The Daily Dose

Get excited

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 1 Peter 1:6

Have you ever been excited about something?  Something you were looking forward to?  Maybe it was an event like a wedding or holiday?  Maybe it was a dream vacation to check off your bucket list?  Or maybe it was and upcoming birth of a new baby?  While these are all wonderful things and worthy of our enthusiasm, we can be left in total “let down” when the anticipated experience is over.   There is, however, something we can get excited about every day we are here in the world.  Something that can inspire and propel us through each day.  Something so anticipated that it becomes the very reason for our existence.  That is the incorruptible inheritance in our salvation in Christ Jesus.

This is something to truly get excited about.  It is what to keep our focus on each day, especially in those days when we are not so energize by the everyday activities or rut that we often get into. Below is a list of just a few of the benefits of our inheritance in Christ Jesus.  Some in this life and some in the next.  Keep in mind that this is a very short list.  There is so much more to it, in fact the list is limitless.

All things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Right relationship with God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Victory over sin (Romans 6:14)

Death has no sting (1 Corinthians 15:55)

God’s Spirit lives inside of us (Romans 8:11)

Godly wisdom (James 1:5)

Can talk directly to God through Jesus – prayer (John 14:6)

Divine protection (Psalms 91)

Eternity in heaven with our Savior and Heavenly Father (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Crown of glory with your name on it (2 Timothy 4:8)

No more tears (Revelation 21:4)

No more death (Revelation 21:4)

New heaven and earth – Incorruptible and undefiled (1 Peter 1:3)

Today I want to encourage you to make your own list.  Spend some time looking up scripture on the promises God has given in His provision for salvation.  Write them down, then each morning when you get up and feel less than passionate about the day, choose an item from that list to meditate that day.  I guarantee you will have much more joy than you would without it.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:4-9

He is happy

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

This is something I am turning my focus to on purpose.  It is something I have never really given any thought to, but it is very significant.  It is the fact that our God and Heavenly Father is blessed.  What does that mean?  Not to get in too deep, but the word blessed is translated from the Greek word makarios that means happy.  (I’m not a Greek scholar, I just googled it)  So, this is what I want to focus on today and what I believe God our Father wants us to know about Him.  He is a happy God and He is a happy Father.  I don’t know about you, but happy has never been a word that came to my mind when talking to or thinking about Him.  I often think of words like holy, just, perfect, loving or gracious and full of mercy, but never happy.

So let’s think about this for a minute.  If God is happy, that means He is not mad at us when we sin, He is not disappointed in us when we miss it and He is not sad when we cry.  It seems that His happiness is not dependent on our behavior in anyway.  That’s a relief.  We do know that He feels compassion for us and cares for us, but nothing we bring to Him alters His character of happiness.  So, according to this scripture, His blessing/happiness has given us a living hope through Christ Jesus‘ resurrection form the dead.  Yes that’s right, God’s happiness gave us Jesus as our hope for life.

This word blessed (makorios) is the same word that Jesus used in Mathew 5 in His sermon on the mount.  He goes through a list of attitudes that are present in a blessed/happy person.  Such things as: poor in spirit –  recognizing our need for God, mourn – sorrowing to repentance, meek – submitted to the Holy Spirit, hunger and thirst for right standing with God, just to name a few.  By following this list in Matthew 5 we too can take on the happiness of God regardless of the outward circumstances.

Today I want to encourage you to consider God as a happy Father.  Don’t let your preconceived and religious ideas limit your vision of your loving, happy Heavenly Father.  Think about it this way:  In this world when you approach someone to talk to them or request something from them would you rather they were in a good mood or a bad mood?  This morning when you talk to God, remember He is happy and He is always in a good mood and you cannot in any way change it.  It’s really not too far out there to think of Him being happy.  Where else would happiness come from?  Meditate this idea today and see if you can come up with any other passages that talk about Him being blessed/happy.

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Peter 1:1-3

Cover a multitude of sin

Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.  James 5:20

This is a hard one . . . turning someone from the error of their ways.  How do you do that effectively?  I think we would all love to and probably have attempted to help others in the past find their way back.  Certainly, we start with prayer and ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit that turns the heart.  However, verses 13-16 in this chapter give us some direction on what to do as we experience different things in life.  Things such as:  if you are suffering, then pray.  If you are cheerful, sing psalms.  If you are sick, call for the elders of the church and let them pray over you and anoint you with oil.  Certainly, these things will work for someone that isn’t so close to God also.  If they are suffering, they can pray, if they are happy, they can be thankful and if they are sick, they can go to church for prayer.  We can encourage those around us who seems far from God to do these things when they are hurting.  This reminds me of the scripture in Romans that says:  Don’t despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads people to repentance? (Romans 2:4) 

God’s goodness is the greatest thing we can share when we want to help someone find their way back to God.  To point out where they are sinning or missing it, may only result in bringing out an attitude determined to prove you wrong.  Most people don’t like to be told they are wrong.  I know I don’t, but if you tell me that I am loved, that will definitely impact me differently and help me to want to know more about my loving Heavenly Father.

