The Daily Dose

At the midnight hour

 Have you ever been at a low point in life and felt like there was no hope for things to get better?  Maybe you have been in situations that you needed a breakthrough, and you were down to the last few minutes that you need that breakthrough to come, but it didn’t look like anything was going to change.  Life can be full of “midnight hours”, times when you are down to the line and need God to come through for you. Times when you felt things could not possibly get worse.  How do you handle those time and what plan do you have in place for when those times come?

In today’s reading, Paul and Silas were having one of those “midnight hour” moments, quite literally.  They had been accused of stirring up trouble in Phillipi and because of that they were put in prison.  Not only were they locked up, but they had been badly beaten as part of their punishment.  As they sat in prison together, they didn’t talk about how they were going to get out of that place.  They didn’t complain about how badly they were beaten and what part of their body hurt most.  They never even mentioned devising a plan for what they were going to do next.  Instead, they prayed and sang songs to God! Praising and worshiping Him.  Then when it didn’t look like things could get any worse than they were, there was an earthquake.

I have read this account many times, but never really considered that an earthquake was not really a good thing to happen.  Earthquakes are usually destructive and dangerous. Sometimes people die in earthquakes, and they can be very frightening to experience.  However, this earthquake had a purpose as they always do when God is involved.  But Paul and Silas did not know it was going to happen and they certainly didn’t know what the results were going to be.  When it looked like all hope was gone at their midnight hour, they praised God and sang to Him.  He responded with an earth-shaking releasing of their chains and all those who were imprisoned.  Their breakthrough came when they turned their focus to heaven and the greatness of the heavenly Father.  They turned their attention from the bad circumstances surrounding them and gave glory to God right in the middle of the place of no hope.

This is a great example that we can follow still today.  When we are up against a wall with no hope of escape or help, we can praise God for His faithfulness and His great love for His family.  Thank Him that you are a part of His kingdom and pray about how you can be a blessing to Him and others in your “midnight hour.”  Midnight hours will come at times in life, but you can have a plan ahead of time to be prepared.  Ask the Holy Spirit today to remind you when those times come to pray and sing songs to God.  Then when you are up against it, you can rejoice in the Lord and in the power of His might.  I’m not saying you will experience an earthquake each time you do, but I guarantee you He will answer when you call on Him.  He will send you the strength and encouragement you need to get you to that new day.

Today I want to encourage you that no matter what you are going through, you can praise God in your hours of hopelessness and trouble.  Praise is a weapon that will chase your enemy far from you.  Praising God brings Him close in good times and bad.  Doesn’t it make sense that when you need Him most that you call on Him with thanksgiving and know He will come rushing in to save you.  He gave His only Son to save you, why would He hold anything else back from you now?

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:25-34

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 

26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 

27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 

28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 

30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 

33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 

34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Get rid of it

And this she did for many days.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.  Acts 16:18

  We all have voices that talk to us each day.  Not in a insane kind of way, but voices of doubt, fear, or anger.  If we listen carefully, we can also hear the voice of reason and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit that speaks within our heart.  There are also external voices that are around us continuously.  Voices of media, friends and the people closest to us.  We hear these voices through a filter that has been built up over years of practice.  Maybe you listen through a filter of hurt and offense.  You could be hearing these voices through the filter of shut down and you don’t let anything get into your heart.  Ideally, we hear the external and internal voices through the filter of God’s word, and let the scripture be the standard that we make our decisions by, not the influence of this world’s words.

In today’s passage, Paul and his team were hearing an external voice of a young girl that was possessed by an evil spirit.  She followed them for many days and loudly proclaimed their mission for being there.  She was not wrong in what she said.  However, Paul was greatly annoyed with her proclamation and did not want her to be associated with God’s ministry (since the people of that region knew who she really worked for).  He called that spirit out of her in the name of Jesus and the evil spirit left her that very hour.  What a wise move, but even Paul allowed that voice to go on for many days before he did anything about it.  I suppose he was hoping she would go away on her own, but when she didn’t, he finally had enough.

