Daily Reading:  8-10-16

Luke 12:41-48

God has poured spiritual gifts into every one of His children.  These are gifts to be used for the exaltation of Christ and the advancement of the spiritual Kingdom.  It is unwise to handle these gifts irresponsibly, because God certainly comes with expectations.  God’s gifts are powerful and bring about the necessary results when used in obedience to God’s purposes.  We are wise if we realize God’s spiritual gifts to us are the very things that effectively draw more people into Kingdom living while on earth.  Our lives are the greatest witness to the reality of Christ in us.  In Christ, we are loving, sincere and filled with integrity, quick to witness to the goodness of God, trusting God for provision, and diligent with every task no matter what the size.  Our foreheads are sealed with the joy of our salvation.

In our passage today, Jesus has been teaching his disciples about staying ready for his return.  Jesus told his followers he would be leaving while the Kingdom was being prepared, but in the future he would return for them. They were to faithfully occupy until his return.  If Jesus returned today, would you be watching for him?  Would you be ready to give an account for your work on behalf of the Kingdom?

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Daily Reading:  8-9-16

Hebrews 11:17-28 Contemporary English Version

Faith is associated with desiring God’s best for our lives.  As well, we can count on the fact that our faith will be tested when it comes to the things we prize the most.  Things in this world might seem good and inviting at times, but compared to the promises of God it offers only fleeting pleasures.  God offers an eternity of blessing.

The Apostle Paul continues his examples of faith in his letter to the Hebrews. 

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Daily Reading:  8-8-16

Hebrews 11:1-7 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Recently on our Alaska vacation, John and I spent a great deal of time admiring God’s creative handiwork from afar.  Everything within me wanted to get close and enjoy it, but that was not possible.  So, I just kept my eyes focused on enjoying what I could see and basking in the revelation of God’s glory despite the distance.

Today’s Scripture continues the passage I taught on yesterday at C2C.  If we desire to please our Heavenly Father, every child of God must take an ongoing spiritual journey of faith.  Faith joins assurance with anticipation; a state of certainty with uncertainty.  We believe that everything God tells us is true.  For these giants of faith listed below, we can see they trusted the Father.  As children of God and disciples of faith, we must live each day knowing it is but a piece of the greater reward God will reveal one day.  God is a Rewarder of those who seek Him.

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Daily Reading:  8-5-16

Matthew 6:19-24The Message (MSG)

As His children, God asks us to be in step with His purposes (obedience) and be willing to offer all that we are and have at our disposal (stewardship) to increase His Kingdom.  If we are going to serve as ambassadors of God’s heart, we need spiritual vision to see things from God’s perspective. There is no room for our self-serving inclinations or entitlement attitudes, because they will cause our spiritual vision to be diminished.  The Holy Spirit not only feeds the Light within us, but He is the Light that makes Christ known to us. 

In our passage, today, Jesus is teaching his disciples about living in the Light of true worship.  A Christ follower cannot worship God and money.  Both require single-hearted devotion; there can only be one lord. We need to choose based on what is more permanent.  Jesus reminds his disciples they are immortal and therefore need to deposit in the security of the eternal Kingdom where no one can steal their investment.  Not only do we reap what we sow, we reap based on where we sow.  Jesus reminds every follower, “Seek first His Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33).

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Daily Reading:  8-4-16

Romans 9:1-9  New Living Translation (NLT)

This world seems to be filled with leaders who throw out empty promises in order to get ahead.  I wish they understood the magnitude of this deception; making promises that one never intends (or is not able) to keep is sowing seed in the wrong soil.  I am still a firm believer that a promise is a promise.  If I promise to do something for someone, I need to follow through as best I can because I am a child of Promise. My word to someone else needs to be sown in integrity, because I want to spiritually reap from the promises of God.   Even though I have had to break a promise before, God never breaks His promise to us.  What does God promise to do?  He promises to make us His children if we are willing to repent and turn from our own way to follow Christ’s way with our lives. In other words, for those who are born from God above, practice His righteousness, and seeks to love his/her neighbor, God makes them His spiritual seed or child of Promise.  We are sown in spiritual soil to produce a harvest.

