The Daily Dose

Your secret life?

And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.  Romans 2:16

Yikes!  This is a sobering thought.  Do you have a secret life?  A better question may be, do you have a different life depending on who you are with?  For instance do you behave one way when you are at work and a different way when you get home?  What about when you go to church?  Or are you the same person no matter who you are with.  It is difficult sometimes and usually there is one group that you are totally “yourself” with.  In fact, is there a certain place where you feel you do not have to be at your best? 

When I am at home, I tend to be more open to complaining and criticizing.  That is not good.  I need to live a surrendered life at all times.  It should be who I am.  I should be the same way when I am with my family, my Pastor, my boss, or my coworkers.  I am a child of God and I represent Him to all people no matter who they are.  I need to keep my heart and life submitted to Him so that my secret life is the same as my public life.

You do too, but it does not happen automatically.  First of all, you must commit every area of your life to your Savior Jesus.  Allow Him an entrance and give Him authority to guide you in every area of your life.  Fill your heart up with His Word and meditate it day and night. (Josh. 1:8, Psalms 1:2)  If you submit all your thoughts, words and actions to your Heavenly Father, you will have no secret life to worry about on the day of judgment.

Today I want to encourage you to make a plan for turning every relationship in your life over to God’s authority.  Trust Him to guide you and give you wisdom in all your thoughts, words and actions.  Set aside time each day to fellowship with Him and learn from His Word.  Lastly, ask for His help to ensure that you have surrendered all to Him and ask Him to reveal anything you may be keeping from Him.  You do have a choice right now, why not get the secret things out in the open so there will be no judging them one day.

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 2:12-16

God’s “good works”

There will be glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good.  For there is no partiality/favoritism with God.  Romans 2:10-11

This is an encouraging message.  Glory, honor and peace to all who do good things for others.  Think about this:  Can you do good if it is not for others?  Does God consider what we do for ourselves as “good works”?  Actually, back in verse 8 of this chapter, self-seeking is listed with disobedience and unrighteousness.  I think it is safe to say, to do good according to the heart of God, the first step is self-sacrifice.  Putting others before yourself.  This is of course different than taking care of your physical body.  Certainly, I am not saying that you should neglect your own body to take care of the needs of others.  Yet it has been done many times.

I can think of those who have neglected their own needs to care for others such at doctors and nurses in times of war.  When people were brought to them dying and needing attention, they put in endless hours so that the wounded soldiers could be cared for.  We can find countless accounts in history where heroes have put aside their own physical needs of food and rest to care for those that needed their immediate treatment in order to survive. Even soldiers themselves put their lives on the line for the freedom of their nation.

We can compare this example to the lost and dying people in today’s world.  Are we willing to put aside our own needs to sacrifice for others to come to salvation?  I heard a minister speaking one time about Christians in countries that are preparing for martyrdom by training to win their executioner to Christ.  These Christians are facing a martyrs death because of their faith in Christ Jesus and their greatest concern is not their own safety or wellbeing, it is will they be able to tell the person that is going to kill them how much Jesus loves them.  I would say that is self-sacrifice.  That is a good work and one worthy of God’s glory, honor and peace!

Today I want to encourage you to step out in your daily activity to love others.  There are so many lost and dying people out there that have no idea how much God loves them.  They are waiting for someone to tell them this message.  You can start small, simply with a kind word of encouragement and building a relationship of trust.  Show others what God’s love is like by loving them right where they are.  Don’t get caught up in what they are doing wrong, simply love them the way God loved us before we knew Him. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  If you are in a position that you don’t meet a lot of lost people, use your resources to support ministries that are out there doing it.  There is always one of God’s “good works” that you can get involved in.  Ask Him today how and where you can help.

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 2:5-11

God’s goodness

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  Romans 2:4

I think it is safe to say that most of us know that God loves us.  He could not possibly do one more thing for us to show His love.  He gave the most precious part of His kingdom of Heaven so that we could become His sons and daughters, His only Son, Jesus.  Now He has made Himself available for us to come to Him at anytime with any request.  He is good to us and wants good things for us.  He has actually prepared His best for us and His goodness draws us in closer to Him.