Today I want to encourage you to share the goodness of God with those around you.  First of all, look at how His goodness has touched your life and then be willing to help others see when it has touched theirs. Most people think that the good things in life are because they did something right or maybe a coincidence.  Gently help others to see that all good comes down from above from the Father of lights with whom there is no variance. (James 1:17)

Today’s scripture reading: James 5:19-20

Fervent prayer

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

I really appreciate how James uses Elijah (who was one of the greatest prophets of all time) in this passage as an example because he was a person like us and had a nature like every person does. However, he prayed fervently that it would not rain and then again that it would rain and God answered his prayers.

Today’s verse is talking about praying effectively and fervently and being righteous.  This is the prayer of faith spoken of in verse 15.  So, let’s unpack these characteristic so we can see how to have an effective prayer life.  First of all, the effective prayer starts with a righteous man.  We know that according to Romans 3:10 that there is none righteous, not even one.  Isaiah said our righteousness is like filthy rags.  So how do we become righteous?  The answer is in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that says: God the Father made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, so we could become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.  Only in our salvation in the blood of Jesus can we be made righteous.  There is nothing outward we can do to cleanse our self, other than receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Now let’s talk about fervent.  What is that?  So fervent is actually passionate, intense, sincere, no kidding serious prayer.  This is not the begging and pleading kind of prayer although requests are certainly made during fervent prayer.  We can look at how Elijah prayed to see just what fervent prayer looks like.  Frist of all, Elijah prayed what God told him would happen.  1 Kings 18:1 says that God told Elijah to go tell the king that rain was coming.  However, at the end of the chapter in verse 42 we see Elijah bowing down on the ground and putting his face between his knees.  It doesn’t say in this verse what he prayed, but James says he prayed earnestly for rain and the heavens gave it.  Lastly, consider that Elijah spoke God’s words to king Ahab that it was going to rain.  Once that was spoken, you can be sure Elijah was praying that God would come through.  His effective fervent prayer was based on God’s word that it would rain.

Today I want to encourage you to consider fervent prayer as a position of humility, backed by God’s Word by one who has be made righteous by the blood of Jesus.  This is where to start.  Write down what God is speaking to your heart about your circumstances and what He is showing you in His written Word that He will do.  Seek out and be listening for where the Holy Spirit is leading.  Then begin to pray fervently for your answer to show up . . . the answer that God has already shown you in His Word.  When the subject comes up whether in conversation of just in thought, speak the word God gave you about the situation and continue to thank Him for the Word that He gave.  Then keep watch.  Just as Elijah sent his servant to check for clouds, you keep watching for evidence that God is moving, and your answer is on its way.  Remember that God is faithful and will always keep His promise to you.  It’s up to you to pray it out fervently.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 5:13-18

What does the farmer do?

Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.  James 5:7

What does the farmer/planter do?  First, he prepares the ground to receive the seed he is going to put into it.  He does this by cultivating, watering and fertilizing it.  Next, he puts the seed in the ground.  After that, he doesn’t just walk away and come back in three months to get his harvest.  He nurtures, protects and invests his time and energy into that seed especially after it become a living plant.  He waters it if there is no rain, he makes sure no weeds choke it and he guards it so no animals or insects come to eat or destroy it.

Today’s passage say that we are to be patient while waiting and watching for the LORD’s return, just like the farmer waits for his precious fruit.  James goes on to tell us how to do this.  He say’s to be patient (at peace while you wait and watch) and establish your heart or attach it to God!  Don’t grumble and complain against each other because your actions are counting toward eternity. . . good or bad.  Then he finishes this by saying above everything, do not swear or make a vow by heaven or earth with an oath or promise but rather do and say what you actually have in your heart.  In other words, be a person of your word.  This is your reputation.  So that others know you can be trusted.

Today I want to encourage you to be a farmer.  Wait and watch patiently for the LORD’s return.  As you watch for Him, attend to the seeds you have planted in others and nurture them by walking through life and encouraging those that are patiently watching too.  We are not to just hold on and hold our breath until He gets here, we are to occupy more land/territory and bring more lives into the kingdom of heaven.  Not just because we love our Heavenly Father, but because we love those around us too. This is how we truly express God’s love, by genuinely loving others.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 5:7-12

Seek first

You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.  James 5:5

James chapter 5 starts out with a profoundly serious warning that I think I must have read over all the times I have read this book.  It’s an admonishing to the rich and corrupt in this world to first of all recognize that the things of this world are rotting away.  Secondly that these things will testify against them on the day of judgement.  It’s a reprimand against heaping up treasure in this life.  It ends up by saying those who live this way will be responsible for the lives they had influence over and didn’t lead them in the ways of righteousness (vs. 6).

