The Daily Dose

No Fault

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all. John 18:38

After Jesus was arrested and scrutinized by the priests, the elders and the scribes, they took Him to the Roman governor of that region, Pontius Pilate.  This scene reminds me of what it might look like in heaven one day, but there is one big difference.  There will be no beating, scourging or crucifixion.

The scene may play out something like this:  I will be taken up to heaven and stand stand with my Lord, Jesus before the throne of the almighty God of eternity.  He will stand between me and the judgement.  There will be an accuser to try to condemn me and take me away from my savior for all eternity, by my heavenly Father will say: I find no fault in her.  The price for her life has already been paid!  There was a verdict, a brutal beating and death penalty paid for all my transgression.  So, when I stand at the judgement seat, God will look at the spotless lamb and see that I have been made whole and clean from the stains of sin.

When Jesus took that sentence condemning Him to death, it was my sentence.  He didn’t have to stand condemned; He didn’t have to take the beating and He didn’t have to die on a cross.  He could have stopped it at any one of those moments, but He took it for me.  He kept me in mind.  He thought: “If I don’t do this for Lynette, she will have to bear this shame, humiliation and suffering alone by herself.  I love her too much to let her pay this price, so I am paying it for her!”

He thought that about you too!  In fact, He had all people in mind as He took on the punishment for all people for all time.  He paid the price for every sin, for every person that sinned, that is all of us. It is available to anyone who will receive His love and payment, but the choice is up to you, not Him. He made His choice so you could have a choice. Make that choice today to walk in newness of life by receiving His great salvation and love.

If you have never received His salvation through the payment HE made in your place, it is not to late.  As long as there is breath in your lungs, you can surrender your life to Him and exchange it for His love and eternal purpose.  He wants all people to receive the gift of living for all eternity with Him in that glorious, beautiful place and have a home there with Him forever.

Today I want to encourage you to be so thankful that Jesus stayed in His place to take on your sin.  Remember what HE went through, was so you wouldn’t have too.  He took your place and mine and now we can live forever with Him in His glorious kingdom.  If you have never received His gift of grace and forgiveness, don’t wait another minute.  Pray this prayer from your heart and receive Him into your life right now.

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.  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 Jesus. I thank You for giving me 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: John 18:19-38

19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 

21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”

23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”

24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!”

26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 

27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 

29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”

30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”

31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 

32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”

35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

Own it

Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”  He said, “I am not.”  John 18:17

We all mess up and we all let others down.  Oh, I know it is usually not intentional, but since we live in this imperfect world, it is inevitable.  So how do we deal with that reality?  How do we handle it when we miss the mark?  One way is to pretend it never happened or hope no one saw or heard it.  Another option is to hide it and keep it in a secret place where no one has to know.  You could blame someone else and try to soothe your conscience that way, but the best way is to just own it and quickly confess it to the Lord and get rid of it.  Don’t wait until it is noticed by others, or you get caught in the act.  Get rid of it as soon as it happens.  There is no need to carry that load for even one minute.

Today’s passage is a little different in that Peter was caught before he blew it.  Jesus told him before they got to the garden that night that he was going to deny Him.  However, Peter argued and said that would never happen.  Peter could have stopped to consider that the Lord had said it so it must be true. Or he could have asked Jesus, Is there any way to stop it from happening?  What can I do so it doesn’t happen?  Maybe he shouldn’t have followed Jesus when He was arrested and scattered like the others.  He did have options.

The options are the first place to start when facing temptation.  Consider the consequences and how you are going to feel after you give into that temptation.  Consider what your case will be when you confess it to God.  Consider how much better you will be if you pass that mess up and when you do stumble, get back up, own it and repent.  Don’t try to hide it and don’t pass the blame.  Get with your loving heavenly Father and get your cleansing asap.  The best option is to pray and ask for help as soon as temptations come along.

Peter did just what Jesus said, but then he carried the burden of it until he saw Jesus again.  The scripture says: When he thought about it, he wept.  That may have happened every time he thought about it.  He could not get rid of it until he was forgiven by the Lord.  That was when his peace came.