However, this is not an exclusive offer.  His love extends to all people and He is good and longsuffering to all, not just to Christian people.  Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord and turns away from their own destructive path can step immediately into His loving kindness.  So why do we as believers sometimes look at the terrible acts of some people and wag our heads in disgust and judgement.  This is not what God does.  Even though He gives them up to their own destructive ways until they repent, He is still waiting to show His love and compassion to them. If anyone would turn and surrender to Him, no matter what they have done in their past, He receives them with open arms and doesn’t require them to pay for their sin because Jesus already did that. 

Let’s start taking on His heart for the lost and dying people around us.  Yes, it is heartbreaking sometimes to hear of the despicable things that others have done, but instead of judging and condemning that person, remember that God loves them and wants them to turn and surrender their life to Him.  This needs to be our message to win others to Jesus, not the message of condemnation and telling them what a bad person they are.  That puts all the focus on them.  Instead, help them to put their focus on the one who loves them enough to provide a way out of the horrible pit that have gotten into.  This is how God gets the greatest victory.

Today I want to encourage you to take time to thank God for His goodness and love and for demonstrating it through His Son Jesus.  Thank Him for saving you out of the miserable mess you were once in.  Then tell others about this great love that God has for all people.  He wants to connect with all in a very personal way and He is depending on us to bring them to Him.  Lastly, Don’t be surprised and judgmental when you see a sinner sin.  That’s what they do, they are sinners.  Instead, pray for their hearts to be soften to the message of God’s love and that He would send laborers to them to share that message.  If that laborer is you, pray for the opportunity and knowledge of just the right words to say to reach into their heart.  Words of His love and goodness because it is the goodness of God the brings people to repentance!!

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 2:1-4

Help those who are deceived

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Romans 1:25

Yesterday I talked about how much I adore God’s creation and how I admire the landscapes He puts before me.  It today’s key verse, we see that God talks about people who actually worship His created things, but refuse to acknowledge the One who created them.  It is hard for me to imagine that this actually happens as I was introduced to my Heavenly Father at a very young age.  In fact, He has always been so real in my life.  However, there are so many people that have been deceived and refuse to accept that there is an eternal God out there who loves them.

I think about the stars in the sky and how I so much enjoy the times I am able to just sit out under them and watch their beauty.  Many times I have set an alarm to get up with my children in the middle of the night to watch an event in the sky.  Whether a meteor shower, lunar eclipse or even a passing comet.  I know God put these things out there for us to observe and learn of His greatness.  When I think about those who actually worship the stars or the sun/moon, it breaks my heart that people with such passion are so far from the truth. 

In today’s reading, Paul says that the worship of created things leads into more sinful behavior.  Immorality and even encouraging others to worship wrongly.   This is a very serious place to be and one without much hope.  The passage says that God abandons them and the shameful decisions they make in life.

Our part as believers is not to get caught up in such foolishness and deception, but we can pray for those who have been deceived to be drawn back to God by His Holy Spirit.  When we pray for those so far away, it opens the door for Him to reach in and turn their heart in a different direction.  Pray for their eyes to be open to the truth of God’s love and then show them what God’s love looks like.  That doesn’t mean you condone their behavior, it just means you love them even though they are a sinner just like God does.  Just because it says God abandons them does not mean that He stops loving them.  It is just that they have closed the door to Him and have decided not to include Him in their life.   On the day they reopen that door, they will find Him right there waiting to come in and bring them back within His arms of love and protection.

Today I want to encourage you once again to appreciate the beauty and wonder of God’s created works, but then praise and worship Him for His power and majesty.  In the event that you come into contact with those who have been so deceived, don’t condemn and judge them, recognize that they are lost and blind.  Treat them like you would if you found someone out in the wilderness wondering around because they cannot see and do not know where they are going.  Gain their trust and gently lead them back to safety or in this case back to their loving Savior.

