The Daily Dose

Remember, Think and Follow

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Do you remember the first time you heard about the love of God and His great salvation?  Maybe you didn’t receive it the first time you heard it.  Do you remember the second person who told you or the third?  What about those who have taught you since then that you have grown through their message? 

Today’s scripture says that we should take time to remember those who have led us to God’s great gift of salvation.  It also says to consider how many other people were touched and all the good things that have come out of their lives because they shared.  Then it says to do the same thing for those that come into your life.

My mother and father taught me the love of God, but they didn’t just teach me, they taught all my siblings and many, many more over decades.  How much their lives have impacted this world because they were willing to share with so many.  In a domino effect, many of those that were taught by them have gone on to teach others and there will be so many saved lives accredited to them because of their faithfulness to teach.

So what am I doing?  Well, I am considering and learning still that it is not only about sharing the message, but walking through the fires with those who are struggling.  Yes, my heart is to be the example to the next generation.  To tell my children and grandchildren the good news of God’s unconditional love and how much He desires to have a personal relationship with them.  But also to those who are in my everyday life of work and extracurricular activities.  Also to be there when trials and problems come.  Walk them through and be the voice of encouragement they need.  That is the leader that I want to be remember as.

Today I want to encourage you to remember who lead you to the cross.  Think about the good that has come from their life and yours since that moment.  Now go out and be the example that they were to you.  Start loving people the way God does and soon you will surround yourself with friends that will be with you for all eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 13:7-17

The Lord is my Helper

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6

How do I respond under pressure?  Do I say: The Lord is my helper, I will not fear?  It’s not exactly my automatic response, but why not?  I know it’s true and I depend on Him to be there every time I am in need.  The problem is I am always in need.  Even when I don’t know it.  I guess I am afraid to boldly declare that God is taking care of me and I have no need to fear because I don’t want to be disappointed if things don’t turn out the way I have planned.

So let’s start back at the beginning of Hebrews 13.  This chapter starts out with a list of activities that lead up to this declaration of boldly saying: The Lord helps me and I do not fear what any person can do to me.  That list is:

1. Love your brothers and sisters in the Lord continuously
2. Entertain/welcome strangers
3. Do not neglect prisoners and those mistreated
4. Give honor to your marriage
5. Do not be covetous
6. Be content with what you have
7. Remember that He said: I will never leave or forsake you.

These are the things that lead us to boldly declare that God is helping us to accomplish the things He has called us to and we are not afraid of anything that any person can do to us.  God is actually the one that is helping us to accomplish the list in the previous verses.  God helps us to love others. God helps us to be hospitable where ever we are.  God helps us to give attention to those imprisoned and mistreated.  God helps us to honor our spouse and marriage.  God is the one who helps us not to be covetous and to be content with what we have.  God is the one who reminds us that He will never leave or forsake us. 

This is how we can boldly say the Lord is helping me, because when we complete these acts of goodness and kindness, we recognize that God helped us all the way.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all ask the Lord to help you to: love, entertain, not neglect, give honor, be content and remember He will never leave or forsake you.  Then begin to watch for opportunities to walk out the directives listed in this passage.  As you see these task being completed through yourself, thank God for helping you and avidly say:  The Lord helps me and I have no fear of what people can do to try to stop me.  He has plans for you to do even greater things than you have done so far in life, so go ahead and expect and receive His grace to do them.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 13:1-6

His Kingdom cannot be shaken

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  Hebrews 12:28

Some days it looks like the world is falling apart.  Everything around us seems to be crumbling.  If you are a person that follows the news and secular media, it can be frightening to hear the condition of the world.  There are plagues, foreign policies, government programs and now even internet hijackings.  What will come next?  For sure these things can affect our daily living and it can be hard to focus on what is important.  However, there is a place you can go for shelter and safety that is unshakable.