Today I want to encourage you to pray when temptations come.  You know it will because it always does in some area of life.  Don’t even hide the thought when it comes into your mind.  Quickly ask the Lord for help.  When you do cave into that temptation, be quick to repent and get back up again.  Make a plan ahead of time so you don’t keep falling into the same traps.  If you have a weak area that you know you struggle with, get the reinforcements ahead of time.  Ask the Lord to show you how to resist and get someone who will hold you accountable to help you in the trying moments.  You won’t always get it perfectly, but when you make a plan before you fall, you are more likely to get it right the next time.  Don’t be like Peter and ignore or deny the warnings, humble yourself and get help.

Today’s scripture reading: John 18:15-18

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 

16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 

17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”

18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

What spirit is this?

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.  John 18:10

Where did this come from.  Jesus never used violence in His ministry.  Why would one of the disciples think that Jesus would want them to draw their sword and fight with the officers that came to arrest Him.  Other than when Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple, He never resorted to physical confrontation.  This was an act motivated by the spirit of fear.

In Luke’s account of this event, Jesus rebuked the disciple who drew the sword and said: You do not know what spirit you are of.  I didn’t come to take lives but to save them.  Peter had given in to spiritual pressure instead of trusting that Jesus had it all under control, despite what the circumstances looked like.

It’s not a hard thing to do.  In fact, in the world we live in today, it seems like everyone is angry with someone.  There seems to be an blanket of rage and hate covering the society we live in.    You can’t even drive down the highway without seeing other’s irritation and lack of grace for those who may make a mistake or get in the way.  But don’t we all make mistakes.  Who among us is perfect?

What about you?  What spirit are you of?  Are you of the Spirit of God’s love and grace for others? Or are you of the spirit of judging who is right and wrong without any space for error.  Be watchful for what side you choose because you are sure to mess up at some point in life too.  Make sure you are giving plenty of grace to those around you so that when you do mess up, that grace will come back to you multiplied.

Today I want to encourage you to be gracious.  Not that Peter should have fully surrendered to the guards, but he should have been fully surrendered to Jesus and followed His lead.  Jesus was on a mission and His disciples were there to follow Him.  That is our part today too.  We are to follow Jesus’ example of grace and love to all that we come up against.  Then when the day that an accuser comes, trust that Jesus has the answer for you to give and wait for His direction.

Today’s scripture reading: John 18:10-14

10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?

12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 

13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 

14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

The power of His Word

Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.  John 18:6

Do we really have any idea of how much power is available to us through God’s Word?  Yes, we know it brings comfort in hard times, peace and tumultuous times, wisdom in times of decisions and encouragement in discouraging times.  However, I don’t think anyone fully comprehends the power that God’s word can actually put on the outward circumstances that we face from day to day.  In fact, God’s word can actually change the trajectory of your entire life when you begin to live by it.

Tithing alone can transform your financial state from the stress and anxiety of debt to the freedom and financial peace of abundance and you don’t even have to speak the Word for that to happen.  Just imagine how much more can be changed in your life when you begin to say the things about yourself and your circumstances that God has already said about you in His word.  Things like you are more than a conqueror and you are a child of the eternal God.  That doesn’t even take into account the supernatural power that takes place when you invite Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior.  So why do we continue to accept the limitation that this world would put on us when such power is available?

In today’s reading, Judas brought a detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests to arrest Jesus.  I know He brought a lot of guards with him because he didn’t think they would be able to take Jesus.  Judas had witnessed the power that was at work in His life every day of His ministry.  Jesus proved him to be right when they came to Him and He asked: Who are you looking for?  When they told Him, all Jesus said was: “I am” and they all fell down. It is really quite humorous to me and also very sobering at the same time.  There can be no doubt after reading this passage that Jesus laid down His life and went willingly with the guard, humbling Himself to the suffering and shame He experienced on His journey to the cross.  He did it for you and He did it for me.  He could have walked right through them, and they wouldn’t be able to hold Him.  In fact, He actually did do that at another time when a group tried to throw Him off a cliff.