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 1:24-32

No excuse

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  Romans 1:20

I often take time to admire nature!  Whether it’s at my home sitting on the porch watching the squirrels and birds in the yard or taking a walk or hike in the wood to be among the majesty of the towering trees.  I so much look forward to the times when I can get away and sit by the ocean side to watch the sun rise and how the waves rush in to greet me when I settle in for the morning.  I like to sit high on at hill or mountains side that overlooks a river or lake.  To see these beauties of creation always causes me to give glory to the One who spoke them into existence.

I never wonder how they got there and I never worship nature as wonderous as it is. I only give thanks to my Father for making such a glorious world for me to live in and enjoy.  These scenes are often hidden behind the rush of life and many people don’t even notice the landscape that was intentionally created for their delight.  It is sad that we get so busy and bogged down with cares and concerns, but if we take time to appreciate the marvels of nature, we can gain a new perspective on what is really important in this life.

The scripture today says that we can see God in the qualities of nature.  Not only in His creative acts, but also in the work itself.  In its consistency you can depend on everything in nature to continue.  Seed time and harvest, sunrise, clouds and rain.  You can be sure the sun will rise each morning and set each evening.  We also know that life starts with a seed planted in the dirt and by adding water and sunshine it will always grow.  These are the main ingredients of every living thing. 

The verse gives a warning though, that if you don’t take time to see and you don’t look beyond creation to the Creator, you have no excuse at the end of you life for not seeking Him out.  Because if you are truly honest with yourself, creation is leading you back to the One who made it all.  You only need to believe He is there and made it all for you to find Him.

Today I want to encourage you to take a look around.  Enjoy the view of creation and acknowledge that your Father made it all.  He loves you and wants all people to become a part of His family.  Press into Him today by stepping back from the hustle of the world and thank Him for making Himself known and available.  Do not wait until it is too late to realize and appreciate the beauty around you, turn to Him today and tell Him you see His presence plainly displayed in the things that He created.

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 1:18-23

Power of God

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16

Are you ashamed of the gospel?  I think most of us would answer “No” to that question, but what we really feel shows up in our actions.  Paul says to the Christians of Rome that he is not ashamed of the good news about Jesus because it is the power of God to get salvation to us.  The message of salvation is actually God’s power on display!  Think about it:  There was nothing in the entire world that could get us back to God after sin entered.  There was absolutely nothing we could do to gain access to Him.  As much as He wanted us back, there was only one solution, and a brilliant one at that.  In His redemptive plan He demonstrated how much He loves us!  He tricked His enemy into thinking he had won.  He made a way to restore us back to the relationship He had in mine when He created us and He made it so simple, even the most challenged can get it.  All you have to do is believe.

Sounds easy right?  So why does it seem so difficult to live by faith at times?  This passage says the just or the justified through the blood of Jesus should live by faith.  What does that even look like?  It means that all those who would call Jesus their Lord, live every area of their life submitted to Him and His plan.  There is no “me” place anymore.  You give Him access to every detail and keep nothing seemingly hidden from Him.  For example, in your day to day activities, you consider what He would have you do and whom He would have you reach out to.  Then when you do sense that He is leading in a direction or to someone to encourage, you follow that leading instead of ignoring it.  This is truly when you know that you are not ashamed of the gospel.

This happened to me just the other day.  I briefly said hi to someone at work and exchanged pleasantries.  As I was getting ready to leave, I sensed a nudging to share a book with her.  I didn’t want to.  It was awkward and uncomfortable, and besides, I was in a hurry.   However, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t, so I got back out of my car and went back over to her and briefly explained the booklet.  She was very happy and then she told me it meant so much more to her than I could ever know.  That was simple, but in my mind I had made it hard.  I was so glad that I listened and impacted her life in that way.  The thing is that I only need to listen and follow instruction.  The Holy Spirit does the real work and He is working in her heart even now.  So now I am praying for her and I feel much more compassion and love toward her because of the encounter.

Today I want to encourage you to live every part of your life by faith.  Whether its your family, friends, finances or work, don’t hold anything back.  Make the decision today to surrender all to Him.  Start each day by offering up yourself for God’s purpose.  Ask Him for the courage and empowerment to impact the lives around you.  When You get on His mission, you don’t have to be anxious, worried or ashamed of the gospel of Christ Jesus because He is sure to make all your obedient acts successful.

