Surge Twenty-One

Day Twenty-One

January 26, 2020

DAY 21 - Psalm 24:3-5 - P24 Climb Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. The Psalmist here asks us two very key questions in verse 3. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? Then he answers the question for us in verse 4, He says “It is he who…" - Has clean hands - A pure heart - Does not lift up His soul to what is false - Does not swear deceitfully These four steps are how we ascend the hill of the Lord (i.e. Journey with Jesus. I call this the P24 Climb. You have all heard of the P90X exercise program, right? You cannot just pop in the P90X into the tv and then sit back on the couch with a bag of potato chips and watch, and think you are going to get physically fit. NO WAY!! You have to participate in the program!! Let’s briefly look at the P24 Climb. #1 Clean Hands To have clean hands means that we live our lives free from blatant sin. As Christians, or Christ Followers - Children of God, or Believers… Whatever you want to call yourself, we must choose to not sin! #2 A Pure Heart Matthew 5:8 says, ““Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. The Greek word for “pure” in Matthew 5:8 is  katharos… It means to be “clean, blameless, unstained from guilt.” Interestingly… the word can refer specifically to that which is purified by fire or by pruning.  The Greek word for “heart” in Matthew 5:8 is kardeeah. This can be applied to the physical heart, but it also refers to the spiritual center of life. This is the place where our thoughts, desires, sense of purpose, will, understanding, and character reside. So to be pure in heart means to be blameless in who we actually are. #3 Does not lift up His soul to what is false Proverbs 4:23-26 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Just as there are many diseases and disorders that can affect the physical heart, there are also many ailments of the spiritual heart. These ailments can impair growth and development as a believer. A hardening of the spiritual heart occurs when we are presented with God’s truth, and we refuse to acknowledge or accept it. #4 Does not swear deceitfully This is a person who lives by honesty. They are truthful and trustworthy. They keep their promises, obligations, commitments, contracts, and covenants. Matthew 5:37 says, "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Throughout this coming year, it is my desire that we as a body will walk in the Spirit every day and choose not to sin. To be blameless with open hearts to the truths of His Word, Journeying with integrity WITH HIM. This is the conclusion of our SURGE 21 2020 fasting program. Please join together on Wednesday evening the 29th for a time of worship and prayer to solidify in our hearts the small sacrifices that have been made to consecrate ourselves to make this P24 Climb together for the praise and honor of our Lord God Almighty that we may be a blessing and receive His blessings. Pastor Moen Psalm 24:5 says,  “He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” SURGE twenty-one devotionals are prayerful contributions from the pastors, ministry leaders, and volunteers of Liberty Church. We offer a special Thank You for your contributions.

Day Twenty

January 25, 2020

DAY 20 - Isaiah 5:6; Acts 2:42; 4:31- Being http://community...in Prayer... In Isaiah 56:7 we learn “these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”   In my initial reading of this verse, I wondered who Isaiah is talking about when he refers to “these”? I felt drawn to be with them on the holy mountain.  Mentioned earlier in the passage, Isaiah is referring to all of those that “do what is good and right”, and those that “honor my Sabbath… and keep themselves from doing wrong”.  Isaiah is telling us to draw close to God, go deeper in relationship with Him.  Our relationship with God grows through time in prayer with him.   All who devote themselves (offerings and sacrifices) to Jesus will be accepted in His house. It does not matter where you are in your Christian walk or where you are from (all nations) when we go deeper in our relationship with Jesus we experience the joy he gives us in his “house of prayer”.   In these last 20 days, we have drawn closer to God through our fasting and prayer.  By doing this together as a church body, we witness to the world. We see this realized in the New Testament when told about early church development in Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” As we devote ourselves to Jesus through spending time in the Word, time in prayer, and time in fellowship with other believers we feel fulfilled.  Nothing can fill us as completely as this.   Yes, we need Jesus, but we also need each other, for God reaches us through people.  He uses our prayer for others and our fellowship time together to build one another up and to build a community of faith. We learn about the amazing impact the early church had in Acts 4:31: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”  When striving toward greater intimacy with God through obedience and prayer, and growing in community of faith that builds one another up, we are filled by the Holy Spirit.   When the Spirit governs our lives, we witness boldly and journey with Jesus toward the holy mountain.  Then our community of faith “shakes the ground” and we become one of “these” that Isaiah spoke of. Let us come together to pray! Our prayers may be awkward. Out attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who HEARS them and not on the one who says them, our prayers DO make a difference. Max Lucado

