The Daily Dose

Marvelous Faith

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!  Matthew 8:10

Have you ever thought about having great faith?  How about marvelous faith?  What about having faith so big that it makes Jesus marvel?  That is some great faith.  There are only two places in the gospels that Jesus marveled at someone’s faith.  Today’s passage is one of them.  A roman centurion asked Jesus to speak the word and His will over the centurion’s servant.  He had heard about Jesus’ ministry and how many people had been healed when Jesus spoke “the Word”.  He knew that Jesus’ words had power and were able to change circumstances.  He was prepared to set himself in agreement with Jesus’ words even to the point of carrying that word back without Jesus being present with his sick servant.  He understood from his own position as a centurion how authority worked and perceived it to be the same in the spiritual world.  He said, Speak the Word of God over this situation and I will carry that message in faith until it is activated.  He so believed this that Jesus marveled at His faith.  Jesus basically said, “I have never seen anything like this before.”

I consider how many times we speak exactly what we see over our circumstances instead of getting in agreement with what God says about the situation in His Word!  In getting a scripture or hearing a “Word” in your heart from the Holy Spirit about the situation, God is giving you the words to speak.  Don’t negate that word by speaking what you see and feel in the natural realm.  Change what you are seeing now by “speaking the Word of God, only.”  Every time you speak about the situation to any one or even think about it, thank God that the scripture and His “word” He has given you, is at work and turning everything around for His glory.  The centurion even said to Jesus: “Speak the word, only”

This is so important!  You cannot speak God’s Word one day and then the trouble the next day.  Just believe what God says and keep speaking His promise.  Even when Jesus heard the man say this, the scripture says He marveled.  He said he hadn’t seen such a great faith.  Marvelous faith! 

Speaking the Word only may not be comfortable to you at first, but when you begin to practice it in every situation you face, hope will rise up inside of you. That is when you will trust His words and the power they carry to change the world around you more than you believe what your can see with your physical eyes. For example, if you are struggling in your marriage or family relationships, instead of talking about how crazy the situation is and how you are worried about the outcome, take it to your heavenly Father in prayer. Ask Him to remind you of an instant in His Word where someone was facing the same set of circumstances that you are right now or a promise of victory that He gave so that you can remember His faithfulness when the worry comes. Then begin to thank Him for that promise and “word” when ever you think or hear about that situation until it is changed by the spiritual pressure of His promise. If you are facing a diagnosis of any kind, instead of researching symptoms and outcomes, search God’s Word for how He delivered and healed in times past. Whatever your dilemma is, take it to your heavenly Father and ask Him to give you His Word on the situation and what He wants to do through your faith. Then write it down when the answer comes and thank Him for it until it breaks through into your concerns and changes the reality of what you are up against. You are not denying the facts, but you are denying the problems right to wreck your life. Start standing on God’s word today for every issue that comes from now on and you will begin to have the faith that others will marvel at.

Today I want to encourage you to walk in marvelous faith by speaking the Word only.  Determine today, even before trouble comes that you are going to speak God’s Words over any and every problem or stress life throws your way.  You may not have a choice in the circumstances around you, but you do have a choice in what you say about them.  Make a “marvelous faith” decision today to get a “God perspective” of your circumstances and then let His word put pressure on what looks impossible.  That is when His miracle will breakthrough.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 8:5-13

 5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,

6 saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.”

7 And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.

9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

11 And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

12 But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. 

Become compassionate

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  Matthew 8:3

Compassion.  Something I have always struggled with.  I tend to be preoccupied with me, my stuff, my things, and my issues.  It is like wearing blinders because as I go through my daily life, sometimes I don’t even notice the struggles others are going through around me.  I have repented for my lack of compassion and have changed my heart to intentionally be more aware of others that are hurting around me. 

Recently, I came across an individual holding a sign that said, “homeless and hungry”.  I asked the LORD (in my heart) if this is someone deserving a few dollars? (I have a tendency to be skeptical and sometimes see these occasions as a scam or even self-inflicted problems that many bring on themselves and therefore judge that person unworthy of my attention and resources). I felt like God’s Spirit inside my heart was telling me to give so in obedience I did.  Generally, I plan ahead so that I can give with a scripture or word to encourage, but this time the giving was for me.  I could say nothing because the instant that he took the money from me, compassion hit my heart.  I was overwhelmed with the pain and suffering of this hurting individual.  No matter if his current predicament was self-inflicted or if there was a wrong motive in his heart, he was lost, in a trap, deceived and didn’t even know it.  Like all of us once were, he was lost and alone, far from God.  It didn’t matter what the intention of his heart was at that moment, he was still loved by God.  So loved that God sent His very own precious Son to die for this person and pay the penalty for all his sin.