So, how does this apply to us today?  Well, I’m taking it as a warning to not chase after material things.  Although I like nice things and have many of them, they are not what I am pursuing in life.  Maybe I should say, things should not be my purpose for living.  So, I ask myself each morning, “what am I pursuing today?  Am I looking for those around me that I can encourage and minister to?  Am I making it my goal to significantly impact at least one life each day for eternity?”  I am endeavoring to not become distracted by the “pretty” things in this world and focusing instead on the eternal.  It is not always easy, in fact, it is much easier to see and desire what is right here within reach.

Today I want to encourage you to seek the things that are above that will not fade and rot away.  Look for lives to touch each day for the kingdom of heaven.  Put away the desire for things and possession.  Although it is not bad to have nice things, endeavor to keep them in their proper place and low on the priority list.  Seek first God’s kingdom and then He will add the things to you that you need and desire.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 5:1-6

What is your life?

For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:15

Lately I’ve been asking myself “What goals do I want to accomplish in my lifetime?”  I’m not talking about a bucket list of activities that I want to do before I die.  I’m talking about life achievements.  What purpose did I serve while on this earth?  I am a wife and a mother and certainly those are great accomplishments.  They also hold eternal value if done right.  However, I’m talking about a life goal that I am continuously working toward for the duration of my stay here.

I’m using today’s verse as a motivation to recognize the limited amount of time we are here in this world.  In fact, this life is the shortest thing we will ever do as an eternal child of God.  It says life is like a vapor or a fog that vanishes away with the morning sun.  I have come to the decision that I want my greatest accomplishment to be helping others.  Whether it’s introducing some to Jesus, walking through life’s struggles or simply standing in prayer for them, I want my life to focus on others not on myself, which is quite a challenge as you can imagine.  Mostly, what I want my life goal to be is to help people discover their significant purpose for being on planet earth!  We all have a purpose and it is up to each one of us to seek it out.

Today I want to encourage you to set a life goal.  Think about what it is that you want to accomplish before your earthly life is through.  Ask the Holy Spirit for some direction and ask for your heavenly father to put His desire in your heart for all He has planned for you here.  Make this life count for all eternity by living beyond yourself in this world.

Today’s scripture reading: James 4:13-17

Not my job

There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:12

Have you ever been around people that you felt needed correction?  Maybe in their believes or their interpretation of scripture?  Maybe it was just in their everyday walk of life?  I recently had this experience.  I thought that the LORD had brought a certain individual into my life so I could “help” them.  It turned out that I was the one that needed help.  I could see so plainly areas that they needed to change in their own life that were obvious blind spots to them.  I actually tried many times to gently point these areas out.  (Even not so gently a time or two)  I was beginning to feel some stress over it, so I began to pray about it.  I wanted to know the best way to handle the situation and asked God for wisdom to help that individual.  I really thought it was the reason this person was in my life.  Finally, after praying diligently for some time, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I don’t need to fix everyone.  In fact, It’s not my job to fix people.  My job is to love people. (Romans 13:8) Of course! But how was I going to love this person and not be irritated by their words and attitude every time I was around them.  The answer was simple.  Pray for them.  Oh, why didn’t I think of that?  It worked almost immediately.  I began to pray for them.  I started by praying that I wouldn’t be irritated with them and that they would be in step with God’s plan for their life.  I prayed that I would love them as a Christian and encourage them in their walk with the LORD.  It was pretty much miraculous the change that happened in my heart.  On top of it all I actually felt free.  Even if they did say something that used to rub me the wrong way (unknowingly) It didn’t bother me anymore.  I didn’t feel like I needed to make them see where they were wrong, and I just felt like God would take care of it.

Today’s verse talks about judging one another.  It is not what God wants us to do.  He didn’t make us to be the judge of each other, He made us to be family with other believers.  Our only job now is to love each other, encourage one another and pray for each other.  God is working on them and showing them the areas where they need to grow the same way He is working on me.  To think that I have arrived or no longer need to grow would be asinine!  We all need to grow because none are perfect and if we are not growing, we should take time to look at where we are missing it.

Today I want to encourage you not to be a judge of others.  Recognize that we all have room to grow and we are here to help one another not correct each other.  We walk through this life with other believers to encourage and pray for each other not to fall into the traps of the world.  God will point out where we need to grow.  It is up to us as individuals to listen to what He is saying.  So, the next time you find yourself criticizing some one else for the way they are doing something, recognize that you are the only one that you can change and pray for them instead!

