The Daily Dose

Ministering spirits

But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, untill I make Your enemies Your footstool”? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?  Hebrews 1:13&14

This is a good questions.  Did God ever say to one of His angels, “Sit here at my right hand.”?  The answer is no.  He only gave that seat to Jesus.  The angels are God’s ministering spirits that He sends to serve.  To who?  People.  All through the scripture there are references to the angels in all kinds of ministering positions.  Some bring glad tidings.  Some bring prophetic messages.  Some bring protection against armies, some bring battle plans and some minister physical strength and encouragement.

Angels are still around today.  Oh we may not be aware of them, but they are close.  Even though we cannot see them, we know they are there because God’s Word tells us they are ministering spirits and Hebrews 13 says many have entertained angel and were unaware of it.  Psalms 91:11 says that God puts His angels in charge of us to keep/protect us in all our ways.  Psalm 103:20 says they listen for those who speak God’s Word to do it.  Today’s verse says they are sent to serve those who have received (heirs of) salvation.

To sum up this first chapter of Hebrews, we could say: Jesus our Savior is holding all things in place (including our lives) by His powerful Word.  God raised up Jesus with His powerful Word to sit at His right hand and now God’s angels are ministering His powerful Word to all His people by serving, protecting and strengthening them.

Today I want to encourage you to think about the angels.  Consider that they are close and even hear the things we say and see the things we do.  Ask yourself if you have spoken God’s Words recently for them to heed and do.  Then ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom concerning the angels that have been assigned to your life.  They are ready to be sent into action, all they need is the command of God’s Word!

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 1:10-14

What is Man?

For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son”? Hebrews 1:5

Some days I have an attitude of “Why bother?”  I know it’s not right and it’s not often that I feel this way, but I think we all have moments in life when we consider “What’s the point?”  On those days, the second thought that usually comes is “Why does God bother with me?  What in the world could He possibly be interested in?”  King David asked this question in Psalm 8.  He asked, “What is it about man that You are interested in him? And why do You visit and give attention to this human race?”  It’s a good question for sure!  Why is God interested in us?  What have we ever done to deserve His attention and involvement in our lives?  The answer?  Nothing.  God is not interested in you because of anything you have done. He is not interested in you because of your great accomplishments and He is not interested in you because you are so beautiful.  He is interested in you because of what He has done.  He created you!  You are His workmanship!  His handiwork!  His masterpiece!  You are God’s greatest creation!

Think about this:  Did God ever say to any angel, you are my Son, today I have given life to you?  Or did He ever say, “I am to Him a Father and He is My Son?”  Nope!  He said that to a man.  A human person.  Above every beautiful thing that God has created, He only loves people!  He doesn’t love the universe even though its vastness and beauty are unmatched.  He doesn’t love the angels even though they are mighty in strength.  He doesn’t even love animals that He created for our enjoyment.  Your design and uniqueness are qualities that God takes great pleasure in.  When God’s created people fell into sin, it was the greatest loss for God!  He desired to get His “man creation” back so much that He was willing to become one.  Yes, we needed Jesus to rescue us from the sin we had fallen into, but God wanted us back in a relationship with Him even more than our need.  As much as we needed Him, He wanted and loved us more!

Now, in heaven, there is a glorified human man, Christ Jesus, sitting next to God and ruling every created thing.  This was God’s creation that He actually became a part of.  He literally put Himself into His-story

Today I want to encourage you to consider God’s love for you.  Press into God and thank Him, first for creating you and making you so special and unique.  Then thank Him for the provision He made to get you back into fellowship with Him, the blood of Jesus.  Spend some time thinking about this today because it is so far beyond us that it requires some meditation to really get a grasp on the idea.  We love Him and that’s because He loved us first!

Today’s scripture reading:  Hebrews 1:5-9

The word of His power

His Son, being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3

I struggled quite a bit with the decision to write the Daily Dose through the book of Hebrews.  It has always been an overwhelming book for me to handle.  I have grasped it only through holding on to a verse here and there throughout the chapters.  However, after much prayer, I am impressed to proceed.  It was almost as if the Lord was showing me that I would learn much through this writing, and I fully expect that He is right.