The place I am speaking of is in serving in God’s Kingdom.  I’m not saying die and go to heaven to serve God there.  I am talking about the kingdom of heaven that is right where you are now. In Luke 17 verses 20 and 21, Jesus talked about where the kingdom of heaven is.  He said: “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

That is exactly right!   God’s people are the Kingdom of Heaven.  Much like the Israeli people were a nation before they ever had a land/country to name Israel, God’s people as a whole are the Kingdom of Heaven here in the world right now. When we receive the Lord Jesus into our lives, we are born again into His kingdom.  So even though we still live in this world and obey the laws of this land, we live by Kingdom principles which are God’s ways. Even though we do not have our own country/land to call heaven on earth, as a whole, God’s people are called Christians and we are His kingdom on the earth.

Now we are living by faith in God and by His Kingdom ways.  We begin to take steps of faith to follow His example and His precepts.  For example, we begin to trust Him for the resources and protection we need from day to day.  After He provides those resources, we honor Him by giving back 10% (tithe) into His kingdom to help His Kingdom grow stronger and larger.  Then we walk in love each day toward those who are outside of the Kingdom to let them know they are welcome into His domain and realm.  We are not afraid of the bad news, because we live in a higher dimension with His Spirit that surrounds us with peace and protection.  Even if the bad news touches our lives, He brings us safely through to the other side of trouble back into the protections of our loving Father.

This is the unshakable kingdom of shelter and safety that today’s scripture is talking about.  The whole world is shaking around us.  It looks like everything is falling apart.  From countries to families, even churches are feeling the tremors, but when all the shaking is done, God’s Kingdom and God’s people will be the ones with the answers.

Today I want to encourage you to put your life in God’s hands in these days of uncertainty.  If you are going through a “shaking” time, don’t be afraid, trust God to bring you through safely to the other side of it.  The best and quickest way God gave us to know about His kingdom is through His Word, the holy scriptures.  All the answers to all the questions you have can be found there.  Spend time in His word each day and quiet time talking things over with Him in prayer.  Worship Him for His goodness and love for you and praise and thank Him for providing for you this far in life and for the great plans He has for your future.  Jesus said:  we are in the world and we are going to go through some things (the shaking) but we should rejoice and be of good cheer because His kingdom overcomes and His ways will bring us through to victory every time. (John 16:33)  This is how we serve God in these shaky times, by trusting Him and loving others.  We know the way, and He wants us to show others how to get here too.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 12: 25-29

Pursue peace

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  Hebrews 12:13

We are all on the pursuit of something.  Some people are pursuing fame and recognition.  Others are seeking riches and wealth.  Some would pursue security and refuge, but today’s scripture tells us that none of these things are the priority.  It says that we should be chasing after peace!  Not only are we to be looking wherever we go for peace to be there, we are to be chasing after it to keep it in our presence all the time.  This isn’t just a calm, quiet kind of peace either.  This is the biblical kind of peace.  Shalom!  It is the Hebrew word for peace that means wholeness or completeness, nothing missing and nothing broken.  It’s the kind of completeness that we have in our salvation in Christ Jesus. 

Imagine for a minute what life would be like if there was nothing missing, and nothing broken.  How much different would life be if it was whole and complete?   It seems impossible to possess such a position.  However, scripture says we should be running after it, so it must be attainable. 

This phrase “pursue peace” is repeated in 1 Peter chapter 3.  Peter gives some practical steps on just how to pursue peace.  In verses 8-10 of 1 Peter 3, Peter gives a list ways of life that bring peace.  First of all he says to be of one mind.  As believers in Christ Jesus we are to be in agreement and unity with each other, to function in this world as one body on God’s mission.  Secondly, Peter says to have compassion for one another, to love as a family being tenderhearted, courteous, and not repaying evil for evil, but blessing each other.  The passage says we are called to these things.  If you have ever wondered what your calling is, here it is plain and clear.  Lastly he says anyone who wants to love life and see good days should hold back from speaking evil and deceitful things.  Turn away from evil and turn toward good.  It seems like a long list, but basically it is being kind and reaching out to others and not speaking out any evil thoughts.  Peace is found in walking out the calling of God in life every day.

Today I want to encourage you to not only look for peace everywhere you go, but also pursue it in every relationship and conversation you have.  Hold on to it by turning your focus from yourself and your problems to others.  Reach out to hurting people and make them your priority.  Be compassionate and tenderhearted to those who are around you.  Lastly, put away all evil talking whether it’s gossip, condemnation, or complaining.   Start living a whole and complete life today!