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 1:16-17

Pray again

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.  Romans 1:8

Can you imagine this?  The faith of the church at Rome was talked about all over the world.  Well, at least the known world at that time.  Not surprisingly, Rome is thought of today as a great church throughout many countries and denominations in the world.  Rome had become so full of Christians, that they were famous all over the earth.  Not just in name, but in faith.  They were full of faith  people and they were talked about everywhere.  Paul was not with them at this time, but was eager to return to encourage them and impart spiritual giftings.  Yet, the passage says that Paul prayed for them.  Even though they had world famous faith, he still talked to God about them continually.

Not long ago, America was known as a Christian nation.  It still is on some level, but in name only.  Not because of big faith, though many people here still have it.  What happened and where did we lose our interest in having world famous faith?  Could it be because we are not praying for our land like we, as Christians once did?  Could it be that we have gotten distracted with things and media?  Too busy to fast and pray like Christians did so many years ago.

What is the solution?  We can start again.  We can begin to turn away from the world’s news and back to God’s good news.  We can pray for the body of Christ to be full of faith once again.  We can turn off the media and distractions of world entertainment and fall in love with our Heavenly Father and loving Savior, Jesus all over again.  Let’s become known as a Christian nation once more.  It’s not about a political battle, it’s about Jesus and He is greater than anything in the world!

Today I want to encourage you to take a step back from the things of the world.  I’m not talking about from your job or people you love, I’m talking about taking time away from “pastime habits” and making it a priority to pray for America.  Not for the political parties, start praying for the believers.  Start with yourself.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anywhere in your life you may be missing it with being distracted from what is important. Then be willing to act if He reveals something to you.  Next, start praying for your family members.  Don’t tell them what they are doing wrong, pray for them and believe that God’s plan and purpose for them will be accomplished.  Then start praying for those in your church.  If you don’t have a church, get connected in as soon as possible.  Lastly, start praying that your church will be full of faith and growing in the things of the Lord.  He is not the one who is distracted with the things of the world, He is waiting on us to get in line with His plans and put our personal agenda to the side.

Today’s scripture reading: Romans 1:8-15

Wrapped in flesh

Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:3&4

God started talking about the good news of His salvation way before Jesus was ever born.  He started talking about Him with the first people ever to walk the earth.  Then He continued down through the ages through the prophets.  Finally, one day, He wrapped that gift of salvation up in flesh.  A human body and on the day Jesus paid the debt for sin on the cross, that gift of salvation and eternal life was opened up!  Now it is available to all people.

Just to prove that it is available to all people, this book of Romans, was written to the Christians at Rome.  They were, of course roman people.  They were not Jewish, nor were they children of Israel.  They were citizens of the nation that ruled over the people of God and the world at that time. Not only ruled over, but dominated and oppressed.  God gave His gift of salvation wrapped up in body to be poured out, not for just His chosen nation, that gift was opened up for the sin of the entire world.  He paid the price of a debt that no natural man could settle for himself.  God, wrapped Himself up and became the gospel!

After He settled that debt, He got back up out of the grave and now He lives forever wrapped in that flesh as a man ruling and reigning in His Father’s kingdom.  He is now the King of kings and the Lord of lords!

When I think of this on a personal level, I am humbled and amazed. This great gift is what life is all about.  There is nothing else that matters.  It is so easy to see when your eyes are on Him.  The problem is that so many time we get distracted and this gift that once was so precious to us can become out of focus and even forgotten about.  The solution?  Keep your relationship with your Savior part of your daily routine. In fact, give the first of your day and all that you have to Him.  He gave His all for us, He certainly deserves our first and best.