Day Nineteen

January 24, 2020

DAY 19 - Psalm 37:3-6 - A Couple’s Journey to Wholeness Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Maybe you’re in a situation where you feel like you just can’t take it anymore; maybe it’s your marriage, or a wayward child, the loss of a loved one, or your job.  Do you find yourself saying? “I just can’t do it anymore!” “I’m done!”  You may wonder why God isn’t answering your cries for help.   Please know that our Heavenly Father sees your pain and knows the desires of your heart.   As a wife, I had prayed for 26 years when I decided that I had enough and left.  I had always wanted to be obedient and not get divorced, knowing how much God hated divorce, but strangely, I had an unexplainable peace about my decision. I had no idea what Jesus was about to do.  I surrendered and trusted. As a husband, I watched my wife was busy praying for our marriage, I was also seeking a relationship with God, but on MY terms. I had asked Him into my heart and knew, according to the Bible, that I was saved and would have eternal life but I had never looked deep enough into my own brokenness to allow God to deliver and heal me.   My relationship with God was kind of like my relationship with my doctor.  We can try to fool our doctor by telling them everything feels great but when they look inside of us and examine our blood chemistry they can see what’s really going on.  Until we totally surrender and allow His light to shine on the inside of hearts we never really know where the ailments are.     Today as a couple walking this journey with Jesus we encourage you to allow Him, the greatest physician ever, to show you the brokenness that causes so much sickness and trouble in our lives and in this fallen world. Trust, surrender and commit.  This can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are so blessed our marriage is now a three-stranded cord. Jesus thank you for your constant love, for knowing the desires of our heart. And for always being there. Our trust is in the LORD because He is working everything out.

Day Eighteen

January 23, 2020

DAY 18 - Acts 16:25-26 - Believing Through The Darkness “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose." Darkness is the absence of light. Isn't it amazing that "in the beginning " ELOHIM began addressing the darkness? “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” The Holy Spirit does exactly what He does best. Illuminates - and there is light. I’m of the belief that many Christians today don’t really believe God IS IN the darkness with us as we navigate this Journey with Him. The Word tells us differently in numerous verses. Too many to quote. I share one of my favorites. “http://...so that all may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is no one but Me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster; I, Yahweh, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:6-7 He isn’t only IN the darkness with us, He created it for His good purpose. Read the narration of Job. Sometimes we are so quick to give the devil glory for what God has planned to use for His purpose. Paul and Silas were sitting in deep darkness this particular night. We are blessed to know the narrative as a whole we see this was God’s divine plan to further the Kingdom. It is stated in Acts 9:15-16 - Regarding Paul - “Go! For this man (Paul) is My chosen instrument to take My name to Gentiles, kings, and the Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name! ” Paul and Silas stripped, beaten with rods, put in chains and thrown into the deepest, darkest part of the prison. God orchestrated! At the midnight hour, Paul and Silas began to pray, worship and praise God. They did not care who heard them or might have ridiculed them. They did not seek to be DELIVERED. In the Midnight Hour they sought the DELIVERER, who was in the darkness with them. As He is in the darkness with each of us in our Midnight Hour. Do you believe it http://brother...sister...? Just as “in the beginning”, He starts in the darkness, then sheds light and deliverance in the situation. At the Midnight Hour or one moment past is when the new day starts. 12:00 PM then turns to 12:01 AM. A whole new day, a whole new beginning. Imagine an earthquake hit right under the part of the prison where Paul and Silas were held. Coincidence? I think not! God’s divine appointment and plan. Right at the Midnight Hour, everything changed. Everyone’s chains were loosed. The prison doors were opened. A jailer saved as well as his family as stated in verses 29-34. I have experience many midnight hour engagements with the Lord. Intimate encounters with ABBA, emotional healings, breakthroughs in prayer for others, received understanding, wisdom, to name a few. All between 12:01AM and 3:30 AM. And they have all stuck with me. God healed and delivered in those times that I felt the hour was the darkest. What is your Midnight Hour? He may wake you at that time, you may be tossing and turning thinking, I’m going to be so tired tomorrow. I suggest you get up and go to a place to pray, praise and worship seeking the DELIVERER, not the DELIVERANCE. Not only were they seeking the deliverer, their attitude shows they trusted Him. How does one come to trust Him to such depth? Relationship. Paul and Silas had a relationship with Him. The Word tells us to trust Him with our whole heart and not lean on our own understanding...Proverbs 3:5. We can’t trust what or who we don’t know. Journeying with Jesus is experiencing Him every day so when the Midnight hour http://hits...like Paul and http://silas...we trust! Faith comes one step at a time, decide to trust God each day for one little thing. Before you know it you will see how trustworthy He is, you will then put your whole life in His hands. L. Austin