In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul is concerned about his Jewish brothers and sisters who continue to reject Christ.  It is their belief simply being physical descendants of Abraham is what makes them a child of Promise.  He explains it is not a matter of physical ancestry; rather, it is a matter of spiritual ancestry.  I call it a spiritual connection.  We are children of Promise when we take God at His Word and live by spiritual Guidance and Power (the Holy Spirit).  Beyond this one beautiful promise from Father God, we find a lifetime of spiritual potential and blessings as our inheritance.  We have to be willing to live as children of Promise; our lives guided by His Word.

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Daily Reading:  8-3-16

Luke 12:22-31 The Living Bible (TLB)

By the time you read this passage, I should be back home from a much needed vacation with my husband.  We needed a time to rest, relax, and enjoy the beauty of God’s presence in creation.  God desires that each one of us would relax, stop worrying, and simply enjoy Him.  We all need to step away from the demands of life from time to time in order to be replenished.

God will always meet our needs.  He has promised to provide for us when we make His Kingdom our priority.  We make the Kingdom of God our primary concern when we allow the Holy Spirit to work Christ’s righteousness in our souls (mind, will, emotions), so we can remain in peace and be filled with joy.

In our passage, today, Jesus is teaching his disciples about the need to trust God’s care for their lives.  If God’s people will pursue and trust Him, like creation does, we will find ourselves secure, safe, fed, and warm in His love.

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Daily Reading: 8-2-16

Colossians 4:2-6  The Message (MSG)

Let’s spiritually examine our thoughts and attitudes for a minute; it’s how we listen for truth and grow in all relationships.  When you are talking to others, is it your goal to bring out the best in others during those conversations?  To set a platform for ongoing dialogue, rather than stopping at a stiff exchange of information? 

When it comes to sharing the gospel, we are to pray for God to open doors of opportunity and communication in our every day lives.  We are to step into those times filled with Grace, because we are to follow our leader, Jesus.  Scripture teaches Jesus always stepped into gospel-sharing moments in humility, gentleness, meekness, and lowliness in order to be welcomed into ongoing dialogue.  The only time we see something different in Jesus’ character is when he is communicating with the Pharisees who are simply trying to further their religious agenda by controlling others.  

In our passage, today, the Apostle Paul is in jail for speaking about Jesus, but he is still praying for the Lord to open doors of communication so he can share the abundant gospel of salvation.  No matter where Paul finds himself, it is a place that needs a Word from the Lord.

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Daily Reading: 8-1-16

Colossians 3:18-21 The Message (MSG)

Scripture seems to always reveal something about relationships. It is Christ who brings us wisdom and the measure of love we need to be victorious in all relationships.  In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is addressing marriage and parenting in Christ.  

Mutual submission is essential for a vibrant marriage.  We must truly desire God’s highest and best for one another and be willing to work through all the challenges that come against that covenant of love.  Marriages that have Christ at the center have the greatest opportunity for happiness and lasting joy.  

Children require great love and discipline; they are a blessing from God.  However, children need to be taught to love and respect the Lord’s authority over their lives.  They learn by watching their parents.  In so doing, they will learn to respect and value others as well as themselves. 

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Daily Reading: 7-28-16

Romans 11:33-36 Living Bible (TLB)

Many people are content with living their faith at a surface level; having a form of godliness but denying the deeper power.  Christ died so we might actually explore the depths of God’s love and the wisdom He desires to extend; tools for living.  Scripture teaches that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways, so God definitely has insight I need (Isaiah 55:8).  I don’t think God will be asking me for advice any time soon.  I do, however, need His guidance and wisdom so I will go deeper in His Word every day.

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Daily Reading: 7-27-16

Matthew 5:43:-48 The Voice (VOICE)

In our present culture, we are witnessing an intense level of daily discord.  Satan is hard at work trying to cause division everywhere (family, friendships, work, etc.).  Division makes us weaker by forcing isolation.  

Jesus is teaching the disciples about loving even those we see as enemies.  We are to unselfishly seek the best or higher good for them and pray for them.  And get this: when we respond this way to those who mistreat us we are revealing ourselves as God’s authentic children.   When we reflect our Father, we are living the Higher Life.

It is easy to love those who love us back, but Jesus has called us to love our enemies and pray for them.  Why would he say that?  Because it is the character of God.  He even loves those who hate Him.  God knows it is a hard thing to desire good things for hateful people, so Jesus provided the Spirit who helps us. 

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