Here is the point!  When the guards came to get Jesus, they would have just taken Him if He hadn’t spoken.  When He spoke His name with the power of the Holy Spirit behind it, that is when the falling down happened.  If He had kept His mouth shut, they would have just led Him away peacefully.  Speaking God’s word in the power and the authority of the Holy Spirit will make every circumstance in your life fall down.  It may not happen overnight, but if you continue to put pressure on whatever force is coming against you with the power of the Word of God, you will break through every dilemma with the Words He has given you in scripture. The seen realm will have to surrender to the unseen power of God’s word when you speak it in faith, every time.

Today I want to encourage you to consider the power of God’s Word.  Start looking for the right passage to apply against whatever enemy is coming at you at this point in your life.  Begin to speak out those promises in faith and power over the situation you are facing and thank your Father in Heaven that the energy of His words are putting pressure on those outward circumstances to turn them for His glory.  Don’t let your enemy crush you under a load of life’s struggles.  Draw your sword of the Spirit, the word of God and begin swinging it in combat until every evil is struck down.  You have the authority and ability to speak the living words of your almighty God and Father, don’t let the forces of evil reap havoc in your life any longer.  Take your authority in God’s word and see your victory today!

Today’s scripture reading:  John 18:1-11

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 

2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 

3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 

6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 

9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Become One

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; John 17:20

When I was a young girl, I had a lot of questions about why things seemed different today in the church than they were when the church started after Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  I wondered about many things, one of them being why we didn’t see healing like the New Testament church did.  It was explained to me that healing had passed away with the disciples as did all the miracles back then.  I believed it at the time, but the only problem was that when someone did get healed, that answer made it look like it was some natural way that it happened.  Even though the family that experienced a miracle of healing were believing, praying for and drawing from God in faith.  It was really quite foolish to say that healing passed away since we know natural healing always takes place.  It is the way God created the body to work.  It takes care of wounds such as cuts and broken bones.  They heal up on their own after we take the necessary steps to set, cover and protect the wounded area.

As far as supernatural healing, if I had continued to believe that it doesn’t exist anymore, I would not have experienced it myself when I contracted Covid-19.  I would have laid in bed suffering for 14 days instead of pressing into God with my faith and believing Him to remove the symptoms and strengthen my body so that I could accomplish the things He had planned for me to do at that time. He was so faithful, and He always will be.  The receiving part is on our end.  We must believe and reach out to Him in Faith that He wants to help us in times of need whether it is health or any other kind of supernatural help that we need.

In today’s reading, Jesus prayed for His disciples as He was getting ready to go to the cross.  He had just prayed that they would be one with Him as He was One with God.  Now He is taking it a step further.  He added to this prayer that He is not only praying for the disciples, but He is praying for those who will receive salvation through the disciples’ words and testimony.  The disciples preached and then wrote about Jesus’ life and the salvation He came to give, then those who heard them preach received His salvation and then after they were gone, everyone else read the words they left behind about salvation. 

That is where you and I come in.  We were included in His prayer that day.  We are those who believed in Him through the words and message that the disciples left behind.  We have salvation in Christ Jesus because of the testimonies of the apostles and the church has continued to grow ever since Jesus left because He prayed for us then and He is still interceding for us today.

The message of salvation is still going on today.  Through the gospels and through the words of Christians sharing their stories and the Word of God that was left by the disciples in the New Testament.  Jesus is still the same as He was when He left the world and He has the same commission for us today to: love one another, be empowered and filled with the Holy Spirit and Go to all the world around you and share the good news of His great love and salvation! Salvation didn’t pass with the disciples and neither did any one of His other signs and wonders. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and so are His great works!!

Today I want to encourage you to know that you are included in Jesus’ prayers. He thought of you back then and He is thinking of you today.  His prayer at that time was that all His people would be one in Him as He was One with His Father.  The most effective way to be one is to spend time with Him.  Press into Him daily and get as close to Him as you possibly can.  Learn to hear His voice on the inside of you guiding and leading you and then follow what He says to do.  You can start by following the examples He left in His lifetime here on this earth.  He first said to love one another!  Begin to make it your habit to put away judging and condemnation for other people around you and start fresh today to practice loving at all times.  Next, Jesus told the disciple right before He left to go and wait in the city until they were filled with power from on high.  That is the Holy Spirit.  Ask the Father in Heaven to fill you with His Spirit today so that you have His power in you to be bold and effective in your witness to others.  Lastly, go into all the world around you and speak the good new of God’s salvation and love for all people.  Make your life count today for all eternity by becoming one with Him in His purpose and plans. Then walk out your days in the power of His Spirit that He sent to help you.  This will only be accomplished when we are one with each other and with Him.