How many times do we let voices in our heads or around us go on as if we have no control over what we hear and think.  Whether you are being haunted by a past memory or a current media post that seems to be replaying in your thoughts, you do have the power to get rid of it.  The key is in speaking to that voice and get it out.  Get rid of those unwanted thoughts, memories, and hurts that try to continuously plague you.  Speak the word of God’s promise to deliver you from your enemy and call it out in the name of Jesus!  Then when those ideas try to come back into your head, replace them instead with praise and thanksgiving that you are free and it is gone.

Today I want to encourage you to remember the vivid picture of the apostle Paul calling out the spirit of divination and follow his example when facing your own doubts and fears.  Call the spirit out in the name of Jesus and replace it with a promise you find in God’s word over the situation.  Then stop going to the place that brings you those memories or hurts and slam that door shut never to be open again.  You do have control over you thoughts and your words so start taking your authority over them by casting out every imagination that is against what God, your heavenly Father says about you!  Get rid of those unwanted voices today whether internal or external and then take the steps necessary to never let them haunt you again.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:16-24

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 

17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 

18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. 

19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 

21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 

22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 

23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 

24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Faithful to the Lord

And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. Acts 16:15

I love this passage about Lydia.  In fact, it is one of my favorites.  I know I say that a lot, but I especially like this account because Lydia is one of the first women talked about who had a church in her home.  We know she was wealthy because the passage says that she was a seller of purple which was expensive and mostly sold to royalty.  No doubt she had a home big enough to have gatherings of significant size and most importantly, the text also says that she was faithful to the Lord.

Being faithful to the Lord cannot be evident if it doesn’t show up in every area of life.  In this reading, Lydia’s faithfulness shows up most in her hospitality and generosity.  On the very day that she met the apostle Paul and his team, she invited them to stay at her home.  In fact, she pleaded with them to come right then and there.  It implies that she was ready to host and take people into her home at all times, a very gracious and giving quality.

This gives me a lot to think about.  As I consider my own faithfulness, I have to ask if I am also willing to take people in? Yes, we host many events and groups in our home, but if I am being honest, I really like having my own space and quiet place.  However, faithfulness includes being prepared.  Am I stewarding my home to be ready at any time to invite others in?  Am I using my time to be making preparation for the things and people I don’t know I need to be ready for?  Is my heart open to giving recourses of generous amount to bless those God would bring my way? This is not to say that I need to be constantly striving and stressing about everything being perfect, it simply means that I create a space that is welcoming, comfortable and ready when opportunity comes.

Today I want to encourage you to approach each day with an open heart.  God’s timing is perfect and His transforming power can touch your life in unexpected ways.  Your faithfulness, like Lydia’s has the power to impact not only your life, but the lives of those around you.  Be ready to welcome others into your home and into your space.  This is part of showing others God’s great love and generosity.  Then your journey will be filled with the joy of knowing Him more deeply as you serve others every chance you get.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:11-15

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 

12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 

13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 

14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 

15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

Alternate Endings

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  Acts 16:9

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had made some different choices along the way?  Maybe it was a decision you made or maybe it was someone else that made a decision that altered your world.  Today’s text is about the apostle Paul who had a dream (vision at night) of someone calling for him to come over to Macedonia to help.  Wow!  This “dream” completely changed the direction that his ministry team was heading.  They were on their way to Asia, but they were forbidden to go by the Holy Spirit.  Two times they tried to go in one direction, but the Holy Spirit stopped them.  How interesting!  If Paul had pressed through and ignored the Holy Spirit, Paul’s life would have had an entirely different outcome.  Instead of going to Europe and planting churches there, he would have gone to Asia to plant churches instead.  This decision had lasting effects that we are still seeing results of today.

