The Daily Dose

What’s in your heart?

These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.  Colossians 2:23

Back in Paul’s day, there were rules among the Jewish people that provided many opportunity for offense if not followed.  Paul called them regulations of the world.  Even though these rules were made up and enforced by the priest and religious leaders, Paul says they are basic principles of the physical nature.  The laws were: do not touch certain things, do not eat certain things and do not handle/carry certain things.  These “certain” things were defined in the law and the people were watched over carefully to ensure they were keeping these laws.  Paul says that the enforcers of these laws thought they were wise in the process.  However, he goes on to say that their wisdom was founded in self-imposed worship, false humility and harsh treatment of the body.  He finishes by saying: Keeping these laws are not helpful in exposing the evil desires within a person’s heart.

Today, we have laws that are not for religious reason, but still physical and seemingly necessary for health and well being.  The “laws” actually look similar to the religious laws of Paul’s day.  Verse 21 describes those laws and we can easily translate them into our modern day health regulations.  Colossians 2:21 says, “Do not touch,(wash your hands) do not taste, (Where a mask) do not handle, (Social distance 6ft apart)”  While they are not bad actions to do and comply with, some would obey and enforce these rules as religiously as the leaders did in Paul’s day and be offended by those who do not closely comply. Yes, we understand that these are preventative measures that can be taken to protect from diseases that are in the air or carried by others.  However, the way some would enforce these rule seem like they are depending their eternity on them, but we know that the real issues of eternal life come from within a person’s heart.

So where is the balance.  Yes, we comply with rules and regulations of the physical nature to protect and ensure the health of others that we love and come into contact with. However, lets take a look a little deeper into the heart to discern what really matters.  Many are saying 2020 has been the weirdest, wackiest and worst year ever, but I would ask:  “What happened to you?”  Answers would vary to: “I had to wear a mask.”  “I couldn’t go to work or school.” Or maybe “We couldn’t go out to eat or shop.”  I know there were bad things in the world going on, but the majority of people maintained life by making a few minor adjustments.  Overall, the reports of great growth in the kingdom of Heaven should overshadow all the evil that has tried to overrun this year.  God’s Kingdom has grown in unprecedented measures in 2020 and the LORD of the harvest has been sending out laborer like never before in history.

Today, I would ask you to examine any evil desires in your heart.  Take a deep look within to see if you are holding any area back from your Heavenly Father.  A question to ask yourself would be, “what things am I afraid of?”  Fear in your heart indicates the areas you have not turned over to God and are trusting Him to handle.  Once you identify your fear, quickly turn those things over to Him and receive your peace of mind today.  Not in following a lot of rules and regulations, but in following the love and goodness of your Father. Then pray the LORD of the harvest to continue to send out laborers to bring in the final harvest before He returns (Matt. 9:38).

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 2:20-23

He brought peace

““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodness to men!”  Luke 2:14

Peace is a priceless gift!  It is worth everything but cannot be purchased.  It is a gift that was given to us when Jesus was born.  Many think that peace on earth means that people will live together without conflict or disagreement, but what Jesus brought us was peace with God in heaven.  He brought the peace of heaven to earth!  Before that time, there was a great distance between God and His people, but when Jesus came, He became the bridge that reached between mankind and God.  Now we personally have access to God and not only that, we can receive Him as our Father!  He didn’t want to just have a people to command and order around, He wanted a family.  He became our Father and His love empowers us to be successful in all areas of life.  In all that, He provided a peaceful relationship with Himself, which produces peace in our hearts/lives.

So what is peace?  Some would say peace is calmness, rest, order, or harmony with others.  While these definitions are true, the God kind of peace is much deeper.  Let’s take a look at what God said in His Word about peace.  Peace is the guard of your heart.  It lets us know when our heart is right with God.  Philippians 4:7 says, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  If peace is missing from your life, it is a sign that you need more of God in your heart.  Peace is a ruler.  Peace measures whether we are thankful for all God has brought us through and called us to.  Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”  Peace is a fruit or result of God’s Spirit living inside of us. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”  Peace demonstrates if we are walking out our life through God’s Spirit or in our flesh.  Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Lastly, walking in the peace of God will allow us to complete the second part of today’s verse.  When we decide to walk in the peace of God, we are then able to exercise good will toward others.  This time of the year provides a wonderful opportunity to bless others with a kind act or word.  It is also an opportunity to share God’s great love with those around us and to be reminded of His great love for us!