Day Seventeen

January 22, 2020

DAY 17 - Mark 10:45 Assignment ...SERVANTHOOD! For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”   Jesus came to live among us, not for greatness or to receive, but to freely serve and give to others. He gave the ultimate gift, through the cross, as the ultimate sacrifice. As we journey with Jesus we are not called to live on the sidelines. Football games are not won on the sidelines, they are won on the field. What an example for us to live our lives to be more like Jesus. I believe we are never finished serving the Kingdom of God. Until God calls us home, we are called to make an impact and serve the Kingdom of God and lead people to Christ. There is a place in our church for each and every one of us to serve accordingly to the gift that has given http://us...don't hold back!   Jesus has never held back on us, so why do we choose to hold back on him? We want to see the Kingdom of God impacted for the greater good, yet, when Christ calls us to move, we stop and ponder the options. Carrying the cross requires a price. The price is being a humble servant for the Kingdom of God. You may never see the fruit of your labor. However, in the eternal perspective of life, it doesn’t matter because we know God is already working ahead of us. I want to give God my best because He gave His best. Never settle for giving God “lazy” when we serve. Jesus was never lazy, He came to go the extra mile for the people who did not deserve it.  Today, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit to serve and give Christ your best. Don’t hold back. We are presented with opportunities to serve the lost and see people come to a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ. Where do you fit in and what will you do?   Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last" C.T. Studd

Day Sixteen

January 21, 2020

Day 16 - Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and the Light “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Disciples are like salt because they are to have a preserving influence. As we Journey with Jesus, our salty nature will affect the people around us, and with that, we can help season their walk with the love of Christ. We as salt should be favorable having the ability to guide others as they journey through life and all it challenges. How do we do this? We do this by praying with and for them, reading/studying the Word to give out to them, being lead by the Spirit, and continuing with those He has placed in our lives to walk alongside in their need. To be of any value in this Journey we are to keep our http://saltiness...our witness for Christ. if we choose to lose our way and begin living as the world lives, we then lose our flavor and other true believers and non-believers will see no difference between Christ and the world. We are to show the world who Jesus Christ is and His way tastes good. Psalms 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;  blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Same as salt, our light will affect everyone around us. For instance, if we do not share our testimony of how Jesus not only saved us and how He did it, well then, we might as well be placing our light under a basket. Jesus wants us to share our testimony of how He helped us overcome. By sharing our victory in Christ Jesus, we are shining His light into someone who could still be in bondage and darkness. Our testimony can help break the chains of darkness in their life where they too can come to believe in Jesus and be saved and delivered. After all, it is about salvation for this lost and broken world. Do not be afraid to share your testimony. There is a saying, “we could possibly be the only bible someone will read.” In the end, it’s really not your testimony at all, its about His testimony of what He did for you and what He can do for the lost! But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 Don’t be afraid! Go spread your salt, and shine your light, to a lost and broken world! As Christians continue to be vilified, let us continue to rejoice and be exceedingly glad. It means we are being the salt and the light and we are IN HIM! R. C. Sproul Jr.