Having said all that, it started almost immediately.  I began reading chapter one, but started with this prayer: “Lord, you know I am trusting you to reveal what you want me to write about, so please make it plain and clear.” 

I didn’t have to read far before He answered this prayer.  When I got to verse 3, I remembered how this phrase “by the Word of His power”  Had always tripped me up.  I didn’t get it.  What was its meaning?  I stepped away from reading to pray about it and meditate on it for a little while.  I began to break it down into sections:  His Son, Jesus, being glorified became the exact image of God (looks just like Him) and holds everything in heaven and earth in place by His powerful Word! By coming into the world as a man to get rid of sin’s power and dominion over people, then He finished that work and now sits with God the Father at His right hand in His glory in heaven. 

That’s it!  Now I get it.  Everything that exists is being kept and held in place by the Word of God, His powerful Word.  He created it all by His Words and now, that is what is holding it all together (Hebrews 11:3).  God’s Word is eternal, and once it is spoken, it sticks!  His Word is so powerful, that He not only created the heavens and the earth through it, these things can never be destroyed until He says so.

Then it occurred to me.  If God’s Word is powerful enough to hold worlds together, surely it is strong enough to hold my life together.  If I apply God’s Word to the sick, broken or missing parts of my own life, it is most certainly strong enough to heal, mend and restore them.  This is why the scripture says:  Death and life are in the power of the tongue/words. (Proverbs 18:21)  If we begin to speak God’s Word into our lives and the lives of those we love, these words will hold them together just like they are holding all of creation in place!

Today I want to encourage you to speak the Word of God over your life, over your health, over your finances, over your family and over those you love.  He has given it to you in writing, to read, learn, live by and speak.  Let the power of God’s Word be the force that holds your life together and pray His Word over all the many people that you love and care about.

Today’s scripture reading: Hebrews 1:1-4

You are profitable

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus was unprofitable to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.  Philemon 1:10&11

Have you ever felt useless?  Like you just didn’t have anything to contribute in a situation or the place you were in the past?  Maybe you feel that was today, like you just don’t know if your life has a purpose.

The book of Philemon is about someone like that.  Philemon was a pastor of a church that met in his own home.  He had a slave named Onesimus.  Onesimus was in a place where he was not living up to his potential.  Being a slave probably had something to do with it, but for whatever reason, he stole from his master Philemon and ran away.  He went to Rome and his path crossed with the apostle Paul there.  Paul took him in and discipled him and finally, Onesimus found his place of usefulness and purpose.  Now Paul was sending him back to Philemon to deliver messages of encouragement from Paul to the church there.  Paul’s message to Philemon was to receive Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a brother in the LORD.  Paul tells Philemon that Onesimus is now useful and helpful to both of their ministries.

This is the way I lived my life.  I ran away often only to find another place of being unproductive and useless.  Shattered relationships and burnt bridges were always in my wake.  Until one day I met someone wise enough to help me repay my debts and reconcile my relationships.  No I didn’t become healed overnight, but gradually and over time with consistency in growing in my relationship with my Heavenly Father, I began to become useful and productive.  Now, many years later, I have confidence in who I now am as a child of God.  Jesus has reconciled me to my Father and given me a place of usefulness and purpose.  It didn’t happen over night and truthfully, I never thought it would.  I just began to take steps toward Him as He drew me closer and continued day by day.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all, don’t give up!  Even if you are at a place where you think your life doesn’t matter, I assure you, your Heavenly Father has the perfect assignment in His body just for you!  He loves you and wants you to step into the design for your life.  Ask the Lord to bring a friend into your life that can help you stay on course with Him. Then start taking simple next steps and do them consistently. Some suggested next steps would be: Make your relationship with God the priority of your day by spending quiet, personal time with Him and His Word. Start asking Him to reveal the place where you fit.  Join a small group or bible study to connect with other believers to strengthen your walk with the Lord.  Attend church service weekly and begin to serve in some capacity.  Lastly, look for opportunities to bless your family, friends and neighbors.  It doesn’t have to be big, something as simple as asking them if they would like prayer for anything or even just being there when they need a friend can make all the difference in their world.  Start today to take your next step in God’s direction . Doing this consistently will begin to open unlimited opportunities that you never thought were possible.