Today’s scripture is about Jesus and the compassion He had for a leper.  His compassion produced healing in this man because healing was his immediate need and what he asked for.  However, like those we often come across today, this man not only needed healed but he also needed a Savior.  By giving to those in need, we may be helping with an immediate need, but if we give purposefully and with the message of love and salvation, we can also be pointing them toward the salvation they so desperately need.

Today I want to encourage you to intentionally become more compassionate.  Ask the LORD to make you aware of the hurting and lost people around you.   Purpose ahead of time a gift amount and words of encouragement.  Lastly, ask the LORD to lead you to those who are ready to receive His love and be ready to be obedient when He shows you who to reach out to.  You can be the one who changes someone’s life for all eternity.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 8:1-4

1 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him.

2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”  

The Sword of His Word

Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  Revelation 19:15

• A sharp sword goes out of His mouth to strike the nations
• He will rule with a rod of iron
• He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of God Almighty
• On His robe and thigh, a name is written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

When I was young, I always imagined this scene of Jesus with the sword in His mouth to be an actual sword that comes out of His mouth and with one move of His head He wipes out all the armies of the world with an actual blade that reach over the distance of the Jezreel Valley.  Seriously, if you google the image of the sharp sword that goes out of His mouth, that is exactly what you will see.  However, I now realize that Jesus does not carry a metal blade around in His mouth to pull out when His enemy gets close. We have many scriptures to back up the fact that the sword of His mouth or the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.

When Jesus began His ministry here in the world, He defeated His enemy, the devil in the wilderness by speaking the Word of God.  He used the weapon of God’s word that hit Satan three times until He was defeated.

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Matthew 4:4

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Matthew 4:7

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”  Matthew 4:10

We also know that God’s Word is part of the armor of God in Ephesians 6.

 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians 6:17

In Hebrews we read that He is holding everything up by the Word of His power. Hebrews also tells us that God’s Word is a living force that is sharper than any material sword we can possess.

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

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

Now I get it!  The Word of God is the ultimate weapon that can defeat all enemies that come against us. The sharp sword coming out of His mouth is the power of His word to judge and conquer. What a great discovery this was for me!  It didn’t take me long to learn that if Jesus defeated His enemy with the Word of God, He was giving me an example of how to chase off the enemy when that old serpent tries to trip me up.  I have an entire artillery of God’s Word at my disposal, and I have been given authority to use it.  This revelation changed my perspective in life forever.  I no longer had to be a victim of circumstances and I didn’t have to take the abuse of any enemy when it tried to push me around with guilt and condemnation.  I have the almighty power of the sword of God’s word that I can put in the place of temptation, disease, condemnation, fear and anxiety.  Thank You Father, God for giving me the weapon of Your Word and with it I will defeat every giant that tries to take over my life and put me in shame.

This portion of Revelation 19 ends with Jesus’ rule with an iron scepter and His treading of the winepress of God’s wrath to demonstrate His ultimate authority and power over all nations. This gives me hope that no force of evil can withstand His mighty word and eternal plan.

The inscription on His robe and thigh, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” not only shows His supreme position above all rulers and authorities, but it also reminds me that we, who return with Him and reign with Him are the kings that He is King of and the lords that He is Lord of.  I am assured of the ultimate victory of good over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom by the promise of this vision. I am eternally grateful that this book of Revelation was given to the apostle John and preserved through the ages so that I could know in part that He has left me with hope of my future with Him for all eternity.

So today I want to encourage you to fill up with that hope and get excited that you are no longer subject to the enemy’s blows.  You have been given the power to live your life by the Word of His power.  You can take His promises and speak them over your life and the lives of those He has entrusted to your care.  If you do not already have a time each day that you look into His Word, the perfect law of liberty, start doing it today.  Make it a priority to learn and meditate the promises He has for you.  In this day we live in we have unlimited access to all of the scripture.  It is a generation like none other before ours.  Not only is that a great honor and privilege, but it is also a great responsibility.  When we stand before Him, we will have no excuse for living below every promise He has given in His word.  Start today to make His Word the ultimate authority in your life.  We no longer have to stand in agreement with our problems and troubles, but instead we must get into agreement with what He has said about our lives.  His Word does not return void results but will bring success to every situation we apply it to and don’t give in to the pressures of of the natural circumstances.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:15-16

 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 

16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

A robe dipped in blood

^{He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. Revelation 19:13}

As we continue reading through the descriptive passage of Jesus’ return to rule on the earth, I will include the next part of the list that I posted yesterday.