Today I want to encourage you to make the decision to seek His Kingdom first and your right relationship with Him.  If you have already committed to doing this, then examine your heart closely to be sure you are holding nothing back.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any area you may be keeping Him out of.  If He reveals anything to you, don’t make excuses, quickly ask Him for His empowerment and the faith you need to turn that area over to Him.  If you have never received the gift of salvation, make that decision today.  It is only a simple prayer away.  Ask Jesus to come into your heart and into your life and He will change you from the inside out. That is when your life will never be the same again:

Pray:  God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

Today’ scripture reading:  Romans 1:1-7

Follow His example

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Hebrews 13:8

To conclude the book of Hebrews, I want to leave you with verse 8 of Hebrews 13.  It says that right now Jesus is the same as He has always been and ever will be.  The following verse says so don’t be looking for some new idea or strange/unexplained attraction, but be the example that Jesus was.  Love like Jesus, give like Jesus and impact your world like Jesus did.

That may sound impossible to you to do, but it doesn’t have to be. Jesus lived a life here in the world simply preferring others above Himself.  I know living this was will take some practice, but it is attainable.  This passage goes on to say that we can receive strength to walk out our life this way by walking in the grace that God gives not by obeying a set of rules.

Walking in God’s grace means that we welcome all into our presence and in doing that, we are welcoming them into the presence of God. Walking in God’s grace is speaking kind words to those we encounter in our day and walking in God’s grace shows all those that we come into contact with that God love them by the way we love them.

A great example of this would be the message that Jesus taught about the good Samaritan.  The Samaritan gave of his time, attention and resources for a stranger that was down and out.  He picked that stranger up and carried him to a place where he could be cared for and paid for the care he was to receive.  Then he came back a few days later and followed up with him to see if he needed anything else.  You probably will not get the opportunity to go to this extent everyday, but do your best to make all people feel important to you because they are important to God.

Today I want to encourage you to purpose to live a life that show the way Jesus was, the way He is now and the way He will be for all eternity.  Show His love in everything you say and do in your life.  Begin by studying the gospels and how He was when He was living on the earth.  Then take a look at passages that talk about how He was before His earthly ministry.  Lastly, take a look at the scriptures that talk about how He is after this life.  He is the same as He has always been, and nothing has changed about the love He has for all people and His desire to show up in their everyday life.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 13

It’s His good work

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Hebrews 13:20-21

You are not complete without the good works God is doing in and through you.  It is not just a one time thing either, this is a continual completion that is working in you over your lifetime.  I love how this passage says God will make me complete!  It doesn’t say He will try to or hope to bring to completion, it says He will make me complete in His good works.

This is how it plays out in my life and somehow I am just realizing it now.  As I have gone through life, I have prayed and asked my Heavenly Father for help and for supply of needs along the way.  Now I am finding out that these were His needs for me to complete the works He has set before me.  Let me show you what I am talking about.

God has called me to be a wife, mother and employee among other things.  The way to be successful at these callings is to trust God that He will supply every need I have to be successful.  For example, to be a good wife I need to follow the instruction He gave in His word to respect and honor my husband.  I don’t always have that in me, so I ask Him to supply me with the grace to do that in the hard times.  Then I believe He will give me what I need to complete that good work to end up with the best results because I trusted Him.  Here’s the most important part that is difficult for me to remember.  This is not my work or my request.  This is His work.  He is the one first of all that has planned for me to be successful in my marriage ministry.  Yes, my position as wife is a ministry that God has give me.  So I don’t ask for the grace to honor and reverence my husband because it is what I need to do, it is because this is a work that He is doing through my life to bring our marriage into the most effective place in His Kingdom.

On top of all that is my complete contentment and satisfaction.  This is where I find rest, this is where I find His peace and this is where His joy fills me up.  In finding that I am not seeking the things of the world to complete me, I am seeking His good work in me to promote growth in His kingdom.  When I ask to bring my children up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD, this is His desire for my children and I can believe that He is doing this good work through my love and support for them.

Today I want to encourage you to gain a new perspective of God’s good work in you.  What ever position He has called you to in life, believe that He has a plan to make you the most successful in it.  Then take a step back and realize that it is not up to you to figure it out and push to get the resources you need for that success.  Instead, talk to Him about it.  Find the plan in His word and believe Him to get the supplies you need to complete the job.  He has placed you in that position for a purpose and He is the one who is making it all possible to accomplish it.  He doesn’t want you to fail, so go ahead and start thanking Him for the victory and the process in which He will get you there.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 13:18-25