Today’s scripture reading: James 4:11-12

Get close

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  James 4:8

God’s not unreasonable.  He doesn’t require some outlandish things from us to get close to Him. Do you even want to be close to God?  Did you know it is up to you how close you are to Him?  I’m sure we would all say “yes!  I would love to be close to God.”  The fact is that we can be as close to God as we choose to be.  Just as our relationships here in the world require us to invest time and energy into them, that is the same way we get close to God.  We invest special time that we specifically set aside to spend getting to know Him.  It’s not about just reading the bible and going through a list of needs with Him. It is about worship and love.  Spending time giving honor and glory to Him and being thankful for all He has done to make Himself available to us. Yet, how many of us are willing to set aside time to really press into Him?  How many of us really want to know Him?  Not just know about Him or have ideas about Him, but who would take the time to study and spend time learning from Him and His Word and being thankful for all His blessing.

It’s easy to get stuck in the habit of reading a portion of scripture, thanking God for the day and for our food, but never going any deeper with Him.  Today’s verse promises that when we drew near to God, He will get closer to us.  It’s like when we take a step toward God, He takes a step toward us.  The closer we get, the closer He gets.  He doesn’t force Himself and He doesn’t ignore us.  God knows everything about us and yet He still wants to walk with us through each day.  He also wants to make Himself known to us.  He has given us an entire book about who He is and His character of goodness and love.  He is not trying to hide Himself or His plans from us, He wants us to walk out the path He has planned for us so He can get His greatest blessings to us.

 Here’s the thing:  God already made the first move, now He is waiting for us to respond.  1 John 4:19 says that we love Him because He loved us first.  The way to be close to God is to recognize the depth of His love for you and know that He desires a personal relationship with you.  He set this life up so that we could carry His Holy Spirit with us wherever we go, to be our personal guide each day.  He desires for us to talk to, trust and follow all that He is leading us to so that we can be successful and enjoy this life to it’s greatest potential.

Today I want to encourage you to spend time with your Heavenly Father. I know we all have our time when we read God’s Word each day and conveniently check if off the list as done  However, this time take it a step further and talk to Him about what you have read and how you can apply it in your life today?  Take time to personally connect with Him through praise, worship, thanksgiving and then listen for anything He may be speaking to your heart.  He has a good plan for you today, but it is up to you to get the plan.

Today’s scripture reading: James 4:7-10

Internal struggles

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? James 4:1

I believe this passage is talking about warring and fighting in the world today, but I also believe it is about internal and spiritual conflict on a personal level.  It seems that all external conflict stem from an internal discontentment.  Whether its world wars, neighborhood disputes, family conflict or personal dissatisfaction, they all go back to the heart and attitude of individuals.  Think about it this way, in any conflict, there is a warring party and a defensive party.  In an internal conflict there is self-seeking vs. righteousness or what is right.  Usually it is all about one side getting what they want at the expense of the other side.

So how does this apply personally?  The passage says you lust, murder and covet but you cannot obtain what you are after.  This results in a continual discontentment.   Then the writer goes on to say you don’t have because you don’t ask God.  If you do ask God, you don’t have because you are asking for your own selfish gain. This is interesting because it implies that James is talking to Christians and yet he is talking about things like lust and murder.  So even though there are many out there that profess to be children of God, they are involved in conflicts and wars both externally and internally.

 Well, this answers some questions.  Why don’t we always get what we ask from God?  It says, friendship with the world is enmity with God (actively opposing God)  It’s why verse 6 says that God resists the proud. This is so important to grasp.  I cannot expect God to answer my prayers as long as I am actively pursuing the things of the world. It indicates that the root is pride and God has no part of it.

So now we come to the question, what is friendship with the world?  Does it mean having friends that are not Christians?  Does it mean going to events that are hosted by unsaved people?  Does it mean supporting non-Christian business?  No!  Friendship with the world simply means that you are more focused on being successful in the worlds eyes than you are in God’s.  This is where true internal conflict comes from, but there is an answer to this plague of discontent.  The solution is to humble yourself and make Jesus the Lord of your life, not just your Savior.  When He becomes your LORD, you willingly turn all things over to Him and commit to live your life by His ways and plans.  The only thing you will be concerned about is if you are living life His way and loving others.

Today I want to encourage you to turn your life over to your Heavenly Father and make Jesus your LORD and Savior.  Even if you have already accepted Him into your heart and life, decide today that you are laying down all your desires to pick up His.  Success is not bad, it is only what you do with it that becomes a problem.  If you are out for only your glory, you will struggle continuously to keep it.  Let Jesus take over and you will receive the contentment and joy that your heart has been longing for.

Today’s scripture reading:  James 4:1-6