Today’s scripture reading: Philemon 1

Running out of time

But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law;  These things are useless and a waste of time. Titus 3:9

I could tell you we are running out of time because of global warming.  I could tell you we are running out of time because Jesus is coming back soon.  However, what I really want to tell you is that we are running out of time because we are getting older.  All of us.  Not one person is getting any younger.  Eventually, all time for each individual will run out.  I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but I am pretty sure we all know this is true.  Yet, how many of us really believe that we are some day going to be leaving this earth.  As much as we see people leaving everyday, why does it never seem like a reality on a personal level.

Looking at today’s text, now we see why we don’t have time to get involved in foolish discussions, quarrels and fights about doctrine and denominational differences.  Paul says these things are useless and a waste of our valuable time.  So what should we be doing with our time?  What is really important and what should we be considering as our time is running out?

If you can imagine a clock as a timer, usually we watch it to see how much time we have left in a day.  What if, instead we look at that same clock with the mentality of how much time do I have left in my life.  The clock is counting down the days we are here.  I need to begin to think about what I want to accomplish in my life-time?  This is true deception: waking up each morning and thinking I can’t wait for today to be over or I don’t want to get up and face today.

It’s time to make a plan.  How are you going to make the most of your remaining time and what is going to matter when you step into eternity?  First of all, make sure that you have eternal life with your eternal Heavenly Father.  You must be born again.  Next, consider what you can take with you?  The good things you do for others and bringing others to Jesus.  Lastly, how are you going to live differently than you have been to touch the lives of those around you?

Today I want to encourage you to make a plan.  Decide what you want to really accomplish in your lifetime.  Make a list of what is important to you, then line it up with what is important to you in eternity.  Make any changes and adjustment you need to so you can make the most of the time you have remaining in this life that will carry over to the next. This life is the only opportunity you have to determine how you will spend eternity.

If you are not sure you will be with the Father of love forever, pray this prayer from your heart today:

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 from 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’s power to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Titus 3:9-15

Remember

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. Titus 3:3

How many of us have been foolish at one time or another?  What about disobedient and deceived?  In the past have you ever served various lusts, pleasures, lived in malice and envy or been hateful to others?  Sure, we all have.  In times past we have all done foolish things.  This is the reason we are to speak no evil of others, be peaceable, gentle and show humility to all people, because we were once in the same place.

Paul goes on to qualify in verse 5 that it is not by anything good that we have done, but only by the mercy and love of God that He sent Jesus to be our Savior.  Thank goodness He did.  I am so thankful that He loved us so much that His mercy and compassion came in the form of His Son Jesus.  We are justified by His grace and have become heirs according to the hope of eternal life!  Glory to God!!

Paul concludes this section by saying: This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to proclaim constantly, that those who have believed in God should be looking for every opportunity to do good works and the things that are good and profitable to all people.

Today I want to encourage you to be subject to authority.  Obey and be ready for every good work opportunity that comes your way.  Don’t talk badly about others and be peaceable, gentle and prefer others ahead of yourself.  Lastly, remember that you were once foolish and disobedient too and be kind and loving to other. You can be the instrument of God that introduces the foolish to their Savior, Jesus.

Today’s scripture reading: Titus 3:1-8

Be attractive

Slaves (employees) must always obey their masters (employer) and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.    Titus 2:9&10

Wow!  Turns out being a good employee has nothing to do with me, it is all about leading people to Jesus.  It doesn’t matter if I like my job, it doesn’t matter if I like my boss.  What matters is that I am making God’s message attractive in everyway to those around me.  Can I do this by grumbling and complaining like the rest of the crew?  How about if I am bad-mouthing my boss behind his/her back?  Not really, in fact, I have found that if I show respect and honor to my supervisors, they are kind back to me.  If I listen to their feed back and say ok, thank you instead of arguing my case, they are always willing to work with me because I make their job a little easier.

