Be Refreshed ...

Today's Readings: OT - Ezra 10:1-17 / NT + Revelation 4

"Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” - Revelation 4:8

I took a CPR course a number of years ago. If you're in that kind of trouble today, don't look to me, because I don't remember enough to put in thimble. As time passed I failed to take refresher courses, so I lost the knowledge and skill. If we expect to be proficient in what we do, we need refresher courses. In the same way, if we expect to be spiritually effective we need refresher courses as well.

John saw the throne room of heaven, where the nature of God was spoken of repeatedly day and night. Have you ever wondered why? I believe it’s because all creation turns on this fact... “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” We must never forget this truth. It should run through our minds like blood through our hearts. It keeps before us the purity, power and presence of our God.

The more we are refreshed in our knowledge of God, the more we will depend on him. The more often we reflect on his nature, the more fully we will worship and honor him. The more that we think about who God is, the more we will be like him. We are only as spiritually moved as we are spiritually minded. 

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezra 10:18-44 / NT + Revelation 5

Pray Defensively ...

Today's Readings: OT - Ezra 8:24-9:15 / NT + Psalms 141-142

"Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies." - Psalm 141:3-4

Over the years, I have watched seven friends who were church pastors drawn into devastating evil. They were forced to leave the pastorate because they ate the delicacies of sin. They were men who opened the Scriptures every week and taught the principles of integrity with conviction. I knew these men, and I believed they were godly men, so how do such men fail? Maybe they weren't praying defensively.

David was a man after God's own heart, yet he still prayed defensively. He knew where to turn for strength, for at any moment... he could be drawn into evil. When he prayed defensively he experienced victory. But even David eventually failed. Perhaps he forgot to pray defensively.

The Lord taught us a simple pattern of prayer in the Sermon on the Mount which included: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13) Let's begin each day acknowledging our weakness and acquiring His strength in defensive prayer. Remember, the best offense is a good defense.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezra 10:1-17 / NT + Revelation 4

Your Time Is Up!

Today's Readings: OT - Ezra 8:1-23 / NT + Psalms 139-140

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:13-16

"Your time is up! Please put your pencils down." Oh how I hated to hear those words when I had more to write on a timed exam. There are many of us that believe there will always be more time to finish the work. We often have great ideas about how to do it, write it or say it... but later. Yet, there comes a time for all of us when we have to put our pencils down and our great ideas remain unrealized.

Our God-created lives are timed experiences. The Lord created us with profound purpose as he carefully knit us together in the womb. In the process he ordained all the days of our lives and wrote them in his book. The days and years will slip away until suddenly, without warning... "Your time is up! Please put your pencils down."

Do you understand and appreciate your God-given potential for this life? Are you aware that you have only so many days to accomplish his purpose? He won't call you home too early or too late, but your time is approaching. Yesterday is spent and tomorrow may never come; so today is all you have to live for God's glory. Make the very best of today for Jesus' sake, before "Your time is up!"

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezra 8:24-9:15 / NT + Psalms 141-142

An Open Door...

Today's Readings: OT - Ezra 7:12-28 / NT + Revelation 3

"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." - Revelation 3:7-8

I graduated from the Word of Life Bible Institute in 1972. Our class verse was Revelation 3:8, because we believed the Lord had set before us an open door of ministry. Fifty-One years have passed since we graduated and the door still remains open. The times have changed but the spiritual need of people remains the same and every morning brings new doors of opportunity.

Jesus opens a door of opportunity and ministry for every believer. When we are young, we may feel unprepared and overwhelmed with new opportunities. When we are older, we may feel worn down and outdated. But be encouraged, even when you have "little strength"... "no one can shut" the door that Jesus opens.

As you face a new day and a coming new year, are you looking for the open door that Jesus has placed before you? Keep his word, stay true to his name and walk through that door. Go make a difference for Jesus today!!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezra 8:1-23 / NT + Psalms 139-140

Stay the Course!

Today's Readings: OT - Ezra 7:1-11 / NT + Revelation 2

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first... I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first." - Revelation 2:4-5, 19 (NIV) 

In the film "The Patriot" an underlying theme contrasts the patriotic passions of a father and son. Age and experience had dampened the father's passion, while youth and idealism fired the son's. At the same time a phrase from the past is mentioned numerous times; "Stay the Course". As the story develops, the father comes to put his guilt, fears and reservations aside for a new vision and renewed patriotic passion. In the end, he was determined to "Stay the Course".

 As Jesus addressed the early churches, he found a similar contrast. One church had, through time and experience lost her first love, while another church, through love and faith did more than she did in the beginning. For the one church, time had taken its toll. For the other church, time had stoked the fire. Jesus commended the second church for staying the course.

Has recent experiences dampened your spiritual passion? Has time eaten away at your vision and drive for the kingdom of God? Are you doing more for the Lord today than when you first began? Remember, and return to your first love and... "Stay the Course!"

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezra 7:12-28 / NT + Revelation 3

He is Coming...

Today's Readings: OT - Esther 9-10 / NT + Revelation 1

"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen." - Revelation 1:6-7

My Dad worked hard for a living. He left in the morning at seven and didn't get back home until six. I looked forward to his arrival most days, but not always. When I was on course with school work and life in general, it was a joy to see his face. Then there were those days when I was haunted with my mother's words... "Just wait until your father gets home!" Oh, did I hope he would be late, but I knew that he was coming.

As the clock ticks away the hours and the calendar turns from months to years, we wonder when Jesus will come again. He is definitely coming, and he won't be late. Will it be a time of rejoicing for you or a time of mourning?  Those who have been freed from their sins are filled with anticipation, but those who have rejected the Savior are hoping he will be late.

Jesus is coming again, but not yet. His love still calls out to free you from your sins by his blood. You can enter his family today with great joy, anticipating his return. Why wait until it's too late?  Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him!!

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Ezra 7:1-11 / NT + Revelation 2

He Always Answers ...

Today's Readings: OT - Esther 8 / NT + Psalms 137-138

"On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased." - Psalm 138:3

Cell phones have made it very easy to connect to the person you're calling. Yet, there are still times that you're left with pesky "voice-mails" and you hope against hope that they will call you back. Wouldn't it be nice if every time you made a call someone answered?

It's a joy to know the Lord and have an invitation to call upon his name anytime we desire. It's even a greater thrill to know that when we call, he always answers. No matter where we are or what the weather, our calls go through and our strength of soul is increased. We can be sure that when we call... the Lord answers.

With such a privilege to call on the Lord anytime, how often do you call? Do you prefer to fight the battle in your own strength even when your soul grows weary? Do you think that the Lord is too busy to respond to your need? Are you afraid that you'll get "Divine Voice-Mail"? You can be sure my friend, when you call on Jesus... He always answers.

Tomorrow's Readings: OT - Esther 9-10 / NT + Revelation 1