Played: 1 | Download | Duration: 00:02:29

The Outpouring Part 1

But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. – John 15:26

My Uncle Dairl builds custom hot rods. He’s been building these exquisitely beautiful cars for years. He pays meticulous attention to every detail from the first weld on the frame to the final coat of paint. I never cease to be amazed at the craftsmanship involved in each of these one-of-a-kind masterpieces. At the heart of every one is the engine. But the part that rarely gets its due is the transmission. Only the most avid car enthusiast would think to admire a transmission.

But without the transmission the power of that beautiful engine would never get to the wheels. And the car, no matter how cool it looks, would never go anywhere. So it is with Pentecost. Tomorrow we celebrate the event that is second only to Easter in its importance to the Church. But it never gets the acclaim or attention that Easter gets. Yes, the resurrection of our Lord is beautiful, glorious and powerful. But even after Easter the disciples stayed hidden away behind locked doors. None of that power was moving them anywhere... until Pentecost. It is the Spirit that is the motivator. By the Spirit the power of Jesus Christ is translated into us and moves us to act.

Are you living in the glory of Easter but missing the power of Pentecost? The Spirit of God has been poured out on all who believe. What does that mean for you? Find out tomorrow as we celebrate Pentecost!

Prayer
Lord, thank You for the beauty of Easter and the power of the resurrection. But never let me forget that without Pentecost and the work of Your Holy Spirit in my life, that power would be lost on me. I love the way You make all things work together for Your glory. Amen.

Played: 28 | Download | Duration: 00:02:28

What Moses Overcame – Part 2

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:11

Here are three more lessons from the life of Moses:

1. It is always hard to leave your safe zone. Moses did not want to leave the comforts of Pharaoh's palace, or the security of his new family in Midian. Yet if he hadn't he'd have failed to fulfill God's call upon his life. Big assignments call for big sacrifices. Just because you do not feel like doing something doesn't mean you shouldn't!
   
   
2. Real growth begins when you leave your safe zone. For 40 years Moses benefited from everything Egypt had to offer. But only after he left Egypt for the first time did he begin to learn what's really important: God's purposes. It took another 40 years in the desert to discover how God intended to use him. By then he'd been humbled and re-made by God. If you want to grow, you have to go!
   
   
3. The safe-zone will rob you of your greatest moments and memories. Many people are so afraid of risk that they spend their lives in Egypt, the land of 'not enough.' A few are willing to get out of their safe-zone and as a result they enter the desert, the land of 'just enough.' But God wants more for you. He wants you to leave the wilderness and enter the Promised Land, the land of 'more than enough.' Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed over the risks you did not take, than the ones you did. But you can pre-empt tomorrow's regret by moving forward today and getting into the 'faith zone'.

Prayer
Heavenly Father – help me walk in the “faith zone” so I can see all the promises You have yet to fulfill for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 33 | Download | Duration: 00:02:44

What Moses Overcame – Part 1

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:11

Your life story is written in risks - the ones taken and the ones avoided. Look at Moses. Do you think we'd even remember his name today if he hadn't stepped out of the safe zone? Look at what he overcame:

1. Comfort! Comfort can be a greater threat to your progress than adversity. After Moses left Egypt he spent his next 40 years in Midian tending sheep. He married one of Jethro's daughters, became head of the family business, and since Jethro had no sons he became heir apparent. Imagine leaving all that to go back and face Pharaoh! Then lead two million constantly complaining people through the wilderness. God's plan is always rewarding, but do not think it'll be easy!
   
   
2. Insecurity! When God called Moses he had many questions and doubts: 'Who am I that I should go...?' (Exodus 3:11). 'What shall I say to them?' (Exodus 3:13). 'Suppose they will not believe me...?' (Exodus 4:1). '...but I am slow of speech' (Exodus 4:10). Finally Moses said, '...please send someone else...' (Exodus 4:13). Fortunately God wouldn't take no for an answer. So finally Moses did the only thing that helps when we're uncertain about our future: he obeyed God, the One who knows our future in every detail. In doing that he agreed to answer God's call, leave his comfort zone and return to Egypt. As a result the children of Israel were delivered out of the hands of Pharaoh, and the name Moses became a household word. Is there a lesson there for you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Secure IN this world is NOT a secure place, help me find my security in You and accept the risks and challenges You place before me – trusting You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 37 | Download | Duration: 00:02:29

God Has a Better Plan

I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Romans 15:24

There's so much talk in the church these days about self-help that divine providence is seldom mentioned. We do not decide God's plan for our lives, we discover it. Much of the time we do not understand how God leads us. It is only in looking back that we see the big picture. Paul wrote, 'When I go to Spain I hope to visit you.' But he never made it. Instead he finished up in one of Europe's worst prisons, but from there he wrote the Epistles. If we really believe that God is directing our steps - why do we complain so much?

