Daily Dose 1-25-20

Genesis 50:19-21 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

TRUE forgiveness is a tough thing. We look at the forgiveness Jesus offered and are amazed and as Christian seek to emulate that behavior. However, when our level of pure, complete forgiveness doesn’t measure up, it’s easy to say, “I’m not Jesus.” God gives us pictures of other people in the Bible to serve as examples as well. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. They tortured their father with grief making him believe Joseph was dead. Once Jacob was dead, the brothers feared Joseph would do what common sense would tell him to do and have the brothers imprisoned or killed. But Joseph knew that was not God’s plan. He forgave. He provided for all their needs – and the last is a kicker – he spoke kindly to them. THAT is complete, true forgiveness. If we can deal with kindness those who have wronged us, we can experience more of God’s blessings.

Father, It’s easy to say I forgive. Let my actions speak louder than my words. May I deal with kindness to those who common sense tells me do not deserve my kindness. I certainly do not deserve the kindness You and Your son have afforded me. Thank You! Amen

Daily Dose 1-21-20

Matthew 13:58 (MSG)  But Jesus said, "A prophet is taken for granted in his hometown and his family." He didn't do many miracles there because of their hostile indifference.

The verses prior to this share the story of Jesus going back to his hometown at the height of His ministry. The people were amazed at His teachings and spoke highly of Him one minute, then quickly turned as they remembered He was nothing special, He grew up just like them. Most versions refer to His lack of miracles there because of their lack of faith. The Message paraphrase calls it hostile indifference. Isn’t that an oxymoron? How can you be hostile by being indifferent? When it comes to Jesus, indifference is hostile. Reading this scripture should be a call to be a difference maker. These people knew Jesus personally, yet they would not allow their lives to be changed by Him. We easily criticize them and wonder how they could have let Him pass through town without being with Him more intimately and being changed by His presence. Yet, how different is that from Christians who claim to know Christ, yet their lives are not really changed because of Him? Do you feel like Jesus has passed through your life and moved on without blessing you? Maybe it’s because He met hostile indifference when He tried to make a difference!

Father, I know indifference should never be used to describe my walk with Your son. Give me the courage to allow Him to make any changes necessary to make a difference in my life so I can make a difference in the lives of others. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 1-18-20

Matthew 12:34-37 (MSG) It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.

Even Jesus could get pretty frustrated with people who could only speak badly of His ministry. He had the advantage of being able to see straight to the hearts of the Pharisees to discern their motives. His message to them should ring clearly to us. Our words are powerful. God demonstrated the power of His words by speaking creation in existence. We certainly don’t possess that kind of power, but our words can do so much to encourage, inspire and teach. At the same time, our words – or sometimes just our tone – can tear people down leaving them frustrated and disheartened. There is also pain brought from our lack of words to people who need our companionship and encouragement. Sometimes, ignoring someone is just as damaging as being hurtful toward them. What Jesus said is so true, the interpretation and impact of our words come straight from our hearts. When we submit our hearts to the Holy Spirit, love, encouragement and wisdom come from our mouths. When we allow our hearts to rule with our emotional, selfish desires, we speak destruction into the lives of others. Examine your heart before you open your mouth and ask the Spirit to bridle both with the love of Christ.

Father, Empower Your Spirit within me and purify my heart to speak life and encouragement into the lives of others. Pull out any root of bitterness in my heart so I will produce the good fruit You desire. I love You. Amen

Daily Dose 1-12-20

Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

In tough economic times, it is easy to slack off on our offerings to the lord. Some may read this scripture and see giving from wealth and interpret that to mean, “If I were wealthy, I would give more.” However, the next part of the scripture shows that we give from firstfruits…straight from the top. When we learn to put God and His work first in our lives – and in our budgets – everything else will fall into place. Resolve in this new year to develop a new budget. Make the first line item GOD.

God, You are my Provider. Please help me to stay focused on You first and remain faithful that You will provide all that I need – just as you always have. Help me adjust my desires to the desires that bring You honor. Amen

Daily Dose 1-5-20

Matthew 4:18-20 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Jesus asked, they responded AT ONCE. Those two words are powerful. At once means they didn’t go around to friends and family seeking input and counsel. They didn’t explain to Him why the sacrifice could not be made at this time. They didn’t procrastinate. They dropped nets and followed. While seeking counsel is not a bad thing (many times that’s how we receive confirmation), there are times that we KNOW what Jesus is asking or requires of us. It is then we should respond – AT ONCE.

Jesus, Please forgive me when I procrastinate and doubt. Work on my heart so that my relationship with You is so close that I KNOW without reservation what You are asking. Give me a strong desire and courage to respond AT ONCE every day as I drop my nets for You. Amen

Daily Dose 1-4-20

Matthew 5:3-10 (MSG) "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for. You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family. You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.”

The Message paraphrase of Jesus’ Beatitudes sermon makes His point very clear. Life and its struggles are all a matter of perspective.  God does not intend for His children to endure any pain or approach any struggle alone or with a single focus. When we choose to look at situations through our own eyes, all we see is suffering and hardship. When we look at situations with God and through His perspective, we see potential, opportunity…and we are blessed! The choice is Yours – a view of hardships that focuses on oppression, or a view of hardships that leads to blessings. What choice will you make today?

Father, I trust You to turn my pain and hardship into Your potential and blessings. I know Your hand of protection is over me and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I love You! Amen

Daily Dose 1-2-20

Genesis 6:22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

God has not stopped commanding and guiding His people to do great things. He may not be asking you to construct an ark of gopher wood, but what is He asking you to do? What burdens have been heavy on your heart? What characters in the Bible jump off the page to inspire you? Open your eyes to the world around you. There may not be a flood coming to destroy the earth, but there is one who is seeking lives to destroy. Join God in His work to lift up the broken-hearted and bring the news of salvation to those drowning in the waters of satan’s lies.

Father, so often I want to give You the ideas and tell You how to work in my life and the lives of those around me. Had I been Noah, I may have tried to convince You that oak would be better than gopher wood! Forgive me for thinking I know best. Guide my heart to be like Noah’s. May I do everything just as You command me. Amen