In the passage above, Paul tells Titus to train slaves to be obedient and do their best to please their masters.  We certainly are not slaves today and thank goodness for that.  How much easier it should be for us to be thankful and show honor to those in authority over us.  It doesn’t matter if they are nice or not, our job is to be a light in a dark place.  Trust God to take care of you and do what He says to do, that is to obey, please, don’t talk back, no stealing, be trustworthy and good.  That should not be hard because it is the way we are to conduct ourselves in all circumstances to bring honor and glory to God. We should be practicing these things in every area of our lives.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all, thank your Heavenly Father for your job.  Chances are you have that job because you prayed and asked Him for it.  Thank Him that you enjoy your job each morning when you get up before you go and tell Him how much you appreciate His supply through that employment.  Then when you get to work, look for opportunities to honor and respect your boss.  Tell them when you appreciate something they have done.  Work with them to make the day successful and encourage your coworkers to do the same.  Do the best work you can each day and decide that you are going to be the best employee you can be no matter how others are.  It won’t take long at all for others to notice, especially those in charge.  In that way you will attract others to God’s message of love and salvation.

Today’s scripture reading: Titus 2:9-15

Be an example

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.  Titus 2:7

I didn’t always live such a good life.  Sure, I mostly worked hard and always managed to hold down a decent job, but that was only because God was always watching over me.  The fact is that I wasted a lot of years trying to figure life out when all along I had the answers right in front of me.  I remember always wanting to find a place to fit in, but could never quite get there.  Even in the church I grew up in, there just didn’t seem to be that perfect place where I truly felt like this is the place where I was meant to be.  Of course, I knew it was the right thing to be involved in church and do my part, but still I felt like something just wasn’t right.

I dropped out for a while and got busy with life, working and being a mother, but I never found the place where I was comfortable enough with myself to fit.  I began to realize that I was trying to “fit in” some place instead of becoming who God created me to be.  Trust me, this is a work in progress, and I am still becoming even today.  The truth is, we are all becoming who God created us to be until the day we leave this world and go on to be with Him.

My point is that in becoming who God created me to be, I am that creation wherever I am and who ever I am with.  In becoming the child of God that He made me to be, I am an example to all, everywhere I go.  Whether at work, my neighborhood or even at church, I am an example by doing God’s good works of every kind.  No matter what the cost or the resources required, I can be a blessing to all, with what I have right now and who I am right now.  I will continue to grow and change and my resources will do the same, but what doesn’t change is my ability to display the goodness of God through serving and blessing others.

In this verse in Titus, Paul is telling Titus to be an example where he is by doing good works and reflecting the integrity of the ministry.  He lets Titus know that he is representing not only the ministry that Paul set up, but he is also an ambassador for the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  That needs to become our mentality.  We are not in this world to be popular or rich or beautiful.  It is ok if we are those things, but it is not our purpose and without finding that purpose, these things will never make us feel like we belong here.  It is only by giving of ourselves and doing good to those God brings our way.

Today I want to encourage you to begin to find your place in this world by becoming who God created you to be, right where you are right now.  Take a step of faith and ask your Heavenly Father to bring people your way that you can bless.  Be an example of God’s love to your neighborhood and co-workers by using your time, resources and influence to help or encourage them all.   Let everyone see how much God loves them through the way you are loving them.  It may not be very comfortable at first, but keep it up and soon you will be looking for your next opportunity to love on someone that God loves.  There is only one sure way to never be taken advantage of and that is to give all you are in love and no one will ever be able to steal if from you.

Today’s scripture reading: Titus 2:1-8

Pure living

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.  Titus 1:15

Pure or defiled?  What do you choose?  Defiled comes naturally, but pure comes supernaturally.  How does that work?  If you choose to casually walk through life without filtering the input you are subject to each day, your thoughts and life will become defiled.  No matter how much you try to keep it clean, a defiled/unclean life will be the default.  Pure life comes from pure thoughts and pure heart, but how do you keep a pure heart in a defiled world?