Today’s scripture reading: John 17:20-26

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 

21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 

23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 

25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 

26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Stay where you are                             

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.  1 Corinthians 7:17

I used to think I didn’t have gifts or a calling that was actually reaching others.  I looked around and saw many people in a position of leadership that seemed to be so much more effective and wondered why I was so lacking.  Then one day I started to write.  God had called me to write, but I didn’t know where to start.  As I became faithful to use the ability and resources He gave, I found myself in connection with others with diverse talents that He began working and fitting together with mine.  I didn’t have to move someplace far away, and I didn’t have to change jobs.  The only thing I did differently was to consistently share my heart with others.  As I began to serve others with what God had given me, He moved things forward to connect me with others so that our gifts and talents could be maximized to reach the world around us.

The apostle Paul talks about this in today’s reading.  He said wherever you were when God called you, do not move yourself to become recognized.  He said you can start walking out the call of God on your life right where you are.  He goes on to say you don’t need to change your status, your denomination or your position, just be faithful where you are right now and He will connect you with others when the timing is right. 

So many people get the idea that God has called, so they need to find a great platform to be seen from in this calling.  However, God starts us out in ministry right where we are and then grows us into a place of greater reach.  When we become more focused on who we can reach than on who we can be, that is when He is ready to give us a greater place of influence.  This is also true of time and resources.  Until you are willing to give of not only your gifts and abilities, but also use your time and money, you cannot expect that you will achieve all that He has for you.  When you hold back anything that is in your hands, you are also holding back His grace to fully supply you.  God will take care of your needs, as you serve others with every asset He gives.  As you walk out your calling using all the gifts, abilities and physical resources that are required to get results, trust God to bring those blessings back to you as you follow Him every step going forward.

Today I want to encourage you to begin walking out your call and mission in life right where you are.  No matter where you are right now, God wants you to step out into your purpose and calling to reach the world around you.  Don’t wait for what you consider to be the perfect circumstances, start with what you have right now.  As you faithfully serve others with your gifts, talents, time and resources, He will widen your sphere of influence each day.  Soon you will be connecting with others as you grow together in ministering to others and God will fulfill all that was planned for you to complete here in this world.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.

18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.

22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise, he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.

23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

Submit to one another

The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.  1 Corinthians 7:4

Yikes!  This is not a popular message in today’s society.  Women do not like to have someone in authority over them, generally speaking.  Likewise, men do not either for that matter.  People of today’s world largely believe that the main goal in life is to take care of yourself and always have your own best interest in mind.  It is a common belief that no one is ever going to care for you the way you do, so that is your main objective in life. . . . Looking out for #1!  There are several problems with taking on that mentality, though.  First of all, the main reason people look for love is to find someone that will love them above themselves.  Everyone wants to find that perfect person who is all about their mate’s agenda and not having their own selfish plans.  Yet how many are willing to love the other person in the relationship more than they do themselves? It is quite a dilemma.

Today’s scripture talks about a husband-and-wife relationship but is not limited to that.  It really goes beyond every relationship in life, yet at the very least should start with marriage.  It says that when two people unite together in marriage, they are to willingly submit every area of their lives to each other.  This passage says that the wife belongs to the husband and the husband belongs to the wife.  It is almost like your salvation.  When you get saved, you are not your own any longer, you belong to the Savior and His salvation belongs to you!  This is why the apostle Paul compares marriage and the body of believers with Christ Jesus in other books that he wrote.  The bottom line is that for any relationship to work, you must look out for other’s needs before your own and especially in marriage.  Your marriage will only be truly successful when you learn this truth.  In a relationship where two people are both looking for the perfect person to have the perfect relationship, they are sure to find disappointment because there is no one perfect starting with yourself.

