40Days.36

Witnesses

Daily Scriptural Reading:
Luke 24 & John 15

Meditation:

“Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.”
– (Luke 24:44-48 NLT)

We are witnesses.
Living proofs of the grand, elaborate divine plan of salvation.
Living proofs of God’s intricate plan of redemption.
Living proofs of God’s intent, purpose and work revealed in Christ.

We are witnesses.
Of a brighter future than our present or past.
That our past doesn’t have to determine our future.
That our mistakes no matter how dark or grave, doesn’t have the right to control or limit us.
That we can be all God wants us to be.
That we are more than our faults and weaknesses.

We are witnesses.
Of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Recipients of God’s grace and benevolence.
Evidence of the life of Christ flowing through our being.

We are witnesses.
Saved, Restored, Rejuvenated and Renewed.

Hallelujah, We are witnesses!!
#40Days #Lent

40Days.34

The Father’s House

Daily Scriptural Reading:
Luke 23 & John 14

Meditation:
“DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when (if) I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 AMP)

The Father’s House speaks of a definite destination. It isn’t an abstract, or a parable. This is real.
This is the seat of the kingdom…imagine all you want, go on release your limited constructs, explore the infinite possibilities your mind can grasp about the Kingdom of God. Even, your best thoughts are not grand enough.

I literally become worry free when I meditate upon these truths.

In my father’s house…
1: God, the father, the owner is sure and certain. There are many mansions, dwelling places or houses; yours and mine inclusive.

2: Our dear savior, Jesus is in charge of the entire operation. Jesus doesn’t lie.

3: Upon completion, Jesus is coming back for us. Then I realized that my thinking might be off when I read this… “I will take you to Myself” (verse 3).

Our focus is often on things, we worry about things yet the antidote to worry isn’t found in getting those things we need or want rather it is found in the person of Jesus. When we find who we need, we enter rest. In Him, we’ve and have our being, our essence. In his presence is joy everlasting, peace like a river, hope and life in abundance. Everything, I repeat Everything we need is in Jesus.

#40Days #Lent

40Days.23

Jesus is coming back!

The ‘realistic’ question posed by Jesus’ disciples is still as relevant today as it was when Jesus was on earth. My delight lies in the fact that there is an answer as well.

Question:
Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approached and asked him, “Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time’s up?”

Answer:
Jesus said, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is ROUTINE HISTORY; this is no sign of the end.

Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming. “They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other.

Watch this- “In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in—nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.

The Key- is to stay with it!
“Staying with it—that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.

All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country.

And then the end will come. (Matthew 24:3-14 MSG)

So therefore Be Watchful!
Matthew 24:42, 45-46

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

40Days.22

The Mind of Christ.

Daily Reading: Matthew 22 & 23

It’s worrisome to see some people act like their brains are the enemies of their faith or spirit.

There is a place for a wholesome mind…guess what we as believers have the mind of Christ.

For, “Who can know the lord ’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” – (1 Corinthians 2:16 NLT)

“And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – (Philippians 4:7 LEB)

Jesus encountered numerous questions from varied sources that were often designed to trap him and provide the legal grounds for prison lent and or death.

Jesus knew their intents…
Jesus spoke beyond their intent…
Jesus displayed wisdom that was amazing and perplexed his hearers.

I want to be that wise too…
Guess what, it is possible.

To intentionally side step deep rooted, divisive and cultural land mines yet addressing the issues beyond the questions.

Wisdom – To catch the ‘hunter’ with his or her own words.

Wisdom – To disarm hate with Godly love and wisdom.

Wisdom- To correct ignorance and falsehood with unadulterated wisdom.

Wisdom- To make Christ known world over.

That is my desire, my prayer, my passion…

Dear God, I need you, your wisdom and your presence daily, Amen.
#40Days #Lent

40Days.21

Ask

Bible reading: Matthew 21, Luke 21.

When you ask, you reveal your confidence in and dependency on God, our father.

That’s awesome…because that’s a natural flow of a loving relationship.

A loving parent yearns to meet a son or daughter’s needs.

Ask and it shall be given to you but don’t forget to ask in accordance to God’s will. In order words, Ask – to satisfy God’s will for your life.