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 12:12-17

Keep your eye on joy

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”   Hebrews 12:2

Have you ever despised the shame of something?  Maybe you had a humiliating moment at a sporting event?  Maybe you have things in your past that you are ashamed of or maybe you have been criticized for your faith?  Everyone at some point has things that have embarrassed or shamed them.  It is inevitable.  Our lives here on earth are a series of trials, tests, and struggles.  Our goal is to overcome. Today’s verse is about Jesus keeping His focus on what was beyond the cross to overcome death and give us the victory.  The truth is, without a trial, test, or struggle, there can be no victory. 

A good example of this is athletics.  An athlete that competes must first prepare for the competition.  He must discipline himself to eat the right diet and to do the daily training required to even have a chance at the prize.  He cannot skip even one day of his training.  Most days, he probably doesn’t feel like training, but he overcomes his feelings because he knows he must suffer in order to be prepared for the competition.  He keeps his focus on what his desired outcome is . . . Victory!  In order to get to that victory, he must go through the struggle, discipline, and intense training required.  He does it because he knows there is joy in his accomplishment. Never focusing on the pain and intense effort of today, but his eyes and thoughts are always fixed on the joy of the prize at the end of the race.

It’s the same thing with issues and problems we face each day.  If we sit idly by or just ignore difficulties, most of the time they will derail us from our overall goals and victories.  We need to keep our eye on the prize and remain single minded (focused).  This is where the preparation time becomes so crucial.  You have to build your faith and trust in God day to day so that when the difficult times come, you are ready to overcome with the Word of God and your faith anchored strongly in Him through your relationship with Him.  Think of it this way.  If a thief breaks into your home, that is not the time to start looking for your weights to be strong enough to overcome him.  You must make those preparations ahead of time.  It works the same way with overcoming the obstacles of life.  You must do the daily workout before the trial/“breaks in” happens The common mind set in today’s world is to take the path of least resistance. It seems easier when a crisis comes to make a course correction to avoid it, but without the struggle and pressing through, you can never get to your desired results/goal.

Today’s verse also said that “joy” was set before Jesus.  He knew that after he went through it all, there would be great joy at the end.  We don’t always have a choice about going through things, but we do have a choice to be prepared and where to focus.   Keep reminding yourself there is joy coming in the victory you are heading toward.  Even though you are not there yet, it is time to be confident in God’s love to make you more than a conqueror.  That’s what He did in our Savior Jesus, and that’s what He wants to do in you!

Today I want to encourage you to strengthen your faith by getting more of God’s Word in your heart. Make spending time fellowshipping with God a priority in your daily “workout.” Get prepared for all obstacles by being focused on what is on the other side of your fight and get ready for the joy of victory through every trial that comes your way.  Thank goodness we will never have to suffer like Jesus did, but we can still prepare like He did.  Start today by pressing into your relationship with your Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus and be prepared for every trial, test and struggle that comes your way.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 12:1-11

Get rid of weights

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  Hebrews 12:1

Chapter 12 of Hebrews continues talking about the old testament saints and describes them now as a cloud of witnesses, or engaged spectators as the race continues that they once ran in.  It says that even though these witnesses have gone on, they are still involve in what God is doing today by surrounding us with the stories of their lives that encourage us to lay aside our own weights/distractions and the sin that holds us back from the things God has for us to accomplish. These distractions are things such as media, possessions or people that draw us away from the plan of God. they can also be worry, fear, anger, anxiety . . . Things that we hold on to that are not necessarily sin, but keep us from seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness.  We are also encouraged to get rid of the sin that we get trapped in continually.  It is our choice to put these things away and then run with endurance and patience in the “race” of life that is before us.  This passage says that when we try to live a Christian life with these things attached to us, they are like weights that disable us from winning in life. The writer encourages us here to put these things away.

The very next verse tells us how we can do this. It’s by looking to Jesus, the beginning and ending of our faith and our ultimate example. He completed the work God sent Him to do here not because He was the perfect Son of God, but because He kept His attention on the joy that was set before Him, the prize.  He is our example and standard for living the “faith” life!   He lived this example by keeping His eye on His prize/purpose which was the end result and the promise that God made to Him that He would be the first born of many children of God.