Day Fifteen

January 20, 2020

Day Fifteen Luke 9:57-62 Surrendered and Focused Forward “As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, " I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, " foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." To another He said  "follow me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father.   "And Jesus said to him,  "leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. "Yet another said, " I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home." Jesus said to him, "no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." In this account, Luke is telling us three men it seems, could not meet the conditions Jesus laid down to enter the kingdom of God, and journey on with Jesus. This was a tough word to three would-be disciples. Are you surprised at Jesus' response to these three men? I'm sure they, and the "large crowd" they were part of were as well. We can gain some insight concerning the nature of God's Kingdom, and the truth of what it means to be a Christian by this interaction with Jesus. These three potentials were members of a crowd following Jesus. They obviously enjoyed being part of the movement, but Jesus knew they had a fundamental ignorance to what was required to enter the kingdom and journey on. They had a false enthusiasm as most did who followed him because they lacked understanding. (John6:66) Jesus knew this, and I'm sure they had good intentions but, He knew their hearts were looking for the physical blessings that He was providing and that they were not yet committed followers. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Jesus seems to be discouraging them. How Jesus handled this, seems so contrary to what we see in the church of today, and what we are accustomed to. We are accustomed to the church doing everything they can to attract people. We have made it so easy for people to think they've entered the kingdom. Just say a prayer and you're in. But Jesus, seems to be doing the exact opposite, and I'm sure all were caught off guard. Why did Jesus handle these men in the manner He did? Why did He seem so unsympathetic and harsh with his three responses? What did Jesus mean when He said, no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God?" Why was He turning potential ploughman away, when, just two versus later, He says "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few"?(Lk 10:2) Let`s take a look! Profession is easy! Jesus knew their hearts. Their minds lacked understanding therefore, their hearts had the wrong motive to enter in. I'm sure they were sincere in their thinking, but they exhibited the wrong motives. He rebuked them because He wanted them to know exactly what they were doing. He wanted them to know that committing to Him is more than a prayer. He wanted them to realize they needed to surrender all that would hinder their relationship with Him. He was trying to teach them and all who had ears to hear! Keeping in context, many healings and miracles have recently taken place. Jesus had recently taught His followers about self-denial, cross-bearing and losing one's life. (v23-24) Jesus had announced twice to the disciples His forthcoming rejection and death. (v:22+24) and He had just steadfastly set His face towards Jerusalem. (V:51) http://...he had His game face on. He was trying to make them understand the seriousness and the consequences of not understanding what was soon to take place. He was going to die for them.  When Jesus talks of putting one's hand on the plough and turning back, He is saying, the disciple must fix his eyes on Jesus and His mission. He must "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness."(Mt6:33) A disciples consuming purpose is to FIRST KNOW JESUS, and then, MAKE HIM KNOWN, which is the most important thing in this life. Are there things of this world hindering you from being fit for the kingdom of God? Family? Work? The gym? Your bank account? Are you ashamed? Too tired? The reality is One doesn’t fit Jesus into their schedule, they fit their schedule into Jesus’. Is Jesus the focal point of your life? He deserves you full time, not when you have the time! I enjoy Jesus' agricultural analogies, they're so applicable. In this case, He uses a plough. A symbol of work. To plough a straight furrow, the ploughman focuses on a point ahead, he needs two hands on the plough to strike a straight furrow. This can't be done if he's looking back. In like manner, looking back at former desires and ways, will distract you from the mission and lead to temptations of this world. Jesus knew these three men had a divided loyalty. They wanted to be with Jesus, but they didn't want to surrender all the world was offering. To Journey with Jesus and receive His blessings and joy requires leaving worldly values with a clean sever and immediate separation from the pride of life! "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."(Hebrews 4:12) "Love not the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love for the father is not in them."(1Jn2:15) Jesus gave the warning, "remember Lot's wife, whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it."(Luke17:32-33) I can't help but wonder if she was longing for the former life as she looked back. Her life was apparently pretty good there. She probably knew it was wrong, but she liked it. (We have the same problem, Paul says he dies to self daily) Apparently, she was hesitant to surrender all and looked back with longing eyes, in disobedience, and died instantly. Since the only way to really Journey with Jesus is with unconditional commitment. We need to ask ourselves, am I keeping one foot in the world just in case? Am I committed to Jesus Christ unconditionally? Am I ready for the high cost of discipleship? Have I counted the cost? Because if you are following Jesus the way he intends you to, it's going to cost you things you enjoy if it hasn't, you need to reassess your life. Jesus wants you to understand what discipleship in His kingdom requires because He loves you. He wants you on the right train because it's a one-way ticket. After all, because of His supernatural love for us, He paid the ultimate cost for our redemption so we would not face God's wrath. Praise God! " the cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Day Fourteen

January 19, 2020

Answering the Call   Matthew 4:19 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In this verse, Jesus is asking them to follow the plans he has for them. He has “Asked” each of us to follow Him. The real decision that is awaiting each of us every day is …. What will our answer be? In the Lord's sample prayer for the apostles He says when you pray, “Give us this day our daily bread”. There is an insinuation that we come back and pray for: today’s joy, today’s peace, today’s perseverance, today’s love, today’s forgiveness, today’s strength, today’s mercy and today’s needed amount of Love. All these portioned for the need of His day for us. Being Asked requires a response. At the ask, we are all left a choice (free will) of the reply required by the ask. Matthew 4:20  20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Their reply to Him is both active and geographical. They had to “let go of the net”, the very thing that occupied a large part of their lives. To experience Breakthrough in 2020 we need to let go of our net. The very things that consume large amounts of time and make relational withdrawals from our heavenly relationship with our God and stymie the extraordinary purposes He has chosen us for and the very people He has designated us to reach and impact. What will be our answer…..today? The secret of following God’s will is wrapped in rejecting the “GOOD”... for “GOD’S BEST”. K.P. Yohannon

Day Thirteen

January 18, 2020

DAY 13 - Unity In The Church Ephesians 4: 1-6; John 1: 20-23 " I therefore a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called". Eph 4:1 Paul begins chapter 4 by earnestly trying to persuade Christians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. The analogy of a walk suggests activity and movement with progress and advancement. We are not to remain stationary, being content with our spiritual rebirth, happy to be where we are or constantly looking back. We are to press on. Paul says " forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus Philippians 3: 13-14. Now we have to ask, what does it mean to walk worthily? In short, walking worthy of such a high calling means to please God in all respects, bearing fruit through increased knowledge (Colossians 1:10). Remember, it's not our worth we are maintaining but the immense worth of our position in Christ. " with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bear with one another in love". Ephesians 4:2 Do you ever struggle to get along with a brother or sister in Christ? Paul knew that members of the body are at different levels of understanding and maturity. So he was urging us to bear with one another in love, knowing there will be differences of opinion, likes and dislikes, envy and pride within the church. With the adverb " therefore" in Eph 4:1 Paul is recalling what he has been emphasizing above everything else in the first three chapters of Ephesians, this great matter of Christian Unity. He tells us this very specifically in Ephesians 1:9-10. "Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time. To unite all things in him, and all things in heaven and things on earth". This unity is the primary objective and Paul is urging us to bear with one another in love, especially through our sins and confrontations. Too many people just pick up and leave a particular church for prideful self-serving reasons, because we are not pursuing this unity as Paul is exhorting. Sin is a disruptive force, it divides, destroys and separates families, communities (churches) and Nations. Sin even divides a person within himself/herself. "endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" Ephesians 4:3 God never intended us to walk this walk alone or with a blind eye to the sin of others. Rather than ignore sin or avoid confrontation, Paul gives us two stages to express this unity in love. 1. With humility (forsaking self-righteousness) and gentleness (maintaining self-control) and 2. With patience, bearing with one another in (unselfish) love". Eph 4:2. This Supernatural love is only of the Spirit and is a spiritual grace, it comes from within. This is God's grand design, it is the thing in which he glories in above all else, we must guard this unity, not to guard it is a grievance to the Holy Spirit. It's not about perfect people trying to produce unity, that would be uniformity, but about sinners attaining it Verse 4:13 with humility in love, then striving to guard it, then we can patiently endure differences and forgive sin, so that we may grow together in the knowledge and fullness of Jesus thus glorifying God. "there is one body, one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."(Ephesians 4: 4-6 ESV)  Jesus emphasized this oneness in His high priestly prayer just hours before his death:  " I do not ask for these only but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one so that the world may know that you sent me and love them even as you love me". (John 17:20-23) Is there any question that this God-glorifying oneness and unity of the Spirit is the Lord's primary objective and that He is aware of the world watching His church? Father, forgive us when we are not walking worthy of our high calling. May we not be prideful but like Christ in lowliness and meekness, help us not to be impatient or resentful, but enduring and forgiving to enable the unity that Jesus died to create to become real to the church and observable to a fallen and broken world. To the praise of your glory. Amen