There are many examples in the scriptures that also could have had alternate endings.  Because of life choices, we can see that Moses, Joshua, Jonah, and just about everyone else in the Bible could have made different decisions in their lives if God had not intervened.  Moses was content to stay on the back side of a mountain, never considering that God was going to lead him to deliver His people out of bondage.  How different would his life have been if he had chosen to stay there instead of following God.  Joshua was forced to stay an extra forty years in the wilderness because of a group of other people that were unwilling to follow God’s direction.  His life would have look very different if he decided he wasn’t going to stay under the leadership of Moses and wait for God’s promise. Jonah flat out ran away from God instead of obeying Him.  The list could go on and on.  It’s no telling how differently their lives would have ended up if they had not stayed their course, but one thing is for sure, they probably wouldn’t have made it into the Book.

Be encouraged today because no matter how far Moses was from Egypt, and no matter how far Jonah ran away, as soon as they repented, God faithfully got them back on track. Even Joshua who was knocked off course by other people, remained faithful until it was time to pick up God’s plan again. God’s plan for the space of time that these were on the earth was completed because they chose to follow God’s “alternate ending”.  I recognize that I spend a lot of time trying to encourage everyone to seek out what God has planned, but the reason is because it is the purpose you have been given in life and the only thing that really matters. My point is that at some point in your life, you will come face to face (so to speak) with God.  A life choice will be placed in front of you and you will be forced to choose a direction with or away from God.  You may not even realize that you are facing Him, but that doesn’t make you any less responsible for the choice you make.

Today I want to encourage you, if you have had an encounter with God and may have passed on His plan and initially said, “No, that’s not for me”, there is still hope!  Repent and turn back to God and He will graciously get you back on a recalculated course.  Maybe you’re a victim of someone else’s rejection of God’s direction.  Don’t stay there, God is willing to move you back to your planned course and He will as you listen and follow.  Persevere and hang on until the path comes back into view.  If you don’t remember ever having this encounter with the Father, ask Him today to show you any place you may not have recognized His call and thank Him for empowering you to accomplish all that is in His heart for you to do.

Today’s scripture reading:  Acts 16:6-10

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 

7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 

8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 

10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Abounding in God’s work

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

Always abounding in the work of the Lord.  Existing and living in God’s work.  This seems excessive to me.  Always?  I mean, I understand if you’re a pastor, missionary, teacher or something like that, but always immersed in God’s work?  How is it even possible for me?  After thinking about it some, I realize that my “work in the Lord” is my example and attitude.  Whatever I am doing, I am doing it as unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:17  says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  So, whatever we are saying and doing, as a child of God, we are doing it for our Father, God.  Keeping in mind that everything I do is for God will keep me on track with Him.  Today’s verse says to be steadfast and immovable and the way to do that is to keep God in my heart and thoughts as I walk out my daily life.  Keeping God in our heart and mind will also keep us far from sinning against Him.  Whether it’s reaching out to someone sick or hurting, or maybe it’s just taking someone to church with you.  It can even be just singing a song or saying a prayer of thanks to your Father God during the day.  “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” (Colossians 3:23)

Lastly, when you do all things unto the Lord, these things will last for all eternity.  Your labor is not in vain.  Nothing you do on God’s purpose will be a waste of your time and effort.  It is worth everything you put into it and He will get you to the rest you need when the work is done.

Today I encourage you to be steadfast and immovable in the work of the Lord.  Whatever you are doing today and going forward, do it as unto the Lord and not for yourself or others’ approval.  Then you will know that all the work of your hands will not be useless, but a God work that will last forever in the Kingdom of heaven.  Keep in mind and be thankful throughout your day as verse 57 says: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”

36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.

37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain.

38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.

47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Everyone did their part

So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.  Acts 16:5

This is truly a demonstration of the body of Christ working together as was intended from the beginning.  Everyone doing their part within the body and producing the results that Jesus died for His people to have.

I am referring to what the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthian people.  In 1 Corinthians 12:12 he said: For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.  God supernaturally connected His people by appointing Jesus as the head and through the Spirit of God He (Jesus) would remain in the world in His body of believers.

