Being God-Centered

If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:9-12

Reading this scripture especially for someone confused with their calling, can be misleading. Not because the bible intends to be this way but more about our perception and individual walk. It's easy to take this passage literally, that we won't suffer pain or any hurt at all when we become Christians. We need to look closely at two things, what it means to dwell in Him and what is the target of "you."

Dwelling in God's presence is more than just being saved, accepting Jesus as our Savior. That's great, absolutely; but dwelling in Him is a God-centered life that makes us constantly consider Him. We know it's not about perfection and being free of sin cause all men sin. It's about a life lived all for Him. I think of the apostle Paul and others who lived a godly life. Whether or not things were going well it was always about God, even to death. There a joy and peace even when the body is suffering.

The other part about nothing will happen to us, our tent, is about our eternity and our Salvation. We will spend our eternity with our Heavenly Father, Son and Holy Spirit; along with the rest of God's family. Yes, things will definitely happen to this temporary body; the bible says this will happen; but our eternal body, Christ's body, will never be touched or harmed by anyone.

Glorious and Heavenly Father, thanks and praise to You who has all creation under Your hand. Help Your children to know Your word so that Your design can be realized while still on earth. I pray for Your Mighty Spirit to capture each heart that reads this passage so that more and more of Your children understands Your dwelling place. Help me LORD to follow You in everything especially how to build and strengthen the relationships You've blessed me with. In the wonderful name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!

Spiritual Badge

It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Continuing on from yesterday's theme, our bodies are truly temples of the Holy Spirit. We are set apart from the rest of the world and branded with the mark of Jesus to do kingdom work. It's like man given a police badge after a ceremony, we exist now to uphold the law. People who see us know that we're set apart by an authority to do justice; we're not supposed to be like the others. Being sacrificed in Christ Jesus means so much more than this but somehow we lose touch with this truth. Jesus paid an enormous price for us to receive the Holy Spirit, the badge and authority of God.

How differently would I conduct myself if I were wearing a police badge? Would I stop and help the public; the poor, needy & hurt? Would I do everything I can to uphold the law and do everything expected of me? I'm thinking I would because that uniform announces my authority. So what do I wear in my Christian walk? What sets me apart from the rest of the world that clearly displays in who my authority is? We know it's the Holy Spirit but now do we wear that? It needs to be worn in a way that results in the fruit we produce. It's in our actions, our demeanor even our thoughts. The battle we face is in the spiritual realm not the earth so all we will see is the fruit of our labor... which is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit.

Heavenly Father, You've clothed us in Your wonderful white robes and garments in exchange for our dirty ones; thank You so much for loving us beyond anything we can imagine. You've gone beyond that and set us apart from the rest to continue this love to others. I pray that my mind is prepared and equipped to do battle in the spiritual realm first. What happens physically is just an after effect; what the world sees as determined by the storm around us. Cleanse our minds and hearts to do battle in authority. In the graceful name of our King Jesus, Amen!

Health of My Boat

In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

1 Thessalonians 3:4-5

When the storm hits, we are quickly asking how bad things are with the situation. How much damage was caused, is anyone hurt? This scripture redirects my thoughts back to the condition of our faith. "Hoe strong is your faith?" should be the question we're asking. Paul didn't ask the Thessalonians how many times they were beaten or why did they do that, no; he wanted to find out what their level of faith was at. When we encounter struggles and touch times we need to look deeper into the situation and check the status of our faith. This faith will triumph any storm.

I look at people's struggles and round me, my own struggles and I wonder if I've been focusing on the wrong things. Am I just bailing out water instead of fixing the leak in the boat? Actually, it's not even about the leak, it's about trusting in the design of the boat and materials and tools used that it will fix the leak. Trusting that even as the boat appears to be singing, progress is being made just by faith. I know it seems like I'm going off on tangents here but the bible is making me consider how powerful faith can be, even as a mustard seed. I need to be an encourager of faith and not devising ways to avoid storms.

Help me LORD to build a vessel capable of withstanding any storm the treacherous seas tries to overwhelm me with. LORD, You are the Master designer of me so I know I can withstand anything the world throws my way with the Holy Spirit guiding this boat. I pray that I always look at my own structure to find ways to strengthen and not how to contain the winds & seas; I trust You're in control of that. And the Holy Spirit to guide me, the boat, in the right patterns that I can handle right now. I love You LORD, please comfort my brothers and sisters in their storm today. In the awesome name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

True Sacrifice

But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

2 Samuel 24:24

It's so convenient to ride the coattails of another. it's easy to give to the LORD when it's not ours to give. We're being taught about what sacrifice really is. It's not just about giving something up to the LORD it's about giving something of us to the LORD.