• Clothed with a robe dipped in blood
• His name called the Word of God
• The armies in heaven followed Him on white horses
• They are clothed in fine linen white and clean

Picking up in verse 13 we see a continuation of the heavens opened and the forces of heaven coming down to the earth.  It is an awesome sight and the armies of the world have gathered together prepared for a battle that they have no chance of winning.

Verse 13 starts with describing Jesus clothed in a robe dipped in blood.  This is something that I do not thing I can imagine correctly.  I struggle with the idea of Jesus wearing blood-stained clothes or does dipped in blood mean He is wearing a red robe that has been completely dyed with His blood He shed on the cross.  Upon looking closer, the blood on Jesus’ robe reminds me of His sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed His blood to obliterate the sins of the world. His sacrifice is the very foundation of our faith and the complete and extravagant gift of God’s love and grace. This robe dipped in blood shows us the redemption and salvation that Jesus secured for all who believe in Him.  As we ride with Him on that day, we will remember the price He paid for us to be with Him in this great victory we are about to experience.  This robe dipped in blood also reminds us of Jesus victory over sin, death and evil.  Through His death burial and resurrection, Jesus triumphed over all the powers of darkness, breaking the chains of sin and defeating death itself.  Now, at that time, the blood dipped robe will be seen as the judgment that He brings against the wicked and the demonstration of divine justice over evil.

Next, we see the armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, following Him. The fine linen is pure and spotless without blemish, righteous in Him as we will be when we are with Him in heaven.   The inscription on His robe and thigh, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” declares His supreme position above all rulers and authorities. This vision of His return assures us of the ultimate victory of God’s goodness over Satan’s evil and the establishes His eternal kingdom.  I love that we will be on white horses too.  I didn’t realize this until reading through this time.  I knew we would be on horses, but in my mind, I thought He was the only one with the white horse.  I believe this is a display of the pure union that we have been given with Him as the bride of Christ.

Although we do not have our glorified bodies today like we will when we ride with Him, we can still feel that same hope and encouragement today as we will on that day.  Jesus is the same now as He will be then and He is the One who always gives us the victory in every circumstance we face.

So today, I want to encourage you to reflect on the triumphant return of Jesus deacribed in this 19^th chapter of Revelation.  Be strengthened by His faithfulness, inspired by His justice, reassured by His holiness, empowered by His word, and filled with the hope of His ultimate victory.  In a world of uncertainties, the promise of our Savior’s return and His reign as King of kings and Lord of lords gives us an unshakeable foundation and a source of encouragement for anything that life throws at us today.  Celebrate the victory that He has given to you and then share it with someone who doesn’t even know about it yet.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:13-14

13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 

14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 

Heaven opened

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  Revelation 19:11

Here we go!  Here in chapter 19 is the climax of the entire book of Revelation.  At least it is for me.  When I first read this passage, I was frightened at the idea of Jesus coming back to take over.  Of course, I was only twelve at the time and could not comprehend how awesome and great that day is going to be.

There is so much detail in these next verses, so I want to go through them slowly to unpack much of the scene when the world is finally ruled in justice and righteousness.  I listed out the details to start because when I read through the passage again, I missed many points because it all ran together. Some of the descriptive language got lost in the many elements of this event.  The list is:

• Heaven opened
• A white horse is released
• The Rider is Faithful and True
• He Judges in righteousness
• He makes war
• His eyes like a flame of fire
• He wears many crowns on His head
• He has a name written that no one knows except Him
• He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood
• His name is called the Word of God
• The armies in heaven followed Him on white horses
• They are clothed in fine linen white and clean
• A sharp sword goes out of His mouth to strike the nations
• He will rule with a rod of iron
• He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of God Almighty
• On His robe and thigh, a name is written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

Today I want to focus on verses 11-12.  These verses are all about the rider that is released when heaven is opened.  But wait!  What does that even mean?  Can you comprehend heaven opening?  I have never seen that happen before, so I can imagine what it may look like.  The clouds parting?  A portal opens from one dimension to the earth realm?  A bright light shining down from the sky like a spotlight on the main event?  Truly, you can let your creative images run wild and still not be able to grasp this concept of Heaven opening.  A picture that will solidify for all people on earth that there is a God and now He is here for all to see.  But for those who have gathered to meet Him at that time, it will not be a good day.