This is so beyond us and I struggle daily to remind myself that I am not my own, I am part of a body that occupies the entire planet.  In the reading today, we can see how that body is supposed to be growing in the world each day.  The church, at its inception, began spreading like wildfire because each person was doing their part.  They didn’t depend on the apostles to let the world know, they all were talking about the love and God and the salvation He had provided for all, everywhere they went all day long.  It was the good news then and it still is today.

So what is our part that we are to be doing in the body of believers today?  Are we all to be packing up our homes and traveling around the world to get the message out?  Is every one of us to become ordained ministers and start a church to lead people in our area to weekend services?  Paul told the Corinthians that each person had a part, but he didn’t tell them what their part was.  What he did say was that God set each member in the body as He pleased. (See 1 Cor. 12:18)  Paul also said that there should be no schism or division within the church but that we should care for one another always.

Lastly, 1 Corinthians 12 says that we should earnestly desire the best gift for the times that we need them and only the Holy Spirit knows what those gifts are.

Today I want to encourage you to operate in your gift and ability within the body.  The only way to truly know what your part is will be by hearing and following the direction of the Holy Spirit in your heart.  You are truly on the honor system.  No person can tell you what you have been called to do, but you do need to submit to the authority that His Spirit has placed you under.  We also know that our main job is to care for one another and share the good news of salvation with those around us each day.  Even though we may never preach the gospel around the world, we should always be praying for and supporting those who do.  Only then will we see the results that the first church did and be fully operating as Jesus in bodily form in this earth.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 16:1-5

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 

2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 

3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 

5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Faithfulness

Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;  Acts 15:39

 This has always been a hard part of Paul’s story for me to handle.  We read back in chapter 13 how the Holy Spirit separated Paul and Barnabas to be a team to go out on these missionary journeys.  Now in chapter 15, because of a disagreement, they were separating.  There is no indication that the Holy Spirit said that they could now go their separate ways, but they did anyway.  Paul took on a new partner in Silas and Barnabas took Mark.  Paul didn’t want to take Mark with them because he left then when things got tough.  He just wasn’t there yet in his faith and didn’t understand the determination needed to be faithful in this mission no matter what they faced and let’s face it, these were not easy trips.  The team was constantly up against trouble and tests.  When they went to a new city, they didn’t wonder about the amenities at the best hotels.  They were more concerned about the conditions of that city’s prison because most likely they were going to end up there. Faithfulness was not an easy thing especially when they had no idea how bad it was going to be.

The scripture doesn’t say that this split was against God’s will, but it does say God’s work continued.  These men didn’t give up on their mission, they just went in different directions instead.  Later on, they did work together again and eventually, Paul recognized that Mark had grown into a faithful member of a mission team.  The scripture follows Paul’s story, but Barnabas and Mark still had a story.  They continued in the work of the Lord and ministering to the church everywhere they went.

This may happen in your mission some day too.  For whatever reason, people you work with in one season may move in a different direction at times.  That doesn’t mean your mission stops.  You continue on following where He leads, and you remain faithful to your calling.  If others leave or decide to go another way, God will send you help from another place.  Don’t worry about how you are going to get your mission accomplished, just be faithful to follow each step and He will bring you the people and resources you need to get the work done.

Today I want to encourage you in whatever season you are in to learn faithfulness.  It is the first step in any mission.  It’s not about others and it is not about being right or wrong.  It is about being determined to stay where He puts you until He moves you on.  Doing your best work and having your best attitude no matter what the circumstances are around you.  You can only control one person in this life and that is yourself.  Be the best “you” wherever you are in every season.  Faithfulness is the foundation that will go with your through your whole life and it will be put to the test every step of the way.  Determine today to be the best you can be and when you fall short, He will give you the boost to get up and do it again. And don’t worry if you miss it. the requirement for faithfulness never goes away. If you fail the faithfulness test one day, you can get up the next day and be faithful again. It is required in a steward that one be found faithful. Always! (1 Corinthians 4:2)

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:36-41

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 

37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 

38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 

39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 

40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

On the same page

They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.  Acts 15:23

This is amazing!!  In the passage today, it is the continuation of the meeting of the apostles to talk about the dispute about the old covenant.  The apostles got together, discussed how the issue should be handled with the new converts of other nations.  circumcision was no longer a sign or a requirement of the new covenant with God. The new covenant was only able to enter into through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus.  When they came to an agreement, they wrote a letter to be sent out to all the churches that were established at that time.  The amazing part is that they were all in agreement and when the churches received the message, verse 31 says: When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. There was no more disputing and there was no more discussion.  The debate was ended and the matter was closed.