As I reflect upon my own life, my sacrifices; I wonder if it pleases God. Are my sacrifices really something of me or is it something that costs me nothing to offer? Tithing when I have abundance costs me nothing because I don't sacrifice anything out of my normal routine. I still eat at the places I like, I still go out to the places I like and enjoy things. But what about tithing when I'm in lean seasons, when cash flow is low? That costs me something because I have to adjust my whole life to offer my sacrifice. This applies to anything; time, relationships & even strongholds that bind us in chains. True sacrifices result in changed attitudes, minds & environment. If this isn't happening then we need to closely examine if we offered something not ours.

Heavenly Father, I adore You and love our time spent together. In some ways this time spent in devotions is a sacrifice offering but I don't want it to seem like I'm giving up anything; I'm so blessed by gaining! So in some ways a sacrifice is really about what we gain in exchange from our lesser offering to Your greater blessing. I'm so in awe of Your wisdom and how You slowly pour it into my heart. I pray that I steward this wonderful gift well. LORD, a special prayer today for my brother and sister who are going through a very difficult time. I pray for life to be restored to the womb and hearts to be rededicated in more special and wonderful ways. I pray for all my family to know and draw closer to You than they are right now. Keep relationships always so close in my mind so that I will steward Your flock well. Love You, Father God! In the matchless name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Household Leadership

"The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'

2 Samuel 23:2-4

What is it about certain people that makes us fight for them; to follow them?  Is it a forceful hand or maybe a kind person?  The bible is telling us that a great leader is one who rules in righteousness.  This righteous ruler is beautiful and radiates an amazing presence over the earth.  He doesn't have to be the most educated or the strongest, a great leader needs to be one who is right before God.  This person must have their household right before God; not perfect, just not in darkness.  The LORD will anoint different leaders in different places but we all have the same goal and destination, eternal glorification in Christ.

This passage is so right on the money and extremely applicable during this season.  Everything from my role in marriage, work and ministry has me in some type of leadership role that I need to car4fully examine.  Today's scripture is telling me that tasks will always be there but that's not what's going to make an effective leader.  At home, I need to lead my family in prayer & disciplining ourselves with other spiritual matters.  I cannot wait or assume my household is intact, that leads to communication breakdowns and the devil will use that.  I need to lead not only with tasks but in relationships.  I can't ever say, "they should know."  This expectation leads to sheep roaming aimlessly doing what they, as individuals, think is best.  A leader reminds the flock of the common goal.  There's no difference with a leader in the workplace or ministry as well.  I need to fear God so that everything I do is under His covering, so that I keep focus on relationships more than the necessary tasks.

Glory is all Yours, Father God!  I want to be just what You designed me to be.  Sometimes I get caught up in the tasks and feel my worth in how well I perform but I know it's so much more than that.  I need to find that balance and priority to love You by keeping a godly household first and most important.  How well I lead there will radiate to other areas of life.  Thank You for Your grace, allowing me to grow in faith!  In the precious name of Christ Jesus I pray, Amen!

Friendly Fire

If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

Psalm 55:12-14

It's the people closest to us that do the most damage; not because they are evil but rather our guards are down and susceptible to attacks. David was most likely talking about his anguish between family and his situation applies to what we go through daily. So what does this tell us, should our hearts be always on the defensive waiting for an attack? This makes sense since we're constantly in a spiritual battle but what I believe God is teaching me today is from the other person's party. Knowing how vulnerable an open heart is we need to be very mindful of the words we speak. The bible tells us that our words can raise people up or destroy them. We need to promote open and transparent hearts for God to use but we must remember how to communicate to it.

My definition deadly words need to be refined. I often think that using kind words are godly words; not so. Sometimes God wants me to be quiet, other times it's to speak boldly, and others it's to encourage. I find myself holding back because I don't want to hurt feelings or create tension,. Or sometimes I'm just too lazy. If I truly believe God has given me a gift to reach those who need Jesus then I need to start behaving like it.

Heavenly Father, Your wisdom surpasses the greatest intelligence found anywhere. Thank You for revealing to me the devastation words can inflict. Help me use my tongue for kingdom purposes. Help me wear Your Son, Jesus well. Transform all my senses to be extra sensitive so that I can touch lives & hearts. But I also pray for an extra layer of protection that will shield my in my most vulnerable times. In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen!