If we focus on What We Do Not Have rather than who We Have, we will live lives filled with “What If Moments” and be continually dissatisfied with virtually every aspect of our lives.

In the above passage, I see that courage is one of the by-products of contentment.   There is courage for life, facing obstacles, ministry, and attempting the difficult and even impossible.  It provides the foundation by which we can rise to the heights that God has designed and desired for our lives. 

We move from the condition of victim to the place of victor because of the statement in verse six: “THE LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?”  You will come to the condition and position that your life is “hidden with Christ in God,” and nothing or no one can touch your eternal spirit.  Oh, they may inflict wounds on your body, and if you allow them on your emotions but your eternal spirit cannot be touched, it is in God’s Hands, safe and secure.

I no longer worry about those things that I can do nothing about.  I work to change my circumstances when they are contrary to what I believe God would have them, but I do not fret over the present or live in the past.  I keep my eyes firmly fixed on the Ultimate Goal and Objective.  I press toward the mark of the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus.  I realize that whatever state I am in is temporary and that My God will supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory.  He will grant me the wisdom to know what to do, the ability to accomplish the task, and the provisions to sustain me in times of plenty or lean.

So, as you go through your day, go with God allowing the Holy Spirit to bring a spirit and sense of contentment, not complacency, into your hearts.  As you do, you will quickly rise above the circumstances and stand victorious in mind, body, and spirit. 

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.” NASB

When we view God as Who He is – Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, we quickly conclude that “Nothing is too difficult for Him.”  When we examine the record of the Bible and see His exploits, we quickly realize that He is Omnipotent and His power unlimited.  When we recall the times in our own lives when God has demonstrated His Power and His Grace, we realize that There is None Like Him in all creation.  No wonder the prophet of old would say – “Ah, Lord GOD, you are creator with infinite power and can do anything!”

Life experiences help us develop faith.  I have faith that when I sit in a chair, it will hold up under my weight, and I will not fall to the floor.  I have tested chairs before, and almost all of them have held me up. I trust that the airplane I get into will rise from the earth and soar through the skies to its destination because I have ridden in numerous airplanes, and they have done just that.  I trust that when I flip the light switch, there will be light in the room because previously, I have done so, and it worked. 

Life experiences generate confidence in us that something will be as it is supposed to be or as expected.  The same is true with God in that we have tasted His goodness, seen demonstrations of His power and might, experienced His mercy and grace, and therefore We Believe!  We believe that He can.  We believe that He will.  We believe that He wants to.

It would be beyond my human ability to recall all the times that God has demonstrated His supernatural power in my own life, not to mention the countless other lives that I have personally witnessed Him in.  So, I, along with the prophet of old, declare, “Ah, Lord GOD!  You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  NOTHING is too difficult for you!”  I trust you and quietly live confidently that You are and will ever be My GOD!

I don’t know what you might be facing today, but I know God is more than enough for whatever that is.  I love the song Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill wrote, “When Jesus Says It’s Enough.”  In that song, they declare that when Jesus says it’s enough, it will be enough, and I know He’s aware, and He really cares about all that pertains to me.  I’ve had my share of troubles and trials, and sometimes the going gets rough, but when Jesus says it’s enough, it’ll be enough.   I say AMEN!  So, whatever you are facing, cast your care on the Lord, and when He speaks peace to your situation, all your sorrows and troubles will have to flee. 

May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!

Psalm 6:9 – “The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer.” NKJV

There were many times in his life of David that he was under pressure, and stress or distress filled his days.  God called David a man after His own heart, and I believe that one of the reasons was that David always had a heart for God.  He could look around and recognize the wickedness and desire other than that.  He truly desired to please God and was confident that if he turned to God, God would turn to him.  Thus, the basis of this prayer and hope in the Lord is that God not only heard him but received his petition!

I believe that Scriptures like this one and the truth presented was the basis of John’s words in 1 John 5:14-15 – “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” NKJV The early Christians had a confidence in God that propelled them to achieve great things for the Kingdom and should do the same for us.  It kept them steadfast amid the storms of life and gave them a deep, settled peace and assurance that God heard them, and the answer was on the way.  We should have the same confidence, and as the writer of Hebrews declares in Hebrews 10:35 – “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.” NKJV

I firmly believe that God loves us so much that He carefully listens to our cries or prayers.  He wants to respond to our petitions, and when he finds a heart filled with expectation and confidence in Him, He is moved with deep compassion.  There is something about having the assurance that God has not only heard you but received your petition and is responding to it.  You may not know when the answer is coming or even how it is coming, but in your heart, you know it is coming.  There is something not only comforting about that but will embolden your spirit and quicken your resolve to continue your walk and work in Him.

Don’t look at man. You will grow despondent.  Look to God, and your heart will rise above the problems of this life and soar into the presence of the Almighty.  There will come a peace within your inner self that will enable you to enjoy His Grace and peace amidst the storms of life.  Remember, God is on your side and always on the side of right!

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Hebrews 10:23-25 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  NASB

Those of us who have confessed or professed Jesus as our Lord and Savior need to hear this passage in the deep recesses of our spirits!  We dare not waver in our commitment to that confession or profession. The devil would bring doubt, questions, and vain discussions about the Bible’s validity, supposed errors, and interpretations, but Jesus is The Son of God!  If you believe He is, remind the devil there is nothing more to discuss regarding your Confession of Faith. 