Now, out of that open gateway, a white horse leads a multitude of white horses with the armies of heaven deployed, riding on those white horses.  On that leading mount is our glorified Lord and Savior. His white horse indicates purity, victory and righteousness. The rider is Faithful and True.  Those descriptive words are capitalized implying that they are not descriptions of Who He is at all, but rather names that He is known by. These names tell all people the unwavering trustworthiness and integrity of King Jesus.  Those here in the world will know that He is here to make war and to take back what has been stolen from Him with the wrath and fierceness of almighty God.

Some personal features of His appearance include: eyes like a flame of fire and on His head not just one crown but many crowns.  Another picture that I cannot fully understand.  It does say that His eyes are like a flame of fire, they are not actually burning fire.  It is an imagery showing that with His eyes He has the ability to see all hearts and judge them with the purifying flame that burns off all the chaff and impurities to examine what is left to be tried in the great time of judgement.  We know that His judgments are perfect and fair, and we have confidence that ultimate justice will be served. Finally, the wrongs of this world will be righted by His perfect and just hand.

As I try to picture wearing many crowns, I can see crowns of all kinds stacked on top of one another settled on the Kings head to display His majesty. However, at a closer look, these crowns represent His complete and ultimate authority and dominion over all the nations of the world and creation.

The last point I want to highlight today is His name, which only He knows. I cannot tell you what it is because only He knows it. This secret name opens up our understanding to the depth and mystery of His divine and perfect nature. As the Word of God, He is the ultimate revelation of God’s truth and love to all people, and it reminds us of His unending, unchangeable rule and the security we have under His kingship. There is no end to His greatness, goodness and love!

Today I want to encourage you that while these details are a lot to consider and grasp in our understanding, ultimately, they remind us that we can trust in His faithfulness in every circumstance of life.  We rely on Jesus, the Faithful and True One, to lead us today and every day with integrity and truth. His faithfulness is a constant source of strength, encouragement and His empowering grace.  I also encourage you to remember to hope in His Justice, knowing that Jesus judges with perfect justice even in the face of injustice and suffering that we see in the world today.  His Judgement will prevail once and for all.  Lastly take comfort in knowing that He, the Lord of all has established His throne in heavens and His kingdom rules over all. So, remember that our lives are under the care of the king of kings and the Lord of lords and He has given us His peace and comfort in the Holy Spirit until we ride back with Him on that great day of victory.

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:11-12

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 

12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 

Do not do that

I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do it! I am a servant together with you and with other believers, all those who hold to the truth that Jesus revealed. Worship God!” For the truth that Jesus revealed is what inspires the prophets. Revelation 19:10

I have never been in a position where I was encouraged or even felt inspired to bow down to a person here in this world.  I’m sure there are foreign dignitaries or even royal families who are used to being bowed before.  I just haven’t been in the vicinity of any such individuals.  I know that I am not cultured or even educated enough to know who would expect that type of greeting if by some chance I was brought into that scenario.  I do, however, take that position often when I am in prayer.  In fact, I prefer to be face down on my knees when spending time with my Father in prayer.  One of the reasons is because it helps me to shut out all distractions and make sure all my attention is on what I am doing and why I am in that position to begin with, but mostly, I just want to approach my Father with the honor and reverence He is due!

You do not have to bow down or prostrate yourself to show worship or to idolize someone.  This level of putting a person on a pedestal can be done simply by giving the majority of your attention to or even a belief that having that person in an elevated position makes your life better in some way.  It can be a famous actor or musician or even a politician that can take up so much space in your life that actually becomes a form of worship.

In today’s reading, the apostle John finds himself in a place where he feels compelled to bow down to the one that is hosting his experience in heaven.  Who could blame him?  He is in a place of complete perfection and inexplicable beauty surrounded by heavenly hosts of every kind.  If there was ever a situation worthy of bowing down, certainly it will be in the throne room of God.  However, John’s heavenly guide tells him don’t do that!  Then goes on to explains that he is a fellow servant just like John and all other believers.  Then he tells John that God is the only One that should be worshiped and this is the truth that Jesus has revealed to inspire John to write the prophecy he was given at that time.  Even Jesus said when He was here in the world: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ (See Luke 4:8)

This is good news for us even today.  We do not have to wonder Who deserves our worship and Who is worthy of our praise!  We worship Him!  The God of creation and the God of the entire universe and beyond.  He is the One Who sent a Savoir to rescue us and He is the One who loves us with the most perfect love!  So the next time you step into an intentional place to commune with your heavenly Father, go ahead and bow down and worship Him because He is worthy and He is holy!  He is the One Who is due all our worship and the One we give all our praise, honor and glory to.