The key is in what you are listening to and looking at each day.  In today’s passage, Paul tells Titus that if you listen to lies over truth, you will become defiled and unbelieving.  That means, whatever you are listening to, whether it is media or others around you, that is directing your thinking and your life.  Additionally, defiling your heart. 

In contrast, if you intentionally filter, purge out and overlay these thoughts with the Word of God, you can purify or cleanse your heart and the way you think.  Let me give you an example.  If by listening to the news and the fear/anxiety of people’s imagination around you, fear begins to grip your heart, their fears/anxieties are polluting or poisoning your heart and thoughts.  You will become afraid of rioting, looting and pandemic or whatever the latest crisis is being announced.  You allow and purposefully turn to these sources as your source for what is going on in the world . You feel you must be informed on what is going on around you and be concerned that it doesn’t come near you.  This is corrupted thinking and penetrates to your core.  Like a computer that downloads corrupted files whether programed or not, it damages the entire system.

However, there is good news.  You can purposefully override these issues and block them from getting to your core, simply by renewing your mind and heart with the Words that God gave you.  For instance, if you hear of evils being done in your neighborhood or town, you cast down those thoughts of fear by speaking “God hasn’t give me a spirit of fear, He gave me His Spirit of love, power and a sound/fixed on Him mind.”(2 Timothy 1:7)  If you hear there is a pandemic and people are dying, you override and take authority over that thought with “No evil befalls me, neither does any plague come near my house.” (Psalms 91)

I hope you get the point.  Whatever thoughts, news or words that come to you through your ears or thinking, you can keep them from corrupting your spirit by God’s Words.  Implant the seed of the Word of God in your mind and heart continuously and pure living will grow like a beautiful garden.

Today I want to encourage you to put together a list of scriptures you can turn to when any news or gossip tries to steal your peace.  Review them often until you believe what God says over what the world does.  Let the peace of God be your gauge for pure living.  When peace is missing, recognize that you need more of God’s Word, not more of the world’s deception.

Today’s scripture reading: Titus 1: 10-16

Raise up leaders

I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.  Titus 1:5

Paul had a routine of going into towns and setting up churches.  Then training up someone in the area to oversee that work while Paul went on ahead to the next city.  Titus was one of the trainees that Paul left in Crete to complete what Paul had started. Titus was to train people who lived and gathered for worship there.  Paul had the same instructions at every place he set up.  As you read today’s scripture passage, you will notice that Titus is looking for elders with the same qualifications that Paul gave Timothy for his leadership team.

As you lead in your church or community, you can use these qualities to identify candidates for your team.  In whatever leadership role you have, it is always good to bring someone along to train them in what you are doing so they can fill the void when you grow into your next position. 

Starting with living a blameless life.  This doesn’t mean the person has never sinned or messed up, it just means they live with a repentant heart.  Other qualities include faithful with a good reputation and not rebellious.  Someone who manages God’s household, not arrogant or quick tempered.  Not a heavy drinker, not violent or dishonest with money.  He must enjoy being hospitable, love what is good and live wisely and just.

These are the attitudes to look for in someone to serve along side of you in your place of ministry.  By recognizing these qualities in a person, you will be ensured to select the right person to bring along with you.  Whether it is to complete a current project or begin a new one, bringing those along with you will ensure you are helping and mentoring others to be ready when they are called upon. It is also a way that we hand off God’s wisdom to the next generation.

Today I want to encourage you to bring others along with you in ministry.  Train up those who can help to successfully start and finish projects.  Whether it is ministry, vocation or recreation, look for those you can bring along with you and train in the things of integrity and wisdom.  We may not be here for the next generation, but we are responsible for making sure the things of God get passed to them.  Today, start praying about who you can bring along with you and fulfill the call of raising up the next generation of leaders.

Today’s scripture reading: Titus 1:5-9