Day Twelve

January 17, 2020

DAY 12 - Acts 17:24-29 - Seeking And Following God’s Plan “The God who made the world and everything in it — He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Being God’s offspring then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination.”  How to answer the call?   God created everything we see, feel or touch without any help or assistance. He used His spoken words to bring everything into existence. His plan and purpose were set and done before the world existed, in which He included you. He went as far as pre-appointing your time and the boundaries of your dwellings (Act 17:26). Your existence is not an accident. There isn’t any other person in this world with your specifics and particularities. You are original. You are part of the divine plan of God. His plan is for your personal life, family, surrounding community, church, state, country and all the extremity of the earth where He predetermined you will reach. God has called you. You might be wondering he called me to what? Or perhaps, you know His calling for your life but you are wondering How do I answer this call?   He gives you a blueprint that says: “seek him and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart”. A blueprint is a road map. Seeking for anything requires action. Answering the call consist of following the blueprint where God says in Him, we live and move and have our being. Let’s be practical about the blueprint and seeking God. Develop a game plan of how you’ll take action.   In Him we live and move: Be intentional! Spend some quality time in prayer before the Lord. Talk to Him about your life, situation, family, health everything you would want to communicate to a best friend. Pray like your life depends on Him (because it does) then you will spend some quality time before your maker. Study the word of God to know what God says, all your answers are in His Word. He desires each of us to seek Him out. This is the action we all must take. We seek out friend relationships, love http://relationships...why not our relationship with God. You will miss a lot by a quick browsing of the word. Set a time just to read the word; this takes discipline. Then a time to study the word. Be encouraged by listening to praise and worship songs. These times can very well fit into one's daily schedule. Start small and you will desire to build up the time because you will be encountering the living God.   In Him we have our being: This is where you surrender to His Lordship. In other words, you get into a partnership with the Holy Spirit. This is where you learn to understand how the Holy Spirit communicates: Is it through soaking in praise and worship, visions, dreams, studying the word or while driving to work? As your relationship begins to grow deep, you will become familiar with God’s ways whenever he wants you to spend time with Him, pray for someone, your family, your boss or your neighbor. God wants to develop an intimate relationship with you to the point that your calling will begin to unfold. You will find Him, when you seek Him with your whole heart... …Though He is not far from each of us.   God doesn’t want something from us, He simply wants us. C. S. Lewis