Today I want to encourage you to allow God’s peace to fill up your life.  Don’t be stressed about all the things you want to get done before Christmas Day.  Instead, let the peace of God fill you up.  Spend time with Him and tell Him how thankful you are and how much you love Him.  Make this Christmas about your relationship with Him.  Don’t forget He is the reason why we are celebrating this great day, the day He became a person to live with us, save us, and fill our life with peace . . . The God kind of peace!

Today’s scripture reading:  Isaiah 9:1-7

The kings

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11

The wise men came from the east to the house where Jesus lived with His parents.  The probability is that Jesus was about two years old.  He was clearly not a baby but a “young child”.  As a toddler, He still didn’t know He was the King of kings, but the wise men sure did.  

Today, the wise men are often called kings, but the Bible doesn’t really say that.  What we do know about them is that they studied the stars and they were magi.  We know this because the star is the reason they came looking for the King of the Jews.  Obviously they had some ancient manuscript of the prophecy of His coming and that the star would be the sign.  Many believe that the Babylonians took these writings when they carried away the Israeli people into captivity.  They probably also had Daniel’s writing from when he lived among them.  This would explain them coming from the “east”.

What is really important about this is that these men came from another country to worship Jesus!  They were the first to “fall down” and worship Him.  This is significant because they would have been the first gentiles that came to Jesus and they were not turned away.  If they really were kings, then they were the first kings to bow to the King of kings.  What a great picture of the coming day when all nations of the world will bow down to Him!!  On top of all that, they brought treasure to Him, some of the most precious resources in the world, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  This was a blessing from God to provide for His Son while He was on the earth.  These gifts also enabled Joseph to take his family out of the country to protect them from the wrath of the crazed King Herod.

Today I want to encourage you to consider the wise men coming from a far country to worship Jesus.  Then consider how you can follow their example and fall down and worship Him!  Give Him your greatest and earnest praise for coming into the world and becoming the King to save all people from sin!  Don’t wait for that day when He returns to get us, worship Him today!  He is worthy of all our praise!  He is the King of kings and LORD of lords!

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 2:1-12

Do not fear

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”   Luke 2:10-11

So, it’s only two days until Christmas and of course everywhere you go, you can hear Christmas music as a constant reminder that it is almost here. There are a couple of thoughts that have really touched my heart this year about Christmas.  The first idea is how the angels were strategically placed to be ready to make the announcement the instant the baby was born.  As soon as baby Jesus took His first breath, an angel of the Lord was sent to a nearby field where the shepherds were.  It was nighttime, but the angel didn’t wait to see if the shepherds were awake or sleeping, he just stood there until someone noticed him. (I’m sure it didn’t take long.)  Of course, the first thing he says is “Don’t be afraid” because it was obvious that they were.  He quickly went on with the news he had been waiting to tell all evening as the angels waited for the baby to be born.  He said I have some really exciting news and it’s good news for all people!  (not just the Hebrew people) Then he tells them that their Savior is born.  God in flesh.  The Creator has become part of His creation.  After that he is joined by a choir of angels and they all rejoice together!  What a celebration!!

The second thought is what a great miracle it was and is still today and will be for all eternity.  God had made this plan from the beginning of creation – to become a man.  He must have been as full of joy as the angels were as He watched and anticipated Jesus’ birth.  I have always known that it was good news for us, the people who needed a Savior.  However, up until this year, I hadn’t considered how God the Father must have rejoiced.  Now when I think about Him, I consider how He had been waiting for this moment longer than any person on the earth.  He had talked about it from the beginning of time.  He told His prophets for thousands of years.  We see these words throughout the Old Testament as prophecies or predictions of what was to come.  However, the truth is the prophets were writing what was in God’s heart.  God was talking to them about this glorious day!  He made the announcement that He was coming to make things right almost continuously throughout the scriptures.  God was coming to live with us, to be in a body and likeness of people and to experience the things we experience.  He wanted a relationship with us so in order to accomplish that, He took on flesh.  He loves us that much!  His heart was to make a creation that He could become a part of not just to rule over, but to live with and be a family.  He made us so He could be our God and Father!  It was joy in His heart to become a man!  Hebrews 12:2 says, “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.” This is a new and joyous revelation to me!!   