Sounds pretty simple and of course it makes sense, but what I am truly in awe of is how the apostles were managing to keep all the new Christians of every nation in agreement without splitting into denominations and disputing doctrine.  Because it was new to the whole world at that time, the apostles had an advantage of being with Jesus through His ministry and that gave them the credibility with the church to determine the direction going forward.  What was to their disadvantage was the speed of the communications.  It was probably weeks if not months for this message to be spread throughout the entire church body.  The church stay in tact while they waited to hear back on the subject and a letter was sent out with the mission team with the results. These men took it to all of the people to read it and the message brought with it great joy to all who heard it and .

Thankfully that message and many more of the letters that were written to the first church have been preserved and we still have them today in the Holy scriptures.  So why can’t the church function as one body instead of being divided into denominations?  Why can’t our disputes and differences be settled today by those same scriptures.  The truth is they can be.  However, all pride and religious mentality would have to be eliminated.  We all, the entire body of believers, would have to come together in the love of God, stand on the blood of Jesus and the salvation that was freely given to each one of us through that blood.  We would have to praise and worship the one true God that we love and adore together in unity.

That doesn’t seem too hard and in fact should not be.  It seems that if our focus as today’s church would be on God and not on correcting one another, we could come into agreement and become a force in this world that would be unstoppable.  No enemy in the heavens or earth will be able to the stop the church when it steps into a place of agreement and love for the world.  I believe we will get there one day soon and have the kind of love that Jesus had, a sacrificial love that is unconditional on behavior or choices.  When we learn to see each other the way God sees each one of us, we can come together regardless of what denomination you are in.

So, how do we start?  First of all, there must be a desire.  Start with talking to our heavenly Father and asking His Spirit to show each heart what He desires for His family and His people.  It is clear in scripture that God planned for His people to be a family.  With family there are always going to be differences, but we work through those to come back into a place of a right relationship. (much like they did in Acts 15)  The good news is we are not in this alone.  We have His help and the power of His Spirit backing us.  God gave us His grace to empower us to walk together as a people united and strong.  We can do this as we keep our Father in heaven the focus in this life and not be distracting with the craziness of the world around us.

Today I want to encourage you to start taking steps toward becoming a stronger family of God.  Step away from pride and the need to be right and instead step into His righteousness in Christ Jesus your Lord and Savior.  Search out the scriptures for the things that all believers agree with instead of looking for differences.  Start where you are and your Father in heaven will multiply your love to impact others around you.  Soon you will be on the same page with the rest of the church and then we will see the sleeping giant rising up to be a dominating power in this dying world that we live in.  He is the only hope for the world we live in today.  Not a political leader and not a world government.  But the only way the world will ever see Him will be when His people begin to be His love and have compassion for all that need a Savior in the world today.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 15:22-35

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment— 

25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 

26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 

29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 

31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 

32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 

33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.

34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 

35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Be a sharpener

_{Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 & 34}

Have you ever heard the saying “One bad apple will spoil the whole bunch”?  It’s saying that if you have a basket of good apples and one goes bad, it quickly spreads to all that are closely associated.  How about when you were younger, did your mom ever tell you not to hang out with certain friends because she didn’t want you to pick up some of their bad habits?

In today’s reading, Paul gives a similar warning and says that evil associations can weaken and destroy your good habits.  Who you connect with actually impacts your habits whether good or bad.  Proverbs put a positive spin on this saying.  It says: Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (see Proverbs 27:17)  It gives us the impression of one person’s habits rubbing off onto another, but in this scripture it is a good thing. 