Meditate on these scriptures:

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”- (Matthew 7:7, 8 KJV)

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” – (James 4:3 KJV)

Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Devotion: Matthew 21, Luke 21
#40Days #Lent

40Days.12

A little yeast impacts the entire dough.
It’s true that one can’t ignore a bad apple just because it’s one out of many in the basket.

There is a bad apple (or yeast) called HYPOCRISY aka Pharisee phoniness.

Potent. Dangerous. Lethal.
Watch yourself.
Be careful.
Guard your heart.

Read the emphasis from Luke 12:1b MSG Version
But Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness.”

Hypocrites ruin things.
Hypocrisy destroys.

So who is a HYPOCRITE? They are –
Glory seekers.
Praise lovers.
Selfish…as they are only about themselves.
Self-Focused, Self Pleasers.

Hypocrites have an incompatible private and public lives. What they say and do are entirely different.

I’ll help you identify hypocrites; they go around in long robes (showmen/actors).
They feed on public praises and recognition.
They are often judgmental about things others do, that they do also.
Oh, what a nerve!

And they also cheat widows out of their property and pretend to be pious.

Before you point and call someone out, you might want to look inward first.

Be careful of the religious yeast.

Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished.” – Mark 12:38 -40

Devotion:
Matthew 12, Mark 12, Luke 12 #40Days #Lent

40Days.10

Reinforcements Needed…Scarce laborers everywhere.

Many are busy.
Overly extended, busy workers.
Busy with families, career, hobbies, studies, relationships and much more.

Yet, the harvest is plentiful.
This harvest requires a quick response…so let’s pray to the Lord of the harvest because the laborers are few.

More laborers are needed…
More laborers should come…
Or perhaps, More laborers should ‘listen’?

It’s a simple prayer really….
Dear Lord send reinforcement actually send me! I am ready!

SongLord of the City

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. (Luke 10:1-6 KJV)

40Days.Confession

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thine sight, O Lord.

1. I am ordained and supernaturally favored and my life will be filled with diverse signs and wonders.

2. Impossibilities will NOW become possible in Jesus Name, Amen.

3. I will break forth into NEW THINGS; break away from BAD THINGS and the GLORY OF THE LORD will arise upon me.

4. In my home, my life, my extensions, my career, calling, business, family, children, future, dreams, there shall be amazing manifestations of the supernatural God.

5. Peace, Joy, Hope, Abundance, financial strength, expansion and power will be my lot continually.

6. The voice of the Lord will be heard over me causing stability, hope, mercy now and forever more in Jesus Name, Amen.

–
#40Days

40Days.9

Hang outs
Who we ‘hang out’ with determines our frame, our focus and our mission.
It determines what must be done and confirms our purpose.

Jesus said, I haven’t come for the whole or the healthy but for sinners and where he went (his hangout) revealed his mission.

We must endeavor to do the same…whilst hating the sin we must love sinners back to the cross – the point of transformation and exchange. The healthy do not need a doctor but the sick do…need a healer and not a judge.

Our mission is eternal, God loves all and doesn’t want any to perish. All of us – saints and sinners are loved dearly by God. His love was personified in Jesus Christ who came to seek and save the lost.

I thank God for my salvation and I am eternally grateful Jesus ‘hung out’ with sinners and still does today through you and I.

So who is in your HangOut?

“Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and “sinners” came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” Jesus heard that. So he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. Go and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ (Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.” (Matthew 9:10-13 NIRV)

#40Days #Lent #HangOut
Devotion:
Matthew 9, Mark 9 & Luke 9,

40Days.8

Unequal Exchange

When one lives solely for the day or the immediate ‘now’; one inevitably sacrifice tomorrow on the altar of the and it is an unequal exchange. Actually, it’s beyond that…

Some would exchange a lifetime of happiness, joy for a fleeting indiscretion. Some would exchange the greatness of tomorrow for the temporary ‘pleasures’ of today. I have seen kings become servants…
Isn’t it time we reconsider the exchanges made ? Are these exchanges worth it? Are these exchanges worthwhile ?

Keep your soul! Within it are many ‘worlds’ and ‘kingdoms’…

Mark 8:36-38
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Devotion:
Matthew 8, Mark 8, Luke 8.
#40Days #Lent