Today I want to encourage you to consider that great love our Heavenly Father has for us.  He didn’t just come to save us, although that was the most important thing to us.  He came because He wanted to become a person with a family.  Keep this in mind as Christmas day approaches and rejoice with our Father for His wonderful plan that was accomplished the night Jesus was born in the earth.  Thank Him for the plan He has for the future days in the world and give glory to Him that we will one day live with Him forever!

Today’s scripture ready:  Luke 2:8-14

Shepherds??

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”  Luke 2:8 

I was impressed to write about the shepherds today.  The only problem is I don’t know much about shepherds.  So, I asked the LORD, “LORD, why did You send the angels to shepherds as the first people to get the news of our LORD’s birth?” To me they have always seemed like an unlikely group to be chosen to spread the word for such an important event.  As I thought about shepherds in general, I considered, “maybe because they are diligent to watch over their sheep or maybe because they were faithful to stay with their flock to keep them all in one place?”  However, all of my considerations didn’t answer my question.  I thought, “maybe I will do a little research on shepherds so I can begin to understand them more?”  Then my next thought was, “no, I will just let God reveal what I need to know.”  (That’s what I always depend on)  Suddenly, it hit me that Shepherd is another name we call Pastors and Pastors shepherd their “sheep”.  Pastors also preach the good news of the gospel.

So, if we look at today’s scripture, that is exactly what the shepherds did.  First, they went to the place where Jesus was and met Him, then they made widely known the things that were told them concerning their Savior.  Their message caused many to marvel and wonder about the things the shepherds said.  It is the same thing that happens today.  God anoints Pastors to make widely known the gospel concerning our Savior and that anointing on their words causes all who hear to think about the message and receive it.

God knew exactly what He was doing when He sent the angels to the shepherds.  He planned for them to be His ministers of the good news that Messiah had come.  Lastly, they rejoiced because of the great news and because they were chosen to spread that news.

Today I want to encourage you this Christmas season to appreciate your Pastor for the anointing and message he has received from God.  Send him a card or gift to show your grateful heart for watching over and keeping you as part of the flock and for his diligent and faithful service in our LORD’s work.

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 2:8-20

A Just man

“Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.”  Matthew 1:19

Joseph was a righteous and compassionate man.  Although he was within his rights according to the law, he did not want to disgrace or humiliate Mary when he found out she was with child.  He made the decision to call off the marriage, but before he could do it, God sent an angel to him to give him the message that Mary was carrying the Christ child, the Messiah.  Even though Mary probably told him what had happened, it was too far out there to believe.  What a relief it must have been for Mary when Joseph came and told her the message the angel brought to him and that he would be there to help and protect her and the baby Jesus.

It goes without saying how great a step of faith it was for Joseph.  We can look back now and see that it all worked out.  However, as it was happening, they didn’t know how it was going to be. Even though God sent His messengers to both of them and they had the prophecy in the scriptures to cling to, I know there was still plenty of opportunity to be anxious and worried about being responsible for God’s Son. Joseph, accepting the news of Mary’s condition, was only at step number one in a long nine-month period of faith and trust in what God was doing.  Mary and Joseph submitted their lives to God and allowed Him to complete all that was in His heart to do.

I want to make note of Joseph’s response and reaction to the news Mary brought to him.  She had been gone for three months to visit her relative Elizabeth and when she returned, she came back with the news that she was carrying the Son of God.  Joseph didn’t freak out at the news (although I’m sure the thought crossed his mind) he carefully considered the best way to proceed.  When he finally decided to handle things in a way that wouldn’t shame Mary, that’s when God’s angel showed up.  He never had to take that tough step of breaking the engagement with Mary.  They were able to be married and Joseph provided for and protected his new family.  He was a man full of God’s grace and love.  God knew exactly what He was doing when He placed His Son in the care of this faith filled couple.