Today I encourage you to keep your eye on the prize and purpose of what God has not only promised you, but also what He has called you to.  Examine your heart and life and notice if you have any weights or sin that is causing distractions and set backs in your life.  Ask the Lord for strength, faith, and the desire to get rid of them and cast them off so that you can complete, down to the last detail, the plans God has for your life and run out your purpose in victory!

Today’s scripture reading:  Hebrews 12:1-17

Hold on to the promise

All these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:39-40

As we come to the end of Hebrews 11, we read the point of the entire chapter.  Each one of the people mentioned in this chapter and even many that were not mention, walked by faith that someday a Savior would come and make things new.  Yesterday I wrote about faith requiring action and obedience.  In today’s reading, we see those who used their faith to endure hardship, did it to receive the promise of the Savior.  The passage never says that these courageous saints prayed for the trouble and persecutions to go away.  It seems that they prayed for the faith to endure because of a promise that was set before them of their Messiah.  Everything the old testament saints and prophet went through was because God promised to send a Redeemer.  None of those faithful people saw Him, but they held on to the promise by faith in God’s word.

Today, we are on the other side of that promise, but have we also obtained that “good testimony”?  Are we as Christians ready to endure suffering as the former saints did?  Praise God we have lived in a time and country that has embraced the promise of God for the most part up until now.  However, it seems times are shifting and around the world many are living by faith to endure for the sake of their love for our Savior Jesus.  Now we have received the promise of salvation and cling to the promise that He is coming back for us.

How do we practically prepare for the days ahead.  With the times being so uncertain, how do we as God’s people walk by faith in these last and troubling days?  We need the Holy Spirit’s help.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the new testament church and when they were filled with the Holy Spirit was when they received the empowerment to not only endure, but to boldly proclaim the good news of salvation and do His good works.  I believe this is the promise that will take us through to the end.  No more can we allow ourselves to be distracted with the comforts that the world offers.  We must stand up and give the good news to the lost and dying people around us.  Time is running out, and our hope and faith is in our salvation by Christ Jesus. The message of His salvation and return must spread like wild fire for all to hear. Only when the message of the gospel reaches the whole earth will He come back for us (Matt. 24:14).

Today I want to encourage you to stand firm in your faith in His salvation and the message of the good news.  Make that message your number one priority each day.  By seeking first the kingdom of God and righteousness, you are seeking how to grow His kingdom and that is by bringing people back to their loving Father’s arms.  God wants to rescue all those who are lost and perishing, and He is depending on us to do our part to make that message loud enough to be heard over the cries for help.  So prepare your heart and prepare your steps to follow in faith as He leads you to the lost. Become so full of the gospel and be so determined to reach others that you do not even notice with the persecutions come.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 11:30-40

What action have you taken

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.  Hebrews 11:7

In Hebrews 11 there is an extensive list of names and the steps of obedience that each person took as a result of their faith.  It seems that faith requires action.  James 2:20 tells us that faith without the works of obedience is dead, or there is no substance in it.  This idea is obvious in the list of examples given here.  Let’s take a look at just a few of them listed in today’s reading.

Each one of these individuals put action behind their faith by obeying what God said to them.  They didn’t just hope and pray that something would happen, they looked to God for the answer and then obeyed when He gave them the next step.

This concept of faith is still alive and working today.  We look to God with our struggles to get our part of the solution. Then by faith we take that step of obedience and talk to God again for the next step.  Maybe there will be something else or maybe the next thing is to wait on God.  The point is that there is no faith (dead faith) without accompanying action.  Taking your problems to God without being willing to change and line up with His direction is just wishing that He will make everything better again.  I know God is extremely gracious and sometimes this does work, but God wants to do greater things in your life and He wants to do them with you, not just for you.  Your heavenly Father wants to share that joy with you that comes when you believe what He says enough to act on it.