Day Eleven

January 16, 2020

DAY 11 - Ephesians 4:11-15; 4:21 - Maturity In Christ “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,”...Ephesians 4:11-15 ...”assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,” Ephesians 4:21  Answering the call implicates becoming equipped for the work of the ministry, then equipping those who come along side and/or behind us.   As these verses state we are to build up the body of Christ to full maturity.  Spiritual maturity.  God’s plan is that we are to become built up (grow up) and not be tossed to and fro. (Meaning going forward, then backward), which opens us up to deception.   In times past, and in this present time there are many deceivers lying in wait to deceive God’s chosen, in which you are one.   Verse 15 tells us we are to “speak the truth in love, we are to grow up into Him, who is the head, into Christ.  To be “into Him” is to be “with Him.”  A mature Christian is one who acts like Christ, looks like Christ in character, one who stands in Christ as they face life and helps others to face life.  As the cells in our physical bodies work together to build up the physical, we are spiritual cells building up the body of Christ.  Answering the call brings us up to spiritual maturity. One evidence of spiritual maturity is to speak truth to one another in love.  Please listen (read carefully). As I have learned through the school of hard knocks regarding “speaking the truth in love” to those who I thought might need to know the truth “in love” from my perspective. This scripture does not give us license to give our thoughts, opinions, perspectives to the hardships and cares of another’s life.  No matter how right we might be... That would be taking this scripture out of context, which I did and as some still do today.  It is very important to take scripture from the whole text that supports the one verse speaking to us.   In this case, the supporting scripture is as follows: assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus...Ephesians 4:21  “As the truth is in Jesus”http://...as mature Christians we are to grow up into Christ in every way.  What Paul is teaching us is that we are to implement the truth of who Christ is in every situation.  Jesus is the only answer.     I had given a friend a birthday party years ago and invited mainly her friends and associates from our church.  I also invited a person to play guitar so we could worship and sing together.  It was a great night. The birthday girl was pleased.  Another woman cornered me in my kitchen and told me she would never come to another event I hosted because everything I did relate to God.  She claimed to be a Christian.  As I look back today that was the best compliment I could ever receive.  A great example of what answering the call looks like.  Just tell with your words and show with your actions who Jesus is all the time.   “I believe that one reason why the Church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the World is because the world has so much influence over the Church.” Charles H. Spurgeon

Day Ten

January 15, 2020

DAY TEN 1 John 2:3-6 - Walk As Jesus Walked “This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” yet doesn't keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked.” “Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mathew 22: 37-39 < God is Love, He loved us, even when we were sinners  < God commands us to Love God and to love people  < We can't pretend we love God if we can't love the people He puts before us. Jesus’ example of obedience gives us direction. (Matthew 6:9-13), “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, . . . thy will be done...” we are to always be seeking His will. Jesus came to earth to do the Father’s will. ““My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” John 4:34 Our food is also to do the will of the Father and to finish the work of the kingdom. Jesus Christ is our example by His own life and the path we are to choose. Our life is to be completely in line with every Word of God and thus the will of God. < Jesus appoints those He loves, values and wants them to serve with Him < Jesus gives authority and power to those He loves and appoints   < Those He appoints He equips for the job < Those He appoints He values and believes they are up to the task < Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for us. < Are we ready to give over our life for His Kingdom. Lay down our desires to seek His. The love of God is perfected in us when we are obedient to the full counsel of God. We are “in Him” as we surrender to complete obedience “to Him. Anonymous

Day Nine

January 14, 2020

2 Peter 1:2-8 - Be An Onward Christian “May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Dear brothers and sisters, as we answer the call of Jesus Christ we begin to understand the mind of Christ, and the will of God. In this text, we can see His passion for our advancement. Our God cares for us to much to be stuck in our ways and struggling with our flesh. It seems that there is an order to our progress and that it needs to be intentional.  “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” 2 Peter 1:3 This is an amazing promise and as you read the following verses you will see that the promise is fulfilled by God through us and our actions.  For we are to ”make every effort to supplement our faith with virtue (moral excellence), and virtue with knowledge(information), and knowledge with self-control (a disciplined self), and self-control with steadfastness (loyalty, faithfulness), and steadfastness with godliness(righteousness), and godliness with brotherly affection(protectiveness, warm-heartedness), and brotherly affection with love(selfless).” 2 Peter 1:5-7 How then should we continue? How can we make steps towards becoming who God has created us to be? The Lord has always answered me in simple terms that I can understand. “Read your Bible and Pray every day.” Of course, life will teach you lessons of its own and there are many teachers and helpers along the way. However, if we can get one thing right in answering the call: Read the Word and Pray every day. Love you All! Being a Christian is more than an instantaneous conversion, it is a daily process whereby you grow more and more like Christ. Billy Graham