Today I want to encourage you when making tough decisions or when you are under pressure to choose a path, to first of all, don’t freak out, but rather wait on God.  God will show up and help you to step out in the right direction.  If you are unclear what the next step might be, don’t move until you are sure you are moving in the direction that God has planned for you to go.  God will always make the way plain and clear, it’s up to us to wait for the plan and not rush into anything. Be that person of faith and trust that God has the perfect plan to see you through any dilemma.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 1:18-25

Answer the call

“Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”  Luke 1:38

Today I want to consider Mary and her life of faith and obedience.  Having grown up in a Jewish home, she was well train in scripture and prepared for the arranged marriage she would one day be given into.  She was submissive, humble/selfless, and well prepared for every “good work” she would be called to.  However, the thing that is most impressive about Mary is her words of faith.  When she was visited by the angel Gabriel and after she heard the message he was sent to give her, she didn’t argue or make excuses or even object.  Instead, she said, “Look, I am here (in the world) to serve the LORD, let it be, (or give it to me) just like God said it.”  She recognized the message was from God, believed she was born/called for this mission, and received it immediately.  She didn’t say, “Let me pray and think about it.”  She didn’t consider the struggle or the inconvenience of her calling.  She didn’t even say, “I’ll have to talk to Joseph first.”  She believed God would handle all the details and would get her through every battle she would face.  This is what true faith is all about.

Let’s take a look at the steps Mary took when she received her calling/mission from God through the angel.  

1. She heard the word. 
2. She didn’t argue or make excuses, she gave no objections or refusal.  
3. She recognized the word/call was the reason she was given life on earth.
4. She received the word and didn’t consider the struggles or impossibilities that would have to be overcome.  
5. She rejoiced in that word and let it become a part of her.  
6. Then she watched as God fulfilled the word in her life.  
7. She didn’t try to make it happen, all she had to do was cling to that word, rejoice in the assignment and obey any instruction the Holy Spirit gave to move her in the direction of her calling/mission.

Maybe you are thinking, “That’s nice, but how is that relevant for me today?”  The answer to that question is:  Faith still works the same way today and so does God‘s calling.  Each one of us has been or will be called for a specific mission here in this life and if we follow the same steps and example that Mary gave, we will be empowered to complete that mission.  The process will look generally the same.  

1. “Hear” the word from God about where and what He is calling you to.  It will come from the Holy Spirit within you and be backed up by the written Word of God (scripture).  
2. Don’t argue or make excuses why you can’t or don’t want to do what God is putting on your heart to do.  
3. Recognize the call is the reason you were given life on the earth.  Receive the word and do not consider the impossibility of it.  
4. Rejoice in the word and calling that God has given you and let it become a part of you by meditating it and thanking God for it daily.  
5. Watch God fulfill that mission in your life through your obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the right timing.

Today I want to encourage you to consider your calling.  We all have one and we all were born into this world for a purpose.  If you are a young person just starting out into your adult life, ask God for the wisdom to discern the call and mission He has for you.  If you are older, consider if you have allowed/given God access to complete His plan in your life.  Ask Him to make the path plain and clear and sincerely desire to fulfill your purpose.  God will lead you in the perfect path to get you to your blessed place and fulfill in you all you were created to be.

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 1:26-38

        Come and see

“And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”  John 1:46

Many of Jesus’ disciples were called personally by Jesus Himself, but some were brought to Him by the invitation of the other disciples.  Nathanael was invited to “come and see” by Philip and although he wasn’t listed among the twelve, he did come to know that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.

Philip looked for Nathanael one day to tell him that they had found the One they were waiting for.  To say Nathanael was skeptical would be an understatement.  You can hear in his response to Philip’s invitation the doubt and unbelief that was in his heart.  Philip was very wise in his answer to Nathanael’s lack of enthusiasm.  He didn’t try to convince him based on what Philip had experienced himself, he simply said, “come and check it out for yourself.”  It wasn’t long at all before Nathanael was 100% convinced of Philips’ claims.

This same approach can be used today when sharing your faith with others.  It can be intimidating to come right out and say, “Jesus is my Savior” or “I’m a Christian”.  Saying things like that can sometimes cause a person you are trying to lead to Jesus to shut down immediately.  Then they will not hear anything else you have to say after that.  However, if you have an approach like, “I know someone who has the answer to all your trouble” or “there is someone who can turn your struggles around.”  Then you may have the opportunity to get another sentence in about the things your Heavenly Father has done in your life.  When you get a resisting response, don’t take that as a rejection or not interested answer, simply invite them to “come and see for yourself.”  Give them the option to make that choice by giving them an invitation to come with you to church or a small group meeting or concert, then they can decide if He’s real or not.  Just like He did for Nathanael, He will show Himself to your invited friend in a way that will touch their heart and turn their life toward God.