One of England's finest preachers determined that his wife's failing health must keep him from ministering at a great conference in America. Although he purchased his ticket, the ship sailed without him. Thus, J Stuart Holden missed a golden opportunity in the prime of his preaching career. A devoted husband, Holden gave himself to caring for his wife and tried not to think of what he was missing on the other side of the Atlantic.

We're too easily disappointed when our plans fall through; too easily discouraged when 'great career opportunities' are missed. Our complaining reveals the fact that we do not know God like we say we do. Delay is often just the protective hand of a loving Father. It certainly was for Holden. Until the day he died he resolved never to question God's timing again. The unused ticket he held, reserved his passage on a new luxury liner - The RMS Titanic!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me understanding that You have my best in mind and know the best timing of all things. Help me trust You in this. Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

Played: 38 | Download | Duration: 00:02:39

Get Back Up!

Then David got up from the ground… 2 Samuel 12:20

David isn’t one of my favorite Biblical people because I have studied the “whole story” of him, but in this instance I say, look at David. Standing on his balcony looking the wrong way at another man's wife. Then follows a night of sin, an unplanned pregnancy, a failed cover up, a pre-meditated murder, a royal wedding, a public exposure and a dying child. It doesn't get much worse. Covered in sackcloth and ashes he lies on the palace floor pleading for the life of the newborn child. For a whole week he cries, then it is over. 'Is the child dead?' he asks. Yes! Listen: 'David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; then he came into the house of the Lord and worshipped.' Facing circumstances he could not change, receiving forgiveness he could not earn, learning a lesson he'd never forget, David closed the book and moved on. In Psalm 51 he prays, 'Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God...' (Psalm 51:9-10). And God answered his prayer. Listen: 'I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble' (Psalm 59:16 NIV). No doubt about it, our sin offends God. But our unwillingness to repent and receive His forgiveness offends Him even more! And that is what we do when we remain stuck in our failures. God never intended such a waste of life! The way to honor God after any failure is to get back up, corrected and redirected, and carry the message of His grace to others who've failed!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask your forgiveness for my failures. Help me get up and move on so I can be of use to You in serving others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 32 | Download | Duration: 00:02:43

Persecution a Comin!

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:16

Listen: '...no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age...with...persecutions...' (Mark 10:29-30). We're such extremists. We either emphasize prosperity and downplay persecution, or vice versa. Jesus said we're to expect both. Comfortable western Christians do not know much about persecution. Countless thousands are suffering imprisonment and even death because of their faith - and it is happening right now! But it barely makes the news. That won't be the case much longer.

When the winds of persecution become a storm force and your faith begins to lean, do not give up or give in. Continue to love the sinner, as you stand firm against sin. Entrust yourself to Him who judges righteously and who will help you to stand. Carefully underscore these two Scriptures; they are preparation for what's to come: a) 'If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first...I have chosen you out of the world, so you do not belong to it. That is why the world hates you' (John 15:18-19) b) '...Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as He did. He had never sinned, and He had never lied. People insulted Christ, but He did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but He did not threaten. He let God, the one who judges rightly, take care of him' (1 Peter 2:21-23). Remember, whatever happens, God will take care of you!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the midst of being persecuted for being a Christian, help me to always respond in Love. Let me also pray for the thousands around the world who are physically persecuted each day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 19 | Download | Duration: 00:02:36

Get Out There

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. – John 17:15

Very early in the last century the United States, by and large, tried to keep to itself when it came to world affairs. There were many Americans who were strong ‘isolationists’, meaning they believed the U.S. should remain isolated from any substantive involvement in the internal affairs of other countries. World War II was the turning point that eliminated any hope that the U.S. could remain isolated.