Today I want to encourage you to consider if there is anyone in this world that you may be worshiping.  Have you given your loyalty and allegiance to a celebrity or even political figure?  Yes, there are important people in the world and we are instructed to give praise to whom praise is due, but make sure not to go to far in thinking that there is a person or leader that can fix the world we live in or is worthy of our worship.  There is none worthy no not one!  Worship God your heavenly Father, He alone is worthy!

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 19:9-10

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Build on the Rock

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:”  Matthew 7:24

Before you can build any structure, you must have a foundation.  It is what holds the building in place and keeps it secure.  If the foundation is weak and unstable, a house will not be safe.  It is only as sturdy as its foundation.  The ground is also a factor.  If you built on a hill side, the understructure can become threatened and even crack as the earth shifts over time.  The dangers go far beyond a cracked wall in the basement, the safety of the home and the lives of those who live there are at risk.

In today’s scripture, Jesus says that His teachings are the foundation that a wise person builds their life on.  Since this is at the end of a three-chapter sermon, it is safe to use the previous chapters as that base. Below is a list of the foundational principles Jesus taught that day.

         Be Poor in spirit

         Be Meek

         Hunger and Thirst for righteousness

         Be Merciful

         Have a Pure heart

         Be a Peacemaker

         Be the Salt of the earth

         Be the Light of the world

         Keep Gods commands

         Do not be angry without a cause

         Cast sin from your life

         Do not swear falsely

         Go the extra mile

         Love your enemies

         Bless those who curse you

         Pray for those who use you

         Do charitable deeds in secret

         Pray

         Fast in secret

         Layup treasure in heaven

         Serve God, not Mammon (money)

         Do not worry

         Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness

         Do not judge others but love them

         Ask and it will be given to you

         Seek and you will find

         Enter the narrow way

         Bear good fruit

         Have a personal relationship with Him

That’s quite a list, and it is true that this list will not save you from an eternity separated from God.  Even if you did each one of these acts perfectly, you would still need a Savior to pay to price for you. However, after you receive His salvation, these actions will ensure that your foundation is strong and any ministry built on top will withstand the storms of life.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your foundations.  Review the list above and even read Matthew 5-7 again to strengthen and reinforce your foundation.  If you are already in ministry, go back and assess the foundations that the mission was built on.  Secure your life’s work on the rock of Jesus’ teaching and ensure that all your efforts will have eternal value.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:24-29

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Do you know Him?

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  Matthew 7:23

Many people do a lot of great things to impact this world in a positive way.  There are philanthropists who give millions of dollars to fund orphanages and schools.  Some would give their lives to minister to the sick and serve homeless people.  Others serve on Mission fields around the world separated from home and family all their lives.  While these are all honorable things and certainly worthy of recognition here on earth, it is interesting to hear what Jesus has to say about the day we finally stand face to face with Him.

In today’s scripture, Jesus talked about the day when the books are open.  He said the only thing that matters on that day is that you know Him personally.  He’s not looking for you to tell Him how many souls you brought with you. He’s not looking for how many good deeds you have done while here on earth and He’s not even interested in how good you behaved in this life.  There will be those who come before Him saying they prophesied, cast out demons, and did many wonders in His name.  It is amazing to me that He will say to them “I never knew who you were” or in other words, they had no personal relationship with Him.  The point is that there is power in the name of Jesus, and even if you see great things being done in His name, none of these things will get you into eternity with Him, only that you know Him personally.  You must set aside time to cultivate your relationship with Him by talking and listening to Him daily, growing an active relationship with Him.

Today I want to encourage you to remember the time that you personally invited Jesus to be the LORD of your life.  Remember the day that you first started following His direction and leading for your life.  Take this time to think about the day that you first started talking to God personally and walking with Him day by day, the day that you finally made Him the LORD over every area of your life.  Now think about the relationship you have with Him today.  Do you spend time growing that relationship each day?  Do you recognize Him and His Word as the ultimate authority in your life?  Are you looking forward to the day when you hear “Well done, My faithful one” because you followed the plan and the leading of His Spirit day by day?   Decide today that you are going to go deeper with God by walking and listening closer to the direction He has for you each day.  Your relationship with Him is, hands down, the most important thing in this life and the next.