Today as we approach Christmas, it is the greatest opportunity of the year to invite people to candlelight services, Christmas programs, and concerts.  Remind others why we celebrate the day and if the response is unbelieving, invite them to “come and see!”  Then leave it up to God to show up and introduce Himself to that person that has questions.  He will remove their doubts far from them.

Today’s scripture reading:  John 1:43-51

Hold it together

They are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For He holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. Colossians 2:19

Hold it together!  Have you ever felt like it all depended on you to hold something together?  Maybe it was at your job, school or maybe your family?  Sometimes I feel like I am the one holding my life together and even holding together the things that God has called me to accomplish.  How absurd is that?  Do I really believe that I could actually contain, control and organize that plans of God’s heart?  Then why do I feel stressed sometimes when working on the things He has asked me to do?

Today’s scripture says “HE is the one that is holding the body of believers together.”  My part is just a small part of the whole body.  I’m certainly not doing it all, and the things I am doing, He is the one that is holding it all together, not me.  This is hard for me to grasp.  I feel like it’s always on me to do the working and organizing and whatever else there is to do.  In reality, it’s all on His grace to get those things done.  Here’s what I’ve learned and that is … I can’t do it all on my own and when I try, I get stressed.  That is how I know I am trying to do it in my own strength.  However, when I say “Father, please give me the grace to accomplish the thing you have put in my heart to do for Your Kingdom?”  He does, and He holds it all together and makes it beautiful in the process.  That’s when His nurturing enters in and grows not only the things I am working on, but that same nurturing grows in the hearts of others to receive what He is preparing for others to receive.

This passage says don’t let anyone condemn you for the things you do and certainly don’t condemn yourself.  Learn to use the feelings of stress, condemnation and anxiety as warning signs that you are striving and working in your own strength.  Instead, thank God for the things He has called you to and that He gives His grace to share with you to accomplish these things.  They will turn out much better with His hand holding them all together instead of your own.

Today I want to encourage you to let Him hold it all together for you.  He is the head of the entire body of believers, so what ever part He has given you to do, He will hold you in the place and fill you with His grace to accomplish it.  Your part is to listen, follow and receive His grace, not to stress and strive.

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 2:16-19

It’s cancelled

He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:14

Have you ever cancelled anything before?  Maybe an appointment or a meeting of some kind?  What happened?  Did you go there, sit through it and then say, “that’s it, I’m cancelling.”?  No, at the moment when the meeting was cancelled, it didn’t happen.  The only reminder you have of that meeting is in your thoughts.  You remember there was a meeting scheduled, but it was cancelled, so it never made it into reality.

That is what today’s verse says.  He cancelled my sin debt. He cancelled the entire record of charges against me.  That means, when He took my sin on the cross, He cancelled all my guilt, all my shame and all my punishment.  He wiped it out and threw it away with the cross.  It’s gone.  It has been cancelled like it never happened.  It’s true, it is just like when you cancelled that appointment.  It never happened.  Your appointment with sin never happened, because it was cancelled!

I know that it is hard to grasp because even though sometimes we still miss it, Jesus paid the price and that sin never makes it into reality.  It has been cancelled before it ever happened.  You can think of it this way, your appointment to pay the punishment, carry the guilt and bear the shame of your sin has been cancelled.  It will never happen.  Glory to God.  I am so thankful, I never have to carry the load of my sin because it was carried away with the cross!

Today I want to encourage you to get rid of any guilt and shame you may be carrying.  That load is not yours to bear. In Christ Jesus, that doesn’t exist.  You are carrying a burden that is not real in the kingdom of Heaven, it is an earthly burden and it doesn’t belong to you.  See yourself risen up with Him and unload that cross today.  The cross Jesus died on was thrown away 2000 years ago and your sin was destroyed with it.  If you have never received Jesus as your LORD and cancelled your sin, do that today by praying this pray of salvation.  Jesus will come into your life and save you.  He has cancelled your debt of sin as if it never existed.

God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to have my sin debt cancelled and turn 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 form 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’s scripture reading: Colossians 2:11-15