Think about how much joy each of the people above experienced after their obedience.  First, they were given some off the wall instructions the required faith to carry out.  Not because it was so difficult, although some of it was, but because it didn’t make sense in the natural.   Like, God told Noah to build an ark when Noah didn’t even know what rain was, nor had he ever experienced it.  Abraham was told to move and had no idea where he was going.  That doesn’t make any sense and who would do that?  Moses gave the instructions for Passover that God had given him, but how was a lamb’s blood going to save them?  Joshua got this absurd plan from the commander of God’s army to walk around the city walls for seven days and then the walls would just fall down.  What??  However, after they obeyed, the answer came with great joy because they knew they did their part and God made them a hero.

Now we understand why faith was required.  Their acts of obedience to the Word/instruction of God proved that they believed that if they did their part, God would show up and do His part.  Now that is real faith.

Today I want to encourage you to obey what you believe your Heavenly Father is asking you to do.  When you go to Him in prayer with your lists of concerns and cares, go with the attitude that you are going for the instructions for your part in the solution.  Quickly do your part, then go back to God for any additional steps you may need to take.  In this way you are working together with God to accomplish His desire and yours. It brings God great joy to walk through life with you in faith!

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 11:8-29

Hope grows faith

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:6

Have you ever heard anyone say, “Well, don’t get your hopes up”?  Did you know that is a direct quote against God’s Word?  It’s true. We know it is true because Hebrews 11:1 says, faith is the result of things hoped for.  Faith and hope are connected.  In 1 Thessalonians 1:13 Paul says we are not like those who have no hope.  That’s right!  We always have hope in God and His promises.

The scripture today says without faith it is impossible to please God, so if there is no hope there is also no pleasing God.  You cannot have one without the other.  Think about it this way.  When you pray and ask God for anything, you are turning to Him in hope, but then when you add the Word of God to that prayer, your hope is grounded in God’s promise and that produces faith, the God kind of faith. (Romans 10:17) God’s Word is the reason you have something to hope in because by reading His Word, you know what He wants to do and what He has promised to do.

I know you are still going to hear people say “don’t get your hopes up”.  But I’m saying, “You better get your hopes up because that’s the stuff faith is made of and without faith, it’s impossible to please God!”

Today I want to encourage you to get your “hope” up.  Get your hope grounded in the Word of God and begin to believe and hope for that “Word” to show up in your life!  Once you have God’s “Word” on it, peace will fill your heart and will be the evidence that faith is at work on your prayer request.  But, remember it all started with your hope!

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1-7

Creative words

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (God’s words).  Hebrews 11:3

I always heard that God made all of creation out of nothing.  That some how things just started appearing, and that is kind of what happened.  However, nothing would have been created or come into existence if God had not given the words.  Like a commanding officer in the military gives a command and then it is executed by the troops that receive the command and bring it into existence, God spoke words and pulled creation out of the unseen world into the seen.  That is where we live, the seen world.  Everything we can see in the world today, existed in the unseen realm before God spoke it into this world.

Today’s scripture say we understand this principle by faith, and what we understand and believe by faith is that God did not create the world out of nothing, He created the world with creative faith filled words so that things that are now seen came from things that we as people could not see before.

This is essentially what we do when we go to God in prayer.  We are asking our Father in Heaven to change what we can see in this world by bringing an answer from heaven (another world).  When we combine our faith with God’s words of scripture, we can apply this same principle.  Speaking God’s words over a situation brings a supernatural change to the current seen circumstance.

A clear example of this process is what happens at the point of salvation.  When a person comes to the point of recognizing they need a Savior, they take the word of God that says: Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then you will be saved from eternal separation from God (Romans 10:9).  You spoke the words and brought eternal results that changed your current circumstances forever.  No one else could speak those words for you and change your life.  You are the only one who can choose and speak faith filled words over your life to bring the unseen world into your natural world.  Then you were made into a brand new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So today I want to encourage you to begin to speak faith filled words over your life and the lives of those you love.  Prayer is a creative force that can change every area that we apply it to.  As a born again child of God, you are given the power and privilege of pulling down supernatural results form the heavenly realm,  all it takes is spending some time talking to your loving Father and speaking some of His faith filled words over your life.  This is what it means to cover someone in prayer.  As you pray and speak God’s words, you are bringing into the natural world supernatural results.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 11:1-7