So how do you give authority over your spouse?  Simply by submitting all things to them and never covering up and hiding things from them.  Recognize that the commitment you made is to surrender all to that person and then consider their wants, desires and needs above your own and not out of obligation, but out of the deep love that you have for one another.  If she knows that He is looking out for her best and He knows that she is looking out for Him, the trust in that relationship will thrive and flourish for as long as the two live.  The only thing left to do is to thank God each day that you have been given the opportunity to love one of His children and do it well!

Today I want to encourage you if you are married or getting married to make a fresh commitment to submit to one another.  Decide that you are going to make your mate’s agenda top priority.  Begin to work together to accomplish the things that God has put in your heart to do.  Start with your own family and come into agreement on bringing your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Get into a group or study at your church on how to love each other and your family in a way that is more honoring to God.  He is wanting to bless you in a greater way, so He set up the principles that will get that blessing to you.  This is not a scheme God made up to try to control or make you do something you do not want to do, but it is a PLAN to give you the most fulfillment and satisfaction in life.  Trust Him today and love others above yourself.  Only then can you expect the blessing of God to flow over you on a daily basis.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

1 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.

7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;

9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.

11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.

13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Be one

Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. John 17:11

I have some friends.  Many of my current friends are people that I walk through life with at work and in ministry.  Being that I am a part of many different ministries, sometimes friendships overlap as well as opportunities to help and encourage others.  Needless to say, we do not always agree on everything.  Sometimes there are questions, other times there are disagreements and almost always there are various opinions. These are not bad things, in fact if handled properly, conflicts and differences can make relationships and connections stronger.  It is like working together to get to the best possible solution or presentation, depending on the circumstances.  The things that we do agree on are scripture and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The reason we sometimes differ is because each individual have different points of view and different gifts that we are ministering from.  Again, this is a good thing.  It forces us to work together and in doing that, we all bring our own unique dynamic to the ministry.  When we all come into agreement about the mission purpose of reaching people with God’s unconditional love, that is when we are walking in unity as one.

In today’s reading, Jesus prayed for His disciples, whom God had given to Him to train up to be the leaders of the New Testament church.  They would be the elders who turned the world upside down with the good news of salvation in Jesus.  Jesus prayed that they would be one, or of one mind, just like Jesus was with God His Father.  He wanted His team to walk out their days in this world with the heart and mind that He had for people (including His disciples) just like He shared with His Father. He was One with His Father because He submitted His will to Him and followed the plan for His mission.

He wants the same thing for us today.  As we live out our days here on this planet, we are to walk in unity as one with all other believers.  This does not me that we will always agree on everything or see things in the same light.  We all have different gifts and abilities that God put in each one of us to minster to others with.  Some worshiping, some teaching, some helping, other leading, some even administrative to keep order and there are many more.  Our individual part is to bring these talents together to saturate the world with the message of salvation in the most appealing way, covered in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  It is ok, not to always see things the same way, the most important thing is that each one is submitted to the leading of God’s Word, God’s Spirit and each other in grace.  When the focus of each individual is getting results in the ministry, differences will enhance and hone in the processes to be the most effective.

Today I want to encourage you in the mission that you are on.  Submit your heart to the leading of God’s Word and Spirit.  Commit to being one with others and God as Jesus and His disciples were with the Father in heaven.  Do not be afraid or stressed if there are differences. Rather let those conflicting opinions be the sharpening stone that makes the mission the most powerful in the grace of the Holy Spirit’s leading and direction.  If you are not part of a ministry, begin praying and watching for the opportunity to join a team.  It can be as simple as serving at the weekend service at your local church or looking for opportunities to help in your community.  Begin being faithful in a small area of ministry and soon door will open up to you that you can step into all that God has planned for you.  Be one today with other believers and Jesus. Only then will you be one with the Father.

Today’s scripture reading: John 17:6-19

6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 

7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 

8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 

10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 

11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 

12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 

13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 

14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 

15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 

16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 

18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 

19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Pray like Jesus

Have you ever considered that Jesus prayed.  Many of His prayers are recorded in the gospel.  He prayed when He blessed and multiplied the loaves and fish to feed the 5000 and when the disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, but have you ever really thought about it?  Why would Jesus need to pray?  He was, after all, God in the flesh. However, He was also a man, and He was not here on His own agenda as a man.  He was here on God’s to accomplish God’s redemptive plan for the people of the world.  It is no surprise that He prayed, after all, prayer is simply talking with God.  It makes sense that He would talk to His Father to get His daily assignments and it is perfectly understandable that He would commune with His Father to get His direction continuously.

In the passage today, Jesus is praying for the last time with His disciples before going to the cross.  He talked about how glorifying God through fulfilling His purpose for coming would also glorify Him.  He prayed about the authority He had over all flesh to offer eternal life to those His Father had given to Him. Then He talked about completing His mission.  He said that His life glorified God because He completed, down to the last detail, what He was assigned by God to do.  Even at this point, we know that His mission was not done, but before He went to the cross, He had done everything that His Father sent Him to accomplish in His daily ministering to people.

Jesus depended heavily on His relationship with His Heavenly Father.  It’s the reason He was able to complete, down to the last detail, the plan that was laid out for Him.  How much more do we need God’s help to accomplish the plans He has for our lives?  I know I come back to it a lot, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to spend time with God.  Your relationship with Him needs to be growing continuously.  Not only to get the plan from Him, but also, just for your day-to-day direction and peace of mind.  If Jesus spent time talking with His Father to keep Him on track, how much more do we need to talk and grow in Him daily?

Today I want to encourage you to press into the plans and purpose God has for your life.  Spend some time praising and worshiping Him, but also talking over the day and the plans He has for you in it.  See what a difference it will make in your life when you take time to be in agreement with the heart of God.  Know that His plan is good, it is the best life you can possibly live and when you trust and acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will make the path plain and clear to you. Then when you come to the end of your time here in this world, you will be able to say: Father, I have completed, down to the last detail, the assignment you gave me here in this world.

Today’s scripture reading: John 17: 1-5

1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 

2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 

3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 

5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Be of Good cheer

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

We all go through things in life.  Some things we go through are self-inflicted, but many storms and trials are beyond our control.  Stuff just happens.    Some people think that when they receive salvation in the blood and sacrifice of Jesus that all of their troubles will instantly go away, and they will never struggle again.  That just isn’t the case.  So, when trials are coming on, how do I “be of good cheer”? 

In today’s reading, Jesus told His disciples that as long as they live in this world there is going to be tribulations.  He wasn’t telling them this so that they would be sad or afraid, He was actually giving them a word of encouragement because He didn’t stop there.  He went on to tell them to “Cheer up” because He had already overcome this world and was sending God’s Spirit to help them through everything they were about to go through.

This promise is still here for us today.  No matter what we are going through or what we face, we can rejoice and be of good cheer because we have the greater One living inside of us. He will bring us through every storm, test, trial and persecution to victory every time.  The key is to remember this promise and believe it. That is the way you apply your faith in the middle of your struggle, by thanking Him for His promises to keep you and bring you through to your victory.

James said it this way: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4  He said, be happy and get excited about going through stuff in this life because it is your opportunity to put your faith into action by trusting God and following His direction as He navigates you through every storm.  Then when you get to the other side to your victory you will be complete in Him and be well prepared when the next test comes.

I like to say it this way, “You’re in the world, you’re going to go through stuff, but if you stay close to Jesus and rejoice, He’ll get you through it all to your victory every time.”  Jesus never said He would take all the trouble away, He only promised to get us through it.  He made us more than conquerors by sending us help for everything we face in this life.

Today I want to encourage you to be of good cheer and count it all for joy!! The best way to do this when you are going through the pressures of life is to prepare ahead of time by building up and strengthening your faith in God’s promises.  Then when things are coming against you, rejoice and stay close to Jesus and know He is going to get you through it!  So, whatever you are going through, remember to press into Him and be thankful, then He will get you through it all!

Today’s scripture reading: John 16:25-33

25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 

26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 

27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 

28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 

30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.”

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 

32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 

33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”