We need to seek to stimulate or encourage each other in that commitment and profession or declaration of our faith.  We do so through Love and Good Works.  We do so by becoming a part of a local assembly where we can unite with other believers and use the strength of numbers to help us make it through both good and bad times.  We are part of each other.  None of us are islands to ourselves and need each other.

It is more than just getting together for fellowship and mutual sharing; it is a time when the Master Builders that God has chosen for that Body can fitly frame us into a Spiritual House through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is a time when we, as living stones, are assembled into a fully functioning army of the Lord to accomplish His purposes.  Does that mean you will agree with everything that the church leadership does?  I doubt it!  I doubt they will agree with everything you think, do, or say.  We all are still human, in case you have forgotten. 

When I find people who cannot or will not submit to legitimate spiritual authority, I find people that are easy targets for the devil in deception and are easily swayed into wrong and even false doctrine. Does any local congregation have it all absolutely right?  No! Is the local assembly needed, and does it serve a ministry?  Yes!  Do I think there is room for improvement in becoming more in harmony with the pattern of the New Testament Church?  Absolutely!  So how do we accomplish that?  We work together, encourage each other, and refuse to allow schisms and divisions among us.

May God be with you as you go through your day in Him!

John 6:33-35 – “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”  34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” NASB

Jesus addressed the crowd and informed them that he was fully aware that they were following Him as a result of the loaves and fish miracle.  He used that moment as a classic teaching opportunity to bring them to the ultimate spiritual truth regarding who He was.  He reviewed their history about the “Manna” from heaven in the wilderness and the miracle He performed in their midst and advised them that the bread from heaven did not come from Moses or any man but from The Father.

That Bread brings life, not just momentary sustenance, and satisfaction.  It gives Eternal Life, and the crowd was so moved that they cried out for Him to provide them with that bread, and Jesus stepped forward saying: “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.”  He brought them to a moment when they had to decide who He was and what He had to offer.  It was like when He asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter’s immortal response is the only acceptable: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

We live in challenging times materially, socially, emotionally, politically, and spiritually, but our concerns and fears about what we will eat, wear, drive, or where we will live pale in comparison to the ultimate question – – WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?  Will you receive Him as the Lord and Savior of your life, or will you list Him as a prophet, a good man, or some figure from history?  It is an old cliché but true – – Jesus is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all! 

Today I encourage you to come to Him and receive the Bread of Life, never hunger spiritually, and believe in Him and never thirst.  You will feel complete and total satisfaction when you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.  Make that day of acceptance today!

May God be with you as you go through this day!

Genesis 50:15-21 – “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17’Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.”‘ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”  NKJV

I love the statement of Joseph in verse 19 and have used it to encourage myself on more than one occasion.  God will take what men mean to be evil and order it for good.  I believe that is the basis of what Paul said in Romans 8 “all things work together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose.”  Not all things are good, and all things Joseph experienced were anything but good, but the finished product was good. God demonstrated His willingness and ability to take the schemes of evil and produce something of beauty and fulfill the purposes of God. 

In studying the life of Joseph and the history of Jacob (Israel), some things make my heart leap for joy as I see, once again, how God deposits little hints and insights into his purpose and plan.  He does little things that seem coincidental, but nothing is coincidental with God. 

In the New Testament, I find that Jesus began His public ministry at 30.  In Genesis, we find that Joseph was elevated to his position of power at 30. Joseph began his ministry of purpose to preserve the Seed Line of Jesus at the same age that Jesus began His public ministry designed to Redeem mankind.  Joseph, in that sense, is a type of Jesus.  I find that more than a little interesting, and it resonates with me and speaks to my heart that God is so detailed in His plans for us and wants us to be able to glean truth from His Word, so He continually leaves breadcrumbs along the way to get our attention and encourage our hearts.

If you examine the record, you will find that sixty-six souls (people) came with Jacob to Egypt, and if you look at the number of books in the Bible, you see sixty-six.  I do not believe that is coincidental but intentional and validates the Christian Bible as the inspired Word of God, complete and entire. 

Then if you add the sixty-six that came with Jacob to the four that were with Joseph, you have seventy, which is the number of elders that Moses appointed, and the number mentioned in Luke 10 that Jesus sent out.  What does seventy mean?  What is the significance of 70?  The number 7 represents perfection and the number 10 completeness, and if you multiply that by 7, you find Ultimate Perfection and Completion!  Jesus has finished the work and now empowers and sends us out into His harvest.  Israel spent 70 years in Babylonian Captivity before returning to the land.  Jerusalem kept 70 Sabbaths while Judah was in Babylonian captivity, and seventy-sevens are 490 years as prophesied in Daniel.

God is faithful and keeps His word and covenants.  God has a plan, and He leaves us little breadcrumbs throughout scripture to encourage us and open our eyes to His truths.  May the Lord inspire your heart to dig deeper into His word and mine the nuggets of truth He has placed as handfuls on purpose for us.

May the Lord bless your richly and enhance your work, walk, and warfare!