If you have never invited Him in to be your Lord and Savior, do that right now by praying this prayer of salvation and begin walking out each day with His love and direction guiding you.

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 my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  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 through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:15-23

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

The narrow gate?

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.  Matthew 7:14

Living the good life? What does that truly mean?  What was God’s idea of a good life when He created people?  Is it to work hard to accumulate things?  Is it being entertained at every free minute?  Is it having a family, working until you are 65 and retiring to live out the rest of your days in comfort and leisure? While none of these things are bad, and there certainly are worse ways to live out your days, but today’s text gives us some hints on God’s idea of living life to the fullest.

The passage starts with “Enter by the narrow gate.”  It goes on to say the narrow gate is difficult but leads to life.  So why is the narrow gate difficult?  If you picture an actual gate that is narrow, you could imagine that it would require you to unload anything that wasn’t actually part of you to get through it.  You would have to put down all the things that were heavy and burdensome.  In today’s world, you would have to enter on foot, not driving a vehicle through or bringing any of your possessions.  Mostly, it is taking a path that is purposeful and planned out by the Creator Himself.  Most people would follow the path of least resistance.  The road that is popular and well-traveled so that there is plenty of room and attractions along the way.  It can seem easier to coast or drift through life without purposefully pointing your life in a direction of intentionality.  Some would even purpose to pursue the things of this world that are fleeting and temporary but will disappear like a vapor when they are done living here in this world.

I see this as a spiritual gate.  Living your life growing your spirit person, that is what gets through the narrow gate.  Consider in a spiritual sense of laying down your cares and burdens and trusting in the God of the universe to get you through.  Notice that He is only interested in a relationship with you, not the things of this world.  Of course, it is wise to properly maintain your physical body, but this is not what actually goes through the narrow gate.  To truly live this life to the fullest, an individual must have a personal relationship and fellowship with the Father of love.  The wide gate is for the masses which many can fit through all at once.  Those headed toward this gate give no consideration to a personal relationship with the God of creation, only trying to satisfy and fill up with self-indulgence. 

Today I would encourage you to take a look at which gate you are heading toward.  Are you seeking out the precious personal time to fellowship and commune with your heavenly Father?  Or are you with the masses that are only looking out for number one? Have you stored up for yourself treasures in this world, or do you place your treasure and resources in His kingdom where it cannot be eaten away by rust and moths?  Decide today that you are going to start making eternal investments by helping others and using your resources to promote God’s agenda.  Then spend time each day purposing to press into Him through the narrow gate of relationship and being an example of His love everywhere you go.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:13-14

 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Write

Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”  Revelation 19:9

You can write!  We all can. I have been a proponent of writing for the past several years.  I encourage people to journal to capture the things in your heart and in your thoughts.  Journaling is so simple, just write scriptures that you are meditating and want to remember or the impressions and thoughts you get during your quiet time.  You can write out the things you are praying and putting before God and make notes as you see Him moving in those situations. Write your story and the many wonderful ways you see God moving in your life.  Write a note or letter to someone you care about or randomly think of.  Write a text message to let someone know you are praying for them.  You can even write a social media post to tell the world there is hope.

Writing helps not only the people you are writing to, but it also helps you.  Writing things out reinforces them in your thoughts and also in your heart.  Writing also gives clarity and helps you organize ideas and plans.  Writing to others can inspire and motivate them to take a next step in life and writing your testimony can help you be ready to share it at any moment.

In today’s reading, a fellow servant tells John to write.  This voice tells Joh to write a blessing on those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, the bride of Christ.  It was a true saying back then and it is still today.  John wrote down this message so that it could be preserved for the coming generations.  This encouragement was for the churches that John was writing to then, and it is also for us.  John’s writing that he did nearly 2000 years ago is impacting us still today all these years later.

That brings me to my final point.  Your writing will live on after you.  You have the opportunity today to impact the generations of tomorrow.  So start writing something today at least in a journal so that your words will continue to speak the love of God long after you have left this world.

Today I want to encourage you to write!  Write daily scriptures and thoughts.  Write letters and journals to help others get up when they get down.  Write notes and text to tell people you love them and they are doing a great work no matter how small it may seem.  Impact the world around you for years to come by writing what the Holy Spirit puts on your heart today.

Today’s Scripture reading: Revelation 19:9-10

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”