Day Eight

January 13, 2020

John 1:1-2 - Fruit Bearing In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Let us look at the meaning of word.   • Word- (according to Webster’s dictionary) noun, single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed. This means that we use words to communicate our will, convey our thoughts, or issue commands; it is also the medium of communication with others. By calling the Son of GOD the WORD, we acknowledge that Jesus is the medium by which GOD tells us HIS will and issues HIS commandments to us (Hebrews 1:1-3). Per the text, we know that Jesus, the Word, was there in the beginning, before the world was created. He was with GOD and HE was GOD. He is eternal John 15:4 - Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. The text reminds us that there are 2 things that are absolutely necessary for our salvation: • That we continue to be closely united to Christ by faith and love, and live in HIM • That we continue to remain in Him otherwise we are powerless. I am reminded of a punishment that I read about in a parenting magazine where the author advised parents not to take away electronic devices from disobedient children but instead to take away the charging cord. Once the battery runs out, these devices are powerless. As the branch partakes of the nature of the tree, is nourished by its juice, and lives by its life. Thus, it’s the same for us If we are not connected to the True Vine (John 15:1-2), we too become powerless. Hebrews 4:12 - “ For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” The text so amplifies the nature of the Word of GOD and personifies it. From the text, we see the Word of GOD described as • Living- the word of GOD has that effect on those to whom it is preached • Active- doesn’t go out of “style” as some things are known to do • Sharper than any two-edged sword - doesn’t become dull, is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago • Piercing- able to see through all our fronts and excuses • Able to judge This further helps to remind us that the Word of GOD is powerful. It doesn’t lose power. This takes me back to a time when I was bitter. I had a vision for an outreach project and shared that vision with someone looking for help and guidance on how to further advance the idea. I didn’t get the help and guidance that I was looking for but instead I was surprised to see that my vision was being used by that person but to help a different area. Furthermore, I received zero credit for the idea. I was wounded and started thinking that I couldn’t trust my brothers or sisters to not steal my ideas. No one could discern what I was thinking or what I was feeling; but GOD knew. I needed the Word of GOD for comfort but also to convict me and remind me of my purpose. That day, I was quickly reminded of the bickering in the early church where some were saying they were of Apollos and other of Paul and how Paul reminded them that we are all servants of GOD and all Glory is due to GOD (1 Corinthians 3:1-9).   Knowing that Jesus is GOD, that we need GOD for power and sustenance, and that the Word of GOD is living and active today, let us not live an ordinary life. Remain attach to the True Vine, let Christ manifest Himself in you, through the Word and let the Holy Spirit empower you. Root deeper to reach wider. If you want someone to believe in your redeemer, you are going to have to look redeemed. Friedrich Nietzche

Day Seven

January 12, 2020

John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” I am blessed that I had grandparents as I was growing up.  I looked forward to being with them.  It was always a special time for me because I got one-on-one attention from them that my parents of five children had difficulty to give me.  Reflecting back, I admit that one grandparent was my favorite.  She had nine grandchildren. But I believe I was her favorite.  I felt special because, of the nine, she chose me.  She was the kind of grandmother that led each of her nine grandchildren to believe they each were her favorite.  She always let me know she recognized great gifts and potential in me.  She bragged on about me to others, as grandparents often do.  She inspired me to raise my game in all that I did. I worked hard so that I would never let her down.  She came to mind as I read today’s Scripture.  She reflected Jesus. Jesus chose you and me even before we fully knew Him.  He had already chosen us when we became aware of His life and His sacrifice for us.  We did nothing to earn it; he loved us first.  He knows our individual giftedness and brags on about us like a grandparent.  He appointed us to a great task on this journey of life.  While I delighted in living out my appointed task for my grandmother, I am blessed all the more to carry out my appointed fruit-bearing for Jesus.  Just knowing I am “appointed” by Jesus gives me confidence.  He believes in me!  He knows I can do it!  I am thankful for the reminder this verse brings; that I am on a mission from God, especially when I find myself distracted by this world. We are called to bear fruit by sharing the Gospel with others for His Kingdom.  The “fruit” is the people’s lives that are eternally changed when they accept the gospel story.  His Word speaks great expectation into our lives.  Yet, we are not left out on our own to do His work.  He wants us to do His work by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He desires that we call out to Him in prayer, asking for what we need to carry out our appointed task.  He responds. We can depend upon Him; He is reliable. Praise God! “There is a crown which nobody’s head but yours can wear. There is a seat in which none but yourself can sit. There is a harp that will be silent till your fingers strike its strings.” Charles Spurgeon