Today in the Christian Church there is a similar isolationist sentiment. People who believe that we must protect ourselves from the world by keeping away from it encourage us to only listen to Christian music, only read Christian literature, only watch Christian movies, only gather with fellow Christians. But even a cursory examination of the life and work of Jesus Christ would reveal that this was not His intention for His body, the Church. When praying to His Heavenly Father Jesus made it clear that He did not want us to be taken out of the world. He did want us kept from the evil one, but not through isolation from any contact with the world.

We are called by Christ to follow Him. He traveled among those considered unclean, ate with sinners, spent time with outcasts, and brought healing, hope and salvation to all… much to the chagrin of the religious leaders who were assiduously keeping themselves isolated from those people.

Being in the world can be hard. But God has not lit a lamp so that you can hide it under a bushel…or in a building full of other lamps! If Jesus didn’t ask His Father to take us out of the world, what right do we have to remove ourselves? Consider today if this speaks to you and, if it does, stop isolating and start integrating!

Prayer
Lord, I am created in Your image, filled with Your Spirit and called for Your purpose. Forgive me for those times when I have hidden Your light under a bushel and grant me the courage to be in the world. Amen.

Played: 27 | Download | Duration: 00:02:23

Watch Where You’re Walking

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. – Psalm 1:1-2

I enjoy golf. Golf courses seem to attract geese. Sometimes many, many geese wander the grounds leaving behind the things that naturally pass. Invariably the game takes me directly into the path of that which has been left behind and I must very carefully watch where I’m walking lest I accumulate the fowl remains.

So, too, it is for us in our faith walk. In this day and age where spiritual droppings are everywhere…from pop psychology sprinkled with bits of scripture to New Age spirituality to the ever popular horoscopes to mediums and soothsayers…it is all too easy for us to accidentally step in something. Before we know it we’re walking in the way of sinners surrounded by an odiferous cloud wondering what stinks. But the Psalmist gives us clear direction on how to avoid this.

Delight in the law of the Lord. Meditate on it day and night. That’s right…day and night. A passing glance at the Word of God once a week or on occasion will not equip you to properly identify the counsel of the wicked or avoid the seat of a scoffer. We are called to a deep, intimate knowledge of God’s Word through daily meditation. Read, reflect, remember, and revel in the Word every day and you will be equipped to watch where you’re walking. So start today and, while you’re at it, take some time to clean your shoes!

Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times when I have inadvertently stepped in the spiritual droppings that litter the landscape. Draw me ever deeper into Your Word and teach me to delight in meditating upon it day and night. Amen.

Played: 28 | Download | Duration: 00:02:16

Christ-Like Response

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Here's how Jesus says we should respond to those who mistreat us: 'Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth." Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: "Do not hit back at all." If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. You are familiar with the old written law, "Love your friend," and its unwritten companion, "Hate your enemy." I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, "Grow up. You are kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you"' (Matthew 5:38-48 TM).

Prayer
Give me the courage Lord to live and act like You have called me to do. In Your Precious Name, Amen

Played: 39 | Download | Duration: 00:02:48

Victorious Living

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14

How can you live a victorious Christian life? By:

1. Soaking yourself in the Scriptures. Listen: 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God' (Matthew 4:4). Three times Satan tried to get Jesus to submit to his suggestions, but each time He responded, 'It is written.' After the third attempt Satan left Him alone because he cannot prevail against you when you know God's Word and stand on it. Have your 'It is written...' ready. Build yourself up on the Word of God before the attack comes.

2. Developing the habit of prayer. Prayer puts a shield of divine protection over you. Do not live without it. Listen: 'Stay alert; be in prayer so you do not wander into temptation...' (Matthew 26:41). Unless you acknowledge your tendency for sin you won't pray against it and you will always be vulnerable. The most effective weapon the enemy has against you - is you! Your old nature must be crucified daily. Prayer is how you do that.

3. Burning your bridges. Any bridge to the past that you refuse to burn gives Satan a re-entry point back into your life. The new believers in Ephesus brought out all their old books of witchcraft and pornography and burned them in the town square. Sound extreme? Paul says, 'Make no provision for the flesh.' Be ruthless with yourself. If you give Satan a toe hold he'll turn it into a strangle hold. Remember, change is inevitable but growth is optional. If you do not say goodbye to Egypt you will never make it to the Promised Land.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to move forward in my walk with You by protecting me from those things that keep me from moving forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 33 | Download | Duration: 00:02:36

Prejudice – Deal with It!