Here is the lesson to learn from that.  If you want to improve your life, look for someone who is living successfully in the areas of life that you want to be successful in and then go hang out with them.  Maybe that isn’t possible if the person is a high-profile individual or an admired prominent figure, but people like that may have books or podcasts you can learn from or even by studying them from a distance.  The idea is to become better at doing life by learning and imitating those who have already been through experiences that you are currently going through or even getting into things you don’t want to go through.

Next, wake up to what is right and quit doing what is wrong.  These are not commandments to attain salvation through, these are helps to empower you to live life as a believer and overcomer.  They will empower you to be more productive for God’s kingdom and to enjoy the life that He has blessed you with.  Take it from someone who has lived life the wrong way and God’s way, God’s way is so much better!!!!!!!!  He knows everything you need and He has made every provision for you.  You don’t have to figure things out for yourself, He has a plan and a way to bring you through this life to live it to the fullest joy.  Many people receive salvation, and then they try to drag God down to help them continue on the path they were on before receiving salvation.  God has a better road for you to travel, so take a step up to get on His plan.  Trust me, His way is not any harder than doing it your own way, in fact, it is way easier!  There is no worry, no anxiety, no fear, no struggling, only trusting and following with His peace. The only laboring is to enter His rest, while He brings the resolution to every predicament.  Trust Him to lead and follow what He says.  He will keep you from falling into the pit of life every time you listen and follow.

Today I want to encourage you to step away from evil companions and wake up to God’s way of living right.  Put sinful habits far from your life and press into the love and relationship of your heavenly Father through His provision in Christ Jesus.  You don’t have to look for someone famous or rich to imitate, you can look to the Word of God and find all the instruction you need to make the most out of your life.  Start by surrendering all to Him and then start following His way and leave your wicked ways in the dust!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?

31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Firstfruit

But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:20

The firstfruits.  It is the first produce of a crop each harvest season.  Proverbs instructs us that we are to honor God with the firstfruit of all our increase.  It means we give our first and best to God.

I imagine what it was like when people actually gave their produce from an agricultural harvest.  It would be the beginning of each harvest season, when the first of the crop is ready to be gathered in.  The people would watch and eagerly wait for the firstfruits to be ready to bring in and then, after it was collected, it would be offered to God as an offering.  The first and best offering of the season.  Of course, they tithed on everything that came in after that, but the first fruit was the most anticipated because they were ready and watching for that crop to be ready for the first pickings.  Not for themselves, but for God!

I can relate to this on a small level, having a small garden of my own.  After it is planted each spring, we carefully watch over and tend to the needs of the vegetation.  Then we watch as it begins to grow and ripen until completion.  It is quite a process.  By the time it is finally ready, we are too.  We are excited when the first is ready to be picked and look forward to when we can actually eat from our garden and enjoy it for the rest of the season.

Today we are talking about Jesus being the firstfruit raised up from the dead.  If you imagine that He was placed in the ground and raised up, like a harvest growing to full maturity until God His Father brought Him out of the grave.  He was the first “seed” that produced an entire crop of people who would be raised up with Him in salvation.  His sacrifice was an offering to God, but His resurrection became the produce that brought in the greatest harvest of all time, the family that God so much desired to have!  Not to be consumed, but to be an offering to the world. 

Jesus’ sacrifice was the greatest offering to God for our sin, but His resurrection was the greatest gift to us from God of new life.  Now we are God’s greatest gift to the world to gather in the family He sent Jesus to rescue from the clutches of hell.

Today I want to encourage you to reap your harvest of salvation.  If you have never received God’s first and best for you, receive it today in His salvation through Christ Jesus.  Pray this prayer or one like it and invite Jesus into your life:

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 me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him 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.  Thank you, Jesus for Your grace that has saved me from my sin and has given me eternal life.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.

26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.

28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.