The Daily Dose

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

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