When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Galatians 2:11

Prejudice makes us accept without question the opinions we hear when growing up, the constant bias of talking heads in the media, and the pronouncements of narrow religionists. Never once do we ask, 'Is this right?' Or more important, 'Is it Christ-like?' Prejudice demotes first class citizens to the junk heap of second-class citizenship because of their color, their gender, their economic status, their denomination, or the circumstances of their birth.

Often our prejudices are so deep that we cannot even acknowledge them to ourselves. We feel threatened by anybody who challenges us to examine them. But God won't let us off the hook. Paul confronted Peter over his racial prejudice. Listen: 'He [Peter] used to eat with the Gentiles but when they [the Jews] arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.' Did Paul excuse Peter because he had so many other good qualities? No! Peter's attitude and actions were wounding people and reflecting badly on God, Who 'so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life' (John 3:16).

Now, before you can deal with prejudice in someone else's life you have got to first deal with it in your own. Are you ready to do that? Too many of us are like the lady in the prayer meeting who stood up and testified, 'I love everybody,' but she had her eyes closed when she said it.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the prejudices I have and help me DEAL with them so that I can be Christ Like to all I meet. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 29 | Download | Duration: 00:02:33

Overcoming Temptation

in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11

Here are three effective strategies to help you overcome temptation:

1. Expect it. Unless you expect temptation you won't prepare for it. Temptation begins in your mind. Any defeat that shows up in your actions was first a battle lost in your will. So Paul writes: '...we do not want to unwittingly give Satan an opening...' (2 Corinthians 2:11)

2. Detect it. Ask God to help you detect Satan's advances and brace yourself for the impact. An ink-stained wall in Wartburg Castle in Germany illustrates the point. Martin Luther, in the midst of prayer, suddenly detected the enemy's presence. The story goes that he picked up an inkpot and hurled it against the wall as he aimed it at the devil. Luther sensed the adversary's sinister advance and responded the best way he knew how. Sound extreme? Maybe, but do you have that kind of spiritual sensitivity?

3. Reject it. Attempt to play games with the devil and he'll take you down. Listen: 'Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' (James 4:7). Satan would have you do the reverse; resist God and submit to him - that is a trap! Do not be clever; reject it. If you are battling temptation today listen: 'Our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses ...He was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it' (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to resist the temptations that keep me from being faithful and productive for You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 32 | Download | Duration: 00:02:25

Closer Than You Think!

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. Mark 2:4

What's stopping you from getting to Jesus today? Disappointment in Christians? Guilt over what you have done? When the four men carrying this paralyzed man arrived at the house where Jesus was preaching, they could not get through the crowd. Nothing about bringing this man to Jesus was easy; they had to make it happen! At that point they'd a choice to make: give up and go home, or persist and find a way through. That is when they decided to climb up and dig '...through the clay roof above His head...' When they finally broke through and Jesus 'saw their faith, he said..."Son, your sins are forgiven"' (vs. 5). Whatever 'roof' is separating you and those you love from Jesus, it can be removed! Tear it off! Do not let any obstacle stand in your way. You can have a good job, a fresh start, a strong marriage, healthy kids and an effective ministry if you are willing to dig for them! These men were radical in their approach. They did not just have faith, they had faith in action. They had come to see Jesus and some dried mud was not about to stop them. As they dug through the roof they knew they were only a few feet away from the answer and they were not about to be put off. No matter what you have to do today, let nothing stop you from getting to Jesus! You are closer to a break-through than you realize, so start digging and do not stop till you get there!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to see that the obstacles that keep me from You are only obstacles if I let them be! Give me power to dig through. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 39 | Download | Duration: 00:02:19

Ulterior Motive

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11

If you’ve ever wondered what Jesus hoped to accomplish with all the preaching He did, the miracles He performed and parables He told I would direct your attention to John 15:11. While there is certainly depth to what Jesus taught and untold riches that have been mined from His words through the millennia, His ulterior motive for all of it is no secret.

God has not set the rules for our lives, delivered the Scriptures into our hands, sent His Son to die for our sins or His Spirit to live in our hearts so that we should be miserable. No, He has shown immense patience, shared exquisite detail and suffered excruciating pain to impart His joy to us. All so that our joy would be complete.

We can have joy apart from God. It will be partial. It will be fleeting. We don’t need to become intimately familiar with the things Jesus has spoken to us if we’re satisfied with a little joy in our lives. But if you want the fullness of joy, if you crave a joy that fills you to overflowing and lifts you in even the darkest times of your life, then you should know that is exactly what Jesus wants for you.

He took the time to speak so that His joy may be in you. Take the time to listen so that your joy may be complete. Start today.

Prayer
Jesus, You have so clearly revealed Your love for me and I long for Your intention that my joy be complete to be fulfilled. Move me each day to take time to listen to the words You have spoken. Amen.

Played: 35 | Download | Duration: 00:02:28

Playing Favorites

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him”. – Acts 10:34-35

When my daughter was young I started telling her, ‘you are my favorite daughter.’ This delighted her. However, it didn’t take long before she realized she was my only daughter. And for a time whenever I told her she was my favorite daughter she would just giggle and shake her head at my silliness. Today, now that she’s all grown up and living far away, she’ll sometimes finish her emails or Facebook messages with, Your Favorite Daughter. And it’s as true now as it was the day she was born.

One hindrance that is peculiar to humans but not to God is that we are linear. There can only be one first place, one top priority, one favorite. We can’t seem to escape stratifying each other into rank order lists: Top 10, Fortune 500, Most Beautiful Woman, Sexiest Man, Most Wanted, Dumbest Criminals, and on and on and on. We even rank our sinning from really bad to not so bad. Killing someone is terrible while having a fourth helping at the pot luck is just a healthy appetite.

God doesn’t stratify. As Peter said, “God shows no partiality.” Sin is sin and separates us from God. No matter if you’re rich, poor, criminal, upstanding citizen, male, female, Jew, gentile, slave or free. Likewise, the salvation won by Jesus Christ is for everyone. Receive by faith what has been accomplished for you because you are God’s favorite child. As are we all.

Prayer
Lord, I’m constantly amazed by Your love for me and humbled that You have made me Your own dear child. With each new day may I live in the confidence of knowing that I am Your favorite. Amen.

Played: 33 | Download | Duration: 00:02:43

An Answer to Inadequacy – Part 2

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Paul writes: 'I was with you in weakness and in fear...my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power' (1 Corinthians 2:3-4). He continues: 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the...greatness...will be of God...not...ourselves' (2 Corinthians 4:7). Paul did not just acknowledge his inadequacy; he found it to be God's way of using him even more effectively. Listen: 'I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I did not think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it...then he told me, "My grace is enough; it is all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size - abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become' (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Regardless of how long you have walked with the Savior, every ounce of your adequacy comes from Him, not you. After acknowledging that, may you never forget it!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, In You, In YOU, Because of YOU, and only BY YOU! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 44 | Download | Duration: 00:02:33

An Answer to Inadequacy – Part 1

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5

Face it: most of us do not wake up in the morning feeling super-sufficient! No, we're very aware of our limitations when it comes to things like meeting the needs of our family; fulfilling the demands of our occupation when we feel like we're in over our heads; keep on going in spite of the energy drain from chronic pain and illness; confronting difficult situations; battling a long-standing habit; learning a new job after being laid off; staying in a marriage that is more pain than pleasure; finding the strength to keep forging ahead when our dreams have crashed and burned. We pretend we've got it together. We act like we're capable of handling any situation when we know we're really not. Few people struggled with inadequacy to such depth as the Apostle Paul. He wrote: 'Who is adequate for these things?' (2 Corinthians 2:16). Nevertheless Paul enjoyed remarkable success. How? Listen: 'Not that we are adequate in ourselves...our adequacy is from God' (2 Corinthians 3:5). Without God and the power He pours into us we're totally inadequate. This is a tough concept for the proud type-A assertive individual to swallow. It grates on their ego to think, 'Without God I do not know what the right thing to do is, or how to do it the right way, or where the power to do it will come from. So I must consciously rely on Him at all times.' But once you embrace those words and begin to live by them, you are standing on the threshold of the life you have always wanted.

Prayer
Heavenly Father help me hold fast to You in what I do and to realize that any good in me is from YOU who wants to and does work good things through me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 40 | Download | Duration: 00:02:35

It Will Cost You!

Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Mark 2:3

This man on the stretcher was no lightweight; it took four men to carry him. Want to be a soul-winner? A family-uniter? A community-changer? They are some of the greatest things you can do. But be warned, while ministry sometimes looks easy, being used by God to bring people to Jesus means:

1. Being sensitive to their needs. Chances are someone close to you right now is lying on a 'stretcher' inwardly. Oh, they look like they've got it together, but do not be fooled by their facade. They are hurting, out of control, paralyzed - and they know it. Whenever they are alone they are crying out, 'God, unless you help me I'm finished'.

2. Carrying them all the way. We want to see people set free, but only if it does not involve personal sacrifice. That is not how it works. Committing to bring somebody to Jesus means bringing them the whole way. It means comforting, encouraging and holding them securely until He touches and changes them.

3. Leaving the healing to Jesus. The Psalmist cried, '...lead me to the...Rock of safety' (Psalm 61:2). Hurting people know what they need - and so does God. So once you get them there, back off and leave the rest to Him. We tend to look for outward signs of change, but Jesus addressed this paralyzed man's inner condition (where it counts most) before completing the outer work. Do not dismiss God's tendency to work in ways that do not make sense to you. Rest assured, when He starts working on them, He'll '...keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish...' (Philippians 1:6).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, use me as Your instrument to bring healing and Your Life eternally to those who are suffering and in pain. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Played: 33 | Download | Duration: 00:03:03

Dealing with Death

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

Consider some of the ways we deal with death:

a) Through humor. Woody Allen quipped, 'It is not that I'm afraid to die, I just do not want to be there when it happens.' Somehow joking about it seems to keep death at a safe distance.

b) Through denial. Do not talk about death, just remove it from all conversation. That is easier than reordering our lives in the light of it.

c) Through romanticism. Through elaborate floral arrangements and graceful hymns we emphasize death's supposed beauty - and that is understandable. But the Bible calls death 'the last enemy...' (1 Corinthians 15:26).

d) Through fear. If you do not believe it, observe your fellow passengers when air turbulence causes a sudden drop during your flight. Sooner or later we're all forced to face death head-on, and it is not funny, or distant, or beautiful - but thank God it needn't be fearful. Death may be the end of your earthly life, but it won't be the end of you. Paul, who may have been to heaven, came back and reported that life there is '...far better' (Philippians 1:23).

Recall your most treasured memory, your greatest accomplishment, your most precious relationship, then think '...far better.' Certainly far better health: 'And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there by any more pain: for the former things are passed away' (Revelation 21:4). But you do not go to heaven by chance, you go by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Surrender your life to Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Why not do it now?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Help me to die to self and live for You, a life that is eternal, that needs not fear death but to see death as the final stage to eternity with You. In Your Precious Name, Amen

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Repentance!

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

Samson went too far. He wound up with his eyes gouged out, mocked by his captors in a Philistine dungeon. Why? Because of two unguarded areas: pride and sex. David also struggled against unrelenting temptation. In a moment of weakness he fell prey to lust and paid dearly. But he did not die in prison like Samson. Instead he died a noble death. What made the difference? Repentance! In brokenness and humility David called on the Lord and found mercy and grace to get back up. Stop and ask yourself, 'Am I living a secret life that only God and I know about? Have I allowed myself to become so addicted to my sin that I fear there's no possibility of turning back?'

It is never too late to start doing what's right. You cannot sink so deep that Christ is unable to lift you. Repentance is the place to start. Repentance means turning from your sin, confessing your failure and acknowledging your inability to change on your own. It means asking for God's strength. Stop rationalizing what you are doing; you are only fooling yourself. You may have kept it a secret so far, but ultimately you will be found out. Do not go another day without falling on your knees before God and praying, '...cleanse me from my sin...Create in me a pure heart, O God...' (Psalm 51:2&10). Did you pray that prayer? If so, reach for those who can strengthen and encourage you. Do not try to battle it alone; you won't succeed. Then what? Get back in the race and run like never before!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask Your forgiveness for all those secret sins in my life I have never dealt with but that have been holding me back from running the good race. I know in You I have forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen